Hey all,

So in honor of my absolute favorite holiday ever, I’ve compiled a list of the best movies to watch around Halloween (in no particular order) that you’ve probably not seen. If you have seen them, major props!

-G

Number 1

Title: Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)

Director: Scott Glosserman

Genre: Comedy/Horror

Synopsis: This film tells the tale of the serial killer Leslie Vernon, as told by the film crew following him around on his murders to make a documentary. This movie puts an interesting twist on the way we perceive the scary movie villain and hero, and rolls it up nicely in a package that is both hilarious and scary. Oh and did I mention that the serial killer hunter in this move is none other than the original Freddy Crugar himself, Robert Englund?

Number 2

Title: Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter (2001)

Director: Lee Demarbre

Genre: Comedy

Synopsis: Readers who are uber evangelical or easily offended beware: This movie will scare the hell out of you. This over the top musical kung-fu masterpiece takes place in Ottawa, Canada, where Jesus Christ, along with the help of a Mexican wrestler, must save a group or lesbians from vampires with a lust for their blood. A fast cult classic, JCVH is so bad it will have you laughing so hard you cry.

Number 3

Title: Evil Dead (1981)

Director: Sam Raimi

Genre: Gore/Comedy

Synopsis: This movie is an odd combination of gore and comedy in the same way that Shawn of the Dead is, but the writing and acting is so much worse. There are times when the blood and guts are pretty graphic, but the cheesy special effects are so hilarious that this movie is a B-rated gem. Follow a group of friends to an abandoned cabin to party, and then enjoy as they battle evil demons who are after their souls. And the hero’s arm gets chopped off, so clearly he is forced to attach a chainsaw to his nubbin and hack his way to safety… its cliché awesomeness to the max. IF YOU LIKE THIS, SEE ALSO: Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness

Number 4

Title: Motel Hell

Director: Kevin Connor

Genre: Horror/Gore/Spoof

Synopsis: A farmer kidnaps unsuspecting travelers and then buries them in chambers underground, until he fattens them up to be served as burgers in his restaurant. While this movie is a spoof, is quite gory and actually a bit creepy. Maybe what scared me more than anything was the fact that I love burgers, and this movie had a severely adverse affect on my burger love for a little while, but it’s worth a watch in the spirit of the season.

Number 5

Title: The Innocents (1961)

Director: Jack Clayton

Genre: Suspense/Horror

Synopsis: When a governess comes to a lonely mansion to watch over what seems to be two young, well adjusted children, she soon finds herself questioning her sanity as the children seem to be overtaken by the souls of the former governess and groundskeeper of the property. Also known as “The Turn of the Screw,” this movie appears to be the basis for the idea of the move “The Others,” but is much more cinematically satisfying and well written as the lack of technology forced this black and white to create artful suspense through dramatic lighting and optical illusions.