This is a guide to some horror movies you may be considering, and maybe should consider, for your Halloween viewing pleasure. In here are not only movie titles, but also reviews and my own personal rating system. It will be a 1-10 rating system under these catagories:
General - overall rating of the film; 1 means bad 10 means great
Gore Factor - 1 means little blood and guts 10 means pretty gross
Kiddie Factor - 1 means do not show this to a child under 9 and 10 means fine for all ages, anything in between is really up to the parent... 5 or above is probably alright if your child isn't over sensative, 4 and under... watch it yourself first. I always reccomend watching the films first, because only you know what your child can handle.
If you have a film you would like me to rate that isn't on this list, leave your request in a comment. If I have seen it, I will get back to you with your requested information. If I haven't, I will tell you so, and if I can find them, I will give you links to research them.
Please note, I rarely watch remakes, although I have seen the occassional remake.
This list will be updated on a regular basis, so bookmark it if it is something that interests you. If you want to be IMed when it is updated, let me know.
Night of the Living Dead
Obviously, a zombie flick. And also one of my favorites. This film layed out the path for a lot of rip offs and for a lot of other films that weren't rip offs. Many film makers have named this film as one of the inspirations for their own work. It's unheard of to not have seen this one already, but if you haven't, go rent it right now! One of the classics that spawned the zombie flicks of today.
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 3 Kiddie Factor - 6
The Craft
This is the movie that helped goth and witchcraft colide. It's actually not a bad flick, not exactly scary, but it's good if you want to stay trendy. It's also a somewhat original plot.
Ratings: Overall - 6 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 6
The People Under the Stairs
This is one of the films that people tend to like right off the bat, but don't usually remember it when mentioning what they have seen. However, it is a very good film, from the 80s I believe, and has a sort of zombie feel to it. Just remember when watching this that they are not, however, zombies. It will definetly make you rethink your neighbors and your landlord! Original plot and will definetly keep your interest. I've watched this one about 20 times now. 
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 5
The Crow
Again, not too scary. Original, but way too dark. What I mean by dark is lack of lighting, btw. Some scenes are tough to see. But it was good, and another to watch if you want to stay trendy.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 3 Kiddie Factor - 3 (they won't get it)
Interview With the Vampire
Anne Rice's pride and joy. I liked it, at first. But then I saw it one too many times last Halloween. None of my friends own it, and they all wanted to see it. So now I am sick to death of it. And it wasn't what I had expected. I thought a little more historical refrence would be brought in. Not...just blood sucking and kindred killing.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 5
Die Monster Die
Boris Karloff is in this one. This was a good one, I'll admit. However, it is sort of hard to keep with it. It starts a bit slow, but hang in there. It's one of those "It dropped out of the sky" films that made people wonder about the universe's power. It is definetly one hell of a flick!
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 1 Kiddie Factor - 7
Dracula
with Bela Lugosi. Frightening. It wouldn't have been as scary had it been in color. This film depends a lot on the lighting you can get only from a black and white film. Another classic that you MUST see.
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 1 Kiddie Factor - 8
Frankenstein
With Deniero (sp?). Very good film. It has a tendancy to make you feel sorry for the monster at points, and then lothe him at others. It is also a slight combination of the original Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, with a few new twists to it. Not sure I liked the new twists.
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 4
Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things
Another zombie flick. This was admittedly a "Night of the Living Dead" wanna-be, but it was still very good. It was a zombie kills the living flick, same as the above mentioned, but in a different way, and slightly more shocking. Incredibly B! The zombies' make-up was done with toilet paper and putty, and the writer was also the make-up artist and star of the film! The zombies were all also a bunch of hippies with make-up, so it was funny! See this, if for no other reason than to laugh at Alan Ormsby's pants!
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Gactor - 4 Kiddie Factor - 5
Psycho
original Hitchcock, B/W. Ya know, the classic shower scene? That's this film, baby! One of my favorites! We all know Norman Bates, so if you haven't seen him in action, I suggest you do!
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 7
Mad Monster Party
This movie slams! It's such a little kid movie, and the music is annoying at parts, but this one has Boris Karloff in it, too, as The Baron Von Frankenstein. That deserves respect. It's a fun movie all the way around, and is better for adults anyway, since we know all those famous monsters!
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 1 Kiddie Factor - 10
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton's piece of history. This was the first full length stop motion film. Jack Skelington searches for the meaning of Christmas, with the help of residents of Halloweentown.
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 1 Kiddie Factor - 8
Stigmata
This one was good. I had no idea what the stigmata was before I saw this film. But it was well explained. This was a pretty good one, and keeps you jumping...mainly from surprise. But it was a good film, and moves fast. It will certainly give the timid nightmares for weeks!
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 3
The Adams' Family
this one was funny, and well worth the rental money! I taped it off TV, of course. LOL!
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 8
The House of Wax
Vincent Price again. This move is, obviously, based on a wax museum and how the wax figures were made to look so real. It was originally shown in 3-D, although I am not sure if you can see it in 3-D anymore on films and all. Doubt it.
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 6
The House on Haunted Hill
Vincent Price again. This one was a spooker. I don't get frightened by movies that easy, but I'll admit, this one had me on the edge of my seat.
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 5
The Sixth Sense
I finally saw it all the way through! This movie is really original! Of all the movies I have ever seen, this is the one I would recommend the highest. It is full of surprises. Defiently worth the rental money, believe me! And if you have not yet seen it...if anyone gives away the ending to you, kill them. No court in the land will convict you!
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 7
Dr. Giggles
Yick! This one was tough to watch. I have things with doctors, ya know. But this guy was just pretending to be a doctor. Still, yick! It's not for the squeemish, at all!
Ratings: Overall - 6 Gore Factor - 8 Kiddie Factor - 2
The Tingler
Look out! Vincent Price! I loved it! LOL! It was an original plot, sort of. It was based on a study about where fear comes from and why it can kill you.
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 7
Evil Dead (first 2)
These were some great films! Rather creepy, but these are definetly something you can find in most horror fans' collections.
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 6 Kiddie Factor - 2
Army of Darkness
If you want an Evil Dead movie for effect, but something a little weird and not as scary, this is your film. There is a definte humor factor in this one, but keep in mind it is the third film in the Evil Dead series. You should be able to follow, though.
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 6 Kiddie Factor - 4
Return of the Living Dead
It was a long time ago. Not bad, but again, I don't remember much. Come on, I was a kid!
Ratings: Overall - 6 Gore Factor - 6 Kiddie Factor - please view, I'm not sure.
Subspecies
This wasn't too bad. It was one of those films about vampires where the vampires are really nasty looking. But the tiny demons were neat.
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 5
Texas Chainsaw Masacre
I am not a fan of this film, really, but it isn't the worst pick for your Halloween viewing pleasure. It is a classic, and every budding horror fan should see it. The thing about this film is the lack of actual gore. People will tell you it is very gorey, however, with close observation you can see it only gives the APPEARANCE of gore.
Ratings: Overall - 4 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 2
The Blair Witch Project
Hated it. A lot of people really liked this one. Maybe they saw something I didn't. I watched it in the theater and my friend had a hard time keeping me awake. The ass end of it was great, but the rest of it was just rather boring, and the camera was all over the place. It did have that "real" effect to it, but nothing really happened other than the kids getting freaked out about being lost until the end. But in it's defense, it is a little better when viewed on TV because you can hear more of the suttle sounds in the background and all. I still don't agree that this was the scariest film ever made, though. The huge deal made about it, and the lie that it was real, made it scary. The truth? It was unscripped for the most part.
Ratings: Overall - 1 Gore Factor - 1 Kiddie Factor - 7
Scream
not bad. Trendy, but ok. It was actually playing off what happens in horror movies, and they did, of course, make that blatently obvious. Had some funny parts. Take the "How to Survive a Horror Movie" tips seriously.
Ratings: Overall - 6 Gore Factor - 4 Kiddie Factor - 3
Scream 2
the first couldn't have been that bad if I saw the second! I liked the second one better. The killer was more of a surprise, and it was tough figuring it out. Pretty good. See the first one before this one, though. It plays off it.
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Fcator - 6 Kiddie Factor - 3
Ed and His Dead Mother
yaaaaaaaaa...weird. Funny, weird, strange....not scary.
Ratings: Overall - 6 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 5
Wax Work 2
spoofs on other films, pretty much. I saw it because I was told of that. I will eventually rent the first one, too.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 3 Kiddie Factor - watch first
Night of the Scarecrow
this one was pretty good, and surprisingly pretty original. The ending was hysterical, though! I rent films a lot for cheese factor, and that ending was beautiful on that scall! Get it for nothing else but to laugh at that. It really is a decent film, though.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 7 Kiddie Factor - 1
Pumpkinhead
alrighty. This one was pretty good, but it's gore factor knocked it down. I judge gore on how many scenes I can't watch. Perfect Halloween movie!
Ratings: Overall - 6 Gore Factor - 8 Kiddie Factor - 1
The Exhorsist
this was a good one! It was full of foul language, and very gross, but it was original and scary. Plus, if you have that whole anti-chistian thing going on, it was funny as...sin. This was great when it was re-released into theaters. The additional footage wasn't a lot and I think the subliminal demons added into some parts took away from the film, but the reaction of the audience was well worth the $10 I had to pay to see it in the theater!
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 7 Kiddie Factor - 1 (no, really, there's a lot of foul language)
Candyman
BEES! BURNING TO DEATH! GET IT AWAY! Good film...but it hit two things that really make me sick. And burning to death is my worst fear.
Ratings: Overall - 6 Gore Factor - 7 Kiddie Factor - 2
Lawnmower Man
damn. This was original, and scary if you think about it. It's one of those future type things, and it makes you wonder what the government would do with it if they could.
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 4
The Goonies
you've seen this! LOL! It was a good movie...kids movie, but good.
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 1 Kiddie Factor - 10
The Mummy
re-make. This was a damn good film, if for nothing but the effects. It was not scary, really, but good to watch, and fast moving.
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 4 Kiddie Factor - 9
Young Frankenstein
so not scary, just very funny! I loved this film!
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 7
Pet Cemetery 2
weird. It was good though, I'll admit. Not good for animal lovers, but good. I didn't find it scary, though.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 6 Kiddie Factor - 3
The Birds
this one will have you ducking seagulls for the rest of your life! To alter your life, watch it! [I had a friend who actually watched this while she was studying Marine Biology. She saw it for the first time alone...on a bird sanctuary. ]
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 1 Kiddie Factor - 7
'Burbs
wow...remember that one? Not totally horror, and funny, but it was odd enough to add here. This has actually been on TV a lot recently, I'm surprised.
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 7
Aracnaphobia
AHHH! This was terrible! It was a good movie, but I was crying by the time it was over. My spider fear is explained in the ratings section above.
Ratings: Overall - 6 Gore Factor - 10 [I hate spiders!] Kiddie Factor - 6
The Shining
this was freaky. It was a good suspense during the chase type film. I recommend this one on a cold, winter's night.
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 4 Kiddie Factor - 5
Poltergeist [the whole series]
This one was good! Classic, but you knew that. It was definetly original, and frightening. That was the first one. The rest were very good as well, but the first was definetly a keeper. Eerie side night: all the girls who played Carol Anne in each film...all died shortly after the films were made.
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 4
The Wishmaster
this was pretty original. And freaky as hell. This one will leave a stain on the brain for awhile. I recommend it. Be careful what you wish for!
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 7 Kiddie Factor - 4
Bride of Frankenstein
This one was exellent. It wins an award for cheese factor, but it was still worth watching.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 1 Kiddie Factor - 8
Thinner
This was really one creepy film! The originality was at an all time high, but it is Steven King and he has always been pretty good as far as originality goes. I highly recommend this one.
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 5
Creep Show
This film was made for the short attention span. It was written as if it were all from a comic book that some kid's dad threw out, so the entire movie is a few short stories pressed together, but has a beginning and end story. Decent movie.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 6 Kiddie Factor - 4
Ametyville - New Generation
This one was pretty damn good! It's really very psychological, and deals with how a child reacts if a parent commits a horrible crime. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and took a lot of different twists and turns. You can't go wrong with a bunch of weird artists and their nightmares. And the good part of this one...you really don't need to watch the rest of the Ametyville films before this. Bad part: if you saw the Ametyville Horror before you saw this one, the huge mistakes made in the refrances will make you cringe.
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 4
Henry -Portrait of a Serial Killer
This one was really just a few days in the life of a serial killer and how he gets away with his crimes. Not bad.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 6 Kiddie Factor - 4
Fright Night
I found this one funny. It was, believe me. It was a vampire movie, but it was so cheesy, you have to laugh. It does have some gore, and some suspense, but it was very funny.
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 4 Kiddie Factor - 3
The House of the Seven Corpses
A movie about people making a movie. And people start dieing in strange ways. Not bad, although a very slow starter.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 2 Kiddie Factor - 4
The Last House on the Left
This one was not for the faint of heart. I liked it, but it is basically a kiddnapping of two young girls and they get tortured and rapped and all that fun stuff. It was made more for shock value than horror.
Ratings: Overall - 5 Gore Factor - 6 Kiddie Factor - 1
Omen
The first one. This is one of those devil child things that you watch and it keeps your intrest, but you can't help but think of that one neighborhood kid.
Ratings: Overall - 8 Gore Factor - 3 Kiddie Factor - 5
Serpant and the Rainbow
It was sort of a VooDoo movie with a lot of twists. It was tough to follow at some points, but if you pay attention you'll get it. This isn't really a movie to rent when you have a date coming over.
Ratings: Overall - 7 Gore Factor - 5 Kiddie Factor - 3
Scary Movie
This was not a horror movie, but a very funny, raunchy parody of several movies. I recommend this film to anyone over the age of 18! Some movies they paradoied were the Scream Trilogy, American Pie, Thinner, Sixth Sense, etc. It reminded me of something along the lines of History of the World Part 1.
Ratings: Overall - 10 Gore Factor - 3 [it really was just very raunchy] Kiddie Factor - 3
The Raven
Vincent Price. This was a cheesy movie, but still oddly aluring. It revolved around magick, and had nothing to do with Edgar Allan Poe.
Ratings: Overall - 9 Gore Factor - 1 Kiddie Factor - 7 This is just a "quick list" of things you may see pop out at you at the rental place. As I said, if you are curious about a film, ask me, I may have seen it (the odds are pretty good). If I think of some more, I'll add them.
These are films I have not yet seen. However, I plan on seeing them eventually. I have a long life...and afterlife...ahead of me. These films have no ratings because I haven't seen them...so I can't rate them. But this is what is out there.
The Blob
The Abomniable Dr. Phibes
976-Evil
Atomic Dog
The Mummy - with Boris Karloff
I Was a Teenage Werewolf
Dracula Meets the Wolfman
It
Them
Night of the Trifids
Pet Cemetery
Lawnmower Man 2
Scream 3
Warlock
Witchery
Specter
Curse of the Blair Witch
Boxing Helena
Mars Attacks
The Birds - re-make
Psycho - re-make
American Psycho [horror?]
Necronomican
Nosferatu
Dentist [there was a bunch]
Bordello of Blood
Jack Frost
The Icecream Man
Slumber Party Masacre [it just SOUNDS cheesy!]
Waxwork
Spookies
The Puppet Master
Nightbreed
Adding your comment:
