til that octo loves a pork pie hat
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Just Keep Telling Yourself It's Only a Thread: Talking Time's Top 50 Horror Movies!
- Thread starter Dracula
- Start date
til that octo loves a pork pie hat
Forgot about Annihilation. And I just watched and wrote about it five years ago in March. It was wonderfully unsettling, and I feel like I should watch it again to see what I missed the first time.
Not really anything to say about Ghostbusters that hasn't been said. I really had to toe the line on a few films to pad out my list.
Not really anything to say about Ghostbusters that hasn't been said. I really had to toe the line on a few films to pad out my list.
My baseline was "Anything intended to be creepy" was fair game
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
As someone whose list is almost exclusively horror comedies, it never once occurred to me to put Ghostbusters on my list.
This is the only way I made it anywhere near 25 movies, yeah.
So did I. I just watched it... like, the year it came out, when I was a child, so I don't have much to say. Apparently on Hulu! I think I actually have the DVD around here somewhere, though.
Also like Annihilation! Good movies.
Loved The Nightmare Before Christmas. Wish stop-motion films were more common. Try not to let annoying fans put you off of anything... it's actually very annoying to like anything. Wish it weren't. It's unfortunate because so many movies are good.
I'm sure I've seen Ghostbusters but my primary association with it as a media franchise is the animated TV show. I think to the extent it's talked about online it's mostly about the human performances but as a child, it was all about Slimer.
Also like Annihilation! Good movies.
Loved The Nightmare Before Christmas. Wish stop-motion films were more common. Try not to let annoying fans put you off of anything... it's actually very annoying to like anything. Wish it weren't. It's unfortunate because so many movies are good.
I'm sure I've seen Ghostbusters but my primary association with it as a media franchise is the animated TV show. I think to the extent it's talked about online it's mostly about the human performances but as a child, it was all about Slimer.
Young Octo was startled, when he finally saw that movie, at how little screen time Slimer actually had
In the immortal lyrics of Ray Parker, Jr. - I ain't afraid o' no ghost.
...
OK, that's a lie - there are some ghosts and demons in this which are pretty darn scary. I'm glad the Busters are here to take care of things and lighten the mood.
...
OK, that's a lie - there are some ghosts and demons in this which are pretty darn scary. I'm glad the Busters are here to take care of things and lighten the mood.
So is that pork pie hats in general or just the hot pink ones?
Fashion is everything
Heh, yeah, both films for me start at a baseline "sci-fi" and then diverge into "comedy" and "existentialism", but I suppose Annihilation can definitely fit in the existential dread/cosmic horror category or horror films.The films I put in my list tended towards the "frightful images stay with me for a while and make me jump at noises or shadows in the corner of my eye" while Annihilation makes me think and analyze and digest themes and philosophy for hours.
Annihilation is full to the brim of straight-up Cronenbergian body horror. Also, Zef, based on this, I'm doubling-down on my recommendation that you see both Suspirias.
I watched The Others earlier this year and really liked it. I thought the execution on the twist was great.
Annihilation has some of the best sound design in any movie.
Ghostbusters and Monster Squad don't fit my idea of horror movies but they're fun.
Annihilation has some of the best sound design in any movie.
Ghostbusters and Monster Squad don't fit my idea of horror movies but they're fun.
Annihilation and Ghostbusters are both great, and they didn't come to my mind as horror (though Annihilation does indeed have the Scariest Bear). I voted for other horror comedies, so I'm not sure why I excluded Ghostbusters, but everyone knows it's a good time, right?
No. 42 TIE
Chopping Mall (1986)
Points: 71 | Lists: Dracula (#14); Kishi (#18); Octopus Prime (#8)
“Thank you...have a nice day.”
Chopping Mall (originally released as Killbots) is a 1986 American science-fiction comedy horror film co-written and directed by Jim Wynorski, produced by Julie Corman, and starring Kelli Maroney, Tony O'Dell, John Terlesky, and Russell Todd. The story focuses on three security robots turning maniacal, and killing teenage employees inside a shopping mall after dark. While not a commercial or critical success, the film has gained a cult following since its release.
Crimson Peak (2015)
Points: 71 | Lists: Rascally Badger (#1); Kirin (#2)
“Ghosts are real, that much I know. I've seen them all my life…”
Points: 71 | Lists: Rascally Badger (#1); Kirin (#2)
“Ghosts are real, that much I know. I've seen them all my life…”
Crimson Peak is a 2015 American gothic romance film directed by Guillermo del Toro and written by del Toro and Matthew Robbins. The film stars Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam, and Jim Beaver. The story, set in Victorian era England, follows an aspiring author who travels to a remote Gothic mansion in the English hills with her new husband and his sister. There, she must decipher the mystery behind the ghostly visions that haunt her new home.
Drac’s Notes: Once again I have to confess I’m very familiar with one of these movies and I’ve never seen the other. Here’s what Kirin has to say about Crimson Peak:
I really have no excuse for my failure to watch this movie - Del Toro is a favorite director of mine, and this won’t be the last time we see him on this list.
Now Chopping Mall is one that I’m super pleased made it into the top 50. Of course I love it - it’s a weird horror comedy from the 80s. Kelli Maroney is one of my favorite B-movie actresses, and we’ll see her again before we’re done with this list. There’s a memorable head-explosion and lots of fun shenanigans with teens running around in this mall. Maybe Chopping Mall doesn't have much to say, but it never takes itself too seriously and everyone is having a good time. Even better, a number of Roger Corman mainstays show up to cameo, including Mary Woronov, Paul Bartels, and That Guy Dick Miller.
It’s also a movie that’s a victim of its own marketing. The poster and even the name are pretty misleading. It was renamed from the more evocative “Killbots,” and I always assumed it was yet another B-grade slasher film, which kept me from watching it for years. But it’s way better than that. Check it out!
I think I went to high school with that robot. I always knew he'd grow up to be a murderer.
Ah, glad Crimson Peak made it on! Creepy gothic romance ftw, and it has that trademark Del Toro Touch, where everything means something - every color, every image, is there to reinforce the themes and feelings of the film. Great cast too. And while the ghosts aren't really the *main* focus, not only do they drive the plot but many of the ghost effects are hellllla creepy.
Chopping Mall is a movie I knew would become one of my all time favorite horror movies within about five minutes of it starting.
I love Crimson Peak, mostly because it is not really a horror movie. It is very much a Gothic Romance. It is creepy and weird and spooky, but only very rarely scary. It is also gorgeous. It topped my list mostly because it is about as close to a real horror movie as I can stomach and also it is really good.
This. When I first saw Crimson Peak, I was fully prepped for a horror film, and came out disappointed. Then I saw it a second time, and engaged with it on its own terms rather than the marketing's, and it's a gorgeous movie, and to follow up on Badger's description, an ideal Gothic romance.
Between this and Annihilation, I'm thinking maybe I should have included The Devil's Backbone in my list. Since I only submitted 23, I wonder if I can add it retroactively
This. When I first saw Crimson Peak, I was fully prepped for a horror film, and came out disappointed. Then I saw it a second time, and engaged with it on its own terms rather than the marketing's, and it's a gorgeous movie, and to follow up on Badger's description, an ideal Gothic romance.
Between this and Annihilation, I'm thinking maybe I should have included The Devil's Backbone in my list. Since I only submitted 23, I wonder if I can add it retroactively
You can't, but you'd be the only person to vote for it.
I'll put it in this weekend's features!
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
That's genuinely surprising to me.
Chopping Mall is a very silly dumb movie that is fun to watch. I ended up watching it because it was a featured film on the podcast How Did This Get Made? Its a good episode and there's a follow up with the lead actress who discusses her unfortunate wardrobe on the film.
Chopping Mall is a very silly dumb movie that is fun to watch. I ended up watching it because it was a featured film on the podcast How Did This Get Made? Its a good episode and there's a follow up with the lead actress who discusses her unfortunate wardrobe on the film.
For real.
Also, Chopping Mall has a fantastic poster. And Shout Factory showed it all day on Monday, because Cyber Monday. Much better than all day A Christmas Story.
No. 41 Phantasm (1979)
Points: 72 | Lists: YangusKhan (#9); Johnny Unusual (#11); Dr. Nerd (#19)
“Booooy!”
Phantasm is a 1979 American science fantasy horror film that was directed, written, photographed, and edited by Don Coscarelli. The first film in the Phantasm franchise, it introduces the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm), a supernatural and malevolent undertaker who turns the dead of Earth into dwarf zombies to be sent to his planet and used as slaves. He is opposed by a young boy, Mike (Michael Baldwin), who tries to convince his older brother Jody (Bill Thornbury) and family friend Reggie (Reggie Bannister) of the threat.
Drac’s Notes: It’s almost impossible to describe Phantasm. The introductory paragraph I used above doesn’t even crack the surface of how weird this film is. Probably the most iconic element of the series is the weapon the Tall Man uses on his enemies, which is this flying chrome ball with a fork that drills out your brains. And this is only the first in a long line of movies! They kept making these things! With increasing levels of weirdness!! For years!!!
Oh, jeez. All that yellow custard blood stuff? I feel queasy.
He is disturbed! Now is our chance! Video Knight, what is the next film?
It is a multi-film.
Yes! Excellent! Send it!!
No. 40 Creepshow (1982)
Points: 73 | Lists: Teg (#18); Torzelbaum (#3); Shakewell (#17)
“Meteor shit!”
Creepshow is a 1982 American horror comedy anthology film directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King, making this film his screenwriting debut. The film's ensemble cast includes Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Fritz Weaver, Leslie Nielsen, Ted Danson and E. G. Marshall, as well as King himself (King's acting debut actually came a year prior in the Romero film Knightriders). The film consists of five short stories: "Father's Day", "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill" (based on the King short story "Weeds"), "Something to Tide You Over", "The Crate" and "They're Creeping Up on You!"
Drac’s Notes: It seems like horror is the lone genre which can consistently support the anthology film. There’s tons of great anthology films in horror, and Creepshow is one of the best of ‘em all. This one homages EC Comics, with transitions showing actual comic pages and lots of visual flare. And of course it’s a horror comedy, which means I love it. Which segment is your fave? (The one where Stephen King plays a hillbilly might be mine.)
I think I'm dead. I have seen too many horror movies. Congrats, you all win.
You are dead. You started this thing dead. Also, we're only at number 40.
oh noooooo
Oh man! I forgot to vote for Phantasm!
I made a bad list, Boooooy!
I made a bad list, Boooooy!