BY FEARGHAS URQUHART
31ST OCTOBER 2013
TOP 10:
HORROR MOVIES YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT
10: DRACULA (1931)
Universal Studios’ Dracula is one of the most famous horror films to date. However, for some reason a Spanish version of the film was made. The film was recreated with Spanish actors, but used the same sets and script from the original film. The film also used different camera angles that gave the film a feeling of higher production value. The actors themselves give good performances and are not shameless copies of the actors from the original film. It has gained credit to the point that some would argue that it is even better than the original.
9: TOD BROWNING'S FREAKS (1932)
At its time of release it was controversial to say the least. A film way ahead of its time, and only after many decades was it appreciated for what it was. The film’s cast is largely made up of real circus actors with abnormalities and the plot revolves around them being mistreated by “normal” people. The film is hard to describe as it is so bizarre but it questions what it means to be normal and is no doubt a film to be seen.
The reason I feel the need to include this film is that not only does it star horror legend Vincent Price but it is effectively Saw, just made thirty years earlier. The story involves Dr. Phibes (Price) taking revenge on nine doctors that are responsible for his wife’s death. He does so using complicated methods inspired by the ten plagues of Egypt. Death of the first born involves Phibes creating a contraption for one of the doctor’s sons with a solution involving a key inside the sons’ chest. The film is strange and so much fun to watch.
8: THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES (1971)
Never underestimate a French film maker to defy clichés. Some may argue the film has a slow pace but it only builds suspense and intensifies the scenes that will mark your mind with images that won’t quickly go away. The film follows guilty but brilliant surgeon, Dr Génessier as he kidnaps young women to surgically remove their faces and graft them onto his facially damaged daughter. The film creates an uncomfortable and chilling atmosphere conveyed through what can only be described as visual poetry that will leave a strong impression, whether you enjoy it or not.
5: EYES WITHOUT A FACE (1965)
At Midnight… is to my knowledge one of the most graphic films to be made in black and white. This film from Brazil follows the character that has come to be known as Coffin Joe as he searches for his ideal woman, killing men and torturing women that have the misfortune to be in his way. Coffin Joe is evil incarnate and makes modern horror icons look like amateurs. Written, directed and starring José Mojica Marins, the Coffin Joe Trilogy is a series for any horror fan’s collection.
6: AT MIDNIGHT I'LL TAKE YOUR SOUL (1964)
The Loved Ones laughs at the phrase nail-biting. This Australian horror made its impact in various film festivals with a limited theatrical run. Our main character Brent is asked to the prom by quiet Lola Stone, he refuses, Lola doesn’t like that. At first the film appears to be nothing more than a typical teen horror but it quickly descends into a hellish macabre event that resembles Misery with teenagers. Robin McLeavy as Lola is one of the most terrifying performances in cinema and I cannot wait to see her more.
7: THE LOVED ONES (2009)
A film that will either leave you running from the screen or applauding in grand affection. With a deliberate slow first act that mimics a romance plot, things change when the sparks of horror finally rise from their foundations and ignite to cause a mighty inferno. At first the horror is limited and vanishes quickly, leaving you with no choice but to sit in anticipation, waiting for an answer. A film that has made the director infamous, if you were to see one on this list, make it this one.
1: AUDITION (1999)
More a detective thriller than horror, The Cure builds a tense and unsettling feeling with its use of lengthy shots and dramatic moments which happen when you least expect them. After numerous murders across Tokyo occur, all with a large X carved onto each victim’s neck and the murderers having no memory of the crime, Detective Takabe is called in to find a connection. A film that delves deep into the limitations of the human mind, The Cure is some of the best horror Japan has to offer.
2: THE CURE (1997)
While the found footage genre is for some reason still going and has been swamped by horrible films, there are a few select gems, Noroi is one of them. Japan’s entry into the found footage genre follows a documentary filmmaker researching odd supernatural events that all begin to tie together. Noroi does the rare job of actually making you believe that these events happened, with the actors and how the events are shown on camera seeming believable. Japanese horror works in a way that mainstream horror cannot- it knows when not to reveal answers to stir your imagination.
3: NOROI: THE CURSE (2005)
After the Night and before the Dawn, before the zombie genre had been fully established, George A. Romero made a vampire film. A film that has gone underappreciated has been buried in Romero’s filmography under the many entries in his Dead series. Martin is still to this day a fresh take on the vampire genre but with nice call-backs to the classics from the early 20th century, as Martin insists all the classic myths are nonsense. With its chilling atmosphere and great sense of charm, Martin needs to be recognised as a modern vampire classic.
4: MARTIN (1976)
I like monster movies.
FEARGHAS URQUHART
