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Monday, March 18, 2013

Blogfest: Top 10 (Horror) Movie Countdown



Ninja Captain Alex overt at Alex J. Cavanaugh is hosting yet another awesome blogfest today, and I'm more than happy to participate in it. Back in June 2012, his first blogfest "The Movie Dirty Dozen" had a similar theme, but Alex has decided to revisit it with "Top Ten Movie Countdown", because back at that time, he have had less than 200 followers (he's at 1,800 now), and most most of his new blog buddies missed it. I, personally, think the idea is great, but since I participated in his first blogfest, I decided to mix things up a little bit, instead of re-posting my top 10 favorite films of all time. Therefore, I'm putting a 'horror' spin on the subject, in order to be able to present to you my "Top 10 Favorite Horror Movies of All Time" + a bonus list of my "Top 3 Favorite Horror Comedies of All Time". Alex, I hope you don't mind I broke the rules. :) Check out both lists below, and let me know what you guys think. Oh, and just for the record, do not expect to see some overly familiar horror classic cliches such as "Halloween", "The Shining", and "Psycho" at the top of my list. It's not gonna happen. :)

*****
George Beremov's
TOP 10 Horror Movies of All Time


1. [REC] (2007)
 
Spanish directing duo Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza will make you experience fear to the fullest with "[REC]" - a POV horror masterpiece, that is uber-inventive, highly original, brilliantly-crafted, claustrophobic, and unpredictable, but above all SCARY as hell. The final act is so utterly intense and mind-blowingly terrifying, it will stay with you for the rest of your life, so consider yourself warned.
10/10

2. The Descent (2006)

Horror flicks don't get any more claustrophobic than Neil Marshall's sensational underground fright-fest "The Descent". He has managed to create a modern horror classic that combines all the right elements - an appealing group of likable female characters, chilling setting, freaky-looking creatures, effective gore, sky high level of intensity, tons of genuine scares, and truly priceless entertainment value.
9.75/10
3. The Exorcist (1973)
[The Version You've Never Seen]

Although made back in '73, William Friedkin's timeless horror classic "The Exorcist" never gets old, and rightfully so. No matter how many times you have seen it, it's still shocking, utterly frightening and as effective as it was four decades ago. The 2000 version reveals a few never-before-seen scenes of terror, that you'll never forget, just like Linda Blair's truly outstanding performance as Regan.
9.75/10
4. Alien (1979)
[Director's Cut]

Ridley Scott's late 70's sci-fi horror phenomenon "Alien" needs no introduction. It's sheer brilliance in terms of concept and execution, featuring the most unique, creative, impressively-designed and utterly horrifying creature in cinematic history. The movie as a whole is an unforgettable thrill ride, filled with edge-of-your-seat moments of  fear, tensity and eeriness, plus, it's a technical achievement.
9.75/10
5. The Ring (2002) &
Ringu (1998) [Tie]

Both Hideo Nakata's "Ringu" and Gore Verbinski's US remake "The Ring" are equally as creepy and effective, and easily rank as one of the best supernatural horror films ever made. While the Japanese version wins in terms of originality and scares, the American version has bigger visual impact, and it's far more technically polished and visually creepy, not to mention the new elements added to the story.
9.75/10

6. Planet Terror (2007)

Mostly know as the first part of the double feature "Grindhouse" from 2007, "Planet Terror" is  Robert Rodriguez's best (if not financially successful) effort, one of the coolest-looking zombie films of all time, and hands down, exploitation cinema at its finest. Everything from the stylishly trashy visuals, quirky characters, and over-the-top action scenes to the top-notch practical effects, and buckets of guts and gore works amazingly well.
9.75/10
7. Martyrs (2008)

Pascal Lauguier's sadistically sick flick "Martyrs" goes far deeper than most horror movies, and not just in terms of its violence and gore. It gives far greater consideration to the traumatic psychological impact of violence and suffering. The absolutely shocking twist at the end will prove everyone who thinks this is just one nasty, gruesome, and brutal torture-porn film wrong.
9.50/10
8. The Others (2001)

More creepy rather than scary, but constantly spooky and insaely atmospheric, Alejandro Amenábar's fantastically-crafted ghost story "The Others" is a proof that a horror film does not need a multi million dollar budget or first class special effects to be effective. All you need is a charismatic lead, sinister setting, engaging script, and a clever twist ending that you'll never ever see coming.
9.50/10
9. Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Forget about "Psycho"! Polanski's "Rosmary's Baby" is the real deal, and arguably the best horror movie of the 60's and history of cinema in general. Its satanic subject matter is as disturbing as it can get, and every  young mother's nightmare. The ominous atmosphere adds further creepiness to the already dark story, and the smart script keeps you wonder whether all this is simply a paranoia, or the Devil himself is really involved.
9.50/10

10. Jaws (1975)

A true horror classic in its own right, "Jaws" was, is, and will always remain the best shark movie in film history, thanks to Spielberg's ability to create a creature feature that it as realistic as it's terrifying - one that no one who saw it will ever forget. It's near-perfect in every aspect, with the gruesome final act being a hair-rising culmination of a thrilling build-up. A definite must-see for every genre fan!
9.50/10



Honorable mentions:

*****
BONUS LIST:

George Beremov's
TOP 3 Horror Comedies of All Time

1. Gremlins (1984)

A seamless blend of comedy and horror, Joe Dante's true Christmas classic "Gremlins" is undoubtedly one of the most original horror films ever created, destined to become a classic. And it did. It's cute, but creepy at the same time, definitely witty, and all around entertaining. Gizmo is truly the most adorable creature ever, and the gremlins themselves are nasty little freaks, that will give you the creeps. Plus, it has the rewatchability factor.
9.75/10

2. Dead Alive (1992)

Everybody knows Peter Jackson for his amazing "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, but do you remember his super-cool, ultra-gory and utterly hilarious horror comedy "Dead Alive" from the early 90's? I bet horror buffs do. It's a zombie flick like no other, with great sense of humor and super spot-on practical effects, that proudly boasts its over-the-top goriness, and rightly so. The final act is so bloody, you won't believe your eyes.
9.50/10
3. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)

OK, Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead" was scary, without a doubt, but his sequel (or more like remake), "Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn" manages to be equally funny and frightening, which is a difficult thing to achieve. Needless to say, this sequel is far more technically polished than its predecessor, especially in the special effects department, and that definitely works in its favor. And Bruce Campbell is a star!
9.50/10

60 comments:

Unknown said...

Great strong... scare list, even Gremlins...

Jeremy [Retro-Z]
Howlin' Wolf

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Thanks, Jeremy. I'm glad you thought so. ;) Gremlins rules!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Don't mind a bit that you changed the rules. My list had changed just enough, although only ten was difficult.
Evil Dead II is a classic. And Dead Alive - best zombie kill by lawn mower.
And The Exorcist is still a creepy film.
Thanks for participating in the blogfest - again!

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Alex, I changed the rules, because I didn't want to repeat myself, so thanks for the understanding.

I'm glad I made this exact list in particular, because I've been blogging for about 3 years and a half, and until today, I haven't posted my all time favorite horror flicks. This blogfest was the perfect opportunity for that, so I'm glad I participated... again! :)

Unknown said...

Evil Dead 2 is hilarious, and I'm not sure how much of that is intentional. I've not seen a lot of the horror classics; it's something I really should remedy.

Jamie

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Jamie, I reckon it's intentional. Otherwise, it would have been laughable instead of genuinely funny. :)

Yeah, you should. ;)

farawayeyes said...

Hi George, I haven't been by in awhile, but I had to see what your Top Ten were. I'm not a big fan of horror but I have to admit 'The Others' was a movie that really creeped me out and I have never really forgotten it. And YES to Gremlins being a top Horror/Comedy. Some folks think it's a kids movie. Yeah, right. If you want them to never sleep again.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

farawayeyes, I noticed your absence and I must admit, I really miss your comments.

The Other was truly sinister, and the awesome twist at the end made the film even better.

Gremlins is pure awesomeness. Period. :)

Pat Hatt said...

Great list, love Gremlins, seen them all too except your number one, will have to give that a run.

Nicki Elson said...

Comedic Horror I can do. Horror Horror, no. I was out on that genre with Carrie.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Frightening lists. I thought about the Fly too. It was so well done. I think it won an Oscar for make-up/effects, right? I'm glad to see Gremlins on your list too.

Thanks for visiting via the blogfest.

xoRobyn

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Pat, thank you so much.
You should definitely give REC a shot. It's the perfect horror flick IMO.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I've only seen three out of your picks. I'd forgotten I wanted to see The Others.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

The Ring was chilling. I was actually trembling when I left the movie theater. So much so that I dropped my (cheap) cell phone in the toilet in the bathroom! It still worked, which amazed me.

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

Following from the Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest.

And here I thought I was a horror flick chick. I've only seen 3 movies on your list! Of course in the decades since I left college, there have been a LOT more horror movies made.

Unknown said...

Fantastic list, sweetheart! I love these movies and you know how much [REC] disturbed me. The Exorcist always sends me running for my pillows and stuffed dog. LOL

Arlee Bird said...

You've got some fine picks here. The Descent was particularly effective for me since it dealt with one of my biggest phobias and also I used to do a lot of spelunking in my younger days and basically stopped because I began to feel so claustrophobic about it.


Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Nicki, it seems you get easily scared, don't you? :) Stick to horror comedies then. Those are definitely easier to watch.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Robyn, I'm not sure either, but I think it did. It almost made the cut. Almost. :)

Gremlins is so much fun!:)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Teresa, you should check out the rest then. I promise you won't be disappointed. ;)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Diane, that's a funny story. :) And the Ring was creepy indeed.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

LuAnn, give the rest a shot, and than you can proudly consider yourself a true horror chick. :)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Mel, thanks, sweetheart. They're both amazing, aren't they? :) I almost got an anxiety attack while I was watching REC for the first time. It was that intense. :)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Lee, thanks.

Well, this is exactly the reason I loved The Descent so much. Being quite claustrophobic myself, I found it terrifying for this reason alone. :)

nutschell said...

Don't enjoy horror films too much but I did enjoy Gremlins :)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Unknown said...

Never really gotten into horror movies but Jaws and any of the Evil Deads were great ones.

Ricky said...

Glad Let Me In made it.

Rhonda Albom said...

LOL - I had the same idea, to focus, I love what you did with the badge. I don't do horror, don't know any of your films. Mine our silly travel movies.
Rhonda
Laugh-Quotes.com

David P. King said...

Not a huge fan of horror, but I will admit The Others is one of the best ghost movies out there, along with Sixth Sense. Great list! :)

Hart Johnson said...

Oh, you like the scary ones! I've only seen about half of these, but I like the ones I HAVE seen. This set of scary is preferable to me over the 'gore' of the Chainsaw or Halloween sorts...

FilmMattic said...

Great personal twist on the whole Top Ten Countdown Blogest, George! I'm happy that you didn't simply do the easy thing and re-list your top ten favorite movies. No one likes redundancy. This took more thought.

Evil Dead I and II are among my favorites of the horror genre. And Rec is a film I've been able to appreciate largely because you routinely champion it! So thanks :)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

nutschell, I', glad you did. You should give this genre a chance though. It's not all guts and gore. ;)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Jon, I'm sad to hear that, but it's a matter of personal taste I guess. They are, indeed. ;)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Ricky, thanks for pointing that out. I LOVE Let Me In, and I think it deserves to be on that list.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Rhonda, thank you for noticing that. I thought it might be cool, and appropriate for my list as well. Travel films are okay, too. ;)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

David, I agree. I think it's even better than The 6th Sense, but that's just me. ;)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Hart, I do... and it seems to me like you do too :) Check out the rest then. I think you might like them ;)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Matty, you're too smart, dude. :) I'm just fascinated with the way you think and express your thought. You should be really proud of yourself, Mr. Master of Words :P

Yeah, I know I often champion REC, but I can't help it. I've never been that impressed with a horror movie in my entire life, and the last 15 minutes gave me the chills BIG TIME... and I don't get scared that easily. ;) I'm extremely glad it grew up on you because of me. :)

Emily Genther said...

I absolutely love Planet Terror! I took my dad to see Grindhouse and as we were leaving he told me it reminded him of the old drive-in flicks he went to in his teens. Mission accomplished Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino! As far as Let Me In, I much prefer the Swedish original Let the Right One In. I'm very picky about my vampire flicks. I think I could've liked Let Me In if I'd never seen the original, but I felt like the American version was just trying too hard.

dolorah said...

Should have known you'd post horror :) Way cool.

........dhole

Trisha said...

I did consider choosing THE OTHERS for my list, as it's super creepy, but it was similar to another movie on my list with that ending twist thing, so I figured I'd limit myself to just one :)

Nice creep-fest you have listed here!

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Emily, I did too. I thought it was so cool, I couldn't stop thinking about it after I saw it. Death Proof was almost on-par, but if I have to chose I'd go with Planet Terror.

As for Let Me In, I totally disagree it was trying too hard. It all felt effortless to me, while I wasn't completely satisfied with the Swedish original.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

dHole, yeah, kind of predictable, isn't it? :)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Trisha, I assume you're talking about Sixth Sense. ;) To be honest, I prefer The Others over it. It's way creepier and more atmospheric.

Thank you so much!:)

Unknown said...

I so loved The Exorcist! A great movie!

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Adrina, The Exorcist is a great movie, indeed.

Tammy Theriault said...

i'm glad you didn't put in any horror movies and just kept me from bad dreams...oh wait! man!!! haha..gremlins DID teach me to check the toilet first. :D new follower from the hop!

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Tammy, first of all, thanks for the follow. ;)

I love your sense of humor. Sorry if my list caused you nightmares. :P
See, horror flick ain't that pointless after all. :)

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I don't have the stomach for horror movies so I don't know if I'd be able to watch any of the movies from your top 10. But it was a pleasure to have stumbled on your blog via the bloghop. :3

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

The Capillary, it's okay, you don't need to. ;)

I'm glad you did too. Hope to see you here more often :)

HorrO said...

Looks like I'm the last one to see this list! Great list. Really can't complain. Kind of surprised "The Others" is so high. I like the movie, but some of your honorable mentions could have easily replaced it. And you know I love Gremlins so I'm always happy to see it mentioned, when it's mentioned in a good way!

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

HorrO, it seems so. :) Better late than never though. ;)
I'm not surprised at all. I thought the film had an AMAZING atmosphere and feel about it, it was thoroughly effective without throwing any gore in our faces, and the twist in the end was simply WOW. :)

The classic flicks in my' honorable mentions' just got a bit too old and dated. I recently rewatched most of them, and yeah... definitely not as impressed as I was 10 or 15 years ago.

Gremlins RULES! Period. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hey George! Hadn't heard from you in a while and wanted to be sure you were all right.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Alex, I've been better to be honest. I deal with my own crisis, and I'm not in a mood for watching movies, let alone reviewing them.

I hope I'll be able to bet back to blogging... sooner or later.

toko baju muslim murah said...

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Rita Santos said...

No asian horror? :(

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Toko, thank you for the lovely comment.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

FilmPuff, you must have overlooked No. 5 ;)

Rita Santos said...

So true. I saw "The Ring" and overlooked Ringu, dummie me. However, I still miss my quote of asian horror. No audition? No A Tale of Two Sisters.

On an unrelated note the "American Mary" banner is styled in a way that looks like Josie Ho in "Dream Home".

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

FilmPuff, I like all of the above mentioned, and yet I wouldn't put any of them in my top 10 of all time. I thought Audition was good, but not great. Sorry. :)

It does. I love it too.