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11/25/2020

The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1989

  5:32 PM            No comments

And, now we head into the final year of the 80's, 1989. By this point, the slasher movie has well run its course, with some some subpar and even terrible movies (looking at Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan) coming out and bombing. And, while there are some slashers in this list, it also represents an interesting and varied batch of genre flicks, as the decade closed off. One more that I want to mention is that I sometimes forget that this year really had quite a few solid movies in it. 

Honorable Mentions:
Pet Semetary
Leviathan
Cutting Class
Shocker
The Return of Swamp Thing
The Horror Show
The Dead Pit

10. Parents- It maybe a little slow, but this interesting and odd mix of horror and pitch black comedy has garnered a well deserved cult following over the years. One of the reasons it works so well is cause of Randy Quaid, who is creepy as fucking hell as the dad. And, while I was able to figure out the ending, I still loved the fuck out of it!

9. The Phantom of the Opera- This one is a wholly enjoyable, if flawed, mix of classic, Gothic horror and slasher film. The flick has good production values and also features some graphic gore. The acting is also good especially from Robert Englund (in the title role) and the beautiful Jill Schoelen as the object of his affection/ obsession. 

8. Intruder- Far more gory than most of the slashers of its era, this is one bloody and graphic motherfucker. It is also stylishly shot, exciting, and fun. In all it is an honestly and absolutely killer, good time. 

7. The Fly II- Look, this movie was never gonna be on the level of its flawless original. But, that's fine, cause what it is is a a wholly fun and highly entertaining monster movie. It has amazing practical FX, including a great looking monster and splatter that pushes the limits of the R-rating. The acting is great and it even manages to tug at your feelings with that doggie scene. Said moment is proven to make anyone with a heart cry any and every time they see it. 

6. Bride of Re-Animator- Making a sequel to all my all time favorite movie is no easy task. But, leave it to Brian Yuzna, the producer of the first masterpiece, to come back and direct it. He does a great job with this gory, wild, and, above all, fun film. And, with most of the cast coming back for it, Bride wins in ways most sequels, fuck many "original" movies, wish they could!

5. Dead Calm- A slow-burn horror/ thriller that really knows how to build-up the nail-biting intensity, this is one suspenseful fucker. It's expertly directed and has excellent acting from its small cast. And, the ending is a perfect way to cap off a damn good flick. On a side note, Nicole Kidman's nudity is nice bonus.

4. The Church- Produced by Dario Argento this Michele (Cemetery Man) Soavi' flick is stylish, gory, and wild. It has everything that makes Italian horror so kick ass: graphic splatter, great directing, awesome music, over the top set pieces, a wild, err, "plot", and beautiful (sometimes naked) women. Plus, there are some cool looking demons, too! 
3. Stepfather 2: Make Room for Daddy- It's the acting, especially from Terry O'Quinn, that really helps make this one of the very best slasher sequels ever made. The climatic and bloody battle between he and the lovely Meg Foster is rousing and and exciting. Too bad the franchise kept going after this with the godawful third film and the unwanted remake, cause this was the perfect ending for the titular character.
2. Society- Brian Yuzna, with the earlier ranked Bride of Re-Animator and this slimey classic, pulls double duty on this list. But, this to me, is his finest film. It is grotesque, smart, and funny. It's message of how the rich feed on the poor is still highly relevant, today. The excellent FX by Screaming Mad George are over the top and stomach churning. The supreme example of this being the climatic shunting scene. It is nightmarish, truly gross, and unforgettable. It wouldn't be me if I didn't mention the fact that the gorgeous Devin Devasquez is one of the sexiest women in 80s horror.
1. Santa Sangre- Alejandro Jodorwsky's beautiful and powerful horror flick ranks among the finest genre movies made in any era. Lyrical, surreal, and bloody it is a truly spectacular site to behold. I find it a shame that horror fans don't seem to talk about it, these days, anywhere near the amount that should be. So, to those of you who have never seen it, you need to change that, as of right fucking now! 






And, this concludes the best of the 80s horror movies, year by year. I plan to do a best overall of the whole decade, but am still thinking of whether to make it a video or simply write it out. Would you guys rather have a video or a written one, like this one? Let me know in the comments section below. Also, comment and let me know your favorites of 1989. And, here here are the previous years:


And, I know things are very different this year, but I wish you all a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving! And, for one, am so thankful to all who read and support my website. I and this site, would be nothing with you ladies and guys. 

10/25/2020

The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1988

  4:45 PM            No comments

1988 has a long standing reputation as a horror fan favorite, and it is easy to see why. There are a lot of genuine and cult classics contained within it. Most of the movies are of the fun type, but there is some that are intelligent and thought provoking, a few are even both. Also, a lot of masters of the genre, put out some of their finest work. Another thing, and I think this why it appeals to so many fans, it was a great year for franchise horror. This list reflects all of that. In fact, there are so many good movies released this year that, like 1987, I had to do a rather large honorable mention list.

Honorable Mentions:
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
Monkey Shines
The Serpent and the Rainbow
Faceless
Pumpkinhead
Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark

10. Hellbound: Hellraiser II- While not as great as the first the one (then again, not many movies are), this is a solid sequel that gets better with time and viewings. It is shockingly gory and gruesome, and also has a high amount of sexuality, especially for a mainstream horror franchise flick. The movie is also highly ambitious for its budget, has some great acting, and is topped with some nightmarish imagery.
9. The Lair of the White Worm- Ken (The Devils, Altered States) Russell's wild horror movie is sexy, fun, funny, and, at times, sacrilegious. It also has great acting, wild FX, and a really awesome climax. Amanda Donohue is wonderfully vampy and tempting as the villianess, while the gorgeous Catherine Oxenberg makes for a tasty good girl.
8. Night of the Demons- This immensely fun possession flick has everything that makes 80s horror awesome. These things being: gore, babes (scream queen extraordinaire Linnea Quigley, Amelia Kinkade as goth babe turned demoness Angela, this site's first ever Horror Crush induction Jill Terashita, and, my personal favorite, Cathy Podewell), nudity (including Podewell, who by showing her ass is one of the few final girls to show skin), great music, takes place on Halloween, demons (well obliviously!), and so much more!
7. Killer Klowns from Outer Space- Creepy (well for those of you with a fear of clowns, anyway), highly imaginative, and thoroughly fun cult classic, it is one of the greatest movies to have evil clowns as the central antagonists (shit it might even be the best one!). The FX are wonderous, wild, and original. This great parody/ tribute to cheesy '50s sci-fi/ horror flicks, is also one of the greatest horror comedies ever made.
6. Phantasm II- While, it isn't the best entry in the franchise (that would, obliviously be the first one), it is the most fun one. And, this is thanks to humor that is actually funny, fun characters, and solid acting. These factors combine with exhilarating action, excellent FX, and some bloody, good gore. The script delivers a solid story, which in terms of horror sequels, is definitely a pleasant surprise. It is, in my very humble opinion, one of the best horror sequels ever made.  
5. Child's Play- This wonderfully imaginative killer doll movie is the first and best in horror's greatest franchise. The practical FX are truly phenomenal and the strong acting further help to elevate the film's quality. Add in some memorable and quotable quotes, the introduction of one of horror's most beloved villains (Chucky, of course!), and a great climax, and you have a true genre classic. 
4. Dead Ringers- David Cronenberg's somber, profoundly chilling, and disturbing classic powerfully mixes psychological horror and drama. The acting by Jeremy Irons is superb, one of the greatest in the entire genre, if we are to be honest. The movie also happens to be visually great. This highly mature classic has a power that stays with you long after it is over, especially thanks to the final shot. Truly one of Cronenberg's best work.
3. They Live- One of his best movie, John Carpenter's classic mix of action, sci-fi, socio-political commentary, and horror only gets better with time and multiple viewings. The scariest thing is that it is even more culturally and politically relevant with the current administration. The movie is also thrilling, smart, and quite funny, with Roddy Piper giving one of the greatest performances by a pro-wrestler ever. And, speaking of which, it is impossible to not mention the awesomeness of the ten minute fight between him and Keith David.
2. Brain Damage- Frank Henelotter is one of my favorite directors, so when I say that this cult classic is his best movie, it is no small praise. This low budget masterpiece is a smart, bloody, and funny allegory for drug addiction. It features great effects, solid acting, and an ingenious plot, on top of being a great looking flick. It's a movie that is head and bloody shoulders ahead of much of its competition.
1. The Blob- Chuck (A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3: Dream Warriors) Russell's graphic, fast paced, exhilarating, and super fun flick is one of the greatest remakes ever made. The gooey FX are excellent, the gore is plentiful, the acting is solid, and Shawnee Smith is a total babe (and a Horror Crush!). This ass kicking sci-fi/ horror flick makes the perfect companion as a triple feature with The Thing and Aliens (all of which topped their respective years, as well!).





Sorry, if it has been taking longer between posts for this series, but I have had a lot of work, on top of reviews (of which more are coming) that I do for this site. Anyway, what are your favorite horror movies of 1988? Let me know in the comments section below. And, here are the rest of the lists, so far. 

10/03/2020

The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1987

  4:33 PM            No comments

1987 marked another stellar year for the genre. There is a great variety of sub-genres represented here, as well as the most amount of sequels, we have yet had ranked. In fact, this year is so fucking good that, I had to put more honorable mentions, than any other year, I have covered so far.

Honorable Mentions:
Prince of Darkness
Dolls
The Lost Boys
It's Alive III: Island of the Alive
The Kindred
Creepshow 2
The Gate
Angel Heart
Nekromantik 

10. The Hidden- This pulse pounding mix of sci-fi, horror, and action from A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge's director Jack Scholder is one of the most rip-roaring genre films of the 80's. Featuring an evil alien with a penchant for fast cars, pounding metal music, hot strippers, and murder. And, Kyle MacLachlan does an awesome job as one of our buddy cop heroes.
9. Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II- This vastly superior sequel (which has zero to do with the generic and overrated first film aside from taking place in the same high school, Hamilton High) is a wonderfully sexy, sleazy, and gory good time. Filled with cool set pieces and fun moments, this movie is blast from start to end. It's villianess, the titular Mary Lou Maloney (Lisa Schrage) is one of the sexiest bad girls in horror history. It's also that rarest of horror movie, where the final girl (the beautiful Wendy Lyon) gets nude.
8. Opera- Dario Argento's style is on full display, in this his last truly great movie. It is a gore drenched, exciting, and suspenseful giallo. All while being beautiful looking and wholly captivating. It's heroine/ final girl, played by the absolutely gorgeous Cristina Marsillach, is very likable and compliments the films visual beauty. The driving heavy metal music on the soundtrack give it a further kick in the ass!



7. Predator- John (Die Hard) McTeirnan's 80's testosterone-filled classic has one of the coolest monsters in genre history. But, then again, it is handled by make-up god Stan Winston. The film is, itself, is gory, quotable as hell, and has some killer action scenes. A fucking badass mix of action, sci-fi, and horror, this is one of Arnie's best movies. 
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors- Chuck (The Blob) Russell directed and co-wrote, along with Frank (The Shawshank Redemption) Darabont and Bruce Wagner this amazing, wild, and highly imaginative sequel. Wes Craven even came back to work on the story and served as producer. The result is not just the best sequel in the franchise, but the finest slasher sequel ever made. It is leaps and bounds over the uninteresting and flat second installment and is filled with great FX and likable characters. There is also a returning John Saxon and the beautiful Heather Langenkamp who along with the rest of the cast (including Horror Crush Jennifer Rubin as the ultimate metal/ punk babe in Tayrn) give strong and way better than the usual, for these types of films, performances. Plus, the music by Dokken, including the amazing title song, "Dream Warriors", is fucking awesome in its own right.

5. The Monster Squad- Sometimes people want to compare this Fred Dekker classic to The Goonies, which is sort of a bummer. Honestly, this is the superior and more serious movie. The acting is great, as are Stan Winston's superior make-up FX. At the same time it plays loving tribute to the classic Universal monster movies, while adding a teensy bit of splatter. Add the memorable quotes, fun 80s music, and a fucking rollicking climax and you have a movie near and dear to my heart, as well as those of other horror fans. 
4. The Stepfather- This classy and well acted horror/ thriller is one of the best psycho killer movies of the 80s. It has an amazing performance by the great Terry O'Quinn as the title character. You will like him when he is nice, but when he snaps, holy shit! There are some great moments of tension and suspense and a sanguinary climax. It is also one of those rare horror movies where the final girl gets nude, in this scream queen and childhood crush, the beautiful and talented Jill Schoelen.
3. Near Dark- Kathryn Bigelow's masterful and perfect mix of horror, action, western, and romance is one of the greatest vampire movies ever made. It is also drenched in style and, as such, it is one of the most beautiful bloodsucker movies ever. It has one hell of a cast and some truly killer set-pieces. 
2. Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn- This is one of those movies that changed my life upon viewing it. As such, it is a film that I outright worship. One that is that rarest of sequels, IE: it fucking tops its already excellent first film. Sam Raimi's masterpiece is wild, bold, funny, and drenched in splatter. And, everything here is perfect (or near perfect): Raimi's style, the incredible, yet low budget FX, the dialogue, and, of course, Bruce Campbell's Ash.
1. Hellraiser- Like Evil Dead II, Hellraiser made me want to get into film. Clive Barker's directorial debut is one of the best debuts in the genre. The film is wonderfully original, something that is, sadly, ever so rare in our genre. And, on top of that it is also stylish, exciting, sexy, and gruesomely gory. 







Now, I would love to know what your favorite horror films of 1987 are. Tell me, in the comments section below. Also be sure to look at the preceding years, by clicking on the links below.

The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1980
The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1981
The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1982
The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1983
The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1984
The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1985
The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1986

9/18/2020

The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1986

  3:58 PM            No comments
I thought that 1985 was an amazing year for the genre, but 1986 might actually beat it. The amount of legit classic movies contained in '86 is fucking staggering. While it is an absolutely and possibly definitive year for sci-fi/ horror (half the movies here fall under some type of film in this sub-genre), in particular, other styles and sub-genres of horror were also well represented. Plus, practical FX reach an all time high with much of the work I picked here, especially in terms of the top two movies.

Honorable Mentions:
Chopping Mall
Combat Shock 
Critters
Witchboard
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 
10. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives- Fast paced and with a sense of humor, this is easily the best of the Friday sequels. The character of Tommy Jarvis (Thom Matthews), the hotness of Jennifer Cooke and other babes, and great music by Alice Cooper add to the fun. Plus, the beginning is one of the best starts to any slasher flick. 
9. Psycho III- While, most tend to prefer the second film, when it comes to the sequels, I prefer this one. It's a fun little flick, with some good kills, and great acting, especially from Anthony Perkins (who also does a fine job directing this flick) and Jeff Fahey. 
8. The Hitcher- A violent, exciting, and intense mix of action, horror, and thriller, this flick is an intense, good time. It also features an excellently chilling performance by the late, great Rutger Hauer as the psychotic killer. It earns itself extra points by having one of the most brutal and memorable kills of the 80's without showing anything.  
7. Blue Velvet- David Lynch's haunting and disturbing genre bender, mixing elements of drama, neo-noir, and psychological horror, is one of the most unforgettable movies of the 80s. Its tale of evil and corruption lurking within small-town America became one of Lynch's favorite subjects, in particular with Twin Peaks. The acting is phenomenal, especially from a chilling and menacing Dennis Hopper as psychopath Frank Booth. This is one that will stay with you with well after the movie is done. 
6. From Beyond- Stuart Gordon's gruesome and excellently made sci-fi/ horror movies is his second best film. It has great acting from its cast and the amazing FX are jaw-dropping in quality (especially when you realize that is a low budget flick). Said FX help to deliver some excellent and gruesome gore. While, the beautiful Barbara Crampton provides some amazing eye candy, especially in a S&M outfit, that she famously wears.
5. Night of the Creeps- Fred (The Monster Squad) Dekker's cult classic has everything you could ever want from a genre flick. These being: horror homages (including naming characters after horror and sci-fi directors), aliens, killer slugs, quotable quotes, zombies, action, Tom Atkins (in what might be his best and most badass role), and nudity, including that of gorgeous, lead actress (a true horror rarity!) Jill Whitlow . It is a movie close to my heart, and one I can heavily relate to. And, it only gets better with age!
4. Class of Nuke 'Em High- To me, this sci-fi/ horror/ comedy splatterfest is Troma's best flick. Lloyd Kaufman's funny, wild, and fast paced classic is filled with all the things that make this kind of movie great: gore, slime, monsters, punks, nudity, and babes (my personal favorite being Theo Cohen playing bad punk hottie Muffey) galore. It's also uproariously funny with the kind of wonderfully unPC humor that only Troma can provide us with.
3. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer- John McNaughton's masterpiece is one of the most chilling, disturbing, and horrifically realistic serial killer movies ever made, as well as one of the finest movies in the entire genre. It's elevated to the stratosphere, thanks to the great acting from the three leads, especially Michael Rooker as the title character (inspired by real life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, of course). The hard to watch home invasion scene will haunt you forever. 
2. The Fly- To me, this is David Cronenberg's best film, which is honestly saying a lot, as well as being my favorite remake. This near perfect masterpiece has flawless acting (especially from Jeff Goldblum), a great script, expert directing (I mean it is fucking Cronenberg, after all!), and some of the greatest practical FX you will ever see. Said FX are stomach churning, yet the movie is also profound, moving, intelligent, fully enthralling, and, at times, nightmarish. Beyond its graphic gore, the movie achieves many other great moments, like Seth Brundle's (Goldblum) talk about "insect politics". Scenes like this rank among the finest of any horror or sci-fi movie. As a matter of fact, as great as the original is, this film is even better!
1. Aliens- This master classic from James Cameron is the rarest of the rare. For not only is it a superior sequel, but it is also a perfect movie. No movie in the history of cinema does a better job of mixing action, sci-fi, and horror. It's practical FX are some of the greatest ever, including what might be the greatest monster in all of horror (and beyond!): the Alien Queen. The score by James Horner is one of my all time favorites. Then, there is the excellent acting from the awesome cast, and the great character that they bring to life. Most especially amazing is Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, the greatest heroine/ final girl in ALL of horror cinema. The film is exciting, adrenaline pumping, scary, yet filled with heart and soul, it is fucking everything, and then some. I could go on and on, but you can read a further dive into my love for it here. 


Is 1986 the best year in the 80's (and beyond possibly) for horror? I think it is. Let me know if you agree or disagree in the comments section below. Also, let me know your picks for the best of this year. And, check out my picks for the preceding years in the links below:

9/12/2020

The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1985

  3:49 PM            No comments
Right off the bat, I have to say that 1985 is one of the best years for horror releases ever. Pound for pound it is the best year I have done so far, and honestly it'll be hard to beat (though 1986, I know to be a great year as well). The quality of the movies listed here is incredibly high with everything from the seventh ranked movie and beyond being of excellent quality or greater! And, as you will see from the top three movies, 1985 is also THE definitive year for zombie movies.

Honorable Mention:
Night Train to Terror

10. Cats Eye- This is an entertaining anthology based on Stephen King (who also wrote the screenplay) short stories and directed by Lewis (Cujo) Teague, that is extremely fun and easy to like. The second story, "The Ledge", is the best one, at least in my humble opinion.

9. The Stuff- Who would've ever thought that a movie about living, killer yogurt could be so good? Then again, it is from Larry Cohen! This flick of his maybe cheesy and fun flick, but it's also a smart commentary on consumerism. One that also happens to be funny, slimy, messy, and well acted.
8. Naked Vengeance- There is no doubt in my mind that this movie borrows elements from I Spit on Your Grave, but it, nonetheless, manages to add its own twist one the rape/ revenge sub-genre. The film is fast paced, engaging, bloody, and will have you cheering for the heroine. A highly underrated and under-seen movie, it is highly worthy of rediscovery on the now sadly out of print Scream Factory Blu-ray.

7. Lifeforce- Tobe Hooper's exciting, imaginative, erotic, sexy, and wild sci-fi/ horror epic has garnered a well deserved cult following in the years since its release. The FX, the score, the absolutely kick ass climax, crazy ass plot, great cast, and Matilda May's glorious and amazing full frontal nudity makes this a classic that only gets better with age. The amazing director's cut is an even better viewing experience.

6. Phenomena (AKA Creepers)- This is the first Dario Argento movie, I ever saw with knowledge of who he was (albeit in its butchered American version of Creepers). As such, it holds a very special place in my heart. It is a film that has aged wonderfully, on top of being a wild and incredibly original mix of supernatural horror and giallo. The film is stunning looking film and complemented by the natural beauty of Jennifer Connelly. In it she play Jennifer Corvino, a girl that can talk to and control insects. I had a childhood crush on her because of this flick, which also drips with style and gore. The amazing soundtrack features Claudio Simonetti and metal gods Motorhead and Iron Maiden. Beyond all of this, it also has a heroic chimp with a razor, Donald Pleasance, Dario Nicoldi, and more awesome shit that I don't spoil for those who never saw it. 
5. Demons- This motherfucker is one rollicking cinematic experience. It has every single thing I could ask for in a movie: graphic gore, unrelenting action, kick ass heavy metal and hard rock music, demonic monsters, and gorgeous Italian women. Directed by Lamberto Bava and produced by Dario Argento (they both also co-wrote the movie along with Franco Ferrini and Dardano Sacchetti), this is one of the true classics among Italian horror. 
4. Fright Night- This Tom Holland masterpiece is impossibly fun, wild, and highly imaginative, making it one of the greatest vampire movies ever made. The excellent cast all play lively characters, in particular Chris Sarandon as one of cinema's greatest vampire villains. I also love how it pays loving tribute to Hammer horror movies, especially with its Peter Cushing/ Vincent Price inspired character of Peter Vincent played wonderfully by Roddy McDowall. And, it modernizes it, at least, in part, with excellent 80s splatter FX. This is particularly true in the amazing climax, one of the best anywhere. To top it all of, it has a great score by Brad (Terminator) Fidel.


 3. The Return of the Living Dead- This is unquestionably one of the greatest  zombie movies, as well as one of the best horror/ comedies ever made. The film is fast paced, fun, funny, and gory. One of the aspects that really helps the film work so well is that it takes the horror seriously and as a legitimate threat. Yet, it still manages to be funny. Adding to the fun are the cool punk characters and the ass kicking punk rock soundtrack. Plus, it has hot babes, including a naked Linnea Quigley, great acting, and quotable quotes. All of this helps make RotLD a movie that only gets better with age!
2. Day of the Dead- Though it wasn't appreciated at its time of release, George Romero's third entry into what was then his Living Dead Trilogy has deservedly become a classic in its own right. This flick is intelligent and has some of the best characterization, dialogue, and acting of any Romero film. Yet, the movie is also righteously gory, with its chunk-blowing splatter FX ranking among Tom Savini's greatest work. The results make this masterpiece one of the finest genre works of the 80's.
1. Re-Animator- Full disclosure, Stuart Gordon take on HP Lovecraft's Re-Animator is my favorite movie of all time (of any genre). This tale of zombies and mad scientists changed my life forever, made me want to get into film, and is the type of movie that I live for. After all, it is a perfect film, a blood drenched and splatter-filled cinematic gift. Every single thing works to perfection, even the score that rips-off of Psycho works. The acting from the great cast is excellent. They all play memorable characters and many get to deliver quotable quotes. The flick is also funny, fun, and drips with gore that rates on easy 10 on the splatter-meter. The FX done by the late, great John Carl Beuchler are incredible, especially when you take into account that it is quite a low budget flick. I also love that it dares to go where other horror movies would never, in particular in the classic and infamous head scene involving Dr. Hill, his decapitated cranium, and one of the most beautiful women in the world Barbara Crampton  (fully nude, might I add). In all, Re-Animator is an absolute fucking masterpiece.   

What are your favorite horror movies of 1985? Let me know in the comments section below. Also be sure to catch up on the rest of the best horror movies of the 80's by clicking on the links below:

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