A Poorly written post regarding horror films

Recently, Wes Craven’s horror classic “The Last House on the Left” (1972) received a makeover by Rogue Pictures. I have not seen the remake yet but what I’m hearing sounds very promising. First of all, while critical reaction may not be on par with drama classics, they are very excellent while we operate in the realm of horror films.
Horror films have never been the critic’s favorite. A true good horror film that comes along and is an instant cult favorite is hard to come by. Yet when they do, it is known that what we are watching is a horror classic. They may not be filled with Sean Penns or Russell Crowes. However, they seize the fear, terror, and hair-raising aspects of life and thrust them onto the screen showing us what we despise in life the most. Still, our imagination is captivated as we continue to shell out money to feel sick to the stomach for a couple hours.
Wes Craven, the grandson of horror, released “The Last House on the Left” (1972). Its gritty, exploitive nature drew criticism from every angle. Fans, on the other had, will always place the film at the top of their favorite lists. Besides a loyal fan base, the film has influenced countless horror films immediately following its release through modern horror.
Back track a few years to 1968….George A. Romero released “Night of the Living Dead” the quintessential zombie flick. The film would spawn many follow ups such as “Dawn of the Dead” and most recently “Diary of the Dead”. The film most likely was the next greatest horror film after Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”.
1974’s “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” gave us the frightening character of Leatherface. The film experimented with using daylight with its terror plot line to great effect. Perhaps, it is most famous for the end sequence where Leatherface twirls his chainsaw in anguish as the sun sets in the background.
Cult classic, “The Evil Dead”, released in 1981 on a small budget of $375,000 as resonated throughout horror history. It spawned two sequels, “The Evil Dead II” and “Army of Darkness”. The film was banned in several country’s due to its outrageous gore (believe me, it is indeed). In the United Kingdom, the film was placed on the “video nasty” list; in effect prevent any and all marketing of the movie.
“The Exorcist”, the greatest demonic possession film, was released in 1973 to divided critical reception. It was placed on the infamous “video nasty” list. Yet, it is funny to note that British film critic, Mark Kermode, claimed it was the greatest film of all time…maybe the greatest horror film, Mark.
John Carpenter has released two essential horror classics, the one that nearly anyone reading this knows, “Halloween” (1978) and “The Thing” (1982). “Halloween” is the most successful slasher flick since “Psycho”. “The Thing” is a terrifying flick about a shape-shifting alien which goes on a killing spree in the Antarctic…freaky.
“Poltergeist”, released the same year as “The Thing”, revolves around the haunting of a Californian suburban home. The film was made by Tobe Hooper who was responsible for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
“Rosemary’s Baby” starring Mia Farrow was released in 1968. A petrifying tale of witchcraft/cults, the Ira Levin novel turned film as been received across the board as a great film and a truly good horror film.
Wes Craven once again creates a horror classic. The 1984 film, with Johnny Depp and Amanda Wyss, follows the burned Freddy Krueger who kills sleeping teens in their dreams with his sharp razor fingers. The subject of much debated social contexts, the film is an example of an intelligibly made gore-fest.
“The Omen” (1976) follows the story of two wealthy American couples that receive the baby anti-Christ, Damien, by unfortunate circumstance. Known for the disturbing, “Hanging Scene”, the film has become synonymous with terror (especially once the details of the supposed set-haunting emerged).
1980’s “The Shining” based on Stephen King’s horror novel has become a rather quotable horror novelty. “Here’s Johnny” Jack Nicholson screams as he attempts to break down a door in order to satisfy his blood lust (by killing his family). Directed by Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange) the movie gets a brief cameo in the 1997 film “Twister”. You know a horror film has made it big time when it is shown in another movie.
Modern horror seems to concentrate on the splattering of blood rather than the psychological terror. Thus, films such as “Hostel”, “Saw” and “The Hills Have Eyes” have gained popularity. Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel 1 & 2) has recently become a name on the cult circuit. With the release of 2006’s “Hostel”, Eli polarized critics yet somehow managed to capture the admiration of horror fans.
At first glance, “Hostel” may seem like a pornography injected with some blood (that sounded terrible). Yet, it is a film with character development unlike many horror films. You get to know the characters (even if they are a bit horny) and you form an odd attachment with them. Even a divided critic circle typically means you have a decent horror film. Either way, “Hostel” and its follow up have become a source of criticism, controversy and a satiable film for hungry horror fans.
“Saw” (2004) detailed the tale of Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) a psychotic terminally ill inventor. Although the acting by Cary Elwes and the films co-creator was far from good, the plot was refreshing. Indeed, it can be argued the “Saw” was responsible for the rebirth of horror in mainstream cinema.
Rob Zombie has quickly gained notoriety as a master of horror. “House of 1000 Corpses” was an odd acid trip yet its follow up “The Devil’s Rejects” is a wonderful homage to classic exploitive horror films from the 1970s. Bill Mosely plays Otis, and it is perhaps his performance as a sadistic serial killer the holds the film together so well.
There you have it, a quick overview of some of the great horror films throughout the ages (by no means all of them!)

RECAP: Night of the Living Dead, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Psycho, Poltergeist, Rosemary’s Baby, The Nightmare on Elm Street, The Thing, The Omen, Hostel, Saw, The Evil Dead, The Shining , The Devil’s Rejects, Cannibal Holocaust, The Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes (remake) and The Exorcist.