Posted on 10/20/2009 5:58:40 AM PDT by Kaslin
Halloween is almost upon us and you're probably thinking, "Gee, wouldn't it be great to kick back on the couch and rent a few conservative horror flicks for the big night?"
Here's the problem: horror films aren't family friendly. They're gory, they're violent, and they're vulgar. Even setting that aside, there really aren't very many "conservative" movies overall and there are almost no truly "conservative" horror flicks. Still, as a Right-Wing horror film aficionado, I can at least make a few solid recommendations that might have some extra-added appeal for conservatives.
Cloverfield (2007): This is probably the best "giant-monster" film ever made. The monster was well done, the scenes were creepy, and there was a certain realness and fundamental decency to the characters. This is how you'd like to think ordinary people would react in a crisis. Meanwhile, the military was in the thick of the action, bravely fighting against the Cloverfield monster and handling an impossible situation the best way they could. It was ultimately a grim movie, but once things started rolling, the film keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The Dead Zone (1983): Christopher Walken is the lead in this Stephen King story about a deranged politician and the man who was willing to sacrifice everything to try to stop him from launching a nuclear war.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005): This is a cleverly written film that simultaneously treats Christian values respectfully, while leaving non-believers room to doubt. It was also inspiringly creepy enough to convince me to actually read a distressing book on exorcisms called, The Dark Sacrament: True Stories of Modern-Day Demon Possession and Exorcism.
The Exorcist (1973): This in one of the most genuinely disturbing movies that you'll ever see and it's not for the faint hearted. But, it does feature self-sacrificing priests who are fighting spiritually against true evil. That's very rare for Hollywood, where members of the clergy are habitually treated as drunkards, hypocrites, perverts, and villains.
The Fog (1980): This tale of woe visited upon the Northern California town of Antonio Bay because of the ignoble actions of their ancestors is chilling indeed. The brilliant timing of the movie, the sense of disquieting dread, and the remorseless approach of evil makes it a must watch film. Just a note: Don't confuse this outstanding film with the execrable 2005 remake which was so bad that every existing copy should be buried at the bottom of the Marianas Trench.
The Mist (2007): A sinister story about a deadly government experiment and how quickly human beings can become primitive again when they're isolated, alone, and in danger. Oh yeah, there are also weird monsters, a menacing mist, and a well-written Stephen King plotline. The ending is, ah -- let's just say, you don't want to know how it ends until you see it.
Quarantine (2008): When zombies infected with super-rabies are trying to kill you and the government shows up, count on them to stand outside, picking their noses and trying to figure out what to do, while you struggle for survival. It's a timely and true message: Don't count on your government in a crisis. Also, don't get trapped in a building with zombies. We shouldn't forget that either.
Re-Animator (1985): This movie is little funny, a little macabre, and a little gory. Somewhere in there is also a message about the perils of playing God with human life. That's a message that's all too timely given some of the morality free experiments scientists across the world are working on.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991): Fundamentally decent FBI agents match wits with one of the great horror villains of all-time, Hannibal Lecter, in an attempt to stop a serial killer. This isn't as pure a horror flick as some of the other films on the list, but it will keep you riveted to the screen.
The Tripper (2007): This movie is meant to be a slap at Ronald Reagan and conservatives. In a couple of spots near the end of the movie, it does manage to grate conservative sensibilities. However, that mild annoyance does not to detract from the sweet, sweet joy of watching a guy in a Ronald Reagan mask taking an ax to dirty, drug addled hippies throughout the movie. If a conservative had made this movie, instead of David Arquette, liberals would be calling it a "hate crime."
From the list I was glad to see "The Mist" included. It impressed me unlike any scary movie I've seen in quite a while.
Also, a very honorable mention for "Cube".
Good one. Quartermass Experiment with Brian Donlevy, an unapologetic scientist, in the American, John Wayne vain :)
Get "The Lion In Winter" if you want to see a really young Hopkins as well as Timothy Dalton in his very early 20's. It's a great film in its own right.
My two favorite characters in "A Bridge Too Far" were Hopkins and Elliot Gould, 'though there were a lot of great performances in that flick.
Return of the living dead, one of my favorites.
“Little children, flee from idolatry.”
If you are a Christian you seek to see things the way Jesus sees them. You study the scriptures to see what Jesus would say on a subject. The scriptures say to concentrate your efforts on beautiful things and good works.
If Christians justify watching evil images they’ll have to account for that when they die before Jesus Christ.
A true horror thriller that doesn’t make a total monkey out of the Christians = The Stand. The only thing by Stephen King worth reading. Don’t know if it has been made into a movie yet, but even if it was it would miss the tone of the book.
2nd for “They Live”. Great paranoid movie!!!
The first 45 minutes are dreadful, but stick around; as soon as Roddy Piper puts on the sunglasses, things get really great really quick.
“One thing’s for sure-they ain’t from Cleveland!”
Also, the original “Night of the Living Dead”
Shop smart! Shop S Mart!
Loved that movie. I couldn't believe how many good actors were in that flick.
It was made in to a TV mini-series a few years back. It's pretty good but not exactly on the same level as the book.
They made a TV miniseries of it maybe 15+ years ago. It was pretty good — Gary Sinise played Stu Redman.
I liked all the Quatermass films, and especially the one with Brian Donlevy. I’m glad someone else here likes them, too!!
As a country boy and Boy Scout who excelled at orienteering, I just could not shake the thought that stupid city folk should stay in the city and out of the woods. I agree the last few minutes were good and almost made up for all the whining.
My present house is from 1850s and when my brother came to visit for the first time, I gave him the grand tour, including the basement. First thing he says when we get down there “Hey, this is like that basement in the Blair Witch Project”. Good thing I didn’t find that movie very frightening.
The Stand and Green Mile are about the only Steven King works I can stand to read or watch more than once.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.
Everything is the devil to you, Mama! Well, I like school, and I like football! And I’m gonna keep doin’ them both because they make me feel good! :)
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