Thursday, April 12, 2007

What's your favorite scary movie?

Some of my favorite movies are scary ones ("Scream", "The Others", "The Ring"), but it wasn't always so. As a child, I couldn't bear to watch the spooky stuff. You see, I had a really active imagination and it would run wild after seeing creepy movies. So I swore off the stuff, but only after 2 movies, in particular, got my goat.

The first was "Salem's Lot", a 1979 telefilm based on a Stephen King book. I didn't watch the whole thing, but the part that disturbed me the most was when this vampire boy floated outside this man's window, entered his room through the window, and then bit the man.



For weeks afterward, whenever I laid in bed, I would look out my bedroom window to be sure he hadn't found me yet, the vampire boy who caused all that commotion in Salem.

The other flick that haunted me for some time was another telefilm, 1981's "Dark Night of the Scarecrow" starring Charles Durning. Here is the plot summary courtesy of the Internet Movie Database:

"A retarded man is unjustly accused of killing a young girl. Disguised as a scarecrow, he hides in a cornfield, only to be hunted down and shot. Later, members of the search posse are killed by a mysterious scarecrow."

That scarecrow was ruthless. He trapped a guy in an empty silo and then poured grain into the silo, burying him alive. Again, I would go to bed on many nights afterward wishing I could forget what I had seen.

21 comments:

Paige said...

the best scarey film for me is the shining

Paige said...

btw...happy birthday (kidding)

the Book of Keira said...

I didn't like scary movies growing up because I thought they looked cheesy. I did like Stephen King flicks, though, just not the Jason and Freddy crap.

I enjoy the ones that have been coming out these last few years. I liked the Others a lot and the Ring movies and also that one with Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi.... what was it called?

Today, I am posting my own scary video once it is done processing :-)

Thomas said...

Paige, "The Shining" is, indeed, a classic.

108, that's funny. I was just thinking about "The Gift" (which starred Cate and Giovanni)last night in the bathtub after reading a review of "The Reaping". "The Gift" was most certainly good and creepy and also starred Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, and Hilary Swank.

Look forward to seeing your video.

Paige said...

i am almost scared to see her video...my mind is flashing through visions of her crouched over a little box

the Book of Keira said...

No... it's WORSE. It is of..... my children.

And here is a preview of what's to come: Ten straight minutes of nonsense that clearly illustrates why I am so fucking tired all the time.

-There is a temper tantrum
-There is discussion of Matthew's bitch tits.
-There are two small boys wearing my bras
-There is hand to hand combat.
-A small child gets naked and streaks the house.
-I cuss the children out.
-Dean discusses his likeness to Dustin Hoffman.

It has all the makings of some great cinema.

Now, if the thing would finish processing.... grrrr.

the Book of Keira said...

Oh, yeah.... and one of the main characters is a yombie (zombie) for most of it so it falls under the scary movie theme :-)

Thomas said...

*starts heating up popcorn*

Mags said...

I hate scary movies-but who could miss Kyra's version?

Thomas said...

While we're waiting for Kyra's video to "process", I thought you guys might enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr9ZGFlmUqQ

the Book of Keira said...

Oh, my god, Thomas.... do you know that I am OBSESSED with Sacha Baron Cohen???? I am in hysterics every time I watch anything with him in it.

"You gonna finish him off?" LOLOLOL!!!!!!!

He's going to be making an appearance on American Idol this season. I am dumbfounded as to why they are allowing this and on the edge of my seat wondering what crazy shit he is going to pull...lol.

I love that his penis censor is always so enourmous.

Thomas said...

High-five, Kyra! I love Sacha as well. I've been a fan of his since I was introduced to the Ali G show in 2004. Last summer, I started blogging on myspace and was able to get to see "Borat" in late September (about 45 days before it opened nationally). I ended up going to the theatre to see it 7 times (The last time I went to see a movie that many times was "T2" in 1991. I just purchased "Borat" on DVD and loved that deleted massage scene. Him on "AI"? Looking forward to it.

Paige said...

sheer hilarity thomas

Rocketstar said...

Stephen Kings "Children of the Corn"

Lee Ann aka Dixie said...

I'm with 108, I can't stand the Jason, Freddy crap... I have been able to sit through The Shining, The Omen, The Birds, etc... but that's about it for scary movies for me.

Thanks for stopping by.

Nikki Neurotic said...

I don't like many scary movies, especially not the Japanese inspired ones. I went and saw The Grudge with my friends and I spent the entire movie at the edge of my seat ready to run the hell out of the theater. I only stayed cuz I didn't want to be teased for the rest of my life by my friends. :)

I do like horror books though, used to be a huge King fan so I don't mind those movies since I know what's gonna happen...though I find most of them to be really corny.

Oh, and I love the original Psycho. That was really great, and not TOO scary. And Scream was hilarious, after my friend forced me to watch it we spent many weeks calling each other on our phones at the department store we used to work at and all we'd say is "What's your favorite scary movie" in our creepiest voice. Obviously we only did that when we were having a slow night. I don't know how our bosses put up with us! Oh, I know...they loved us!

Paige said...

I was thinking bout this last night some more. This is my list (originals only and in order of preference)
1~ the Shining (as previously stated)
2~ Psycho
3~ Amityville Horror
4~ Children of the Corn
Happy Friday the 13th (wooo spooky) on and happy birthday Thomas ;)

Sherry said...

I, as a rule, don't watch scary movies. I have seen that scarecrow movie - that was freaky! I was just a kid and it still freaks me out thinking about it.

A friend talked me into seeing Silent Hills this summer, I.Loved.It.

Thomas said...

Rocketstar, good pick.

Dixie, I don't like slasher movies, either. I prefer more cerebral (read: less bloody) scary flicks.

Sil, great story. I also used to like saying, "What's Your Favorite Scary Movie?" to people, hence the title of this post.

Paige, have a fun 13th!!

Sher, it would be difficult for me to watch that "Scarecrow" movie again though I could probably do it.

Barb said...

I'm with Paige. My all time scary movie is The Shining!

Scary book is It by Stephen King, even though you didn't ask. :)

Anonymous said...

I have only 2 movies that deeply scared me:
The Exorcist
Psycho (original)

BTW, I saw your newly buffed bod on someone's blog. My gawd! You are handsome:)