SimonsSaysMovies: "Top 10 Most Underrated Horror Films of the Past Decade"

[JamesG]

Most Underrated Horror Films of the Past 10 Years
Monday March 22, 2010


First off, let me be clear.

This is not (necessarily) a list of the absolute best horror movies. Their order has been determined using my expert, opinion by utilizing a balance of quality and their respective levels of lacking recognition.




10. Cry_Wolf (2005)





To begin, we have a new-age styled slasher flick with old-school sensibilities. Cry_Wolf could be described as Cruel Intentions getting hacked to death by Jason Voorhees.


We get not only manipulation and twists by the conceded, preppy protagonists at the boarding school where the film is set, but also in the vein of a classic who-dunnit.

Besides, how could anyone not like a film starring Jon Bon Jovi as a journalism teacher?







9. Vacancy (2007)





Now, casting Luke Wilson as the central hero in a high concept chiller may not always equate to a success, but thankfully the execution of the material in this neglected ’07 film is subtle and restrained with significance placed on psychological terror and tension over gratuitous violence or shock thrills.



Like many films on this list, Vacancy has its problems. There are some preposterous plot contrivances and a bit of a cop-out ending, but what it may lack in thorough craftsmanship, it more than makes up for in creating paranoia.

You will most certainly think twice the next time you crash at a roadside motel.







8. Session 9 (2001)





Amongst the largest flops on this list is Session 9, starring a pre-"CSI Miami" famous David Caruso, which brought less than $400,000 back in 2001.

Directed by Brad Anderson who would go on to make some acclaimed psychological thrillers such as The Machinist and Transsiberian, this pseudo-ghost story has garnered a considerable cult following since its release.



Perhaps not surprisingly, like a number of entries from this compilation, Session 9 relies heavily on atmosphere to supply the chills and resists the urge to splash out (so to speak) on fake blood.

Session 9 will surely inspire debates about what is real, who is real and when is when.







7. Severance (2006)





More popular overseas than in North America, Severance is a film that treads the oh so delicate line that supplies the balance that must be present in horror-comedies.

Part corporate satire and part slasher film, this UK Import navigates that line swiftly and with poise.



Severance follows a group of corporate dunces at a team-building exercise in Eastern Europe (you know any horror film set in Eastern Europe is not going to end well) where they proceed to be stalked by a masked hunter.

Featuring moments of side-splitting hilarity and over-the-top violence, if you are a fan of British humour then you should find the whole package with Severance.







6. Dog Soldiers (2002)





No, this is not a spin-off of Cats & Dogs but a supremely entertaining werewolf film by director Neil Marshall, who would go on to create one of the most highly touted horror movies of the 2000s with The Descent.



Dog Soldiers draws inspiration, it would seem, from Aliens; an exhausting and relentless barrage both on the audience and the group of soldiers at the story’s center.

Dispatched to the scene of a military SOS, a squad of commandos must survive the night from a flood of the aforementioned werewolves.


This film never received a North American release, so it is a forgotten mini-classic you should seek out.







5. Ginger Snaps (2000) and Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004)








Next we have a twofer with a Canadian flavour.

Seen by almost nobody during their respective releases (the original made $2,500 and II grossed $80,000) they quickly became very popular on video and garnered a rather extensive cult following.


This status however was not due to by any means to a fluke, as both were critically acclaimed at their times of release. After you watch them it is easy to see why.

While the sequel is somewhat of a retread, both films are a poignant blend of classic werewolf lore and teen angst with strong female leads at the center.







4. May (2002)





Sure to divide audiences, May…may…not be everyone’s cup of blood, but if this little seen 2002 flick does not give you some f$%!@d up dreams then you may have just as many problems as our anti-heroine here.



May tells the tale of a psychologically traumatized girl who in a desperate attempt to find a true friend decides to make her own, with Frankensteinian results.

Everything about this movie succeeds in making one squirm; from the awkwardness of May, to the gore, to the grungy tone, right up to the utterly disturbing climax.


For diehard fans of the horror genre, if you have not seen May put it to the very top of your queue.







3. Slither (2006)





As I discussed with regards to Severance, (and as I will soon discuss again) horror-comedies are exceedingly hard to pull off.

Few films are more successful than James Gunn's Slither, a criminally overlooked creature feature starring the equally underrated Nathan Fillion.



Slither is whip smart, hilarious, gory, ominous, sad and deliciously acted. It has a similar psychological effect as did Arachnophobia 20 years ago and is as funny and entertaining as a film like Shaun of the Dead.

Slither is a film for both fans and non-fans of the genre.







2. El Orfanato aka The Orphange (2007)





Modestly attended, but universally celebrated and debated over, El Orfanato (as it is called in its native Spain) is both a tragic family drama and a terrifying ghost story.

The Orphanage is the type of film that can be dissected in so many ways and viewed in so many lights the film actually achieves another level of sophistication.



Thanks to Guillermo Del Toro attaching his name, the non-subtitle-shy were drawn out by solid word of mouth.

This is not only the purely best chiller of the past…who knows…but has so many complex layers it has something for everyone; and that something is bad dreams.







1. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)





Which brings us to number one; completing a horror-comedy trifecta.

Behind the Mask is not only an infinitely intelligent dissection of the slasher genre, but a deliciously classic slasher film itself.



Behind the Mask tells the tale of Leslie Vernon, an aspiring serial killer who dreams of being as notorious as Jason Voorhees or Michael Meyers (all of whom exist in this reality).

Followed around by a team of journalists composing a documentary about famous slashers, Leslie breaks down his approaches, and his perspectives on the best techniques to killing, alluding capture and the creation of terror, all while being ironic and symbolic.



For a film to effortlessly blend such insight with pure terror is nothing short of genius.

If you are a fan of the slasher sub-genre you owe it to yourself to watch Behind the Mask and hell, this movie is so good it may even be able to win some coverts.

http://simonsaysmoviesmuhm4.blogspot.com/

[Torgo]

The only one on the list I didn't like was Cry Wolf....I know just opinions, and tastes, but sad that this film makes it on the list and no 'Grace', which is a sadly overlooked horror film of any decade.

Personally I think Session 9 should be number 1 on there.

I like Behind The Mask, but I think Severance, and The Cottage were better horror comedies.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by Torgo

The only one on the list I didn't like was Cry Wolf....I know just opinions, and tastes, but sad that this film makes it on the list and no 'Grace', which is a sadly overlooked horror film of any decade.

Personally I think Session 9 should be number 1 on there.

I like Behind The Mask, but I think Severance, and The Cottage were better horror comedies.

I did not see Cry_Wolf so I can't comment on it.


I already stated my views on Session 9; I wanted to like it but I didn't.


I DID NOT like Behind the Mask... it looked like a student film.


I do enjoy the Ginger Snaps movies and yeah Severance is the better horror-comedy.

[browneyes106]

I really didn't care for Vacancy. I haven't seen Behind the Mask, Dog Soldiers or The Orphanage.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I really didn't care for Vacancy. I haven't seen Behind the Mask, Dog Soldiers or The Orphanage.

To me Vacancy was a movie that is "alright". I liked it when I saw it but I don't think I'll ever see it again and if I do it may not be in a long time.

The ending is cheap though... I remember that.


I know there is a straight-to-DVD Vacancy 2: The First Cut. In no rush to see it but if I stumble upon it I may pick it up.

[dakert]

I enjoy watching Horror Movies but these were just maybe okay

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by dakert

I enjoy watching Horror Movies but these were just maybe okay

Well yeah.. the reviewer said that these aren't the greatest movies. They are what he deems not deserving of not being fully recognized and seen by few people.

Some on the list aren't that good at all but in my opinion the Ginger Snaps movies are great.

[70s show watcher]

Originally Posted by JamesG

To me Vacancy was a movie that is "alright". I liked it when I saw it but I don't think I'll ever see it again and if I do it may not be in a long time.

The ending is cheap though... I remember that.


I know there is a straight-to-DVD Vacancy 2: The First Cut. In no rush to see it but if I stumble upon it I may pick it up.

thats how i felt about vacancy too