New Poll Part Deux. Scariest Movie of All Time!!!

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Alien was indeed scary to me, but Blair Witch project and Signs scared the brown stuff outta me. I watched both of these movies with the lights off and the sound turned up. You could have built a wall from the stuff that came out of my BLEEEEEEEP!!!!!.

[Swerd]

Worf

Some favorite scary flicks not on your list

Rosemary's Baby
This gets my vote because the girl I was dating when we saw this flick was so shook up that night that she wouldn't let me go home and leave her alone.

The Haunting
I'm talking about the original 1963 version, not the poorly done 1999 remake. It was the thinking man's scary flick about a bunch of skeptics who spend a few nights in what is rumored to be a haunted house. They slowly discover that the unbelievable tales may be more true than they expected, as few escape the cursed mansion.

I loved it because it left me wondering whether they scared themselves to death, or whether an unstoppable but completely unexplained supernatural force lurked in the shadows. See it if you can find it. http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:21684

[Worf101]

"Howard the Duck".

Good one, now go to Cleveland and get lost.

Da Worfster....

[Worf101]

Worfster, my friend, I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you...

...because I did the same damn thing .

Only it wasn't my kid's, it was my fiancee's that she had in the closet. I found it. I picked it up. I threw it in the trash. Bad, bad mojo that board.

As for the poll, Exorcist will forever be the Grand High Lama of scary flicks. Was anybody not scared by this flick?!? Some great movies that I thought should have been included are

1) Phantasm: Admit it, the Tall Man was flat creepy.
2) Rosemary's baby: Another Child of Satan gig
3) The Changling: No axes, no blood, just straight-up scary. I rented this for my friends in college and it scared the bejeezus out of them.

Glad to see I'm NOT the only one that gives bad mojo a wide birth. I may not "believe" in things like Voodoo, Zombies, Vampires, Santaria etc... but I know what I don't know. When in doubt step aside and let it pass by.

Da Worfster

[Kam]

Big E vote from me as well, although a close second would be Jacob's Ladder. Another good one no one's mentioned yet, Event Horizon. That's another really scary one and that Sam Neil can be one really creepy dude. And the wife with the black eye's shot always gets me. whew! turn the lights on!

peace
k2

[Worf101]

That was a good list Mr. Worf -- I've seen them all except the Ring -- I may check it out given the rest of your list.

I chose the Exorcist from the list provided not only because it is the scariest but also because it's the best film in the list when you factor in acting visuals plot etc. I think the reason it works - and more importantly holds up well to this day - is that the viewer can sympathize with the mother. If this happened one would probably do the things that she did to help her daughter. It takes the supernatural elements and grounds them in a believable way. She goes to medical science, then the church which s******s at the notion etc. Nightmare on Elm Street is fun scary but not really believable.

I think Halloween would be my second choice though it doesn;t hold up nearly as well on multiple viewing. But the first run through this was one helluva scary film with a lot of scenes that can make you jump. On its original theatrical releases audience were apparently screaming at Jamie Lee Curtis not to go into the house.

The original Night of the Living Dead I have number three from your list - it also doesn't hold up as well but at the time it was considered the most disturbing film ever released. The doom anti-vietnam element of the film worked better then than now - Romero scares the brain on visions of what North America has become or will become. Dawn of the Dead (78) also works like this and are more ambitious films than just trying to make the audience jump. Today it seems they just explode a very loud sequence at the audience to make them jump from their chair. Halloween did this mastefully but it also had IMO the best horror score of any horror film ever - simple composition done by Carpenter at the Piano. His visual style on this film and the simplicity of it worked so well. Just like audio simple is generally better.

Psycho(original version) has the psychological element and Hitchcock was the master of giving the audience exactly not what they were expecting -- killing off the title character in the first reel was a shocker. The visual style all added a creepyness element that also holds up well and a lead Perfromance which was spot on psychotic.

I enjoyed the Thing, Alien, 28 Days Later, Nightmare on Elm Street, the Omen but to me they're all a step down into the next tier of horror film relying on special effects and other films of the genre. I also don't think any of these were as scary - I also preferred by a wide margin Aliens to Alien.

Other horror movies worthy of mention:
Nosferatu and Nosferatu: The Vampyre (damn fine vampire movies)
Scarecrows (similar in scares to Halloween but very little seen)
Scream -- This had elements of several horror films but also had some fun with it.
Arachnophobia - not a traditional choice but it made me itchy and squirmy which counts for a lot.
The American Werewolf in London (horror with comedy done well -- wish the ending wasn't forced and seemingly tacked on) - The Howling was less fun but worthwhile.
Jacob's Ladder - while not a true horror film works in the genre as well as most
Invasion of the Body Snathers 1978 (A great great ending that's worth the entire price of admission).
A Clockwork Orange (blurs genres - damn scary commentary)
I might be tempted to put Scanners on the list as well but it's been a long time so not sure how well it holds up but it was good in its day when I saw it.

Fareheit 9-11. Scary and ominous and what's scarier is that the right wing luney toon bin voted the murding slack jawed boob in again. Ohh the horror of it all!!

Good analysis but you may have unleashed a flame war with that last bit. But hey, it's a free country... or so Massa' tole me. (joke)

Da Worfster

[Worf101]

Alien was indeed scary to me, but Blair Witch project and Signs scared the brown stuff outta me. I watched both of these movies with the lights off and the sound turned up. You could have built a wall from the stuff that came out of my BLEEEEEEEP!!!!!.

"Signs" was aight. But BWP was "eh". I saw it in the movies and was kinda scared but scared to the point of Hershey Squirts? Ah think not. But hey, different horses for different Courses.

Da Worfster

[Worf101]

[QUOTE=Swerd]Worf

Some favorite scary flicks not on your list

Rosemary's Baby
This gets my vote because the girl I was dating when we saw this flick was so shook up that night that she wouldn't let me go home and leave her alone.

The Haunting
I'm talking about the original 1963 version, not the poorly done 1999 remake. It was the thinking man's scary flick about a bunch of skeptics who spend a few nights in what is rumored to be a haunted house. They slowly discover that the unbelievable tales may be more true than they expected, as few escape the cursed mansion.

I loved it because it left me wondering whether they scared themselves to death, or whether an unstoppable but completely unexplained supernatural force lurked in the shadows. See it if you can find it. http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:21684[/QUOTE
]

Didn't see R.B. until years later on Showtime. It was impressive. Perhaps if I'd seen it as a kid I'd have voted for it. But didn't have a chance to gauge it in it full glory. As for "The Haunting" I agree with you completely. It's a great movie in scary assed Black and White. I love it. Wish I had more slots for these polls.

Da Worfster

[Swerd]

Damn it all Worf, you've seen everything! And here I thought I was so clever to suggest an old B&W film from the early 60's that I was sure you didn't know about.

Lesson - never think you can one-up the Worf when it comes to films. You remain the undisputed master.

[Lexmark3200]

[QUOTE=Worf101]

Worf

Some favorite scary flicks not on your list

Rosemary's Baby
This gets my vote because the girl I was dating when we saw this flick was so shook up that night that she wouldn't let me go home and leave her alone.

The Haunting
I'm talking about the original 1963 version, not the poorly done 1999 remake. It was the thinking man's scary flick about a bunch of skeptics who spend a few nights in what is rumored to be a haunted house. They slowly discover that the unbelievable tales may be more true than they expected, as few escape the cursed mansion.

I loved it because it left me wondering whether they scared themselves to death, or whether an unstoppable but completely unexplained supernatural force lurked in the shadows. See it if you can find it. http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:21684[/QUOTE
]

Didn't see R.B. until years later on Showtime. It was impressive. Perhaps if I'd seen it as a kid I'd have voted for it. But didn't have a chance to gauge it in it full glory. As for "The Haunting" I agree with you completely. It's a great movie in scary assed Black and White. I love it. Wish I had more slots for these polls.

Da Worfster

The 1999 remake of THE HAUNTING did suck compared to the original, BUT, it is one of the BEST SOUNDING DTS ES DVDs on the market (well, now out of print) from DreamWorks' Signature Series collection of titles; the LFE on this track will break your house down.

I thought William Malone's remake of HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL was better than Jan De Bont's THE HAUNTING remake.

[Lexmark3200]

"That damned Tubular Bells theme ruined the Exorcist for me, I've never been able to understand why people enjoy that song! "

Are you JOKING? Ask any hardcore EXORCIST or horror fan for that matter, and he or she will tell you the Tubular Bells is half of what made that picture; its unfortunate it wasnt used in EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (which I guess was done intentionally to give a totally different perspective on Merrin and his beginnings) and was brilliantly used again in THE EXORCIST III. The song is what people associate with this shocker.

[steamboy 2]

Here's some that was scary to me

carnival of souls - 1962
the dark - 1979
funhouse - 1981
halloween
phantasm
alien
the exorcist
jaws
the shinning
black christmas- 1975

sorry can't pick one

mike

[daigoro]

To me, The Shining is the creepiest movie ever made. Texas Chainsaw Massacre would be my number 2, followed by Alien. The Exorcist and Halloween also get honorable mention. I'll probably get a lot of flack for this, but I thought the Blair Witch Project was the scariest movie I have seens since....well, since The Shining.

One similarity between The Shining and Alien is the idea of being trapped in a limited space and being totally defenseless.

To me, more static movies are scarier. Movies that let you lock in on the dread and don't look away. Much better than stupid parlor tricks like "jump seaters" which became so predictable by the 80's that you could see 'em coming a mile away most of the time. (i.e. people walking backwards into a room, closing a mirrored medicine cabinet door, things lurching out after a false alarm, etc.)

[RGA]

Good analysis but you may have unleashed a flame war with that last bit. But hey, it's a free country... or so Massa' tole me. (joke)

Da Worfster

Sir now THAT IS funny

I'm Canadian though -- Now I believe Canada is a free-er country -- well if America says it's ok If we truly had it our way Marijuana would be legal...but the right wing luney toons in the States keep whining that it will get into the States. Man they don;t let you guys have any fun - no wonder everyones packing heat ready to shoot anyone who cuts them off in traffic -- a lit pot soothes the savage beast -- especially with some Pink Floyd.

[RGA]

To me, The Shining is the creepiest movie ever made. Texas Chainsaw Massacre would be my number 2, followed by Alien. The Exorcist and Halloween also get honorable mention. I'll probably get a lot of flack for this, but I thought the Blair Witch Project was the scariest movie I have seens since....well, since The Shining.

One similarity between The Shining and Alien is the idea of being trapped in a limited space and being totally defenseless.

To me, more static movies are scarier. Movies that let you lock in on the dread and don't look away. Much better than stupid parlor tricks like "jump seaters" which became so predictable by the 80's that you could see 'em coming a mile away most of the time. (i.e. people walking backwards into a room, closing a mirrored medicine cabinet door, things lurching out after a false alarm, etc.)

I think the Blair Witch prokject worked more for people who did not have the film given away prior to seeing it. I thought it was a very effective film especially when you factor in the budget etc. It seemed to polarize people because some absolutely hated the film - I liked it but I understand why some would not.

I like the Shining. I liked it better than Stephen King's vision (the made for TV movie King directed was not very good). The Shining had some parts that were quitre scary indeed. The two girls "Come play with us Danny, Forever and ever and ever." The Shining is a highly re-watchable film as well. It's also worthy to note that the location choice was a character in itself (the hotel) and Kibrick utilized it all brilliantly. If I didn't put on my list I should have - just too many to remember.

[Worf101]

Sir now THAT IS funny

I'm Canadian though -- Now I believe Canada is a free-er country -- well if America says it's ok If we truly had it our way Marijuana would be legal...but the right wing luney toons in the States keep whining that it will get into the States. Man they don;t let you guys have any fun - no wonder everyones packing heat ready to shoot anyone who cuts them off in traffic -- a lit pot soothes the savage beast -- especially with some Pink Floyd.

Can't talk about the gange in here man... the black hats'll be all over us. Shhh... I don't "indulge" myself but I've never seen anyone fiendin for the freakout beat their ole lady for the last dime, somethin' I've seen done for alcohol many a time... I've always considered Lambs Breath the lesser of 2 evils. But I digress...

Keep that stuff on the down low...

Da Worfster

[Worf101]

To me, The Shining is the creepiest movie ever made. Texas Chainsaw Massacre would be my number 2, followed by Alien. The Exorcist and Halloween also get honorable mention. I'll probably get a lot of flack for this, but I thought the Blair Witch Project was the scariest movie I have seens since....well, since The Shining.

One similarity between The Shining and Alien is the idea of being trapped in a limited space and being totally defenseless.

To me, more static movies are scarier. Movies that let you lock in on the dread and don't look away. Much better than stupid parlor tricks like "jump seaters" which became so predictable by the 80's that you could see 'em coming a mile away most of the time. (i.e. people walking backwards into a room, closing a mirrored medicine cabinet door, things lurching out after a false alarm, etc.)

While I don't agree about BWP, perhaps all the hype led me to a "let down" and I thought the "The Shining" was interesting neither makes my top 10. I agree with you about "Jump Seaters" I also hate that hack of eliciting chills but you know people, they'll take the easy way every time.


Da Worfster

[Worf101]

Damn it all Worf, you've seen everything! And here I thought I was so clever to suggest an old B&W film from the early 60's that I was sure you didn't know about.

Lesson - never think you can one-up the Worf when it comes to films. You remain the undisputed master.

Hey my film knowledge is all the result of a misspent youth. Before "blossoming" in the service, I was semi-nerdlette as a kid. It was safer watching movies inside then braving the mean streets of the projects outside. But that all changed when puberty hit.

Da Worfster

[MomurdA]

The Haunting
I'm talking about the original 1963 version, not the poorly done 1999 remake. It was the thinking man's scary flick about a bunch of skeptics who spend a few nights in what is rumored to be a haunted house. They slowly discover that the unbelievable tales may be more true than they expected, as few escape the cursed mansion.

I agree this movie is scary as hell. esp if you watch it in the dark by yourself. Let your gf watch it alone while you do something else. it will be worth it., IMO