Movie Reviews: Bad Titles For Otherwise Good (Sometimes Great) Horror Flicks

Everyone loves a good scare. Some horror movies tell us in the title exactly what to expect. "Alien" is definitely about a nasty alien. "The Exorcist" is about an exorcist's run-in with a demon girl. "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is about... you guessed it. Some movie titles are a bit more vague. What is "Jeepers Creepers" about? What about "Child's Play"? "Halloween" and "Friday The 13th" dont occur exclusively on those dates. And some horror films have such vague titles, I not only dont know what they're about. They all blend together-- which is a shame since some are excellent. Dear film &/or television producers/directors/writers, please name your show something people can remember. We cant recommend it to our friends if we can't remember the title.

"Cloverfield" and "10 Cloverfield Lane"- These two movies MAY be related but giving specifics will spoil the fun. Let's just say it's a stretch at best. "10 Cloverfield Lane" is about a woman held captive (or saved depending on your opinion) by a survivalist played by John Goodman. Are they the last people on earth? Should she try to escape? "Cloverfield" is about an attack on New York City by mysterious creatures. A group of friends is not sure what has happened. The audience along with them. Both are worth a look but for entirely different reasons. "10" is much more psychological (at least initially). "Cloverfield" is a "found footage" film. "Cloverfield" currently has a 77% on Rotten Tomatoes here "10 Cloverfield Lane" has a 90% here

"Get Out"- Released in 2017, "Get Out" was written and directed by Jordan Peele. Not only is it a horror movie but also a commentary on race in the United States. I see have some questions about the logic of the movie but, all in all, it was still a fun ride. "Get out" currently has a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes here (making it the highest ranking of any movie on this list). The movie has already topped a number of "all time best horror lists". Can't do much better than that.

"It Comes At Night"- This 2017 film is more of a psychological profile than a horror flick. A family tries to survive in their isolated locale. They have no idea what's going on in the outside world. This movie is closer than most others to what actual life would be like post apocalypse. "It Comes At Night" currently has an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes here

"Let The Right One In"- This 2008 Swedish gem has been seriously overlooked by many due to it's generic title. Based on a John Ajvide Lindqvist book, the movie has an otherworldly quality. Everything about it from the cinematography to the acting to the script is excellent. Outcast Oskar and new neighbor Eli don't share a typical tween romance. There is also a (some say inferior) remake titled "Let Me In" which I have not seen. "Let The Right One In" currently has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes here

"It Follows"- Made in 2015, "It Follows" has a 1980's vibe and a not so subtle message. Don't have sex (unless you want to die). And if you do have sex and get "something" as a result, feel free to pawn it off on another poor unsuspecting soul. "It Follows" currently has a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes here

"[REC]"- is a 2002 Spanish film about a reporter and cameraman stuck in an apartment building after a mysterious illness. It was remade for US audiences in 2008 as "Quarantine" (starring Jennifer Carpenter from "Dexter"). I personally prefer the remake but it's the first version I saw. There are three sequels for "[REC[" and one for "Quarantine". "[REC]" currently has a 88% on Rotten Tomatoes here

"The Grudge" and "The Ring"- "The Grudge" from 2004 is often confused with "The Ring" (2002). Both are Japanese remakes. Both feature creepy little girl ghosts. Kayako is from "The Grudge" and has a little boy sidekick. They dont want you in their house. Sadako/Samara from "The Ring" will get ya in seven days if you watch a VHS tape. Not much danger of that happening these days. "The Grudge" features Sarah Michelle Gellar and "The Ring" Naomi Watts. Believe it or not, there is even a "Sadako vs Kayako" spoof. See details here. "The Grudge" has three movies in it's franchise. It currently has an 39% on Rotten Tomatoes here This is the lowest score of any movie in this article. "The Ring" has three movies ("The Ring Two" and "Rings"). "The Ring" has a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes here

"The Host"- This 2006 Korean import has one of the best movie monsters around. More of him/her/it please. The movie also doesnt take itself too seriously. Don't confuse this with a 2013 film of the same title (which is based on a Stephenie Meyer book). There are no sparkly vampires here. "The Host" currently has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes

"The Others"- This 2001 show stars Nicole Kidman. She's a widowed mother in a creepy isolated country estate with just her kiddies and servants to keep her company. Kidman is excellent in the movie. "The Others" currently has an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes here

"V/H/S"- The framing story of this 2012 film has some guys trying to find a VHS tape in a creepy house filled with them and a (maybe) dead body. This gives the audience an opportunity to watch five other videos. The first is the best. Some guys are behaving badly. Don't worry. They get theirs in the end. "Found footage" is not my favorite horror sub-genre because I'm always screaming at the bozos to stop filming and try to escape. There are some interesting elements here though. There's also two sequels(which I havent seen). "V/H/S" currently has a 55% on Rotten Tomatoes here

"We Are What We Are"- The 2011 American release is based on a Mexican movie of the same name. If you're expecting slasher gore, look elsewhere. It's a slow burn. We dont necessary get all the answers I'd like but the young leads are compelling. Also Kelly McGillis appears as a kindly neighbor. "We Are What We Are" currently has a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes here

"You're Next"- Sure there are a number of home invasion movies out there (the latest being the "Purge" series). This 2013 film has a slightly different spin. The family is insufferable but the final girl (dont mess with this chick) is worth the watch. "You're Next" currently has a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes here