Top 20 Horror Movies - #19) The Howling (1981)

As I celebrate the month of October with all my fellow horror fanatics, I'm ranking my Top 20 Horror Movies for you.  Thus far, the list includes:

#20) The Fly (1986)

And now I'm pleased to unveil my latest selection, another spectacular horror movie from the 80s!

Top 20 Horror Movies - #19) The Howling (1981)

One of two werewolf movies to make the list, The Howling is a twisted frightfest that I have a lot of affection for.  It has all the necessary ingredients for a quality horror flick, to include a worthy cast, an excellent setting, some creepy visuals, and an ominous mood.  The script by John Sayles varies greatly from the novel by Gary Brandner, but brings an engaging and fearsome story to the screen to superb effect.  Director Joe Dante does a tremendous job, and while I'm a big fan of Joe's other genre efforts (most notably Gremlins and Piranha) I believe that this is his best feature film.  It's tightly paced, brimming with atmosphere, and loaded with shocking sequences.  I'm awarding some serious bonus points for the unnerving opening and the equally disturbing conclusion.  There's also a nifty scene midway through the picture that surely ranks as one of the most frightening horror scenes out there that takes place in broad daylight.  The cast is stellar, with Dee Wallace slaying it in the lead role with quality support from players like Patrick MacNee, Kevin McCarthy, Slim Pickens, and the one and only John Carradine.  Pino Donaggio gave the film an eerie score that is a splendid fit for all the spooky shenanigans unfolding on the screen.  The Howling is equal parts engrossing, entertaining, and terrifying.  It is somewhat amazing to me that both this picture and that other werewolf movie released in 1981 (a superior effort that is ranked much higher on my list) remain the finest attempts to bring lycanthropy to the cinema.

Chief among the strengths of The Howling are
an ominous mood and some nightmarish visuals.

Top 20 Horror Novels - #20) Amok by George Fox (from 1980)

Not only am I ranking my Top 20 Horror Movies for you this October, but I'm doing likewise with the scary books that I hold near and dear.  As with the movies that I'm discussing in that Top 20, I'm not attempting to rank these novels based on their place in pop culture, but rather their place in my heart.  Isn't that sweet?  Seriously, there are some fine books that didn't make the cut here because there just wasn't room, and there are definitely some well-regarded books that didn't make the cut because I don't really like them.  That also means there are some personal favorites of mine on this list that you may not have heard of.  If that's the case, I promise that I'll reward your trust with a gnarly tale if you give one of them a spin.  Finally, I may have shortchanged some of the titans in the genre (hey there, Stephen King) as I didn't want to overload this list with titles by the same author, though Uncle Stevie did manage to score three direct hits on my list.

Top 20 Horror Novels - #20) Amok by George Fox (from 1980)

This is one of a few books on this list that straddle the line between thriller and chiller.  In the end, while some may see it as an example of the former, I obviously place it among the latter.  The ending is particularly bloodcurdling, and even if it boasts the plot of a thriller, this novel finds its way into the horror genre by virtue of all the gore and unsettling violence contained on those yellowed pages.  The story concerns an unusually large Japanese soldier armed with a lethal blade and a twisted mind who is still on the hunt in a remote valley in the Phillipines decades after WWII has ended.  Enter Vietnam veteran Michael Braden, whose brother is the latest victim of this virtual killing machine.  Braden returns to the family plantation in the Cagayan Valley that he has been avoiding for most of his life and promptly initiates a manhunt for the renegade soldier.  He is joined on this treacherous undertaking by a handful of men, most of whom are harboring dark secrets.  One of them seeks to make things right--he is the renegade soldier's commanding officer, a man who feared this violent brute so much that he ordered him to remain in the jungle to continue fighting when their orders to return home were issued.  Yet another supposed ally is also troubled by things he did in the war, but he would rather ensure that these sins remain a mystery than attempt to atone for them.  All the while, their prey relentlessly stalks anyone in his path, ruthlessly dismantling any living being that he encounters.  There are a number of themes that Fox explores in this book, but he never sacrifices any momentum along the way.  Amok remains a slick and engrossing ride populated by well-drawn characters that is punctuated by shocking moments of sheer brutality.  I absolutely love this book, and I think it's a great way to kick off this list.

Short Attention Span Review - Jurassic World (2015)

I think that Jurassic Park was probably a better movie than Jurassic World, but the latest film in this beloved franchise has to be the biggest spectacle that the series has produced thus far.  We've essentially traded a stellar ensemble cast featuring Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Dern for Chris Pratt (who is almost as cool here as he was in Guardians of the Galaxy) and a few big names like Bryce Dallas Howard and Vincent D'Onofrio in supporting roles.  There's also a different recipe in play--Jurassic Park was three parts suspense and one part mind-blowing carnage, while Jurassic World doesn't necessarily abandon the suspense but surely ramps up the dinosaur mayhem in pursuit of maximum carnage.  While I felt that the chemistry between Pratt and Howard was a bit forced and the plot in general wasn't quite as fresh (or plausible), Jurassic World is definitely a big winner in terms of entertainment.  Pratt shines throughout, and the script keeps his character busy by placing him in one terrifying predicament after another.  Also, he may not be Spielberg, but Colin Trevorrow's direction is rock solid, and I liked the score by Michael Giacchino, particularly when it paid homage to the original theme from the wonderful John Williams.  In truth, Jurassic World is everything we hope for in a summer blockbuster.  There's an intriguing premise that requires likable characters to battle incredible odds.  The picture draws us in before it starts wreaking havoc, and the climax is rather epic.  I liked Jurassic World a lot, and while I don't think I can peg it as the best film in this series, I am certain that it was the biggest and the most enjoyable.  The effects are amazing and Chris Pratt is a fantastic lead, making this a grand adventure with impressive scope that definitely ranks as one of 2015's best movies.

Final Grade: A

Chirs Pratt is a quality hero and this Jurassic adventure boasts a wealth of savage dinosaur action.

Psychic Warfare from Clutch (released 10/2/15)

Clutch is back with a new album, unleashing Psychic Warfare on their legions of fans.  They remain consistent, churning out a steady stream of rowdy rock and roll with a touch of blues while a deranged lead singer drops curious vocals with a nifty combo of grit and style.  Clutch will never be as heavy as they once were, but this record is a bit more aggressive and a bit less somber than some of their groovier releases.  There's some serious bravado on display here, and it cannot be denied that Psychic Warfare offers listeners a thumping good time with an emphasis on excess.  Yet it still emerges as a far cry from Elephant Riders or the band's glorious self-titled album, so it's hard to review this one without penalizing Clutch for being so damn awesome once upon a when.  Is new Clutch that much different from old Clutch?  Well, while the band has always remained true to themselves, they have certainly grown over time.  As musicians, these guys are truly top-notch, and they are better at what they do now then they were back then.  However, there was something damn near primal about those unruly days when the sound was a bit more raw and everyone was a bit angrier (and the lyrics were a bit sillier) that has proven difficult to replace.  Having said all that, this is probably my favorite album that Clutch has released since Elephant Riders and it is a real kick in the pants.  I love "X-Ray Visions," "Firebirds," and the semi-operatic "Son of Virginia," and there isn't a song on Psychic Warfare that doesn't work.  It's a quality recording that is worthy of the band's legacy even if it is a bit overshadowed by those monumental releases that still define these unique rockers from Maryland.

Final Grade: B

Clutch is back with another rad record. unleashing Psychic Warfare on eager listeners.

Zipper Down from Eagles of Death Metal (released 10/2/15)

Zipper Down arrived from EODM today, and this crazy band's first album since 2008 is probably their silliest offering yet.  That's okay, for being silly and having a groovy good time while rocking out and making fun of themselves is precisely what the Eagles of Death Metal specialize in.  I thought their last album (Heart On) was a little less spirited than their previous outings, but though they may have cranked up the humor on Zipper Down, they're certainly not phoning it in.  It doesn't have quite the same punch as their first release (2004's totally stupendous Peace, Love, Death Metal) but it is a mean recording.  It has a lot of juice, and the boys are clearly having a good time tearing it up on tracks like "Oh Girl," Skin-Tight Boogie," and "The Reverend."  "Silverlake," the previously released jab at hipsters, is probably the most entertaining song from Zipper Down, but the textured revamp of the 1982 Duran Duran single "Save a Prayer" (from Rio) is seriously impressive.  Cheeky, high-octane, and full of swagger and style, Zipper Down is another super cool album from one hell of a super cool band.

Final Grade: B+

If this picture could make noise,
it would sound like an Eagles of Death Metal song.

Top 20 Horror Movies - #20) The Fly (1986)

One of the things that I'm doing this month as I celebrate Halloween here in the Land of Way is taking the time to rank my Top 20 Horror Movies and my Top 20 Horror Novels.  Today, I'm cranking things up with the first entry in my Top 20 Horror Movies. 

Note:
I want to be clear that I'm basing these choices on my own humble opinion.  I'm not trying to rank these movies in accordance with their place in pop culture, but I'm offering up my take on the best horror films that I have ever watched and enjoyed.  There are some familiar candidates that I consider to be great pictures that didn't make the cut because there wasn't room, and there are some films that are widely regarded as great pictures that didn't make the cut because I feel that they are overrated.  There are also a few instances where it was difficult to determine whether or not a movie belonged to the horror genre (I said "no" to Aliens but "yes" to Jaws), and it may also be worth noting that this is largely a modern list (as long as you're okay with my classification of modern as anything after 1960) that only features one lonely creature from the so-called "Classic Monsters" films produced by Universal Studios.

Top 20 Horror Movies - #20) The Fly (1986)

The first entry on my list is one of three remakes to be included.  This one is surely the wildest departure from the original, as this somber tale bears little or no resemblance to the cheeky Vincent Price vehicle from 1958.  This 1986 version of the The Fly is directed by David Cronenberg, one of the most visionary directors of them all.  Cronenberg's intense and often perverse work has largely originated within either the horror genre or the science fiction genre, and I think this deliberate terror yarn stands as his grandest achievement.  It's also the best work that Jeff Goldblum has ever done, and his total immersion into the part of Seth Brundle, a daring and strangely charismatic scientist, is amazing to behold.  Throw in some fabulous effects work and an eerie score by Howard Shore and you have the makings of a classic.   This version of The Fly is a slow burn that works magnificently.  The first two acts are largely about meeting the characters and witnessing a failed experiment and the subsequent transformation as Goldblum's wacky but lovable scientist becomes one of the most grotesque monsters ever put on film.  These portions of the film are ripe with suspense and dread, while the third and final act is where most of the gruesome action takes place.  The film is potent; the combination of disturbing visuals and difficult content make it every bit as emotional and dramatic as it is frightening.  Yes, this version of The Fly is everything that I'm looking for in a great horror film, and viewing it remains a riveting experience that I highly recommend.

Jeff Goldblum's work in Cronenberg's remake of The Fly is absolutely amazing.

What's the first horror novel that you read?

 October is here, good people, and I'm going to make the most of the spooky season here in the Land of Way.  As an author, I'm always curious about the books that the rest of you enjoy, and with Halloween arriving at the end of the month, I'm wondering how many of us remember the first horror novel that gave us goosebumps.  I would absolutely love it if if my readers were to chime in with their thoughts on the fist scary book that they enjoyed.

I was an avid reader from an early age on.  By the time I was 5, I was trying to write stories of my own.  Even as a youngster, I had a taste for the spooky stuff.  That became a legitimate passion when I read Stephen King's Christine during the summer that followed the third grade.  Honestly, I wouldn't recommend presenting your favorite 8 year-old child with this novel, but reading it was surely a transformative experience for this particular writer.  It firmly illustrated that both the horror genre and reading were things that I wouldn't want to live without.  Prior to reading this book, I enjoyed a good scary story, but after reading Christine I was head over heels for gruesome tales.  The worm had definitely turned in more ways than one, for not only had I become a horror fanatic, but I also no longer wanted to spend my time with smaller books.  Dr. Seuss and Encyclopedia Brown were left in the dust as I started devouring books by King, Farris, and Matheson, among others.

I'm going to post a review of Christine later today, but in the meantime feel free to tell me about the first horror novel you read and how that impacted you.