The Scream Trilogy: Top 6 Greatest Horror Movies Ever

http://feelthefilms.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/greatest-horror-films-of- all-time/

I know it's over, but I find the Halloween season to be one of the most fun holidays because for a day it’s like we’re movie stars. We can dress up like someone we aren’t and we can live a life story that isn’t our own. For the average person, we have probably not been involved in situations like the ones we have seen in horror films. That’s part of the fun; we can feel the fear, drama, and sensation of being victimized, and always leave after two hours as the hero.

When you have the right filmmakers, horror movies can be just as artful and grounded in humanity as any drama or war epic. Sadly, the genre has been overtaken by industry-newcomers and suffered studio manipulation to target teenagers with excessive gore and not enough depth in the story. Horror movies may not be thriving in 2013, but it has produced legendary films in the past:

Psycho (1960): Green-lighting the history of the slasher films, Psycho has become the most distinguished horror film to ever be made. Alfred Hithcock’s perfect direction uses film editing and cinematography to bring the story of the mysterious Norman Bates to screen. Hitchcock has made dozens of films that are thrilling and artistic, but Psycho’s script allows Hitchcock to dive into the fear and the secrets behind the Bates Motel. The closest thing to perfection the history of scary movies has to flaunt. A must-see film of any genre.

Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Roman Polanksi’s work has stretched over generations, but not even his trophy of Chinatown can compete with the eerie, Satanism tale of Rosemary’s Baby, a film that disturbingly tells the tale of a woman in her most vulnerable state: pregnancy. The answer to the film is withheld from us until the final scene, allowing us to be caught up in the fear of the unknown and of the evil plotted against the heroine. Rosemary’s Baby includes the Academy Award winning performance for Best Supporting Actress by Ruth Gordon as the central antagonist.

The Exorcist (1973): The horror film that actually break through the walls of movie-prejudice earned a staggering 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, The Exorcist is a one in a million. The Exorcist sketches out a discussion of faith, while having a story that is easily accessed by its viewers. The masterful direction, special effects, and make-up gives The Exorcist the extra edge against other horror films of its time. The extensive climax when the exorcism takes place still sends today’s audience members away screaming.

Halloween (1978): Launching the horror icon, Michael Myers and the “Scream Queen”, Jamie Lee Curtis, Halloween established the “teen slasher” that would eventually become abused by studios trying to cash in on the frenzy decades later. John Carpenter’s sensitive direction and thumping score establish the morose atmosphere that scares people out of their skin. Blood and gore were scarcely used, instead we are hit hard with suspense and tension to create fear. Halloween has become legendary and will live on for as long as the holiday is celebrated.

The Shining (1980): What one man would consider a “dad’s gone crazy” tale, another could suggest a story of reincarnation, others may think of it as drawing attention to the bloodshed of Native Americans, The Shining is one of the most complex tales to be fashioned in the genre. The film is given the extra touch of life by Jack Nicholson’s committed, tantalizing performance. Displayed by Stanley Kubrick’s wondrous eye for cinematography and the careful use of editing, one could study The Shining for weeks.

The “Scream” Trilogy (1996-2000): The moment horror fans have been anticipated came true with Wes Craven’s masterpiece that is the Scream trilogy. Hip, modern, and self-referential, Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 3 are a collection of thrills generated by a fantastic storyline with melodrama and human life. Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox excellently embody their characters and Craven’s directing touch shakes the audience in these films that are genuinely frightening as well as being wittingly funny. The three films are consistent in quality, follow the same characters, and are laced together with an overreaching story arc. The series is a milestone in the horror genre.

One overlapping aspect of many of these films is the element of mystery. Fear can be best built on the lack of knowing a subject. If horror directors and writers focused on surprising the audience as well as making them nauseous with blood, it may lend the genre to be as artful as it used to be. Horror movies can be fun and have become apart of out society’s ritual for Halloween. Just make sure you check out the good ones!

Other excellent films include The Birds (1963), Carrie (1976), Alien (1979), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Feel the Films: A Blog by RCS - http://feelthefilms.wordpress.com/