Looking for smarter, Session 9 style horror
 

Hi guys

I think that as I'm getting older, my taste in horror is changing. Used to love the Nightmares, Halloweens, Friday the 13ths, Phantasms, etc, etc and have all the box sets, but now that I'm 30 they just don't scare me like they used to.

I'm finding it really hard to find a good, scary (not just gorey) horror flick these days, so thought I'd turn to you all for advice.

Flicks from the last few years that I enjoyed include:

Session 9 - possibly my new fave!
Frailty
Day of the Dead remake
The Ring remake
The Grudge remake (please don't skewer me for enjoying these remakes!)
Wolf Creek - not overwhelmingly impressed, but didn't mind it
High Tension
Blair Witch - ok, it was ages ago, but I really enjoyed it the first time round

I've just ordered The Hills have Eyes remake, but need some good, meaty, scary stuff. Session 9 totally freaks me out every time I watch it, so would like some recommendations in that vein.

Hope you all can help - I've got a credit card just waiting to burn through Amazon.com!

Re: Looking for smarter, Session 9 style horror
 

Do you know something I dont?

maybe he ment Land of the Dead?

he probably meant dawn of the dead, but whatever...

it seems like you like psychological horror. its not a new movie, but candyman has a nice blend of psychological and slasher horror genre. also the soundtract in the movie (by phillip glass) gives it an erie/morbid fell throughout. i'd also recomend the remake of the omen.

If you like Session 9 you have to see The Shining (Kubrick's film) and if you wanted more psychological horror try Jacob's Ladder.

or The Jacket..

was "the jacket" any good? i always see it at the video store, but pass it by...

Is a good one? I don't have see it.

i enjoyed it ..

Maybe I would give it a chance

I watched this again recently, and it really hasn't stood the test of time at all.

Nice soundrack, though.

Ahhh Candyman.. an old fave, but again, probably hasn't dated as well as I'd hoped. And am an old fan of The Shining - will definitely include this one as I haven't seen it for years. The Jacket keeps getting mentioned, so I'll be sure to grab it.

And yes, I meant Dawn of the Dead, sorry!

After doing a bit of a search through these forums, I've drafted up a list of titles that might be ok - if you could comment on these, it'd be great:


Audition
Lemora
The Blair Witch Project
The Shining
'Salem's Lot
Carrie
Dark Water
Urban Ghost Story
Let's Scare Jessica to Death
The Changeling
Ring
The Others
Nightmares in a Damaged Brain
Nekromantik 1 and 2
Jacobs Ladder
Snuff
Last House on Dead End Street
Dead Birds
Dead End
The Descent

Thanks guys!

I thought the jacket was pretty bad... I was disappointed by this film even though I think that lead actor is pretty good.
The Shining is great film. The Changeling has a pretty good storyline but not that scary. Jacob's Ladder, Audition and Dead Birds are enjoyable as well..... Stay away from Dark Water!

If you liked Session 9, why not try director Brad Anderson's next film after that, The Machinist. I prefered The Machinist to Session 9, actually. You might also try, if you haven't seen this oldie but goodie already, David Cronenberg's Videodrome.

BTW, Brad Anderson is doing an episode of Masters of Horror for Season 2.

Staci

For more cerebral horror ya gotta try "Pulse" or "The Eye"."The Changeling" had some nice creepy moments and doesn't seem dated."The Dark"-2005 was pretty good as well.

Really? Ive been avoiding that...

The Blair Witch Project - interesting viewing.

The Shining - granddaddy of psychological horror.

Salem's Lot - decent enuff.

Carrie - A must see.

Dark Water - meh, its ok, but avoidable.

The Changeling - highly recommended.

Ring - good viewing, recommended.

The Others - nice twists towards the end, recommended.

Nekromantik 1 and 2 - watchable fare.

Jacobs Ladder - good movie. recommended.

Dead Birds - avoid.

The Descent - not much of psychological horror, but a superb creature movie. highly recommended if you are into it.


The Machinist is another recommendation, and I m sure you ll love "The Eye" and "The Grudge". If you lean towards classic movies, I d say go for Phantom of the Opera (1925) or Asylum with Peter Cushing (1972).

Thanks guys

Wow, some slim pickings for fans of the more creepy atmospheric horror I guess. I've already seen The Machinist (agreed, thought it was great!) and The Eye.

Thanks again for your recommendations, now I've got a nice starting point!

It had great atmosphere [location was a major factor] and for the most part it worked....it did kinda fall apart at the end though.

I agree with newb, except for the ending. No real "scares" to speak of, but it has a real "eerie" quality to it that helps it along. The ending is a bit predictable, but I think it was pulled off quite nicely. My biggest complaint? Sean Bean is underutilized in this movie. He's a great actor, and he's relegated to saying things like "We're calling off the search" and "You can't do that." He really doesn't get a chance to shine in this, and I hate when good actors don't get to show their stuff. Oh yeah, and you won't look at sheep the same way again. (Or at least I won't.)