A scary thing happened on the way to the Movie Forums - Horrorcrammers

Just wandered in from the cold. Just another hungry transient thrown out into the street by Uncle Corrie.


Can I enter and have a bowl of soup?

I just read a piece of research that suggested Sinister is ‘objectively’ the scariest film of all time, because it elicited the strongest physiological response. It’s said to be on account of the jump scares and the soundtrack with heavy beats. I do remember it being reasonably disturbing, if average in terms of narrative. Still, rather odd, huh?

That film has an unusually large fanbase. I thought it was pretty basic run of the mill horror.

Yeah, same here. I would say the same about many of those "recent" horror thrillers like The Conjuring and Insidious, which I usually get mixed up.

I will sit out the James Wan conversation.

*twiddles thumbs anxiously*

I will sit out the James Wan conversation.

*twiddles thumbs anxiously*

Neil Marshall needs a rebound after the latest Hellboy movie.

Neil Marshall needs a rebound after the latest Hellboy movie.

This is the correct ranking.

You must have really been underwhelmed by Wurdalak because I thought Telephone came off a bit too generic. That's why I want to see the original Italian version. From what I've read the studio really messed with it and turned it into just another stalker story, albeit one of the first.

No, I meant I agree with your rankings. Wurdalak is my favorite thing ever.

Dagon -

Not to take away from Forrest and Jenny, but he and H.P. Lovecraft really go together like peas and carrots. Like he did in his other Lovecraft adaptations, Gordon respects the source material without alienating Lovecraft amateurs and makes a movie that is a blast to watch. I like how the slightly fisheye (no pun intended) lens and unsteady camera put you in Marsh's shoes and amplify his confusion and desperation. It helps that Ezra Godden - who was inspired by Harold Lloyd, but he might as well have been channeling Gordon muse Jeffrey Combs - is so expressive. I was also impressed with Francisco Rabal (R.I.P). and Macarena Gómez as Paul's would-be mate Uxia, who made her feature-film debut in this movie and has deservedly had a successful career since. Not to mention, if you also enjoy Gordon's movies for their laughs as much as their scares, you'll find them here, especially during a scene with a not-so-responsive innkeeper and the reveal of Uxia's...umm...condition. The production does not have a huge budget, and while some of the special effects like the underwater scenes and the one in the flooded house hold up, others are as shoddy as ones in the typical SyFy original movie. Also, Gordon's more perverse tendencies are often a boon - see Re-Animator and Castle Freak - but they do not always work in this movie's favor. It's still as enjoyable as the typical Gordon movie and is bound to please those who are new to or familiar with his or Lovecraft's work. Just be warned that you may be compelled to cancel any upcoming lake or beach trips after you watch it.

I just read a piece of research that suggested Sinister is ‘objectively’ the scariest film of all time, because it elicited the strongest physiological response. It’s said to be on account of the jump scares and the soundtrack with heavy beats. I do remember it being reasonably disturbing, if average in terms of narrative. Still, rather odd, huh?

I wonder if those responses were short or long term. Yes, if you make me jump my heart rate might go up for a few minutes. The same thing is true when I trip over a stray walnut in the dark--doesn't mean it's an expertly crafted scare.

That means you're a huge fan of him, right?