The Top Five Horror Films of the 1980s
A new take on the vampire movie with modern sensibilities, low-budget demons, a sexy, funny version of the werewolf flick, an urban ghost story and alien invaders -- these all lead the charge for best horror films of the 80's.
Number 5 Fright Night (1985)
Modern and Gothic style meet in the same movie. The vampire movie is a staple for silver screen screams and director Tom Holland makes this one fun and scary. Roddy McDowall leads the cast with relish and has a tongue-in-cheek role of a TV vampire hunter who must face down the real thing when young, highly impressionable teenager finds out that a vampire has moved in next door. Filled with special effects, melodrama and laughs, Fright Night's take on the vampire movie is a little light at times, but still provides an enjoyable viewing experience
Number 4 - The Evil Dead (1981)
A huge low-budget hit, The Evil Dead is as raw and as energetic as a film can be. Helmed by Spider-Man director, Sam Raimi, this movie makes the most of every meager dollar in its budget. Five college friends spend a harrowing few days at a cabin in the woods when they discover a book that opens a door to hell letting loose an horrific demon. Some of the acting is pretty uneven, but Bruce Campbell got his start here and stands out. The movie never lets up and that's what makes it so engaging. Raimi just keeps bring the action and you forget the budget and get sucked into the story.
Number 3 - An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Two college guys looking for fun and adventure in England end up in a small back-water tavern. It's late and the locals only words are admonishments to "stay off the moors." Ignoring their words the two guys find themselves on the moors and suddenly out of nowhere something attacks them and kills one and savages the other. Sounds heavy and it is, but there are moments of dark inspired comedy that does a perfect job of balancing out the horror. In fact, they are just jaw dropping funny and horrific. Memorable for it's classic werewolf transformation scenes, An American Werewolf also delivers an engaging story worth your time. That is, if you're up to it.
Number 2 - Poltergeist (1982)
A family moves into their dream home in the suburbs only to discover that all is not well with their new abode. In fact, things that go bump in the night are very present. Directed in name by Tobe Hooper, but showing all the signs of being directed by producer/writer, Spielberg, Poltergeist breaks new ground in the fact the ghost is actually plaguing suburbia as opposed to the abandoned mansion at the top of the wooded hill. What gives this movie depth is the character relationships -- this is a family being attacked and these are parents who face their worse nightmare as the ghosts take one of their children. For those that love scares, there are plenty of those too.
Number 1 - The Thing (1982)
Yes, aliens have been done before and this movie has been done before, but never so effectively. Director John Carpenter goes back to the source material, a short story called "Who Goes There," and brings out the paranoia factor. In The Thing, you don't know if the guy next to you is human or something else -- something much worse. A group of guys at an outpost in the Antarctic discover that the outpost just a few miles away from them has been wiped out. Before they know it, something enters their midst and one-by-one, they all start to get taken over, but while the "new you" doesn't look any different, it is very different and deadly. While Carpenter plumbs the depths of paranoia, he also takes us on a gore fest of special effects. After a while, the effects go a little over the top, but the essential elements of the movie prevail and provide a truly horrific and enjoyable story.
Honorable Mention
The Fly
Return of the Living Dead
Re-Animator
Near Dark
Number 5 Fright Night (1985)Modern and Gothic style meet in the same movie. The vampire movie is a staple for silver screen screams and director Tom Holland makes this one fun and scary. Roddy McDowall leads the cast with relish and has a tongue-in-cheek role of a TV vampire hunter who must face down the real thing when young, highly impressionable teenager finds out that a vampire has moved in next door. Filled with special effects, melodrama and laughs, Fright Night's take on the vampire movie is a little light at times, but still provides an enjoyable viewing experience
Number 4 - The Evil Dead (1981)A huge low-budget hit, The Evil Dead is as raw and as energetic as a film can be. Helmed by Spider-Man director, Sam Raimi, this movie makes the most of every meager dollar in its budget. Five college friends spend a harrowing few days at a cabin in the woods when they discover a book that opens a door to hell letting loose an horrific demon. Some of the acting is pretty uneven, but Bruce Campbell got his start here and stands out. The movie never lets up and that's what makes it so engaging. Raimi just keeps bring the action and you forget the budget and get sucked into the story.
Number 3 - An American Werewolf in London (1981)Two college guys looking for fun and adventure in England end up in a small back-water tavern. It's late and the locals only words are admonishments to "stay off the moors." Ignoring their words the two guys find themselves on the moors and suddenly out of nowhere something attacks them and kills one and savages the other. Sounds heavy and it is, but there are moments of dark inspired comedy that does a perfect job of balancing out the horror. In fact, they are just jaw dropping funny and horrific. Memorable for it's classic werewolf transformation scenes, An American Werewolf also delivers an engaging story worth your time. That is, if you're up to it.
Number 2 - Poltergeist (1982)
A family moves into their dream home in the suburbs only to discover that all is not well with their new abode. In fact, things that go bump in the night are very present. Directed in name by Tobe Hooper, but showing all the signs of being directed by producer/writer, Spielberg, Poltergeist breaks new ground in the fact the ghost is actually plaguing suburbia as opposed to the abandoned mansion at the top of the wooded hill. What gives this movie depth is the character relationships -- this is a family being attacked and these are parents who face their worse nightmare as the ghosts take one of their children. For those that love scares, there are plenty of those too.
Number 1 - The Thing (1982)Yes, aliens have been done before and this movie has been done before, but never so effectively. Director John Carpenter goes back to the source material, a short story called "Who Goes There," and brings out the paranoia factor. In The Thing, you don't know if the guy next to you is human or something else -- something much worse. A group of guys at an outpost in the Antarctic discover that the outpost just a few miles away from them has been wiped out. Before they know it, something enters their midst and one-by-one, they all start to get taken over, but while the "new you" doesn't look any different, it is very different and deadly. While Carpenter plumbs the depths of paranoia, he also takes us on a gore fest of special effects. After a while, the effects go a little over the top, but the essential elements of the movie prevail and provide a truly horrific and enjoyable story.
Honorable Mention
The Fly
Return of the Living Dead
Re-Animator
Near Dark
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