HDC Presents: 100 Years of Horror

[Kandarian Demon]

Originally Posted by metternich1815

How old does a film have to be to be considered a "classic" anyway? I am just curious.

I don't know, really... I don't make the "rules" :p But... let's say we're talking about the 70s. In a conversation about the best movies of that decade, it's inevitable that "The Exorcist" will be mentioned. And - let's say you think that movie is crap (which I don't, it's just an example). You would either shut up about it, OR you would state your opinion and have everyone tear you apart for being SO stupid that you don't see how fantastic that classic is. Maybe you'd even add it when making your list just so people won't think that you don't know your horror history.

I agree with you - Saw is most likely a future classic. But mention Saw, and no one is "supposed" to have a certain opinion about it. Except that maybe some of us who are a bit older will consciously or subconsciously feel the need to let everyone know that "it is modern, therefore it's crap" (and I am sure that I have had my moments where I've been guilty of that).

We are still free to form our own opinions about the movies of the 2000's - there are no movies we HAVE to like, and with a few exceptions no movies we're programmed to feel we HAVE to consider for a list like this. Which is why I think that the choices people have made are so diverse compared to the other decades.

That was my point :)

[_____V_____]

Thanks for all your inputs, guys. We have made a HUGE leap - nailed TWENTY choices now.

Only TWO more films need to be finalised for this round. (It could have been 21, if Sculpt hadn't sent a negative vote for Bubba Ho-Tep)

Anyway, some of the chosen films have scored such a majority of positive backings (4/5 people backing them) that I am moving them up to a separate section below the "IN THE CUT" section in the same post. Please refer it again for the finalised ones, and the ones which still have a chance -

http://www.horror.com/forum/showpost...&postcount=595

Please be mindful that the films highlighted in BOLD are our final chosen ones, unless they score negative votes in the subsequent discussion.

Keep the thoughts coming.

[The Villain]

Really Thirteen Ghosts made the list? Where's the outrage for the inclusion of this silly remake into the list like there was for Leprechaun?

[_____V_____]

Originally Posted by The Villain

Really Thirteen Ghosts made the list? Where's the outrage for the inclusion of this silly remake into the list like there was for Leprechaun?

It's mind-boggling I admit, although I am not really baffled. If Jeepers Creepers could top the 2000s most-favored lists, I guess nothing else could really surprise me.

Except of course, if The Village had got a place in even one of the submitted lists. That would have really drove me straight into the lunatic asylum.

[The Villain]

Originally Posted by _____V_____

It's mind-boggling I admit, although I am not really baffled. If Jeepers Creepers could top the 2000s most-favored lists, I guess nothing else could really surprise me.

Except of course, if The Village had got a place in even one of the submitted lists. That would have really drove me straight into the lunatic asylum.

Jeepers Creepers i'll admit is kinda dumb but i also found it creepy, original and a throwback to old monster movies. It is astounding that it topped the list though, i wouldnt have expected that.

Your hatred for The Village is well known although i don't understand it. Honestly though i'm probably in the minority of people who like that movie. Most people seem to hate it.

[metternich1815]

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed both Thirteen Ghosts and Jeepers Creepers. I thought they were both excellent films. Jeepers Creepers was my favorite of the two. I thought the acting and character development was really good. Additionally, the story/plot was unique and intriguing. The creature looked very scary. Lastly, I thought that the film had excellent atmosphere. I was surprised it made the cut though because it is one of those films that gets a lot of undeserved hate. It definitely deserves a spot in the top 22 for 2000-2012. Thirteen Ghosts is more debatable, but I thought it was an excellent remake, the ghosts were especially good. Shadow of the Vampire was good, but I do not know if I would put it in the top 22 of 2000-2012. I have not seen Bubba-Hotep. Anyway, those are my views on these topics.

[metternich1815]

This is really weird, especially since I defended Thirteen Ghosts. I think I would like to remove my backing (if that is okay) because there are some better films from this period that I would like to give a chance.

[metternich1815]

I have already backed these films, but I think I am going to write specific defenses for the three films that I think should be added to the list:

28 Days Later: This is a great zombie (I realize that they are a virus and not true zombies, but for all intents and purposes they are zombies) film from the United Kingdom. Honestly, I am surprised that this film has not made it. What is great about the film is its realism. Everything about this film seems real: the settings, the characters, etc. On that note, there was some excellent performances and brilliant character development. When characters die, you really feel for them. Another brilliant aspect of this film is that it is more about the people than the zombies, which is what I love about it. Zombies actually do not have as much on screen time as you would think they should. This film delves into the question of human nature without directly saying it. An all-around excellent film. No top list would be complete without this film.

Frailty This was an excellent, if overlooked, film from the 2000s. It follows a family in the rural area, whose head (the Father) is supposedly getting a list from God of the people who are really demons and he must kill them. There are some brilliant performances here, especially Paxton (who directed the film) and McConaughey. The story is captivating and the atmosphere is perfect. You never really know what to believe throughout this film. Is this guy crazy or is he telling the truth? Anyway, an all-around excellent movie, although, unfortunately, often overlooked.

May This is a very interesting, if weird film from 2002. The film follows a woman named May, who works at a veterinary hospital and is very strange. I will not go into specifics, in case anyone has not seen it, but it is an excellent film. You really feel for the main character, as things go on. Eventually leading to a big twist, which is when the film gets weirder (and really gory). This film is well-acted, well-directed, and the story is very strange and captivating. I do believe that many have overlooked this film, especially when it came out, which is unfortunate because it is actually one of the best of the previous decade.

Anyway, these are the three films that I think should be added to the final list. You may disagree, but I thought I would at least provide a defense for why I believe they should be added.

[_____V_____]

Originally Posted by The Villain

Your hatred for The Village is well known although i don't understand it. Honestly though i'm probably in the minority of people who like that movie. Most people seem to hate it.

As a standalone film maybe it can be called semi-decent but after all the marketing and hype of it being a horror film, and because of Shyamalan's brand name behind it, I went in expecting a solid horror film (I am a huge, huge fan of Unbreakable, loved The Sixth Sense, and Signs was more than decent too, IMO).

Imagine my jaw dropping in sheer surprise, and that followed by seething anger the moment the "twist" came in midway through the film! What followed from the "twist" onwards is well-known by now that it wasn't horror in the REMOTEST of senses. It was a cheap gimmick to draw audiences to the theater, the film nosedived on itself because it went on to take itself WAY too seriously, and I am sure Shyamalan learned a lesson or two about falling down from his high horse. People don't expect to be taken for a ride - advertise something, show something else. That was the day Shyamalan's name didn't hold any good anymore, specially for me. The film was a joke, an example of how you can make a viewer seem like a total jackass.

Since that very bitter viewership experience, I would gladly take a baseball bat to any/every copy of the film I could lay my hands upon.

Originally Posted by metternich1815

This is really weird, especially since I defended Thirteen Ghosts. I think I would like to remove my backing (if that is okay) because there are some better films from this period that I would like to give a chance.

Sure you can.

Adjusting the list accordingly. Our count of finalised films for the 00s now goes down to NINETEEN.

THREE more need to be finalised now.

[neverending]

I'll cast a negative vote for Thirteen Ghosts as well. It would be a travesty to see it make this list.

I've already backed May, so I'd like to reiterate what a splash it made when it came out, and is notable for having a female lead that's not initially a victim.

Likewise, I'd like people to consider Hard Candy for its strong female lead.

And here's a plea for Pulse (Kairo) - for all the talk of how Asian cinema revitalised horror, there's only one in the cut so far.