In the Number 5 Spot will be Halloween.
“Death has come to your town tonight.”
This would be the film that started the slasher genre. Kind of. The first true slasher film would be Black Christmas. Halloween was made on a budget of $325,000, that is a lot of money in 1978. However, Halloween ends budget was estimated to be $20 million. From a great film to a decent one. Money will almost never matter when making a great film. The greats find a way.
It’s a point of view shot. You are looking inside a house. It’s in tune with what you’re hearing. You go to the kitchen. The knife comes into view. You are holding the knife. You pick up a clown mask. A blonde is in front of you. You are looking at her through the mask. “Michael!” Here we are. You are the murderer. It is 1963.
In the early minutes of the film, Dr. Loomis refers to Michael as an it instead of him. What an idea. Evil being it. I am not certain if this is the first film to portray the idea that evil is all knowing.
The film is dated, but it is iconic. I was reluctant to put it on this list. It has amateur acting, and the writing of the script is simplistic. The best thing that the film itself the idea of evil. Evil has always been the ballast counter structure of society.
The music in Halloween is just as important. I am not talking about the quick string jump scares. I am talking about the important electronic score. The few notes that signify that Michael is there. Camera pans on way and then on the way back. You hear it. You see him. Evil lurking. I say this because somewhere near the top will be very influential for the score. This score is important. We are delivered to a different America. An idealistic America. Purity comes in the rarest forms. Lori Strode, she is the ideal American sweetheart. Pure. Loving. Forgettable. She is not supposed to last. Innocence in the 1970s is a death sentence. It is what is ingrained in every generation after that. Disregard the final girl. The polarity between winners and losers began here. The underdog would continue to win. I could sit here and tell you about the box office juggernauts, the musicians who boomed and what the American person perceived to be entertainment. This is the second (more on the first later) true blockbuster of horror cinema. You are there in a dark theater and you are there to watch a massacre. Little did you know that Lori was not there for that. You are the murderer. You alone are the pervert. You are the voyeur. You are the audience. Welcome to America. Is this not why you are here?
In the number 4 spot is The Conjuring.
“Sometimes it’s better to keep the genie in the bottle.”
Based off the Amityville house in Long Island. On November 13th, 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed six members of his family. He received six life sentences. This is part one of the true story. The second part is that 1975, the Lutz family moved in and 28 days later they moved out. Claiming they were terrorized by paranormal activity.
Opening with the demonic doll Annabelle, you could not have seen what a juggernaut the Conjuring universe would have been. It follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as expert demonologist. Played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, they are perfectly casted. Two underrated actors in a very great horror movie. The Perron family is led by Roger and Carolyn. Played by Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor. Each of the family members unbeknownst to them start experiencing little paranormal occurrences. This film is the most anxiety driven. It builds the doom and reminds us that we are our own worst enemies. Regardless if you believe in ghost or not, this film has a lot to say. The film plays like an actual account of a true story.
The anxiety building tempo do by director James Wan is terrific. Each scene builds on the looming altercation with the paranormal entity. Seeing someone start letting the anxiety is terrifying. With each of the building scenes the camera work is amazing. You feel claustrophobic while inside the house. The house feels like it is closing around you. You begin to strain yourself. You never see what is playing with you. It is always feels it’s in the corner of your eye.
The scene where they meet and start to go through the house is so interesting. Its interesting seeing the skepticism from demonologist and then gradually understanding what they are seeing and feeling.
The music builds the tension, and it will start ramping up and then as soon as you think it will be the scary moment it dissipates. Then it comes back and makes you feel uneasy.
It’s just a really good movie. If you haven’t seen it. I can’t wait for you to watch it.
Now the next three films could be place in any order. I am having a difficult time doing this. These films made you be afraid. Fear is something I have not talked about. This is what true fear is. Whether you know who is behind the mask, what is in the water or who can you truly trust. These films make you afraid. They all scarred me in certain ways.
In the number 3 spot is Scream.
“What’s your favorite scary movie?”
This will be my all-time favorite slasher film. It is essential viewing for any veteran of horror and as well as a novice. It grabs you from the opening scene. The mid 90’s was huge for high school cinema. It was a genre of its own. Clueless and Empire Records had come out in 1995 and movies of that genre would become a common place in theaters. Every friend group would play the game where you would pick yourself and who your film counter point was. Drew Barrymore was a big actress. The film opens with Drew Barrymore answering a phone. She playfully flirts along with the caller. It takes a turn. The caller’s motives are revealed. It is a game of cruelty. Her boyfriend is tied up and for him to live, she must answer horror questions correctly. Who is the murderer in Friday the 13th? She answers Jason. I am sure most answer would gravitate to Jason. It is incorrect. It is his mother, Ms. Vorhees. The boyfriend is violently gutted. It’s her turn to survive. You see the killer Ghostface. Clothed in all black and a mask that mimics Edvard Munch’s painting The Scream. It is over for her. You begin to realize that this is not Drew Barrymore’s movie.
The film takes place in a small town in Napa Valley. Neve Campbell plays Sidney Prescott; she is a tormented teenager. Her mother was raped and murdered a year ago and she is still living with the repercussions of that. The mother’s murderer is in jail. Billy Loomis is her boyfriend, Dewey Riley is a deputy and Gale Weathers is there to report on the recent murders.
Every rewatch I love watching Matthew Lillard as Stu Macher, one of the friends of the group. The way he acts and the funny physical acting he does is high art. He is simply phenomenal. It always goes to the little things.
In true 90’s fashion the music of the film is partial score and a lot of featured tracks. In the 90’s, commercialism was at its peak. It was all about branding. A lot of the songs on the soundtrack are either covers or bands being pushed by record labels. However, not always a “Bad” thing. This was the first movie I heard Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. They continue to be one of my favorite bands.
If it is the first time watching these three films. I am jealous of you.
The film was directed by Wes Craven. Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven revitalized horror in the mid 90’s. Horror was at the tail end of Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers hay day. Horror was essentially dead. The big three were making outrageous films that the viewer tolerated but did not respect. A few of these movies have some rad scenes. See below.
See Super Rad.
As a special tidbit, apparently Henry Winkler did not want to be on the poster. The reasoning? He did not want to overshadow the kids. Pretty Funny. But I did not grow up on happy days.
The whole time you are unsure who the murderer is. It gives you the rules to survive and then reinvents them in real time.
*Spoiler, Spoiler, Spoiler Alert*
After rewatching scream again, I keep noticing the change of the modulators voice. I’ve noticed it in the past and I think it is clear to me both the killers are using it during the first phone call with drew Barrymore. The way that Roger L. Jackson did this is amazing (he also did Mojo Jojo for my millennial friends.). I think it has gone unnoticed. I’ve read a few pieces on Scream and it never seems to mention this. I find it fascinating. It tells you early that there are two killers if you realize that he is using two different tones. Also early in the movie, during the scene at the water fountain. They are talking about the murder. You can see that when Stu embellishes on how to disembowel someone, Billy gives him this look to shut up. It’s interesting that high school kids never seemed to be the threat. It was always a monster. As cliché as it sounds. Humans are always the evilest beings.
In the number 2 spot is Jaws.
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
“It’s a mindless eating machine. It is as if God created the devil and gave him jaws.” Any time I am in the water, this is always a thought that occurs. Our minds are worst enemy. We are capable of making our own skin crawl. For this reason, horror is the best. We exploit ourselves for entertainment. Intentionally or unintentional. Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is a masterpiece. It is a perfect movie. It is so minimalistic with the shark, that it grows the anxiety.
On the east coast in the quaint Summertown of Amity. A bunch of college kids are drunkenly hanging out and decide to go skinny dipping. She makes it to water first and swims out. You hear this tranquil music as she swims. Then you hear it. The shark approaches. She is hauled around, while she is screaming, “I don’t want to die.” It pulls her underwater and then proceeds to devour her.
Roy Schneider plays Chief Brody, a haggard police officer from New York City. He moved his family to the small island of Amity. Not being an islander, he is an outsider. He has a rational way of doing things. He also is rational in the idea of not liking the ocean. Peering out into the distance he looks at the ocean. Without knowing the impending doom that is going to occur, he instinctively knows. It is easy to see why he wanted to move away from the city.
It can be said that commercialism was apparent during the 70s. You witness a mayor who puts profit over safety. All of which continue to be prevalent in our current society. The mayor pushes people to get in the ocean with their kids knowing well that there is a shark in the waters.
The characters in the film are as important as the shark. Chief Brody, Quint and Hopper. Played by three juggernaut actors. Roy Schneider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss. These three men embark on a boat together and the bonding they do within the film is captivating. They have some great rewatchable scenes. The chemistry is fantastic. One where Quint talks about scars and the USS Indianapolis in 1945. They are one with the ocean.
The reveal of the shark is one of the most unique moments in cinema. Knowing what you see and knowing that it is far worse than you thought. “It’s really a miracle of evolution.” Matt Hooper says. The shark Bruce was supposed to be in the film a lot more. Unfortunately, the mechanics were faulty, and it seemed to malfunction. Fortunately, the film works better this way. The moment you see the shark, you understand the trouble Amity is in for.
It is two different films. One about the monster and one of the hubris of man. Just as the mayor doing what was irrational. Quint does that same thing. However, Quints stand is more poetic. It is the love of the hunt. The gamesmanship. The love of the ocean and the adventure.
The score is so upbeat and optimistic in the second part. It is weirdly contradicting. That of course until it’s not. John Williams is known for Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park and Jaws. He would be on the Mount Rushmore of film score composers. The score is excellent. If you have time I suggested listening to his greatest hits.
This film is fantastic. I intended only to watch a couple of scenes in preparation for this. I was sucked in and it was worth every second.
In the number 1 spot is Get Out.
“He almost got over it.”
This is one of the best movies of the 2010’s.
Jordan Peele first film is a masterpiece. It blended humor, race commentary and suspense. It is so well written. Unique and thought provoking. This film is sinister. It is an allegory for cultural appropriation. Being alive three decades, the message is clear, with countless examples…
The films first scene begins with the always great LaKeith Stanfield. He is a black man walking through a suburban street at night. A white car pulls up, you can see the tension enter his face. He is in a white neighborhood while being black. “Not today, Not Me.” In the background you hear Run Rabbit Run by Flanagan and Allen. A figure appears behind him and suffocates him.
Daniel Kaluuya portrays Chris Washington, an up-and-coming photographer with a great eye. His girlfriend Rose Armitage, played by Alison Williams plan on going to meet her parents for a relaxing weekend. Her parents played by Bradley Whitford (It began with Bradley Whitford and it will end with Bradley Whitford. Never even thought about that.) and Catherine Keener enjoy time getting to know Chris, they are respectively a neurosurgeon and a hypnotherapist. Caleb Landy Jones plays the future neurosurgeon brother Jeremy. Jeremy talks about mma fighting and notes to Chris “With your frame and genetic make-up.” Daniel Kaluuya makes this face, it’s like he is acknowledging that no matter how far society comes, that is all anyone sees. It is something that is so little and innocuous. What is to be gained from black people?
During the trip it is disclosed that there will be a party. Forgetful Rose doesn’t realize this. They decide to stay the weekend. What comes next was one of the most original ideas of the decade.
The writing, the acting and the camera work is something to behold. From writing all these brief synopses that is what I’ve gained from watching all these films. The little things. I find the choices Peele makes to be high art. Jordan Peele had a great quote regarding the film score with its African American roots “at the very least, a glimmer of hope to it.” Michael Abels created the film score. The main title is in Swahili, which is translated to listen to your ancestors. He has done all three of Jordan Peele’s movies and I think in lesser hands it would not fit as well as his music does.
Afterword
Every filmed that I rewatched is rich in themes. They are all around us. It is amazing to be in a day and age where we can experience them. It is one of the things I am most thankful for. With every film I saw something different. It was either a new facial tick that an actor knowingly did, or the choices the director made to immerse you into the world. I cannot imagine how hard it is to direct a film. A lot of these films were made on different budgets. Without the creativity of each writer and director, we would be a stagnant society. Film has always been a focal point for innovation and the ability to speak to a wide audience. I hope you take the time and watch these films. Horror is not for everyone. There will be a movie on this list that you can watch. I made get out number one for this reason. It transcends horror entirely. It is a film with undertones about what we do not see and what we choose not to see.
Here is where you can find to watch these films.
Get Out – Rental
Jaws – amc+
Scream – paramount+
The Conjuring – HBO Max
Halloween – amc+
Lemonworld 
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