COLUMN: No tricks, these scary movies are real treats
Thankfully, not every horror film turns out to be “The Grudge 2.” Here some priceless examples that set the gold standard for scary films and are perfect choices for watching on Halloween night.
“The Haunting” 1963
Please don’t confuse this one with the fledgling remake of 1999.
There is no Catherine Zeta-Jones in this original version.
Having a G rating, a rarity among good horror films, “The Haunting” is an entrancing adaptation of the Shirley Jones novel and still proves to be one of the best haunted house films to date.
As four strangers come together for a mysterious experiment, they discover that the regal mansion they’re visiting has other occupants besides themselves.
This film is a perfect reminder that old, black and white films are in no way inferior or boring when compared to films of today. In fact, they are usually superior. With disorienting cinematography, creative set design and a gradual increase of creepiness, “The Haunting” modestly shows us what is really scary.
“Alien” 1979
Being the first film of its kind to combine elements of horror and science fiction, “Alien” can easily be called a masterpiece.
Set in a dark mining spaceship traveling its way through the universe back to Earth, the unsuspecting crew lands on a distant planet where an obscure alien creature inhabits their ship. One by one, each crew member is killed as they try to outwit their toxic predator.
This film helps us realize that there is no place more insecure and cut off than the eternal reaches of space.
Directed by Ridley Scott (“Gladiator”), “Alien” has just the right amount of grotesque surprises as well as an efficient dose of humanity from all of the actors’ controlled performances (most notably Sigourney Weaver, “Ghost Busters”).
Containing some clever plays on the use of space, darkness and human anatomy, “Alien” is a claustrophobic, exhausting adventure.
“When a Stranger Calls” 1979
Have you checked the children? Those of you who are interested in folklore and urban legends will love this. Once again, please don’t confuse this great film with the infantile remake that came out in the spring of 2006.
Every babysitter’s nightmare becomes real in this veritable suspense feast about a helpless high school student who is terrorized during a night of deadly prank phone calls.
What’s so awesome about this film is that it doesn’t go over the top.
There are no far-reaching special effects and there is no over-the-top violence. Showing the simple story through such a no-frills lens keeps the film perfectly believable, and the suspense remains well-sustained for it to build upon itself until the concluding crescendo.
“When a Stranger Calls” boasts a lot of lonely urban scenes that delve into themes of voyeurism, insanity and stalking.
“Misery” 1990
While this is not as powerful an adaptation as “The Shining” from 1980, “Misery” is still a piercing film based on a Stephen King novel.
It remains effective mostly due to the outstanding performances from its two stars, James Caan (“Mickey Blue Eyes”) and Kathy Bates (“Fried Green Tomatoes”) as well as its relatable themes of isolation and vulnerability.
Caan plays a famous author, Paul Sheldon, who suffers a car crash in the snow-covered mountains of Colorado. He is rescued from the crash, and from possible death, by a dim-witted country lady named Annie (Bates) who proclaims to be his biggest fan.
Paul then remains bed-ridden in Annie’s secluded home as Annie nurses him back to health and helps him gain strength in his broken legs.
What seems like a tale of camaraderie subtly changes into a gruesome tale of desperation and survival as Paul tries to escape from the mad clutches of his greatest admirer.
Bates is the one who drives this film, and she gives an amazing performance as a sweet woman on the surface with an evil underside poking through. Needles, fires and sledgehammers are used in unspeakable ways as we are put through this unnerving, realistic and painful story about what you do when you’re trapped with nowhere to turn.
“The Changeling” 1980
This film is best for those of you who “don’t do scary movies.” George C. Scott (“Patton”) plays a music professor, healing from the death of his wife and daughter, who relocates to Seattle and moves into a historical mansion.
It is in this mansion where he begins to receive eerie messages from a spiritual presence and unlock the hidden history of the creaky house.
“The Changeling” is noteworthy because the atmosphere of dread, mystery and fear is maintained entirely throughout. And by remaining consistent in its chilling mood, you become further entrenched in the film. Its handling of such spooky subject matter is comparatively light for a horror film, so it will never become unbearable for even the most sheltered viewer.
The story never goes too far, and the actors never try too hard for the most part. But the seamless sound editing and light foreshadowing help make “The Changeling” a memorable and delicate ghost story.
Casey T. Allen is the man with a movie for any mood. Comments and questions can be sent to him at caseyal@cc.usu.edu