What's your favourite scary movie?

What’s your favourite scary movie?

 This may be the question of a masked psychopath in Wes Craven’s Scream (1996) but this month it takes on particular relevance as we enter upon horror season. Those of us participating in 31 Days of Horror (watching a scary film for every day of October) will know the scope of the genre. From Universal’s Dracula (1931) to Interview with the Vampire (1994) by way of The Lost Boys (1987) vampires have been in vogue over the course of the last century. Zombies run amok in Night of the Living Dead (1968), The Evil Dead (1981) and 28 Days Later (2002). Poltergeists terrorise in House on Haunted Hill (1959). Torture porn hack and slash prevails in Hostel (2005). Demonic possession is forefront in The Exorcist (1973). Truly terrifying direction takes precedence in The Room (2002). Whilst these may seem disparate on the surface they are all a part of the scary movie genre and as perilous as it may seem to navigate between the subgenres, it is just as dangerous for the characters of these films. Thanks to the new wave of horror and the rise in meta self-aware fare of this postmodern era, these characters are just as savvy as the viewer now.
There are certain RULES that one must abide by in order to successfully survive a horror movie. For instance, number one: you can never have sex. Sex equals death, okay? Number two: you can never drink or do drugs. The sin factor! It's a sin. It's an extension of number one. And number three: never, ever, ever under any circumstances say, ‘I'll be right back’. Because you won't be back. (Scream, 1996)

Scream undoubtedly changed the face of horror and is a cut above the slasher genre; the Master of Horror Craven gives it satirical bite that is often lacking in the legion of wannabes that have since spawned following the film’s success. The fact it’s the brainchild of the screenwriter of Dawson’s Creek is a scary concept on its own, but it’s a horror film with a new breed of killer; a cine-literate indestructible nerd. As Billy wields the knife towards Sidney he berates, ‘No Sid, don’t you blame the movies. Movies don’t create psychos. Movies make psychos more creative!’. As the opening to the film kills off the film’s biggest star Drew Barrymore, the first in the series boasts knowledge is power and the key to survival. Ghostface quizzes her on her horror film knowledge (ironically on Craven’s own staple of the genre A Nightmare on Elm Street, 1984, announcing the sequels ‘sucked’) and as she takes a stab (no pun intended) to no avail he disembowels her boyfriend and later her. It’s the self-referential nature of Scream that even the viewer as well as the characters have to be aware of in order to enjoy the in-jokes and homage/pastiche that the film offers up.
There are certain rules that one must abide by in order to create a successful sequel. Number one: the body count is always bigger. Number two: the death scenes are always much more elaborate – more blood, more gore – carnage candy. And number three: never, ever, under any circumstances, assume the killer is dead. (Scream 2, 1997)
The Scream franchise is steeped in horror movie lore, treading a fine line between reference and theft. Each character is so well versed in popular culture it’s like the genre’s answer to a Quentin Tarantino film. Randy dispenses the horror movie rules in the first film watching Halloween, yelling for Jamie Lee Curtis to duck as Michael Myers stalks her. In the sequel Cici flips through channels and lands on silent German Expressionist classic Nosferatu (1922). Issuing the above quote Randy’s post-mortem video blog warns of the dangers facing the characters in a sequel, a twist of being resurrected when thought dead usually afforded to the villain. Scream 3 tackles broad Hollywood humour as it further satirises the genre with bigger name stars such as Carrie Fisher spoofing herself. Each sequel incorporates intertextuality with the movie-within-a-movie template of the ‘Stab’ films which mimic the previous film’s events. After lying dormant for a decade Scre4m (2011) surfaced like the 1996 original on speed with the formula upping the ante. The intro has so many fake-out gags it blurs the line between movies and real life. Hayden Panettiere plays an extended version of Barrymore’s killer quiz reeling off every horror remake of the previous twenty years and supplying the viewer with a to-watch list to last out the season. So, to make sure you survive 31 Days of Horror this year you better brush up on your scary movies!

　

My Top 10 Albums of 2013:

1. Deaf Havana 'Old Souls'
2. The Bronx (IV)
3. Kids in Glass Houses 'Peace'
4. Jimmy Eat World 'Damage'
5. The Wonder Years 'The Greatest Generation'
6. A Day to Remember 'Common Courtesy'
7. Fall Out Boy 'Save Rock & Roll'
8. The Summer Set 'Legendary'
9. Fidlar 'Fidlar'
10. Arctic Monkeys 'AM'

My Top 10 Albums of 2012

1.) Born to Die - Lana Del Rey


2.) ¡Uno! - Green Day


3.) ¡Dos! - Green Day


4.) ¡Tre! - Green Day


5.) Go - Motion City Soundtrack


6.) Handwritten - The Gaslight Anthem


7.) Changing Tune - Lower Than Atlantis


8.) Fools & Worthless Liars (Deluxe Edition) - Deaf Havana


9.) Dogs Eating Dogs (EP) - Blink 182


10.) Watch The Throne - Kanye & Jay-Z

My Top 20 Tom Cruise Films

1.) Interview With The Vampire (1994)

Yes, Lestat is my favourite Tom Cruise character ever. Anne Rice originally didn't want Cruise to play the part but, after seeing him in a screen test, said he was perfectly cast.

2.) Top Gun (1986)

- That's right! Ice... man. I am dangerous.
Cheesy, homoerotic fun. An 80s classic. Yes, a classic. It even boosted recruitment in the Navy!

3.) Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

A study of the human psyche, Cruise and Kidman (then married) are electrifying. Intense and weird as hell. Haunting and brilliantly executed, one of Kubrick's best.

4.) Risky Business (1983)

- I don't believe this! I've got a trig midterm tomorrow, and I'm being chased by Guido the killer pimp.
That dance scene. His breakout film. A funny look at teen angst but surprisingly dark in places too. Cruise turns his parent's house into a brothel when they leave him alone and loses his innocence in the process.

5.) Jerry Maguire (1996)

- You had me at hello.

6.) Vanilla Sky (2001)

Another Cameron Crowe film. I'm not really sure what it all meant but I sure did enjoy watching it unfold. That weird mask gave me nightmares. True story, bro.

7.) Magnolia (1999)

I'm quietly judging you.
His creepiest performance ever, he plays motivational speaker Frank "TJ" Mackey, some of the things that come out of his mouth are truly disturbing. A brilliant display of acting from an actor at the top of his game.

8.) Collateral (2004)

Still looks amazing with grey hair, Cruise plays the villain in Michael Mann's stylish noir thriller.

9.) Cocktail (1988)

Even cheesier than Top Gun. Total guilty pleasure. I know I should hate it, but I really do love this film.

10.) Rain Man (1988)

Great performances all round, probably more recognised as Hoffman's film but Cruise holds his own.

11.) Rock of Ages (2012)

 I'll probably never get the image of Cruise in crotchless leather chaps out of my head. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

12.) Mission Impossible 1, 2, 3, 4 (1996, 2000, 2006, 2011)

Didn't really know which to choose, but just how badass is he in the last film doing all of his own stunts?! And that pic of him sitting on top of the world's tallest building just chilling like a total boss! Wow.

13.) The Color of Money (1986)

Martin Scorsese, Paul Newman and Tom Cruise are an absolute dream team.

14.) Minority Report (2002)

One of Spielberg's more underrated films.

15.) The Outsiders (1983)

He might not have a big role, but I love this film for all its brat-packy gloriousness. Also, check out his dodgy teeth.

16.) Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

The second of Oliver Stone's Vietnam trilogy, a stunning transformational role sees Cruise playing Ron Kovic- a once eager teen desperate to enlist who ends up disabled and bitter, and yet goes on to be an impassioned activist.

17.) A Few Good Men (1992)

- You can't handle the truth!

18.) War of the Worlds (2005)

Alien invasion thriller from Spielberg. That makes a change.

19.) The Last Samurai (2003)

Epic. I almost chose Far and Away over this, but the odd "Irish" accent lost it.

20.) Knight and Day (2010)

A bit of a guilty pleasure but still good fun.

My Top 10 Johnny Depp Films

1.) Cry-Baby (1990)

Okay okay, I know this isn't the greatest Johnny Depp movie, I know that. But I don't care! I mean, have you seen him?! Just ridiculously pretty. A parody of Grease, this is now considered a cult classic. Funny and offbeat, thank God Waters cast Depp only on the basis of seeing an ad for 21 Jump Street.

2.) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

- There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.
Flawed, bizarre, completely unpredictable but strangely alluring. About as coherent as Hunter S. Thompson himself, which is a good thing.

3.) What's Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993)

- Tell me what you want as fast as it comes to you.
- I wanna be a good person.
DiCaprio may be the standout, but fine performances all round in a film about a dysfunctional family.

4.) Arizona Dream (1993)

Such a weird film, which is probably why I like it. I don't even know where to begin when summing it up, just go watch it ok?

5.) The Ninth Gate (1999)

I'll be the first to admit it's not Polanski's best but something about it makes me tune in whenever it's on TV. If you can suspend your disbelief at the frankly ludicrous plot, its a compellingly atmospheric and sytlish chiller. Part sublime, part wacky.

6.) Ed Wood (1994)

- Listen, I was wondering if you'd like to go out sometime, grab some dinner, maybe?
- You mean a date? I thought you were a fag.
- No, no, I'm just a transvestite.
Oh look, a Tim Burton movie that I actually like. It's disturbing how good Depp looks as a woman. I think the reason I like this is that it's a film about filmmaking, horror movies in particular, Martin Landau is outstanding as Bela Lugosi.

7.) Donnie Brasco (1997)

A gritty and humorous crime drama about an undercover FBI agent infiltrating the Mafia. Pacino and Depp make quite the double act. Gangsters, Pacino and Depp - what more could you want?

8.) Blow (2001)

Maybe a bit style over substance, it evokes such films as Boogie Nights and Goodfellas. Just not as good.

9.) From Hell (2001)

The Hughes Brothers take on a true lavish Hollywood period film. Apparently not all that factual, but the absinthe-addicted Depp makes it.

10.) Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)

Depp steals the show in the last chapter of Rodriguez's Mariachi trilogy. A hot mess of a movie; violent, crazy, pulp fun. Depp is almost as quippy as he is as Jack Sparrow.

Top 5 Winona Ryder Films

1.) Heathers (1988)

F*ck me gently with a chainsaw..
Is this the most quotable film ever?! Basically a blueprint for Clueless and Mean Girls, it was a box office failure but now a cult classic. I've seen this a ridiculous amount of times.

2.) Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Reality is becoming too dense.
The female version of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest? Ok, so Jolie may have slightly stolen Ryder's thunder by clinching the Academy Award, but this is still Winona's film. One of my favourites.

3.) Reality Bites (1994)

The ultimate Gen-X film. Weird that it was made by Ben Stiller of all people. A romantic comedy about the disenfranchisement of a group of 20-something friends/slackers and their career and lifestyle choices. A touchstone film for anyone fresh out of college and wondering what the hell to do with their lives. It's The Big Chill for the 90s.

4.) The Crucible (1996)

An allegory of the infamous McCarthy witch-hunts in 1950s America where directors and screenwriters were accused (and sent to prison!) of hiding subversive communist messages in their films, this film was even written by the playwright himself Arthur Miller. Not a box office success, but placing the themes of religious and political extremism at the forefront it ensures that it's more than just a period piece. Perfectly captures the paranoia and hysteria of the era.

5.) Night on Earth (1991)

A collection of five vignettes from Jim Jarmusch set in 5 different cities, it is a film about the temporary bond that a passenger forms with their taxi driver. Ensemble cast. Winona is the driver in L.A. escorting a Hollywood producer who ends up offering her a part in a movie, only for Ryder to turn it down because she wants to be a mechanic. A telling glimpse of the human condition and shot at night when people are vulnerable and more likely to speak what's on their mind.

Others that deserve a mention: The Age of Innocence (1993), Little Women (1994), Mermaids (1990), and Celebrity (1998) to name a few. I don't consider Black Swan "a Winona Ryder film". Neither is Night on Earth really but oh well..

Basically I was going to be damned if I picked a Tim Burton film in my top 5. I'm not a fan of Beetlejuice (1988) but Winona is awesome in it.

Albums that got me through High-School..