BHM's Top 10 Horror Movies of 2007
The Top 10 Horror Movies of 2007, which lists only those films that released in the U.S. during this year, cannot be noted without also listing the "Top 5 Horror Movie Disappointments of 2007". You will notice that I don't say "worst", and that is on purpose. There have been an enormous number of terrible horror movies created this year, but thankfully nobody will ever see any of them. The disappointments are those horror films that were rich with possibilities but missed the mark by a mile.
The Top 10 Horror Movies of 2007
#1 - Grindhouse
Review
Once the dust settles from all of the controversy regarding mediocre box office receipts and the marketing of each movie that was part of the theatrical release separately to get more money from DVD buyers, Grindhouse will remain as the best horror experience of 2007. Grindhouse has everything, from great stories to mindless gore, all wrapped into an authentic movie-going experience from days gone past. The double feature, the trailers for other exploitation films to see (I love the Nazi Nurse Werewolves myself...), the subliminal messages to go to the concessions stand and even the grainy film quality and "cigarette burns" work together to create an unforgettable experience.
#2 - The Mist
Review
This film adaptation of a Stephen King novel is an intense and terrifying ride from beginning to end. The monsters are scary to be sure, but it is the humans that provide the real horror. It takes guts to portray a mob of neighbors and friends in such a heinous way that the audience can dismiss their actions as something that they would never do themselves...while pushing back wonderings that they just might. And talk about guts, the ending added to the film version of The Mist that wasn't written in the story proves that not everyone succumbs to the "Hollywood Ending" temptation. If this list were of only two movies instead of the top 10 horror movies for 2007 I would be satisfied stopping right now.
#3 - Dead Silence
Review
Props go to James Wan and Leigh Whannell for their stretch outside the Saw franchise with Dead Silence. Dark and disturbing atmospheres, killer gore and super-twist endings are trademarks of this film-making team. The real win with this one, though, is in the creation of another credible horror movie villain...and I am not even talking about Mary Shaw. The dummy is the real menace, and Dead Silence makes you believe it.
#4 - Behind the Mask: The Rise and Fall of Leslie Vernon
Review
Scott Glosserman created a horror masterpiece with Behind the Mask. Technically this is a horror/comedy, but the horror is done with such precision and love of the genre that even those who may have shied away from the mixed-genre in the past will find something to love. The characters are great and the presented origin of our favorite slashers makes the shock of the kill that much more shocking. Behind the Mask: The Rise and Fall of Leslie Vernon has reinforced my love of Independent Horror.
#5 - Halloween 2007
Review
Rob Zombie's Halloween will not, now or ever, take the place of the John Carpenter classic from 1978. I would also prefer that every new horror movie had an original concept that had never been done before. That said, Halloween 2007 is incredible and was done as well as any remake could possibly be done. For those who are not familiar with the 70s classic this is a beautifully done horror shriek-fest with great characters, a great story and killer scares and gore. Those who are a fan of the original will see the similarities and bask in the differences.
#6 - Flight of the Living Dead
Review
Sometimes I want a horror movie that doesn't take itself so damn seriously! Flight of the Living Dead is just the ticket, and shows up as number 6 on the Top 10 Horror Movies of 2007 list. Hilarious, gory and chock full of zombie goodness.
#7 - I Am Legend
Review
This is the third film adaptation of the Richard Matheson novel of the same name and stars Will Smith as the last man on earth. Although this version, along with the two others, vary greatly from the novel the film is utterly fantastic. The grand visions of an abandoned New York City and the performance of Will Smith as the world's lone survivor are reason enough to count I Am Legend among the top 10 horror Movies of 2007.
#8 - Saw IV
Review
The Saw franchise has been around for quite a while now, and each installment has more budget than the last. Saw IV, thankfully, takes the story closer to the beginning where grit, gore and plot twists steal the show.
#9 - The Cellar Door
Review
Independent and low budget, The Cellar Door is a fantastic psychological treatment of the "captivity and torture" themes so popular of late. What makes this one stand up and be counted among the Top 10 Horror Movies of 2007 is the how and why of the abduction scenario. Rudy reacts the way I would imagine someone really would would react after awakening in a wooden box in a stranger's basement, and the villain would absolutely be one of those who's neighbors proclaim "was such a good neighbor".
#10 - 28 Weeks Later
Review
Sequel to the very popular 28 Days Later, this British "not a zombie" zombie movie delivers great scares and gore along with the age-old struggle for human survival. One of the primary reasons that 28 Weeks Later made it to the Top 10 Horror Movies of 2007 is the simple fact that I love it when weak frightened men who lie about their heroic prowess meet a dramatic and painful demise.
Honorable Mention:
Sweeney Todd:The Demon Barber from Fleet Street (Musical horror? C'mon!), 30 Days of Night, Fido.
Top 5 Horror Movie Disappointments of 2007
#1 - Unholy
Review
I love Adrienne Barbeau, so image my excitement when she starred in a film promising "This is the movie they don't want you to see" that portrays time travel, invisibility and mind control; the unholy trinity. Aside from the dumb dialogue and horrific sound quality it could have been alright...if it wasn't for the fact that it generally sucked.
#2 - The Gravedancers
Review
The "Eight Films to Die For" series was hyped through promotion to the point where I almost believed the claim that The Gravedancers was among those independent horror films that were just too shocking for theater audiences. Yikes, was I ever duped.
#3 - Skinwalkers
Review
Excitement was high for this film, a new and original Werewolf movie based on old Navajo legend. Damn the luck. All the potential in the world couldn't make you care one shred about the fate of these lackluster characters making stupid choices in unbelievable situations.
#4 - The Number 23
Review
What a cool concept - kind of. Okay, so I never really bought into the fact that using creative math on any series of numbers or letters can add to 23 and thereby drive you insane, but I was very interested to see how big budget studio horror was going to help me care. Well, they didn't, and I don't.
#5 - Captivity
Review
Wait, isn't this another on of the "Films to Die For"? No (as was pointed out to me by a BHM reader), but it was promoted by the same company even more vigorously than the Eight. I hate to beat a dead horse, but if After Dark Films is going to promote the heck out of a horror movie and get my hopes up then please try and make sure that the product is not as boring and stupid as this one.
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