Many of these films are also available in DVD format.
Carrie
(1976) Cult 70s horror/drama about telekinetic teen's bloody revenge against
her abusive high school peers. Its disturbing drama, penetrating chills are compulsory
for horror buffs, strong-stomached fans of "high school hell" dramas. Stars:Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie Director: Brian De Palma
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The Changeling
(1979) Slow-moving, but solidly-crafted chiller placing George C. Scott in a
haunted house is dated, cliched and disappointing for today's fans awaiting true terror,
but pleases those respecting old-fashioned, mystery-style yarns.
Stars: George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere
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Christine
(1983) Moody thriller based on Stephen King novel about a Plymouth stalking high school bullies is intelligent, chilling fare for fans of character-centered suspense-yarns. Neo-noir directing style pleases some art-house fans. Stars: Keith Gordon, John Stockwell
Director:John Carpenter.
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The Exorcist
(1973) Landmark horror/drama about young girl battling demonic
possession. Though not as gory as today's horror films, this wildly popular, often
terrifying spine-tingler remains a must for horror buffs.
Stars: Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair Director: William Friedkin
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Friday the 13th
(1980) Now-classic splatter flick has summer camp, in which counselors
were previously murdered, reopening. Somewhat dated, but its creepy music and gory
effects still please horror fans.
Stars: Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King
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The Haunting
(1963) Classic chiller relates the terrifying experiences of a group
investigating a possibly haunted house. Fine cast and genuinely spooky atmosphere appeal to fans of eerie, Lewtonesque horror.
Stars: Julie Harris, Claire Bloom Director: Robert Wise.
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Poltergeist
(1982) Wildly successful horror film about suburban family terrorized by evil
spirits. With its nerve-wracking suspense and dazzling effects, this is scary
entertainment for older kids, adult fans of mainstream fare.
Stars: JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson Director: Tobe Hooper
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Psycho
(1960) Classic Hitchcock horror/mystery thriller about grisly murders at
isolated motel. Critics and audiences still rave over creepy lead performance,
tension-filled build-up. A must for fans of suspense, psychological terror.
Stars: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh Director: Alfred Hitchcock
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The Shining
(1980) Chilling, cerebral horror about remote hotel caretaker slowly going
insane. Though some viewers found its story cold, this remains a cult favorite, ideal for
Jack Nicholson fans, eerie suspense lovers.
Stars: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall Director: Stanley Kubrick .
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The Sixth Sense
(1999)
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment.
"I see dead people," whispers little Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), scared to affirm what is to him now a daily occurrence. This peaked 9-year old, already hypersensitive to begin with, is now being haunted by seemingly malevolent spirits. Child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is trying to find out what's triggering Cole's visions, but what appears to be a psychological manifestation turns out to be frighteningly real.
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Halloween (1978)
Starring: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis.Director: John Carpenter
Low-budget chiller about psychotic murderer who struck on Halloween as a child, and threatens to do so again 15 years later. Well made, with lots of scares, plus in-joke references for film buffs.
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Scream
(1996).
Starring: David Arquette, Neve Campbell.
Director: Wes Craven.
With the smash hit Scream, novice screenwriter Kevin Williamson and veteran horror director Wes Craven revived the moldering corpse of the teen horror picture, both creatively and commercially, by playfully acknowledging the exhausted clichés and then turning them inside out. Scream is a postmodern slasher movie, a horror film that cleverly deconstructs horror films, then reassembles the dead tissue, and (like Frankenstein's monster) creates new life. DVD Version
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