Jolie Du Pre, Author [Guest Post and Tour]

Top 10 American Horror Movies

I adore horror movies.  However, there's a lot of American made crap out there posing as scary.  That's why it's so bloody awesome when I get treated to a truly good American horror movie. Here are my top 10.

10. "Paranormal Activity" - If you've never seen "Paranormal Activity," know that the movie will scare you in the theater - and it will continue to scare you when you get home. In other words, you'll sleep with the light on. It is the tale of what happens to a California couple who, after experiencing a supernatural presence in their home, decide to capture what happens on their video camera. "Paranormal Activity" cost only $15,000 to make and was rejected by Sundance and major distribution players. However, with the help of people like Steven Spielberg, and strong reactions to screenings, the movie got noticed and took off like a rocket from there.  I've seen all the prequels.  When "Paranormal Activity 4" debuts, I'll see that one too.

9. "Psycho" - Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this 1960s film starring Anthony Perkins and the beautiful Janet Leigh includes the famous shower scene at the Bates Motel. It scared people back in the 1960s, and it's still scary today.

8. "The Ring" - A remake of the Japanese movie "Ringu," "The Ring" may not scare you if you see it a second time, but it will most certainly scare you the first. One scene in particular is horrifying.

7. "The Grudge" - A remake of the Japanese movie "Ju-on," "The Grudge" is often criticized for not being as good as the Japanese version, but I disagree. It does an excellent job of staying true to the Japanese style of horror. I love the way the director uses the camera.

6. "The Sixth Sense" - A psychological thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan, "The Sixth Sense" focuses on a boy who can talk to the dead. M. Night Shyamalan is known for some clunkers, but this one is excellent.

5. "The Birds" - Classic Alfred Hitchcock, the suspense he created in "The Birds" is pure genius. Hitchcock focuses on the sound of the birds attacking and screeching, which is highly effective. More suspense than horror, the movie shows birds that gather and attack for no reason. Tippi Hedren, the beautiful woman in the main role, is excellent.

4. "Dawn of the Dead" (The 2004 Remake) - Yep, this one is scarier than the original 1978 zombie movie, but not as scary as the first zombie movie, "Night of the Living Dead," also directed by George Romero. "Dawn of the Dead," the remake, starts out with a bang.  The zombies move fast, and the scenes are terrifying. The music used in the movie, such as Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around" in the opening scene, is perfect.

3. "Jaws" - You can't beat the famous musical score in the 1975 movie "Jaws," teamed with outstanding acting by Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss. Directed by Steven Spielberg, "Jaws" focuses on a Great White shark that terrorizes a beach town. Unique special effects make for an excellent film. There's nothing supernatural about "Jaws," which makes it even scarier.

2. "Night of the Living Dead" - Made in 1968, and shown in black and white, "Night of the Living Dead" is an example of how a movie can be superb without a lot of special effects and  lots of color. When zombies take over a rural farm town, Ben and Barbra hole up in a farmhouse. Director George Romero, famous for many horror movies, chose Duane Jones, a black actor, for the lead role. This is an example of Romero's independent nature. To put a black man in a leading role, in this 1968 movie, was highly unusual and groundbreaking.

1. "The Exorcist" - One of the scariest movies ever made, and the scariest movie I have ever seen, "The Exorcist" continues to scare me every time I watch it. The story of a 12-year-old girl, played by Linda Blair, possessed by the devil, excels on every level from the horrifying music, to the plot, to the acting. Made in 1973, long lines of people formed to watch the film in theaters. The movie has special effects that are more impressive and scary than any 21st century copy cat. When Linda Blair, covered in blood and scratches, rotates her head around, that still scares me. And of course, we can't forget the green vomit.



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  1. Green vomit. YUK!

    The book sounds cool.


  2. Excellent list! The Exorcist has been copied so many times, people forget how scary the original was. Good luck on your tour!

  3. I remember when my older brother came back from seeing The Exorcist. I kind of looked like Linda Blair as a kid and I think that freaked him out.

    Great list!

  4. Even though the Exorcist is an old one it still freaks me the hell out! lol.

  5. Hey guys and gals,

    Thanks for dropping by and thank you Jeremy for hosting me!!

    Yes, "The Exorcist" continues to freak me out. When it came out back in the 70s, it was quite the scandal. I remember how lines would form around the block to go see it in theaters. It was unique and there were no copycats. My parents wouldn't let me go see it because I was too young. (They wouldn't let me see "Jaws" either.) I didn't see "The Exorcist" or "Jaws" until I was an adult.

  6. Not a bad list. I have not seen Paranormal but the Ring absolutely freaked me out. I cannot argue with the Exorcist at the top...I saw it one time when it first came out...and at a drive-in theatre no less...and had nightmares for weeks. I have never seen it again nor wanted to.

  7. I would have to add Final Destination to my list of top horror movies. The idea of death chasing me down because I had somehow cheated it is one of my worst nightmares. This is a great selection of movies.

  8. The "Final Destination" movies are good. I suppose I could have done a top 15 or top 20 list! LOL!

  9. i think that horror films took a turn some where in the late 90's and relied on gore over story. that is sad because i don't like to be grossed out, i want to be scared. my horror film that i will tell you is "nightbreed"... it has all the elements to make a great horror film.

    thank you all for stopping by and to Jolie for being a talented being.

  10. One of my favorite horror movies is not American made. (Well, they made an American version, but I never saw it.) It's the Swedish vampire movie "Let the Right One In."

  11. Congratulations to Shelly! You won a $5 Starbucks gift card.

  12. congrats to shelly... wait there were prizes... kidding.


