06)
Seven (1995)
After a long time, this was the movie which re-defined the horror/slasher genre. The uniqueness, the brilliant plot and the masterful direction made
Se7en one of the best movies in Hollywood history. Impressionable viewers were shocked and disgusted (especially by the climax) and the movie left a deep and disturbing effect on the grey cells.
The plot concerns two homicide detectives who are investigating a case of randomly bizarre murders which have an apparent link to the Seven Deadly Sins as given in the Bible. Once the pattern is established, the detectives try to gauge the identity of the next victim and thus find out who the mad killer is. The movie has a novel, fresh feel to it, which is added by the fact that the story in itself is unique and different than the tired and old predictable slashers of the 80s and 90s.
Some of the picturised deaths were gruesome and really revolting. The way in which Fincher handles his cast (Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Spacey) is really commendable. The chemistry between the young, energetic cop and his tiring, close-to-retirement partner, and how they get involved in the killer's lunatic pattern, is racy edge-of-the-seat stuff. It keeps the viewer spellbound from start to finish, and by the time the climax comes in, audiences will be shocked, severly jolted and left praying that they didnt see what they just did. The most interesting aspect of all this, is that the killer, John Doe, is never shown killing his victims in the movie, which makes the deaths all the more horrifying.
For its creativity, uniqueness and racy spellbinding pacing, I give this movie 10/10. Definitely THE topper of all my favorite movies in the Horror/Slasher genre. If you havent seen this yet, I pity you.
07)
Event Horizon (1997)
Nothing highbrow here,
Event Horizon is a simple, but very effective "haunted house in space" film. Taking the basic premise of
Alien and other such movies and giving it an occult twist,
Event Horizon shows us one of the most disturbing visions of hell seen in film.
Unfortunately, director Paul W.S. Anderson was forced to compromise his film in order to obtain an R rating, and thus the torture/hell scenes are somewhat watered down. However, this does not seriously detract from the film. It's still great fun and quite spooky.
Event Horizon has great performances all around (especially from Neill and Fishburne) and beautiful space effects shots. A very underrated film.
08)
Ringu (1998)
After the death of her cousin Tomoko (Yuko Takeuchi), reporter Reiko (Nanako Matsushima) comes across the urban legend of a videotape that kills everyone who sees it exactly one week after viewing. She coyly rights this off, but when she learns that Tomoko's friend (who watched the video with her) died at exactly the same time, she begins to investigate. After viewing the tape herself, strange events befall her. Slowly she is convinced that this is no joke and teams up with her ex-husband, hoping to prevent her fate.
This is a GRIPPING thriller directed by Asia's answer to Hitchock, Nanako Matsushima, that became so popular Hollywood had to put their own spin on it.
The Ring which was released in 2002 (directed by Gore Verbinski) was a spitting image of Matsushima's film; also managing to scare the pants off of audiences. However, Matsushimaï's version holds up as the original and is easily the better one.
09)
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Aided by a phenomenal advertising campaign,
The Blair Witch Project managed to gross many multiples of its low budget in the opening weekend alone. By convincing many that it was the actual tape of the last days of a film crew,
Blair Witch is widely toted as the scariest film made in years, and deservedly so.
Though many may complain that the plot moves too slowly, the incredible tension that is set up in the final half hour or so makes it worthwhile.
10)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
In the final years of the 20th Century, American horror was dominated by slick, self-conscious and semi-humorous imitations of Wes Craven's seemingly endless
Scream trilogy. Into the midst of these tongue-in-cheek teens in danger films, M. Night Shyamalan ushered in the return of thoughtful and haunting gothic horror.
The Sixth Sense plays out as a traditional haunting film in which a young boy, Cole Seer (Haley Joel Osment), is visited by the spirits of the dead and eventually is aided by child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis).
The film's slow and deliberate pacing, intricate cinematography and delightful twist ending made it an enormous hit worldwide and established Shyamalan as a important new director.
Honorable Mentions:-
Scream (1996)
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Audition (1999)
Another week, another decade. Till then...ciao and happy nostalgic memories!