Of classic horror, there was something special about Frankenstein’s monster. The poor bastard never asked to be made, and unlike Dracula or the Wolf-man, he does have compassion. Boris Karloff was genuinely eerie as the brute but also sad. While a far cry from the book, the old black and white movie is still iconic and pretty effective to this day and my favorite of the originals, which is why I put it on this list. May the gaming gods bring you glory.
Planet Terror is one of my favorite movies of all time. There’s some of the most disgusting zombie’s I’ve ever seen, a stripper with a machine gun leg, a guy with a penchant for taking people’s balls, and a scene where a dude wastes zombies off a pocket bike- all to a cool jazzy score that gives it a Cowboy Bebop flavor. This movie is just awesome and that’s why it’s on this list.
I’m not a huge possession fan when it comes to horror, although I do agree with Savior on Our Favorites, Day 2. The Exorcist. but I was actually chilled by Emily Rose. I liked the idea of the movie being accounts of what happened to her, signaling that there in reality was no happy ending (though they tried too damn hard to it give it one in my opinion.) The image of her frozen, contorted body roaring freaked me the hell out. I’d say it makes the list because it was made with love and it was the only possession movie to actually get me. May the gaming gods bring you glory.
House of Wax creeps me out as much today as it did when I was a kid. My mom and I had a strange relationship, but like my dad, she loved horror too. This was one of the few grown up horror movies I got to watch. In a nutshell (oncoming mini “explain it badly” segment approaching) the movie is about a creepy burned guy who kills mostly women, coats them in hot wax, and uses them as sideshow attractions because he had a boner for a Marie Antoinette statue. Yep. Pretty messed up right? Well, the gothic atmosphere and outstanding performance by Vincent Prince got me as a kid and the idea and perverted undertones got me as a adult. Something things never change but get better as time goes on, which is why I included it here. May the gaming gods bring you glory.
The Hills Have Eyes(06) is one of those rare exceptions of a remake surpassing the original. This mutant filled revenge tale is simple, badass, and epic while also being disturbing and creepy. That being said, it was my favorite time ever seeing a movie in theaters. My dad took me to see it opening weekend in theaters to a packed house and everyone was genuinely into it. When the tides turn and the main dude gets his revenge, the audience cheered. There were actual cheers, people applauded, high fives were given and it was so much fun. I always wanted to say I made something that fulfilling and unique. It was a great moment with my dad too, seeing him whistle and throw his fist in glee every time the dog killed someone. The memories and the inspiration it gave me are why it’s on this list. May the gaming gods bring you glory.
Seven In Heaven is a Blumhouse production and damn is this movie weird as hell. Two teens at a party are not so willingly sent into a closet to play Seven Minutes in Heaven, and end up in an alternate dimension. Think more realistic Chronicles of Narnia. As soon as they get to the new place they find themselves in the same house, at a similar party, yet much more violent. Jude(Travis Tope) is kind of the class nerd and June (Haley Ramm) is sort of dating the class bully that most people don’t like. These two will be stuck on the other side, and things aren’t pretty. In fact Jude is accused of stabbing the class bully Derek (Jake Manley)
I don’t want to go to in-depth with the story since honestly all of the joy in this movie is in figuring out what the hell is even going on in the first place. Not that the movie is confusing by any means, it just leaves you to figure it out right up until the very end and has a few twist and turns. The acting and visuals are nice and honestly I see no real reason for the low scores the movie has on IMBd as I rather enjoyed it myself. If you have the time check this one out on Netflix. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.
Don’t hit the red button. I can’t stress that enough: beware the red button. Cabin in the Woods is probably one of the best WTF horror comedies to date and may possibly be the most clever. The most cliche horror story, a group of college buddies going to a remote cabin in the woods for a weekend becomes something far more sinister behind the scenes. There is a lot to this movie I really don’t want to spoil because it is inspired when it’s all put together and it’s a must watch.
The reason it’s on this list is because of the “Red Button” scene which is legendary but also this was my favorite double feature at a theater. My old writing partner, my dad and I went to see Avengers opening day. Being so pumped after, my partner and I wanted to keep the hype going and see another movie. He wanted to see the Hunger Games and I wanted to see this. We flipped a coin and well, my favorite coin toss ever and why it’s on the list. May the gaming gods bring you glory.
The Strangers did something special and scared the hell out of me not as a kid but a 18 year old adult. I grew up in the suburbs of Scranton- a very quiet unassuming place. We lived in a picturesque house, a house that had a lot of windows downstairs so first seeing this downstairs, at night, imagining people watching you, lurking around your house without you knowing was somehow easy to visualize. I also have some deep seeded paranoia issues, so this movie stayed with me in the dark for years later which is why it’s on this list. May the gaming gods bring you glory.
Aliens started it all for me. Because of this movie, I was terrified of a 8 foot Xenomorph grabbing me in the bathtub to lay eggs in my chest- thanks ma and dad. Seriously though, this is the only real movie I’ve ever seen to perfectly blend tense horror and asskicking action. Also, the Queen Alien reveal is one of my favorites of all time. I had action figures, replayed the levels of Alien Trilogy and even got suckered into the game for which we do not speak ( Aliens: Colonial Marines ). Hell, I even quote this damn movie 20 some years after seeing it. May the gaming gods not lay eggs in your chests.
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane is a horror, slasher, killer movie that starts out okay enough. It has some potential. Many was apparently some less than beautiful girl who suddenly became hot over a summer and got the attention of the all boys in school. After being invited to a party and insisting on bringing her long time friend. After one of the jocks hits on Mandy and gets a little to touchy her friend shots him with a squirt gun and a small fight follows.
Later her friend Emmett ends up on the roof with the Jock and convinces him to jump on an attempt to impress Mandy. He misses the pool, cracks his skull and dies. Yes I realize this chain of event makes very little sense that two high school guys that got into a fight over a girl would suddenly become friends, try to help each other get the girl. Only believable part is a drunk kid missing the pool.
The movie fast forwards a bit, Mandy and Emmett aren’t friends anymore because honestly who would stay friends with this psycho? This is when for some reason that is never actually explained there is a party at a ranch. This is where the death happens, which honestly is pretty underwhelming. Worse yet the story itself is essentially everyone is obsessed with one girl, the killer is exactly who you think it is with a small twist at the end and even that twist is essentially easy to see coming. The movie is entertaining, but far from good. Check it out, but don’t expect a life changing experience. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.
Savior Gaming 