Rational Insanity
Horror time
I am a horror fan. I read, watch, and write horror. Although I don't quite dwell on the subject of horror in most of my own stories because I can be too gory and gross when it comes to the finer details of the story, I adore the work of most horror writers; to include Stephen King, Clive Barker, John Coyne, Bram Stoker, and many other great horror writers. I write my horror stories for my own consumption, maybe one of these days, I might get crazy enough to share some of them with you guys (that is if Erly does not censor the blood and gore in my stories - and sometimes even the sex). Anyway, just so this column is not in vain, let me share to you my top ten, best horror movies -- I suggest you watch some of these to understand that horror really isn't all monsters and mythical creatures, sometimes horror can be as ordinary as the pillow under your head.
1. Coccoon - I am not quite sure who the stars are in this early 1980's film, but I am pretty sure that Steven Spielberg directed it. It's about aliens, but the way the story was told makes it a one of a kind horror/sci-fi movie. Sequels to the film came out in the early nineties, but nothing quite beats the first.
2. Dreamscape - This is also an early eighties film. I can't even recall the players or the production people, but I can't get the movie out of my head. This film is the forerunner of the pop 'Nightmare on Elm Street' series which I also love. So, anybody who's seen N'mare on ES would know what I am talking about. The only difference in Dreamscape is that the dream killer is a real live human being who has the power to invade the dreams of other people and kill them in those dreams - convenient, eh?
3. The Serpent and the Rainbow - Again, I can't remember any of the people in this film, but this is about a reporter who goes to Haiti to investigate the zombie legend. While there, he becomes a victim of a cult that uses puffer fish poison powder to induce a death-like state in their victims. The victims are clinically dead but could feel everything that is done to them from the embalming down to the burial. Eventually, the poison wears off, and the victims are left clawing at the wooden planks of their coffins six feet below the ground. When they finally get out, they become mad and confused, hence the zombies.
4. Movies based on Stephen King novels - This category includes the Sissy Spacek classic, Carrie and the second movie of Drew Barrymore, Firestarter. Well, it goes without saying that movies based on the novels of a foremost pop horror writer will exhibit even just the slightest hand of the writer, and even this meager hand is all it takes for the movie to take off.
5. Poltergeist - 'They're here...' say's Caroll Anne, the young heroine of the movie where a family unknowingly builds a house over an ancient Indian burial ground. This movie is about a haunting that becomes so intense because of its subtlety. There is no grandiose overly scary, and over acting haunting scenes, but it is the restraint of the haunting sequences that makes this film really scary. The mere voice of the child saying something very innocent gives you goosebumps. This is also one of those horror films that does well with all its sequels.
6. Bram Stoker's Dracula - This version of the all-time classic which used to star Christopher Reeve is far more intense -- this one stars Keannu and Winona though. The acting is quite unnerving in a very unappetizing kind of way, but what redeems the film is its superb cinematography. Remember, this is a period film, and very few horror period films really do well.
7. Imprint - This movie is part of the Masters of Horror series. This is based on a short story by a Japanese awarded writer whose name I forgot. Here you will notice that there are different levels to the story. The written version sought to achieve the feeling of surrealism and shifting levels in the way it was written and such was captured quite well in the film. The appeal of the story comes from its being a classic example of 'viewed literature'. The movie takes place in a 19th century Japanese brothel. Try to get a copy of the film, although, I must warn you, there are a few pretty disturbing scenes -- I must warn you as well, this is not a movie for the intellectually challenged, otherwise you would be asking so many questions in the end.
8. Shutter - This film draws its inspiration from a phenomenon known as 'spirit photography'. Again, it's the subtlety of the scary scenes that makes this movie great, plus, you have a surprise, totally unexpected ending. This is another classic example of the multi-level nature of Asian fiction.
9. Acacia - This one is another Asian masterpiece. I love the movie not because of its horror scenes, rather I love it for the metaphorical value of the film. It's like watching poetry on the silver screen! How often can a horror film do that?
10. The Exorcist (Director's Cut) - Of course, this is a classic, this had me moving towards the center of the couch when I watched it with my friend, Marcel, need I say more?
There you go folks! Watch what you haven't seen, and watch what you have already seen again for a genuine scare!
Be rational; be insane...every once in a while!!!TTFN!
I love you all! Byers!!!