With fall in full swing and Halloween coming up very soon, it’s time for a list of new horror classics to get you into the Halloween mood.
Willow Creek
My first pick is from Police Academy and Happily Ever After star-turned-director Bobcat Goldthwait. Willow Creek, his third feature length film, is also his first foray into the horror genre. Yes, it is another Big foot movie, but its a really great one! It doesn’t get going til the 45 minute mark, but in the meantime we get character development and successfully created characters that we should care about–something sorely lacking in horror films today.
Dog Soldiers
This next pick is a personal favorite of mine from the director of the awesome film The Descent. I’m talking about director Rob Marshal’s 2003 werewolf movie Dog Soldiers. If you are a fan of British films, then you will love this movie. If you’re a fan of werewolves in the vein of The Howling–not Underworld–then you will love this film. Lastly, if you are a fan of being locked in a building due to a looming threat outside, a la Night of the Living Dead, then this movie is for you.
Wer
Next we have the recently released werewolf movie Wer. What if Law and Order did an episode on a werewolf killing? Watch this film to get the answer. The movie’s final moments probably should have been retooled to make this film an instant cult classic, but even with its flawed finale it is still the freshest take on lycanthropy since The Howling.
The Hunted
My final pick is going to the Josh Stewart’s found footage film The Hunted. I know found footage films are a dime a dozen, but trust me, this movie gets it, and is the best found footage film since the Blair Witch Project. If can only see one of these recommendations, please see this film.
Honorable mentions: 13 sins, Bubba Ho-tep, The Quiet Ones
Happy Halloween Laser Time-ites! Can’t mention Halloween without at least one Evil Dead shout-out.
Article by contributor David Batarseh.
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yes! more Halloween content!
good picks, Dog Soldiers is a great time, wanted to check out Willow Creek. haven’t heard of the other 2 but I might seek them out now.
If you get to see the hunted, watch the special feature interview with the director and star Josh Stewart. It really makes you apprciate the film more, knowing that it is based on a personal experince of his. Thank you for reading it and that was what I was thinking when I wrote it since im a Halloween nutt!
I really, REALLY need to see Willow Creek. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Bobcat Goldthwait has the best track record of almost any director working today. Also, BIGFOOT!
Let me know what you think once you see it. While writting this article, I relized this may be the most divisive film Ive ever recommended. I loved it but I can see why others didn’t and thats what makes a good film for me when I love it flaws and all. Definitely let me know what you thought of it. My favorite film of his is still god bless america because it was so honest about the state of our society but cleverly masked it behind it overtop action and comedy scenes so it could stay under the radar of the man.
Ehhh, your opinion might change after that. It’s 50 minutes of a couple having not particularly interesting conversations and 15 minutes of a guy making noises outside a tent. If you told me Bobcat Goldthwait directed it if I didn’t already know, I wouldn’t believe you.
Spoilers! Jk jk, I did check the case to make sure Kevin Smith wasn’t attached to this film due to the amount of dialogue. Im guessing Bobcat did this to lull the viewer into a false sense of security so when he turns it on, it is more effective. Like I said verry divisive film.
Already seen Dog Soldiers but I do want to check out the rest, especially Willow Creek.
V/H/S 2 and Troll Hunter are some other good found-footage films. Also, Trick r Treat.
This has been a poor year for mainstream horror films. Although I see there are plenty of good independent horror films like Infected and In Fear (at least according to Rotten Tomatoes. I still have yet to see them).
Was just preparing to show the GF Dog Soldiers. Glad to see it get some respect. Bubba Ho-Tep is one of my all time favorites. Bruce Campbell playing a geriatric Elvis? Priceless cinema.
I am planning on playing Geriatric Elvis once I am off proper age lol. Glad I am not alone for my love of Dog Soldiers.