Ok here's a brief Exorcist story. I've seen it once, in the cinema. It might be hammy but it scared the living fuck out of me and I couldn't go to sleep without the light on for literally weeks afterwards. I was 21 at the time. Even thinking about it now, in broad daylight - e.g. when reading about the spiderwalk scene upthread, which i happened to catch on tv one evening - can give me the shivers. And that is why i'm not a horror film afficionado. (Other films that have shitted me up good and proper: The Haunting, Ringu/The Ring, the 1980s Granada TV production of The Woman in Black.)
― the fey monster (ledge), Thursday, 24 May 2012 09:27 (twelve years ago) link
ledge i thought you were a hardcore rationalist, what's happened to you man?
― You can do it Sun Myung Moon (NickB), Thursday, 24 May 2012 09:31 (twelve years ago) link
I went to see The Exorcist on its rerelease ~7/8 years ago - I just had one of those "see 7-8 films" weekends, and the Exorcist was last thing on Saturday. And then again first thing on Sunday, arguing with the cashier to let me in an hour into the film, where I fled the night before :)
― Andrew Farrell, Thursday, 24 May 2012 09:34 (twelve years ago) link
xp I don't know man! Well of course not believing something doesn't always make it any less scary. Also I think the Exorcist is an incredible depiction of pure evil, distilled and exaggerated obviously but all the more effective for it; and although I don't believe in the form it's presented in that doesn't mean I don't believe in the idea or its ability to scare.
― the fey monster (ledge), Thursday, 24 May 2012 09:43 (twelve years ago) link
Loving the poll though. Quite a few on here I want to check out - and a few I know I should stay the hell away from.
― the fey monster (ledge), Thursday, 24 May 2012 09:52 (twelve years ago) link
I've seen 11 of these which is surprsing to me. i remember watching Eraserhead in a lecture hall at uni with about five other people. my housemate had her eyes covered for the whole of the second half lol.
― kid steel (cajunsunday), Thursday, 24 May 2012 11:28 (twelve years ago) link
The Hitcher! Would have made a fine addition to the list. Or Basket Case, for that matter.
Really glad Day of the Dead never appeared. That movie is dull as fuck, with a great beginning, a great ending, and an hour of talking and yelling in the middle.
A couple of other great Romeros, of course, won't make it (Martin, Crazies). Same with Carpenter. The question is, which inevitable surprise of the top ten will get the biggest reaction? I predict Nightbreed.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 24 May 2012 11:46 (twelve years ago) link
The only thing I expected to place which hasn't and probably won't now is Carpenter's 'They Live'. I thought that was fairly well regarded, though perhaps not enough 'horror' in it for some.
― fun loving and xtremely tolrant (Billy Dods), Thursday, 24 May 2012 11:50 (twelve years ago) link
I might have expected Tenebrae to place but i can't see two Argento films being in the top ten. Too much vote splitting, perhaps.
― Just like you, except hot (ShariVari), Thursday, 24 May 2012 11:57 (twelve years ago) link
Spoilers: Tenebrae missed out on my vote as I already had two Argento films on my ballot.
― emil.y, Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:07 (twelve years ago) link
xp I'd love to see any surprise of course, but particularly Lost Highway.
― Andrew Farrell, Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:18 (twelve years ago) link
rmde
there's no way the argento isnt suspiria but who knows with this list anymore
― me so fat (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:28 (twelve years ago) link
Martin is Romero's best flick, maybe second best, so obv it won't place.
predicting Frankenhooker ftw
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:30 (twelve years ago) link
no Demons either? honest to god fuck this i knew i shd've voted
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:31 (twelve years ago) link
David Lynch but no fucking Demons poll is dead inside
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:32 (twelve years ago) link
Items from my ballot that have made it so far (28/50, not bad!):
011. The Fly 013. The Exorcist014. Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn016. Dawn of the Dead 017. Videodrome 018. Halloween 020. Poltergeist 021. Braindead [Dead Alive] 024. Carnival Of Souls 025. Let the Right One In [Låt den rätte komma in] 027. The Ring 028. The Blair Witch Project 030. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers 036. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari 038. Black Christmas043. A Nightmare On Elm Street 045. Deep Red [Profondo Rosso] 046. Eyes Without A Face [Les yeux sans visage] 047. An American Werewolf in London048. Jaws 052. Re-Animator 056. The Vanishing [Spoorloos] 071. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer 075. (tie) Invasion Of The Body Snatchers078. Hellraiser081. Duel093. Seven 100. Phantasm
Items from my ballot that will under no circumstances show up:
Prince of Darkness, Scanners, Sisters, The Crazies, Pumpkinhead, The Blob (1988), Altered States
― it was a dark and stormy genitals. (Phil D.), Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:34 (twelve years ago) link
Strongo, I think everyone is assuming that Suspiria is getting in. I know I am, and that's what I thought ShariVari meant by not seeing two Argento films making it top ten (as in, Tenebrae doesn't stand a chance, not that it could be one or the other)... Unless I'm misunderstanding you?
― emil.y, Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:35 (twelve years ago) link
NV, you totally should have voted. Shame on you.
― emil.y, Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:36 (twelve years ago) link
Yep, i'm assuming Suspiria is a lock.
― Just like you, except hot (ShariVari), Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:56 (twelve years ago) link
If Suspiria were number one I wouldn't be shocked. I doubt it will be, but if it was, I wouldn't be shocked.
They Live isn't horror at all, even by the loose standards of "horror." But it would make a great entry in a dystopian sci-fi satire poll!
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:56 (twelve years ago) link
xxp
too many films, too few braincells
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 12:57 (twelve years ago) link
Another thing I'm surprised didn't make it into the top 100: Ghostwatch. Although its absence can probably be blamed on the 'Murricans (although I saw and voted for it). Or maybe you had to be of a particular age when it first aired for it to have a significant impact on you.
― Quiet Desperation, LLC (Deric W. Haircare), Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:12 (twelve years ago) link
I cut Ghostwatch because I hadn't seen it since first broadcast, and I was worried that its growing reputation and cult status may have built it up in my mind to be better than it was.
― emil.y, Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:17 (twelve years ago) link
i don't remember thinking it was all that - mainly i think because the leads are all pretty unlikeable in various ways and the central gimmick - that this shit was happening for real - just wasn't buyable at all
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:19 (twelve years ago) link
i can imagine if you're not from the UK and don't really know who Mike Smith is it's probably a lot better
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:20 (twelve years ago) link
Also, yeah, from what I do remember as a kid, as soon as the scares started amping up I was all 'oh, it's not a documentary, then, it's a scripted thing'... rather than 'eeeeeeh help it's so scary'.
― emil.y, Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:26 (twelve years ago) link
i was already old and cynical i guess
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:27 (twelve years ago) link
xp It is very very very odd to watch now, particularly if you've seen it before - it still really builds well, from subtle + minimal through to ARRGH NO DON'T DO THAT, and the final twist of not just what is going on but What Is Going On is still really smart. But it is odd to see Mike Smith + Sarah Greene and particularly cheeky monkey Craig Charles. Parky is sublime throughout of course - none of this is anything compared to Rod Hull + Emu.
― Andrew Farrell, Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:27 (twelve years ago) link
1992. I can't even remember where i was when i saw it
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:28 (twelve years ago) link
I do love the fact that all the callers to the phone line were meant to get a prerecorded message saying "This is fiction, but if you would like to share any stories of ghosts we'd be glad to hear them" - but the lines were mobbed, so most of the callers just got an engaged tone.
― Andrew Farrell, Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:32 (twelve years ago) link
I'd only read about its reputation over the years, which I expected to be a little overblown, but when I finally saw it, I was surprised by how effective it was. I don't know if having only the vaguest notion of who the people involved were helped or hindered the experience, though.
― Quiet Desperation, LLC (Deric W. Haircare), Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:34 (twelve years ago) link
Getting psyched for the top ten...(I hope posting this gif doesn't violate some sort of law of nature or ilx)
http://www.iancutler.com/Pictures/ianfront1.gif
― game of crones (La Lechera), Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:37 (twelve years ago) link
Totally psyched :D
― emil.y, Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:41 (twelve years ago) link
can't belive this isn't going to make it
http://static.wix.com/media/28930d_bac05104e165616b10e28f90f3095cc7.jpg
― piscesx, Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:41 (twelve years ago) link
i have a meeting at 10:30 and i'm afraid i'm going to miss something. this is a sign of extreme overinvestment.
― game of crones (La Lechera), Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:45 (twelve years ago) link
what's that pic from, piscesx?
― da croupier, Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:47 (twelve years ago) link
Results will roll out at a little slower clip today to make you savor them.
― Count-Dracula-Down (Eric H.), Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:48 (twelve years ago) link
depalma style?
― da croupier, Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:49 (twelve years ago) link
dddaaaaavvvviiiiidddd lllllyyynnncchhhh oohhhh fuuuuuucccckkkk yooooooouuuuuu
Was rooting for Salem's Lot too.
We're preparing for provincial testing here next week; deciding whether to put that aside so the students can keep apprised of the Top 10 as it happens.
― clemenza, Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:56 (twelve years ago) link
xp yeah it's Salem's Lot.
― piscesx, Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:04 (twelve years ago) link
huh i know i've seen that but for some reason the only image i remember is Fred Willard getting a shotgun pulled on him
― da croupier, Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:06 (twelve years ago) link
Some Romero musings....
Based on the tenor of this poll, I am honestly shocked that it looks like Martin isn't going to make it. Have people just not seen it? I think people on this list would go crazy for it, so see it if you haven't.
I'm a big fan of Day of the Dead and surprised it didn't make the top 100, but not annoyed. So much other good stuff. While we're awaiting today's festivities, I'll go ahead and list my personal ranking for Romero's Dead films (no, Return doesn't count.)
Night > Day > Dawn > Survival > Diary > Land. But I love them all, except for "Land," the only clunker.
― The Thnig, Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:16 (twelve years ago) link
oh man now i know clemenza's students are tuning in i feel bad about my pottymouth
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:19 (twelve years ago) link
xpost I'm a pretty big fan of Land actually, but the reviews steered me away from the subsequent two.
― Count-Dracula-Down (Eric H.), Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:22 (twelve years ago) link
Curse away--just kidding, of course. ("See the meat hook, kids? He's just about to hang the girl on it" = no more job.)
― clemenza, Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:24 (twelve years ago) link
haven't seen The Vanishing in a long while, but I would call it a turn-the-screws thriller rather than horror.
― World Congress of Itch (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:26 (twelve years ago) link
I don't like Martin as much as I like Romero's zombie output. I like Martin fine, but I honestly didn't even think about it when compiling my ballot and I'm not sure I would have voted for it even if I did. But the rest of yous shouldn't take my word for it and should see it for yourself.
― carl agatha, Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:34 (twelve years ago) link
i think Martin's tremendous but i have to admit tedious lol zombie bores have taken some of the shine of zombie flicks for me
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:36 (twelve years ago) link
not Zombie Flesh Eaters tho, that fucking rules