Reviewing Classic Scary Movies - Grace McDonough

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When I was younger, I was really afraid of scary movies. Just seeing horror movie posters would haunt me for weeks. I vividly remember coming home from school one day and my brother was laying on the couch, watching this movie about a kid taping some knives onto his Roomba vacuum and programming it to be intelligent. The Roomba turned evil and murdered the kid and then his mom, who was just trying to do some laundry. I was so shocked and afraid by whatever the hell he was watching that I wouldn't let my feet touch the floor for a good week, which was particularly difficult when my mom tried to take me and my sister to the mall and I broke down in hysterical tears in the middle of American Eagle.

A lot has changed since then, and now I watch scary movies confidently, without covering my eyes. Recently I saw It Chapter 2 and it invigorated my love for spooky stuff. Something about scary movies--good scary movies--is so thrilling!! 

The excitement associated with Halloween is why I love October so much. Since Halloween is approaching quicker than ever, I thought I would watch some of the most classic scary movies ever made and write a short little review. I fear that some of these classics could be lost on the younger generations as the influx of washed-out, horror blockbusters is what we've grown to know. Hopefully, this post can inspire some of my classmates looking to get in the Halloween spirit this fall season! :D


Scream (1996). We've all seen the scream-mask, and it's about time you watch the movie too. This film is a deliciously nostalgic slasher that holds up surprisingly well when compared to the horror movie tropes of today. Scream gets a 7.5/10 from me.

The Sixth Sense (1999). It’s so obvious why this movie put M. Night on the map. Although, at times I wondered if I was supposed to be scared or if I was supposed to cry. Maybe not the spooky movie to put on at a Halloween party, but wonderful nonetheless. That twist ending though!! That’s going to be a 9.5/10.

Carrie (1976). The oldest entry on the list and another tale from Stephen King’s horrifying brain. What this film succeeds at is building tension, constantly and especially at prom. You won’t want to look away. However, Carrie isn’t going to give me nightmares anytime soon, even if the movie makes me kind of sweaty. 6.5/10.
Image result for scream movie poster
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Wes Craven is iconic enough to have two entries on my list! There’s a reason why my dad still has nightmares after seeing this thing back when he was our age. The acting is horrendous but the fear-factor is stronger than ever. Can you believe this was Johnny Depp’s first movie?? 8/10.

 The Shining (1980). Stanley Kubrick’s ethereal nightmare is so different than the horror movies that get released in theaters today. Almost everything in the film is unappealing, uncanny, and vaguely threatening. The atmosphere is amazing in a classic, Stephen King way. However, the movie could drag on if you’re looking for an off-the-rails experience. For me, The Shining earns an 8/10.

The Orphanage (2007). A masterpiece from Guillermo Del Toro. I chose to put this movie on my list because it’s a masterful horror film, perfect for any Halloween gathering. There’s fright, fear, and yet it’s surprisingly heartwarming and a little goofy? All I can say is watch it in Spanish. 9/10.

Friday the 13th (1980). You know how earlier on the list I described movies as “aging well?” This is not one of those movies. Chances are you’ll be cringing instead of screaming, or maybe you will scream, I don’t really know because this movie put me to sleep. Does not live up to the Jason legacy I was expecting. However, the movie does not go without merit, and I respect it for being an early pioneer of the slasher genre. That’s gonna be a 4/10 for me. 

 Halloween (1978). After watching all of these movies on sunny afternoons, I think I got a little desensitized to scares. Somehow, this movie was able to bring it all back. Halloween proves that you don’t need jump scares, cheap editing, and loud music to instill fear. All you need is a great director. The special effects are dated, but that music gave me chills every time. 8/10.

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 22, 2019 at 5:38 PM

    Okay I really don't know why the formatting on this is so horrible because and I've been trying to fix it for so long but I think this is as good as it's going to get. :( zoom in to read

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 23, 2019 at 10:04 AM

      The formatting is scarier than the movies you listed.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 23, 2019 at 10:09 AM

    The Orphanage and the Shining are my favorite horror movies. The first time I watched both of them was with you, so that might be a factor. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 27, 2019 at 10:16 AM

      bro don't come for my heart right now im fragile <3

      Delete
  3. DanielleOctober 28, 2019 at 9:27 AM

    This is a good way to get into the holiday spirit! (Halloween spirit)

    ReplyDelete

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