off-beat horror films? (suggestions?)

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 1:48am

we're having a movie night this friday and the theme is scary movies in celebration of halloween.

the classics seem a little tired, and we've all seen them (the shining, the exorcist, halloween, etc.)

so wha about some not so well known, but still somewhat intelligent and well-crafted horror movies?

i've seen "suspiria" by argento and "audition" and brian depalma's "sisters" really liked them all, so i used that as a jumping off point. here's some films for consideration (what do ya'll hav to say about these):

inferno
opera
the bird with the crystal plummage
a tale of two sisters
black christmas (the original)
the brood
the collector

OR

saw, saw 2, saw 3 and then to the theatres for saw 4

[mattonstage]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 2:33am

off your list I would say "Black Christmas" and I'd like to recommend "The 4th Man". It's a Paul Veerhoven film (in Dutch), and while not a horror film in the classic sense of the term, it's still pretty creepy, with a cool story and great visuals.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 3:05am

Bubba Ho-tep

[tazber]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 5:05am

Since you seem to really like Argento, try The Stendhal Syndrome.
Also,
The Changelling
The Re-Animator
Dead-Alive
The Hand

[Liverpool]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 6:29am

Killer Klowns from OuterSpace

[tazber]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 6:55am

Carnival Of Souls
The Descent
Behind The Mask:The Rise Of Leslie Vernon
Severance
Feast
Motel Hell

[bschneid76]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 7:53am

I recommend Argento's Opera, it's pretty crazy, but it's really suspenseful and the camera shots are terrific.

I also think The Brood is one of the scariest films I've ever seen. Samantha Eggar is really great in it.

If you can find a copy, I recommend a film called Curtains (which also has Samantha Eggar in it) which is about some actresses who are going out for a role in an upcoming film, trapped in a house in the woods, and terrorized by a killer in an old ladies mask. There are some wonderfully suspenseful moments in it.

I also second Black Christmas (original) as I think it's one of the greatest horror films ever made.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 8:05am

Happy Birthday To Me
The Fog (original)
The Hitcher (original)
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978 version)
Huncback Of Notre Dame (the silent original)

And just for fun:
A recent re-make of Night Of The Living Dead. It's awful, but it's in 3-D and comes with 4 pair of glasses for you and your friends. It's a riot to watch, especially if you make a drinking game every time an object comes flying at you!

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 8:49am

Exorcist 3 is the creepiest film I've ever seen.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:04am

I second or third the original BLACK CHRISTMAS. Also...if you have VHS and you can find a copy, try to find THE SENDER with Zjeliko Ivanek and Shirley Knight.

For campy fun thats a little scary too, get STRAIGHT JACKET.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:04am

Tale of Two Sisters is one of my favorites. I can watch it again and again.

I'm not into torture or extreme gore, so I can't really recommend anything like Audition or Hostel. I saw the first Saw movie and it was ok. Not great. Wasn't inspired to see the sequels.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:39am

Wes Craven's 'Serpent and the Rainbow' is super.

[Mamie]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:41am

Another really creepy classic is "Nosferatu" - the West German silent film based on Dracula.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:42am

<----Hello?!

[Mamie]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:52am

I just thought of another really creepy one. It's called "Games" and it starred James Caan, Simone Signore, Katharine Ross and Don Stroud. I first saw it on TV and it scared me to death! Unfortunately it's only available on VHS so you'd probably have trouble getting hold of a copy.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 10:29am

I loved Happy Birthday to Me!!! I also enjoyed Silent Night Deadly Night (that one gave me the heebie geebies!)

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 10:50am

AMC is playing some fun ones leading up to Halloween. I saw Creepshow 2 the other night for the first time in ages. It was Dorothy Lamour's last film! (I think)

[tazber]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 10:52am

But is sucks Cal. There wasn't a decent segment in it.
Btw, Creepshow 3 came out stv last month.

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 10:56am

I don't know. "Thanks for the ride, lady" made for a nice catchphrase. And you get to see Ricky from "Heroes" get scalped.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 10:56am

lots of good stuff on this week...best part of Halloween is setting the dvr!

[tazber]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 10:57am

hold on, was the segment with the raft in part 2? I actually liked that one now that I think about it.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 10:58am

Speaking of scalping, check out the very pre-Guliani New York, utterly sleazy MANIAC. The DVD has some amazing extras.

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 10:58am

Yup, "The Raft" was the second segment.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:00am

Yeah, thats the one where the kids are attacked by a Glad bag that lives in a lake.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:00am

Then I humbly retract my statement.

I love Maniac. And although the pic of him holiding the hunting knife is gross, tell me that package isn't HUGE.