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6. Lifeforce
Year released: 1985
6-word synopsis: Space vampires come to Earth, hungry.
Notable actors: Patrick Stewart
Observations: I'm sure I would have seen this movie when I was like 7 were it not for the excessive topless vampire screen time. The effects are pretty great, both practical and visual (Ghostbusters-esque).
Rewind moment: Dried out, soul-sucked guy running full speed into the jail cell bars.
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5. Phenomena
Year released: 1985
6-word synopsis: Girl uses psychic connection with insects.
Notable actors: Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasance
Observations: It has the same eerie feel as Suspiria, another Argento classic. This also features an American at a European school. Donald Pleasance is always good and always wants to catch killers.
The soundtrack/score is all over the place in a good way with songs from Iron Maiden and Motörhead and a synthy score from Goblin.
4. Maniac Cop
Year released: 1988
6-word synopsis: Killer cop terrorizes New York City.
Notable actors: Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell
Observations: Pretty much a perfect mix of actors in the right era and setting for this type of movie. Tom Atkins plays the hard-boiled detective role like a boss once again.
3. Longlegs
Year released: 2024
6-word synopsis: FBI hunts for disturbing serial killer.
Notable actors: Nicholas Cage
Observations: I wouldn’t have immediately thought Nicholas Cage would be a terrifying presence. But he definitely was. And Oz Perkins clearly knows his shit when it comes to making all-around haunting, creepy films.
Bonus points for Marc Bolan nods.
1. Earth vs the Spider
Year released: 1958
6-word synopsis: Teens encounter cave dwelling giant spider.
Observations: There’s a special type of movie from this era, sci-fi horror with a bit of early rock n’ roll shoved into the plot. And sure the teens look to be about 35. But it represents a fun period in filmmaking that all about jamming in maximum entertainment. The practical effects are done pretty well for what I assume was a low-ish budget production. My only complaint was the spider seemed to scream and growl in a way that was very unspiderly.
My favorite part is the early rock n’ roll band unable to resist practicing when the drama club shows up and can’t resist dancing…all with the knowledge that a giant spider is in some kind of half coma elsewhere in the school.
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6. House by the Cemetery
Year released: 1984
6-word synopsis: Family moves into haunted old house.
Observations: This Italian film is full of plenty of creepy ambiance and gore. Lots of bloody gore and practical effects. Of especially notable creepiness are the child actors. It’s a bit like an Italian Poltergeist.
3. Road Games
Year released: 1981
6-word synopsis: Truck driver crosses paths with serial killer.
Notable actors: Stacy Keach, Jamie Lee Curtis
Observations: If I didn’t have my glasses on, there are several moments when I might have thought I was watching The Fog. Jamie Lee Curtis plays an excellent hitchhiker who befriends a mustachioed man in both. I unlocked a hidden memory that I most definitely watched this as a kid (possibly on USA Up All Night?) and have been trying to find it ever since.
2. Blood and Donuts
Year released: 1995
6-word synopsis: Moody vampire frequents a donut shop.
Observations: A different spin on the vampire story with a fun, eclectic soundtrack. This movie could have easily gone wrong, but it’s low budget aesthetic gives it a certain charm that works.
