There are horror movies that go for scares (like J-horror or the Paranormal Activity ones) and those that go for splatter. There's also the ones that really try to disturb you (like Audition or Martyrs) that I definitely avoid.
If Herzog heard me say ANYTHING I'd be delighted. Unless it was me screaming on tape as I'm devoured by grizzlies.
If they make a Shaun of the Dead II, no doubt that'll be your new fave. (Of course there wasn't really a Troll 1, was there?)
The problem with most horror movies today is they are all very predictable. ( the reason I enjoyed get out was that it wasn't completely predictable) and follow a similar script....they've become horribly cliched and lack true scares.
1, The Last House On the Left Left (original) 2. Suspiria 3. The Exorcist 4. The Thing (though technically sci-fi) 5. The Devil Rejects I never really liked Psycho that much. It was too psychological. I mean, to me, real horror should be horrible. If there is a film based on Ed Gein then I want to see the Lampshades. But its ironic, for all the reason I don't like Psycho..... I love Vertigo. Go re-watch that film sometime. If that isn't pure evil I don't know what is. Hitchcock basically turns almost Jimmy Stewart into an unhinged predator.
And then in Rear Window he's a peeping Tom. (Incidentally, Peeping Tom is a horror movie that pretty much ended the career of the greatest directing partnership in British Film history.)
Okay, any horror movies that really disturbed you to your core? That filled you with creeping dread? Romero's Dawn of the Dead did that for me - I was bummed out for weeks. Amazingly powerful for such a cheaply-made, mediocre acted film.
Yeah. Powell and Pressburger. I think the Red Shoes is probably the best use of color and choreography ever. Amazing what they were able to accomplish around the war with the lack of funds and materials. Another English film that I really like is The Innocents. It's more a gothic horror but the production and camera work is first rate. Try to find the Criterion collection version with the extras.
Surprised no one has mentioned Black Christmas. That is one of the better early slasher films. And Elizabeth Hussey....