Slasher films.

[astrozombie]

Just finished reading a really good thread about zombie films on here, it reminded me of some old gems such as "The Zombie Dead" and "Junk" and also got me on amazon adding some I have never seen or heard of onto the wish list. ( http://www.cookdandbombd.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=31046.0 )

Lately I ended up watching "Freddy vs. Jason" on television and that spiraled me into going through all of the Friday the 13th films and all of the Elm Street films, which then led me down to a few funfilled evenings of watching slasher movies.

Slashers I find are usually brushed off as being crap by film fans, however being an avid horror film fan I have a giant soft-spot for them. Yes they follow a very rigid formula, yes the acting is usually cheesy, yes they usually spawn dozens of sequels, but I find them to be so much fun to watch especially with a few friends. Like the zombie thread I thought it would be nice for us all to share our favourite slasher films.

Here are a few of mine, now as "Halloween" films, Jason films and Freddy films are such obvious choices I'm leaving them out (however if you haven't seen them do so now).

Jack Frost

Jack Frost 2 (will refrain from listing predecessors with sequels, but a film about a killer snowman in Hawaii makes the list, also has the greatest ice cube on nipple scene ever.)

Black Christmas (keeping with the christmas themed slashers)

Slumber Party Massacre

Maniac Cop

Maniac (more of a psycho drama, but Joe Spinnell needs to get in here)

Camp Blood (this one maybe shoddy, however past the low-quality of it, has some interesting plot elements and an odd charm)

Sleepaway Camp (very overlooked I find, but a great one from the 80's, the sequels are good too!)

Reeker (came out a few years back, has an interesting supernatural slant to it)

Evil Dead Trap (Japanese one, not entirely a slasher film, however has some elements, i.e. a killer in a mask and it's a very good film so it makes the list.)


That's all for now, mind has frozen.

[Mini]

The Scream films. I'm a complete sucker for that post-modern, self-aware stuff that Wes Craven does so well, and even without that they are those clever, funny slasher movies that Wes Craven also does so well.

[SteveDave]

After reading a thread on here about good endings to films I watched the end of Sleepaway Camp & got super freaked out by the noise the character is making. & that face.

How do the sequels work because the ending was quite a big reveal?

[Jerzy Bondov]

After reading a thread on here about good endings to films I watched the end of Sleepaway Camp & got super freaked out by the noise the character is making. & that face.

How do the sequels work because the ending was quite a big reveal?

In Sleepaway Camp 2, the killer from the first one (supposedly cured) is a counsellor at the same camp. In the third one, it's a camp pairing delinquent youngsters with rich teens, and the killer poses as a camper. I hope I've been vague enough not to spoil the final scene of the first film for anybody who hasn't seen it.

There's an unfinished Sleepaway Camp IV knocking about out there, and the DTV Return to Sleepaway Camp, neither of which I've seen. Return is Isaac Hayes' final film, fact fans.

The briefer answer to your question is: They don't.

I don't know if it really counts as a slasher film, more of a crazed mutant hillbilly film really, but Wrong Turn 2 is a huge amount of fun. It's got the reality TV twist that was quite popular in horror for a little while, and Henry Rollins. Don't know about the other two in the series.

[NoSleep]

Black Christmas (keeping with the christmas themed slashers)

You can't slip this in like it's "playing" on the slasher theme. Black Christmas is the original slasher film; before Halloween and concurrent with Texas Chainsaw Massacre (released within a fortnight of each other in 1974).

[lipsink]

Not sure if it's a slasher film but the recent remake of 'I Spit On Your Grave' is really quite superb. It has some Saw-like torture scenes in the second half that really stuck with me afterwards.

[astrozombie]

You can't slip this in like it's "playing" on the slasher theme. Black Christmas is the original slasher film; before Halloween and concurrent with Texas Chainsaw Massacre (released within a fortnight of each other in 1974).

More people know about TCM and Halloween, I'm fully aware that Black Christmas is extremely prominent, however is it really the original slasher film? Let us not forget "Blood Feast" and the like all of which came out in the mid-60's, they are mainly noted as splatter movies however follow the conventions of slasher films, i.e Spooky bloke killing teenagers.

EDIT
Also another H.G Lewis film, "The Gore Gore Girls", I'm sure it came out in 1970 (or 1971) and if memory serves me well is exactly like a slasher movie, you don't see the killers face and only see the murders from his point of view (with explicitly violent results) as he plows through stripper after screaming stripper.

[NoSleep]

It's teenagers we want to see die.

[Dark Sky]

More people know about TCM and Halloween, I'm fully aware that Black Christmas is extremely prominent, however is it really the original slasher film? Let us not forget "Blood Feast" and the like all of which came out in the mid-60's, they are mainly noted as splatter movies however follow the conventions of slasher films, i.e Spooky bloke killing teenagers.

Some people argue it goes back to Powell's Peeping Tom from 1960, released a little bit before Psycho I believe. 

Certainly that piece of trivia is a major plot point in Scre4m.

And it does have the "viewpoint of the killer" stuff (though through the fictional camera lens) later used by Black Christmas and Halloween et al.

[astrozombie]

Some people argue it goes back to Powell's Peeping Tom from 1960, released a little bit before Psycho I believe. 

Certainly that piece of trivia is a major plot point in Scre4m.

And it does have the "viewpoint of the killer" stuff (though through the fictional camera lens) later used by Black Christmas and Halloween et al.

Very true. "Peeping Tom" is a classic, I remember watching that in college on a media studies course and everyone at first groaning because of how old it was and then later on all becoming completely gripped. Shame is ruined Powell's career and was hated so much at the time because of the content. Completely ahead of it's time and to think if it was released 10 years later we could have seen "Peeping Tom VI: The Revenge".

"Psycho" is obviously a classic, I always forget that it's a 'sort-of' slasher though because of how it's always championed by critics and the like. It was probably the first to spawn sequels too. I have always wanted to see the fifth installment, a TV movie called "Bates Motel" out of interest. I have seen parts 2 - 4 on Sci-Fi channel years ago, a bit dodgy, however entertaining sequels.

Some more good slasher films I thought I'd add to this list,

Mother's Day (got remade recently, but check the original, a Troma classic by Charles Kaufman (brother of Lloyd))

Switch Killer (a ridiculous entry, but great to watch with friends, the shortlived UK DVD company Hardcore released it and it turns up in bargain bins. It follows a man whose girlfriend leaves him for another woman, so he has a sex-change operation in a desperate bid to win her back. Chaos ensues)

Bloody Moon (great one-off slasher by Jesus Franco, also has some of the greatest dubbing committed to film.)

My Bloody Valentine (again this had the remake treatment a few years ago, wasn't a bad remake, although this one is better, be sure to get the uncut version though as there is also a butchered down cut one out there)

The Burning (Weinstein bros first ever film, which they also wrote the screenplay for. It starts off a little slow and the acting is quite savage, however it does get pick up the pace and has a wonderfully disturbing massacre scene so long as your watching the uncut version.)

[Dark Sky]

"Psycho" is obviously a classic, I always forget that it's a 'sort-of' slasher though because of how it's always championed by critics and the like. It was probably the first to spawn sequels too. I have always wanted to see the fifth installment, a TV movie called "Bates Motel" out of interest. I have seen parts 2 - 4 on Sci-Fi channel years ago, a bit dodgy, however entertaining sequels.

I love the Psycho franchise!  It's awesome, and seemingly forgotten; whereas so much iconography of other series was defined by the sequels (e.g., Jason Voorhees and his hockey mask), the Psycho sequels have managed to not dent the image of the original at all.  Though to be fair, they try damn hard!

Bates Motel wasn't a TV movie; it was a pilot for a series which (thankfully) never got made.  I have it on video and, despite being a massive Psycho fan, it is absolutely one of the worst things I have ever seen!

There's a new Psycho TV series in the works now, also called 'Bates Motel'.  I hope it'll have some kind of connection with Psycho this time, rather than being a kind of crazy japes / Scooby Doo-esque anthology like the original.

Psycho III is probably my favourite of the sequels (though before anyone rushes out to see it, you must see Psycho II first).  It's a lot of fun, was directed by Anthony Perkins, has lots of references to Hitchcock's Vertigo in it for no reason, and has an amazing non-clichéd score by Carter Burwell where he substitutes stabbing strings with some very effective vocal/choir effects.

I thought Psycho IV was terrible.  But Henry James playing a 19 year old Norman Bates is absolutely gorgeous, especially in white pants.  Though he also played the little boy in ET meaning I can never, ever watch that film again without a guilty conscience.

[astrozombie]

Can't get them all right eh? I probably thought it was a TV movie as it is released on VHS. I'm interested in seeing it due to all the negativity I've heard about it.  I agree with "Psycho III" being the best sequel, I didn't mind the prequel-ey fourth installment either, however it had it's problems.

The "Friday the 13th" television series did that aswell, went down the ol' Scooby Doo route via making it instead about unlucky superstitious mishaps centering around the day itself. I always used to think it was a TV series with the same name until I learnt a while ago it actually was following on from the films and got cancelled before they could start working in references to Jason, which the producers so desperately wanted to.

Odd, odd, odd.

[Hank Venture]

Can one of you connoisseurs explain to me the difference between a slasher and a splatter?

[astrozombie]

Can one of you connoisseurs explain to me the difference between a slasher and a splatter?

Well Splatter films are just about the gore and kind of don't really give a shit about drama, characters, plot or tension and just focus on the mutilation of nimble young things. It isn't always a serial killer either, could be zombies, some unknown force, creature, monster, animal etc. See films such as "Violent Shit", "Muppets Christmas Carol" or "Bloodsucking Freaks" etc.

Slashers then spend time focusing on the victims a little bit, they get you to know the protagonist which is usually some young lady who will survive to the end. The build-up takes liberties and is dwelled upon more than the slay which is often over quicker than in splatters, although are still violent.

I do find them to be very similar genre's, I find splatter flicks like "The Gore Gore Girls" like I mentioned earlier to be very close to slasher genre as they sort of have a build up to the kills. It's a funny thing these generic categories.

[confettiinmyhair]

The Scream films. I'm a complete sucker for that post-modern, self-aware stuff that Wes Craven does so well, and even without that they are those clever, funny slasher movies that Wes Craven also does so well.

What did you make of Scream IV? The first two movies are fabulously executed, and wonderfully self aware, but 3 is godawful. I thought IV redeemed itself somewhat, but the payoff at the end was a little weak.

[astrozombie]

What did you make of Scream IV? The first two movies are fabulously executed, and wonderfully self aware, but 3 is godawful. I thought IV redeemed itself somewhat, but the payoff at the end was a little weak.

I thought Scream 1 was fantastic the second one was great, number 3 was pretty piss poor but is watchable.

Number 4 was brilliant but couldn't agree more with the ending the reveal that Emma Roberts is the killer was a terrible 'twist', something I thought may happen midway through then brushed off as "nah this film won't stoop that low", also her portrayal of a serial killer was also laughably awful. When are the Roberts family going to be banished from Hollywood?

[Dark Sky]

What did you make of Scream IV? The first two movies are fabulously executed, and wonderfully self aware, but 3 is godawful. I thought IV redeemed itself somewhat, but the payoff at the end was a little weak.

I really never wanted them to make a fourth Scream because I thought it would ruin what was great about the original trilogy (I even like 3!), and I also thought it would be mean to make the same characters go through it all again.

In the end I really enjoyed it...perhaps I thought it was a bit hit and miss at the cinema, but watching it again on my free DVD (thanks to that £5 ebay voucher thing from the other week) made me warm to it more.  There's so much fantastic stuff in it; the cold open is amazing, though falls short by not ending with Sidney being attacked, stabbed, and left for dead as being the "real" beginning to Scre4m.  As it is, the "real" start to the movie isn't, I don't think, much better than any of the Stab parodies.

But I liked how it was about modern remakes of older horror films, and really played up to that.  It was nice to have all the references to more recent franchise like Saw, and things like Shaun of the Dead.  And generally it was very funny, and it was great to see the old characters again, though I found Sidney a bit out of sorts...the first three films dealt a lot better with the her psychology and torment of having lived through these events.  In Scre4m she just seemed to be a bit, "meh, it's happening again, let's go through the motions".  The most unrealistic bit was her agreeing to go talk to the teens at the film club...I'm sure the Sidney of the first three films would never do that!

Overall I liked that its status as quasi sequel/remake, hence why I like the name "Scre4m" so much.  Scream or Scream 4?  Bit of both!

Please god don't make another, though.

[astrozombie]

Please god don't make another, though.

Copy and pasted from wiki

In an interview, Craven confirmed that he was contracted to work on a fifth and sixth installment of the Scream franchise, to be made if the fourth film achieves a successful release and reception. Following difficulties with script rewrites on Scream 2, Scream 3 and Scream 4, often with pages only being ready on the day of filming, and the related stress of the situation, Craven stated that he would need to see a finalized version of a script for Scream 5 before committing to the production. In a separate interview, writer Williamson also confirmed his contractual obligation for Scream 4 and Scream 5, having submitted concepts for three films leading up to Scream 6, though his contract for the sixth film had not yet been finalized. Williamson indicated that if a Scream 5 were to be made, it would be a continuation of the story of the characters who lived through Scream 4 but that Scream 4 would not include any cliffhangers that led into the potential sequel. Actor David Arquette also added his support to the potential future of the franchise, stating "It [the ending] definitely leaves it open," before adding that he would welcome the opportunity to play the character of Dewey in future installments. In May 2011, executive producer Harvey Weinstein, confirmed that a sequel was possible, saying that despite Scream 4 performing below The Weinstein Company's financial expectations, he was still happy with the gross it had accrued. In February 2012, when asked about a potential Scream 5, Williamson stated that he would not be involved, saying "I'm not doing it."

[Mini]

What did you make of Scream IV? The first two movies are fabulously executed, and wonderfully self aware, but 3 is godawful. I thought IV redeemed itself somewhat, but the payoff at the end was a little weak.

I think I agree, 3 was disappointing but I loved Scre4m. Especially the beginning. It's so clever-clever that it should be annoying but it still works. The references to the torture-porn state of the horror industry were excellent, and it was just fun to see them all back. I'd be happy for them to keep making Scream films, but only with the Craven/Williamson combination.

[Mildly Diverting]

April Fools Day.

Never seen it since its release, but I imagine its now revered as the greatest slasher flick of all time.

[VegaLA]

Body Count.
Italian slasher from around 1986 starring good ole' boy Charles Napier. Takes place on a Holiday Camp where you would expect to find Mr. Voorhees but this film has its own identity. Hard to find since no-one has bothered to release it to DVD.

Another title not yet released is Curtains.
A bunch of would be Actresses attend an audition in an isolated house organized by the Director/producer. Stand out scene on the ice rink will surly mess you up.

More Actresses trapped in a building, StageFright.
Having spent some quality time with Dario Argento, Michele Soavi directs his first feature film and the results are superb. It's a shame Michele did not follow in Argento's footsteps. After the success of 'Dellamorte Dellamore' he just seemed to fall into a rut shooting TV movies and the like.

[Famous Mortimer]

April Fools Day.

Never seen it since its release, but I imagine its now revered as the greatest slasher flick of all time.

I love that film, don't know about it being revered but it's a good film to have in your collection.

[BlodwynPig]

Switchblade Romance is great, with a nice twist.

[CaledonianGonzo]

I'm no connoisseur of slasher films, but I know a rubbish ending when I see one and that would be the ending of Switchblade Romance.

[madhair60]

Yes, it's objectively the worst "twist" in cinema history, and entirely ruins the preceding film.

[AsparagusTrevor]

Yeah, I thought it would've been a very good slasher film if not for the implausible twist.

[BlodwynPig]

Fuck you - what would you have wanted - some fucking french hillbilly sidling up and blood dripping down over the camera lens.

Fou!

[Phil_A]

Yes, it's objectively the worst "twist" in cinema history, and entirely ruins the preceding film.

What, a worse twist than the ones in "Monster A Go-Go" or "The Last Broadcast"? Cos that would really take some doing.

[AsparagusTrevor]

Fuck you - what would you have wanted - some fucking french hillbilly sidling up and blood dripping down over the camera lens.

Fou!

A twist that made more sense and didn't feel tacked on would've been fine, thank you.

[Famous Mortimer]

What, a worse twist than the ones in "Monster A Go-Go" or "The Last Broadcast"? Cos that would really take some doing.

"Alive, well and of normal size"

Goddamn, just remembering that bit made me laugh.