A Handful of Terror

by Jason
(Canada)

Forget the garbage Hostels and Saws... let's talk about a few actually frightening films that will linger like a supernatural chill in the air. Let's begin shall we?

1. "The Changeling" (1980)
A bit of a sleeper film this one. Make no mistake, if this movie does not terrify the living daylights out of you, then you are missing key components in your brain. The seance scene alone is one of the most bone-chilling, blood-freezing scenes out there. Watch at your own risk.

2. "Pet Sematary" (1989)
For years, this film taunted me from the shelves. I viewed it as a personal challenge to defeat this film's many horrors. I did, and lived to tell the tale that it is truly one of the most creepy and haunting movies ever made. Zelda alone should make you think twice about ever watching a horror movie again.

3. "The Descent" (2005)
The Descent brings new meaning to the word "claustrophobic". This film attempts to outright suffocate you in its tight spaces and overwhelming darkness before tearing you asunder. The Crawlers are easily one of the most disturbing creatures ever brought into the genre. The Descent easily stands out as a landmark horror film amongst a dismal pile of modern rubbish.

4. "The Strangers" (2008)
I have a feeling I will get some flak for this...but allow to step up to bat for this one. The Strangers stands out from the all garbage recently due to its blatantly minimalist approach, and the random nature of the villains in the film. There is no real motive here, no personality to dig into, no history to elicit some sympathy for the bad guys (like in Friday the 13th for example). This is purely a random act of violence perpetrated by three of the creepiest looking bad guys I have ever seen. Don't let the critics fool you, this is a damn good film.

5. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978)
A total paranoid nightmare, this film is exceptional at delivering a bonafide, skincrawling experience. The ending alone is pure terror in the most bizarre sense. No movie I have watched since has ever given me the creeps like this one has. This one lingers for awhile, so prepare to be a bit of a vegetable after you watch this one.

I'll end my "handful" of horror movies there...
I'm sure it's nothing you horror freaks don't already know, but hey, I had fun writing it.

Cheers.