Some Terror Tykes, a serial killer, the creepiest clown ever, and a twisted Aussie...
The Brood (1979)- This movie is a masterpiece on many levels, and there's no debating that fact. Cronenberg is in top form here, giving us a sickening dose of his ever disturbing "Body Horror" that made up the core of his films in the 70's and 80's. When a therapist creates and uses a bold new technique on his patients called psychoplasmics, releasing their negative energies cause their bodies to undergo radical physical change, including in one case, giving birth to the Terror Tikes; mutant children who kill on mental command. This movie is smart, terrifying, and one that you simply need to see. Top 10 stuff indeed!
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)- I know that many of you reading this are saying "What the hell? This finishes ahead of The Shining and the other greats farther down the list?" And my answer is yes, it absolutely has to. This movie is jarring, riveting, and you will be hard pressed to find another horror film that matches its dirty feel. The story follows Henry (loosely based on Henry Lee Lucas), and his adventures in serial killing. He kills at will; sometimes for good reason, sometimes for the sheer joy of it; sometimes with a partner, sometimes he kills his partner. Watching this movie feels like you're watching a hidden camera recording of murder... a slow, drawn out murder, that makes you look away because you just can't take any more. Henry will make you feel dirty, and will also make you fear all strangers. CLASSIC.
It (1990)- A mini series? In the top 10? Listen up, clowns are scary. This is one of Stephen King's best stories, and one of his finest hours, or 6 hours, ever put to film. This movie, a story about friendship and kids kicking some clown ass, gave us one of the creepiest and most memorable horror baddies ever; Pennywise the clown. You're lying if you say you don't get the chills when he says "We all float down here, Georgie." Either that, or you're more of a man/woman than I'll ever be. Probably the second one... The point is, this is a great movie, and although the ending was a bit anti climactic to me (the clown was WAY better than the final "Monster") this is a must see piece of horror history. Love this movie or I hate you!
Wolf Creek (2005)- I can't help but love this movie in every single way. Loosely based, and I mean very loosely based on the story of Australian serial killer Ivan Milat, Wolf Creek is harsh, unrelenting, and ultimately a disturbing piece of film. When I first saw this one, I couldn't believe that certain things I thought would happen, didn't, and things I knew couldn't happen, did. The old "head on a stick" gag will never completely leave my mind after seeing it. I'm proud that a newer horror movie left this kind of impression on me, but then again, it wasn't made in Hollywood, so of course it had substance. Australia scares me!
See you tomorrow with #9...
