Everyone has a favorite go to horror movie. Whether it be A Nightmare On Elm Street, Halloween or Friday the 13th, these are the modern classics and legends that can fulfill any horror fans libito. While indeed, these are some favorites myself; What about some of the more unappreciated films of the industry? For some strange reason the horror game has more underrated and undervalued films than pretty much any other genre. Roughly about 75% of horror films released go straight to DVD; Studios fearing they could never recoup any profits from a theatrical release. Which hey, for those of us on a budget and don’t want to bend over without lube for a movie ticket, is pretty ideal. So I’m actually not complaining about that.

Sometimes I think us as horror fans, expect a certain type of film. Grant it, the fanbase are very diverse on what we consider masterpiece and full on horseshit. So I have taken that into consideration while making this list. With some of the titles mentioned above, some sequels have gained an absolute bonfire and pitchfork hatred. Why? Was it because the movie you expected to see went in a totally different direction? ( Which sometimes isn’t a bad thing) Or maybe the reviews you may have heard are so bad, they have restricted your eyes from ever seeing the film. The case may be you haven’t seen them at all! Whatever the reason is, here is my two cents on a few horror movies that are criminally underrated, and you should consider giving it a chance.

 

1. The Exorcist 3

William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist 3”, hit theaters in the summer of 1990 with poor reception. Possibly due to the abomination of “The Heretic” that was released 13 years earlier. Based on the novel Legion written by Blatty, (which I HIGHLY recommend) the story follows suit of Kinderman and his demons 15 years later after the original exorcism with Regan. The Lieutenant is investigating a baffling series of murders that seem to mimic a long dead serial killer named The Gemini Killer. Without giving away spoilers for those that haven’t seen it, another familiar face comes into play in an insane twist of events that psychologically puts you at certain unease.

I have no idea in hell why this film is so underrated. The cinematography is outstanding. It truly is like watching art on screen. The acting by Brad Dourif alone, deserves a fucken academy award. I stand by the statement that the performance held by Dourif in that film is the highlight of his career. I love Chucky just as much as the next gal, but this deliverance of true maliciousness and pure uneasiness that he sets across on the screen, is just nothing short of brilliant. Might I also add, to any Walking Dead fans- A younger Scott Wilson delivers quite the performance as a chain smoking neurotic doctor in the movie. If you haven’t seen it, I urge you to give it a try today. Personally, I think this is the most underrated film of the bunch.

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Buy here: Exorcist 3

 

 

2.Halloween 3: Season Of The Witch

A few months back, fellow Ihorror contributor, Eric Endres, wrote up a lil’ diddy entitled Revisiting Halloween 3: Why It Actually Doesn’t Suck! I agreed on so many levels with the article and decided to add it this list. This movie gets so much shit for the pure reason Michael Myers isn’t in it. (With the exception of cameos of the original Halloween movie playing in the movie) Maybe.. Just maybe, if this movie was called purely Season Of The Witch, without the attached Halloween logo, this movie could’ve been a success.

The original idea was that Myers was dead. He was blown to shit in the hospital. Gone. Dead as a doornail. So why continue his story? The filmmakers were to release a different set of sequels in the upcoming years with different stories. Much like 2007’s Trick Or Treat, but one full length feature at a time. That obviously didn’t go over too well with the fans when Season Of The Witch flopped. They made their voices heard. They demanded Myers. And the studios caved in 1988 with Halloween 4. Mind you I actually love The Return Of Michael Myers. I think the fourth sequel was better than all of them, excluding part two. But I can’t help but wonder what could have been, had people been more open minded to this idea. I really think the story is great. It’s original. The whole premise is of a sadistic master of Halloween and his droids attempting to wipe out all the children with masks on Halloween night. And Tom Atkins attempts to stop it all. I mean come on. Tom Atkins. The guy is a horror legend of the eighties. You have to respect that. I for one also respect what they tried to do. Season Of The Witch is a breath of fresh air. I appreciate it for what it is. If you have yet to see it based on what everyone has told you, I recommend ignoring them and judge for yourself. Funny enough, It’s only been in recent years that fans have actually come to like this movie after once bashing it. Could it be that maybe they actually changed their tune after a viewing? Who knows. You make the call.

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Buy here: Halloween 3: Season Of The Witch

 

 

3. Dolls

 

Dolls is a 1987 Italian- American film by Stuart Gordon of Re-Animator and produced by Charles Band of the Puppet Master movies. Released straight to DVD, critics gave the film some pretty negative reviews. The movie itself has a small but loyal cult following being as how it was pretty much the first killer doll movie that looks and feels solid. For a low budget film of the eighties, the special effects are pretty damn good. Takes me back to the ol’ days of stop motion action rather than CGI. And it’s done quite well. The plot of a neglectful father, a wicked stepmother and a little girl named Judy stranded in a rainstorm, and come upon a large manor inhabited by an elderly couple and a few hundred little nightmare dolls seems cheesy enough; But the story turns out to be pretty great with a damn good lesson of always remembering to be a kid at heart sometimes… or else.

To appreciate what a creative film Dolls truly is, you have to keep in mind that the entire project started with a title and a poster courtesy of schlock-master Charles Band and everything else was rushed into place to meet a tight deadline. And the fact that it was, makes me love it even more for what it is. A gruesome fairy tale intertwined with that eighties horror flare. I highly recommend for any killer doll or eighties horror fan. You won’t be disappointed.

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Buy here: Dolls

 

 

4. Clownhouse

 

Clownhouse is a 1989 straight to video release by Victor Salva of Jeepers Creepers fame. The story of an adolescent boy named Casey and his uncontrollable fear of clowns. He and his two older brothers, one being Sam Rockwell, are left alone for the night. That same night three homicidal maniacs escape the looney bin, sneak into a nearby circus, kill a few clowns and steal their identity. Making them into some real painted nightmares for Casey and his brothers when they stumble upon them home alone.

The main reason why this film goes unnoticed directly involves the controversy behind the scenes. Victor Salva was charged with sexual abuse of the movies lead actor, Nathan Forrest Winters (Casey) who at the time was only 12 or 13. Salva was found guilty and served prison time. Due to this horrible incident during its production, Clownhouse became a sleeper hit, and soon fell into obscurity. It was released on VHS, then in DVD for a brief time in 2004, but is as of now out of print. While i certainly DO NOT condone the actions of a twisted fuck, and if you can get past what I just told you,  Clownhouse really is a bit of a masterpiece in it’s own right. It is an original idea for it’s time and if you have a fear of clowns, this film will definitely get to you. While the movie has a few clumsy faults, such as a few of the fight scenes, overall it gives you the skivvies. It makes you uncomfortable. Then again it is pedophile Victor Salva. So that really isn’t far fetched. But ok, again, that aside, I must give credit because it genuinely is a GOOD horror flick. If you’re the type thats into a good killer clown film, this one is right up your nightmare alley. And you can watch it right here!

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5. Pumpkinhead

 

Pumpkinhead is the 1988 directorial debut of special effects artist Stan Winston. Starring Lance Henriksen, the film is based on the plot of a man named Ed Harley- whose son is killed in the beginning of the movie by a reckless teen and his dirt bike. Devasted by the loss, Harley seeks out revenge in a witch, but she warns him that vengeance comes with a terrible price. On her orders, Harley goes to an old graveyard in the mountains, digs up a disfigured corpse, and brings it back to the witch’s home. The witch uses blood from father and son to resurrect the corpse, which rises as a gigantic, spindly demonic monster named Pumpkinhead. Henrikson’s performance is believable as he seems so anguished in the movie. The gore is on the lower side, but the fantastic make up of the monster and the unique story surrounding him make for a good movie. Pumpkinhead is an underrated masterpiece from Stan Winston; One of the best special effects makeup artists. He has created some of the most iconic monsters we’ve ever seen: The Xenomorphs, The Terminator, The T-rex in Jurassic Park and of course Pumpkinhead just to name a few. Give it a watch if you haven’t seen it!

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Buy here: Pumpkinhead

 

At the risk of sounding like an old geezer, they just don’t make them like these anymore.