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.

My Favorite Slasher Movies

Two sub-genres today. Slashers and Serial Killers. Now I know most people will this them as the same thing. Well, I do not and he reason is simple: For me slashers contain some sort of supernatural or unexplainable element to the slaughter while serial killers are the sociopaths & legit psychopaths of the world. They are terrifying all by themselves.

So without future ado, my 8 favorite slasher flicks.



* Halloween (1978)

The movie that introduced Michael Myers and the final girl will always have a place close to my heart. Very suspenseful and the blood flies when it needs to.


* Nightmare of Elm Street (1984)

This first movie is so damn creepy. I remember watching this with my fingers plugging my ears half the time, then not ever wanting to go to sleep again. Cut me some slack, I was twelve. Freddy Kruger is my favorite slasher of the 80's.


* Suspiria (1977)

I will go on record as stating Dario Argento is one of my favorite directors and this wrapped vision is his masterpiece. There are so many freaky things in this movie.


* Candyman (1992)

After watching this flick, did you immediately run to the mirror and say Candyman, Candyman, Ca --- then chicken out? I did, because I'm not going to get taken out by some ghost with a razor hook. Parts of this movie frightens the hell out of me. Maybe it's the music, may be it's actor Tony Todd portrayal.


* Haute Tension: Switchblade Romance (2003)

I'm still not sure I understand this movie completely, but man does it have style. There's plenty of tension and hostility to go around. This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat.


* Evil Dead Trap (1988)

This is one messed up movie from Japan. It's like a David Lynch-Takeshi Miike soup! a reporter receives a videotape which looks like a snuff film. Her crew goes to an abandoned warehouse to investigate. Then things get really weird...and gory.


* Hellraiser

There's only one sure way not to see Pinhead and the Cennobites. Dont play with the damn puzzle box. Good for us horror hounds that people just aren't that smart. A bloody good time at the movies with one of the best one liners every, "Jesus wept".


* Dust Devil (1992)

Director Richard Stanely doesn't make many non-documentary films, which is a shame because his movies are unique. This tale about a shape shifting serial killer (played by Robert Burke) may be slightly uneven at times but more than makes up for it with imagery and atmosphere.