Quoted from Dreamscale Hostel was an amazing film.    The Descent was an amazing film.  Eden Lake was an awesome flick.  Wolf Creek and Rogue were awesome.  Hell, even the original Jeepers Creepers was great.

Someone check Jeff's pulse and stat levels...Cos' I don't think he's coherently sane anymore. There is no way in hell someone sane would say these things.

Hell, Jeff... You saying Kubrick's Shinning wasn't timeless is cause for concern. The music alone is scary as shit. The shinning has an errie, ominious feeling that just cannot be matched. No movie, in the history of the world, has the same vibe, mood or feeling to it. The Shinning is absolute gold.  It's unsettling. It's obscure. It's off kilter. It's vauge and it has enough subtle oddities going on that you could assume the place is haunted... Or, you could assume it's all in Jack's head.

Kubrick did a bang up job on a King book that was flawed to begin with. King's movies never translate well... in this instance, they, pun aside, "SHINED"  The mist, ever see that puddle donkey piss? Ballzy ending aside, a complete ass rash on the film of humanity.

Balt!  C'mon, man!  You're saying you don't think any of those movies were good?  None of them?  Not just a little?  I'm surprised.

I actually agree with the films he mentioned. Maybe amazing is a bit strong on a couple of them, but I thought they were all good.

And you can call me insane if you like. It wouldn't be the first time.  

Quoted from Dreamscale Balt!  C'mon, man!  You're saying you don't think any of those movies were good?  None of them?  Not just a little?  I'm surprised.

As much as Balt and I disagree in terms of Trick 'r Treat, I have to completely agree with what he said regarding your movies.

Not that they're bad (but, to me, they are) but we differ a lot compared to them.

Seriously, nothing happened in Hostel. Sure, the first half was a bit better, but I almost turned it off out of boredom.

The Descent... Well, I personally thought it was overrated. Much like Paranormal Activity, actually. Nothing personal to anyone who liked it, of course. =)

Haven't seen Eden Lake. Haven't seen Rogue. I'll just completely skip over Wolf Creek.

And, Jeepers Creepers? If were going strictly on stupid, entertainment value, 2 was more enjoyable and "less bad" than the original.

Sorry, Phil. =(

-Sean

EDIT:

Quoted from Baltis. Hell, Jeff... You saying Kubrick's Shinning wasn't timeless is cause for concern. The music alone is scary as shit. The shinning has an errie, ominious feeling that just cannot be matched. No movie, in the history of the world, has the same vibe, mood or feeling to it. The Shinning is absolute gold.  It's unsettling. It's obscure. It's off kilter. It's vauge and it has enough subtle oddities going on that you could assume the place is haunted... Or, you could assume it's all in Jack's head. Kubrick did a bang up job on a King book that was flawed to begin with. King's movies never translate well... in this instance, they, pun aside, "SHINED"  The mist, every see that pile donkey piss? Ballzy ending aside, a complete ass rash on the film of humanity.

Now, I have to disagree with Balt.

Now, yes, The Shining was amazing, I believe. Some of the best camerawork I've ever seen and brilliant performances, led by ol' Jack.

As for The Mist... Well, to put it simply, 2007 was a pretty good year for King short stories.

1408 was enjoyable. Won't win any Oscars, but I thought it was a fine movie. Not to mention, it was my birthday movie, so maybe I'm more attached simply because of that. Not sure.

And, The Mist. I'm really surprised that all people talk about of it is the ending. I thought it was a great movie. It's one of those movies that truly benefitted from being in black and white. They should've released it that way, but they didn't. I'm just glad they did it that way on the DVD.

-Sean

Quoted from Dreamscale Balt!  C'mon, man!  You're saying you don't think any of those movies were good?  None of them?  Not just a little?  I'm surprised.

Wolf Creek was watchable... It was entertaining. So, yes... I take back some of it.  As for best horror movie in the last 10 years, g'luck with that one. Oh, wait... nope. I know one.

Disappearance.

That is the best horror movie made in the last 15, actually. I absolutely love it and feel it beat a lot of movies to the punch. It has just enough Twilight Zone - just enough Twin Peaks - Just enough horror and suspense to be considered great by me.  Also, a close runner up for me would be Dagon. Super class flick. Lovecrafts best adapted work... Easily.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde As much as Balt and I disagree in terms of Trick 'r Treat, I have to completely agree with what he said regarding your movies. Not that they're bad (but, to me, they are) but we differ a lot compared to them. Seriously, nothing happened in Hostel. Sure, the first half was a bit better, but I almost turned it off out of boredom. The Descent... Well, I personally thought it was overrated. Much like Paranormal Activity, actually. Nothing personal to anyone who liked it, of course. =) Haven't seen Eden Lake. Haven't seen Rogue. I'll just completely skip over Wolf Creek. And, Jeepers Creepers? If were going strictly on stupid, entertainment value, 2 was more enjoyable and "less bad" than the original. Sorry, Phil. =( -Sean EDIT: Now, I have to disagree with Balt. Now, yes, The Shining was amazing, I believe. Some of the best camerawork I've ever seen and brilliant performances, led by ol' Jack. As for The Mist... Well, to put it simply, 2007 was a pretty good year for King short stories. 1408 was enjoyable. Won't win any Oscars, but I thought it was a fine movie. Not to mention, it was my birthday movie, so maybe I'm more attached simply because of that. Not sure. And, The Mist. I'm really surprised that all people talk about of it is the ending. I thought it was a great movie. It's one of those movies that truly benefited from being in black and white. They should've released it that way, but they didn't. I'm just glad they did it that way on the DVD. -Sean

I forgot about 1408... silly me.  I did enjoy that one.  Cusak was brilliant in it, as he was in Ice Harvest.  So scratch "all" kings movies. I do like Creepshow,, 1408, the Shinning and a couple others here and there... The Mist, though... just cheese, man. The effects were ballze to me. They looked like videogame effects to me. Very low Chroma key masking going on.  I thought the movie was best outside. It pissed me off how clumbsy it was while inside the store... I hated the religious nut who kept preaching and preaching.  I know the book was even more in depth about it, but this was just audible and pissed me off.  I also didn't like how the characters went back and forth from their positions. It showed a lack of polish in the writing.

Thomas Jane, yea... awesome. He did great. I think he's a strong actor who needs more roles, but the rest of the cast suffer from an identity crisis at times. The most unsettling shot was when they were in the rover and that huge thing lumbered over them... IT was brilliant. It also had the mist covering up a great deal of the shoddy effect work and all you could really see was a vauge understsanding of it's structure... I love that feeling. The feeling of what the hell is it? What is it thinking, if anything? Where did it come from? Where is it going?  Those 10 seconds were gold.

The rest of the movie... blah.

I'm a huge Stephen King fan...always have been, always will be.  The Shining didn't do it for me at all.  I'm not saying in any way that it was a bad film, but IMO, it's hugely over rated and for the most part, very, very dull.  Not including the best part of the novel, the snow creatures, was a HUGE mistake, IMO.

I'll watch Shining every once and a while, cause there are some good scenes and I think the performance of little Danny is awesome.  Just way too long, way too slow, and the scenes with the old hag in the tub didn't come off like they did in the novel.

I actually really liked The Myst.  Defintely not great, but a well crafted movie that worked on a number of different levels.  Biggest problem with it was the piss poor CGI with the tentacle kill early on.  You've got to nail your first reveal, and they sure didn't.

Not familiar with Disappearance, but I'll look into it now.

Dagon was pretty weak, and suffered from absoltely terrible effects and CGI.  It had a good feel to it early on, but much like all Lovecraft's stuff, got way too whacky for me.

Quoted from Baltis. Also, a close runner up for me would be Dagon. Super class flick. Lovecrafts best adapted work... Easily.

Totally agree with this. Dagon is criminally, criminally underrated. On par with Reanimator in terms of sheer enjoyability and probably the most successful in capturing Lovecraft's work on film. Wouldn't call it the best horror movie of the decade but definitely top ten, even amongst non horror movies. CGI was awful though and didn't really fit with the overall old school style.

Consequently, I agree with all of Jeff's pics except for Hostel and Jeepers Creepers. I liked Hostel but didn't think it was amazing. Jeepers Creepers was okay but I think I hated more than I liked. Wolf Creek wasn't amazing but I think the character was so I'll let that one pass as such. I also loved the minimalist look overall. I'm surprised that style isn't emulated more often.

As for the best of the decade, it's hard to say. I'd say Audition but it's not really horror and even with the label, I don't think it has all the requirements that the "best horror" moniker would entail. It's definitely better than whatever film does take the prize though.

For the sake of argument, I'll throw out Martyrs, Session 9 and Dog Soldiers. Martyrs, I didn't like the first time I saw it but the movies that garner that kind of reaction are almost always better than the ones I enjoy the first time around. Such is the case with Martyrs. Plus creepiest "secret organization" movie I've seen, personally. I don't think they'll ever top the idea on that one. Session 9 was also creepy as fuck and Dog Soldiers was just fun. Dagon might make a good #3 or 4 though.

Quoted from Dreamscale    Not familiar with Disappearance, but I'll look into it now.

Do so, man... It's sharp. It has a nice twist ending that can't really be called predictable because you don't know if it is or not. You actually don't know what happened to be honest.  That's the kind of shit I like. Writing so good that it's up to you to fill in the gaps yourself, but strong enough to know what it really is.  That sums up Disappearance to me.

Other class act movies

American Gothic is another one... It's a bit older, but I just watched it again the other night and it still holds up. It works for what it was and is.

Dead Birds is another one... It's in the style of an anthology type film and it kinda pissed me off cause it took a few ideas I had once had. Not a lot like them, but kinda like them. Good flick, though.

Nomads... Another older one. Brilliant. Check it.

Also I encourage everyone to check out Survalence... Don't miss that one.

Quoted from Dreamscale We agree that most movies nowadays suck indeed, but we don�t agree much further than that. Hostel was an amazing film.    The Descent was an amazing film.  Eden Lake was an awesome flick.  Wolf Creek and Rogue were awesome.  Hell, even the original Jeepers Creepers was great.

Ahem...

Quoted from Jules in 'Pulp Fiction Allow me to retort...

Jeepers Creepers is an utter waste of film and time. I want my two hours back. Hey, the other films are okay, not bad. But they're a bit crap and certainly don't stand up to repeated viewings, unlike...

Quoted from Dreamscale Exorcist was lame (for it�s time, it worked for sure, but it�s pretty weak).  Rosemary�s Baby was indeed a very good film, but again, it�s too long ago to stand up nowadays.  Pyscho, as I�ve said before, isn�t really much when you look at it now or compare it to modern day movies (yes, in its time, it was great indeed).  The Shining was another example of a missed opportunity with a Stephen King novel�highly over rated and pretty dull for the most part.

Exorcist - lame.
Rosemary�s Baby - too long
Pyscho - isn�t really much when you look at it now

The Shining - dull.

I don't fucking think so. If you don't think they are good horror movies then you'll get no no biscuits in my house to go with your tea. Actually gimme that cup and get the fuck out!

Quoted from Dreamscale The Thing is a great flick for sure, and one that holds up very well, even with Rob Bottin�s dated effects.

Oh yeah, those CGI effects blow The Thing away. Completely. Now gimme some Meths and Bog Cleaner bartender. I ever time about when I was in a porn film? Or that mercenary stint in Borneo? No, well....

Quoted from Dreamscale Invasion of the Body Snatchers with Donald Sutherland was a great flick, but again, pretty dated at this point.

Shelf-life. So important. Better stop talking about that Jesus and Mohammed fella then. They're so dated. Hmm, yes darling, pass me that scarf and daffodil. And pass the Vas babe.

Quoted from Dreamscale Alien and Aliens are classics, but too sci-fi for me to call actual horror.

Oh God forbid you mix style and genres. What the fuck are you on? No I don't want any.

Quoted from Dreamscale Both Dawn of the Dead�s are great movies, but they�re zombie flicks, and that kind of says it all.

Does it? Original horror movies stetching the style. OH no, never do. The dead walking the earth. Oh cos there's been a load of bad ones since that makes these poor. What?

Quoted from Dreamscale Original Wicker Man is great fun and the fact that it�s so dated and downright odd makes it a great experience.

Back to shelf-life. Better check the fridge luv. Shelf-life is so important.

Quoted from Dreamscale The Birds?  Oh boy�completely over rated and so lame in terms of holding up. Hitchcock was indeed the man in many ways, but you�re going back an awfully long way to a completely different world of film making.

Contradiction in terms. Shelf-life. Utterly wrong.

Quoted from Dreamscale If it doesn�t, then don�t throw it into the pile.

See above.

Trick 'r Treat is an average movie - at best. It's okay and I didn't feel robbed when I saw it but I've seen a few movies lately and it was way the worst.

Quoted from Dreamscale People may not love this film or think it�s great, but saying it sucks or is a bag of shite is just downright wrong and incorrect.

Quoted from Dreamscale Guess we agree to disagree here, R.  That�s OK.

To clarify....

Quoted from Mark Kermode Opinions are like arseholes. Everybody's got one and they think theirs is the only one that doesn't stink.

I'm sticking up for some classic box office monsters that have stood the test of time. You're sticking up for new films that will long be forgotten in ten years.

RV out.

Balt, a few things then I have to complete my Soul Shadows script.

Disappearance is a made for TV movie with (of all actors) Hary Hamlin and Susan "Laurie Partridge" Dey! Huh?  I'm not going to knock a movie before I see it, but I can't say I have high hopes here.

American Gothic with Rod Steiger?  Didn't like it...didn't hate it, but defintely didn't like it.

Dead Birds - with Henry Thomas?  Nope, didn't like it.  Actually took me like 4 tries to get through it.  Didn't hate it, but defintely didn't like it, either.

Nomads with Pierce Bosnan?  Nope, sorry, but again, definitely not something I liked.  Had a great premise but was pretty weak, IMO.

One otehr thing.  You mentioned the music in The Shining.  What about teh music in Trick 'r Treat?  I thought it was awesome!  Creepy, atmospheric, and the best use of MM's Sweet Dreams ever.

Quoted from Dreamscale Balt, a few things then I have to complete my Soul Shadows script. Disappearance is a made for TV movie with (of all actors) Hary Hamlin and Susan "Laurie Partridge" Dey! Huh?  I'm not going to knock a movie before I see it, but I can't say I have high hopes here. American Gothic with Rod Steiger?  Didn't like it...didn't hate it, but defintely didn't like it. Dead Birds - with Henry Thomas?  Nope, didn't like it.  Actually took me like 4 tries to get through it.  Didn't hate it, but defintely didn't like it, either. Nomads with Pierce Bosnan?  Nope, sorry, but again, definitely not something I liked.  Had a great premise but was pretty weak, IMO. One otehr thing.  You mentioned the music in The Shining.  What about teh music in Trick 'r Treat?  I thought it was awesome!  Creepy, atmospheric, and the best use of MM's Sweet Dreams ever.

You won't like it. I can tell from the films you really like that you enjoy more viseral horror films.

Quoted from Dreamscale Balt, a few things then I have to complete my Soul Shadows script. Disappearance is a made for TV movie with (of all actors) Hary Hamlin and Susan "Laurie Partridge" Dey! Huh?  I'm not going to knock a movie before I see it, but I can't say I have high hopes here. American Gothic with Rod Steiger?  Didn't like it...didn't hate it, but definitely didn't like it. Dead Birds - with Henry Thomas?  Nope, didn't like it.  Actually took me like 4 tries to get through it.  Didn't hate it, but definitely didn't like it, either. Nomads with Pierce Bosnan?  Nope, sorry, but again, definitely not something I liked.  Had a great premise but was pretty weak, IMO. One otehr thing.  You mentioned the music in The Shining.  What about teh music in Trick 'r Treat?  I thought it was awesome!  Creepy, atmospheric, and the best use of MM's Sweet Dreams ever.

Yes, it was a made for tv flick... but that's what makes it even better. It smokes the ass of modern big budget horror films of its time. That's the beauty in it.  But there is no gore. No blood beyond a few dabs and some skin hanging on a wall. There is nothing crude or abtrusive about it.  It is, for all intense and purposes, a Twilight Zone-like movie with a pretty damn good hook.

As for the others, Nomads was awesome. It was brilliant and ahead of its time. 28days later and so many others took from it.  Dead Birds was sharp too... it was just different.  I can see Unsettling horror isn't your thing... As you say you don't like the Shinning.  That's a shame.

Trick r Treat had decent ambiance, sure... but It wasn't stand out and won't be in my head like the big orchestra hits of the shinning or the piano plinks of Halloween... but I'm a musician too. Things tend to stick with me.

C'mon now, RV.  Let's play nice here.

Your constant remarks to shelf life and the like are confusing my pea sized brain.  I think we're talking about 2 completely different things here.

I've recently watched both Pyscho and The Birds.  I was literally shocked at how poorly they have held up in terms of just about everything.  Sure, you can say they were cutting edge at the time they were released, but in terms of what we're used to nowadays, they are both paper thin.

There are numerous movies that do hold up well.  Alien and Aliens are perfect examples.  Another one we haven't discussed yet is the original "Omen".  A true classic and one of the best horror movies of all time, IMO.

I don't want to knock obvious classics, but when you say the only great horror movies you can come up with are flicks from the 60's, or from revered directors, I'd say you've obviously missing something.

It is only a matter of time before Nixon comes in here and blasts you guys for getting way off topic.

But I hope he lets what is here stand, if only for a few good recommendations that others might have missed.

"Dead Birds" was pretty good.  Not great, but like "Trick ‘r Treat", certainly worth a look for fans of the genre.

As for this side list, I will add "Three Extremes", a super Asian compilation.  See it.

I have to groan a bit at your list, too, Dreamscale.  I found Hostel laughable, and most American horror has grown stale of late.  Asian horror was promising for a while, but they, too, are only repeating themselves now.  [Note to Japan:  Stringy-hair female ghosts are not scary anymore.]

Back on topic, "Trick ‘r Treat" is a solid, average horror.  It is not reinventing anything, but it is good enough to warrant a watch.

Time to wind up the side-bar conversations, though.

Psycho was great, but The Birds were truly for the birds IMO.

Omen was also great, but The Exorcist was way better. That one is really fantastic!!

I agree with both Alien films, but don't consider them horrors. More like thrillers.



Edit: Sorry Bert. I was typing mine up while you were posting.