My Current Top 25 Favorite Horror/Suspense Movies starting with #25

  • XXV. The Omen (1976) (Directed by Richard Donner)
  • XXIV. Suspiria (Dario Argento)
  • XXIII. Se7en (David Fincher)
  • XXII. Rosemary's Baby (Roman Polanski)
  • XXI. Scream (Wes Craven)
  • XX. Hellraiser (Clive Barker)
  • XIX. Wes Craven's New Nightmare (Wes Craven)
  • XVIII. The Descent (Neil Marshall)
  • XVII. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1973) (Tobe Hooper)
  • XVI. Night of the Living Dead (1968) (George A. Romero)
  • XV. The Thing (1982) (John Carpenter)
  • XIV. The Birds (Alfred Hitchcock)
  • XIII. The Shining (Stanley Kubrick)
  • XII. Misery (Rob Reiner)
  • XI. The Evil Dead (Sam Raimi)
  • X. Dead Alive (Peter Jackson)
  • IX A Nightmare on Elm Street (Wes Craven)
  • VIII. Halloween (1978) (John Carpenter)
  • VII. Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock)
  • VI. Dawn of the Dead (1978) (George A. Romero)
  • V. Alien/Aliens (Tie) (Ridley Scott/James Cameron)
  • IV. Poltergeist (Tobe Hooper)
  • III. The Exorcist (William Friedkin)
  • II. Silence of the Lambs (Jonathan Demme)
  • I. Jaws (Steven Spielberg)

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

In Space No One Can Hear You Scream: A closer look at "Alien" and "Aliens"

Ridley Scott's 1979 film "Alien" may have the single most shocking scene in horror film history. You know the one I'm talking about. Yes, it is the scene at the dinner table where John Hurt's character has a very unfortunate moment where the Alien that has been living inside him decides to burst out of his chest. The alien scatters down the table and out of sight. The rest of the film concerns the crew of the spacecraft trying to fight for their lives against "The perfect organism" as Ash's character states. The film is full of terrific suspense and shock moments. It is great entertainment from beginning to end. It is one of the very best creature films ever directed. What is your opinion of "Alien?"

James Cameron's 1986 film "Aliens," the sequel to the excellent "Alien," is even more intense than the original. Cameron is known for action and this film is loaded with it. It is a relentless picture that rarely gives you a chance to catch your breath. The violence is virtually nonstop. This time around, there are more aliens, and it is the movie where the "Queen Alien" is introduced. Like "Alien," this movie is filled with suspense and thrills. It is not for people that have heart conditions. In my opinion, it is James Cameron's best film. What is your opinion of "Aliens?"

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