Of all the movie genres out there, many award winning shows, critics, and fans have overlooked the horror genre as "stupid," "corny," "far-fetched," and "dumb." Yes, as a die hard horror movie fan, I've heard these hurtful words about the movies I love most. While there have been a ton of lack-lust horror movies and many repetitive ideas throughout the years, the fact, I believe, remains that horror movies are the most emotional and moving films of any. What makes a horror movie a good movie? Is it all about scares? Gore? Action? I'll leave that up to debate. What can't be debated is that the horror genre is alive and well, nearly 80 years after it began with Frankenstein, Dracula, and others. Once Halloween time roles around, AMC, FX and many other television channels run marathons of the scariest horror movies ever made, new and old. Below is my personal top five list and the the stories surrounding each movie. Note that The Exorcist is left off of my list.
1. The Amityville Horror (1979)-Based on a true story, the most famous haunted house in the world has spawned countless movies and books documenting the Lutz's alleged haunting at 112 Ocean Avenue. Everyone knows the story, on November 13 1974, Ronal Defeo shot and killed his entire family, telling authorities "voices made him do it." One year later, the Lutz family move in only to abandoned all of their belongings after 28 days in the house, claiming vengeful demons tormented them. The true story of the Amityville Horror is up for debate, but one of the best selling books-turned movie is my favorite haunted house story of all-time.
2. Night of the Living Dead (1968)-Considered the first true zombie film, Night of the Living Dead tells the story of seven strangers trapped in a Pennsylvania farm house as they fight off a zombie horde trying to break in. Scenes of every window in the house boarded up with wood has become a staple image in many horror fan's eyes. Made on a cheap budget, Night of the Living dead is the first movie in the "Living Dead Series" which includes Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, among others.
3. Halloween (1978)- Halloween, much like Night of the Living Dead, essentially jump started a sub horror genre called "slasher films." Every October 31st countless Halloween-goers dress up in the blue jumpsuit and white mask made famous by Michael Myers. Sure, Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street gardner a colt following of horror fanatics in a similar, if not larger style as Halloween does, but they'll never be the first. Halloween tells the story of psycho killer Michael Myers, who murdered his sister at a young age and spent the subsequent 15 or so years in a mental institution before breaking out. Once on the loose, his psychiatrist tries to track Myers down but soon discovers that killer is only out for one thing, his younger sister.
4. Psycho (1960)- Maybe even more famous than the story itself, is the bone-chilling music that takes place right as Norman Bates stabs Marion Crane. Bates Motel, now a hit television series, is the setting for Psycho. Normal Bates and his mother, Norma, own a motel outside of Pheonix, Arizona. Overlooking the motel, on top of a cliff, is the Bate's mansion. Inside, Norman argues on and off with his mentally ill mother. Inside the motel, Marion Crane rests for the night, before planning on leaving in the morning. In one of the most iconic horror movie scenes of all-time, while showering, Marion Crane is stabbed and killed by Norman Bates. The twist of all twists occurs when viewers are informed that Norman Bate's mother doesn't even exist anymore. Norman himself is the voice of his deranged mother, who passed away years prior.
5. The Conjuring (2013)- Ghost stories are my favorite all-time, above slasher films, torture films, zombies, or mystery movies. Just as the Amityville Horror cracked my top-5 list, The Conjuring does too. Released only one year ago, in 2013, The Conjuring has caught my attention as the second best ghost story every told. Also based on a true story, The Conjuring is set in 1971, following the Perrin family's ordeal with the supernatural on their farmhouse in Rhode Island. Ed and Lorraine Warren, world renounced demonologists, take center stage in helping the Perrin family fight the demonic presence in their home. The Conjuring take a few elements from many horror movies such as Poltergiest, The Exorcists and the before-mentioned Amityville Horror. Beyond it's incredible story, The Conjuring might take honors as the scariest film I've ever seen.
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