Halloween is this coming Saturday, and as I love talking about my favourite horror films I thought I'd suggest my top 5 for your viewing displeasure. These are not necessarily my top 5 of all time, just what I would suggest watching this year...
1) Let the Right One In - I absolutely LOVE this film. It was not only my number one film last year, but it could easily go into my top ten of all time. Just when you think nothing new can be done with a genre, something always comes along to prove you wrong and in this current climate of vampire-o-rama Let the Right One In is a breath of chilly fresh air. Be warned American viewers, if you're watching it on DVD make sure you pick up a copy with the theatrical subtitles. I'd also recommend reading the book too, it works well as a companion piece to the film, both great in their own ways, yet quite different. You can read my review of the film here.
2) Return of the Living Dead - This film is such great fun and it's one of my favourite zombie films. It is a rare example (much like An American Werewolf in London and Shaun of the Dead) of a horror comedy that actually works, combining black humour with lashings of gore and nudity. Also Tarman has to be one of the best zombie monsters to have ever graced our screens... BRAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIINS!
3) Trick 'r Treat - One of the best Halloween themed movies I've seen in ages. It has a great cast, including the always wonderful Brian Cox, and the episodic tales make for quick, easy viewing. It really is a travesty that this film sat on the self at Warner Bros. for so long, so I'd thoroughly recommend this now that it's finally available on DVD. It's not a great film by any means, but it's exactly what you need at Halloween when you're with a group of friends and want some spooky, fun entertainment.
4) Night of the Demons - Another Halloween themed film, but a classic this time... and really, how often do you get to see Linnea Quigley shove a lipstick into her boob? It's worth watching just for that scene. Oh, and for the awesome use of Bauhaus on the soundtrack.
5) My So-Called Life "Halloween" (S01E09) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer "Halloween" (S02E06) - Two of my favourite episodes from two of my favourite shows. My So-Called Life, which was tragically cancelled after just one season, goes all paranormal in this episode where Angela is haunted by visions of a student who died on Halloween 1963. It's tough to pick a favourite Buffy Halloween episode but this one definitely comes top for me. In the episode each character turns into their costume, Buffy becomes an 18th-centry noble woman prone to fainting , Willow a ghost and Xander a soldier. It's an interesting juxtaposition of the characters, by having Buffy being the weakest of the gang for the first time it gives Willow and Xander a chance to take charge. Even if you're not a fan (but, why wouldn't you be?) of either show, these are stand alone episodes that can be enjoyed apart from the rest of the series.
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