Sin’s Michael Farrell gives us a list of the best, scary Halloween films…
I think we’ve all seen Hocus Pocus, Scream and Casper the Friendly Ghost enough times over the years, and we rarely get a good scare nowadays with most modern films substituting horror for people being cut to pieces (or being sewn together).So here are five films that guarantee a good old fashioned scare.
1.The Exorcist (1973)
Although it spawned numerous sequels and copycats, it remains the most iconic horror film of all time. If you didn’t know, the story follows a 12 year old girl who has been possessed by a demon and the attempts of two priests to vanquish the evil spirit. It is also famous for the most head turning scene of all time, (literally).
2.Psycho (1960)
Don’t be put off by the fact that Psycho is 53 years old. It stands up remarkably well and may just be old enough for you to have escaped the many pop culture spoilers/references. The story begins as a secretary steals $40,000 from her employer and leaves town to start a new life, but 24 hours later paranoia sets in and she stops at the iconic Bates motel…
3.The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
It is because of this film that fava beans and Chianti are inextricably linked to cannibalism. What people may realise is that it isn’t the infamous Hannibal Lector that Clarice Starling and the FBI are chasing. It’s Buffalo Bill, notorious for skinning his victim’s corpses, that the FBI needs the imprisoned Hannibal’s help to catch. Generally renowned as the only ‘horror’ film to win the Oscar for best picture, it is a classic for a reason.
4.Zodiac (2007)
The Zodiac was the name given to a serial killer who sent cryptic clues with information about his crimes and identity, to the newspapers of San Francisco in order to taunt the police and the public. The Zodiac killer was also the inspiration behind Dirty Harry, but if you think that it is a similar ‘cops-get-the-bad-guy’ story, you’re in for a surprise.
This cult film begins with Sergeant Neil Howie landing on the solitary island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl who the locals claim never existed. Howie, a devout Christian, is shocked by the pagan people of the island and is determined to find the truth. Stay clear of the Nicolas Cage remake; it’s a different type of horror altogether!
