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10 | Lifestyle
The Hawk
Oct. 28, 2015
HORROR MOVIES A NON FAN CAN WATCH ROSE WELDON ’19 Hawk Staff
It’s almost Halloween, and horror fans are beginning to fill their Netflix queues with scares and gore galore. But to the nightmare-prone, the weak-stomached, and those who aren’t really excited to see a girl being chased around the house by a generic slasher, fear not! I was once a scaredy-cat, but eased into the horror genre thanks to a number of films that are accessible even to the faint of heart. Here, in chronological order, are some suggestions for the skeptical viewer on All Hallow’s Eve.
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‘FRANKENSTEIN’ (1931) AND ‘BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN’ (1935)
Let’s begin with the grandfather of all modern horror: James Whale’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s legendary Gothic novel. Don’t be put off by its black-and-white-ness: “Frankenstein” is a film that simply does not show its age, continuing to scare with its atmosphere and tragic themes. Its sequel, “Bride of Frankenstein,” is even more hailed. Karloff returns as the Creature, and Elsa Lancaster plays his mate and writer, Shelley in a dual performance. “Bride” boasts a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is actually darker than its predecessor, delving into themes of creation and what it means to be human. Additional Viewing: Mel Brooks’ 1974 parody “Young Frankenstein.” Three words: Walk this way.
‘PSYCHO’ (1960)
A seminal classic directed by Alfred Hitchcock, “Psycho” is widely recognized as one of the greatest thrillers ever made. From the camera work and writing to the performances themselves, every part of it is well thought-out.. I especially recommend this film for anyone who is squeamish, as there is surprisingly little blood. The real frights come from inside one’s own imagination. Featuring the first scream queen, Janet Leigh, an iconic shower scene, and the mother of all twist endings, “Psycho” is one wild ride that everyone can check into. Additional Viewing: Fellow Hitchcock chiller “The Birds” (1963), where nature turns on the greatest monster of them all–man!
‘PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE’ (1974)
From Brian de Palma, future director of classics like “Carrie” (1976), “Scarface” (1982) and “The Untouchables” (1988), comes a rock-n-roll adaptation of the famed Gaston Leroux novel. Instead of an opera house in turn-of-the-century France, “Paradise” takes place in the nightclub scene of 1970s New York, where composer Winslow (William Finley) sells his soul in a Faustian reach for success. The songs are written by Paul Williams, known for writing hits for stars from Barbra Streisand and the Muppets to David Bowie and Daft Punk. Williams also appears as the villainous Swan. Upon its first release, the movie wasn’t a huge success, but it’s since gained a substantial cult following and received a positive critical reevaluation. Optional Double Feature: Excellent when paired with fellow cult musical “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975).
‘A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET’ (1984)
A classic in every form, “Nightmare,” from the mind of the late Wes Craven, is often called the “thinking man’s slasher film.” Here we meet Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund, in the role that defined him), an undead murderer who stalks the dreams of residents on the titular street. When three of her friends are killed by the madman, teenage Nancy Thompson (Heather Lagenkamp) makes it her mission to end his reign of terror. Notable also for the first screen appearance of a young Johnny Depp, the film’s creative story and unsettling atmosphere have endured for thirty years, balancing on the line between intellectual and terrifying. Optional Triple Feature: Though the “Nightmare” sequels range in quality, there are two solid ones to check out if you haven’t had your fill of Freddy: “Nightmare 3: Dream Warriors” (1987), and “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare” (1994), which goes meta and explores the lives of the people who made the original.
‘EVIL DEAD II’ (1984)
Photos courtesy of Creative Commons
Don’t be off-put by the “two” in the title; the average viewer doesn’t need to see the original to understand this horror sequel. On the surface, “Evil Dead II” resembles your average slasher flick: A teenage couple goes to a cabin in the woods for a night, only to find the ancient Book of the Dead. From there, the film becomes a madcap mix of comedy and terror, in a subgenre that star Bruce Campbell has defined as “splatstick.” Followers of Campbell’s cult fame will recall his legendary role as sissy-turned-savior Ash Williams, which he’ll be reprising this Halloween in the Starz TV series :Ash vs. Evil Dead.” The quotable lines here are too many to name, but the film can be summed up with one of the best: “Groovy.” Additional Viewing: The original “Evil Dead” (1982) leans closer to straight-up horror, and sequel “Army of Darkness” (1992) is more like a supernatural adventure with humor, so if you’re interested in either of those extremes, they are perfect.