Senior Reporter
It’s that time of year again, so hold a loved one close, pop some corn and prepare to be scared. Halloween is approaching quickly and to get into the spooky spirit movie watchers are ready to be thrilled.
Whether it’s bloody, demonic, monstrous or even funny there are scary movies for all types of thrill seekers.
The Slasher
No matter the choice of weapon whether it’s a chainsaw or a large kitchen knife, the psychotic killers of slasher movies are enough to haunt your dreams. While there are new slasher movies created today, the true heart of the bloody killers lies in horror movies’ past.
These movies are sure to tickle your thrill seeking bones if you are like junior sociology major Miriam Ramos who said, “I love horror movies with suspense. It draws me into the movie and keeps me on my feet.”
The birth of the slasher movie is credited to the “Master of Suspense” also known as Alfred Hitchcock. “Psycho” hit screens in 1960 making something as simple as taking a shower in a motel seem terrifying because you never know when a psychotic killer dressed as an old woman might stab you to death.
Slasher movies became all the rage in the next decades following the release of “Psycho”. Iconic slasher movies include: “Halloween”, “The Nightmare on Elm Street,” and “Scream.”
Slasher movies are not for the weak at heart be prepared for blood-curdling screams, murders a plenty, but also jump out of your seat fun.
The Paranormal/Supernatural
Some things go bump in the night, things that cannot be explained and perhaps that is what makes them so terrifying.
Paranormal movies offer chilling stories of unexplained phenomenon, often based off true events.
In recent years, the popular paranormal films have been of the religious or satanic nature. “The Exorcist”, which is a story of the demon possession of a 12-year-old girl was created in 1973 and is credited by filmmakers as being a major influence on later exorcism films. This film was based of true events, and even during filming there are stories of real paranormal activity occurring. Other classic exorcism films to watch are “Rosemary’s Baby” and the “Omen”.
The “Paranormal Activity” franchise has had success with five movies and just released their sixth movie “The Ghost Dimension” on Oct. 23. These films bring the paranormal into reality by utilizing the technique of “found footage” making the story feel like a documentary.
Other paranormal or supernatural movies to watch this Halloween season include: “Amityville Horror”, “Poltergeist”, “The Conjuring”, “Insidious”, “The Sixth Sense”, and “The Shining”.
Of these my personal favorite is “The Conjuring”, which is based off true events and scared me to my core. Multiple spirits haunting an old house in the middle of nowhere and a Satan serving witch’s spirit is enough to keep a person up at night.
Science Fiction
Maybe while lying in bed at night you do not think flying saucers are so horrifying, but science fiction horror films may challenge you. Science fiction includes stories of extraterrestrial and monsters of various forms.
This subgenre holds movies like “Dracula”, “Frankenstein”, “Alien”, and even newer movies like “I am Legend” or “Signs”.
Science fiction horror movies often probe the mind of the viewer causing thoughts that may be just as haunting as the images of the films themselves.
Spoofs/Comedy
Not everyone gets enjoyment out of being frightened, so if you are like senior criminal justice major Martin Godinez who said, “They strike fear into me, and I don’t like having fear”, then I have recommendations for you.
This genre of comedy horror films for the most part is dominated by the “Scary Movie” franchise. These movies take the concepts of popular horror films and turn them into witty jokes. The images are still somewhat frightening, but coupled with humor they do not seem so scary.
There are also other horror comedies such as, “Zombieland”, “Shaun of the Dead”, “Gremlins”, and “A Haunted House.”
Personal Favorite Cult Classics
Cult classics have always held a special place in my thrill seeking heart, and now I want to share my favorites with you.
“Hocus Pocus” has become a Halloween tradition for many people, myself included. It’s a story of three sister witches being resurrected in Salem on Halloween night, and they must be stopped by a teenage girl and a black cat.
The Evil Dead” is an 80’s cult classic must see. Five teenagers travel into the woods for some good fun, but end up releasing demons that possess them one by one.
Another one of my favorites is “Donnie Darko”, which is an unsettling story of teenage boy who has visions of a large bunny who pushes him to commit crimes.
“The Lost Boys” is another cult classic made in the 80’s that is a must this Halloween. A chilling story about two brothers who move to town plagued with vampires who do not play nice.
All that’s left to do is pick your poison and have a scary happy Halloween.