The Top 20 MERICAN 90s Horror Movies

[Dukefrukem]

Like the action thread, I've been watching 90s horror movies lately and it's time to do a top 20 countdown. Here's the kicker this time around, if anyone can successfully predict the top 3 movies on the list, they will win a free copy of any movie of their choosing from the list (blu-ray or digital (hell or DVD if you want)). Furthermore, if anyone can successfully predict any 3 movies sequentially, you will win a copy of one of those three movies (of your choosing). Remember, your choosing the movies that I am ranking, not your personal list.

What qualifies to be on this list?


They need to (at least) be jointly made in America
They need to have been RELEASED between 1990 and 1999 in the US (according to IMDB)
They need to be of the horror genre (or sub genre) according to IMDB's top 4 categories (1 movie on the list is not classified as horror by mistake)


Movies that are Exempt from this list:


Seven (not genre horror)
Audition (not made in America)
Cube
Ringu


A couple of fun hints before I begin:


45% of the leads on the list are female
Every year in the 90s is represented on the list
Only one director made the list twice
Three times, a lead (actor or actress) made the list twice or more


I'll start in a few days to give people time to put in their guesses.
Good luck!

HM1: Sixth Sense (1999)
HM2: Deep Rising (1998)
HM3: The Mummy (1999)

20. Alien: Resurrection (1997)
19. Candyman (1992)
18. Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)
17. Phantoms (1998)
16. Alien 3 (1992)
15. The Relic (1997)
14. Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
13. Exorcist III (1990)
12. Idle Hands (1999)
11. Event Horizon (1997)
10. Tremors (1990)
9. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
8. In the Mouth of Madness (1995)
7. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
6. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
5. Demon Knight (1995)
4. Frighteners (1996)
3. Army of Darkness (1992)
2. Mimic (1997)
1. Scream (1996)

[Skitch]

In.

[Morris Schæffer]

Not sure i'll submit a guess list but cool thread. I'll at least be reading.

[Skitch]

Ill submit. Need to research. :)

[Dukefrukem]

Well, i found an error in my description above. There is one movie on the list that isn't classified as "horror" on IMDB. I just assumed it was but I was wrong.

[Dukefrukem]

I've got 1 submission so far. We'll do some HMs for now.

Honorable Mention...The Sixth Sense (1999)

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Lead Victim(s):Bruce Willis

http://www.moviesonline.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Bruce-Willis.jpg

Threat:Ghosts

http://www.moviesonline.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Bruce-Willis.jpg

Threat Premise: Bruce Willis must figure out what exactly is haunting Haley Joel Osment.

Why It Didn't Make the List: I do like this movie a lot; but man, rewatching it is tough. Like most Shyamalan movies, with the exception of Unbreakable and Signs, once you know the twist, it removes a lot of the drama and dread for me. Sixth Sense is the biggest offender of this which is why I am recognizing it here. I do remember seeing this in theaters, and the scene where Haley Joel Osment is hiding under his bed fort really freaked me the hell out.

https://49.media.tumblr.com/ba1ad7611194cde8b29d2ffe8ec2eb 14/tumblr_n4q4yld8kZ1s9816mo5_r1_ 500.gif

[Morris Schæffer]

Osment is soooo good in that car scene but so's Collette.

I always saw that movie's story as twofold. Osment must help Willis also, sensing his torment.

[Skitch]

I'm working on mine now. You'll have it today.

[Gizmo]

I like that one okay, but so many people talking about it having a twist led me to correctly guess the twist before we went and saw it. Took some of the impact of the first viewing away.

[Dukefrukem]

Roger that. The more entries the more fun.

Honorable Mention... Deep Rising (1998)

Director:Stephen Sommers

Lead Victim(s): Treat Williams & Famke Janssen

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G03DH6Vg4Ls/TrkFu0e081I/AAAAAAAAAa8/0jh57vDjTaA/s1600/R3%2Bwilliams-famke-janssen.jpg

Threat:Giant Sea Monster (and more??????)

http://images.newsflow24.com/1104/1104085/380x220/the-world-needs-more-goofy-gory-bmovie-monster-flicks-like-deep-rising_1.gif

Threat Premise: Giant Sea Monster inside a Ghost Ship kill people.

Why It Didn't Make the List: First off: Apologies to Meg because I totally bashed this movie a few years ago when he was defending it. I still don't agree it's better than the Mummy, but it's definitely a lot more fun then I gave credit. I really really really enjoy ensemble cast "journey" movies. Even if it's a horror situation where they need to band together and occasionally bicker at each other, to escape a situation. This is why I love Inception, Goonies, Monster Squad, Why Last Crusade is the best Indy, and Return of the Jedi is the best SW, Aliens, Big Trouble in Little China, Ghostbusters, etc etc. Deep Rising does the "journey" thing, even if it's as simple as getting from point A to point B. It just falls a bit flat and really cheesy (too cheesy) in some areas where it's trying to scare you. Also starring Famke Janssen and a wonderful Djimon Hounsou death scene.

https://45.media.tumblr.com/5bc8f0a1a8da0040bc2a6b4d9addf8 be/tumblr_nx1u3wtOAq1u2ragso1_500 .gif

Some of the death scenes are kinda cool too.

http://49.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m10e3xOmZn1rne776o1_500 .gif

[Skitch]

Well shit, Deep Rising was in the list I just sent you. lol

[Dukefrukem]

Well shit, Deep Rising was in the list I just sent you. lol

Your list is smart Skitch. The other guys just sent me picks 1-3. You sent me 1-20, but you'll notice for the second game I said: "if anyone can successfully predict any 3 movies sequentially, you will win a copy of one of those three movies (of your choosing)"

So that goes for all 1-20 guesses. If any three align with my list, you will win!

[Spinal]

Wait, we were supposed to send you a list of 20?

[Skitch]

Yep, I read the rules. Suckers!

*waits for all 20 of my submissions not on Duke's list*

[Spinal]

Yep, I read the rules.

So did I, and I'm not sure that it's clear.

[Dukefrukem]

I intentionally made it ambiguous but if you guys want to submit a 1-20 you can. No biggie. Official countdown hasn't started yet.

[Morris Schæffer]

Deep Rising is indeed fun. Disposable, of course, but fun.

[Dukefrukem]

Honorable Mention... The Mummy (1999)

Director:Stephen Sommers (again)

Lead Victim(s): Brendan Fraser

http://i.imgur.com/mvlOjv5.gif

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/bb/81/d4/bb81d4b10f6b0a49101a536f740ce7 a8.gif

Threat(s):Mummies (among other stuff)

https://45.media.tumblr.com/f9af0a2c234dbce0681fb776b7fb5d 26/tumblr_o0qgfhsO6f1v3dondo1_500 .gif

Threat Premise : A Mummy was awoken during an archaeological dig, brings the 10 plagues back to Egypt and plans to resurrect his mistress Anck-su-Namun. Wait... that's it?

Why It Didn't Make the List: This SHOULD be on my list. In fact, it should be in the top 5. But alas, it's not classified as "horror"; just Action | Adventure | Fantasy. I remember joking about this movie when it came to theaters; If I remember correctly, it was released in the same weekend as Star Wars Episode I. And I remember waiting in line for Star Wars, and I overheard someone at the ticket counter go: "two tickets for the Mummy"- and I turned to the man and woman and said something to the effect of: "You dummies, they're not really playing the Mummy here... all of these theaters are showing Star Wars". I ended up seeing it eventually and fell in love with these movies. The comic timing, the cast, the "journey" as explained above, everything. I mean, they got Rachel Weisz! The sequel is pretty great too with an even longer journey plus the Rock! At the very least, this movie has taught us what NOT to make our CGI creatures look like (I'm looking at you I am Legend).

http://24.media.tumblr.com/c650d52c48b0bfbd575d9988bf94d4 b0/tumblr_n6v40401QP1rp0vkjo1_500 .gif

[Skitch]

I do really like the Mummy. More of an Indiana Jones movie than Crystal Skull. The sequel is underrated as well, even with the worst cgi Dwayne Johnson monster imaginable at the end.

[Dukefrukem]

List is starting this weekend. Get your guesses in.

[Irish]

Terrific contest idea (but how the hell did Skitch come up with twenty guesses?)

This is a tough decade because so much of horror (and sci-fi, for that matter) was so bad.

I assume the honorable mentions don't impact the year count? Eg: 1999 is still open.

[Dukefrukem]

Terrific contest idea (but how the hell did Skitch come up with twenty guesses?)

This is a tough decade because so much of horror (and sci-fi, for that matter) was so bad.

I assume the honorable mentions don't impact the year count? Eg: 1999 is still open.

Correct. HMs are just side notes.

[Irish]

Also, fuck both of you ;) because I've been sitting here for the last 5 minutes thinking about The Mummy and now I've got to see it again. It was such a perfect little matinee movie, and what something like Indy 4 should have been.

[Irish]

Correct. HMs are just side notes.

Cool. I will submit some kind of list --- I think the key here will be deciding whether you're delusional enough to put both New Nightmare and Scream in the top 10. :D

[Dukefrukem]

Time will tell. :D

[Gizmo]

I believe in delusions!

[Dukefrukem]

Irish get your picks in and I'll take you into the weekend with #20.

[Skitch]

Terrific contest idea (but how the hell did Skitch come up with twenty guesses?)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_horror_films_of_the_19 90s

[Irish]

Sending .... now!

I feel confident in my top 10 choices ... and totally insecure about the bottom of the list.

[Irish]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_horror_films_of_the_19 90s

This was a great tip -- although I think I fucked up and now I'm hoping Duke doesn't like sequels at all.

Edit: Now I know I fucked up because I accidentally put a foreign film on the list. Ack!

[Irish]

#NowWatching The Mummy

[Dukefrukem]

This was a great tip -- although I think I fucked up and now I'm hoping Duke doesn't like sequels at all.



Fun too late of a hint: There are five sequels on my list.

[Gizmo]

Fun too late of a hint: There are five sequels on my list.

And 4 are Tremors related.

[Dukefrukem]

Irish starts off strong by guessing the #20 pick off the bat. This is one of the 5 sequels on the list.

#20: Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Director : Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Lead Victim(s): Winona Ryder & Sigourney Weaver

https://media.giphy.com/media/6uyDYqLSJcDF6/giphy.gif

https://media.giphy.com/media/m5pkS6eV0ZUru/giphy.gif

Threat(s) Xenomorph

http://49.media.tumblr.com/05497f70835161f0243b759bdf8e5b d4/tumblr_nqqtsopw9l1rr5kcxo8_500 .gif

Threat Premise : Ripley is cloned along with the alien inside her, so a weapons company can surgically remove it, to train Xenomorphs to be used as military weapons.

Why It Made the List : When I saw this in theaters, I remember being disappointed. It doesn’t hold a candle to the three movies that preceded it. Today, my feeling is: how do you follow: Scott, Cameron, Fincher? Also, how to bring back your franchise character? There’s a lot great stuff in this movie as well as some dark humor; doors that can only be unlocked by breath. Or Ron Perlman getting scared by a spider after having killed a Xenomorph. And some tailor made trailer one-liners: “She’ll Breed… You’ll die”. “Earth man… what a shithole!” But this was the last time we saw a practical effect alien in alien movie. Chalk this movie up as a “journey” movie with a crew of characters that bicker and piss each other off including Ron Perlman. The ending leaves the Alien franchise at a loss (and an even bigger loss if you’ve seen the Director’s Cut Ending) but it’s still a great horror romp.

EDIT: I used to think that the Ripley-Alien-Child thing was such a dumb plot twist- but later in life, after understanding more about Alien 3 and Prometheus, the Xenomorph species will adapt to the host that it lives in. Which explains the Dog Alien in Alien 3 and the weird-Engineer-Alien in Prometheus.

[Dukefrukem]

Skitch, you were close pitting this at #18.
Irish, you threw in this in the top 10.

#19: Candyman (1992)

Director : Bernard Rose

Lead Victim(s): Virginia Madsen

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mciz3cROf21qedb29o1_500 .gif

Threat(s) The Candyman

https://45.media.tumblr.com/ededa59ce9508b6e197cd56325ea7c 7d/tumblr_nqtf1bod4O1rp0vkjo1_500 .gif

Threat Premise : The Candyman is summoned by saying his name five times in the mirror and kills those who do not believe in his existence.

Why It Made the List : Tony Todd was stung 23 times during the making of the Candyman movies. That sounds terrifying as it is. Imagine a man with a hook for an arm and bees in his torso randomly appearing to cut your face off. I think Candyman has been in my nightmares more than Freddy. His voice alone haunts me during the day.

[Dukefrukem]

No one had Tremors 2 on their list? WTF

#18: Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)

Director : S.S. Wilson

Lead Victim(s): Fred Ward

https://49.media.tumblr.com/9ae952329938e34eae5ea98a5afad9 84/tumblr_nlnszwxlVo1un7uhro2_250 .gif

Threat(s) Graboids

https://45.media.tumblr.com/2fd7a87758f4b30d65102162930f92 2f/tumblr_nlnszwxlVo1un7uhro7_250 .gif

Threat Premise : Graboids are back! This time with a vengeance.

Why It Made the List : Comedy and horror is a hard thing to combine. Either you end up being too light on the horror and the balance is thrown off, or the comedy comes off like cheese and you ruined your movie. Tremors combine them both nicely. Sure there’s a little cheese (like the monsters stacking on top of each other to try and reach the humans on high ground) and the CGI is a bit bad even for 1996, but the movie still works. And this is one of those movies I can’t turn off if I see on TV. The return of Michael Gross, who’s almost made a career out of staring in the five or six sequels, was a charming add. And Tremors 2 does get a little bit spooky the night we find out what the Graboids have become.

http://img.imgur.com/S8IGkho.gif

[Irish]

Irish starts off strong by guessing the #20 pick off the bat. This is one of the 5 sequels on the list.

I AM A GODDAMN GENIUS


Skitch, you were close pitting this at #18.
Irish, you threw in this in the top 10.

DAMMIT!

:D

[Irish]

The Mummy - Still a lot of fun but goddamn do the SFX look terrible. Still weird that nobody in this cast caught on with audiences except Rachel Weitz.

Alien: Resurrection - Worth seeing for the scenes of Brad Dourif taunting the xenomorph drones (and the clever way the drones escape their captivity), and maybe Ripley's jump shot. Everything else is tedious as hell. It's a great looking movie with some creepy moments (Ripley clones in the lab!) but lacks any real tension.

Candyman - I thought you'd place this higher, but then my own taste probably clouded my judgement (it may not be successful, but the story and the characters are ten times more interesting than most horror films in this decade).

[Scar]

I've tried to like Resurrection, but so far no dice. Maybe it's because I've watched the first three an obscene amount of times.

Candyman, on the other hand, is one that I certainly enjoy. The way they mixed Tony Todd's voice for when Helen meets him for the first time will always bring a smile to my face.

[Skitch]

Man I don't think I put any sequels on my list. Wow.

I used to love Alien Resurrection, but the more I rewatch it the less I do. That creature design at the end is just so terrible. I still love the new crew though.

Edit: Tremors 2 is horrible. ;)

[Morris Schæffer]

Shock at not having guessed Tremors 2 is on the list?! :D

I would probably prefer Crystal Skull over the Mummy, but then The Mummy didn't have the excess baggage of being a follow-up to 3 of the greatest adventure movies ever.

Virginia Madsen is a really beautiful actress. See? I can do subtle.

[Dukefrukem]

Edit: Tremors 2 is horrible. ;)

http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/vader.jpg

[Dukefrukem]

No one guessed Phantoms

#17: Phantoms (1998)

Director : Joe Chappelle

Lead Victim(s): Joanna Going (and crew)

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Phantoms_zpsoe5tryte.gif

Threat(s) Phantoms (or are they?)

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Phantoms2_zpsvaoygtjc.gif

Threat Premise : Bizarre happenings are occurring in Snowfield and a group of people try to unravel the mystery in their town before it’s too late.

Why It Made the List : I made these GIFs myself so I apologize if they take a few seconds to load. I may get hate for this entry, but the opening 60 minutes to this movie is survivor horror done right on the big screen. Move begins during the day and rolls right into unsuspecting terror within four minutes… even as the credits are still rolling. So many questions off the bat. So many unexplainable events. People dead. People disappearing. A lot of great imagery; The gun spinning, the town being engulfed in shroud. Rose McGowan is great in horror. Liev Schreiber’s creepiness adds to the tension, Peter O'Toole keeps the threat grounded and Ben Affleck is the bomb in Phantoms. Put them all together and you have another “journey” or “quest” movie. The ending is a bit mushy but three quarters of the movie is great. “Just what is this thing?” “Chaos, chaos in the flesh”. There’s some wonderful practical monsters playing homage to John Carpenter’s the Thing but also some very very terrible CGI (Spoilered GIF).

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Phantoms4_zpsu5pnvt7s.gif

There's a lot of really eerie imagery that I love.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Phantoms3_zpsj3nkhm0y.gif

[Morris Schæffer]

I saw that theatrically. I remember something so bad it's bad.

I have also read Dean Koontz' novel which engaged me.

[Dukefrukem]

I saw that theatrically. I remember something so bad it's bad.


What was so bad??

[Skitch]

Phantoms RULES. I just assumed I was alone one that opinion. :(

[Dukefrukem]

No one guessed Alien 3. And it is the second sequel on the list.

#16: Alien 3 (1992)

Director : David Fincher

Lead Victim(s): Sigourney Weaver

https://dadoffrankenstein.files.wordpr ess.com/2015/03/tumblr_ndncuftimr1r3r6iao8_500 .gif?w=433&h=238

Threat(s)Xenomorphs

http://img.csfd.cz/files/images/user/profile/159/076/159076390_41d96c.gif

Threat Premise : Aliens inhabit a male prison with no weapons, and no way to defend themselves?

Why It Made the List : Ironic that we got two Alien films in the 90s. One in the 80s, one in the 70s, and none in the 00s. Yeh Yeh I guess Alien vs Predator 1 and 2 exist but they were not sequels. I want futuristic Alien sequels please. I want to expand this universe further, with our without Ripley. Alien 3 was another Alien movie I didn’t think very highly of when I first saw it. It is a crash of adrenalin when you’re coming from the action filled Aliens back down to a gunless Alien 3. I remember thinking: “How can they possibly make another Alien movie with no way to defend themselves? It’s even worse when you kill off your main character! But as I enjoy Fincher’s craft more, I’ve come to appreciate what he was trying to do with the Alien franchise. The technical craftsmanship is something to marvel about.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/alien3_zpsmtodqivs.gif

Editor’s Note: Holy Shit! Has anyone seen the director’s cut of this? The changes are pretty hardcore. For starters, Ripley isn’t found floating in space or in her pod. She washes up on shore of a planet; The prison unit was stationed on this planet and are also farmers (of the sort). They show the gruesome remains of Hicks and Newt. It’s not a dog that ends up gestating the Alien but some cattle. There’s a ton more religious scenes which reflects nicely on the themes of the theatrical cut. Another huge change is they actually succeed in trapping the alien, but it’s then released by one of the prisoner. And perhaps my favorite change, the alien does not burst out through Ripley’s chest as she falls into the furnace. Since my rewatch I’m honestly not sure which cut I prefer. It certainly explains how Ripley was impregnated with the Xenomorph better, which was always a pain point for me. It’s unbelievable to me how

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/alien3_2_zpsvlbgs3iq.gif

[Dukefrukem]

Skitch you were the only one to have it on your list and you were close, ranking it at #14

#15: The Relic (1997)

Director : Peter Hyams

Lead Victim(s): Tom Sizemore

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/theRelic2_zpsilqzeo5c.gif

Threat(s)Mutated Monster

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/theRelic3_zpsctsgi1wt.gif

Threat Premise : A series of brutal murders occur inside Chicago’s Museum of Natural History and it’s up to Tom Sizemore to catch the killer before a big opening event.

Why It Made the List : A personal favorite: from the twisted minds of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I love their books. They wrote my favorite character from the books out of the movie and of course changed the ending (because it wasn’t Hollywood enough) but I still love it. Tom Sizemore investigates a series of brutal murders inside a museum. There are tons of practical effects, but also some very decent CGI for 1997. There's one death scene that is strikingly awesome. (check out the spoiled GIF below)

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/theRelic_zpsyxjgbt3x.gif

[Skitch]

I almost put Alien 3 on but couldn't remember if you were in the love it or hate it camp. I love it. As I do The Relic. Great creature feature.

[Morris Schæffer]

What was so bad??

The filmmaking was bland, some special effects (your gif), the entire vagueness of it all. I believe the movie, but in all fairness also the book, referred to something called "An Ancient Evil" that lay dormant and has now awakened. It just wasn't scary at all. The actors may have been unconvincing in their roles, especially the women looking rather bimbo-ish for their parts which were played with complete earnestness.

Then again, Rose McGowan has never looked anything less than bimbo-ish. Joanna Going I saw again recently as the President's wife in seasons 1 and 2 of House of Cards. She was fine in that.

Again, it's been about 17 years since I saw this, so there is a remote chance my cinematic taste buds weren't fully formed back then, but I'm pretty sure I know what I saw. :)

[Morris Schæffer]

I need to see Alien 3 again, been too long, but it's different enough to warrant some acclaim on those merits and its technical and filmmaking merits. I enjoyed The Relic as well. A good one. Were the creature effects from Stan Winston? I'm not sure if I remember this correctly.

[Skitch]

Yes I believe The Relic was Stan Winston work. Could be wrong but I'm pretty sure. #toolazytogoogle :)

You're not incorrect about Phantoms. It has the feel of a Stephen King tv miniseries, but it still works for me.

[Irish]

man i thought for sure you wouldn't put both Alien films from the 90s on the list. That's why I chose Resurrection for the #20 spot; it's the less contentious of the two.

You saw the Alien 3 "assembly cut," btw, from the blu box set they released awhile back. Every Alien director was invited to re-cut their film and add some extras. Everybody agreed except for Fincher. So somebody who worked on the film put together a cut from old notes and the workprint.

It's wild. I got into this weird thing last year where I watched in 3 or 4 times in one month. I'm a little obsessed with it now, because while it's still a total clusterfuck you can see even more clearly what the film might have been.

[Scar]

Love the assembly / producers cut of Alien 3. I watched the original cut many times when I was younger, and I definitely prefer the assembly cut.

Relic is good fun. When I saw it in theaters, I was worried that the creature effects would be bad. Well, as soon as I saw Stan Winston's name in the credits, I knew it was going to be good.

[Dukefrukem]

The filmmaking was bland, some special effects (your gif), the entire vagueness of it all. I believe the movie, but in all fairness also the book, referred to something called "An Ancient Evil" that lay dormant and has now awakened. It just wasn't scary at all. The actors may have been unconvincing in their roles, especially the women looking rather bimbo-ish for their parts which were played with complete earnestness.

Then again, Rose McGowan has never looked anything less than bimbo-ish. Joanna Going I saw again recently as the President's wife in seasons 1 and 2 of House of Cards. She was fine in that.

Again, it's been about 17 years since I saw this, so there is a remote chance my cinematic taste buds weren't fully formed back then, but I'm pretty sure I know what I saw. :)

Man I disagree on most things here. I found it quite frightening.

[Morris Schæffer]

Man I disagree on most things here. I found it quite frightening.

I'll tell you what. I'm actually gonna try to see it again sometime during next week if I can find it somewhere. Expect nothing, neither do I. :D

[Dukefrukem]

Spinal and Irish both had this at #3

#14: Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)

Director : Wes Craven

Lead Victim(s): Heather Langenkamp

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/NewNightmare6_zpsh1en61ei.gif

Threat(s)Freddy!

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/NewNightmare4_zpsmaedigoh.gif

Threat Premise : Freddy’s back.

Why It Made the List : During the past four Halloweens, I’ve revisited Leprechaun Series (Starting in 2015), Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Nightmare on Elm Street Series respectively. They’re all relatively fresh in my mind, but there’s not that many movies (out of the 34) that really struck a nerve. Most of them are more bad than good. New Nightmare is not one of the bad ones. I love that the movie is self-aware, with the making of the Nightmare series, and Nancy Thompson Robert Englund and Wes Craven all staring as themselves. The only thing keeping this from being in the top 10 is the lackluster finale. There is so much build and tension throughout the movie and the movie just kinda wraps itself up nicely int he dream world. New Nightmare also has THE BEST Freddy appearance in the entire series ... which occurs over an hour into the movie. (BELOW). It's also my favorite dressed and looking Freddy with the trench-coat.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/NewNightmare2_zpst4xpg4o1.gif

Followed by one of the coolest death scenes.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/NewNightmare3_zpsvmqliukf.gif

It might be Wes's best directed horror movie. (maybe)

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/NewNightmare5_zpsus4kjciz.gif

[Dukefrukem]

I didn't know about this Alien 3 "Assembly Cut" until recently. Thanks guys.


man i thought for sure you wouldn't put both Alien films from the 90s on the list. That's why I chose Resurrection for the #20 spot; it's the less contentious of the two.

You saw the Alien 3 "assembly cut," btw, from the blu box set they released awhile back. Every Alien director was invited to re-cut their film and add some extras. Everybody agreed except for Fincher. So somebody who worked on the film put together a cut from old notes and the workprint.


I wonder why Fincher didn't agree to re-cut. I know initial reception wasn't positive with this movie. I wonder if studio execs pushed some decisions. I was reading on wiki, and apparently there was a really gruesome autopsy scene with Newt that even the special effects guys were upset about.

[Skitch]

Because he had such a miserable time on it. From what I hear he wont even speak about Alien 3. Its too bad. I wouldve corrected you about that as well but assumed you were just using short hand and already knew. The backstory on it is fascinating. The making of on bluray paints quite a picture and answers a lot of why that film is the way it is.

There was an insane amount of studio intervention/meddling.

[Scar]

He has completely disowned the movie. The studio was up his ass on everything, wouldn't let him do the changes he wanted to, etc. We're lucky it wasn't a worse movie.

[Scar]

Yeah, New Nightmare does NOT stick the landing. It's more like a face plant with that finale.

[Irish]

Oh!-- don't get me wrong. I wasn't trying to correct anybody. I yammered on because I'm excited about the Assembly Cut. You guys are the first people I've come across who dig it.

I spent hours digging through fan wikis and archive.org looking at stuff. At one point I found a scan of a magazine article from 25 years ago talking about the movie's genesis and all the different script drafts. (William Gibson did a draft; originally the "prison planet" was supposed to be some weird decahedron made entirely of wood). The producers wanted to cash in on the franchise but had no idea what the story was supposed to be.

I also got freaked out too because last year the original cuts weren't available online (iTunes, Amazon, etc). The only way to see them was that Blu box set.

[Irish]

Fav part of New Nightmare:

When Heather visits Wes at home and he's literally been sitting there writing the scene that they're currently in.

Now that is a great idea and a lot of fun.

A lot of horror nerds on twitter talked this movie up when Craven died. I've never gotten into it. After a fantastic, inventive opening it meanders for an hour and never gets any traction outside aping set-ups from earlier in the franchise. (And holy shit is the little kid super fucking annoying).

I agree about Freddy's look. The makeup & costume design there is totally ace. Everything else is a snooze (even though I liked how they incorporated real life earthquake stuff into the movie; it made the whole meta thing even weirder).

Also agree about the ending. I liked all the production stuff, but as some kind of action climax freak-out, it just feels off.

Edit: If you guys haven't seen Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1510985/), it's worth watching. It long at four hours, but interesting. Mostly a featurette feel and a lot of interviews with cast & crew from every movie. (It's especially fun to see Craven twist himself into knots trying not to say something mean about the Nightmare movies he wasn't involved in).

[Morris Schæffer]

Renny Harlin was involved with Alien 3 before he was let go or quit. I forgot which of the two. He then went on to make Cliffhanger, a better movie than Alien 3.

[transmogrifier]

Alien 3 is awesome.

[Scar]

Renny Harlin was involved with Alien 3 before he was let go or quit. I forgot which of the two. He then went on to make Cliffhanger, a better movie than Alien 3.

No.

[Morris Schæffer]

No.

Yes he was. Not shitting you! :p

[Dukefrukem]

lol. No way on that Cliffhanger statement.

[Dukefrukem]

Alien 3 is awesome.

Is that your Fincher-ism talking?

[Morris Schæffer]

lol. No way on that Cliffhanger statement.

Cliffhanger's a great action film, Alien 3 isn't a great Alien movie. But I don't mean to hijack this thread.

[Dukefrukem]

Cliffhanger's a great action film, .

Orly?

http://matchcut.artboiled.com/showthread.php?5944-The-Top-18-MERICAN-90s-Action-Movies

[Morris Schæffer]

Orly?

http://matchcut.artboiled.com/showthread.php?5944-The-Top-18-MERICAN-90s-Action-Movies

A top 20 should be personal, yours certainly is. There's no other reason why Blue Streak is on the list and Cliffhanger is not. :)

I honestly have no clue what action fans would have against the movie. It does everything right we hold dear about action movies.

[Skitch]

I like Cliffhanger.

[Scar]

I like Cliffhanger.

I liked it a lot more when I was a kid. I still watch Alien 3, especially the assembly cut. But Cliffhanger, like most of the 80's 90's action flicks my diet consisted of in my teens and twenties, not so much.

[transmogrifier]

Is that your Fincher-ism talking?

1. Seven
2. Fight Club
3. Zodiac
4. Alien 3
5. Gone Girl
6. The Game

All 70+

[Dukefrukem]

1. Seven
2. Fight Club
3. Zodiac
4. Alien 3
5. Gone Girl
6. The Game

All 70+

So the answer to my question is yes. Heh.
I love your rankings here, except I think the Game is his best film. Love that movie.

[Morris Schæffer]

I re-saw the first 30 minutes of Phantoms yesterday and will continue to soldier through it the rest of the week. I sometimes do this thing were I'm in bed and watch it on my note 4 with Bose headphones. Which is actually not a bad way to watch movies.

It is exceptionally bad and it's now all coming back to me, that awful evening with my mates back in 1998.

There are at one point literally 3-4 jump scares in a timespan of 5 minutes when they're checking the bakery to see if someone's alive there. They find a couple of decapitated heads in an oven, but if I remember correctly the monsters are slimy sort of tentacles so I have no idea how they managed to decapitate the baker and his wife and somehow succeed in depositing the heads into the oven, but actually secluded in what must be a hatch underneath the oven becuz JUMP SCARE!!

The whole town has been deserted, there is no one else there, but somehow Affleck and an hilariously idiotic Liev Schreiber enter the house for no reason whatsoever. They're lawmen, yes, but why that house?

Well, cuz sisters Joanna Going and Rose McGowan are also there and therefore JUMP SCARE!!!

I'll report back when I've seen more Duke. Perhaps things will make more sense after I've seen it all. I'm making a colossal leap of faith here. :)

[Dukefrukem]

I love that jump scare. I love the mystery on why the people are missing? Why that body looks the way it does? The tone, the shroud covering the town... when they enter the hotel, all those weird things that are found... I love it. I love how the phantoms play with the main characters because of (the reason they eventually find out).

[Dukefrukem]

I just learned that Joss Whedon wrote Alien Resurrection.

And Firefly and Aliens takes place in the same Universe. Sorta.

[Morris Schæffer]

A bit more about Phantoms. There are certain horror movies which do not entirely (or at least not until the end) show the monster and it works to their advantage as the viewer is left to fill in the blanks. With Phantoms I get the feeling the budget was either too low, the effects team too inadequate or the director too incapable. Every attack so far seems like a blur of movement and noises, but there is a cool idea behind it all, in that the monsters take over the memories and thoughts processes of others. If you think about the devil or perhaps worship him, then the monsters are going to reflect that in their manifestations. Or something like that. I don't feel the movie succesfully develops that idea as I'm still resolutely veering towards "these are some of the lamest monsters" I've ever seen. Insofar as I've actually seen'em. :)

I've got about 25 minutes to go. I have no idea what O' Toole is doing in this. Even if he needed a paycheck, I'd reckon he wouldn't have needed to lick the floor for scraps. The 2nd half hour is (marginally) better than the 1st.

[Yxklyx]

The Relic was excellent! First half felt a lot like one of the better X-Files episode - lead actress even looked a bit the part. The low lighting also reminded me of the show but I think the DVD transfer made the lighting worse than it should have been.

[Dukefrukem]

Irish gussed at #11 and Skitch guessed at 7- This is the 5th sequel on my list.

#13: Exorcist III (1990)

Director : William Peter Blatty

Lead Victim(s): George C. Scott

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9h141AlOArY/VuMKg9-wi9I/AAAAAAAAvvA/QD9_7-CS8GsB2J2Cxt2twtBd-gn4mdjHA/s640/ezgif.com-gif-maker-2.gif

Threat(s)Pazuzu

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv17849BTr1qdpdubo1_500 .gif

Threat Premise : Pazuzu

Why It Made the List : Very rarely does a sequel that is made 20 years after the original, contain any shred of originality while maintaining similar tones and structure. Exorcist III not only accomplishes this, it has one of the most frightening scenes in horror history (below). George C. Scott (Dr Strangelove) absolutely kills his role as Lt Kinderman. Without him there is no way this film is as good as it is. I just wanted this recently, and it surprised the hell out of me.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0HlAq4YxLY/UthcGofUyzI/AAAAAAAADnY/YQsZ6YX5lCk/s1600/horror.gif

[Dukefrukem]

No one fucking guessed this movie.

#12: Idle Hands (1999)

Director : William Peter Blatty

Lead Victim(s): Devon Sawa

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/IH3_zpszpzef8au.gif
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/IH2_zpsa8pq6ltd.gif

Threat(s)Possessed Hand

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/IH1_zpszo7oarwc.gif

Threat Premise : Devon Sawa’s right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent and him and his buddies need to figure out how to stop/control it.

Why It Made the List : Every film ranked 12 or below I fucking love. I love this movie. The opening credits will make you believe this is Eli Roth’s take on Evil Dead. But no; more comedy horror staring Devon Sawa. Who??? The lead in Final Destination. Oh right.. him! It’s also co-staring a SUPER FUCKING HOT 18 year old Jessica Alba…. Along with Seth Green, Foggy from Darevil (Elden Henson), Fred Willard and Vivica A. Fox. IT’s the perfect ensemble for this premise (which fully commits to a stupid premise). Shout out to the Offspring appearance. lol.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/IH4_zps0ugdiy1u.gif

[Irish]

I shoulda guessed Idle Hands! It's a really fun film.

Are there different cuts of Exorcist III? I had very different experiences of that movie both times I've watched it.

[Gizmo]

I love Idol Hands. I want to watch this again now.

[Dukefrukem]

Irish had it #16 and Skitch had it at #12 (close!)

#11: Event Horizon (1997)

Director : Paul W.S. Anderson

Lead Victim(s): Sam Neill

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/eventhorizon2_zpsnir6adgc.gif

Threat(s)Possessed Ship

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/eventhorizon_zpslsxxujpd.gif

Threat Premise : A ship that has the ability to open worm holes accidently opens a portal into Hell and brings back something... "dark".

Why It Made the List : Sam Neill returns to horror. This is W.S. Anderson’s best film, which may not be saying much since he’s stuck to the Resident Evil franchise, but the tone is perfect and I love horror movies in space. AND it’s graphic with unexpected shock scenes. I don't mean scenes just to add shock value, I mean shockingly disturbing scenes that are placed in strategic areas, like the decoded bridge message (http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/eventhorizon6_zpskn0e803c.gif) . Production values are pretty great as is this cast. Laurence Fishburne plays a good leader with Sam Neill playing Dr Weir (sounds like Doctor Weird) as the “expert guy”. Side note: Jason Isaacs (the guy who gets stuck in the air lock… which is a pretty great scene btw and is in the spoiler tags below) also has a small role in Idle Hands.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/eventhorizon4_zps1zyroef8.gif
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/eventhorizon5_zpsmnudevto.gif


Anderson isn’t above jump scares (below) as this movie has plenty of them, but for some reason I don’t mind them; maybe it’s the space setting. “He’s coming. The dark!”

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/eventhorizon3_zpsushtyclj.gif

[Skitch]

GAAR! So close!

[Morris Schæffer]

I really like Event Horizon. Was it Jason Isaacs who gets stuck in the airlock or Jack Noseworthy?

[Skitch]

I believe Jason Isaacs ended up mounted over the operating room.

[Dukefrukem]

Good call guys. It was Jack Noseworthy.

[Dukefrukem]

Skitch had this at #13 and Irish had this at number 1!

#10: Tremors (1990)

Director : Ron Underwood

Lead Victim(s): Kevin Bacon/Fred Ward

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Tremors4_zpst0t0mqdn.gif

Threat(s)Graboids!

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Tremors5_zpsqoxi8edg.gif

Threat Premise : Underground prehistoric monsters threaten a small town in Nevada while a group of people try to survive.

Why It Made the List : Perfect blend of comedy and horror once again. Fred Ward and Kevin Bacon are the perfect buddy-copish “handymen” trying to make a buck when the Graboids show up. When they team up with town’s folks and the college student, now all of a sudden we have a “journey” film (see previous descriptions) trying to survive out in the desert. I love groups trying to “figure it out” combined with the survival horror aspect! There’s something about this type of premise that I can’t get enough of. First there’s Earl stuck up on the electrical tower. Then Fred’s animal farm disappearing. Then the phones are out along with the blocked road. The mystery starts to unravel. Love it.

Love these death shots.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Tremors3_zpsjwwkief1.gif

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Tremors2_zpsfdb7web4.gif

[Yxklyx]

Need to watch Tremors - hope Anaconda makes it.

[Morris Schæffer]

Need to watch Tremors - hope Anaconda makes it.

Which I actually prefer to Tremors. The latter's got some suspense, but it's sorta tongue in cheek. Very amusing no doubt whereas Anaconda is more serious and I prefer that, but it's funny too. Anaconda is lensed by Bill "Jaws" Butler. Did you know that? :)

[Irish]

Skitch had this at #13 and Irish had this at number 1!

Goddamn, I think I overrated everything. Serves me right for trying to second guess your taste so hard!

[Dukefrukem]

Guys, how are the gifs? Are they too big? Taking a long time to load?

[Irish]

They're ridiculously large (one of them is 16MB alone). I downloaded this page & all its associated files --- it came in at just over 400MB.

You're probably killing mobile and foreign users. :D

[Dukefrukem]

Irish had it at #12, Skitch #11

#9: From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Director : Robert Rodriguez

Lead Victim(s): George Clooney

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/FDTD5_zpsb6n3eeqt.gif

Threat(s) Zombie Vampires

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/FDTD12_zpsvrmeh5fk.gif

Threat Premise : It’s a kidnapping movie. Or is it?

Why It Made the List : You can thank this movie for making tribal tattoos popular. The misdirection in this movie is great. For the first 60 minutes, it appears to just be crime move . FDTD has one of the best opening scenes in the 90s as well. “Your best, better get a hell of a lot fucking better or you’re going to feel, a hell of a lot fucking worse.” It’s funny. Clooney owns this movie with some of the best oneliners that makes Arnold’s look like Sharknado. “He touches her, I’ll kill him.” Clooney: “Fair enough. You break your word I’ll kill all of you.” The only thing that brings this movie to a grinding halt is Ernest Liu and his horrendous acting as Scott. There’s probably some backstory to how he became cast in this movie, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Here’s the fantastic opening.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/FDTD4_zpsoavxewvn.gif


With...............Danny Trejo

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/FDTD10_zpsfmujusrj.gif

The famous practical effects artist Tom Savini as Sex Machine! (who is joining the TV series (http://www.avclub.com/article/tom-savini-joins-cast-dusk-till-dawn-series-235872))

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/FDTD8_zps7oh1qjzg.gif

Oh and NFL defensive back Fred Williamson

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/FDTD11_zpsmnoinbv1.gif

Oh and Salma Hayek looking absolutely gorgeous.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/FDTD9_zpsfu4cr2ho.gif

[Dukefrukem]

They're ridiculously large (one of them is 16MB alone). I downloaded this page & all its associated files --- it came in at just over 400MB.

You're probably killing mobile and foreign users. :D

LOL I'll try to make them smaller. First time making GIFs.

[Skitch]

Im so close on yet so far on all these.

Anacondas is a horrible movie and doesnt hold a candle to Tremors.

[Morris Schæffer]

Im so close on yet so far on all these.

Anacondas is a horrible movie and doesnt hold a candle to Tremors.

agreed. Anacondas: the hunt for the blood orchid is indeed baaaad!

[Morris Schæffer]

I just rewatched the 1999 chiller Virus. Not good but i could see it making an appearance! :D

[Dukefrukem]

O'rly??

I haven't forgotten this list. Just been super busy on the weekends lately.

[Skitch]

I enjoy Virus. The DC is pretty damn gory. Its not great, but its servicable.

[Morris Schæffer]

O'rly??

I haven't forgotten this list. Just been super busy on the weekends lately.

that's why i'm reminding people it's still ongoing. :)

[Dukefrukem]

While we are waiting for me to post the next movie, we can all be satisfied that Tremors is beloved by others.
I was happy to hear that Mike also loves ensemble casts where a group of people (meet up) go on a journey and are trapped in a situation and figure their way out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7-tBuEoq4

[Gizmo]

still busy?

[Dukefrukem]

Ugh I know I know. Okay I'm setting aside time this weekend to restart.

[Dukefrukem]

Skitch had it at #4

#8: In the Mouth of Madness (1995)

Director : John Carpenter

Lead Victim(s): Sam Neill

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/INTMOM_zps357f69si.gif

Threat(s) Sutter Cane

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/INTMOM_4_zpsku9fowbk.gif

Threat Premise : A horror writer, Sutter Cane, has gone missing and Sam Neill, and insurance investigator, must travel to a small New England town to try and find him, even though he’s convinced it’s a publicity stunt for his next novel. However, things start getting weird when events start playing out exactly how Cane wrote about them in his novels.

Why It Made the List : Vintage John Carpenter. It’s a mind fuck movie that makes viewers question what they see on screen.

There’s a lot of Matrix-Waking up from a dream sequence shots.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/INTMOM_2_zps6dkwoqjw.gif

There’s some throw back The Thing- Practical Effects.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/INTMOM_6_zpswtw5oqi0.gif

And it’s overall freaky as shit.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/INTMOM_5_zps4ltnn9bu.gif

[Dukefrukem]

#7: The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Director : Jonathan Demme

Lead Victim(s): Jodie Foster

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/TSOTL01_zpsl3kglkia.gif

Threat(s) Serial Killer(s)

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/TSOTL02_zpsf99oh9uo.gif

Threat Premise : FBI Agent Jodie Foster is sent to interview cannibal Hannibal Lecter in prison, to learn about serial killer “Buffalo Bill”.

Why It Made the List : The dialog, the screen presence by Anthony Hopkins, the mid-90s gruesome subject material. Most importantly, the great directing by Demme.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V-k-p4wzxg

[Dukefrukem]

#6: Mimic (1997)

Director : Guillermo del Toro

Lead Victim(s): Mira Sorvino

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/mimic4_zpsjp3xw2pd.gif

Threat(s) Giant Cockroaches

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/mimic3_zpskrdyqvu6.gif

Threat Premise : Dr Mira Sorvino released genetically altered cockroaches to fight off insects carrying diseases. Three years later, those cockroaches have mutated into giant flesh loving monsters.

Why It Made the List : Damn this rewatch was fantastic. Del Toro has an eye for this kind of monster movie. He knows how to make an audience’s skin crawl. Some of the terror scenes are so well shot. Like one of the first death scenes shown below.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/mimic_zpsbnca5olc.gif

A young Josh Brolin!

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/mimic5_zpsgcwyvxai.gif

[Morris Schæffer]

Silence of lambs made me physically uncomfortable when i first saw it 20 yrs ago. Really went under my skin.

[Dukefrukem]

Silence of lambs made me physically uncomfortable when i first saw it 20 yrs ago. Really went under my skin.

Same here. I probably saw it too young. The subject matter isn't for kids.

[Dukefrukem]

Apologies for never finishing this. I'm going to fast forward the list and finish it up (because I have a new game coming). Here are the results of the guesses.

Spinal & Skitch both Guessed the #1 correctly.
Skitch was really close on guesses 11. From Dusk Till Dawn 12. Event Horizon 13. Tremors and 14. The Relic.
Irish started off strong guessing #20. Alien Resurrection and finished strong with Army of Darkness at the #2 spot and #5. Demon Knight.

Here is the full list below- the next game will be announced soon.

20. Alien: Resurrection (1997)
19. Candyman (1992)
18. Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)
17. Phantoms (1998)
16. Alien 3 (1992)
15. The Relic (1997)
14. Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
13. Exorcist III (1990)
12. Idle Hands (1999)
11. Event Horizon (1997)
10. Tremors (1990)
9. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
8. In the Mouth of Madness (1995)
7. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

6. Mimic (1997)
5. Demon Knight (1995)
4. Frighteners (1996)
3. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
2. Army of Darkness (1992)
1. Scream (1996)

[Skitch]

Sweet!