Some movies to make you sleep with the lights on!

Halloween is almost here. It’s the time of year for scary movies. I’d like to share with you a few of my favorite horror movies. So cuddle up in a blanket and enjoy the thrills and chills

Gremlins -- I think most people forget this is actually a horror film. When a cuddly pet with too many special rules and needs accidentally spawns a horde of mischievous creatures, an entire town falls victim to their mayhem. Their behavior was gruesome enough that this movie helped lead to the creation of the PG-13 rating. Engineered by producers extraordinaire, Steven Spielberg and Peter Marshall, Gremlins is often overlooked as one of the creepiest horror movies of all time.

Halloween -- John Carpenter’s masterpiece gave birth to a new sub-genre of horror movie: the slasher film. Slasher films generally feature a seemingly unstoppable killer stalking teenagers or college students during periods of bad behavior (underage drinking, pre-marital sex, drug use, etc). The darkly shot movie combined with the most recognizable horror score of all time makes Halloween one of the must see movies every October 31^st.

In the Mouth of Madness -- Another film from the legendary John Carpenter, this may be his most under-appreciated film, but it is definitely one of his creepiest. Imagine if you will reading a horror novel that literally drove you mad as you read. This movie has a Twilight Zone feel to it while delivering the chills and jumps expected from Carpenter.

Scream -- While this movie is part horror and part satire it is one of horror master Wes Craven’s greatest achievements. The slasher element exists as a masked killer stalks high-school kids, but the killer here is different from all other slasher villains. The satire enters as the movie breaks and lampoons the “rules” that supposedly exist in slasher films. Craven made perfect casting choices with Scream and as always, his eye behind the camera is dead-on. So if you want some laughs and chills, Scream is your movie.

House of 1000 Corpses -- And now for something completely different… Heavy metal singer Rob Zombie wrote and directed this campy homage to 1970s horror centered on a group of teens in search of stories about an infamous serial killer named Dr. Satan. They become stranded and fall prey to a murderous backwoods Texas family. With a cast featuring cult movie legends Bill Moseley and Sid Haig, House of 1000 Corpses is gruesome, creepy and most of all, fun.

Jeepers Creepers -- I’m not sure what is scarier, the Creeper or this fact this movie made Justin Long a star. I’d like to think a demon who needs to eat body parts to regenerate his own would win on that one, but let’s call it a tie. Jeepers Creepers begins delivering right from the start with a scene of menacing road rage and the suspense and thrills continue until the shocking end. (SPOILER ALERT: The bad guy wins!)

Have a great Halloween weekend everyone.  And make sure to enjoy some scary movies.