FINAL GIRL explores the slasher flicks of the '70s and '80s...and all the other horror movies I feel like talking about, too. This is life on the EDGE, so beware yon spoilers!

Oct 21, 2017

SHOCKtober: 212-192



Ooh la la, today we break the 200 barrier with these films that received TWO VOTES EACH!

212. Race with the Devil -- 1975, Jack Starrett
211. Ravenous -- 1999, Antonia Bird
210. Revenge of the Creature -- 1955, Jack Arnold
209. Salem's Lot -- 1979, Tobe Hooper
208. Saw -- 2004, James Wan
207. Scream 2 -- 1997, Wes Craven
206. Shutter -- 2004, Banjong Pisanthanakun & Parkpoom Wongpoom
205. Sole Survivor -- 1983, Thom Eberhardt
204. Son of Frankenstein -- 1939, Rowland V. Lee
203. Spider Baby -- 1967, Jack Hill
202. Splinter -- 2008, Toby Wilkins
201. Street Trash -- 1987, James M. Muro
200. The Blob -- 1958, Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. & Russell S. Doughten Jr.
199. The Car -- 1977, Elliot Silverstein
198. The Children -- 1980, Max Kalmanowicz
197. The Collector -- 2009, Marcus Dunstan
196. The Devils -- 1971, Ken Russell
195. Eyes of Laura Mars -- 1978, Irvin Kershner
194. The Grudge -- 2004, Takashi Shimizu
193. The Initiation -- 1984, Larry Stewart & Peter Crane
192. The Lady in White -- 1988, Frank LaLoggia


I'm surprised to see Salem's Lot only got two votes! I watched it again after Tobe Hooper died in August and it's still so great. It's interesting that Mr. Barlow appears for only a few moments and doesn't actually do very much, yet he's still so imposing and terrifying. It's a testament not only to the way he's built up through the narrative, but also the way his brief appearances are shot by Hooper. That grotesque face in shocking closeup, the way he rises from the floor and takes up nearly the entirety of the Petrie kitchen...so, so good. I've never found vampires to be particularly frightening, but every one of 'em in Salem's Lot does it for me.

Glad to see The Initiation up there, and I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you that HEIDI HERSELF commented on my review back in the day. Read it again and bask...Heidi rules! Hopefully now that the film is out on Blu-ray her residual checks have increased.


Look, I haven't seen Stranger Things yet but I've seen plenty of pictures from it. If the world/internet gave Heidi even half the love it gives to ST's Barb, we'd all be better off.

3 comments:

Chris Otto said...

Agreed. Salem's Lot deserves more love. I could curl up in those Fred Willard silk PJ's and watch that thing all weekend long on repeat.

AE said...

The Initiation comment thread inspired me to order a copy of Heidi's book "Scarlett Slept Here"! Shameless self-promotion works! Of course it's a used copy, but I'll for sure leave it around in prominent spots in my house.

Stacie Ponder said...

I LOVE IT.

She is a dream!