October 31,2018 | The Scarion
The Scarion
Page 7
Ultimate guide to horror films
By Kenny Cheek
staff Writer
Halloween offers entertainment both for children and adults. One of
the greatest things to do around Halloween is to get in to the spirit with
some bone chilling or laugh inducing movies.
There are typically five different ways to classify a film: gore fest, funny
knock-your-socks-off hilarious, the classics, psychological thrillers and
modern pieces. Ranked below of the top three choices for four of those
categories and a small description of the movies (without giving away
their juicy secrets).
Of course, many different people have different tastes in movies, and
because of this, some might disagree with the lists and how they are
ranked. This is perfectly okay, and is simply meant to shout out some
extremely well put together pieces of film to get students in the spirit.
Gore
1. Any of the “Saw” Series
It is well know that Jigsaw and his creative traps have always been
gorey and horrific, and taking a look into any of the Saw series movies
will show you that.
2. “The Human Centipede”
This horrific film is terrifying to think about and picture. A madman
capturing victims and surgically putting them together into a disgusting
beast.
3. “The Hills Have Eyes”
Being stuck in a situation you cannot escape from is troubling enough;
having mutant monsters all around you is something to make you tense
to say the least.
Funny
1. “Shaun of the Dead”
Everybody loves a good zombie film. Shaun of the Dead is one of the
better parody adaptations that seems to always leave you with a smile
on your face.
2. “Tucker and Dale vs. Evil”
Rednecks and hillbillies are typically never portrayed nicely in film;
however, this film gives the horror genre a lighthearted pat on the back
and pokes fun at the typical “college students meet evil murderers.”
3. “Beetlejuice”
Despite sounding like a children’s juice, Beetlejuice is a rambunctious
spirit that seems to be able to make a mess out of any situation he’s in.
Don’t say his name three times!
Classics
1. “Psycho”
Typically one of the scariest parts of staying at a motel is the often
unmet sanitary standards. At the Bates Motel however, getting out with
your life may be a little more important.
2. “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”
Imagine, if you will, a group of young adults traveling — now add a
killer chainsaw-wielding man who strips them of their skin. Combined,
you have yourself a truly classic horror movie.
3. “The Thing”
Out of this world creatures are enough to give anyone the creeps. When
those creatures start to take over bodies and kills others, then it becomes
truly terrifying.
Modern
1. “Get Out”
While not a true Halloween horror movie, Get Out presents a situation
that plays with modem day problems and flips them into a script like
something from Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
2. “It Follows”
Every young person is bound to make mistakes, and getting an STD
could be one of those mistakes. When one certain act goes wrong, a girl
is suddenly chased and driven to near madness by an STD killer.
3. “Trick or Treat”
Make sure you follow all the proper mles of Halloween, or else a sinister
treat-or-treater might be the death of you.
“Do you want to play a game?'
The 'Phantom' of the film: a review
By Thomas Wilkins
Slaff Writer
The Porter Center was turned into a movie theater on Sunday, Oct. 28.
On the screen for the evening was “The Phantom of the Opera,” a silent
picture and horror film from 1925. The movie itself was quite dated
unsurprisingly, but but live music helped bring it to life.
What may have terrified audiences in 1925 was actually quite silly to
the modem viewer. At the same time, the film was absolute eye candy.
Without any sound, the filmmakers played wonderfully with light,
shadows and the movements of the actors themselves to help accentuate
what was happening. At times I still felt a bit lost.
But none of that really mattered. It was a night of cheesy revelry in the
spirit of Halloween, poking fun at what we once found scary.
The audience burst into fits of laughter constantly. Actors cartoonishly
emoted, sometimes jumping up in pure fear, or pain.
The real stars of the show were the musicians. Professor of music
Dr. Vance Reese played the organ while student percussionist Raleigh
Durham had a playground of sound makers. Both came together to fill
in the gaps provided by the silence of the movie.
Vance had a lot of fun with the organ, playing the classic spooky song,
Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.” Between this, he would play
some songs by The Beatles and he included a Charlie Brown tune as well.
During a very charming scene high above Paris, he even emulated a
very lovely accordion, as two lovers embraced. Very French!
I must admit, I did get scared at some points. Raleigh would hit these
perfect drum tones that would send spooky shivers down my spine.
It was a fun night of old-school campy horror goodness. If you love
your movies dripping with cheese this was the night for you.