It’s a Horror to Know You: Will of Too Much Horror Fiction!

1. What is the first book that ever scared you?

Some forgotten book on various supernatural creatures, and it convinced me that somewhere in Transylvania there really was a vampire named Count Dracula who lived in a crumbling castle… I didn’t understand the difference between “nonfiction” and fiction yet. My parents had to talk me out of it. Alas. When I was 13, the actual Stoker novel gave me the shudders, when Harker sees Dracula climbing out of one of his castle windows, face down, with his cape spread out around him.

2. What is the last book that scared you?

There were a few scenes – one a Lovecraft reference, I’m sure – in HEADHUNTER (1984), Michael Slade’s police procedural/serial killer horror novel, that got the hairs on the back of my neck up, as if someone were standing just behind me…

3. Name three Horror novels that you believe are underrated.

My god, only *three*?! That’s true horror! I’ll try. These are three masterpieces:

1. ALL HEADS TURN AS THE HUNT GOES BY by John Farris. Farris is a real writer, which you don’t find enough in the genre.

2. FINISHING TOUCHES by Thomas Tessier. A literate and erotic nightmare.

3. FALLING ANGEL by William Hjortsberg. A hardboiled detective/horror novel.

Okay, one more:

4. THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR by Anne Rivers Siddons. A unique haunted house novel written by a genteel Southern lady.

4. Name three Horror novels that you enjoy against your better judgment.

I don’t know if these go against my “better judgment” but they do push some real taste boundaries.

1. INCUBUS by Ray Russell. Sleazy trashy fun – sexy or sexist? You decide!

2. THE MANITOU by Graham Masterton. Ludicrous but oh so much fun.

3. PIN by Andrew Neiderman. Rather Cronenbergian, with a sort of VC Andrews thing going on.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

1. L’ARRIVEE D’ SYLVIA KRISTEL – All Sylvia Kristel, all the time. Delightful.

2. ACTION FIGURE OF THE DAY – What can I say, I grew up in the ’70s and early ’80s, I love my STAR WARS toys.

3. LOVECRAFT’S WORLDS – Just discovered this guy, he’s an HPL obsessive.

4. EXISTENTIAL ENNUI – Great blog name, features lots of vintage crime fiction and UK book covers.

5. CELLULOID HIGHWAY – One of the best-written movie blogs around.

It’s a Horror to Know You: Christine of Fascination with Fear!

1. What is the first film that ever scared you?

Besides Willy Wonka? With Gene Wilder in the psychedelic boat trip down the chocolate river? Okay..if not that then probably When A Stranger Calls (1979). Even Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees didn’t scare me as much as that disembodied voice saying “Have you checked the children?” Ahhhh! If we’re talking PRIMAL fear though, I’d have to go with Jaws. It’s amazing that I even vacation every year at the shore after seeing that film.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

Absentia. I can’t stress enough how much I loved this indie film from 2011. Though Lake Mungo (2008) would have to run a close second. Both are slow burning spook-fests that get under your skin. And if I’m going for a recent scare trifecta, I’d pick The Strangers (2008). I watched it home, alone, with all the lights out. Highly recommended.

3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.

Stir of Echoes – This film had the misfortune of coming out the same year as The Sixth Sense, but in many ways, this is the superior film. Far creepier than Bruce and Haley, Kevin Bacon takes hypnotism and the horrors of crossing into another plane to a new level.

The Machinist – Perhaps not straight-up horror, but terribly unnerving nonetheless. Just knowing Christian Bale lost over 60 pounds for the role…that should say a lot. It waivers sometimes with a convoluted plot, but it’s a real mind-fuck of a film.

Joy Ride (2001) – Though more of a thriller, this one is equal parts wit and tension and is certainly every motorist’s greatest fear. (And that’s beside the fact that you see Paul Walker’s naked ass…always a plus in my book.

4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.

Terror in the Aisles (1984)- Basically a compilation of scenes from horror films, it’s a look back at many of the films that started my love of horror. Hosted by Donald Pleasance and Nancy Allen, it’s hokey and dated (and not even available on DVD), but it’s close to my heart.

Prey (2007) – A family on vacation in Africa gets stranded in a game preserve when they go off-roading. They find out just how insanely stupid that is when they realize they are being stalked by a pride of lions. Like the (admittedly better) Rogue, but with lions instead of a giant crocodile. Superb in HD.

The Locals (2003) – A little horror film from New Zealand that no one saw, The Locals has a somewhat murky plot, fairly lame acting in parts, and low-budget effects. But it’s loaded with potential, has some disturbing visuals, and is quite atmospheric. Check it out.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

Behind the Couch – Intelligent and perceptive reviews for the discerning horror fan.

Deadly Dolls House of Horror Nonsense – Wit and sass seep from each and every entry of this clever and entertaining blog.

The Girl Who Loves Horror – She not only loves it, she lives and breathes it. Then writes about it.

Italian Film Review – Nigel and Co. have such incredible passion for Italian horror, it makes me weep.

Paracinema – Not just a fascinating independent magazine – this excellent blog continues their astute observations of genre film.

I was wondering if somebody could identify this for me. Technically I wasn’t a kid when I saw it, but I was younger anyway. It’s actually a short GIF that I saw online somewhere from an old movie that was one of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen. It’s in black and white, there’s a car driving down a road at night, it looks like a European car, and then the POV shifts to inside the car. The car passes some kind of creature on the side of the road quickly. This thing has four legs, kind of bent down in the middle, with weird backwards legs or something in the rear. It has some odd looking face and it turns its head as the headlights hit it. There’s something incredibly creepy about it, and I would love to know what it’s from.

UNK SEZ: Great description Eric! That sounds exactly like a scene from 1983′s XTRO! Could that be it?

It’s a Horror to Know You: Ryne of The Moon is a Dead World!

1. What is the first film that ever scared you?

It’s really a toss-up, simply because I can’t remember which came first. One of the first that I remember was Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, probably when I was 5 or 6. My dad had it playing in a video store he used to own, and the only thing I know was that there was a kid locked in a jail cell and I was really, really scared of the monsters at that time. I refused to watch.

The second was Pumpkinhead 2. I was fascinated with the cover of it in the video store, since I was generally attracted to the horror genre right from the start. I begged my dad to bring it home for me so I could watch it, but when he did, my bravado faltered and I made up an excuse so I didn’t have to watch.

Still haven’t seen either of those movies since.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

If I’m being completely honest with myself, and not including those random jump scare moments, I’d have to say that it was Funny Games. Moreso than any other home invasion movie, that flick really got to my core because of the way Haneke is able to characterize the demented individuals who think it’s fun to terrorize people. The slow, lingering shots, disturbing music, and creepy dudes have stuck with me since I first saw the movie.

3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.

1. Le notte che Evelyn usci dalla tomba (The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave) (1971). It’s an often overlooked giallo film that’s both heavy on atmosphere and melodrama. Perfect!

2. The Funhouse (1981). Tobe Hooper’s masterpiece is considered to be The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but The Funhouse is my favorite film of his thanks to the lovable monster that inhabits the amusement park’s ride.

3. The Slumber Party Massacre (1982). This could just as easily fit on the list below of the worst movies I enjoy, but The Slumber Party Massacre is a really bad slasher that does everything right – tons of boobs, blood, and ridiculous killings.

4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.

1. The Langoliers This movie should never be on anyone’s favorite list, but I love it despite its four hour length and really cheesy acting. I’ve seen it more times than I can count.

2. Dolls. I caught this film on Sci-Fi channel when I was a kid, and it was the first film that I reviewed – although it wasn’t much of a review, more of a summary of the film and a couple of stray thoughts about it.

3. Halloween 4 & 5. Right after Halloween 1 & 2, these terrible entries into the series are right up there on my list of most-seen favorite flicks – I love them for no reason at all, the only way you can love them.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

Strange Kids Club. A great place collecting news and essays on all of your favorite toys, games, and television.

L-G-B-Terror. Evan’s helped me out a ton with my Viewer Vomit posts on The Moon, and his reviews focusing on gay and lesbian themes are both funny and spot-on.

The Death Rattle. Intensely in-depth reviews, and I love the new Framewhore column.

Taliesin Meets the Vampires. Ever wondered what random movies have vampire themes in them? Check out Taliesin’s Vamp or Not series.

Back Online, Back On Duty. Witty reviews and a Robocop theme? Yes, please!

It’s a Horror to Know You: Turnidoff of Death to CGI!

1. What is the first film that ever scared you?

I think it would have to be Trilogy of Terror (1975). I was probably 3 or 4 and I walked past the old wood paneled Curtis Mathis floor model television and caught a glimpse of Karen Black getting assaulted by this spastic little toothy demon. It is still burned in my memory of where I was, what I heard and what I saw. It was that traumatic for me. Now of course, I love little Zuni. (Note to self, sitcom idea: “Lil’ Zuni”)

2. What is the last film that scared you?

This is tough. I haven’t really been scared of anything recent. (I haven’t seen Cabin in the Woods yet) I tend to go back to the classics. I prefer my horror on VHS because for me, the format ads to the creepiness factor. Nothing beats a grainy copy of Galaxy of Terror. However, I did see Devil (2010) and was very scared of what horror films today have become… or maybe that was depression.

3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.

Ravenous (1999): a victim of a confused marketing campaign. It made no noise when it came out. Everything about this film is fantastic. It’s a brilliant take on the cannibal/vampire genre. Oh, and the music… Best scored film of the 90’s.

The Frighteners (1996): Peta Jicksen’s big US breakthrough wasn’t as well received as his following films, but it made Michael J. Fox kick some ass one last time, and although it was a bit cartoony, it still packed some good chills. True Story: a friend and I went to see this opening day, we were the only ones in the theater… flash forward to his next film, and we could barely find a seat. The great Jackson jump of the late 90’s.

Terror in the Aisles (1984): For me, this film was my introduction to many great horror flicks of the video store age. Donald Pleasance hamming it up hardcore. Nancy Allen in all her full permness, and it made Wings Hauser in Vice Squad (1982) look creepier than he was. Neon Slime!

4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.

The Crazies (2010): I’m very leery of most remakes. I dismissed this one as another one for the fire, but I actually enjoyed it. In a time oversaturated with zombie flicks, seeing government and military killing everyone off was more terrifying than the undead. Plus Timothy Olyphant is this generation’s Clint! (Eastwood, not Howard)

Night of the Living Dead (1990): The original NOTLD is about as close to a perfect horror film as you can possibly get. At first I thought the remake was going to be crap. I was so wrong. NOTLD1990 is EXACTLY how you make a faithful remake. It doesn’t try to re-do the story for a new generation. It assumes you are familiar and even comfortable with the original and that’s where its power lies. Once you think you know what’s going to happen, BOOM, they playfully trick you. They work really well back to back.

Ginger Snaps (2000): Teen goth sister werewolf film? No thanks. I sat through this with annoyance, but it quickly turned to enjoyment. I refuse to believe that anything Twilighty could have been inspired from this film. For a female teen horror film, Ginger Snaps had balls.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

Trailers From Hell. Joe Dante’s brainchild of great trailers with tons of filmmaker commentary.

The Star Wars Soundboard. Seriously addicting. You can even make mixes of the sound clips. You’ll never need to speak again!

The Beard Knows. Kenny Rogers Spreadin’ his wisdom. Go on, ask him anything!

Death To CGI. My rant blog. I haven’t posted on there for a while. I better get on that.

John Mapes. My music page. You could call it horror considering some of the songs I do.

We must take a short break from the IAHTKY cavalcade to perform an important Kindertrauma ritual. Today is Arbogast Day! Although Arby has pulled the plug on his superlative blog, it is still necessary that we take part in his “The One I Might Have Saved” thing-a-ma-bob to insure a rich healthy harvest of traumafessions this year. To activate the sacrament I must simply pick one horror movie character that dies on film that I’d rather have not die. Nobody readily appeared in my head but then I remembered that I had just viewed FRIDAY THE 13TH: PART 3 again and had decided that I love the character Vera Sanchez as played by CATHERINE PARKS. I’m going to save Vera! It’s a tough decision because her death is pretty awesome and it’s Jason’s very first kill wearing a hockey mask but the heart wants what the heart wants and all that jazz.

I’m sorry but I like Vera way better than that uptight final squirrel Chris Higgins. Vera’s just as easy on the eyes (though her red outfit is a little too match-y-match-y for my taste), yet she is much more aware of the feelings of those around her. She defuses nerdy Shelly’s advances in an understanding way and she’s quick to stroke his ego after they both escape the most dangerous three member gang in the world. Aw, she even looks genuinely touched when she come across a picture in Shelly’s wallet of him and his mom. Plus she’s endearingly flawed too; butterfingers drops the darn wallet in Crystal Lake! Now if I’m going to point Jason’s arrow elsewhere to spare Vera should I point it at Chris? I thought about that but no, the arrow must hit the eyeball of the bitch behind the counter at the grocery store wearing the pig T-shirt who has the gall to tell my Vera, “We don’t accept no green stamps.” Excuse me? Yep, that one deserves an arrow in both eyes. So, there we are done. “He who walks behind the rows” has been fed. Happy Arbogast Day everyone and Vera, don’t ever change!

It’s a Horror to Know You: Stevil1981

1. What is the first film that ever scared you?

I’d have to say Spookies from 1986. I’m almost ashamed to say it as it’s such a goofy movie but man, that birthday scene at the start (shudder)

2. What is the last film that scared you?

I think someone else said this but Insidious had me pretty freaked for days after watching it.

3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.

The Feast trilogy. It’s almost unknown (at least it seems that way to me, nobody I know has seen any of them). For the most part I prefer psychological horror and anything with dense atmosphere over blood and guts but there’s a part of me that’s a total gorehound especially when it’s got it’s tongue lodged in it’s cheek, oh and cats getting raped by monsters, yeah cats getting raped by giant monsters that’s always good.

4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.

The above mentioned Spookies (really can’t help myself)

Basket Case. I love this movie but when I tried to watch it with my girlfriend there was continual eye rolling and total bafflement as to why anyone would spend any money on it.

The Bronx Warriors. I mean… WOW! just WOW! It’s terrible but….no, no, no, I don’t even know where to begin with this one, just watch it and be careful you don’t break your jaw when it hits the floor.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet

Hysteria Lives. Extremely thorough slasher site from the UK.

BadMovies.Org. Really funny reviews from a guy who clearly knows his stuff.

Inferno Music Vault. This guy has extensively compiled soundtracks to some really awesome movies sometimes they’re rips from official soundtracks sometimes VHS rips (Looker soundtrack by Barry Devorzon!) always great.

Cinemassacre. I’m sure most readers know of James’s work but for anyone who hasn’t been here before it’s well worth getting initiated.

Urban Legends Demos. Sorry I’m not normally one for shameless self promotion but this is the bandcamp for a musical collaboration I make up 50% of. We write songs based on urban legends. Right now only our rough demos are up but we’ll be starting work on our first proper record in a month or so.

It’s a Horror to Know You: WIL of Horror Yearbook!

1. What is the first film that ever scared you?

The Elephant Man. this movie was on cable all the time when I was young. I always had to zip by it on those old cable box controllers with the slide dial thingys. I was really young and the elephant man scared the poop out of me.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

Jesus Camp. I saw a double feature of Jesus Camp and Texas Chainsaw: The Beginning. Jesus Camp scared me more.

3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.

Seed of Chucky. I still believe this will be considered a classic some day.

Splice. Best horror movie since Orphan.

Anything by Chris Smith (Black Death) Smith should have the horror fans attention not Eli Roth and Rob Zombie.

4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.

Congo. Im obsessed with Congo. It is one of the few movies I can watch over and over.

Anaconda. The first movie where Ice Cube wasn’t a ghetto thug.

Trancers. My favorite Full Moon franchise after Puppet Master.

It’s a Horror to Know You: Adie Stone of Die On Set A

1. What is the first film that ever scared you?

Well, I first started watching horrors at a very young age and the first film that scared me was the first horror I ever watched ‘A Nightmare On Elm Street‘. What I remember it was mostly his face and how he could change the dreams to whatever he wished at pure will. Also the whole Tina in a body bag thing just creeped me out, even now if I see someone in a body bag moving around it makes my hairs stand on end.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

‘Cutting Moments‘, it’s a 5 part short horror movie movie lol. The first 4 parts are just plain silly and ridiculous but the 5th part, the actual ‘Cutting Moments’ of the group is the one, theres a statement on the front of the dvd by Tom Savini saying its the most disturbing film he had ever seen, and I agree completely. Without giving much away it’s about a standard family where the wife in said family isnt happy anymore so she attempts to make herself look better. The whole thing stuck in my head for months after, yet the most disturbing part was seeing that outside, the family’s child sat happily playing with his toys. (Also the moment in Scream 3 with the killer pretending to be Sidneys mother in a sheet/bag disturbed me.. See above, question 1.)

3. Name three horror movies you believe are underrated.

1. ‘In The Mouth Of Madness‘ (1994) Probably the best horror ever and most underrated.

2. ‘Cube‘ (1997) Such a simple but effective sci fi/horror.

3. ‘Bad Taste‘ (1987) Before ‘Lord of the Rings‘ and the dire ‘King Kong‘ remake there was ‘Bad Taste‘, Peter Jacksons first ever film, pure brilliance.

Honorable mention: ‘Faust: Love Of The Damned‘ (2000) Based on comic books and is simply fun.

4.Name three movies that you enjoy against your better judgement.

1. ‘Cold Hearts‘ (1999) A terrible vampire movie with the original Pink Power Ranger, I dont know why I like this movie, I just do.

2. ‘Valentine‘ (2001) Even though completely different from the book, its script was really intelligent but for some reason it just couldnt be pulled off on screen.

3. ‘Cloverfield‘ (2008) Pretty much everyone I speak to hates this movie. Yeah there is nothing to it really other than a giant monster but it just draws me in.

5. Send us to five places on the internet.

1. Die On Set A. Its my facebook horror blog, only with a few friends atm but I update about any new horror news as much as possible, I also have a deviantart and tumblr but I dont update them half as much as facebook.

2. Scary For Kids. I dont think its been updated for years but it had amazing online pranks, videos and stories.

3. The SCP Foundation. Probably the strangest site ever compiling list upon list of unnatural phenomena, This could easily all be fake, but could also easily be real. There is also a downloadable game based on one of these called SCP – 087 where you descend a long staircase, Nobody has ever reached the bottom.

And thats all I can think of, I apologise for only 3 sites but trust me, they are good enough!

It’s a Horror to Know You: Senski of Heart in a Jar!

1. What is the first film that ever scared you?

The first film to ever scare me was “Frankenstein Created Woman,” as I would have been all of five years old when I saw it in the theater. I remember Susan Denberg hacking and stabbing her way through much of the picture, especially one scene where she is on top of a fellow, plunging her knife in repeatedly. The notion that something could hurt you enough to kill you made its first impression on me, and those kills seemed very, very real.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

The last film that scared me was the first “Paranormal Activity.” I found the tension to be almost unbearable. Pleasantly surprised that a film can still do that, as I worry about becoming immune to shock.

3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.

Although I wonder if anything can be underrated in this era of wall-to-wall internet coverage, I really like 2001′s “Frailty,” 1991′s “The Unborn,” 2003′s “Willard,” and everyone has to stop what they’re doing and watch 1972′s “The Other.” That last one may not be underrated, but it’s definitely underseen.

4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.

You’ll put a big giddy smile on my face if you show me “The Green Slime,” “Night of the Lepus” and “Lifeforce.” Among my friends those are infamous for being *my* movies.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

Oh, I’m deadly dull on the web, but I do spend lotsa time with the Internet Speculative Fiction Database and Fantastic Fiction. Read more. That is all.