FREAKIN' OBSCURE FAVES
These are lesser known films that may be hard to
find but are well worth the viewage.
BLACK CHRISTMAS ('74): Also known as "Stranger in the
House". This has become a forgotten horror film, which is unfortunate
considering its creepy as hell. Its also one of the original slasher films
that does a great job of combining Christmas with suspense.
BURNT OFFERINGS ('76): Some of the old horror films of the 70's may be cheesy
by today's standards, but they'restill creepy. This is one of the best horror
flicks made for TV. Grueling suspense in an old mansion being taken care
of by a family and owned by an 'old lady' who stays in a room at the
top of the stairs......or does she?
THE CHILDREN ('80): Yes, it's very cheesy.....a school
bus of children get radio-active gunk on 'em, turning them into zombies with
black fingernails! I KID you not! (pun intended). Good luck finding this
one anywhere other than the USA or Sci-Fi networks.
CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS ('72): CHEEEESEball express! But
its FUN (even if just to heckle)! Even despite that you actually SEE any
zombies til the last 15 minutes, its still fun. This was my first zombie
flick. Apparently I didn't learn from the title.
CURSE OF THE BLACK WIDOW ('77): One of them "made for
TV 'cause it was too cheesy for the theater" flicks. I love it because its
about a woman who can turn into a giant spider, and I HATE SPIDERS!!!!
DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK ('73): Mid 70's flick centering around a wife
who hears her name whispered throughout the house.....by little demons that
come from the furnace in the cellar.
DRACULA '79: For some reason this Frank Langella one tends to be forgotten,
but I consider it the creepiest of Dracula films. Frightening make-up and
music.
THE HAUNTING ('63): We're talkin' the original here, NOT the crappy remake.
Its so subtle and that's what makes it creepy as
hell.
THE HEARSE ('80): Another underrated gem. In case you don't already know,
a hearse is the car that drives the caskets to and from the funerals. In
this case, the main woman is being stalked by a person who happens
to drive it, and the driver is somehow connected to the haunted house
the woman lives in. Be patient during the slower start (story and
characterization) and then be prepared to cover your eyes. This film has
inspired many of my own scripts.
THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE ('76): Many people don't remember
this has a young
Jodi Foster in it, and she's very impressive as an evil and manipulating
little shit.
MANITOU ('78): Creepy little thing with a woman who is suddenly pregnant,
but in her BACK. And what spawns out...
REINCARNATION OF PETER PROUD ('75): Offers a different and creepy way of
viewing the title subject.
THE SENDER ('82): Very original idea about a mental patient who's dreams
happen for real and affect everyone else.....while he's
SLEEPING.
THE SENTINEL ('77): It starts a bit slow but then turns creepy and never
lets up. A model begins hearing movement from the apartment above her, but
is told that no one lives there. She also wonders why there is a blind priest
sitting up in the top window.
SOCIETY ('89): The high school jock begins noticing weird things happening
with his family....let's just say that they have a way with mangling
and mixing body parts.
TERROR IN THE AISLES ('83): A documentary of sorts chronicling horror films
from the beginning, through '83. A fun one to watch for the numerous scenes
while trying to blurt what films they come
from.
WHEN MICHAEL CALLS/SHATTERED SILENCE ('71): Most likely found in the suspense
section of the video store. A woman begins getting calls from her son who's
begging for help......but he's been dead a year.
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