Fearful Favorites

In honor of the year's spookiest month, here are a few of my all-time favorite horror movies and psychological thrillers

Earlier this month, I recommended a handful of some lesser known horror titles to spice up your Halloween, but I don't hold any of them near and dear to my heart. Conversely, the following films are precious to me and I've watched them numerous times. I've already covered some of my favorites on the blog (like "Candyman" and "High Tension"), so I won't mention them again, but I hope you enjoy this small taste of my most cherished frightening films.

"Black Christmas" (YouTube and Amazon Prime)

"Psycho" is often viewed as the godfather of slasher films and "Halloween" is what popularized them. This 1974 Canadian horror flick not only bridged the gap between these two icons, but stands on its own as a genre influence. It even predates the original "When a Stranger Calls", which also involved telephone-based plot points. The story sees a crazed killer terrorizing a sorority house with Andrea Martin, Margot Kidder and Olivia Hussey as its most prominently featured residents. While it's very much a product of its time, its surprisingly sharp comedy, nerve-racking tension and bits of human drama keep it feeling relevant. It's no wonder it's been remade twice; once in 2006 and again just last year.

"Creepshow" (Amazon Prime Video)

Directed by horror legend George A. Romero and written by the illustrious Stephen King, this remains as one of the best anthology films ever made. The movie includes five twisted tales, ranging from madcap zaniness like "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verill", to downright skin-crawling like "They're Creeping Up on You". Featuring effects from Tom Savini and bolstering an all-star cast (which includes Adrienne Barbeau, Ed Harris, E.G. Marshall, Leslie Nielsen and Ted Danson), it's a blast from start to finish. Shows like "Tales from the Crypt" and "Tales from the Darkside" also owe this movie their lunch for multiple reasons.

"Fallen" (Hulu and Amazon Prime Video)

Denzel Washington stars as John Hobbs, a detective who helped capture Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas), a serial killer currently on death row. After Reese is executed, bodies start piling up and it's originally thought to be the work of a copycat. However, as things progress, Hobbs believes Reese may have found a way to resurrect himself. Anchored by an expectedly earnest performance from Denzel, this sleepy supernatural thriller is more police procedural than outright horror. However, its solid cast (including Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davidtz, James Gandolfini and John Goodman), unsettling atmosphere and clever twists make it worth a spin. It's a slow burn, but don't worry...time is on your side.

"The Cabin in the Woods" (Hulu and Amazon Prime Video)

Grossly overlooked at the time of its release, "Cabin" has since garnered a cult following and rightly so. This ingenious horror-comedy was one of the last decade's best kept secrets, despite receiving rave reviews. The story follows five college students (Anna Hutchinson, Chris Hemsworth, Fran Kranz, Jessie Williams and Kristen Connolly) as they venture into the woods for an obligatory weekend of alcohol, drugs and sex. Predictably, their cabin getaway is interrupted by an evil presence, but things aren't quite what they seem. I'm a sucker for deconstructed horror movies and this film's love and knowledge of the genre puts it in "Scream" territory in terms of its tongue-in-cheek awareness while still respecting its influences.

"The Collection" (Amazon Prime Video)

This movie is one of my guiltiest pleasures. The brainchild of "Saw" veterans Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton, the film is the sequel to 2009's "The Collector". While the first entry was almost sold as a "Saw" prequel and fancies itself as a cross between that universe and a home invasion flick, this film is a high octane thrill-ride from start to finish. Stuffed to the gills with full tilt gore and over-the-top action, it actually doesn't require knowledge of its predecessor to enjoy. The plot centers on the exploits of a deranged madman who specializes in deadly traps and is known for kidnapping one of his victims from each crime scene. When he "collects" a young girl (Emma Fitzpatrick) after his latest murder spree, it's up to a team of mercenaries and the man who escaped his clutches (Josh Stewart) to take The Collector down. It's also worth noting it has one of the most satisfying endings to a movie I've ever seen. Yes, I did say ever.

"The Blob" (Amazon Prime Video)

The 80's saw two high profile reimaginings of 1950's horror properties; John Carpenter's "The Thing" in 1982 and David Cronenberg's "The Fly" in 1986. Unlike those two, "The Blob", a new take on the 1958 film of the same name, isn't nearly as respected. However, similarly to those two, it transformed this monster movie into a gross-out, effects-driven affair that felt right at home for Reagan-era horror films. It's gory, it's gooey and has some hints of cheesiness for good measure. The film follows residents of Arborville, a small California town in danger of being totally devoured by a shapeless, gelatinous and steadily growing mass. Starring Shawnee Smith of "Saw" fame and Kevin Dillon, who some may recognize from "Entourage", the film hits the right kind of notes to be perfect for late-night viewing.