Recommend good horror movies/books I should see/read?

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wendigopsychosis
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19 Apr 2010, 12:51 pm

I really really (really) like horror, but I've only seen a handful of horror movies and have read even fewer books.
I've seen (and liked) Antichrist, Quarantine, Midnight Meat Train, Brain dead, Jenifer, and a few classics I can't remember off the top of my head (like IT, the chuckie movies, etc)
I've read a few Stephen King novels, and I really like him (IT, Cujo, the girl who loved tom gordon, Needful Things, and Carrie. I've just started Bag of Bones), but I'd also really like to know of more horror authors/books I could read.


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MommyJones
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19 Apr 2010, 2:45 pm

If you're into vampires, Ann Rice is great reading :) Her witching hour series is good too.

BTW: I love "it". It's my yearly halloween movie :)



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19 Apr 2010, 3:47 pm

House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski. One of the most complex horror novels out there.


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wendigopsychosis
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19 Apr 2010, 4:02 pm

Quatermass wrote:
House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski. One of the most complex horror novels out there.


I've heard of that! I didn't know it was horror though. Regardless, I've received so many recommendations I think I'll have to check this one out next.


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19 Apr 2010, 4:03 pm

Oh man, super King fan here. LOVE Bag of Bones. Totally gave me the chills! Some more favs are: -The Shining (WAY different and, IMO, better than the film. Although the film is enjoyable. It's just focused on the violence and isn't much pschological which is the type of horror/thriller I'm into).
-Dreamcatcher. Not a fan of alien stories and yet I LOVED this! DO NOT see the film, total waste of time.
-Insomnia. My fav one of all. Fantasy, Thriller, SciFi alt unis, just amazing.
-If you like that I would continue with the Gunslinger and then the rest of that series (called the Darktower series). It's more a SciFi Fantasy, but with Thriller elements. I only read the first couple then I got too busy to read the rest.
-1408 is a great short story- much scarier than the movie, although I would recommend that as well (although I may just like it cuz of my crush on John Cusack, LOL. ) Either way I really enjoyed it.
-Really thought Hearts in Atlantis was interesting, although not for everyone. The movie is good, but only focuses on a small section.
-wouldn't read Rose Madder, it was a waste of time. King lists it amoung his least favs...although he doesn't like Insomnia either so what does he know anyway, LOL

I would google "best King" novels- there are A LOT of reviews out there that have helped me to whittle down which ones should be my priority- because, let's face it Dude writes like a fiend and it's kinda hit or miss with him (mostly hits though IMO)

When I was younger I liked the classics like Dracula. I really liked Interview With the Vampire- but had trouble getting into the other Rice novels. Since I am very picky about my fiction I tend to stick with one writer of a genre unless I am REALLY intrguiged by another. So I've stuck with King through most of my horror obsession.

Now for films :D
I ALWAYS go for psychological. I do not like gore, unless it is something almost cartoony and not realistic (for instance I LOVE Planet Terror- the 1st part of the recent double feature, Grindhouse. However, you couldn't pay me to watch Saw)
-The Changeling: NOT the new one with Angelina, this is a ghost story and one of (if not THE) best. Stars George C Scott. I think it was made in the 70's.
-The Lodger: I really enjoyed this, but then again the Ripper case is one of my "special interests" (I just find forensic science and unsolved cases fascinating :P )
-I like Zombie movies too- but I find them more silly and funny than anything else. My favs are the spoofy ones, like Dusk Til Dawn and Shaun of the Dead.I also like the classic Night of the Living Dead. I don't like Vamp movies that portray vamps like zombies (think I am Legend or 30 Days of Night) I prefer my vamps Old Skool.
-The Shining miniseries, but only if you prefer psychological thrillers along with ghosts, possession, and some violence.
If you are into Hitchcock (one of my favs!) Rope is my all time fav film of his. It's a murder mystery told from the POV of the killers.
Psycho is of course a total classic (Do NOT see the newer version with Anne Heche. Total trash).
Another classic is called The Uninvited (made in the 40's- not the new film of the same name. Haven't seen that one but it looks interesting). It's a great ghost story/mystery, but it's very hard to find now. It stars Ray Milland.


OK, Hope that helps! I'm sure there are more I am forgetting...if I think of anything I'll let you know :)


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Last edited by Gigi830 on 19 Apr 2010, 5:15 pm, edited 3 times in total.

TheLastVictorian
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19 Apr 2010, 4:08 pm

Dracula - by Bram Stoker. It may take you a little while to acustomize to the use of language as it's an older novel, but Dracula is the defining vampire character in popular culture for a reason.

Edgar Allan Poe is another classic horror writer who's name springs to mind. Often you can find a collection of his short stories at a local library.

Carrie has also been made into a movie - as has another Stephen King novel - The Shining.



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19 Apr 2010, 5:06 pm

One movie I put under the category of "horror" is Ghost Ship; great movie, and one that is almost guaranteed to scare the crap out of you. :)

And I agree with TheLastVictorian about picking up some Edgar Allan Poe short stories: The Cask of Amontiado, The Masque of the Red Death and The Black Cat are some of his greatest.


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wendigopsychosis
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19 Apr 2010, 5:15 pm

Gigi830 wrote:
Oh man, super King fan here. LOVE Bag of Bones. Totally gave me the chills! Some more favs are: -The Shining (WAY different and, IMO, better than the film. Although the film is enjoyable. It's just focused on the violence and isn't much pschological which is the type of horror/thriller I'm into).
-Dreamcatcher. Not a fan of alien stories and yet I LOVED this! DO NOT see the film, total waste of time.
-Insomnia. My fav one of all. Fantasy, Thriller, SciFi alt unis, just amazing.
-If you like that I would continue with the Gunslinger and then the rest of that series (called the Darktower series). It's more a SciFi Fantasy, but with Thriller elements. I only read the first couple then I got too busy to read the rest.
-1408 is a great short story- much scarier than the movie, although I would recommend that as well (although I may just like it cuz of my crush on John Cusack, LOL. ) Either way I really enjoyed it.
-Really thought Hearts in Atlantis was interesting, although not for everyone. The movie is good, but only focuses on a small section.
-wouldn't read Rose Madder, it was a waste of time. King lists it amoung his least favs...although he doesn't like Insomnia either so what does he know anyway, LOL

I would google "best King" novels- there are A LOT of reviews out there that have helped me to whittle down which ones should be my priority- because, let's face it Dude writes like a fiend and it's kinda hit or miss with him (mostly hits though IMO)

When I was younger I liked the classics like Dracula. I really liked Interview With the Vampire- but had trouble getting into the other Rice novels. Since I am very picky about my fiction I tend to stick with one writer of a genre unless I am REALLY intrguiged by another. So I've stuck with King through most of my horror obsession.

Now for films :D
I ALWAYS go for pschological. I do not like gore, unless it is something almost cartoony and not realistic (for instance I LOVE Planet Terror- the 1st part of the recent double feature, Grindhouse. However, you couldn't pay me to watch Saw)
-The Changeling: NOT the new one with Angelina, this is a ghost story and one of (if not THE) best. Stars George C Scott. I think it was made in the 70's.
-The Lodger: I really enjoyed this, but then again the Ripper case is one of my "special interests" (I just find forensic science and unsolved cases fascinating :P )
-I like Zombie movies too- but I find them more silly and funny than anything else. My favs are the spoofy ones, like Dusk Til Dawn and Shaun of the Dead.I also like the classic Night of the Living Dead. I don't like Vamp movies that portray vamps like zombies (think I am Legend or 30 Days of Night) I prefer my vamps Old Skool.
-The Shining miniseries, but only if you prefer psychological thrillers along with ghosts, possession, and some violence.
If you are into Hitchcock (one of my favs!) Rope is my all time fav film of his. It's a murder mystery told from the POV of the killers.
Psycho is of course a total classic (Do NOT see the newer version with Anne Heche. Total trash).
Another classic is called The Uninvited (made in the 40's- not the new film of the same name. Haven't seen that one but it looks interesting). It's a great ghost story/mystery, but it's very hard to find now. It stars Ray Milland.


OK, Hope that helps! I'm sure there are more I am forgetting...if I think of anything I'll let you know :)


Thank you so much! I'm going to just save this list as a word doc and make it a check list hahaha.

I saw the movie version of dream catcher when I was really little and absolutely loved it, but I've heard the book is way better (and very different).


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wendigopsychosis
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19 Apr 2010, 5:16 pm

TheLastVictorian wrote:
Dracula - by Bram Stoker. It may take you a little while to acustomize to the use of language as it's an older novel, but Dracula is the defining vampire character in popular culture for a reason.

Edgar Allan Poe is another classic horror writer who's name springs to mind. Often you can find a collection of his short stories at a local library.

Carrie has also been made into a movie - as has another Stephen King novel - The Shining.


Ooh, yes, I always forget about Poe. I love him. I have a huge collection of his short stories :)


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Gigi830
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19 Apr 2010, 5:30 pm

wendigopsychosis wrote:
Gigi830 wrote:
Oh man, super King fan here. LOVE Bag of Bones. Totally gave me the chills! Some more favs are: -The Shining (WAY different and, IMO, better than the film. Although the film is enjoyable. It's just focused on the violence and isn't much pschological which is the type of horror/thriller I'm into).
-Dreamcatcher. Not a fan of alien stories and yet I LOVED this! DO NOT see the film, total waste of time.
-Insomnia. My fav one of all. Fantasy, Thriller, SciFi alt unis, just amazing.
-If you like that I would continue with the Gunslinger and then the rest of that series (called the Darktower series). It's more a SciFi Fantasy, but with Thriller elements. I only read the first couple then I got too busy to read the rest.
-1408 is a great short story- much scarier than the movie, although I would recommend that as well (although I may just like it cuz of my crush on John Cusack, LOL. ) Either way I really enjoyed it.
-Really thought Hearts in Atlantis was interesting, although not for everyone. The movie is good, but only focuses on a small section.
-wouldn't read Rose Madder, it was a waste of time. King lists it amoung his least favs...although he doesn't like Insomnia either so what does he know anyway, LOL

I would google "best King" novels- there are A LOT of reviews out there that have helped me to whittle down which ones should be my priority- because, let's face it Dude writes like a fiend and it's kinda hit or miss with him (mostly hits though IMO)

When I was younger I liked the classics like Dracula. I really liked Interview With the Vampire- but had trouble getting into the other Rice novels. Since I am very picky about my fiction I tend to stick with one writer of a genre unless I am REALLY intrguiged by another. So I've stuck with King through most of my horror obsession.

Now for films :D
I ALWAYS go for pschological. I do not like gore, unless it is something almost cartoony and not realistic (for instance I LOVE Planet Terror- the 1st part of the recent double feature, Grindhouse. However, you couldn't pay me to watch Saw)
-The Changeling: NOT the new one with Angelina, this is a ghost story and one of (if not THE) best. Stars George C Scott. I think it was made in the 70's.
-The Lodger: I really enjoyed this, but then again the Ripper case is one of my "special interests" (I just find forensic science and unsolved cases fascinating :P )
-I like Zombie movies too- but I find them more silly and funny than anything else. My favs are the spoofy ones, like Dusk Til Dawn and Shaun of the Dead.I also like the classic Night of the Living Dead. I don't like Vamp movies that portray vamps like zombies (think I am Legend or 30 Days of Night) I prefer my vamps Old Skool.
-The Shining miniseries, but only if you prefer psychological thrillers along with ghosts, possession, and some violence.
If you are into Hitchcock (one of my favs!) Rope is my all time fav film of his. It's a murder mystery told from the POV of the killers.
Psycho is of course a total classic (Do NOT see the newer version with Anne Heche. Total trash).
Another classic is called The Uninvited (made in the 40's- not the new film of the same name. Haven't seen that one but it looks interesting). It's a great ghost story/mystery, but it's very hard to find now. It stars Ray Milland.


OK, Hope that helps! I'm sure there are more I am forgetting...if I think of anything I'll let you know :)


Thank you so much! I'm going to just save this list as a word doc and make it a check list hahaha.

I saw the movie version of dream catcher when I was really little and absolutely loved it, but I've heard the book is way better (and very different).


The 1st half of Dreamcatcher the movie is pretty close to the book...however the 2nd half is just crazy crap- at least when you compare it with the book.


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PrisonerZero
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19 Apr 2010, 6:27 pm

I was going to suggest H.P. Lovecraft, but then I saw your signature.



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19 Apr 2010, 7:00 pm

I also highly recommend you read some of Edgar Allen Poe's short stories and poems. I also recommend you watch the movie adaptation of Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum, starring Vincent Price.

Some other horror movies I particularly enjoy are Psycho and the first Halloween. Both those movies are very minimal on blood and gore and make more use of suspenseful elements.

The tv miniseries Stephen King's Rose Red creeped me out a lot, so you may want to look into that as well.



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19 Apr 2010, 9:28 pm

Horror is my favourite genre (too bad I can't pronounce the word properly). I've seen hundreds of horror movies. Haven't read too many horror books though. Not yet at least.

Books:
-House of Leaves is a very interesting book but it's not a quick horror fix, you have to put in a lot of time to get your reward. You'll have to decide if it's worth it though, I found it fascinating while my mom found it drawn out and boring.
-The Exorcist. I didn't find the movie scary but I listened to the audiobook read by the author and it was actually pretty creepy.
-The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. Vampires. First of a trilogy, the second one comes out in October I think and the third one October next year.

Movies:
-[REC]
-1408
-28 Days Later
-Alien quadrilogy
-Cube trilogy
-Flatliners
-Hollow Man
-Jeepers Creepers
-Let The Right One In
-Pitch Black
-Repo The Genetic Opera
-Saw (only the first one, the other's are pretty terrible as a whole, but the first one is great)
-Session 9
-Silence of the Lambs / Hannibal / Red Dragon
-Stir of Echoes
-The Orphanage

There are tons more but that's a good start along with everything that others have suggested. What kind of horror do you like? Psychological, slasher, monster, sci-fi, cheesy, all of the above?


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19 Apr 2010, 10:23 pm

SamwiseGamgee wrote:
Horror is my favourite genre (too bad I can't pronounce the word properly).


I believe it's pronounced zhan-ra.

I'm probably wrong though.



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19 Apr 2010, 10:51 pm

PrisonerZero wrote:
SamwiseGamgee wrote:
Horror is my favourite genre (too bad I can't pronounce the word properly).


I believe it's pronounced zhan-ra.

I'm probably wrong though.

I worded that badly, I meant "horror" is the word I can't pronounce. For some reason I can't get the second syllable out no matter how hard I try so it always sounds like "whore". Which just doesn't sound appropriate when I tell people I love horror movies. :lol:


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19 Apr 2010, 11:16 pm

SamwiseGamgee wrote:
PrisonerZero wrote:
SamwiseGamgee wrote:
Horror is my favourite genre (too bad I can't pronounce the word properly).


I believe it's pronounced zhan-ra.

I'm probably wrong though.

I worded that badly, I meant "horror" is the word I can't pronounce. For some reason I can't get the second syllable out no matter how hard I try so it always sounds like "whore". Which just doesn't sound appropriate when I tell people I love horror movies. :lol:


Ah.

You like 'whore movies' then?*


:lol: :lol: :lol:





*no offense intended.