31 Days of Halloween Movies (2023) - Horror Fans Unite!!!!!!

[october27]

18. A Nightmare On Elm Street

I can't believe this classic will turn 40 next year! I always love this series for the fantastic dream sequences.

[Show spoiler]
1. Horror Of Dracula
2. Renfield
3. The Tingler
4. It
5. Phantasm 3
6. Dracula: Prince Of Darkness
7. The Fly
8. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers
9. Salem's Lot
10. Dracula
11. The Mummy
12. To The Devil A Daughter
13. The Revenge Of Frankenstein
14. Creature From The Black Lagoon
15. The Dead Zone
16. Children Of The Corn
17. The Mummy 1999
18. A Nightmare On Elm Street
19. The Abominable Dr. Phibes

[october27]

19. The Abominable Dr. Phibes

One of my Vincent Price favorites and one of his weirdest and most memorable characters.

[kingdoxie]

The Evil of Frankenstein

[Vampire Hotel]

This year, with the first moments of the Fall Equinox I decided to start Halloween...

And The Screaming Starts! (1973) * ½



* = first time watch

[filmbuffTX]

Saw (2004)

Saw II (2005)

I can remember seeing this in the theater and the audience gasping at all of the twists and turns in the film. The sequel was highly anticipated and just as fun. The later sequels I don't remember at all, so it'll be fun rewatching them before seeing the new movie in the theater.

[chad_1138]

9/23 -

[CelluloidPal]

9/23:

Magdalena, Possessed By The Devil (1974) *First time viewing*
A sleazy and incoherent mess of a "Exorcist" rip-off but it's an entertaining mess with a lot of unintentionally funny moments.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

9/22

Insidious: The Red Door (First time viewing. Found this pretty disappointing. Had a couple of creepy moments but that was about it. I know it was a box office success but after parts 4 and 5 I think the series has run it's course IMO)

The Grudge (2004)

9/23

Deadstream
Suspiria (1977)

[october27]

20. The Fearless Vampire Killers

Pretty cool horror comedy that does a great goofy take on Dracula. Very nice look and style that's very similar to the Hammer films of the era.

[Show spoiler]
1. Horror Of Dracula
2. Renfield
3. The Tingler
4. It
5. Phantasm 3
6. Dracula: Prince Of Darkness
7. The Fly
8. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers
9. Salem's Lot
10. Dracula
11. The Mummy
12. To The Devil A Daughter
13. The Revenge Of Frankenstein
14. Creature From The Black Lagoon
15. The Dead Zone
16. Children Of The Corn
17. The Mummy 1999
18. A Nightmare On Elm Street
19. The Abominable Dr. Phibes
20. The Fearless Vampire Killers

[chad_1138]

9/23 -

[charlieray1]

MONSTERFEST 2023

SEPTEMBER - The Warm-Up (Blue = blu-ray, * = first time viewing)

THE LIST SO FAR:

[Show spoiler]
RELIC* (2020) 1/2 This is currently rated 92% on Rotten Tomatoes - but I didn't get it. The acting is good, the atmosphere of dread is excellent, and the film is artfully made ...but it left me scratching my head. I think that it's an allegory about Alzheimers. A middle-age woman and her adult daughter go to check on the woman's elderly mother. There are signs she has dementia. But after that set up, all bets are off. The house is slowly being consumed by a growing black mold (which no one mentions) and the whole building is changing size and layout. The incresingly bizarre events can't actually be happening, so what do they mean? Some kind of arty statement about the 3 stages of a woman's life and the horror of dementia? You got me.
THE INNOCENTS (1961) 1/2 This is an all-time classic. Extremely well shot, with tons of atmosphere ...but it's not for the hack-and-slash crowd. It's definitely a slow burn film, and it's very ambiguous. In fact, it's never clear whether the events of the film are real, or the imaginings of the governess. But if you prize mood over action and don't mind not having a clear-cut story, this is one of the greats!
NEEDFUL THINGS (1993) Theatrical: Extended TV Version*: Fun film! While this isn't one of the best Stephen King adaptations, it's a good one, and it's far better than it's reputation. We watched both the theatrical version, and (for the first time ever) the TV cut. The TV version is the winner hands down. It's probably a little too long, but the restored sub-plots and character development take it up several notches. Even in 4:3 with censored language, this is the version to watch. Good performances (especially from Max Von Sydow) and a fleshed-out story line move it up several spaces on the list of good King adaptations.
SALEM'S LOT (1979) 1/2 If you saw this as a child, you've probably never forgotten the vampire, or the floating kid scratching at the window. Unfortunately, there's not much else here. The first half is mostly filler, with characters that add nothing to the plot, who get introduced and then dropped from the story. The second half is fun with lots of cheesy vampire moments, but it's all very disjointed with really poor continuity. Basically, this is a mediocre film with some very memorable images. However, if you're a fan, the blu-ray is a must-own - the picture quality is outstanding!
GHOST STORY (1981) 1/2 Despite not being popular with the critics, this one holds up for me! A great cast of old-time actors, and a wonderful performance by Alice Krieg make this a real Halloween treat. Eeerie, old-school, slow-burn horror built around a classic ghost story. A favorite!
SILVER BULLET (1985) Fun 80s cheese. Movies like this are kind of (silver) bullet-proof: you know that they're not very good, but it doesn't matter since they're so fun to watch. Lots of hokey scenes, old-school pre-CGI werewolf action, and decent performances from Corey Haim and Gary Busey, before he went insane. Lock the doors and pass the popcorn!
THE WOLFMAN (Unrated cut) (2010) 1/2 I admit it: the climactic werewolf battle is ridiculous, and the movie would be better without it.
Now that we have that out of the way, there is still much to like in this film. It has a great gothic look, some good dialogue and a number of very effective scenes. It relies too much on action (and a lot of the CGI is looking quite dated) but when it's good, it's very good. And it's miles better than other Universal attempts to revive their monster franchise (I'm looking at you, Tom Cruise.) The extended, "unrated" cut is an improvement over the theatrical version, with more backstory, nice character bits, and better pacing. No classic, but well-worth watching ..."when the autumn moon is bright."
ROBOT MONSTER in 3D (1953) This is, of course, a terrible movie by any standard. But it's also really, really fun to watch. We had friends over, and the laughter never stopped. For enjoyment alone, this probably deserves 5 skulls ...but, I cannot. (But I must!)
Amazingly, this 70 year old, $16,500 production looks wonderful on the new blu-ray from Bayview. The 3D is quite good, and the print is sharp and clear with a good range of tones. Hats off to the 3D Film Archive for their restoration and excellent extras. May their Calcinator Death Ray shine on forever.
A BUCKET OF BLOOD (1959) Since Olive Films died, I've been trying to grab a few of their Signature Series releases before they get too expensive. This one is a delight! The movie is never going to look great, but this is the best it has ever looked on disc, and the extras are wonderful. Hadn't seen the film in several years. I had forgotten how good Dick Miller is in the lead role, how sympathetic his character is, and how dark the film gets for a comedy. By the end, it's pretty black. Hard to imagine that this was cranked out in less than a week - it's very well written, genuinely funny, and even rather poignant in parts. Long live Roger Corman!
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Streaming) (1960) After A Bucket Of Blood, we watched Roger Corman's other cheapo excursion into horror/comedy: the two-day wonder, Little Shop Of Horrors. Somehow, it doesn't work as well. It has the same writer, a very original concept, and good characters ...but it feels more padded, with too many unrelated comedy bits (the dentist, the cops, the hypochondriac mother) that pull the attention away from the main story. And some of that comedy falls pretty flat. However, when it works, it works very well, and it's such a great idea that it's still worth seeing.
GHOST STORIES (2018) 1/2 I first saw and reviewed this film in this very thread in 2018. My thoughts today are exactly the same:
"I can't stop thinking about this movie! Too many jump scares perhaps, but there is a lot more here than shock. This film demands to be watched closely with no distractions, and the closer you watch, the more you'll get out of it. Plus, it's a lot of fun! I hate it when people say "You didn't get it" if you don't like a certain movie. However, in this case, if all you see is what's in plain sight ... you didn't get it. Or at least you missed the best part."
CARRIE (2013) For most of the film, this holds-up to the 1976 classic. Yes, Chloe Grace Moretz is too cute for the role, but she plays it well. And Julianne Moore is exceptional. Though Piper Laurie was excellent in the original, she was kind of "movie crazy," as opposed to Moore who comes off real-life mentally ill. Also, the addition of social media was a logical and cruel method of tormenting Carrie. The movie slips in comparison to its predecessor, though, at the climax. It's way over-done, and what had been a very convincingly real tale becomes just a movie. Still, if we had to have a remake, there is much to admire in this one. If its not as good as the original, its far better that many retreads. Well worth seeing.
THE VICTIM (1972) Fun to see Elizabeth Montgomery in this film, made immediatly after Bewitched. After a good set up, it gets repetitive with lots of scenes of Liz wandering around in the rain looking for her sister. The story is quite prepictable, but the climax is exciting. Over-all, its tame, but fun.
NIGHT TERROR (1976) Valerie Haper (yep, Rhoda herself) stars in this film, which owes a lot to Duel. A woman alone at night is the only witness to a murder on the highway ...and the chase is on! The early "family" scenes are cringe-worthy, with Valerie as a clueless housewife, but once it goes on the road, it's becomes a real nail-biter. The mute killer (who "speaks" using a mechanical larynx) is great! His best bit: He pays a waitress who talks too much, by cramming the money in his mouth ...and spitting it at her!
A HAUNTING IN VENICE* (Theatrical) (2023) "Who-dun-its" are simply not my genre. I much prefer suspense to puzzles where someone solves a crime and then explains it all to the viewer. However, this does have wonderful atmosphere, a great old-school Halloween vibe, and a good character arc for Perot. I couldn't possibly follow all the twists and turn - and stopped trying after a while - but it was an enjoyable ride getting there, and probably my favorite of the 3 films in the series. (It would get 3.5 from me, but my wife says 4!)
EYE OF THE CAT 1/2 (1969) Really obscure, really dated ...and really fun! Written by the screenwriter of Psycho, it's a "kill the elderly invalid for her money" story, with a twist: One conspirator is terrified of cats ...and her house is full of them. Campy, but at least 2 scenes - a runaway wheelchair on a hilly street, and a massive cat attack - are genuinely frightening. The very last scene falls strangely flat, otherwise this forgotten 60s thriller would get 4 groovy, psychedelic skulls.
FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY (1973) 1/2 Hardly "the true story," as this wanders far from the book, however, its a surprisingly good TV film. The sets, costumes and production values are exceptional, and the cast is impressive. Fairly gruesome for vintage TV. Michael Sarrazin plays a very different monster: he is handsome, innocent and intelligent at his creation, but grows bitter and violent as his face and body begin to decompose. This was a two part film, and part one is facinating, and poignant, as Frankenstein's "perfect man" begins to rot. Unfortunately, part two gets a little silly, crammed with murders, double-crosses and hysteria, but this is still well-worth seeing. I'd say 4.5 skulls for part one, 3 for part two. Really enjoyable, and a great looking blu-ray!
THE OMEN (1976) First saw this, in theaters, when I was 16. I've seen it many times since, and it has held up quite well! The scare factor faded long ago, but I can still really apprecaite how well-built it is - how the tension builds, how well edited it is, and the fine performances. Gregory Peck is really the key to the whole thing. He brought so much weight and beliveability to it. Lee Remmick and David Warner too. As preposterous as the story is, while it's on, they make you believe every minute of it. As the cliche says: they don't make 'em like this any more.
THE HAUNTING (1963)
What a strange, unsettling film! In truth, not a lot actually happens - the danger is all implied without any event ever quite taking place. What is causing all the banging, the voices and the bulging door? Who or what wrote Eleanor's name on the wall? Why does the house want her? All unexplained, along with the odd character relationships. Why is Theo so antagonistic? What is wrong with Eleanor? It's like an out of focus photo - we get the situation, but the details are obscurred. But it all works, and incredibly well. It's creepy and disturbing, beautifully shot, and leaves a feeling of unease that lingers when the film is done. "And we who walk there, walk alone." A classic.
THE PREMATURE BURIAL (1962) 1/2 Probably the least-remembered of the Roger Corman/Edgar Allan Poe movies ...maybe because it's the only one that doesn't star Vincent Price. Ray Milland does just fine in the starring role, though. It's an unusually morbid film, about of a man obsessed with the fear of being buried alive, and the lengths he'll go to avoid that fate. Genuinely creepy in parts - and wonderfully campy in others - it's never less than entertaining. A fun, nostalgic gothic shudder-fest.

UNSANE (2018) 1/2 Inventive, low-budget, paranoid horror film about a woman held against her will in a mental ward. The first third is proably the best part, because it keeps you guessing if the man she insists is stalking her in imaginary or not. Half-way through, that ambiguity is removed and it becomes a more typical thriller. But it's quite engrossing and entertaining throughout, and shows how far you can go with a little money and a lot of imaginitation. Well worth seeing.

[kingdoxie]

Dark Night of the Scarecrow

Saw this posted several times so thought I would get in on the action. Pretty sure I saw this as a kid for the original broadcast, the grain bin scene conjures up strong memories.

[Vampire Hotel]

09/23 - Scream (1996)



09/23 - Scream 2 (1997) ½



* = first time watch

[Show spoiler]And The Screaming Starts! (1973) * ½

[jeddy3]

9/23 - Werewolf by Night (2022)*

IMG_2120.jpg

(* notes first time viewing)
And the list so far -

[Show spoiler]9/1 - The Hole in the Ground (2019)*
9/2 - As Above, So Below (2014)*
9/3 - Se7en (1995)
9/4 - The Devil’s Advocate (1997)
9/6 - The Gate (1987)*
9/7 - Martyrs (2008)
9/8 - Titane (2021)*
From Dusk till Dawn (1996)
9/10 - Eden Lake (2008)*
From Hell (2001)
9/12 - Red Dragon (2002)
9/13 - The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
9/14 - Hannibal (2001)
9/15 - Idle Hands (1999)*
Eat, Brains, Love (2019)*
The Descent (2005)
9/17 - The Battery (2023)*
The Pied Piper (1986)*
Batman: The Long Halloween (2021)*
Elevator Game (2023)*
9/18 - The Hallow (2015)*
The Devil’s Ground (2009)*
Evil Bong (2006)*
9/19 - The House That Jack Built (2018)*
9/20 - mother! (2017)
The Girl in the Photographs (2016)*
9/21 - The Fog (1980)
9/22 - Friday the 13th (2009)
No One Will Save You (2023)*
9/23 - Werewolf by Night (2022)*

[KenHurd]

Sick

Set during the early months of the covid pandemic, Sick follows two girls spending a weekend at the lake when they soon find themselves being stalked by a serial killer. Written by Kevin Williamson, Sick has a Scream vibe during the opening death scene, and then it turns into a non-stop chase film in its second half. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I think I would have liked to have seen a larger body count, but the second half is very suspenseful, and there are some good twists along the way.

[chad_1138]

9/24 - each

[DanTheMan]

The Invisible Man (1933) ½


90th Anniversary


Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) ½

[charlieray1]

MONSTERFEST 2023

SEPTEMBER - The Warm-Up (Blue = blu-ray, * = first time viewing)

THE LIST SO FAR:

[Show spoiler]
RELIC* (2020) 1/2 This is currently rated 92% on Rotten Tomatoes - but I didn't get it. The acting is good, the atmosphere of dread is excellent, and the film is artfully made ...but it left me scratching my head. I think that it's an allegory about Alzheimers. A middle-age woman and her adult daughter go to check on the woman's elderly mother. There are signs she has dementia. But after that set up, all bets are off. The house is slowly being consumed by a growing black mold (which no one mentions) and the whole building is changing size and layout. The incresingly bizarre events can't actually be happening, so what do they mean? Some kind of arty statement about the 3 stages of a woman's life and the horror of dementia? You got me.
THE INNOCENTS (1961) 1/2 This is an all-time classic. Extremely well shot, with tons of atmosphere ...but it's not for the hack-and-slash crowd. It's definitely a slow burn film, and it's very ambiguous. In fact, it's never clear whether the events of the film are real, or the imaginings of the governess. But if you prize mood over action and don't mind not having a clear-cut story, this is one of the greats!
NEEDFUL THINGS (1993) Theatrical: Extended TV Version*: Fun film! While this isn't one of the best Stephen King adaptations, it's a good one, and it's far better than it's reputation. We watched both the theatrical version, and (for the first time ever) the TV cut. The TV version is the winner hands down. It's probably a little too long, but the restored sub-plots and character development take it up several notches. Even in 4:3 with censored language, this is the version to watch. Good performances (especially from Max Von Sydow) and a fleshed-out story line move it up several spaces on the list of good King adaptations.
SALEM'S LOT (1979) 1/2 If you saw this as a child, you've probably never forgotten the vampire, or the floating kid scratching at the window. Unfortunately, there's not much else here. The first half is mostly filler, with characters that add nothing to the plot, who get introduced and then dropped from the story. The second half is fun with lots of cheesy vampire moments, but it's all very disjointed with really poor continuity. Basically, this is a mediocre film with some very memorable images. However, if you're a fan, the blu-ray is a must-own - the picture quality is outstanding!
GHOST STORY (1981) 1/2 Despite not being popular with the critics, this one holds up for me! A great cast of old-time actors, and a wonderful performance by Alice Krieg make this a real Halloween treat. Eeerie, old-school, slow-burn horror built around a classic ghost story. A favorite!
SILVER BULLET (1985) Fun 80s cheese. Movies like this are kind of (silver) bullet-proof: you know that they're not very good, but it doesn't matter since they're so fun to watch. Lots of hokey scenes, old-school pre-CGI werewolf action, and decent performances from Corey Haim and Gary Busey, before he went insane. Lock the doors and pass the popcorn!
THE WOLFMAN (Unrated cut) (2010) 1/2 I admit it: the climactic werewolf battle is ridiculous, and the movie would be better without it.
Now that we have that out of the way, there is still much to like in this film. It has a great gothic look, some good dialogue and a number of very effective scenes. It relies too much on action (and a lot of the CGI is looking quite dated) but when it's good, it's very good. And it's miles better than other Universal attempts to revive their monster franchise (I'm looking at you, Tom Cruise.) The extended, "unrated" cut is an improvement over the theatrical version, with more backstory, nice character bits, and better pacing. No classic, but well-worth watching ..."when the autumn moon is bright."
ROBOT MONSTER in 3D (1953) This is, of course, a terrible movie by any standard. But it's also really, really fun to watch. We had friends over, and the laughter never stopped. For enjoyment alone, this probably deserves 5 skulls ...but, I cannot. (But I must!)
Amazingly, this 70 year old, $16,500 production looks wonderful on the new blu-ray from Bayview. The 3D is quite good, and the print is sharp and clear with a good range of tones. Hats off to the 3D Film Archive for their restoration and excellent extras. May their Calcinator Death Ray shine on forever.
A BUCKET OF BLOOD (1959) Since Olive Films died, I've been trying to grab a few of their Signature Series releases before they get too expensive. This one is a delight! The movie is never going to look great, but this is the best it has ever looked on disc, and the extras are wonderful. Hadn't seen the film in several years. I had forgotten how good Dick Miller is in the lead role, how sympathetic his character is, and how dark the film gets for a comedy. By the end, it's pretty black. Hard to imagine that this was cranked out in less than a week - it's very well written, genuinely funny, and even rather poignant in parts. Long live Roger Corman!
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Streaming) (1960) After A Bucket Of Blood, we watched Roger Corman's other cheapo excursion into horror/comedy: the two-day wonder, Little Shop Of Horrors. Somehow, it doesn't work as well. It has the same writer, a very original concept, and good characters ...but it feels more padded, with too many unrelated comedy bits (the dentist, the cops, the hypochondriac mother) that pull the attention away from the main story. And some of that comedy falls pretty flat. However, when it works, it works very well, and it's such a great idea that it's still worth seeing.
GHOST STORIES (2018) 1/2 I first saw and reviewed this film in this very thread in 2018. My thoughts today are exactly the same:
"I can't stop thinking about this movie! Too many jump scares perhaps, but there is a lot more here than shock. This film demands to be watched closely with no distractions, and the closer you watch, the more you'll get out of it. Plus, it's a lot of fun! I hate it when people say "You didn't get it" if you don't like a certain movie. However, in this case, if all you see is what's in plain sight ... you didn't get it. Or at least you missed the best part."
CARRIE (2013) For most of the film, this holds-up to the 1976 classic. Yes, Chloe Grace Moretz is too cute for the role, but she plays it well. And Julianne Moore is exceptional. Though Piper Laurie was excellent in the original, she was kind of "movie crazy," as opposed to Moore who comes off real-life mentally ill. Also, the addition of social media was a logical and cruel method of tormenting Carrie. The movie slips in comparison to its predecessor, though, at the climax. It's way over-done, and what had been a very convincingly real tale becomes just a movie. Still, if we had to have a remake, there is much to admire in this one. If its not as good as the original, its far better that many retreads. Well worth seeing.
THE VICTIM (1972) Fun to see Elizabeth Montgomery in this film, made immediatly after Bewitched. After a good set up, it gets repetitive with lots of scenes of Liz wandering around in the rain looking for her sister. The story is quite prepictable, but the climax is exciting. Over-all, its tame, but fun.
NIGHT TERROR (1976) Valerie Haper (yep, Rhoda herself) stars in this film, which owes a lot to Duel. A woman alone at night is the only witness to a murder on the highway ...and the chase is on! The early "family" scenes are cringe-worthy, with Valerie as a clueless housewife, but once it goes on the road, it's becomes a real nail-biter. The mute killer (who "speaks" using a mechanical larynx) is great! His best bit: He pays a waitress who talks too much, by cramming the money in his mouth ...and spitting it at her!
A HAUNTING IN VENICE* (Theatrical) (2023) "Who-dun-its" are simply not my genre. I much prefer suspense to puzzles where someone solves a crime and then explains it all to the viewer. However, this does have wonderful atmosphere, a great old-school Halloween vibe, and a good character arc for Perot. I couldn't possibly follow all the twists and turn - and stopped trying after a while - but it was an enjoyable ride getting there, and probably my favorite of the 3 films in the series. (It would get 3.5 from me, but my wife says 4!)
EYE OF THE CAT 1/2 (1969) Really obscure, really dated ...and really fun! Written by the screenwriter of Psycho, it's a "kill the elderly invalid for her money" story, with a twist: One conspirator is terrified of cats ...and her house is full of them. Campy, but at least 2 scenes - a runaway wheelchair on a hilly street, and a massive cat attack - are genuinely frightening. The very last scene falls strangely flat, otherwise this forgotten 60s thriller would get 4 groovy, psychedelic skulls.
FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY (1973) 1/2 Hardly "the true story," as this wanders far from the book, however, its a surprisingly good TV film. The sets, costumes and production values are exceptional, and the cast is impressive. Fairly gruesome for vintage TV. Michael Sarrazin plays a very different monster: he is handsome, innocent and intelligent at his creation, but grows bitter and violent as his face and body begin to decompose. This was a two part film, and part one is facinating, and poignant, as Frankenstein's "perfect man" begins to rot. Unfortunately, part two gets a little silly, crammed with murders, double-crosses and hysteria, but this is still well-worth seeing. I'd say 4.5 skulls for part one, 3 for part two. Really enjoyable, and a great looking blu-ray!
THE OMEN (1976) First saw this, in theaters, when I was 16. I've seen it many times since, and it has held up quite well! The scare factor faded long ago, but I can still really apprecaite how well-built it is - how the tension builds, how well edited it is, and the fine performances. Gregory Peck is really the key to the whole thing. He brought so much weight and beliveability to it. Lee Remmick and David Warner too. As preposterous as the story is, while it's on, they make you believe every minute of it. As the cliche says: they don't make 'em like this any more.
THE HAUNTING (1963)
What a strange, unsettling film! In truth, not a lot actually happens - the danger is all implied without any event ever quite taking place. What is causing all the banging, the voices and the bulging door? Who or what wrote Eleanor's name on the wall? Why does the house want her? All unexplained, along with the odd character relationships. Why is Theo so antagonistic? What is wrong with Eleanor? It's like an out of focus photo - we get the situation, but the details are obscurred. But it all works, and incredibly well. It's creepy and disturbing, beautifully shot, and leaves a feeling of unease that lingers when the film is done. "And we who walk there, walk alone." A classic.
THE PREMATURE BURIAL (1962) 1/2 Probably the least-remembered of the Roger Corman/Edgar Allan Poe movies ...maybe because it's the only one that doesn't star Vincent Price. Ray Milland does just fine in the starring role, though. It's an unusually morbid film, about of a man obsessed with the fear of being buried alive, and the lengths he'll go to avoid that fate. Genuinely creepy in parts - and wonderfully campy in others - it's never less than entertaining. A fun, nostalgic gothic shudder-fest.
UNSANE (2018) 1/2 Inventive, low-budget, paranoid horror film about a woman held against her will in a mental ward. The first third is proably the best part, because it keeps you guessing if the man she insists is stalking her in imaginary or not. Half-way through, that ambiguity is removed and it becomes a more typical thriller. But it's quite engrossing and entertaining throughout, and shows how far you can go with a little money and a lot of imaginitation. Well worth seeing.

RED EYE (2005) Adding Red Eye to this thread might be a bit of a cheat. It isn't really a horror film, despite being directed by Wes Craven. It's a scary popcorn thriller, and it's a real nail biter! Beautifully cast and directed, this is tight, lean and mean. Both Cillian Murphy and Rachel McAdams are excellent in their roles. Once they get off the plane and into the house it stretches credibility a bit, but it's so good getting there that it really doesn't hurt the film. It's heresy to admit in this thread ...but this is probably my favorite Wes Craven film (along with the original Scream.)