BD's Top 10 Underrated Horror Gems - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 09-10-2010, 04:59 PM

Top Ten Underrated Horror Gems!
Friday, September 10, 2010
By: Chris Eggertsen

10. Tourist Trap (1979)

Tourist Trap is a cross between House of Wax, Carrie and Friday the 13th, and yet it stands in a class all by itself in its degree of gonzo, “should-I-laugh-or-should-I-scream” shocks.

9. Fear (1990)

Fear is a genuinely nerve-jangling piece of work anchored by solid performances from Sheedy, Lauren Hutton, and Pruitt Taylor Vince as the psychic murderer who gives perhaps one of the creepiest voice-overs ever.

8. The Brotherhood of Satan (1971)

Largely ignored on its release, The Brotherhood of Satan is by no means a perfectly-calibrated occult classic on the order of, say, Rosemary’s Baby.

But taken on its own merits it’s a deft little horror film made up of quite a few authentically unnerving scenes.

7. Seven Notes in Black (1977)

Those accustomed to the “more is more” aesthetic of Lucio Fulci’s more famous films will be surprised by Seven Notes' slow build, though it’s still filled to the brim with the excellent cinematography, deft use of color, and, well, awkward dubbing fans have come to expect from the Italian master.

6. Bad Ronald (1974)

Don’t let its made-for-T.V. status turn you off; this is good, creepy fun and better than it has any right to be.

5. Homicidal (1961)

Homicidal is pure go-for-broke fun, with a 45-second “Fright Meter” flashing on screen just before the climactic scene (a gimmick director William Castle used during the theatrical release to give skittish audience members a chance to run for the exits and get a refund) and a final reveal that is so insane –

not to mention laughably copped from Psycho - that you can’t help but be impressed by Castle’s audacity.

4. Don't Open the Window (1974)

Like the featured zombies it’s a slow-moving tale, but if you stick with it to the gory climax you’ll find a lot to appreciate.

3. Pin (1988)

Pin is a shockingly subtle, low-key horror film featuring some really nimble performances by the main cast and a truly disturbing descent into madness of the lead character.

2. Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)

Expertly directed by Audrey Rose and The Entity novelist Frank De Felitta, T.V. movie Dark Night of the Scarecrow is truly an overlooked gem in that it manages the rare feat of building believable characters and situations and then paying them off with scenes of genuine atmosphere and suspense.

1. Onibaba (1964)

Onibaba is, quite simply, a masterful film by a master filmmaker, and all horror fans who care about quality cinema would do well to seek it out.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/21636

Liza · 09-14-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

5. Homicidal (1961)

Homicidal is pure go-for-broke fun, with a 45-second “Fright Meter” flashing on screen just before the climactic scene (a gimmick director William Castle used during the theatrical release to give skittish audience members a chance to run for the exits and get a refund) and a final reveal that is so insane –

not to mention laughably copped from Psycho - that you can’t help but be impressed by Castle’s audacity.

Wow, I'm not the only person in the world who remembers that movie? It is such a guilty pleasure of mine, I'll admit, I love Homicidal. I can't help it! Sure it's a rip-off of Psycho, but it's still so danged unusual too. I'll admit, I did not see the ending coming, Jean Arliss actually gave a startingly good performance. Maybe I'm partial because she plays a blonde-haired Danish girl named Emily (just like me).

I'm not a psychotic knife-wielding murderer though

Torgo · 10-05-2010, 04:46 PM

Nice list.

Waiting for my copy of Dark Night Of The Scarecrow to get here.

dlemond · 10-05-2010, 04:52 PM

James, is your avatar from the movie Dead Snow?

I just watched that last night on Netflix instant viewing.
I liked it.

Torgo · 10-05-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlemond

James, is your avatar from the movie Dead Snow?

I just watched that last night on Netflix instant viewing.
I liked it.

I know I'm not James, but yes it is. Dead Snow is one of my new favorite zombie flicks.

Torgo · 10-05-2010, 05:01 PM

Brotherhood of Satan is great. I'm a big fan of 70's Satanic cult flicks. It was co written by LQ Jones- who directed A Boy And His Dog(not to mention made appearance in countless TV Westerns.)

JamesG · 10-05-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

Nice list.

Waiting for my copy of Dark Night Of The Scarecrow to get here.

Did you see that movie Parents? It was released as a double feature with Fear.

I was wondering how that was.

Torgo · 10-05-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Did you see that movie Parents? It was released as a double feature with Fear.

I was wondering how that was.

I like it a lot. It has a great feel to it...almost David Lynchian. I'd say it's a very slow burn type of flick.

JamesG · 10-05-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlemond

James, is your avatar from the movie Dead Snow?

I just watched that last night on Netflix instant viewing.
I liked it.

I'm glad you liked Dead Snow.

Yes, my avatar is cropped from this pic:

Torgo · 10-05-2010, 05:07 PM

Also love Tourist Trap. Early days of Charles Band. Love that ending.

Torgo · 10-05-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

I'm glad you liked Dead Snow.

Yes, my avatar is cropped from this pic:

Definitely the best of the Nazi zombie subgenre...after that Shock Waves is good, and also Outpost...but then you have stinkers like Oasis Of The Dead, and Zombie Lake, and Night Of The Zombies.

Eagerly awaiting The 4th Reich....

dlemond · 10-05-2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

Definitely the best of the Nazi zombie subgenre...after that Shock Waves is good, and also Outpost...but then you have stinkers like Oasis Of The Dead, and Zombie Lake, and Night Of The Zombies.

Eagerly awaiting The 4th Reich....

I need zombie recommendations that are instant view on Netflix.

Or just zombie recommendations in general.
(not just Nazi)

I mean beyond ones like classic Dawn of the Dead and 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead.

You guys ever see Tokyo Zombie? I saw it a couple years ago, thought it was decent.

JamesG · 10-05-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlemond

I need zombie recommendations that are instant view on Netflix.

Or just zombie recommendations in general.
(not just Nazi)

I mean beyond ones like classic Dawn of the Dead and 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead.

You guys ever see Tokyo Zombie? I saw it a couple years ago, thought it was decent.

You can find plenty of zombie flicks on Netflix by searching zombies - http://www.netflix.com/Search?v1=zombies

Browsing through what they have, I'd recommend:

Zombie Strippers
Zombie Town
American Zombie
Zombiemania (documentary)
The Zombie Diaries

Torgo · 10-05-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlemond

I need zombie recommendations that are instant view on Netflix.

Or just zombie recommendations in general.
(not just Nazi)

I mean beyond ones like classic Dawn of the Dead and 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead.

You guys ever see Tokyo Zombie? I saw it a couple years ago, thought it was decent.

Not Instant, but- Zombie flicks I recommend(including cheesy classics)--

Zombi '79
Dead & Buried
Fido
Dance Of The Dead '08
Return Of The Living Dead
Living Dead At The Manchester Morgue
Messiah Of Evil
The Grapes Of Death
The Blind Dead film series
The Gates Of Hell
Nightmare City
Re-Animator
Burial Ground
Hell Of The Living Dead
Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things
The Boneyard
Dead Next Door
Cemetery Man
Night Of The Living Dead '90
Braindead( aka Dead Alive)
Dead & Breakfast

Pre-Romero:

White Zombie
I Walked With A Zombie
King Of The Zombies
I Eat Your Skin
Plague Of The Zombies

JamesG · 10-06-2010, 11:33 PM

One of my favorite horror flicks that's relatively unknown is a New Zealand film from 1997 called The Ugly.

I first heard of it back in 2001 when the horror compilation DVD was released called Boogeymen: The Killer Compilation.

They put title cards and famous movie scenes from various horror films on this DVD and the only movie featured on it that I didn't know about was The Ugly.

I then wanted to track down this movie and the mom-and-pop video that was near me had it in stock on VHS.

Almost all of my friends that I introduced the film to back then loved it. I rented it so much that the owner of the store just let me have it. I since bought it on DVD.

If you can get hold of this film I strongly recommend it.

Check out the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIm6QW1W5W0&

09-10-2010, 04:59 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,159	BD's Top 10 Underrated Horror Gems Top Ten Underrated Horror Gems! Friday, September 10, 2010 By: Chris Eggertsen *10. Tourist Trap* (1979)** Tourist Trap is a cross between House of Wax, Carrie and Friday the 13th, and yet it stands in a class all by itself in its degree of gonzo, “should-I-laugh-or-should-I-scream” shocks. *9. Fear* (1990)** Fear is a genuinely nerve-jangling piece of work anchored by solid performances from Sheedy, Lauren Hutton, and Pruitt Taylor Vince as the psychic murderer who gives perhaps one of the creepiest voice-overs ever. *8. The Brotherhood of Satan* (1971)** Largely ignored on its release, The Brotherhood of Satan is by no means a perfectly-calibrated occult classic on the order of, say, Rosemary’s Baby. But taken on its own merits it’s a deft little horror film made up of quite a few authentically unnerving scenes. *7. Seven Notes in Black* (1977)** Those accustomed to the “more is more” aesthetic of Lucio Fulci’s more famous films will be surprised by Seven Notes' slow build, though it’s still filled to the brim with the excellent cinematography, deft use of color, and, well, awkward dubbing fans have come to expect from the Italian master. *6. Bad Ronald* (1974) Don’t let its made-for-T.V. status turn you off; this is good, creepy fun and better than it has any right to be. 5. Homicidal (1961)** Homicidal is pure go-for-broke fun, with a 45-second “Fright Meter” flashing on screen just before the climactic scene (a gimmick director William Castle used during the theatrical release to give skittish audience members a chance to run for the exits and get a refund) and a final reveal that is so insane – not to mention laughably copped from Psycho - that you can’t help but be impressed by Castle’s audacity. *4. Don't Open the Window* (1974) Like the featured zombies it’s a slow-moving tale, but if you stick with it to the gory climax you’ll find a lot to appreciate. 3. Pin (1988)** Pin is a shockingly subtle, low-key horror film featuring some really nimble performances by the main cast and a truly disturbing descent into madness of the lead character. *2. Dark Night of the Scarecrow* (1981)** Expertly directed by Audrey Rose and The Entity novelist Frank De Felitta, T.V. movie Dark Night of the Scarecrow is truly an overlooked gem in that it manages the rare feat of building believable characters and situations and then paying them off with scenes of genuine atmosphere and suspense. *1. Onibaba* (1964)** Onibaba is, quite simply, a masterful film by a master filmmaker, and all horror fans who care about quality cinema would do well to seek it out. http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/21636
	Last edited by JamesG; 09-10-2010 at 08:39 PM.

10-05-2010, 04:46 PM	#3
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	Nice list. Waiting for my copy of Dark Night Of The Scarecrow to get here.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

10-06-2010, 11:33 PM	#15
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,159	One of my favorite horror flicks that's relatively unknown is a New Zealand film from 1997 called The Ugly. I first heard of it back in 2001 when the horror compilation DVD was released called Boogeymen: The Killer Compilation. They put title cards and famous movie scenes from various horror films on this DVD and the only movie featured on it that I didn't know about was The Ugly. I then wanted to track down this movie and the mom-and-pop video that was near me had it in stock on VHS. Almost all of my friends that I introduced the film to back then loved it. I rented it so much that the owner of the store just let me have it. I since bought it on DVD. If you can get hold of this film I strongly recommend it. Check out the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIm6QW1W5W0& Attached Images

10-05-2010, 04:52 PM	#4
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	James, is your avatar from the movie Dead Snow? I just watched that last night on Netflix instant viewing. I liked it.

10-05-2010, 05:01 PM	#6
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	Brotherhood of Satan is great. I'm a big fan of 70's Satanic cult flicks. It was co written by LQ Jones- who directed A Boy And His Dog(not to mention made appearance in countless TV Westerns.)

10-05-2010, 05:07 PM	#10
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	Also love Tourist Trap. Early days of Charles Band. Love that ending.