Author: unkle lancifer

It's a Horror to Know You: Taylor!

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

Looking way way way back in my subconscious, I think that my earliest memory of being scared by something on TV was the opening live-action portion of The Water Babies. My most memorable childhood movie/TV scares are all Stephen King-related, I'm realizing now: The "Gramma" episode of The Twilight Zone, The Shining, and the funeral scene from Silver Bullet all spring to mind.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

Lake Mungo gave me a chill like I hadn't experienced since I was little.

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

1.Messiah of Evil.

2.Let's Scare Jessica to Death.

3.Race with the Devil.

Honorable mentions go to Alone in the Dark, and Jeff Lieberman's entire catalogue.

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

I watch The Creature from Black Lake once every couple of years…I can't even blame childhood nostalgia, since I first saw it only about 10 years ago.

Dead Silence. Everyone tells me it sucks, so I must be the crazy one.

Prophecy (the Robert Foxworth/Talia Shire one). Another biennial one for me. Maybe it's the scenery?

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

Bleeding Skull.

The Terror Trap.

Blood Good Horror.

Corpse Collective.

Prairie Ghosts.

It's a Horror to Know You: Eshbaal of Horrible Horror!

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

I actually have a hard time remembering this. It took a long time before I really watched fully blown horror films, and I was mostly a pretty tough kid (or just left the room if I had reason to believe something would be too scary for me). One of the earliest moments I remember freaking out was at the age of 7 or 8 when I saw the heart-ripping scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. For a horror film… I think it may have been Wes Craven's New Nightmare, during the funeral dream sequence. I feel like there's something I'm missing here, though.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

Not so much 'scared' as 'disgusted', but "The Dentist", despite being a kind of bad film overall, freaked me right the hell out at the dental torture scenes. For a more straight "scare" it's been a while, but I'd say "Insidious", which I watched last Halloween. I didn't expect it to suck me in as fully and completely as it did, that's for goddamn sure.

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

This isn't so much "underrated by horror fans", but more movies I believe should have higher status overall than they do. I realize all three of these choices are actually quite popular in these "nerdier" circles.

1. Paperhouse – It can be debated exactly how far this reaches into the horror territory, but when it's frightening, it's FRIGHTENING. The image of the "dad" with hammer in hand standing on that hill, and just the unnatural feeling that the house invokes… it's great!

2. Castle Freak – I LOVE Stuart Gordon's work, and yet it's rare to hear anyone mention Castle Freak – but EVERY time it IS mentioned, it is pretty much always positive, and for good reason. It is genuinely unsettling through the whole damn thing and is probably the most wonderful homage to the gothic horror tradition to exist. While I tend to think "killing the pet" can be a cheap move (note the "can"), the image of the cat being dragged under the doorframe is etched in my mind. I've really yet to dislike a Stuart Gordon film. "Dolls", "Dagon" and "From Beyond" deserve mention too.

3. Clownhouse – By God, this thing. If you can look past the kinda gross history with Victor Salva, there's a fine little suspense piece to be found – the intro scene with the clown poster actually managed to freak me right the hell out on the spot. But what I love about it for real is that it's one of VERY few films to get the killer clown thing right – having the clown look like a NORMAL CLOWN. I tire of the monster clowns, as this mises the point of why a clown would be frightening in the first place. These three guys are so out of place that it becomes terrifying. Plus, it's proof of one my claims that simplicity can be key. The movie is basically just "Three kids home alone with maniacs" and uses this to scare rather than try too hard to come up with the most original setup on the planet.

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

I am in general in the "love stuff that's so bad it's good" camp, so this is a fun one.

1. Night of the Demon (1980) – ANYONE who's seen this knows why. It is a damn near incomprehensible mess comprised entirely of an endless cycle of "walking scene – kill scene". The acting is awful, the effects atrocious, the story nonexistant, the image quality terrible, the directing mind-boggingly bad… but it's one of the funniest things I've ever seen through the whole dman movie, and I'd watch it again in a heartbeat.

2. Stepfather III – I LOVE the original Stepfather. And I thought part 2 was really damn fun as well. By all accounts, Terry O' Quinn is to thank for the fantastic feel to these two movies – and everything about part III screams that any fan of the series should hate it. Actor scrapped? Check. Somehow 15 minutes longer than the other films? Check. TV movie? Check. But it is so completely off its rocker that I cant' help but love it – particularly the beginning, where our still bandaged killer takes the most menacing sip of a juicebox I ever saw. I love it!

3. Leprechaun in Space / Jason X – Another case of the film just being so completely batshit insane that I can't help but enjoy it. The "In Space" aspect is often mocked, and rightfully so, but both of these films seem to have SUCH a freaking laugh with it. Particularly Leprechaun in Space makes NO sense whatsoever, but it is absolutely hilarious throughout and you can't claim it isn't at least somewhat creative.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

I'm afraid I can only think of three…

1. Horror Movie A Day – Despite finding myself disagreeing often and finding the guy to occasionally being a bit snobby, this is a great way to get some time to pass.

2. The Bodycount Continues Forums – I don't post there as much as I should, but it is a very fun slasher-based forum where everyone knows their stuff… so much so it can almost be discouraging! It is a pretty tight little community, though.

3. Hysteria- Lives – Reviews can be lengthy, and the time between updates is lengthy and frustrating, but you gotta love the bodycount lists and generally amusing reviews!

It's a Horror to Know You: Jose Cruz of Mephisto's Castle and The Grim Reader!

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

My mind's a whirring snow globe of various traumatizing images, but the Wicked Witch's emerald sneer and the Cryptkeeper's casket-dry cackle come to mind as being the very first instances when I realized that having the TV to myself was not always a good idea.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

Hmm, good question. I watch a good deal of Internet shorts that give me the heebie jeebies (it's a masochistic complex), but I think the last feature film that really unsettled me was LAKE MUNGO. I am such a baby when it comes to ghostly footage-type movies, and the cell phone camera scene was enough to nearly send me into cardiac arrest.

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

1. THE NINTH GATE (1999) Polanski's second Satanic outing deserves more worshipers.

2. THE COMPANY OF WOLVES (1984) Beautiful fairy tale landscape rife with great lycanthrope moments.

3. RAVENOUS (1999) Black comedy that misses the mark a little but is delicious nonetheless.

Special Easter Egg: The Night Stalker (1972)! Darren McGavin at his snarkiest, vampire-hunting best.

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

1. HORROR EXPRESS (1972) Wonderfully hokey but insanely watchable scifi creature feature romp.

2. AFTERMATH (1994) Hyper-real, icky corpse sex that I can't help but be fascinated by. (Are you sure I shouldn't feel guilty about THAT?)

3. THE MUMMY (1999) A film for my brain to go on auto-pilot and do this: Pew! Pew! Pew! Mummies! Pew! Pew! Flesh-eating bugs! Pew-pew! Stephen Sommers! Aaagh!

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

1. Heart In A Jar. Senski is a golden horror god.

2. Radiation-Scarred Reviews. B-movie blogging badassery.

3. Behind the Couch. Checking out the genre with exquisite taste and refined writing.

4. The Horrors of it All. Karswell has a never-ending attic of gruesome Pre-code goodies.

5. Zombos' Closet. Eccentric, kooky, ooky, and weirdly wonderful.

Hey Unk! Just wanted to say that I love Kindertrauma…so much. What I love the most about the site, is that Kindertrauma actually gets me excited and makes me want to watch the films it talks about. As if the excitement and wonder of when you were discovering horror films as a child somehow got transferred into the site itself.

It's a Horror to Know You: Matt Sunshine

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

That would be without a doubt, the made-for-TV movie "Ants" (1977). Also, Annie Ross being pulled into a computer and turned into a robot in "Superman III" (1983), one of the first films I experienced in a movie theater. As well as some of the moments I was able to sneak a peak at of "Carrie" (1976) and "Children Of The Corn" (1984) while on the 8 o'clock movie in the 80's.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

"INLAND EMPIRE" (2006)

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

I doubt I'll be introducing anyone here to anything new. I'm pretty sure my choices won't be making me any friends either. I was going to go with "Near Dark" (1987) and "Don't Look Now" (1973) but I figured by now, the artistic importance of these 2 films has been well documented.

1. "Poltergeist II: The Other Side" (1986) – A Vomit Creature. Braces that attack you. Freelings. Speaking to ghosts, or something else, over a toy phone. Heather O'Rourke. Jerry Goldsmith's score. And Julian Beck as Kane – one of the most intense and frightening characters I've ever seen.

2. "The Mephisto Waltz" (1971) – Another great Jerry Goldsmith score. Some eerie scenes. I love that late 60's/early 70's look and feel. I can't look at Alan Alda or Pamelyn Ferdin and not think of the 70's. There will never be another film that looks like this again, it's simply stuck in 1971.

3. (a) "Halloween II" (1981) – Has been overly criticized for its extra supply of blood and gore, as well as its so-called likeness to the countless imitations of the original film. One of my favorite things about this film is that it shows us all the things horror movies never show us. Like where the villain goes when he escapes, the reaction in the community, the news reports in progress of the earlier events on TV and radio, the victims being taken to the hospital. This sequel continues so naturally.

(b) "Halloween III: Season Of The Witch" (1982) – Hated it the first time I saw it. Should have been released as "Season Of The Witch." Atmospheric. Terrific score. A Halloween favorite.

Honorable Mention: "Phantom of the Paradise" (1974) and "The Beguiled" (1971) Not sure they're horrors, but the latters poster is on this site, so I'm counting it. Also, "Cujo" (1983).

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

1. "Deadly Friend" (1986)

2. "Poltergeist III" (1988)

3. "The Night Child" (1975)

Honorable Mention: "Curtains" (1983) and "Children Of The Corn" (1984).

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

If you are on Kindertrauma, then you are already on the best film site on the Internet.

It's a horror to know you: Apocalypsejunkie!

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

Actually it was a movie trailer I saw on television for The Shining, when Torrance is chasing Danny through the maze with an ax. Something about that really got into my head and since I was too young at the time to go see the movie, my imagination ran wild with that scene.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

The Last Exorcism, those last ten minutes were so off the rails and unexpected, I just sat there with my jaw agape thinking," WTF just happened here? What did I just see?".

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

1.Event Horizon: the thought that the ship was…. somewhere else for all those years and brought something back with it, creeps me out to no end.

2. Wolfen: People thought it was ridiculous at the time, wolf creatures in New York City undetected? PFAH! Yeah, how many Coyotes have been spotted recently? Exactly!

3.In the Mouth of Madness: I always think this is a Clive Barker film, it has that other worldly/dimension vibe to it. When the two eventually collide, and how do they ever, it is pure madness! "How do you like the book?'. WHACK! I must have something for Sam Neil…

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

1. Tombs of the Blind Dead: Even Elvira made fun of this one, but there really is something horrifying about mummified knights riding silently and in slow motion across the Spanish countryside, brandishing swords ready to lob your head off.

2. City of the Living Dead: All of Fulci's films are disjointed messes when you get right down to it, but nobody does atmosphere quite like him and this one is no exception. Each scene stands on its own, like a vignette of nightmares.

3.Poultrygeist:Night of the Chicken Dead: So gross, so stupid, so finger licking funny!

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

Sorry, I'm lazy and use your suggestions for this one most of the time.

It's a horror to now you: Tom Steeber!

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

There were a number of films I saw early on that gave me the heebie-jeebies or had short lived scares but the one that stands out is the classic Kubrick film, The Shining. I saw it when I was thirteen and it scared me so badly that I actually started to cry. Naturally now I consider it the masterpiece that so many others do.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

This would be the made for TV movie, Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County. Even knowing it was fake, it never the less scared me like no other movie had before or since.

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

1. J.T. Petty's Soft For Digging. It's a pot boiler that many consider boring. I find it fascinating and extremely eerie. And the fact that he was able to make it on a $6000 budget and get it accepted in Sundance is an inspiration to me as a fellow filmmaker.

2. Hukkle, from Hungarian director, Gyorgi Palfi. Not many people I've talked to have seen this. It appears as a series of unrelated events that evntually lead up to a disturbing conclusion.

3. Home Movie. This is probably my favorite of the "evil children" sub genre. What starts out as a normal home movie of an upstate New York family, becomes total nightmare fuel as we see just how demented the kids in the family are.

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

1. 8MM. Nicholas Cage. End of story.

2. The Devil's Gift. Stupid, stupid, stupid movie about a killer toy cymbal monkey. I like it simply because I collect the ugly bastards.

3. They. The one about the aliens made in the 1970's. Completely terrible movie in which you never see any aliens even though there is this huge invasion.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

1. The Hustle. Home of The Hustle. A friend's comedy podcast.

2. UFO Phil. The personal webpage of alien abductee and songwriter, UFO Phil. I was in his movie.

3. Cinema Head Cheese. A horror movie review site.

4.Paleofuture. Pokes fun at the predictions of the future written in the past.

5. Listverse. A new top ten list every day.

It's a Horror to Know You: Lottie of Millhaven!

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

That would either be Return to Oz (Which I now love!) or House (1986)

2. What is the last film that scared you?

The weird otherworldly scene in Insidious kinda creeped me out, as did The Strangers.

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

1.Ice from the Sun (Really low budget, some iffy acting, but has some amazing atmosphere and some really good ideas.)

2.Necromentia (See above. ALso, I'm still freaked out by The Mr. Skinny Show segment.)

3.The Supernaturals (not only is it pretty spooky, but it has LeVar Burton in it!)

*Special bonus film!* House of the Devil (Totally digging the 80's vibe here!)
*Special bonus film pt 2!* Darkness (2002)
*Special bonus film pt 3:The revenge!!!* Phantasm (1979)

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

1.The Mangler (There is sooo much wrong with this movie,but somehow, its sooo right)

2.Bloody New Year (Which is totally watchable due to utter insanity)

3.Santa's Slay/Leprechaun/Rumpelstiltskin (All pretty much the same movie, all pretty much terrible, but I'm a sucker for that kinda thing)

It's a Horror to Know You: Kinderpal Mickster!

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

Trilogy of Terror (1975)-Zuni fetish doll anyone? Four-year-old Mickster was traumatized by the "Amelia" segment. I also have a vivid memory of the Zuni fetish doll being on the cover of the TV Guide.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

Insidious (2011)-I was spooked for a least a week after seeing this one at the theater even though I wasn't satisfied with the ending.

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

Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)-I saw this super, creepy gem on late night TV as a kid. Movies like this fed my fascination with vampires at an early age. It still satisfies.

The Thirst (1979)-Another creepy, unusual flick I caught late night when I was young. I watched because I love vampires and I kept watching because I found this take on vampires intriguing.

House on Sorority Row (1983)-I saw this for the first time at a high school slumber party. My most vivid memory at the time was the head in the toilet. Upon subsequent viewings, I find this movie to be a cut above cookie cutter slasher films (even though I find most all slasher films entertaining).

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

Terror Train (1980)-I just cannot resist David Copperfield performing magic for a "rock crowd" on New Year's Eve not to mention the huge crush I have on Ben Johnson!

Halloween III Season of the Witch (1982)-How can I possibly withstand that jingle, "Eight more days till Halloween! Silver Shamrock!" or the awesome Tom Atkins?

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

Like Totally 80s. It is a great place for 80s nuts like me!

Retroland. Another one for nostalgic fiends like myself!

Plaid Stallions. Do you enjoy looking at old catalogs like me? Then head on over to Plaid Stallions!

Made For TV Mayhem. My pal Amanda by Night is the only person I know that is more nostalgic than me!

I don't have a fifth because I want to say Kindertrauma, but you are already here.

One of our favorite folks, good ol' The Mike of From Midnight, With Love is participating in the "It's a Horror to Know You!" challenge at his home base HERE! Click on over because he's got some excellent picks including 1960's THE CITY OF THE DEAD aka THE HORROR HOTEL which you can watch below in its entirety! If you've not checked it out before please do. It should provide a perfect Sunday afternoon view! Thanks The Mike!

It's a Horror to Know You: Wednesday's Child of Deep Red Rum!

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

The Changeling (1980) was the first. granted it was one of the first I saw, around '81, but it still scares me now. All I have to do is think of the sound of the EVPs saying, "my father, my medal" and I get a little freaked out.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

The 2009 Australian film Lake Mungo got to me in a big way. It raises all sorts of what ifs about fate, psychic abilities, and the horror of being trapped as a ghost on Earth.

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

Curtains, the 1983 Canadian slasher. The relational aggression between the female characters plus the fear of insanity are enough to make this one a scary must see.

Event Horizon from 1997. Everyone I know who has seen this was scared silly by it, even if they saw it as an adult; the trouble is, not that many people saw it!

1989's Beyond Dream's Door. Ignore the low-budget rubber monster, this movie perfectly captures the cyclical, fatalistic feeling of your worst nightmare, the kind that sticks with you long after you wake up.

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

Pieces (1983). What can I say? I love the dance class, the stupid kung-fu fighter, Lynda Day George yelling "Bastaaaaard!" and Jack Taylor as a bitchy red herring.

Ghosthouse AKA La Casa 3 (1988). As with The Changeling, it's the sound effects that get me, every time that clown doll plays that stupid nursery rhyme.

The Dark Power (1987). I can't recommend it to anyone but those who like bad movies because they're bad, but it's in heavy rotation at my house. Plus, there's a hilarious handyman minor character who exemplifies why I love hilarious minor horror characters.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

Aloha Mister Hand – This girl is one of the most prolific horror bloggers out there, and she has good taste.

At the Mansion of Madness – I love discovering the best of Italian horror with Giovanni Susina.

Goregirl's Dungeon – This lady watches all the movies, she knows her stuff and she puts so much work into her site with videos of her reviewing in costume as well as her excellent YouTube Channel with soundtracks. I'm sending you to two places with this one blogger!

Wide Weird World of Cult Films – This guy is freakin' hilarious! Yes, he's also my husband, but that doesn't make me biased, it makes me lucky.