My Favorite "Pure Terror" Movies

This is sort of a potpourri category which contains movies that dont quite fit into the other categories. One thing they all have in common: each one filled me with pure terror and horror when I fist watched it. Here are my final eight.



* Martyrs (2008)

This is one of the most talked horror movies of the last decade. It is absolutely brutal to watch. When a film makes me physically uncomfortable, I consider it something special. Again, the links human will go in the name of a god never seems to astonish me.


* Session 9 (2001)

I find Brad Anderson to be one of most under rated directors working today. His movies are nothing short of brilliant. This one is about an asbestos removal crew cleaning up an old psychiatric hospital. Nothing here is as it seems as this strange place begins to take a toll on the workers. A tension filled movie.


* Phantasm (1979)

The Tall Man and his silver balls full of jacked up blades and tiny minions. This is the one which started all the weirdness. Creepy is an understatement.


* Audition (1999)

This Takashi Miike movie is an execution in the slow burning bizarre. The first third of the film things are very...well, boring and mundane. Then we find out the sweet, wholesome woman is anything but nice. Chills go up my spine just thinking about the piano wire scene.


* Inside (2007)

Another French movie on the countdown, this one about a woman who will do anything to get an unborn child from a the soon to be mother. I cannot even phantom something like this occurring me.


* The Devil's Rejects (2005)

Again when I film makes me uncomfortable watching, it's doing something right. The motel scene where the Firefly clan is torturing the two couples does just that. I remember several people leaving the theater when this was happening. A very good movie which shows why Rob Zombie should be making movies (unlike his recent outings).


* Videodrome (1983)

James Woods is on the search for answers as he gets deeper into a bizarre mystery known as "The New Flesh". The imagery in this movie freaks me out. He gets a video tape inserted into his chest. Director David Cronenberg has never been better.


Frailty (2002)

A multi layered tale which has Bill Paxton killing demons masked as people as told to him by God. His two young sons try to make sense of it all. A fantastic flick which has you guessing, and freakeded out, until the end credits.

My Favorite Creature Movies

Monstrous creatures have always been the backbone of horror movies.
Here are my 8 favorites.



* The Thing (1982)

My all time favorite horror movie. Period. The movie is chalked full of tension, testosterone, abandoned hope, and incredible special effects. I'm not sure there is a single flaw in this flick. I may go watch it right now.


* Frankenstein (1931)

Another staple of the old time Universal horror lot. Boris Karloff brings humanity to a creation of a mad scientist. I think this is a beautiful movie where the horror lies in the outcome of "the monster".


* The Descent (2206)

If you want to talk about suspense, then look no further. You dont even need the crawling creatures to make this claustrophobic nightmare intense. This movie once again affirms, when humans are face in dire straits, they will commit horrific actions to survive.


* Tremors (1990)

A nice throwback to the 50's monster movies. This giant, carnivore worm flick is just a fun ride. And Fred Ward kicks ass!


* Alien (1979)

With one of the most iconic scenes in horror, when the alien comes bursting out of Kane's chest, I had to jump at least two feet in the air. I loved the flick from my first viewing. This is such a great movie.


* Jaws (1975)

This film sparked my interest in sharks and sparked movie studios interest in find the blockbuster. And for that reason it will always hold a place in film history. But it's still a fine movie with great actors, direction, and quite a few jumps.


* The Mist (2007)

I'm not sure what's scarier: a thick mist that limits your vision to only a few inches, the creatures lurking in the mist, or the people trapped in the store who turn on each other in name of a religion. I find it all frightening. Also contains one of the biggest "holy shit endings" in horror movie history.


* Wolfen (1981)

A werewolf movie that's turns the myth on upside down. Wolf like creatures stalk prey in NYC and it's up to a detective to find out what the cause is.

My Favorite Serial Killer Movies

Again, I'm listing serial killers as a completely different category than slasher pics for reasons previously stated. These movies are about straight up psychopaths. No supernatural elements needed.

Here are my 8 favorites.


* Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Hannibal Lecter is one of the best movie villains of all time and Anthony Hospkins portrays him chillingly. The actions between him and Jodie Foster as Clarisse are simply magic. A top notch film.


* Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock changed the horror game when he introduced Norman Bates to celluloid. Now, the worst monsters could be those living right next door. Fifty years old and packed full of tension. The master director at his best.


* Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

To this day, every time I see actor Michael Rooker my mind immediately associates him with this role of this sociopath. He's that good in the movie, which at times is excruciating to watch and very uncomfortable.


* Kalifornia (1993)

An awesome cast which sees David Duchony & his wife Michelle Forbes traveling the country researching serial killers for a book, they pick up Brand Pitt (in an outstanding performance) & Julliette Lewis not knowing they are in fact killers themselves. Maybe it's a guilty pleasure, but everything in this movie just clicks for me.


* Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Good ole Leatherface himself. A horror classic in every sense of the word. I love the scene with the family dinner.


* Friday the 13th (1980)

Before Jason came around and took the franchise into the slasher realm, Mother Vorhees was wiping frisky camp counselors. And who doesn't love seeing Kevin back get an arrow pierced through the throat.


* American Psycho (2000)

I'll be honest. The first time I watched the movie, I didn't care for it. Then I read the Brent Eaton Ellis novel and watched it again. Now I think it's nothing short of brilliant and a great adaptation. Dark comedy abounds as Christian Bale tows the fine line between campy and horrific as Patrick Bateman. You'll think of the song "Hip To Be Square" in the same light again.


* Saw

The best installment of the series rarely has the mastermind Jigsaw in it. I remember watching this in the theater and squirming at these incredible killing devices. Then I was absolutely blown away by the ending. Amazing story telling.