Autumn is just about here--the weather is cooler, the familiar scent of burning leaves lingers on the night air,
and Halloween comes to mind.

Thus, it's time to harvest a crop of scary films for us big kids to watch this All Hallows' Eve while the little kiddies frolic door-to-door.

Now, I know my horror films, and I like them disturbing and gory with the prospect of freaking out my
friends or even myself (which is highly doubtful).

But, at this point, I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I am tired of the same old horror classics: the Halloween series, Friday the 13, Scream, The Exorcist, etc...

So, I come to provide you with a list of horror flicks oozing with freshness and something you've yet to see including gore, creative plots, diversity, and
discomfort.

Therefore, if you have nightmares, or see something you never wanted to, I did say: I told you so!

So, off to the list. I tried my best to evade the spoilers--no particular order here.

10.) Candyman- Set in urban setting, Candyman surely has gore, but not in excess. It also has a brain, a.k.a.
a good story.
The plot starts with two college grads doing a thesis on urban legends.
The main character, Helen, is then led into a decrepit urban setting and building, where
soon she meets the Candyman; hell breaks loose. The movie makes viewers question Candyman's existence,
and Helen's sanity. It is a scary film for those who like more than guts.

9.) Interview with the Vampire- Ok, don't slap me for this, though Twilight was entertaining,
nothing beats this classic vampire film (save Nosferatu). Not everyone
is entranced by the vampire scene, but I am and there is a good many of us bloodsucker fanatics. Sure, I like me some Blade, and Bella
or Edwerd, but Rice's insightful, aristocratic vampires have always been my personal faves. Gary Oldman
is an ok Dracula, but even he can't top the sophistication of Louis and Lestat bickering under
the autumn moon.

8.) Silence of the Lambs- Ghouls and zombies not your thing? Find the more realistic and gruesome films more
disturbing than the undead? Serial killers may be the trigger of your fear then.
I've seen plenty 'o' serial killer films, and Hannibal's cheeky
antics still give me a rush. Also, it's been said the character of Hannibal Lector
was somewhat based on a real serial killer, Albert Fish. Fish looked like a pleasant, old gentleman--
a gentleman that lusted for children and their death. He also had a fetish
for sticking long needles into his man bits. Delightful to know, right?

7.) A Tale of Two Sisters- A Tale of Two Sisters is a Korean horror film, and a personal favorite.
Don't let the subtitles discourage you, because this movie
is intriguing from start to end. Two sisters return home with their father who is courting a nurse
who cared for their now dead mother. Su-Mi, the elder sister, is protective of her younger sister against this nasty stepmother
who appears to show her true colors as the movie develops.
Some ghostly occurrences are in the mix also. However, things are not
as they seem to Su-Mi and the devastating truth
unravels painfully. Heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and dang disturbing, A Tale of Two Sisters is a creepy film that you will watch over and over again, always finding a clue or detail you may have missed.

6.) Cannibal Holocaust-Do you really want to scream, gag, or cry? Do you want something
that will not allow you to sleep and linger in your mind? Well, here you go.
As a vegetarian, I really should not have watched this movie, but I didn't know what I was getting into.
Yes, there is explicit, faux scenes of tribal cannibalism that will shake you to the core.
There also are real-life killings of 5-6 animals in the movie such as a turtle and monkey.
I cried, I was angry, but this is what this tribe actually did and ate (they use a real tribe in it).
But, then animals on different levels face cruelty everyday beyond entertainment.
It makes you question ethics of animals and humanity,
and just makes you squirm. Consider watching it before judgment--or just avoid it if you rather not know and rather not vomit up your dinner.

5.) Reincarnation- A Japanese film about a group of actors starring in a movie
about a real serial killer in the area. The actors visit the abandoned hotel where
the murders happened years before, and find out they were
absolutely meant for their parts. It was fate, and in a very bad way. A very smart,
mind-boggling film with plenty of gore and a creepy doll.

4.) Hellraiser Series- Yes, another pretty mainstream bunch of films, which I love!
Psh, zombies are scary, but these cenobite monsters are disturbingly lovely. From how
they talk, stand, and apathetically rip apart live people from chains is eerie. The bloody atmosphere of
the Hellraiser films (I recommond 1,2 and 5 in the series) is unique. Definitely one
of the better horror franchises.

3.) Guinea Pig Series: Mermaid in A Manhole- The Guinea Pig Series is a 7-movie bunch of films from Japan made in the 80s. The first few films were explicit beyond any American horror film effects I've seen, showcasing
high-tech (for the time) techniques for gruesome violent acts. One film,
the Flower of Flesh and Blood depicted a serial killer dismembering a woman slowly. It
was so realistic, actor Charlie Sheen thought it real and called the cops. Well,
it wasn't, proving just how good the affects are, and still hold up.

Mermaid in the Manhole is the fourth installment, and of all the movies listed, I recommend
you not eat before or after this. The story is of an artist, just divorced from his wife, finds
sanctuary in a sewer, painting the filth, misery and trash---ironically one of
the few places he is content. In the sewer, he also discovers a mermaid who he saw as a child.
But, from lounging in a dirty manhole, the mermaid develops an infection on her stomach,
and the artist has her stay in his apartment in a tub. The infection can not be helped and spreads, and as she slowly dies she tells him to use the 7 colors of pus found in her infection's pustules to paint her as she is.
Revolting, yet strangely touching, with a nice twist at the end, Mermaid in a Manhole is something...eccentric.
But, you will feel ill.

2.) Puppetmasters- OK, so I know I bombarded you with a plethora of revolting films.
As much as I love 'em, I also love cheesy ones. They lighten the mood, and
provide some bloody good laughs. Puppetmasters 1 has to be a favorite cheese-fest.
Evil puppets slaughter visitors at a hotel in ludicrous ways. The story
isn't terribly bad, and the puppets are damn adorable--especially the one that vomits leeches.
I can't say the same for the 80 million Puppetmaster follow-ups. But, you should be good with the first!

1.) It and clown movies- Fanged, killer clowns and Tim Curry. It's like a sicko's wet dream. Not mine, I'm not that twisted.Oh, and since I'm on the subject of clown movies and tackiness, if you want to see the WORST horror or general film ever,
waste some hard-earned cash on Killyjoy.
It's set in an urban setting, with a black clown who sounds like he is fueled by helium.
The film has two or three backdrops, thugs getting killed in ice cream trucks, and a horny, ghetto clown.
It's really BAD, therefore, hilarious.

Honorable Mention:

Eraserhead- Exploding, bloody chicken carcasses, and oatmeal-barfing E.T. babies at its best!

Rosemary's Baby-It's well-done classic with evil babies.

Well, I hope this editorial piece gives you some new titles for your Halloween movie list for anytime of the year.

You may enjoy it, but I can't promise your friends will thank you for it if they
get queasy easy!

And, lastely, remember, I warned you. Cue the evil laughter.