Your favorite of horror's "big three"

[Popcorn_Bliss]

There are more than just three, but this is the trio that are the true cornerstones of the genre, in my opinion. Each highly influential, each a turning point. And all three paved the way for the "modern era" that I define as beginning sometime in the late 70's. Which of these three classics is your favorite?

[Popcorn_Bliss]

Many might wonder where "The Exorcist" is. It definitely belongs but I consider it more a supernatural religious drama than straight-out horror.

[Abby is Q]

I love Psycho and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but Halloween and The Exorcist had a much bigger impact the genre.

It doesn't matter what movies you put up though. NotLD is my favorite movie of all time, so I'm going to vote for it no matter what.

[Popcorn_Bliss]

I never cared too much for Halloween. I do acknowledge its influence on slasher films but, then again, Texas Chainsaw Massacre paved the way for Halloween (the notion of a masked killer, the idea of the "last girl standing" concept). Just my opinion anyway.

[Abby is Q]

Originally Posted by Popcorn_Bliss

I never cared too much for Halloween. I do acknowledge its influence on slasher films but, then again, Texas Chainsaw Massacre paved the way for Halloween (the notion of a masked killer, the idea of the "last girl standing" concept). Just my opinion anyway.

I don't necessarily disagree. TCM is in my top 5, while Halloween doesn't crack my top 10. But biases aside, Halloween is the far more influential flick. Psycho is also in my top 5, but again, it's not as big as The Exorcist.

And if we're speaking generally just about the movies that kickstarted modern horror, then Rosemary's Baby should probably be over TCM.

[Popcorn_Bliss]

Originally Posted by Abby is Q

I don't necessarily disagree. TCM is in my top 5, while Halloween doesn't crack my top 10. But biases aside, Halloween is the far more influential flick. Psycho is also in my top 5, but again, it's not as big as The Exorcist.

And if we're speaking generally just about the movies that kickstarted modern horror, then Rosemary's Baby should probably be over TCM.

I think the problem, though, is I view Halloween as a sort of beginning to the "modern era", not one of the "original classics" (it builds a lot on what chainsaw originated). Granted, the lines can get blurry. I don't doubt that more modern horror fans cite Halloween rather than chainsaw but I guess my point is that if they acknowledge Halloween as "the influence" then they are indirectly citing elements of TCM. I always felt that TCM was vastly underrated in that regard. Especially in being one of the first truly low-budget films that became a "smash".With every new slasher film that comes along, TCM's legacy looks more and more influential, even if it wasn't necessarily the most successful one to come along.

I do agree about The Exorcist but, as mentioned, I always think of that one as more of a drama. Albeit, one of the most affecting ones ever made.

[MifuneFan]

Looked at the post, then went to vote for The Exorcist, then saw the 2nd post, then shrugged.

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Night Of The Living Dead defiantly. It paved the way for the zombie phenomenon. Imo zombies have been a bit overkill in mainstream over the past several years, but there is no denying their cultural impact.

[Will.]

They're all so different. Night of the Living Dead is a close, close second to Psycho. I never got the love for Chainsaw Massacre.

[Popcorn_Bliss]

Originally Posted by Will.

They're all so different. Night of the Living Dead is a close, close second to Psycho. I never got the love for Chainsaw Massacre.

Chainsaw is a pivotal landmark in low-budget horror and a frightening, depraved, even comical piece of beautifully filmed filth.

That said, you're not alone. Many people just don't like it (or it's just too depraved and senseless a ride for some to handle). It is a polarizing kind of film I suppose.

[Will.]

Originally Posted by Popcorn_Bliss

Chainsaw is a pivotal landmark in low-budget horror and a frightening, depraved, even comical piece of beautiful filth.

That said, you're not alone. Many people just don't like it (or it's just too depraved and senseless a ride for some to handle). It is a polarizing kind of film I suppose.

Great points. I've only seen it once and it's high time to give it another go. I certainly appreciated it, but I remember feeling queasy watching it.

[Popcorn_Bliss]

Originally Posted by Will.

Great points. I've only seen it once and it's high time to give it another go. I certainly appreciated it, but I remember feeling queasy watching it.

Yeah, it can definitely have that effect. The ending scenes are especially difficult to watch because they are so frantic, senseless, sick, and draining. Yet if you can watch the film-making of it underneath, it is wildly creative and unique. Don't miss the frenzied close-ups of Marilyn Burn's eyeballs, for instance!

Then again, you might never come to like it. Which is okay too. It's not a feel-good film that's for sure! Yet it has a lot to teach from a film-making perspective and has a perverse sort of beauty.

[Luke B.]

Texas Chainsaw Massacre, followed by Psycho

[hockeyshark91]

Liked all three of the choices but The Exorcist will always be the top horror movie for me.

[dallywhitty]

Of the three listed, I voted for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Absolutely brilliant film - fiery, exhausting, nightmarish. It was my favourite horror film for ages, but I gradually accepted The Evil Dead as my favourite, and then I discovered Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and Jacob's Ladder.

[lud]

Big Three would be:
Psycho , The Exorcist and The Shining.

[Coenskubrick]

Originally Posted by lud

Big Three would be:
Psycho , The Exorcist and The Shining.

This is probably the closest thing there is to "The Big Three" of Horror.

[Winslow Leach]

Psycho

[DR Herbert West]

Psycho

[traths]

Psycho