Comments on: 31 Films That Give Me the Willies http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/ Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:41:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: Turbo Ferbo http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1566 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:59:11 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1566 Great list, with some uncommon picks, but howzabout the film that has been giving ME the willies ever since I was about 5 years old (and that's a looooooooooong time ago!): 1959's "House on Haunted Hill"? Every time I think of Carol Ohmart in that film, noose around her neck and floating in the window...well, it gives me the bejeebers even now as an adult. Brrrrrrr! Great list, with some uncommon picks, but howzabout the film that has been giving ME the willies ever since I was about 5 years old (and that’s a looooooooooong time ago!): 1959’s “House on Haunted Hill”? Every time I think of Carol Ohmart in that film, noose around her neck and floating in the window…well, it gives me the bejeebers even now as an adult. Brrrrrrr!

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1099 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:51:26 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1099 Jesse - I've got the LD version of The Reflecting Skin and I hope a region-1 DVD will be released sometime, but I may end up picking up that Japanese DVD since I love the film so much so thanks for pointing it out. I'm also glad you gave Cure another look. I think it's a terrific film and I really it's ambiguity. logboy - Many thanks for the film rec! I love British horror films but 10 Rellington Place is one film I haven't had the chance to see and it sounds like something I'd really enjoy. Jesse - I’ve got the LD version of The Reflecting Skin and I hope a region-1 DVD will be released sometime, but I may end up picking up that Japanese DVD since I love the film so much so thanks for pointing it out. I’m also glad you gave Cure another look. I think it’s a terrific film and I really it’s ambiguity.

logboy - Many thanks for the film rec! I love British horror films but 10 Rellington Place is one film I haven’t had the chance to see and it sounds like something I’d really enjoy.

]]> by: logboy http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1097 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 02:24:55 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1097 if you haven't seen it, pick up the UK disc of 'ten rillington place' (1970) : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rillington-Place-Special-Richard-Attenborough/dp/B0000SVWCC/ as it's astonishingly unsettling, thought feels entirely everyday. if you haven’t seen it, pick up the UK disc of ‘ten rillington place’ (1970) :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rillington-Place-Special-Richard-Attenborough/dp/B0000SVWCC/

as it’s astonishingly unsettling, thought feels entirely everyday.

]]> by: Jesse W. http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1093 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:10:20 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1093 I know I'm almost two months late but I think it's great that you put "The Reflecting Skin" on that list. I don't know very many people that have seen it. There is a Japanese DVD release of it actually, although it is expensive and region coded. Websites like www.xploitedcinema.com carry it, and if you search for VHS titles on Amazon or Ebay it isn't hard to find copies of films like that and they're much cheaper than the imported dvds. Also I really enjoyed "Cure". The first time I saw it I wasn't into it at all, but upon a second viewing I found it to be very effective and subtle. The ending is amazing too, although I can see someone getting pissed and going "What happened? this sucks." I must admit that I really did enjoy "The Descent" I know I’m almost two months late but I think it’s great that you put “The Reflecting Skin” on that list. I don’t know very many people that have seen it. There is a Japanese DVD release of it actually, although it is expensive and region coded. Websites like www.xploitedcinema.com carry it, and if you search for VHS titles on Amazon or Ebay it isn’t hard to find copies of films like that and they’re much cheaper than the imported dvds.

Also I really enjoyed “Cure”. The first time I saw it I wasn’t into it at all, but upon a second viewing I found it to be very effective and subtle. The ending is amazing too, although I can see someone getting pissed and going “What happened? this sucks.”

I must admit that I really did enjoy “The Descent”

]]> by: Helena http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1067 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:35:39 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1067 The Film Society of Lincoln Center had an inspired program 2 years ago which included "Blood on Satan's Claw;"(I was so happy becuase I thought that I would never see it again!), and a bunch of other horror cult films including some Hammer Productions. Just a note to Your NYC fans -- The Film Society of Lincoln Center which shows films at The Walter Reade Theater is a good spot to check out. The Film Society of Lincoln Center had an inspired program 2 years ago which included “Blood on Satan’s Claw;”(I was so happy becuase I thought that I would never see it again!), and a bunch of other horror cult films including some Hammer Productions. Just a note to Your NYC fans — The Film Society of Lincoln Center which shows films at The Walter Reade Theater is a good spot to check out.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1042 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:29:18 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1042 Thanks for the recent comments Helena! Blood on Satan's Claw is a terrific and very creepy film and my favorite Tigon production. I first saw it when I was a young teen in the early 80s on Elvira's Movie Macabre show and it scarred me silly.It's nice to come across someone else who likes it too. Thanks for the recent comments Helena! Blood on Satan’s Claw is a terrific and very creepy film and my favorite Tigon production. I first saw it when I was a young teen in the early 80s on Elvira’s Movie Macabre show and it scarred me silly.It’s nice to come across someone else who likes it too.

]]> by: Helena http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1041 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:06:12 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1041 Your pick of "Blood on Satan's Claw" drew me to your sight. Your pick of “Blood on Satan’s Claw” drew me to your sight.

]]> by: Helena http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1040 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:56:27 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-1040 "Blood on Satan's Claw!" “Blood on Satan’s Claw!”

]]> by: Bob Turnbull http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-938 Sun, 28 Oct 2007 20:55:29 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-938 Way late on finally getting around to reading some of the nominee posts... Kimberly, it looks it was just you and I voting for "Cure". I knew "Pulse" would make it, but really thought "Cure" had a chance as well...Disturbing as all get out. I certainly regretted not nominating a few other films and already regret my final vote from the list of 180 (I'm debating whether I should've have played with the weightings in order to skew towards lesser titles). Oh well, like with the foreign titles list, the main goal of these lists is to find new stuff to watch and expand our viewing scope. Your list alone has done that plenty. Way late on finally getting around to reading some of the nominee posts…

Kimberly, it looks it was just you and I voting for “Cure”. I knew “Pulse” would make it, but really thought “Cure” had a chance as well…Disturbing as all get out.

I certainly regretted not nominating a few other films and already regret my final vote from the list of 180 (I’m debating whether I should’ve have played with the weightings in order to skew towards lesser titles). Oh well, like with the foreign titles list, the main goal of these lists is to find new stuff to watch and expand our viewing scope. Your list alone has done that plenty.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-934 Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:03:08 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-934 There's no accounting for taste Arbogast. I love <strong>Corruption</strong> and <strong>Incense for the Damned</strong>, which I believe you recently called "sparkling abortions" in your own blog. One persons trash is another persons treasure. There’s no accounting for taste Arbogast. I love Corruption and Incense for the Damned, which I believe you recently called “sparkling abortions” in your own blog. One persons trash is another persons treasure.

]]> by: Arbogast http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-910 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:30:27 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-910 I hated <b>Full Circle/The Haunting of Julia</b>. I find it tedious (same with Mia's other other horror movie, <b>See No Evil</b>. Mia Farrow spends like 2 hours running to get people to see what she's seen... but then it isn't there. Still, I loved the deluxe treatment it got recently in the blogosphere... what a great way to pay tribute to a favorite film. I was pissed I'd left <b>Carnival of Souls</b> off my list and then I remembered <b>The Frozen Dead</b> with Dana Andrews... and that blue head! Chills! But I digress. I hated Full Circle/The Haunting of Julia. I find it tedious (same with Mia’s other other horror movie, See No Evil. Mia Farrow spends like 2 hours running to get people to see what she’s seen… but then it isn’t there. Still, I loved the deluxe treatment it got recently in the blogosphere… what a great way to pay tribute to a favorite film. I was pissed I’d left Carnival of Souls off my list and then I remembered The Frozen Dead with Dana Andrews… and that blue head! Chills!

But I digress.

]]> by: Ed Hardy, Jr. http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-883 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:51:05 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-883 Ha! You're totally busted Kimberly! Actually, the weighted list is the single most interesting part of the ranking process, as far as I'm concerned, and the only thing that didn't hold me back from holding just a one-round let's-all-nominate-our-favorite-movies list. I hijacked this whole format from Copeland and it was that element of the ranking, the weighting, that intrigued me. Tallying the votes has been fascinating because I know most people are putting their pet obscurity at number one and ranking acknowledged classics much lower. "Utilizing your knowledge of the judging process is not cheating, it's playing the game using your head, not just your heart and your body." If my Little League coach didn't actually say that, he should've. Oh, and CURE, like 80 other poor orphaned flicks, only needed one more vote to make it on the list. Ha! You’re totally busted Kimberly! Actually, the weighted list is the single most interesting part of the ranking process, as far as I’m concerned, and the only thing that didn’t hold me back from holding just a one-round let’s-all-nominate-our-favorite-movies list. I hijacked this whole format from Copeland and it was that element of the ranking, the weighting, that intrigued me. Tallying the votes has been fascinating because I know most people are putting their pet obscurity at number one and ranking acknowledged classics much lower. “Utilizing your knowledge of the judging process is not cheating, it’s playing the game using your head, not just your heart and your body.” If my Little League coach didn’t actually say that, he should’ve.

Oh, and CURE, like 80 other poor orphaned flicks, only needed one more vote to make it on the list.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-863 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:09:49 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-863 Andrew - Thanks a lot for your terrific comment! I'm glad I'm not the only person who finds Avati's films so effective. I can't imagine how anyone could not include one of his movies on any kind of "willies" list once you've seen them, but I suppose we all get disturbed by different things. And where is a DVD for <strong>The Uninvited</strong>? You'd think that a classic film like that, which is good and obviously influential, would be more easily available. I think it was Ray Milland's first starring role in a thriller too, so that must count for something? Jonathan - I feel you're pain about ranking them. That's just one aspect of this whole list making process that I really don't enjoy. I wouldn't worry about including the types of films that interest you on your own list. I tend to like a lot of classic gothic horror films and Universal monster movies myself, and I love just about every movie Hammer released. Many of the films on my own list have absolutely no gore and not one drop of blood is spilled. Will - Sadly <strong>Full Circle,</strong> as well as a lot of other great films that made the list of 181 nominees such as <strong>Blood on Satan's Claw </strong>and <strong>The Reflecting Skin</strong> are not available on DVD in the US, so you'll have to track down VHS copies if you want to see them. Good luck and I hope you enjoy Avati's movies! Peter - I managed to totally forget all the pre-90s early Japanese horror films I love. I have no idea what happened, but my brain just sort of farted out on me. I really wish Kurosawa's <strong>Cure</strong> had made the final cut and I'm really surprised it didn't get 3 votes. Personally I think it's superior to a LOT of the modern Asian horror films that made the nominee list. Neil - Yep, this ranking crap is just that... crap! No one can convince me that a movie like <strong>The Decent</strong> is superior to <strong>Martin</strong>. But anyway... I plan to do what I did on the foreign film list and totally weigh my ranking as well. I suppose that's cheating again. Oh well! As far as I know Ed hasn't complained about my cheating yet. ;) Andrew - Thanks a lot for your terrific comment! I’m glad I’m not the only person who finds Avati’s films so effective. I can’t imagine how anyone could not include one of his movies on any kind of “willies” list once you’ve seen them, but I suppose we all get disturbed by different things.

And where is a DVD for The Uninvited? You’d think that a classic film like that, which is good and obviously influential, would be more easily available. I think it was Ray Milland’s first starring role in a thriller too, so that must count for something?

Jonathan - I feel you’re pain about ranking them. That’s just one aspect of this whole list making process that I really don’t enjoy. I wouldn’t worry about including the types of films that interest you on your own list. I tend to like a lot of classic gothic horror films and Universal monster movies myself, and I love just about every movie Hammer released. Many of the films on my own list have absolutely no gore and not one drop of blood is spilled.

Will - Sadly Full Circle, as well as a lot of other great films that made the list of 181 nominees such as Blood on Satan’s Claw and The Reflecting Skin are not available on DVD in the US, so you’ll have to track down VHS copies if you want to see them. Good luck and I hope you enjoy Avati’s movies!

Peter - I managed to totally forget all the pre-90s early Japanese horror films I love. I have no idea what happened, but my brain just sort of farted out on me. I really wish Kurosawa’s Cure had made the final cut and I’m really surprised it didn’t get 3 votes. Personally I think it’s superior to a LOT of the modern Asian horror films that made the nominee list.

Neil - Yep, this ranking crap is just that… crap! No one can convince me that a movie like The Decent is superior to Martin. But anyway… I plan to do what I did on the foreign film list and totally weigh my ranking as well. I suppose that’s cheating again. Oh well! As far as I know Ed hasn’t complained about my cheating yet. ;)

]]> by: Neil http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-862 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:13:56 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-862 I agree with Jonathan regarding ranking. It's all bogus. It's one of the reasons I didn't post my ranked Foreign Films ballot and don't plan to post this one either. I don't expect mine will even be accurate, since I'll undoubtedly weighing many choices toward things I think are less likely to get as many votes... but then I'm also left, in this case, wondering which titles can I most benefit with my weighted vote and which might be lost causes in terms of ranking in the final 31... Aaagh! These are the things I sit around thinking about and then give myself a headache. But then I don't actually sit around debating which movie I actually officially rank slightly higher than the other, for some reason, which I'm quite sure would drive me even crazier. Dang-nabbed lists! I agree with Jonathan regarding ranking. It’s all bogus. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t post my ranked Foreign Films ballot and don’t plan to post this one either. I don’t expect mine will even be accurate, since I’ll undoubtedly weighing many choices toward things I think are less likely to get as many votes… but then I’m also left, in this case, wondering which titles can I most benefit with my weighted vote and which might be lost causes in terms of ranking in the final 31…

Aaagh! These are the things I sit around thinking about and then give myself a headache.

But then I don’t actually sit around debating which movie I actually officially rank slightly higher than the other, for some reason, which I’m quite sure would drive me even crazier.

Dang-nabbed lists!

]]> by: Peter Nellhaus http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-861 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:03:02 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-861 I forgot about Miike and Kurosawa when I made my list. I have seen the two Avati films and since then have been watching his more recent, non-horror work. I forgot about Miike and Kurosawa when I made my list. I have seen the two Avati films and since then have been watching his more recent, non-horror work.

]]> by: Will E. http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-859 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:57:02 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-859 All of a sudden a bunch of folks are talking about <b>Full Circle/Haunting of Julia</b> and you're all killin' me; it's not on DVD! It is still available on videotape, but how quickly I am to disparage it--I don't want to dig that old behemoth VCR out again, but what choice do I have? I saw <b>The Uninvited</b> last year, but found I preferred both <b>The Haunting</b> and <b>The Innocents</b>. I've got Pupi Avati's movies Netflix'd up and ready to go, however. All of a sudden a bunch of folks are talking about Full Circle/Haunting of Julia and you’re all killin’ me; it’s not on DVD! It is still available on videotape, but how quickly I am to disparage it–I don’t want to dig that old behemoth VCR out again, but what choice do I have? I saw The Uninvited last year, but found I preferred both The Haunting and The Innocents. I’ve got Pupi Avati’s movies Netflix’d up and ready to go, however.

]]> by: Jonathan Lapper http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-858 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:28:45 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-858 Geez, sorry about that. First html screw-up in a long time. Didn't mean to make the whole comment bold. Yikes! If you can edit, by all means do. Sorry. Geez, sorry about that. First html screw-up in a long time. Didn’t mean to make the whole comment bold. Yikes! If you can edit, by all means do. Sorry.

]]> by: Jonathan Lapper http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-857 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:27:07 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-857 I think <b>Picnic at Hanging Rock</b> is an excellent film, it just didn't occur to me. Looking at the final nominees I realized that a good fifty or so didn't occur to me. I'll vote for the final list but I hate ranking movies. I much prefer alphabetical order but I understand that ranking helps better sort out the list in the end. I especially hate ranking once you get to the teens and have to rationalize to yourself why Movie A should be 16 and Movie B should be 17. That's usually why by around six or seven I just revert to alphabetical order for the rest of my list. I can reasonably tell what I think the top two or three of any set of films is to my liking but after that it just becomes a mess. Also looking at some of the blogs of people that participated I feel a little in over my head. Even though I love the genre I've always gravitated to the James Whale/Roger Corman/Hammer variety of Horror and don't have a lot of expertise once you get past the seventies. I think Picnic at Hanging Rock is an excellent film, it just didn’t occur to me. Looking at the final nominees I realized that a good fifty or so didn’t occur to me. I’ll vote for the final list but I hate ranking movies. I much prefer alphabetical order but I understand that ranking helps better sort out the list in the end. I especially hate ranking once you get to the teens and have to rationalize to yourself why Movie A should be 16 and Movie B should be 17. That’s usually why by around six or seven I just revert to alphabetical order for the rest of my list. I can reasonably tell what I think the top two or three of any set of films is to my liking but after that it just becomes a mess.

Also looking at some of the blogs of people that participated I feel a little in over my head. Even though I love the genre I’ve always gravitated to the James Whale/Roger Corman/Hammer variety of Horror and don’t have a lot of expertise once you get past the seventies.

]]> by: Andrew Monroe http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-856 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:30:38 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-856 A very interesting list, and I can tell you from recent experience, THE HOUSE WITH LAUGHING WINDOWS is truly creepy. Watched it again this weekend in an empty house with all the lights out...the first time in years I`ve been seriously spooked by a film! The growing sense of dread in HWLW is genuinely oppressive. I discover another creepy little detail everytime I see it too. And that final shot of a hand leaning on the tree suggests all sorts of disturbing possibilities. One final thought, I think the longer, more tongue-tripping title that I first heard of it under is creepier too:THE HOUSE WITH THE WINDOWS THAT LAUGH. I love THE UNINVITED as well(seriously, where`s the dvd?!), one of my favorite haunted house films. Recently saw an English ghost picture that`d make a nice double feature with it: A PLACE OF ONE`S OWN (1945). Love your blog, one of my regular stops. A very interesting list, and I can tell you from recent experience, THE HOUSE WITH LAUGHING WINDOWS is truly creepy. Watched it again this weekend in an empty house with all the lights out…the first time in years I`ve been seriously spooked by a film! The growing sense of dread in HWLW is genuinely oppressive. I discover another creepy little detail everytime I see it too. And that final shot of a hand leaning on the tree suggests all sorts of disturbing possibilities. One final thought, I think the longer, more tongue-tripping title that I first heard of it under is creepier too:THE HOUSE WITH THE WINDOWS THAT LAUGH.

I love THE UNINVITED as well(seriously, where`s the dvd?!), one of my favorite haunted house films. Recently saw an English ghost picture that`d make a nice double feature with it: A PLACE OF ONE`S OWN (1945).

Love your blog, one of my regular stops.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-855 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:43:56 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/14/31-flicks-that-give-me-the-willies-list/#comment-855 Keith - Thanks a lot! I look forward to checking out your own list whenever you post it. It's nice to see someone mention <strong>The Haunted Palac</strong>e since I think it's probably Corman's best film and it contains my personal favorite Vincent Price performance. For some reason the film is often overlooked in favor of Corman's Poe films. I wish he had made more films based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft. Keith - Thanks a lot! I look forward to checking out your own list whenever you post it. It’s nice to see someone mention The Haunted Palace since I think it’s probably Corman’s best film and it contains my personal favorite Vincent Price performance. For some reason the film is often overlooked in favor of Corman’s Poe films. I wish he had made more films based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft.

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