It’s Halloween and I love movies, so what better time than for a list of some of my favourite horror movies and why I like them.

The Evil Dead Trilogy
I think the Evil dead needs to be watched as a trilogy to enjoy it to its fullest. It’s a movie that doesn’t take itself to seriously, has lots of over the top gore and even contains a scene with a tree raping someone. There is also a nice homage to the Jason and the Argonauts skeletons scene in The Army Of Darkness.

Let The Right One In
This is a beautifully shot vampire movie. It is subtle and atmospheric at the same time with a bit of bloodshed and violence thrown in for good measure. Kids are inherently scary in horror movies (The Omen, The Exorcist, The Children) and rightly so, who expects an innocent kid to kill someone.

The Shining
Stanley Kubrick’s Masterpiece Psychological horror movie is probably the best horror film ever made. Everything about it is just perfect from the breathtaking cinematography, set design, colour pallete and of course Kubrick’s OCD levels of perfection and Jack Nicholson doing crazy so well … Here’s Johny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G7Ju035-8U

Pans Labyrinth
I don’t usually like fantasy movies, but when they are done this well I couldn’t help but love it. Setting the dark realities of a civil war against a beautifully created fantasy world works real well and leaves you wondering the difference between make believe monsters and mankind at it’s darkest.

Audition
I remember first watching this years ago when it was on late at night on Film4. I didn’t know much about it, but had heard it was kind of a crazy film. I wont spoil anything by explaining the plot as it’s best to go into it blind not knowing what happens. I’ll just say it starts of slow and gentle then goes bat shit crazy out of nowhere. I don’t think any other movie has had as much of an effect on me than this, I couldn’t sleep for nights after watching it.

Martyrs
This is probably my favourite horror movie of all time, it is insane, relentless and hard to watch at points and leaves you feeling psychologically drained at the end. When it gets about half way through you think you have it figured, then it takes a tangent you were never expecting and totally changes your idea of what you are watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7Qx2dT-lUw

The Blair Witch Project
A master-class in budget film making showing that if you have the drive and creativity you can make a hit movie with very little money or experience. The ‘hidden tape’ formula works so well and is often copied today, it really draws you in to the movie. The fact that you can’t see anything throughout the film leaves your imagination do the work and that is a powerful thing. The last scene still haunts me to this day. Is it a Witch? Is it some crazy serial killer in the woods?