It's a Horror to Know You: Christine of Fascination with Fear!
1. What is the first film that ever scared you?
Besides Willy Wonka? With Gene Wilder in the psychedelic boat trip down the chocolate river? Okay..if not that then probably When A Stranger Calls (1979). Even Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees didn't scare me as much as that disembodied voice saying "Have you checked the children?" Ahhhh! If we're talking PRIMAL fear though, I'd have to go with Jaws. It's amazing that I even vacation every year at the shore after seeing that film.
2. What is the last film that scared you?
Absentia. I can't stress enough how much I loved this indie film from 2011. Though Lake Mungo (2008) would have to run a close second. Both are slow burning spook-fests that get under your skin. And if I'm going for a recent scare trifecta, I'd pick The Strangers (2008). I watched it home, alone, with all the lights out. Highly recommended.
3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.
Stir of Echoes – This film had the misfortune of coming out the same year as The Sixth Sense, but in many ways, this is the superior film. Far creepier than Bruce and Haley, Kevin Bacon takes hypnotism and the horrors of crossing into another plane to a new level.
The Machinist – Perhaps not straight-up horror, but terribly unnerving nonetheless. Just knowing Christian Bale lost over 60 pounds for the role…that should say a lot. It waivers sometimes with a convoluted plot, but it's a real mind-fuck of a film.
Joy Ride (2001) – Though more of a thriller, this one is equal parts wit and tension and is certainly every motorist's greatest fear. (And that's beside the fact that you see Paul Walker's naked ass…always a plus in my book.
4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.
Terror in the Aisles (1984)- Basically a compilation of scenes from horror films, it's a look back at many of the films that started my love of horror. Hosted by Donald Pleasance and Nancy Allen, it's hokey and dated (and not even available on DVD), but it's close to my heart.
Prey (2007) – A family on vacation in Africa gets stranded in a game preserve when they go off-roading. They find out just how insanely stupid that is when they realize they are being stalked by a pride of lions. Like the (admittedly better) Rogue, but with lions instead of a giant crocodile. Superb in HD.
The Locals (2003) – A little horror film from New Zealand that no one saw, The Locals has a somewhat murky plot, fairly lame acting in parts, and low-budget effects. But it's loaded with potential, has some disturbing visuals, and is quite atmospheric. Check it out.
5. Send us to five places on the Internet!
Behind the Couch – Intelligent and perceptive reviews for the discerning horror fan.
Deadly Dolls House of Horror Nonsense – Wit and sass seep from each and every entry of this clever and entertaining blog.
The Girl Who Loves Horror – She not only loves it, she lives and breathes it. Then writes about it.
Italian Film Review – Nigel and Co. have such incredible passion for Italian horror, it makes me weep.
Paracinema – Not just a fascinating independent magazine – this excellent blog continues their astute observations of genre film.
Terror In The Aisles used to play in constant rotation on our local television stations when I was a kid. It introduced me to a lot of great flicks and helped me to get over my fear of scary movies. It was a cool primer, flaws and all. And, thanks for giving props to Stir of Echoes. I was one of the few to see it in the theater and loved it. Highly underrated. Kevin Bacon gives a fantastic performance. Improves upon the source material and then some.
Right on Christine! It's always a pleasure to have you stop by! Thanks for reminding me just how scary that opening of "When A Stranger Calls" is. That's another movie that I take for granted these days that truth told, scared the crap out of me back in the day. Glad you brought up "Absentia" too. I really was at a loss for words after I saw that one. It conjured up at feeling of quiet unease that lingered with me and was difficult to explain. "Stir of Echoes" is surprisingly dark for a mainstream movie, I agree with Phil on Bacon and I really like IIlleana Douglas in that too. I dug the creative way they handled the hypnotism in that movie with the movie theater. I've never seen it done better than that. I must also back you up on the effectiveness of "Prey"! Very enjoyable Man vs. beast movie (though it's always so hard for me not to route for the beast)!
I'm with Unk and Phil on Stir of Echoes – very underrated and creepy.
Weirdly enough, Terror In The Aisles–the entire movie–appears as a "special feature" on the recently-released Halloween II (the original, natch) blu-ray! Worth picking up just for that.
CH, speaking of man vs. beast/nature movies, last night I saw "The Grey" and I thought it was excellent. I think you'd really like it. It's tense, tragic & deep and it's got snow and scary/beautiful wolves.
I thought I was the only one that watched The Locals and enjoyed it!
Phil & Dave: I loved Terror in the Aisles, it's so campy in concept but I liked seeing the clips of all the films! And I had NO idea it was included on the Halloween II Blu! I will have to purchase that if for no other reason but that, you're right! Thanks for that tip!
L: I love hanging out at your (internet) home. I'd like hanging out at your real one too, I suspect! Thank you for having me over!
I couldn't NOT mention When A Stranger Calls, it just scared the hell out of me when I was a kid. Oh, and a few weeks ago when I watched it again, ha.
What?! I simply can't believe you've seen and liked Prey! And yep, I was kind of rooting for the lions to eat Tom Brady's ex, truth be told. Oh well…
And I have definite plans to purchase The Grey. Because I love those kind of films, and it seems a bit like The Edge, which is one of my faves. Tell me you've seen The Edge with Bart the Bear…
Kristy: You've seen The Locals? I love that someone other than me knows about this little gem. Awesome! It's so creepy. I need to review it sometime…
And Chuck, it seems we're all in agreement about Stir of Echoes. And Stir of Echoes: way more scary than The Sixth Sense. But then again, they had Matheson as their source material, so that's tough to beat.