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Best 11 Horror Films Of 2017- James Jay Edwards’ Picks

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Be sure to check back in with us through the week for more lists from some of iHorror’s top writers!

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via Chris Fischer

11. 78/52

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

78/52 (2017), courtesy IFC Midnight.

The shower scene in Psycho is possibly the most scrutinized and analyzed scene in movie history (film geeks might make an argument for the Odessa Steps sequence in Battleship Potemkin, but I digress).  Well, 78/52 is a documentary all about that scene and more.  If there’s ever anything that you’ve wondered about the making of Psycho in general or the shower scene in particular, it’s probably in 78/52.  A must-see for Psycho fans, or just for people who like to know how things tick behind the scenes.

 

10. IT

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

IT (2017), courtesy Warner Bros.

You may be tired of reading about IT by now, but there’s a reason why it’s so talked about.  It’s terrific.  Bill Skarsgard is no Tim Curry, but to his credit, he doesn’t try to be.  And the kids are both lovable and relatable, so IT basically turns into Stand by Me with a killer clown.  Of course, Part 2 was the weaker half of the 1990 television mini-series, so we’ll have to see how that plays out.  But Part 1 of the new IT was pretty fantastic (and it has the box office receipts to back it up).

 

9. Kong: Skull Island

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

Kong: Skull Island (2017), courtesy Warner Bros.

Ape-Pocalypse Now!  Yes, Kong: Skull Island is on this list.  This is the most fun Kong has been since 1976.  Sure, Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson seem like they’re in a completely different movie, but Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, and John C. Reilly are in on the joke and they all understand that Kong is King.  And the big guy looks better than ever.  I can’t wait for this rebooted King Kong to take on the rebooted Godzilla.

 

8. It Comes at Night

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

It Comes at Night (2017), courtesy A24.

After last year’s indie breakout fringe movie Krisha, a lot of people thought that director Trey Edward Shults should try his hand at making a bona-fide horror movie.  It Comes at Night is what he came up with.  It’s one of those movies where it feels like nothing is happening, when in reality, everything is.  A new twist on the old cabin in the woods motif.

 

7. The Blackcoat’s Daughter

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015), courtesy A24.

The Blackcoat’s Daughter was actually made in 2015, but it just saw release this year after a long period in distribution limbo.  I’m a little jealous of people who have never seen it, as I wish that I could experience it for the first time again.  Nevertheless, let’s all thank the cinematic super-heroes at A24 for saving this wonderful film from purgatory.

 

6. Raw

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

Raw (2017), courtesy Focus World.

For my money, no movie had nearly as many “holy shit!” moments this year as Raw.  It’s been touted as both a cannibalism exploitation flick and a body horror movie, but it’s really just one of those shockingly beautiful horror films that only come along once in a blue moon.

 

5. War for the Planet of the Apes

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies Of 2017

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), courtesy Twentieth Century Fox.

And speaking of Ape-Pocalypse Now!  These new Planet of the Apes movies just keep getting better.  Rise of the Planet of the Apes was great, and War for the Planet of the Apes is even better.  Seamless visual effects and a knockout performance from mo-cap superhero Andy Serkis (can we nominate him for an acting Oscar yet?) anchor this blockbuster spectacle.

 

4. Split

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies Of 2017

Split (2017), courtesy Universal Pictures.

Whenever people think of M. Night Shyamalan movies, the first thing that comes to mind is “The Twist.”  Of course Split has a twist, and it’s an awesome one that literally changes everything that has come before it, but it’s unlike any other Shyamalan twist (purposely being vague so as to not spoil it for the two or three of you who may not have heard about it yet).  But enough about twists, Split also has the year’s single best performance with James McAvoy’s flawless portrayal of a person with 23 personalities (although he only shows six or seven of them – slacker!).

 

3. Gerald’s Game

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies Of 2017

Gerald’s Game (2017), courtesy Netflix.

On paper, Stephen King’s Gerald’s Game is an unfilmable novel. Oculus director Mike Flanagan said “hold my beer” and delivered one of the most tense and suspenseful experiences of the year.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon your point of view), Gerald’s Game dumped right to Netflix, so Carla Gugino’s incredible performance won’t garner any Oscar love.  But look at the bright side: most of you can probably watch Gerald’s Game right now if you want to.  So do it.

 

2. The Killing of a Sacred Deer

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies of 2017

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), courtesy A24.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is the kind of movie that will get me in trouble for including, as it’s not the average, run-of-the-mill horror movie.  It’s an ominous, atmospheric, creepy little gem that takes a right turn at the halfway point and goes places the viewer never expects it to go.  Again, not strictly horror, but as much of a horror film as we’re bound to get out of director Yorgos Lanthimos.

 

1. Get Out

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies of 2017

Get Out (2017), courtesy Universal Pictures.

For my money, Get Out was flat-out the best movie of the year, horror or otherwise.  On the surface, it’s just a creepy sci-fi/horror flick, but once you let it sink in, you realize that writer/director Jordan Peele has tricked you into thinking about the many ills of modern society.  This is why I have high hopes for Peele’s Twilight Zone reboot.

 

So, what did I miss?  What are your favorite horror movies from 2017?

 

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News

Brad Dourif Says He’s Retiring Except For One Important Role

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Brad Dourif has been doing movies for nearly 50 years. Now it seems he is walking away from the industry at 74 to enjoy his golden years. Except, there is a caveat.

Recently, digital entertainment publication JoBlo’s Tyler Nichols talked to some of the Chucky television series cast members. During the interview, Dourif made an announcement.

“Dourif said that he’s retired from acting,” says Nichols. “The only reason he came back for the show was because of his daughter Fiona and he considers Chucky creator Don Mancini to be family. But for non-Chucky stuff, he considers himself retired.”

Dourif has voiced the possessed doll since 1988 (minus the 2019 reboot). The original movie “Child’s Play” has become such a cult classic it’s at the top of some people’s best chillers of all time. Chucky himself is ingrained in pop culture history much like Frankenstein or Jason Voorhees.

While Dourif may be known for his famous voiceover, he is also an Oscar-nominated actor for his part in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Another famous horror role is The Gemini Killer in William Peter Blatty’s Exorcist III. And who can forget Betazoid Lon Suder in Star Trek: Voyager?

The good news is that Don Mancini is already pitching a concept for season four of Chucky which might also include a feature-length movie with a series tie-in. So, Although Dourif says he is retiring from the industry, ironically he is Chucky’s friend till the end.

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Editorial

7 Great ‘Scream’ Fan Films & Shorts Worth a Watch

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The Scream franchise is such an iconic series, that many budding filmmakers take inspiration from it and make their own sequels or, at least, build upon the original universe created by screenwriter Kevin Williamson. YouTube is the perfect medium to showcase these talents (and budgets) with fan-made homages with their own personal twists.

The great thing about Ghostface is that he can appear anywhere, in any town, he just needs the signature mask, knife, and unhinged motive. Thanks to Fair Use laws it’s possible to expand upon Wes Craven’s creation by simply getting a group of young adults together and killing them off one by one. Oh, and don’t forget the twist. You’ll notice that Roger Jackson’s famous Ghostface voice is uncanny valley, but you get the gist.

We have gathered five fan films/shorts related to Scream that we thought were pretty good. Although they can’t possibly match the beats of a $33 million blockbuster, they get by on what they have. But who needs money? If you’re talented and motivated anything is possible as proven by these filmmakers who are well on their way to the big leagues.

Take a look at the below films and let us know what you think. And while you’re at it, leave these young filmmakers a thumbs up, or leave them a comment to encourage them to create more films. Besides, where else are you going to see Ghostface vs. a Katana all set to a hip-hop soundtrack?

Scream Live (2023)

Scream Live

Ghostface (2021)

Ghostface

Ghost Face (2023)

Ghost Face

Don’t Scream (2022)

Don’t Scream

Scream: A Fan Film (2023)

Scream: A Fan Film

The Scream (2023)

The Scream

A Scream Fan Film (2023)

A Scream Fan Film
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Movies

Another Creepy Spider Movie Hits Shudder This Month

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Good spider films are a theme this year. First, we had Sting and then there was Infested. The former is still in theaters and the latter is coming to Shudder starting April 26.

Infested has been getting some good reviews. People are saying that it’s not only a great creature feature but also a social commentary on racism in France.

According to IMDb: Writer/director Sébastien Vanicek was looking for ideas around the discrimination faced by black and Arab-looking people in France, and that led him to spiders, which are rarely welcome in homes; whenever they’re spotted, they’re swatted. As everyone in the story (people and spiders) is treated like vermin by society, the title came to him naturally.

Shudder has become the gold standard for streaming horror content. Since 2016, the service has been offering fans an expansive library of genre movies. in 2017, they began to stream exclusive content.

Since then Shudder has become a powerhouse in the film festival circuit, buying distribution rights to movies, or just producing some of their own. Just like Netflix, they give a film a short theatrical run before adding it to their library exclusively for subscribers.

Late Night With the Devil is a great example. It was released theatrically on March 22 and will begin streaming on the platform starting April 19.

While not getting the same buzz as Late Night, Infested is a festival favorite and many have said if you suffer from arachnophobia, you might want to take heed before watching it.

Infested

According to the synopsis, our main character, Kalib is turning 30 and dealing with some family issues. “He’s fighting with his sister over an inheritance and has cut ties with his best friend. Fascinated by exotic animals, he finds a venomous spider in a shop and brings it back to his apartment. It only takes a moment for the spider to escape and reproduce, turning the whole building into a dreadful web trap. The only option for Kaleb and his friends is to find a way out and survive.”

The film will be available to watch on Shudder starting April 26.

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