Horror Films that Slipped Under the Radar

List creator: PatrickCrain Created on: November 12, 2003 - 6:47 AM PST Description: Here's a list of horror films that you may not have seen (or heard of...or even care to see)

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	movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
	Tourist Trap (1979)
Despite its PG rating, this one is really quite good. If you hate mannequins or dolls, this one will spook you out. It makes no sense, though.
	Ganja & Hess (1973)
Thoughtful, arty take on vampire lore. Visually stunning and excellently performed, this one would make a good companion piece to Romero's "Martin."
	The Beyond (1981)			Not Rated
Lucio Fulci's best film...which isn't really saying a whole lot. It's gory and stylish and has a cool ending.
	Martin (1978)
Too bad this one isn't available. A very personal and disturbing take on the vampire legend and a meditation on what we should really be frightened of, this may be Romero's best.
	Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979)
An underrated, remake that conveys the sadness of the Dracula character. Not the fastest moving piece on the planet, Herzog's film is beautiful to look at. Creepy opening.
	Tenderness of the Wolves (1973)			Not Rated
A semi-remake of "M," this film has a very real monster that is even more horrific than "Henry."
	At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul (1963)			Not Rated
Coffin Joe! You can't go wrong with that guy. Very low budget shocker was very popular in its native Brazil.
	This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse (1966)			Not Rated
More Coffin Joe!!! Even stranger than the first. Great spider scene.
	Awakening of the Beast (1969)			Not Rated
And even more Coffin Joe!!!!!!!!! And in color, too!
	Carnival of Souls: Extended Director's Cut (Criterion Collection) (1962)			Not Rated
A fun, creepy film that was industrial director Herk Harvey's first and last feature, "Carnival of Souls" has the most wicked location I've ever seen in a horror film.
	Kwaidan (Criterion Collection) (1964)			Not Rated
Not the best Japanese horror film (that would be Kaneto Shindo's "Onibaba") but this is a really beautifully shot film, nonetheless. Watching it is like watching kabuki theater.
	Blue Sunshine (Special Edition) (1978)
Nifty 70s horror flick about the after effects of bad LSD. I watched this totally baked out of my mind and it kind of freaked me out (especially the babysitter scene).
	Dead & Buried (1981)
Like "The Mothman Prohpecies," this one works as a free standing Twilight Zone episode. Jack Albertson rocks and the gauzey photography really adds to the mood.
	Session 9 (2001)
Asbestos workers toil in old insane asylum. Extremely creepy with effective perfromances throughout.
	Q: The Winged Serpent (1982)
The best monster movie in years. Michael Moriarty is outstanding in this Larry Coen opus.
	God Told Me To (1976)			Not Rated
Another Larry Coen masterpiece. Coen's lean style of storytelling keeps this one moving at a quick pace.
	The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
Neglected film works as an extended Twilight Zone episode. Richard Gere is surprisingly effective as the widowed writer caught up in strange happenings.
	The Changeling (1980)
Despite the annoying presence of Trish Van Devere whose acting style is too mannered by half, this film still works and has more than a few creepy moments. It contains the greatest seance scene in film history.
	Last House on the Left (1972)			Not Rated
Wes Craven's first film is thoroughly disturbing and unsettling.
	The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
Arguably Wes Craven's best film even though he rips themes from "Last House on the Left" and Tobe Hooper's "The Funhouse."
	Don't Look Now (1973)
Nicholas Roeg visits the psychological thriller world with stunning results. The ending still freaks me out.
	Halloween 3: Season of the Witch (1982)
Maligned homage to "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" would be flat out excellent had the screenplay not been chopped.
	Madman (30th Anniversay Edition) (1982)
One of the best of the "Friday the 13th" rip offs. That love scene in the hot tub is unintentionally hideous.
	Basket Case (1982)			Not Rated
Zero budget shocker is quite imaginative and gory. Spawned two sequels and a cult following that won't stop.
	Baba Yaga (1973)			Not Rated
Colorful, if not too terribly frightening, French/Itallian horror film is fun to look at and works on the comic book level it aspires to.
	The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1969)
Argento's first and one of the very best of the gialli. Very stylish and influential.
	Sisters (Criterion Collection) (1973)
Brian DePalma's early foray into horror is also one of his best films. Margot Kidder is great and the early slice and dice scene is effective. Great twist ending, too.
	Wrong Turn (2003)
Until "Cabin Fever" outdid it, this was the best homage style horror film in some time. Likable characters and snappy pace.
	Dementia 13 (1963)			Not Rated
Early Coppola great with a moody, misty atmosphere.
	The Funhouse (1981)
Poor Tobe Hooper. This may very well be his best post-"Chainsaw" film. By the time the movie begins to fall apart completely, it's over. So no harm, no foul.
	The Crazies (1973)
Romero revisits "Night of the Living Dead" but in color! Some creepy moments and it sure trumps the similar "28 Days Later," "Outbreak" or "Dreamcatcher."
	Deep Red (1975)			Not Rated
One of Argento's great transitions from giallo to horror
	I Spit on Your Grave (1977)
Much hated piece of trash cinema is actually quite effective and has a lulling, European feel to it.
	Picnic at Hanging Rock (Criterion Collection) (1975)			Not Rated
Surreal, spooky masterpiece about sexual awakening and the imposing forces of nature. Or something like that.
	The Wicker Man (Extended Version) (1974)
Pagan Vs. Christian on a remote island. Christopher Lee (and his magnificent head of hair) is awesome.
	Dracula (1979)
Forget the 1931 Lugosi version, the much maligned Langella version is sexier, more atmospheric and romantically tragic. It even has a couple of spooky moments. Highly formative.
	The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1973)			Not Rated
Early hybrid of horror and kung-fu, this Shaw Bothers/Hammer production offers fun action, a little nudity and gorgeous photography.
	The Thing (1982)
The first part of Carpenter's "Apocalypse Trilogy," "The Thing" ranks as one of his very best efforts. Boasts a great cast, great gore and a brilliant score by Ennio Morricone
	Prince of Darkness (1987)
Part two in Carpenter's trilogy (see above), this is usually dismissed as one of his lesser efforts but I digress. It has some great ideas and a few spooky set pieces. It's downfall? Too many characters to keep up with and the leads are rather bland.
	In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
Part three in Carpenter's trilogy is one of his best films. Nifty ideas and some truly creepy moments make this one great. Out of the three, it is the most apocalyptic.
	Wendigo (2001)
Creepy, rural horror with a man in an upright reindeer costume. Patricia Clarkson rocks in this film.