The Seminal Horror List from Someone Who Knows...

by Xtro
(UK nee Australia)

1. Cannibal Holocaust

This is not true horror but truly horrific. If you think you know horror but you haven't seen this then by the end you'll know whether you really do enjoy horror or you want a slapstick Army of Darkness style list... Read no further if you fall into the latter category. But I do have Evil Dead 2 later in this list anyway... Go Bruce!

2. Day of the Dead and Night of the Living Dead

Romero is king. These are his best and deserve equal placing. I would watch Night, then Dawn then Day and then make you're own mind up... but this is my list so make sure you pay attention... because the next 8 will set your mind on fire...

3. Evil dead 2

Raimi and Bruce Campbell at their best. Like musicians/albums, sometimes the first album is the best, but sometimes you have to wait til your skills are at their most developed. Evil Dead 2 is an example of developed rawness gone wild. Better than the original and with a good dose more humor. Watch and enjoy. Hundreds of later Zombie flicks have taken from this film - too many to list but the next definitely did...

4. Dead Snow (Ded Sno) - I prefer the Norwegian name.

This Norwegian zombie tour de force isn't just a stunning version of splatter punk. This is a Docu-Rom-Zom-Com with inspiring arctic shots, beautifully directed and expertly scripted with some amazing performances from all the cast - notably the guy that sets the scene before he gets his guts ripped out The way he rolls a cigarette while he speaks is reminiscent of Brando in his later years - do not miss this. You've been told. Watch out for the guy that doesn't like blood - classic - sad about his arm. Really this an homage to Bruce Campbell, you be the judge!

5. Evil

Russian Zombie film. They gave us MIGs, the Cold War and now one of the best Zombie films of all time. make no mistake, the story as to why the zombies are on the loose is tenuous but the rest is simply inspired. Watch this, if only for the final zoom out from the stadium. If you don't like it you don't deserve to read this list.

6. 30 Days of Night and Near Dark

Vampire films must feature on this list and these two are equally powerful hence the rating. Kathryn Biggolo (James Cameron's girlfriend at the time) probably didn't know she was making one of the most ground breaking vampire flicks ever but hey, it's genius. As for 30 days, well, no one likes Josh Hartnett but in this he is good. Raimi and Tappert are in the credits and if you don't know who they are think Evil Dead and many many more. Well you should know who they are. The lead bad guy (as an actor) has an intriguing back story too. Snow, blood and 30 days of night - I could write more but watch it if you have nerves of ice...

7. Alien and Aliens

These two have to feature together. Last 20 mins of Alien had virtually no dialogue, but is the most watchable part. Aliens, well need I say more. Is it a comment on Vietnam. Who knows or cares, this is a rare movie indeed. To take a classic like Alien, to take a Ridley Scott epic and make an arguably better film is Cameron's shining moment. Forget silly T2 or anything after Abyss, watch this and as Hudson says - 'Game over man... game over'

8. Return of the Living Dead

The original film in this series should have been the only one made. Truly scary, yet funny and with great timing this brought back Zombie films from the abyss in the eighties, much like 28 Days Later did in the 2000s. You like Zombie classics?. I give you Return of the Living Dead Part 1, and only part one. Much overlooked this film, but trust me on this.

9. The Midnight Meat Train

For a change this is a film where Vinnie Jones doesn't speak that is actually good. This film is a real under the radar horror that may not even be noticed for another few years, but you've heard it here first. Unsettling, undeniably harsh and excitingly horrific, this doesn't let up from beginning to end. Suspense, gore, a story (believe it) and great acting makes this a diamond in the rough.

10. Xtro, Incubus and Suspiria

Simply put these three films could not be left off the list. Xtro for the explosive pregnancy (watch it just for this - eat your heart out ET). Incubus for the rape scenes you never see (Was would have liked to have made this). And Suspiria (over rated but I could not leave this out). I think it's the girl caught in barbed wire that got me going.

Other films that need a mention...

There are so many great horrow films I will include a further list:-

Nosferatu
Psycho
Dance of the Dead
Saw
Hostel
Death Ship
Cube
Cannibal Apocalypse
28 Days Later
Zombies
Zombie
Salems Lot
The Mist (the ending is the best ever)
Tombs of the Blind Dead
Nightmare on Elm Street
The Ring (American better than Japanese)
Haute Tension (aka Switchblade Romance)
Dante 7?
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (original)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (The Beginning)
Mimic
Creep
Screamers


And the list goes on...