It is here. Halloween is upon us.  We’ve spent the last week or so going over our Top 5 Scary Movie Lists and have but this one left. Let’s get right to it.  If you disagree, write us and tell us why.

Top 5 Scary Movies – PERIOD!

5. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Wes Craven’s jaunt into slasher films.  What makes this an especially scary movie is simply the premise. Bad things happen, ESPECIALLY if you fall asleep. A rational thinking person knows there are consequences for people who don’t sleep. No-one ever thought perhaps those people where being stalked by a monster in their dreams.  The movie messes with the perceptions of audience members, who are left trying to figure out what was real and what wasn’t.  As most good movies, there is the memorable line or jingle.  1, 2… Freddie’s coming for you…

4. The Shining (1980)
“Here’s Johnny!” – This is the tag line from Jack Nicholson’s character upon ripping through a bathroom door with an ax. As scary as Nicholson is, the real horror from this psychological horror is all over the place.  The movie is based on the popular Stephen King novel of the same name and brings to light many classic concepts of scary.  In my opinion, one of the bet movies of all time, not just scary movies.

3. Scream (1996)
Wes Craven makes the list for a second time with a movie that combines slasher horror with real life events of the Gainesville Ripper.  Throw in a little bit of horror movie sarcasm, classic styling slasher blood and gore, a house party full of teenagers up to no good and a villain called Ghostface and you’ve got the makings of lights on movie watching.

2. Halloween (1978)
Jamie Lee Curtis has the best scream in American film history.  But you would too if you kept seeing “The Boogyman” stalk you and your friends. John Carpenter’s Halloween brings many elements to the film that made it a success, from the music to the way it was filmed.  Halloween is not your common slasher film, though it certainly is often credited with being the first.

1. The Exorcist (1973)
Let’s start with the music. Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells sets the stage for this film. Bring in Linda Blair as the unfortunate child afflicted with demonic possession and add minimal but effective special effects. Now you have a movie that questions your beliefs in God, demons, modern medicine, the Catholic Church and humans.  If your child is sick and in bed, don’t watch this film. If your child’s head spins 360 degrees, call a priest and don’t watch this movie.

Agree or Disagree?  Comment!