Top 20 Horror Films of the Past 20 Years: Part 2

For Part 1 of the list, click here.

10. The Orphanage (2007)

The Orphanage has at least once scene that blew my mind in the same way my mind was blown when Jim kissed Pam for the first time on The Office in the season 2 finale (I know that’s “girly” and not at all scary, but I stand by the comparison). The reveal instantly caused me to recap the movie in my mind just to wrap my head around it and it was amazing. The very end is a bit silly, but everything leading up to that point is perfection. The kid’s mask is the stuff of nightmares and it doesn’t help that kids are kind of creepy (hence the whole “crazy kid” genre). It seems the key to a great ghost story is to keep it low key and let it build. No need for cheap scares, just let the suspense build. It’s so simple, but gets screwed up time and time again.

9. Hatchet (2006)

The only thing that really needs to be said about Hatchet is that it’s one hell of a good time. It’s pretty much the standard slasher formula, but done with such love and glee that it’s infectious to watch. Best of all, it has Kenny from The Cosby Show in it and he’s hilarious. I’m endlessly impressed how good the gore effects are (and there are lots) given its 1.5 million dollar budget. Also, there is a great Hofstra bashing moment that certain BU students may appreciate more than the general populace. Interesting note: Hatchet was the last film shot in New Orleans before Katrina hit.

8. Dog Soldiers (2002)

Neil Marshall is a man to watch. He’s got another film coming up on this list, and Doomsday is balls out fun. Dog Soldiers is basically a group of soldiers versus and family of werewolves in a house in the middle of nowhere. It’s both funny and smart, a combination not particularly well represented in the horror-comedy genre (OK, comedy may be pushing it, but I think it’s funny). It’s remarkable that this is Marshall’s first film.

7. Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)

What more do you need from a film other than Bruce Campbell playing (the real) Elvis as an old man in a nursing home in Texas fighting a mummy with JFK, who has been dyed black (played by the venerable Ossie Davis)? If that description doesn’t make you run to put it in your Netflix queue, then I’m not sure what interest you have in reading this post. Even though the premise is pretty ridiculous (ridiculously AWESOME!!! High five!!!), the acting is amazing (with one LA critic calling for Campbell to be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar) and the score is simply amazing (oddly, no Elvis music). As Campbell has been known to say, “Hail to the King, baby!”

6. The Descent (2005)

Marshall’s other film on the list. The Descent is beyond intense before the monsters even show up. It helps that imagining oneself trapped in a cave system is probably about the most frightening thing that could happen. Add to the dark and isolation the narrow passageways to get from chamber to chamber and the possibility of falling into a crevice and you’ve pretty much nailed all of the most common fears. When I saw The Descent for the first time, I left the theater think it was decent (that type of play on words will win me a Pulitzer some day…), but the film grew on me the more I thought about it. Now, I can’t even remember what bothered me in the first place. It’s just a great horror film.

5. The Mist (2007)

I can’t believe I missed The Mist (confound my wordplay!) in theaters. When I finally caught up with it, I saw one of the best monster movies I’ve ever seen. I’m not really sure what kept me away. Perhaps that Frank Darabont directs and I’m sort of ho-hum about The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption. Whatever the case, I was wrong. Tom Jane is, as usual, badass and Marcia Gay Harden is one of the most hateful characters I’ve ever seen. Hers is the type of performance you hate because she’s so good at making you hate her character. Check the black and white version out, which is what Darabont wanted initially. It gives it the classic B-movie feel it needs.

4. 28 Days Later (2002)

28 Days Later is filling in for Sunshine, as well. Sunshine has horror elements, but I didn’t feel right including it no matter how much I love it (which is a lot). Setting aside the fact that 28 Days Later brought forth the fast zombie phenomenon that I loathe, it’s a terrific movie. Shot on DV, it proves that, with a little effort, you can make anything look good (take note, mumblecore enthusiasts). At first, I didn’t care for the last third, but after repeat viewings, I can’t imagine anything else. There is no place safe left. Even those who swore to protect will turn on you when times get tough. It’s also nice to hear some great music in a horror movie (something Danny Boyle excels at).

3. Drag Me to Hell (2009)

Sam Raimi, why would you ever make a non-horror film when you do them so well? Right now, this is in my top three for 2009 and is number one for best time had in the theater, and I saw it with about 14 other people. Drag Me to Hell is gooey and hilarious and should probably be rated R. Everyone talks about how they saw the “twist” coming a mile away. No kidding! The movie isn’t about the twist; it’s about the arduous and chaotic journey to the inevitable. The only thing missing is the Bruce Campbell cameo (and I know just where he should have been inserted). Even the Classic makes its appearance. An instant modern horror classic.

Drag Me to Hell - Trailer
Uploaded by dreadcentral. - Full seasons and entire episodes online.

2. Let the Right One In (2008)

My favorite film of 2008. I saw it at the Sydney Film Festival expecting nothing but a silly adolescent vampire movie (their description was not very good). Instead, I got one of the best vampire movies ever. I love everything about the film. The photography is gorgeous, the acting is impeccable (where did they find these kids?), and the suspense is palpable. Sadly, the DVD release screwed up the subtitles, so the film lost some of its nuance in transition, but it’s still great. Let the Right One In builds deliberately to a heartwarming, yet bittersweet conclusion when viewed in contrast with the beginning of the film. For anyone who sees the planned remake without seeing this, they deserve the fate of seeing an inferior product, or worse.

Let The Right One In (UK Trailer)
Uploaded by LWLies. - Full seasons and entire episodes online.

1. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

I somehow knew it would come down to you, Shaun. The world’s first rom-com-zom should also go down as the last, because it is perfect. Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost are tremendous together and have yet to misstep (probably why the third in the “Cornetto Trilogy” is so slow in coming). And I always fall a little bit in love with Kate Ashfield whenever I watch this movie. Heartfelt, hilarious, and gory, a perfect combination. For anyone who wants to learn how to parody, look no further than Shaun of the Dead. A million references, but it has it’s own story. Viewers are rewarded for knowledge of the genre. George Romero gave it his seal of approval by casting Pegg and Wright as zombies in Land of the Dead, so you should, too.