As 2009 comes to a close, I think I've pretty much seen all the horror movies I'll be able to cram in this year. In the internet age of endless year end lists, here's one from me, a humble, but I like to think thoughtful, horror fan. I pride myself on checking out nearly every horror film that screens in our area theaters even if I'm not so excited about some of them. I'm so glad to be living in Boston as there is a huge genre fanbase, which means we get a lot of goodies. We usually get treated to big screen showings in our plethora of indie theaters that would never get a multiplex screening.Some of our midnight screenings are incredible and have introduced me to many obscure films and the people who make them. We also have a number of really great film festivals that fully support horror films. I also have to mention my buddy Ryan who always seems to come through with free passes to just about everything.
Some of the titles on my list may not technically be 2009 releases, but they are all movies I was able to catch in 2009 whether it be festival, major release, or straight-to-DVD release. A few of them were held over from release for so long it was tragic. All in all, I would say it was a very good year for horror, at least much better than most of the previous years in this decade. A few films pushed the envelope to an extreme and divided horror fans, others were nearly universally loved and enjoyed. Anyone who complains that horror movies sucked this year just didn't try hard enough.
Blah blah blah...
I don't like ranking, but I do love lists. Here's mine categorized by the manner in which I got to see them (Warning: I am mega super amazingly prone to hyberbole):
On the Film Fest Circuit:
Bad Biology (2008) – This is a funny-as-hell, offensive, triumphant return of Frank Henenlotter (Basket Case, Brain Damage) to filmmaking after more than 15 years. He hasn't lost a bit of his edge in his story about boy with mutant penis meets girl with mutant vagina. I'm glad to see Henenlotter hasn't compromised in the least and succeeds in delivering a totally offbeat, yet oddly endearing horror satire.
Pontypool (2008) - Imaginative creeper with a great premise. A word virus has put the small town of Pontypool in a state of zombie takeover. But, these are not the ordinary undead flesh-eating kind .This film thematically explores something that is very personally frightening to me: loss of control and obsession. Great performances, especially from Stephen McHattie (Thanks for catching my bad Perpendicular Peter. I had mistakenly listed Director Bruce McDonald in the role), as rabble-rousing DJ Grant Mazzy. This one does more with simple setting and dialogue than most mega budget Hollywood CGI fests combined.
Deadgirl (2008) - Extremely polarizing, grim film that has caused quite a stir in the horror community. Some say it's vile, unwatchable garbage, others laud it with praise for its unwavering horror. I say that any movie that can spark this much conversation is good in my book.What I got was a film that horrified me, made me think, and made me want to watch again immediately with a scrutinizing eye.
Released in the Blink of an Eye:
I Sell the Dead (2009) – Darkly humorous and full of gloomy atmosphere, this one was a real treat from the Glasseye Pix camp. Boasting an amazing cast of genre vets like Angus Scrimm, Ron Perlman, Larry Fessenden, and Dominic Monaghan, you will laugh and scream and laugh some more. Highly recommended for fans of EC comics! Read my review of I Sell the Dead here.
The House of the Devil (2009) - Ti West's (The Roost, Trigger Man) homage to no-frills 80s horror is every bit as good as you've heard. Wrought with tension and rounded with a great cast, it's one of the most fun times I've ever had at the movies. Read my review of The House of the Devil here.
Big Time Major Release:
Zombieland (2009) - Horror comedy with a little heart, a little bite, and one of the best cameos in film history. No seriously, very fun flick! Sure, the Adventureland meets Shaun of the Dead comparison may turn you off, but Adventureland was funny I thought. Read my Zombieland review here.
Drag Me to Hell (2009) - Does the term "mixed expectations" exist? Because that's how I felt going in. I knew Sam Raimi would deliver a clever and manic movie, but would it be a good horror movie? Well, I had a hell of a good time watching it, and you will, too! Full of amazing camera work, some jump out of your seat scares, and the most bile vomit that a PG13 film can get away with. An excellent time at the theater!
Paranormal Activity (2009) Little indie surprise movie was one of the most terrifying experiences I've ever had at the movies. This is the scariest hand-held horror movie since The Blair Witch Project (take that as you will), and one of the most frightening ever made, in my humble opinion. I have to thank Mike for championing this one before I had heard any of the subsequent hype. I seriously lost some sleep for a few days after this one and still have a tough time doing laundry in my basement. Ready my Paranormal Activity review here.
Sadly, had to wait for DVD:
The Children (2008) – A surprisingly scary, violent, and well-made film with some of the most genuinely creepy, yet adorable, kiddos I've ever seen on the screen. This may have been my overall favorite horror film of the past few years. You can enjoy it on two levels: as deep, dark satire or simply as just a flick about murderous kids. However you choose to view it, you are in for an intense treat. Read my review of The Children here.
Grace (2009) – Paul Solet's thoughtful, visceral, and satirical film about the horrors of motherhood is easily one of the best horror films I've seen in years. It's gorgeously shot, carefully calculated, and filled with chilling performances from Jordan Ladd and Gabrielle Rose.
Trick r Treat (2008) – Excellent love letter to Halloween and horror fans! This anthology is full of color and wonder and never shies away from delivering many gruesome treats. The performances are all great, the atmosphere is perfect, and that scene with the masked kids on the school bus is absolutely chilling. Great stuff! Hopefully a new anthology will pop up every year (or two) as hoped by the filmmakers.
2010, you've got some big shoes to fill!
Happy New Year, everyone!!!!
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17 comments:
Saw "I sell the dead" at the brattle. Great idea for a movie I thought, but fell a little flat for me.
I have to say I loved "drag me to hell". Finally saw it for the second time over Christmas.
Great list! There's still a few titles I'm catching up on, like The Children, but 2009 was definitely a satisfying year for horror.
Dude, how did I miss Bad Biology AND The Children? I need to rectify this ASAP. Great list!
kevessence, I could see where they stretched the budget a bit in I Sell the Dead, but it was still one of the better horror films I saw last year. I also saw it at the Brattle!
Thanks, Jeff! The Children is great. It won't let you down.
Planet of Terror, you definitely need to see both. I'm afraid Bad Biology is getting buried in everything else.
great list, now i have three more "must see" films.
The more i think about it, the more I regret leaving I Sell the Dead off my list.
I'm definitely fall in the latter campt about Deadgirl. I tried watching it twice and turned it off.
That's cool, Mike.
It would be really boring if we agreed on everything.
Really need to watch Paranormal Activity! Fully agre with Trick r Treat and The Children.
Sarah, I think Paranormal Activity will be just as scary just watching on a TV at home. Maybe even a little scarier.
Stephen McHattie plays Grant Mazzy in Pontypool.
Great under-rated flick, and I whole heartedly agree with the entire list (though I might not have included Zombieland, it was great, but it wasn't that great).
Argh, thanks for catching that, Perpendicular Peter! I corrected it and gave you props.
I dunno, I felt as though Zombieland was fun enough to make the list. I'm not sure what I would have put up there alternatively.
All solid flicks. Pontypool is making alot of top 10 lists this year. It's definitely making mine.
As for Bad Biology,I gave it 2 spinkicks and a half. I mean it was so wildly Henenlotter that you are gasping for air watching the sick stuff he makes the viewer go through.
Good times.
jaded viewer, I'm so glad I got to see Pontypool on the big screen. I'm just not sure how effective it'll be on DVD. I was on the edge of my seat from tension and from the outstanding wordplay. Did you ever read the book?
Henenlotter was there for the Bad Biology screening and I'm really glad I got to shake his hand. I wish Brain Damage would get a DVD release.
I just saw the preview for Pontypool the other night. I had no idea McHattie was in it and now I really want to see it. He's In the original "Moving Violation" from '74, which is so goddamn awesome and he rules in it.
Ice Dragon, Pontypool is an amazing showcase for McHattie's skills. His voice is just perfect!
It's been a while since I've seen Moving Violations. I need to check it out again.
Gerat list and some great suggestions...
Awesome list! Five of these movies made my top thirteen all genre movies this year and Dead Girl will possibly make the revised cut in a few months. I really hated that movie for about 45 minutes, but I just got so sucked into it, that no matter how much I wanted to keep hating it, I just couldn't. Not quite as thought provoking as Martyrs, but pretty damned close.
Al Bruno III, thanks!
I hope you enjoy them as much as I!
Matt-suzaka, it is hard to "like" Deadgirl, but it really does suck you into that world and question yourself.
Martyrs was staggeringly good, but I think I saw that too long ago to include on this particular list. Astounding good flick and I appreciate a little envelope pushing "pretentiousness" in horror films.
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