Its that time again! A fresh new year of horror ahead of us means a look back at the BEST of 2016, which was one of the very best years for horror in quite some time!!
Agree? Disagree? Weigh in by commenting!
Here we go...
THE RUNNERS-UP:
10 Cloverfield Lane - Awesome genre mash-up
Monsterland - Extremely creative anthology
The Monster - Provocative creature feature
The Wailing - South Korean insanity
Southbound - Effective Anthology
I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House - Slow burning stylish throwback
Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories - Super strong indie anthology
Phantasm: Ravager - You CAN go home again
The Barn - Eighties Halloween love letter
The Autopsy of Jane Doe - Unique and frightening genre bender
10 - THE SHALLOWS
Entertaining and suspenseful shark flick with a great performance by Blake Lively. One of the more surprising horror offerings of the year.
9 - LIGHTS OUT
Spooky story with solid acting and a fantastic monster. Brisk pace and great effects.
8 - OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL
Another mildly divisive entry, but the general consensus is that this sequel was much better than reasonably expected. Great atmosphere and a huge improvement over the weak first film.
7- THE INVITATION
Clever, suspenseful thriller with an outstanding cast. Inspired lunacy.
6 - I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER
Tense and well made horror with outstanding performances by Max Records and Christopher Lloyd.
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| Lloyd and Records share a quiet moment. |
5 - GREEN ROOM
The conceit of a horror film is rarely as realistically presented as this astounding punk rock nightmare. Patrick Stewart is a creeper and the late Anton Yelchin gives yet another in a line of strong horror film performances.
4 - HUSH
Director Mike Flanagan continues his career ascension with one of the most intriguing and intelligent slasher style films in years. Kate Siegel co-wrote and gives a remarkable turn as the deaf writer who must channel her creativity if she wants to survive the night.
3 - THE CONJURING 2
Its the attention to the detail of the time period that powers this frightening sequel, along with more believable chemistry and strong acting by the likable duo of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Some nifty scares and a spook house penchant keep it at least on par with the borderline masterpiece original.
2 - DON'T BREATHE
Stephen Lang is jaw dropping as a home invasion victim and Jane Levy has another solid outing for director Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead remake). Detroit setting heightens the effectiveness of this thriller, abundant with surprises and nail biting situations.
1 - THE WITCH (The VVitch)
Many horror fans loved it, some claimed to hate it, but chances are everyone remembers the details of this ominous period folk story. It's an admittedly slow burn for the disengaged, loaded with atmosphere, spooky settings and some of the best acting of the year from ANY genre. From the cinematography to the haunting score, THE WITCH was one of the first theatrical horror releases of the past year and gets the HALLOWEEN MACHINE nod as the best picture of 2016.
Wonder what great horror films await us in 2017?! Happy viewing!!
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