"The Descent"

One of the most unsettling and claustrophobic films to come out of Great Britain in years is Neil Marshall's horror movie "The Descent." It concerns a group of women who decide to go explore a cavern they have never explored before only to come face to face with monstrous creatures. This is the best film ever made which has a cave as its primary setting. The director Marshall does an excellent job of making the audience feel like they are right there with these women. The film is certainly scary. In addition to the real possibility of getting lost in this cave these female characters have to survive hordes of threatening creatures. The film has its fair share of violence and gore but nothing is taken to an extreme. There is also plenty of tension and suspense throughout the film and the ending is quite memorable. What are your thoughts on "The Descent."

Hit 'em grandpa. A closer look at "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" which was released in 1973, is based on actual events that happened in Texas, and it is this knowledge that makes the movie that much more horrifying. Tobe Hooper directed this film in almost a documentary fashion which seems to have a greater impact on the viewer than a regular horror movie would . The material is completely disturbing. A group of teenagers stumble upon a house where a cannibal family lives and are disposed of one by one. The main villain is Leatherface who simply has no concept of morality (like the rest of his family). He is one of the most menacing villains in horror film history. The scene where he appears for the first time with his skin mask on and drags his victim back to his "workshop" is nothing short of terrifying. The film is indeed violent but the violence is not very explicit especially for today's standards. There are a few cringe inducing sequences though. This movie is certainly scary and the movie generates plenty of tension. It is one of the best horror films of the 1970's. What are your thoughts of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre?"

He's coming to get you Barbara. A closer look at "Night of the Living Dead"

George A. Romero is recognized for creating the zombie film and "Night of the Living Dead" was his first. The movie was, and remains to this day a genuinely scary film. The film was released in 1968 and was considered quite violent and bloody for its time. The movie still has the power to shock and repulse the viewer. There are plenty of unforgettable images of zombies eating human flesh. This movie is the movie for which all other zombie pictures are judged. It is a highly influential horror film. Horror directors today who are interested in making a zombie film need to look no further than "Night of the Living Dead" for inspiration. I personally prefer Romero's sequel "Dawn of the Dead" beacuse I believe it has a bit more entertainment value, but I recognize "Night of the Living Dead" to be the more important film in horror movie history. What are your thoughts on "Night of the Living Dead?"

You gotta be f***ing kidding me. A closer look at "The Thing" (1982)

John Carpenter is responsible for directing one the most freakish and bizarre films in cinematic history. His "The Thing" delivers some of the most astonishing and jaw-dropping visual effects I've ever seen in a movie. In addition to the impressive visuals, Carpenter provides plenty of suspense and tension throughout the film. The "blood test" scene stands out as the most intense sequence because the viewer has no idea which character is infected by "The Thing." It simply isn't who you think it is going to be. Kurt Russell leads a solid cast and John Carpenter provides the music (as he often does in his films), but the real standout in this movie is the disturbing visuals and makeup. This movie is a remake, but Carpenter makes it his own and is very successful in creating a sci-fi horror classic. What are your thoughts on "The Thing?"

A closer look at "The Birds"

Alfred Hitchcock was one of the few directors that could make a film about birds genuinely frightening. He succeeded in a major way. "The Birds" is simply one of the most suspenseful movies involving killer animals in the history of film. Hitchcock builds the suspense and tension with every scene. There are many memorable scenes in the picture most notably the scene involving the birds gathering on the school playground jungle gym. Hitchcock was a master of suspense and "The Birds" represents one of his finest suspense movies. What are your thoughts on "The Birds?"

Heeeeeeeere's Johnny! A closer look at "The Shining"

Jack Nicholson gives an extremely entertaining performance as the increasingly psychotic character Jack Torrence in Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece "The Shining." The movie is based on Stephen King's horror classic but Kubrick makes it his own. He creates an atmosphere of dread throughout the film. There are scares and shocks aplenty to be found here. Kubrick makes the setting of "The Overlook Hotel" scary. The scene where young Danny rides his big wheel around the halls of the hotel, and then comes face to face with the two ghosts of the girls who were brutally murdered by their father, is genuinely frightening. As good as Kubrick's direction is, the movie belongs to Nicholson, who steals every scene he is in as the deranged caretaker. The movie has some substantially violent scenes as well as some nudity but none of it is over the top. This is an excellent horror movie which features one of Nicholson's best performances and one of Kubrick's best directing jobs. What are your thoughts on "The Shining?"

I'm your # 1 fan: A closer look at "Misery"

Rob Reiner's "Misery" is based on the excellent horror thriller by Stephen King concerning a writer who is held hostage by a crazed fan. The movie captures much of the mood and intensity of the novel. It is a tremendously suspenseful movie. The writer, Paul Sheldon, is played by James Caan who does a fine job of displaying his agony and helplessness. Kathy Bates plays Annie Wilkes who holds Sheldon hostage and forces him to write a novel for her. Bates gives an amazing performance and the Oscar she won for this role is greatly deserved. She is truly psychotic and menacing. She gets into this role with reckless abandon. The director Reiner is successful in building more and more tension with each scene. The Annie Wiles character becomes increasingly demented as the movie progresses. The movie has one extremely cringe inducing scene which is virtually unbearable to watch (if you haven't seen "Misery," watch it and you will know what I mean). I was very impressed with this adaptation of one of Stephen King's best novels. What are your thoughts on "Misery?"