Ok I haven't posted at badmovies.org message board in close to 3 years, yikes :buggedout: I've just been busy and have really lost track of this site, but I wanna catch up a bit again. I posted two reviews here a long time back which you can check out- Dawn of the Mummy and Psych Out. I have enjoyed this site for close to ten years now.
I've been getting into watching a lot of slasher and giallo films lately and I was wondering what would you pick for a top 10 list of each? This might've been done before so apologies but it must of been awhile ago.
Now I'm not sure if these would be labeled "good" movies for the most part, I'd guess overall not so it seems pretty fitting right here. There's tons of horrid slasher movies honestly but most of them, even the bad ones, are entertaining usually.
mine would include
Black Christmas
Halloween
Friday the 13th
The Burning
Madman
My Bloody Valentine
House on Sorority Row
Slumber Party Massacre
Stage Fright (Italian, but much more in a slasher film mode)
Tourist Trap
Now the genre that slasher movies owe a lot of debt to, the Italian giallo. Here's some of my personal favorites,
Bay of Blood
Blood and Black Lace
Deep Red
Tenebre
Watch Me When I Kill
What Have You Done to Solange
The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh
So Sweet, So Dead
Torso
Eyes of Crystal (one of the few newer giallos, 2004, that gets it right)
You don't have to post lists, just talking about a few films you like (especially the less known ones) would be interesting.
My top 10...
1... Torso (1973)
2... Black Christmas (1974)
3... Private Parts (1972)
4... Deep Red (1975)
5... Pieces (1982)
6... Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
7... Halloween (1978)
8... Tourist Trap (1979)
9... And Soon the Darkness (1970)
10... Seven Blood Stained Orchids (1972)
1... Torso (1973)
This is one my most favorite Slasher/Giallo film's, I really like this film because its has several visual elements that predate Halloween. I also believe that Torso is a starting point of the Classic Giallo crossing to the modern (American Teenage/Students) slasher films. I also like the fact that there's a killer in the school grounds and the girls decide to go FAR-FAR away from the killer, only to be followed by the killer.
2... Black Christmas (1974)
I must of seen this film almost a million times... Black Christmas is a must see horror film! If your looking for a good horror/slasher film and you have not seen Black Christmas (1974) then STOP LOOKING!
3... Private Parts (1972)
This isnt the Howard Stern movie but it you Google Private Parts most likely you'll see his face... :(
Private Parts is almost an early American attempt in a Giallo, there are others but this one in particlar was backed by a major studio to capitalize on the Sexual Exploitation Film Industry of the early 1970's. So the cast, characters and story is unsually good!
I'm not quite sure about why the film didnt succeed in the mainstream horror market but I'm guessing that the director intended to make a Black Comedy and the story is more much darker.
4... Deep Red (1975)
Deep Red is one of those surreal horror stories that cannot be easly explained, and then most of Dario Argento films on the 1970's and early 1980's are quite surreal.
5... Pieces (1982)
If you looking for a over-the-top slasher film then Pieces is your Holy Grail.
6... Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
Personally I think Friday the 13th part 2 is one of the better (best) Friday the 13th film.
7... Halloween (1978)
What could I really say about Halloween? If you have not seen the 1978 version then you must be living in a cave and mostlikely not on the internet... :)
8... Tourist Trap (1979)
I very good slasher story that seemed to be victimized by the MPAA. From my understanding Tourist Trap recieved a PG rating (hehehe) and horror fans of the late 1970's early 1980's assumed that Tourist Trap is a weak slasher film and it failed at the box office. I find the history quite funny because most mainstream/modern horror films are now PG-13 (also known as the lite R) to make more money at the box office.
9... And Soon the Darkness (1970)
Story 2 girls bicycling across the French countryside, they get into a fight and split up, and now one girl is missing.
I find this story quite intresting because of the random target that suggest anybody could be the victim. Usually a target isnt truely random in a typical Giallo/Slasher film so this is a nice find.
10... Seven Blood Stained Orchids (1972)
I find Seven Blood Stained Orchids a fun Giallo/Slasher film.
hey thanks for a great reply! I never heard of private parts actually- I'm going to be looking that one up.
I used the hysteria lives site recently to research slashers/giallos and it's a pretty good resource, I think some of their ratings are screwy though.
I only saw and soon the darkness recently, it's a pretty good movie, some stuff is pretty haunting. A real strange find at my library.
Pieces is over the top for sure, nothing quite like that one, real nostalgia cover art too.
I think there's a lot to deep red, it takes some critical analysis and reading to understand bits of it. It's a really brilliant movie that I'm going to say is Argento's best. He would get more surreal with what came later I guess. His other early giallos are good to sort of boring (bird with the crystal plumage being good and four flies on grey velvet and cat o nine tails being kind of so so)
My brother hates Black Christmas, he never heard of it but I told him stuff like when a stranger calls and halloween (a fav of his) ripped it off a bit. I guess as a halloween fan that kind of made him have a angsty viewing stance.
Nobody mentioned Just Before Dawn yet. Personally I think it's an absolutely brilliant slasher with great acting and atmosphere. The soundtrack by Brad Friedel is excellent, too. And it's got GEORGE KENNEDY!
One giallo that's kind of rare is Giallo A Venezia which is mostly filled with softcore sex scenes which turned me off the movie.
The House With Laughing Windows was great, though. Deep Red rules as well.
I think I went into Just Before Dawn with higher than average expectations. It's ok but I think I liked the movie Rituals from 1977 more as a trapped in the woods kind of slasher. I like the shock surprise in it (just before dawn I mean)
I know Gore in Venice- it's ranked sometimes as the goriest/nastiest giallo along with NY Ripper and The Killer is Still Among Us. It's definitely a sleazy/trashy movie.
Quote from: StatCat on April 10, 2009, 10:37:22 AM
I think I went into Just Before Dawn with higher than average expectations. It's ok but I think I liked the movie Rituals from 1977 more as a trapped in the woods kind of slasher. I like the shock surprise in it (just before dawn I mean)
I know Gore in Venice- it's ranked sometimes as the goriest/nastiest giallo along with NY Ripper and The Killer is Still Among Us. It's definitely a sleazy/trashy movie.
Rituals was freakin' amazing! :thumbup:
Quote from: StatCat on April 08, 2009, 01:50:56 PM
hey thanks for a great reply! I never heard of private parts actually- I'm going to be looking that one up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-1Lgp95KdI
Its much better then I orginally thought. It has a real neat suprise ending that predates a much more famous movie from the 80's (You'll get it once you see the ending)
QuoteI used the hysteria lives site recently to research slashers/giallos and it's a pretty good resource, I think some of their ratings are screwy though.
I havent tried Hysteria...
I review several sites for movies (sometimes here hehe) but I usually go to "The Terror Trap" http://www.terrortrap.com/television/televisionterror.htm and "The Bad Cinema Diary" http://www.cathuria.com/bcd/
QuoteI only saw and soon the darkness recently, it's a pretty good movie, some stuff is pretty haunting. A real strange find at my library.
I'm quite amazed that And Soon the Darkness is so simple and effective and its from 1970... :)
QuotePieces is over the top for sure, nothing quite like that one, real nostalgia cover art too.
Pieces is king!
QuoteI think there's a lot to deep red, it takes some critical analysis and reading to understand bits of it. It's a really brilliant movie that I'm going to say is Argento's best. He would get more surreal with what came later I guess. His other early giallos are good to sort of boring (bird with the crystal plumage being good and four flies on grey velvet and cat o nine tails being kind of so so)
Dario Argento is quite good when he's trying to be surreal, sadly he hasnt been for years. Although, I do like Trauma but its no Deep Red/Suspiria or Inferno...
Also, Dario Argento needs stop making movies with Asia Argento... I dont know its seems natural that he keep making movies with his daughter and she keep showing her boobs.
I'm also upset with Mother of Tears... The movie was ok but its not worth 30 years of waiting...
QuoteMy brother hates Black Christmas, he never heard of it but I told him stuff like when a stranger calls and halloween (a fav of his) ripped it off a bit. I guess as a halloween fan that kind of made him have a angsty viewing stance.
Halloween is good because John Carpenter wasnt trying to franchise "Michael Myers" he wanted to franchise a horror series (a different horror movie each year) sadly too many people were stuck on *stupid* and they only wanted Michael Myers in the Halloween series.
Although I know a ton of Halloween fans will disagree with me but Halloween and Halloween 3 are the best of the silly series.
I like Black Christmas because there is so much detail within the movie. Although it wasnt successful in the show (I think it fail at the box office because the movie was released in December 1974, and December is too F'n cold to watch a drive-in horror film)
I forgot to mention Maniac (1980). I wouldn't call it a typical slasher, but it's pretty brutal and uncompromising. Joe Spinell's performance is one of the most harrowing portrayals of a serial killer I have ever seen. Makes Henery:Portrait Of A Serial Killer look like a kiddie movie in comparison.
Oh yeah, the August Underground movies deserve mention. Again, I would'nt call them slashers, more like pseudo-snuff films. If you can make it through them, you can sit through anything.
Quote from: StatCat on April 08, 2009, 01:28:24 AM
What Have You Done to Solange
the semi-follow up WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS is better in my opinion. (the giovanna ralli pic in my avatar is from a scene in it!)
agree generally about DEEP RED being excellent
I think I need to see PIECES...
I agree with Skull on HALLOWEEN...the first and third were my favorites in that series as well.
Lotsa good ones here. Surprized that Hitchcocks PSYCHO hasn't been mentioned,as thats the grand daddy of all slasher films,IMHO.
DEEP RED is my favorite Argento movie,by far.Also like The BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMMAGE and TENEBRAE.
Howza 'bout Micheal Powell's PEEPING TOM? Very creepy!
Hitch's FRENZY.
Love TOURIST TRAP as well.
PIECES is gory and hilrious.
SLEEPAWY CAMP!
DRILLER KILLER!
MS.45! A girl dressed up as a nun blowing away scumbags with her Dirty Harry piece!
NIGHT of BLOODY HORROR is good fun! And it has Gerald (MAJOR DAD) McRaney!
HATCHET for the HONEYMOON !!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_4XwT6OTSg
^ that trailer doesn't make much sense, lol
Incidentally BLACK XMAS has been upped in its entirety on youtube, in about 10 or 11 parts. I watched it over xmas as it happens, and it's very good. surprised I had not heard of it before
Quote from: RCMerchant on April 11, 2009, 07:58:18 AM
I agree with Skull on HALLOWEEN...the first and third were my favorites in that series as well.
Its nice to know that others have good taste in films... :)
I personally think FRENZY is a little better then Psycho. Its Hitchcock without restrictions from the Hays Code... :)
Agree you cannot discount Psycho. I always thought Psycho should be ranked on the top 5 of the AMC's 100 greatests films.
:question:can i put my top 10 slasher films on this site
Quote from: hobie parnell on October 15, 2010, 07:27:36 AM
:question:can i put my top 10 slasher films on this site
Depends on what you mean by "put." :question: You can list them like everyone else in the thread.
Quote from: DCA on April 11, 2009, 07:08:31 AM
I think I need to see PIECES...
dont remember this thread but I have since acquired Pieces on DVD...pretty good, wouldn't put it top 10 though
'fraid I can't really agree with TORSO being that good. was disappointed when I saw it, might watch again just in case
giallo-wise Id probably say Deep Red and What Have They Done To Your Daughters both standing head and shoulders above all the others I've seen. 'Lizard In A Woman's Skin' is on my wishlist though. saw some clips on youtube and it looks excellent, even though I've seen some very dodgy Fulci films
While not quite a giallo fan, here are my ten favourite slasher flicks (in no particular order):
1) Sleepaway Camp
2) Friday the 13th (1980)
3) Halloween (1978)
4) Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
5) My Bloody Valentine (1981)
6) Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
7) Halloween II (1981)
8) Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge
9) Friday the 13th part II
10) Friday the 13th part III
Yeah, I know it's not a very cultured list in slasher terms. But whatever, those are my faves. Take 'em or leave 'em.
In no particular order:
1. Friday the 13th part VI
2. Scream (1996)
3. Silence Of The Lambs
4. Halloween
5. Halloween H20
6. My Bloody Valentine
7. Suspiria
8. Nightmare On Elm Street 3
9. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
10. Evilspeak
Some that I don't see getting any votes-and rightfully so-
.DRIVE IN MASSACRE (1977)-I like BAD movies,but "bad" with a capital "B". This is Boring bad. Incidently the only name in this film is Buck Flower...and he is not listed in the credits.
.the DORM THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (1982)-To start-this is one of the most borin....ing...(YAWN)....bor-bo-zzzzzzzz.....
.I DISMEMBER MAMA (1972)-Weird shmuck falls in love with 11 year old girl. And no Mama's get dismembered. Best thing about this drek is the title.
.3 On a MEATHOOK (1972)-Dam-with one of the best titles ever, I sooo wanted to like this film. Another Ed Gein based film...only deadly dull. I guess it deserves some kinda credit for making a movie about a cannabalistic serial killer sleep inducing.
Some that deserve honarable mention.....
.STRAIGHT JACKET (1964)-Bill Castle trys to be Hitchcock. Though he dosent quite have the skill do do THAT-he did make a fun movie! Joan Crawfords over the top dramatics make this one a keeper! And George Kennedy gets his head chopped off!!! :smile:
.DERANGED (1974) Anther Gein based film-but this one is much closer to the facts! And one of the BEST! I rate this right up there with PSYCHO and the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE! Roberts Blossum is TERRIFIC! He should got an Oscar. Really. (If you will recall-Blossum was the creepy old man with the shovel in the comedy HOME ALONE).
.The GORE GORE GIRLS (1972)-The last film by the infamous HG Lewis, has some of the most disgusting (and most amatuerish) gore ever put to cellioud. And it's got Henny Youngman! And a feh detective! And it's (Bela help me!) funny.
.TRUTH OR DARE? (1986)-Tim Ritter's shot on video anti masterpiece is bloody,weird,and hilarious! As is Ritter's....
.KILLING SPREE (1987)!
.REAL KILLERS (1996) When I picked this up at a yard sale-I wasn't expecting much. But was quite surprised! No classic-but the twist (SPOILER ALERT)
of the serial killers breaking into the house of a whole family of serial killers was lotsa fun!
Clip from DRANGED-"I know I can trust her-she's fat! She's fat!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29MKYgVVj5A
My top 10 slashers (in no particular order) are:
Slumber Party Massacre
Sleepaway Camp 2
Silent Night, Deadly Night (I almost gave it to part 2 for sheer cheese)
Graduation Day
The Initiation
Friday the 13th Part V (yeah, I know everyone hates this one, but I love it - despite the ending!)
Slaughter High
Killer Workout (Aerobicide)
My Bloody Valentine (original)
Hide and Go Shriek
You can probably tell that I like cheese in my slashers! This was off the top of my head, and I'm sure it could change at any minute, but this seems pretty good...
There's a few mentions of Slumber Party Massacre on this thread. I thought the sequal was much more entertaining. It doesn't make sense, but it's more fun.
For a top 10, I'd have to think about it some more. There's just so many good ones. I do have a soft sport for the cheesier slashers though.
Slashers and Jack-O are personal favorites.
The Burning
Slumber Party Massacre
Slaughter High
Halloween
Friday The 13th
My Bloody Valentine
April Fool's Day
Deep Red
Silent Night Deadly Night
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Quote from: RCMerchant on February 02, 2011, 05:35:29 AM
Some that I don't see getting any votes-and rightfully so-
.DRIVE IN MASSACRE (1977)-I like BAD movies,but "bad" with a capital "B". This is Boring bad. Incidently the only name in this film is Buck Flower...and he is not listed in the credits.
.the DORM THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (1982)-To start-this is one of the most borin....ing...(YAWN)....bor-bo-zzzzzzzz.....
Gotta agree with you RC. Especially DRIVE IN MASSACRE.. that's got to be the worst ending I've ever seen. Everyone in the theater had to be supremely insulted.
Quote from: retrorussell on February 02, 2011, 03:18:30 PM
Quote from: RCMerchant on February 02, 2011, 05:35:29 AM
Some that I don't see getting any votes-and rightfully so-
.DRIVE IN MASSACRE (1977)-I like BAD movies,but "bad" with a capital "B". This is Boring bad. Incidently the only name in this film is Buck Flower...and he is not listed in the credits.
.the DORM THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (1982)-To start-this is one of the most borin....ing...(YAWN)....bor-bo-zzzzzzzz.....
Gotta agree with you RC. Especially DRIVE IN MASSACRE.. that's got to be the worst ending I've ever seen. Everyone in the theater had to be supremely insulted.
No way, the ending was great! a good example of the campy, fun gimmicks that went with many of the Drive in Movies back then!
My Top 10, in no particular order:
The House on Sorority Row
Prom Night
Sleepaway Camp
Friday The 13th
Terror Train
My Bloody Valentine
Nightmare (1981)
Tourist Trap
Black Christmas
Cheerleader Camp (had to throw that one in there :bouncegiggle:)
Quote from: RockMonster on February 08, 2011, 12:39:47 AM
Quote from: retrorussell on February 02, 2011, 03:18:30 PM
Quote from: RCMerchant on February 02, 2011, 05:35:29 AM
Some that I don't see getting any votes-and rightfully so-
.DRIVE IN MASSACRE (1977)-I like BAD movies,but "bad" with a capital "B". This is Boring bad. Incidently the only name in this film is Buck Flower...and he is not listed in the credits.
.the DORM THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (1982)-To start-this is one of the most borin....ing...(YAWN)....bor-bo-zzzzzzzz.....
Gotta agree with you RC. Especially DRIVE IN MASSACRE.. that's got to be the worst ending I've ever seen. Everyone in the theater had to be supremely insulted.
No way, the ending was great! a good example of the campy, fun gimmicks that went with many of the Drive in Movies back then!
Uh.. maybe in the 50s or early 60s. Audiences deserved better by the late '70s.