When I was asked to contribute to this blog I wanted my first post to be something that was a good representation of my taste in movies, what qualifies as good cinema to me, and still be true to the spirit of the blog. My favorite genre is Horror, and while horror and great filmmaking aren’t often uttered in the same breath, I enjoy this genre more than any other because it appeals to the most primitive human emotions (fear, violence, sin), often has an underlying social message, and are often the most fun to watch. While most horror movies often get disregarded as campy, cheap, or poorly developed; some horror movies set the bar for what all other movies in the genre should strive to achieve. This list is composed of my top ten favorite horror movies. Movies like Shaun of the Dead (comedic) and Nosferatu (dated), may be great works of art in their own right, but do not elicit the emotions I feel a horror movie should for this day and age, and therefore are omitted from this list.
10. Alien (1979)
What made it scary good:
Sci-fi horror is usually not a subgenre that is based in enough reality for me to consider it truly terrifying, but what Ridley Scott did with this movie was create a suspense that kept the audience on edge for most of the film. We know by the title that the villain is an alien but we don’t really see the alien in its entirety for most of the film. Couple that unknown with the claustrophobia and helplessness of being on a spacecraft, and this movie epitomizes fear.
This movie epitomize oxymoron
Why it’s not higher:
If this were 1979 it would be much higher, not because many of the other movies on this list didn’t exist yet, but because had I been born I would have had no idea what this alien looked like.
And I wouldn't have seen this yet
However, the alien is such a symbol of pop culture that some of the terror of the creature is lost on today’s viewers. If this list were rearranged to reflect almost anything else (overall quality, quotability, special effects) this would be at or near the top.
Also Recommend:
Aliens (1986):
James Cameron’s sequel goes much deeper into Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) character and is considered in some circles both better than the original, and one of the best sequels ever. However, it is based more in action than it is horror and suspense, and Bill Paxton’s character is incredibly annoying. This movies does, however, boast the best quote of any of the Alien movies, “Get away from her, you b****”.
9. Last House on the Left (1972) 
What made it scary good:
Gregory Hoblit also successfully captured Primal Fear on screen
In Last House on the Left, a girl and her friend go into New York to see a rock concert. When in New York they begin seeking Marijuana and end up running into a group of escaped psychos. What ensues next on-screen is the worst drug deal in the history of cinema. Last house on the left paved the way for a simple motif that is in practically every horror movie since its release, drugs and rock & roll will kill you!
Don't touch this dude's weed
This film is very gory and at some points very hard to watch. Last House also boasts one of the better horror movie remakes in recent years so if this movie seems too dated for your taste, all is not lost by viewing the update.
Why it’s not higher:
While it may be Wes Craven’s first movie, it is definitely not his best. The music and score completely kill the mood of the film from time to time; this is certainly the weakest aspect of the movie. If I were a parent this film may also touch a fear that I have not experienced, but I’m not so #9 is where it lies.
Also Recommend:
The Hills Have Eyes (1977, 2006 remake), The Devil’s Rejects (2005)
8. The Descent (2005) 
What made it scary good:
This movie is the perfect blend of Predators and Aliens.
This is not. Starting to get the hint that this movie is terrible?
Sporting an all female cast (except for one man and bunch a bunch of “crawlers”), The Descent chronicles a group of female friends who get together six years after a tragic accident to explore an underground cavern. After they are trapped deep underground, they are left to explore the cave in order to find a way out. What the find instead, really sucks for them!
Seriously sucks for them
While this movie taps into the fear and suspense that also made Alien so good, what ranks it higher on this list is that it takes place on Earth in present day, and therefore has a greater sense of realism attached to it. The monsters in this film are terrifying, and the claustrophobia associated with the caverns adds an extra layer of uncomfortable. But honestly, this movie may not even make my list if it weren’t for the question the writer leaves in the mind of its viewers. In order to not spoil the film for those who haven’t seen the film, I’ll just say that “the descent” is a double entendre.
Why it’s not higher:
The acting is not top-notch, but it is a horror movie. Other than that I can’t really say a bad thing about this movie, I think it is really good. The other movies ranked higher on this list are just simply better.
Also Recommend:
Jaws (1975): This film didn’t make my list because Jaws, the shark, simply doesn’t look scary anymore. Other than that it is everything The Descent is and everything it’s not. Let’s put it this way, if both these movies were on television and I was watching alone, I’d watch Jaws; if I was watching with someone who hadn’t seen The Descent, I’d watch them watch The Descent.
7. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) 
What made it scary good:
This horror movie used a technique known as “false documentation” to enhance the scare for the viewers. Basically, the beginning of the film indicates that the events that unfold on screen are in fact true even though they are, in fact, false (though the film is loosely based on Ed Gein). I may have ruined some of the terror of this movie for some of you who haven’t seen this film, but that’s not the only reason this film is ranked in my top 10. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre boasts some of the best cinematography for any horror movie ever made and the villain/monster, Leatherface (a chainsaw wielding psychopath who wears the skin of his victims as a mask) who stalks and kills the city slicker visitors of his home is the scariest transvestite ever portrayed on screen.
Okay, second scariest
So far we’ve covered most of the elements of the movie outlined in the title, a chainsaw wielding psychopath who creates a massacre… IN TEXAS. Seriously, this is the scariest part of the movie. Have you ever been to Texas? I haven’t. You know why, because of movies like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I’ve lived in two places my entire life, both cities, and if this movie has taught me anything it’s that people like me aren’t welcome in backwoods Texas and probably will not survive.
Don’t Mess With Texas
Why it’s not higher:
Like many other horror movies, some also included on this list, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has been diluted by its sequels. With two other poorly executed sequels to the original and the laughably bad …Next Generation the original Leatherface lost his luster. In 2003 reboot was a very strong effort but it was also tainted by its prequel …The Beginning. Also, this movie may be a little dated to still accomplish the fright it originally packed.
Also Recommend:
House of 1,000 Corpses (2003): Rob Zombie’s seminal work, and in my opinion his best. The climax goes a little over the top for what otherwise would be a completely believable and terrifying plot, otherwise this film delivers flawlessly. And seriously people, please stay away from backwoods houses in Texas.
6. The Strangers (2008) 
What made it scary good:
Of all the movies on this list, this one probably scared me the most on first viewing. The plot revolves around a struggling married couple who goes to a cabin after a wedding reception to try to capture some of their lost romance. Instead, they are stalked and harassed by three strangers who have no apparent motive for their exploits. This movie excels because it does not rely on jump scares or other hackneyed devices often seen in today’s horror. We feel the suspense as the strangers stalk the married couple and our urge to scream at the screen to warn the protagonists is almost unbearable during first viewing. While the subplot of the couple’s dwindling romance is a little contrived, it is important to the plot as it gives the characters depth and makes the audience more sympathetic to their situation. If you want the full effect of this film’s first viewing watch it with a significant other on a dark rainy day with the lights off.
Why it’s not higher:
This is not necessarily a criticism, but I was left wanting so much more. The runtime of this movie is only 86 minutes and while the pacing is very good, I was begging for another 15-20 minutes.
That’s what she said
I mentioned earlier that the subplot of the couple’s struggling romance is a little contrived and probably could have been executed a little better. Also, this is just personal taste and is certainly not the opinion of all movie goers, but for some reason I end up rooting for Liv Tyler’s demise in every movie she appears. A sequel for this movie is currently in the works and this is not a movie or a franchise that can be improved with a sequel, I fear this will hurt the original’s credibility amongst horror fans.
Also Recommended:
Cape Fear (1991), Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
I realize that this post is getting a little long-winded and have decided to break it up into two parts. Check back in later for horror movies 5-1 and thanks for reading.
~ Pac
Brian Pac Sostak
Chris Petersen
Sarah Higgins
stjerome03
Chris and Pac Take on Hollywood 