Don't be afraid, it's just a movie...

In honor of the advent of the Halloween season (and why isn't there a Halloween advent calendar!), I decided it might be time to take a look back at the best gruesome murderers schlocky horror films have to offer. There are some that are awful and amazing at the same time, some that are genuinely scary, and some that are just good for a laugh. There are so many memorable moments, it is hard to choose a list, but I think my list manages to cover the ones that make an impact.

Your mileage may vary.

Also in a topic like this, it probably goes without saying, BUT-

The videos in this article are NOT for the faint of heart

That said, let's take a look and at our first entry.

Jason Voorhees has never been one to discriminate. Over the years, he's killed everyone regardless of race, creed, or sexuality. So why should it come as any surprise that he slaughters the disabled just as easily as he does those without any physical defects?

In Friday the 13th Part 2, Jason makes his first appearance as the lovable killing machine we've come to know and fear. He had a cameo in the legitimately terrifying final moments of the first film, but it wasn't until the sequel where he became a star.

Here, late in the film, he preforms a coup-de-grace- on a monumentally annoying handicapable camper and shows why it is always important to follow federal guidelines and have a ramp installed.

The first of many, Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street was a terrifying film, all but free of camp, aiming to terrifying audiences not make them chuckle at Freddy's wacky antics. Here, the audience is introduced to Freddy for the very first time and there's nothing funny about what happens.

A pedophile and a serial killer, Krueger was burned alive by a vigilante mob of parents. Now, he stalks their children's dreams and continues having his way with the children of Elm Street. Entering the nightmares of his first victim, he chases and stalks her with supernatural glee, before killing her.

This scene builds the suspense, and once Freddy appears, he menaces his victim just long enough to savor her terror. Meanwhile, her baffled and horrified boyfriend watches as her body is torn apart while being flung across the room .

This scene defined a character, and gave some true chills. Here at number 4 is Freddy's entrance onto the world stage.

When you'e being chased by a killer alien who can take the shape of any human it comes in contact with, it's best to be careful where you put your hands. There are a lot of words to say about the greatness of John Carpenter's The Thing, but I think this video can speak volumes so I don't have to.

A word to the wise, check out the original versionof this classic remake. While very different from the newer version, it remains a classic for a reason. It has some great camera work, and is worth a look if you're into some old school, 50s horrror.

Freddy makes a repeat engagement on our list! This time he gets a nod for his performance in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. During this period, the Nightmare franchise was in transition. No longer the straight-forward horror of the previous films, but not yet the jokey pun-master Freddy Krueger we would see later. Dream Warriors is one of the best of the series, rivalling even the original.

In the film, the dream master stalks the minds of the young patients of a mental hospital. Among the would-be victims is an eccentric lad who fancies puppets. With a creepy hobby like that, you know any horror movie monster is going to have a field day with him. And Freddy does not disappoint.

In fact, he goes above and beyond the call of duty. Rather than simply killing the boy with his own weirdo puppets, he turns the kid himself into a living puppet, responding to Freddy's every command, ultimately leadng to his death. Not scary enough? Freddy accomplishes this by slicing the boys arms and lusing the boy's own veins as marionette strings.

Gross. Gross gross gross. This is probably the single most disgusting event in any of the Nightmare on Elm Street films, but it is also incredibly inventive, and you can rest assured that it will stick with you years after you've seen it. That's why it earns a spot at number two.

SERIOUSLY THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR WORK OR KIDS

Day of the Dead has never stood up to the two films that came before it (Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead). It just never had the scare factor OR the blistering social commentary of those that came before it. Still, George Romero's third film has maybe the greatest death scene in horror movie history.

After being chased down and shot but a zombie who has been trained by the post-apocalyptic government to think and perform rudimentary actions (really), this rough and tumble army man runs right into a mob of the living dead. The natural order of things progresses as one would expect.

Still, while the man is being literally ripped to pieces by scores of ghouls, he retains his fighting spirit and his hatred of the zombie hordes. His final words "CHOKE ON 'EM" as he watches the undead horde eating his own vital organs is how every true man should hope to die. This scene is referenced in the comedy-horror hit Shaun of the Dead, reinforcing the iconic nature of this scene from an otherwise mediocre film.

For inspiring both terror, revulsion, and a little bit of pride in the fighting men of our great nation, Day of the Dead comes in number one.

Also, once again, this clip is EXCEPTIONALLY GRAPHIC. TAKE HEED.

The final clip is easily the most terrifying moment in all of horror history. However, since no one is killed, it can't be on the list due to a technicality. Despite these petty rules getting the way, I would be remiss not to share this final video with you.

From Friday the 13th: Party IV, Crispin Glover dancing, Yes, THAT Crispin Glover. Marty's dad in Back to the Future. The creepy guy from Charlie's Angels. That creepy guy from well... everywhere. Dude is just weird. He got his start in the Jason series, and what a start it was. Get ready, because he's going to dance.

Well, there you have it. That raps up the list, but no list can ever be complete. There are always new movies coming out, and who can judge what is scariest, really? Everyone has their own phobias.

And besides, this is a very limited selection. Originally I had films like The Silence of the Lambs and Alien included, but I thought movies that win Academy Awards don't really follow the spirit. Schlock and dudes with masks and magic powers are more the reason for the season.

I wold love to hear what your list would include though. Leave a comment and let me know.

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