Part 11.
We’re doing it.
We’ve done it, in fact--but we’re still going to be doing it throughout the duration
of this particular Top 5 Scary Video.
Ever since we began this series, Forgotten Horror Cinema has been quaking in their boots
at the thought of being left behind--fallen down the back of the proverbial cupboard,
to join the other dusty DVD’s in their fadement journey toward obscurity.
But not any more!
No longer will these gems of horror cinema remain unrecognised--and instead, like a particularly
grim looking Scarecrow under a perfect Harvest Moon--they will be outstanding in their field.
Let’s take another look, shall we?
Hello horror fans, what’s going on, and once again welcome back to the scariest channel
on YouTube--Top 5 Scary Videos.
As per usual, I’ll be your horror host Jack Finch--as today, we curiously take a look
at the Top 5 Scariest Forgotten Horror Movies--Part 11.
Phew.
Roll the clip.
For the curious amongst you, of course--that scene was from 1991’s The People Under The
Stairs, perhaps one of Wes Craven’s most underappreciated of horror films--and yet
a movie that still manages to find a way of making us crawl up the walls.
For the astute amongst you, then you’ll know that particular movie managed to make
its way onto Part 10 of this series--and as is usually the case, consider this clip your
friendly reminder to give it a watch if you haven’t.
I know a lot of you in the last video enjoyed that mention--so consider it done.
Let’s begin, shall we?
Kicking off at Number 5--Cherry Falls, 2000
And you know what?
I’m actually pretty damn shocked that I haven’t covered this movie on Top 5 Scary
Videos yet--and so it seems, it has so far managed to give even me the slip.
But no longer!
Because Cherry Falls is an awesome movie.
Bizarrely enough though, this movie also very nearly didn’t make it out of the cutting
room floor.
And you know what?
I’m super sad--because Brittany Murphy stars as the leading role of this movie, and she
was such a phenomenal actor that was taken far too soon.
Really--Don’t Say A Word, Girl Interrupted--Brittany Murphy was a force to be reckoned with in
cinema, and she had so much more to offer.
So, if for any reason--watch this movie to see Murphy do what she did best.
And also, Cherry Falls is just a straight up awesome movie--despite the fact it very
nearly didn’t get released.
Written by Ken Selden and directed by Australian filmmaker Geoffrey Wright, Cherry Falls is
a slasher movie that surprisingly has some intelligently morbid undertones to it.
I remember watching it on a whim after finding it in the DVD graveyard of HMV way back as
a wee-whipper snapper--and after finishing the movie, thinking, damn--this is gonna be
a cult classic or something.
That was great.
And yeah, after that.
Nothing, really.
Go figure.
But whatever, now is the time for Cherry Falls to rise up.
It tells the tale of a local teenager and daughter of the town’s sheriff, Jody Marken,
played by Murphy--who alongside the local highschool drama slog, find themselves wrapped
up in the classic virgins-die-first slasher fest.
However, whilst on the surface this movie seems like a box of cliche frogs.
It is certainly not that, and it may well actually be one of the most creative and subversive
slasher horror movies of the early 2000s.
And there you go--another reason to give it a watch.
Swinging in at Number 4--From Beyond The Grave, 1974
In the previous part of this series, we spoke about a particularly awesome horror film from
the 70s--Symptoms, starring Angela Pleasance--that just so happened to take the number one spot
in our series.
Whilst her father, Donald Pleasance, is a legend of horror cinema himself--why settle
for one Pleasance, when you can have two?
As thankfully for us, the two of them happen to feature in this horror anthology of British
cinema.
Now, whilst both of them take minor roles in this anthology piece, as do many of the
other British horror names throughout this movie--the whole thing is underpinned by the
brilliant Peter Cushing, aka Grand Moff Tarkin from Star Wars--may I add--who in this regard
plays an equally evil proprietor.
And yeah, that was a Death Star reference--but hey, I’m clutching at straws here.
You see, the anthology narrative behind this movie--is intertwined by an antiques shop,
known as Temptations Limited--who peddle their wares under the banner--Offers You Cannot
Resist.
Quick note, you probably *should* resist them--because nothing good ever comes from purchasing an
ancient cursed item.
Trust me.
During the course of the movie, four items are sold that culminate in four differing
stories.
A Mirror.
A Medal.
A Snuff Box.
And an Antique Door.
And that’s all you need to know, really, because as so far as anthology horror is concerned,
although in some senses they’re sometimes difficult to vibe with compared to a fully
fledged horror narrative--in this sense, From Beyond The Grave is actually one of the most
accessible horror anthologies going.
It’s intelligently crafted, every scene is paced with some remarkably capable performances--and
you can tell that every frame was made with a reverence for the genre of horror.
Written by Raymond Christodoulou and Robin Clarke--and directed by Kevin Connor--From
Beyond The Grave should be welcome in any horror fan’s repertoire.
Give it a watch, you’ll be surprised.
Next up at Number 3--Fallen, 1998
Hey, what can I say--it’s about time that we featured some Denzel Washington over here
at Top 5 Scary Videos--as well as the late, great, legendary titan of cinema, James Gandolfini--in
perhaps one of his most off the wall supporting roles.
And by off the wall, I mean--possessed by a demon for a few scenes and then--that’s
about it really.
Go and chill in the Green Room.
You know what, that’s what I loved about Gandolfini though.
He wasn’t afraid about taking roles that he just… liked the look of.
Also, he got to sport a dope-ass moustache, so there’s that too.
Strangely enough though, on that theme--and for what it’s worth, 1998’s Fallen certainly
doesn’t get the credit that it deserves.
And I’m not exactly sure why.
Hey, I’m not saying that Fallen should be held up as some genre-defining moment in cinema--I’m
just saying that it was a surprisingly exceptional movie--and it had an absolutely stacked cast
to boot.
Maybe I’m just nostalgic, but I miss the time where big budget movies were willing
to take risks and make movies about supernatural detective thrillers.
If anything, the nostalgia of a time where cinema still took a risk is worth it alone
to watch this movie.
Written by Nicholas Kazan and directed by Gregory Hoblit, Fallen tells the tale of Philadelphia
Police Detective John Hobbes, played by Washington--who visits a serial killer who he was responsible
for capturing, a man named Edgar Reese--played by Edgar Koteas.
Just as Reese is about to be executed on Death Row though, he grabs Hobbes hand and speaks
to him in ancient Aramaic.
As he is executed--he laughs and sings Time is On My Side by the Rolling Stones.
And then several days later--a string of murder cases emerge, ones that are eerily similiar
to Edgar Reeses’ modus operandi.
Initially believing it to be a copycat killer, Fallen quickly takes a turn into the realm
of the supernatural akin to the likes of The Exorcist 3--yet, in this regard, it fully
fleshes out the whole demonic-serial-killer possession thing out with a far more frighteningly
scope.
We’ll say no more--and although this movie requires quite a bit of suspension of disbelief
to be fully enjoyed as a horror thriller--most importantly, this movie is really blood entertaining.
Plus the cast is stacked.
Denzel, John Freakin’ Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davidtz--Elias Koteas--and the late
James Gandolfini.
Yeah, give this one a watch.
Coming in at Number 2--Just Before Dawn, 1981
Alright--we’re heating things up a bit here--because the remaining two entries on this list are
absolutely worth your while.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that they’re some of the greatest forgotten horror
movies that we’ve ever featured on this series.
So yeah.
It took some digging.
But take note.
The first of them is 1981’s Just Before Dawn--potentially one of the most overlooked
teen slashers in the whole of horror cinema.
In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that 1981’s Just Before Dawn is the
best slasher horror that you’ve never heard of.
And yes, whilst there are certain visual themes in this movie that won’t be for everyone--and
everything from the score to the set design is a little dated--the actual craftsmanship
behind this independent production is exactly what slasher horror cinema should be.
Really, this film was made with some love and affection, and a real appreciation for
just exactly why the vital ingredients of teen slasher have stood the test of time.
Written and directed by Jeff Lieberman, the man responsible for 1978’s Blue Sunshine--Just
Before Dawn tells the tale of a group of five college kids--Warren, Constance, Jonathan,
Megan and Daniel--who after inheriting a remote rural property in the Mountains--head out
for a trip in classic teen slasher fashion.
The thing is though, instead of just one serial killer out to get them in the dead of night--there’s
a whole family of them.
Just Before Dawn is Friday the 13th meets Deliverance with a spattering of The Hills
Have Eyes in--and whilst that make sound like a hodge-podge of epic proportions that is
doomed to fail--in actual fact, that’s *exactly* why it’s so good.
The thing is--this movie can be really difficult to get ahold of, down to the fact that even
during its original release it had already faded into obscurity.
If you can manage to get your hands on it, however--you’re certainly in for a treat.
Surprisingly, for an otherwise unknown cast--Just Before Dawn is incredibly well acted, particularly
by the backwoods… individuals.
Shall we say.
Certainly give this one a watch.
And finally, coming in at our Number 1 spot--Long Weekend, 1978
And the final slot on this list is reserved for a movie that is so overlooked it’s almost
criminal.
You see, I have long championed that awesome and mysterious place, known only as Australia--and
when it comes to cinema, they have quietly yet consistently pumped out some of the most
precious hidden gems known to horror.
I’m not sure exactly what it is, but Australian horror cinema seems to strike a fine balance
between the fear of the physical--the natural world, and the man made world.
Perhaps better than any other--1978’s Long Weekend exemplifies that theme.
And it doesn’t just exemplify it--but it takes it, and runs with it--and just keeps
on going.
Really, you might watch this film and think that it couldn’t possibly take it any further.
Spoilers.
It does.
Oh boy does it keep on going.
Directed by Colin Eggleston, an Ozploitation director who has certainly earned his fair
share of salt--but the real genius behind this movie, is the name attached to the script.
Everett de Roche, one of the most legendary script writers ever to have cut his teeth
in Australian Cinema--despite being an American.
The premise to this movie is simple enough.
It concerns a couple, Peter, played by John Hargreaves--and Marcia, played by Briony Behets--who,
alongside their trusty dog--head to the outback on a weekend camping trip.
And that’s it really.
The thing is though, the couple in question have their own share of inner demons--and
outwardly, their marriage is on the rocks.
Quickly, the couple demonstrate an incredible lack of respect for nature--especially the
husband Peter.
They pollute the bush.
They kill a dugong out in the water.
They throw lit cigarettes in a dry bush--and they spray insecticide around their camp.
And as tensions between the couple escalate to a fever pitch--nature is certainly not
pleased with their disrespectful ways.
First, an eagle attacks--then, a possum.
And then… well.
Then things get really bad.
Give this movie a watch, and don’t let it be forgotten.
Well, there we have it folks--our list for the Top 5 Scariest Forgotten Horror Movies--Part
11.
Look how far we’ve come, eh?
Well, what do you guys think?
Do you agree?
Disagree?
Have any more to add to this list?
Then let us know your thoughts down in the comment section below.
Before we depart from today's video though, let’s first take a quick look at some of
your more creative comments from over the past few days.
First up, sherolled 27 says--
My life is complete, Jack has finally said the words, Hell Pig!
--- Well sherolled 27--brace yourself, cos I’ve just said it again.
Hell Pig.
And again!
Well, actually, what’s more impressive is that you’ve been patiently waiting for me
to say Hell Pig.
That’s… so oddly specific.
And finally, Aeniema says --
This is also my favorite series.
You turned me on to movies I’ve never heard of … thanks :)
-- And, you’re very welcome.
It’s my favorite series too.
And look at us-- Part 11.
Who woulda thought it.
Well, there we have it folks--unfortunately that’s all we’ve got time for in today's
video, cheers for sticking around all the way until the end.