It’s October. Time to talk horror. I’ll focus on horror-related posts until Halloween comes and goes.
Netflix Instant isn’t the greatest source for horror films, but it’s okay in a pinch. You’d think they would have added more than five horror films for the month of Halloween, but I’m not sure how the on-demand licensing works. The “new” movies, in addition to the fourth season of The Walking Dead, are as follows:
- Shivers
- The Rage: Carrie 2
- Shadow of the Vampire
- The Phantom of the Opera (1989)
- The Fly (1958)
The Shivers is Cronenberg’s first film, which I haven’t seen in well over ten years, but I remember liking it just a little more than Scanners. Pass it up if the director’s more recent “body horror” flicks have left a bad taste in your mouth, but if you’re a fan of his, it’s essential.
Although I haven’t seen The Rage: Carrie 2, I can say with certainty it’s probably safe to skip unless you actually enjoy late-90s’ sequels to films made in the 70s. If that’s the case I think it’s past your bedtime. I personally hated the way horror movies looked in the years between The Craft and Saw. Carrie 2’s trailer suggests it’s among the era’s worst offenders.
Shadow of the Vampire, which asserts the actor who played Nosferatu was a real-life bloodsucker, is far and above the other films on this list. You get Willem Dafoe, John Malcovich, and Udo Kier all in one movie so it’s a no-brainer. I’ll probably re-watch it tonight.
The Fly should appeal to anyone who likes old monster movies, but let’s face it: it’s one of the rare examples of the remake being superior to the original. Perhaps it comes down to which famous catchphrase you prefer: “Help me! Pleeease, help me!” or “Be afraid. Be very afraid.”
As for the 1989 version of Phantom of the Opera, I’ve never seen it. It’s got Robert Englund in it, but beyond that I know nothing about it. Maybe I’ll check it out. Maybe not. Maybe fug yoself.
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