The Gate (1987)
Director: Tibor Takács
Plot: Kids discover that the construction worker-created hole in their backyard is actually a portal to Hell
My Take: This movie has some really great visuals for the 80's. I love having a horror film from kids' perspectives, leaving them to fend for themselves.
Plot: Kids discover that the construction worker-created hole in their backyard is actually a portal to Hell
My Take: This movie has some really great visuals for the 80's. I love having a horror film from kids' perspectives, leaving them to fend for themselves.
Child's Play (1988)
Director: Tom Holland
Plot: Serial killer (Brad Dourif) transfers his soul into a popular doll.
My Take: Dolls are already creepy to me. Shame on the mother for buying her son the creepiest doll in the world, even without a serial killer's soul inside it.
Plot: Serial killer (Brad Dourif) transfers his soul into a popular doll.
My Take: Dolls are already creepy to me. Shame on the mother for buying her son the creepiest doll in the world, even without a serial killer's soul inside it.
Pet Cemetery (1989)
Director: Mary Lambert
Plot: Steven King adaptation about a man who uses a mystical pet cemetery to bring his toddler son back from the grave.
My Take: This movie is both heartbreaking & scary. Great performance by a really creepy kid.
Plot: Steven King adaptation about a man who uses a mystical pet cemetery to bring his toddler son back from the grave.
My Take: This movie is both heartbreaking & scary. Great performance by a really creepy kid.
The Hitcher (1986)
Director: Robert Harmon
Plot: Rutger Hauer plays a psycho hitchhiker who makes life a living hell for driver C. Thomas Howell.
My Take: Don't pick up hitchhikers. CTH is awesome in this movie. He goes from average joe to badass. Did I mention I love CTH? This is a must watch!
Plot: Rutger Hauer plays a psycho hitchhiker who makes life a living hell for driver C. Thomas Howell.
My Take: Don't pick up hitchhikers. CTH is awesome in this movie. He goes from average joe to badass. Did I mention I love CTH? This is a must watch!
Hellraiser (1987)
Director: Clive Barker
Plot: Adaptation of his own novella, The Hellbound Heart, about a mysterious puzzle box that functions as the portal to a sadomasochistic dimension ruled by a race of nasty creatures led by Pinhead.
My Take: S&M-style horror film that's gruesome yet intriguing
Plot: Adaptation of his own novella, The Hellbound Heart, about a mysterious puzzle box that functions as the portal to a sadomasochistic dimension ruled by a race of nasty creatures led by Pinhead.
My Take: S&M-style horror film that's gruesome yet intriguing
Poltergeist (1982)
Director: Tobe Hooper
Plot: Haunted-house thriller about a little girl who mysteriously disappears somewhere inside her home & her family that will do whatever it takes to get her back.
My Take: One of my all time favorite horror films ever. Equal number scares & heart, this classic will make you cherish your family and fear TV sets.
Gremlins (1984)
Director: Joe Dante
Plot: This darkly comedic Christmas movie revolves around a strange furry pet named Gizmo who has a particular set of care taking rules that, if not followed, result in horrible creatures called Gremlins.
My Take: This was the first movie I saw in the movie theater...as a baby. Though adorable & funny now, I imagine it scared the crap outta me. I did have my very own stuffed Gizmo at home though.
Plot: This darkly comedic Christmas movie revolves around a strange furry pet named Gizmo who has a particular set of care taking rules that, if not followed, result in horrible creatures called Gremlins.
My Take: This was the first movie I saw in the movie theater...as a baby. Though adorable & funny now, I imagine it scared the crap outta me. I did have my very own stuffed Gizmo at home though.
The Fly (1986)
Director: David Cronenberg
Plot: Loose adaptation of George Langelaan's story details the efforts of a scientist (Jeff Goldblum) to create a teleportation device, and the hideous consequences of his experiment when a fly accidentally gets into his machine.
My Take: I'm not familiar enough to compare it to the Vincent Price original, but I love this version for it's grotesque & creative makeup effects & a surprisingly human story with great acting by Goldblum & Geena Davis.
Plot: Loose adaptation of George Langelaan's story details the efforts of a scientist (Jeff Goldblum) to create a teleportation device, and the hideous consequences of his experiment when a fly accidentally gets into his machine.
My Take: I'm not familiar enough to compare it to the Vincent Price original, but I love this version for it's grotesque & creative makeup effects & a surprisingly human story with great acting by Goldblum & Geena Davis.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Director: Wes Craven
Plot: A child-murdering serial killer returns from the grave to punish his killers by attacking their children through their dreams.
My Take: This movie will make you afraid to fall asleep. See Johnny Depp in his first movie.
Plot: A child-murdering serial killer returns from the grave to punish his killers by attacking their children through their dreams.
My Take: This movie will make you afraid to fall asleep. See Johnny Depp in his first movie.
Aliens (1986)
Director: James Cameron
Plot: Sequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 original shifts from horror toward action in this continuation of Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) battle against the aliens.
My Take: Not usually a fan a straight up alien movies, but this one and the original are so creepy, and Weaver is so bad-ass, I make an exception.
Plot: Sequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 original shifts from horror toward action in this continuation of Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) battle against the aliens.
My Take: Not usually a fan a straight up alien movies, but this one and the original are so creepy, and Weaver is so bad-ass, I make an exception.
The Shining (1980)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Plot: Based on the Stephen King novel about a family that moves into a creepy, haunted hotel while the father (Jack Nicholson) writes a book.
My Take: Jack Nicholson's crazy good performance & direction that creates an overpowering sense of isolation in every methodical shot, this movie will make you look twice before going into those Fall corn mazes.
Plot: Based on the Stephen King novel about a family that moves into a creepy, haunted hotel while the father (Jack Nicholson) writes a book.
My Take: Jack Nicholson's crazy good performance & direction that creates an overpowering sense of isolation in every methodical shot, this movie will make you look twice before going into those Fall corn mazes.
The Lost Boys (1987)
Director: Joel Schumaker
Plot: 2 brothers move to CA to find that their town is overrun with vampires.
My Take: Kiefer Sutherland makes a terrific vampire, Jason Patric is easy on the eyes, and the moody direction & vampire pop culture geekdom keeps this movie relevant. There's even gonna be a new tv show coming soon.
