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As most of you know, it’s Hallo-fu*&ing-ween, which in ancient Druidic translates as “yet another marketing opportunity.” For serious, we love us some Halloween and we also love us some horror movie-age. So, in the interests of it being a school night and all, Dan and I thought we’d recommend some of our favorite fright flicks to those of you relegated to the casa. But if you’re anywhere near NYC, you should check out the Village Halloween Parade because that’s a serious good time if you don’t mind crowds and getting fondled.

Anyway, from D. Brooks:

1. House of 1000 Corpses
While not as good as its semi-sequel The Devil’s Rejects, House of 1000 Corpses a helluva lot scarier and more disturbing, with a great visual flair. I watched this for the first time on a rainy night, alone, at 1 in the morning. Simultaneously, one of the best and worst decisions I’ve ever made.

2. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Possibly the best horror film of the ‘70s. Grainy and dirty, with an almost documentary feel, this is one of the most stomach churning films of all time.

3. Garbage Pail Kids: The Movie
A kids movie. Right. The Garbage Pail Kids look frightening – they’re good old fashioned nightmare fuel, as far as I’m concerned – and the movie itself is a scarier sight to behold.

4. I Spit on Your Grave
Don’t watch this one with your neighbors in earshot, like this genius writer did.

5. Land of the Dead
It’s not the comic book shoot ‘em up that Dawn of the Dead is, nor is it as eye opening as Night of the Living Dead, but George Romero’s latest gore fest has good acting, great effects, and a compelling story. It’s under-appreciated now, but will become a cult classic.

As for me, I second Dan’s votes, and off the top of my head you can’t go wrong with any of the following:

-I’m not the biggest J-horror fan in the world, but Audition, Pulse, or Cure are worth a look

-anything by Cronenberg, especially Shivers, Dead Ringers, The Fly, or Videodrome

-anything by David Lynch (well, not Straight Story…)

-early Peter Jackson: Bad Taste, Dead Alive

-most Romero, Fulci, or Argento

-Exorcist Director’s Cut (far superior to the original, in my opinion), or a couple other weirdo late 60s/early 70s psycho-sexual flicks: Rosemary’s Baby, Repulsion, The Wicker Man, Straw Dogs, Robert Wise’s The Haunting or Don’t Look Now

-to rock more old school, pick up anything produced by Val Lewton or directed by Tod Browning — Freaks always kills

-Two truly brilliant films that time has been especially kind to: The Shining and Alien

-I have soft spots for Scream, Halloween, Carpenter’s The Thing and The Fog, Se7en, Lost Boys, Dog Soldiers, 28 Days Later, Bubba Ho-Tep

-the Charlie Brown Halloween Special is terrifying in its own way

…am I out of time yet?

I know we’re probably preaching to the choir here, but hope you find something you like, peoples. If anyone has another recommendation, please mention it! Happy Halloween, chums.

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