HALLOWEEN SPECIAL HAMMY’S TOP 10…HORROR FILMS

It’s Halloween today, the scariest day/night of the year (apart from Election Night…but that only comes every few years or so!). So it’s time to dress up like a dead person/ghoul/serial killer, go trick or treating, and watch a scary movie. What’s your favourite scary movie? Do you even like scary movies? I love scary movies! It takes a lot to scare me (apart from Election Night…and not doing the dishes/washing before my fiancée comes in from work!), but there are notable scary movies that have interrupted my sleep with terrifying nightmares. I know it’s all fake, but doesn’t that make it even scarier? With those thoughts in mind, here are my Top 10 Horror Movies!

Review: Dark Star (1974) (Carpenter’s Supernova!)

Someday this tape will be played and then they’ll feel sorry.

I’ve been having something of a John Carpenter binge lately, watching both Assault on Precinct 13 and The Fog (both of which I’ve never watched before!) I decided to take a look at Carpenter’s first film, Dark Star. Oddly, I was introduced to Dark Star during my first year of philosophy at university. The lecturer used to show us clips of science fiction films to explain certain philosophical concepts. He showed us the conclusion of Dark Star, where a man and a sentient bomb are talking about the meaning of life. It was only years later that I watched the whole film. While a rough piece of work, it’s still a great science fiction comedy.

Review: Prometheus (2012) (Or…How NOT To Do A Prequel!)

“It must feel like your God abandoned you”

I recently caught ‘Prometheus’ on television whilst holidaying at Llandudno (don’t judge me!). It was fortuitous, considering ‘Alien Covenant’ was due out at the cinema. My experience watching it at the cinema was not a pleasant one. More than anything, the film was dull. Yes, it may have been inexplicable, unsuccessfully fusing horror with pseudo-philosophical questions about the beginning of human life. It may have been riddled with stupid characters making stupid decisions (but isn’t that the core of most horror films?). It may not have answered any questions it posed. But, most of all, I found myself bored throughout the entire film. Would a re-viewing change my mind about it?

Review: ‘Aliens’ (1986) (Or…How To Do A Sequel!)

(SPOILERS AHEAD!)

“All right sweethearts, you heard the man and you know the drill”

‘Aliens’ is yet another film that I’ve watched over and over again since I was barely out of a single digit age. I taped it on ITV one year and wore the tape out with constant use. Of course, when the Director’s Cut came out on DVD, I immediately upgraded to that! It added depth to the film’s various themes. That’s the version I always watch! Not sure I could handle the theatrical cut anymore…But, suffice to say, it is one of my favourite films. Not only is it a case study of how to do a sequel, but it can also stand on its own without the first ‘Alien’ to hold it up. Yes, the two are different beasts, and suit different moods and tastes. But I’d say ‘Aliens’ is more accessible than ‘Alien,’ and take that as you will! As it celebrates its 30^th Anniversary this year, it would be a shame not to review it!