hubiestubert: Not a bad list. The Devil's Backbone was fantastic, but then again, I really like del Toro's work. 28 Days and 28 Days Later were interesting looks at zombies. The Host was a lot fun, and surprisingly touching. [REC] was a lot of fun, albeit predictable. I am a huge fan of the horror genre, essentially horror tales take the place of the cautionary tales that were faerie tales, the old school Grimm collections, and that is an interesting evolution. At the heart of good horror are morality plays, decisions made have consequences, grim and bloody ones. The monsters or villains are projections of what scares us, what we fear in larger context, and allow us to see those things, and tap into that angst. Be they fears about what we are doing to our environment, how we fear the rural places, how we fear The Others, they say a lot about what they evoke from us.

Del Toro is the only competent horror director working right now. Everyone else uses zombies as a crutch or relies on cheap "startles, not actual scares. I'd put Tarsem Singh on that list too, but he's not really into horror anymore.

I have seen all but 2 and they are in my Netflix queue. I looooooooove horror, slasher, thriller whatever. I don't care how good or bad it is I have to watch it.

The "macabre" (if not "horror") films from the past 12 years which have most resonated with me:

Kairo (Pulse) (2001, d. Kiyoshi Kurosawa)
The Mist (2007, d. Frank Darabont)
Frailty (2002, d. Bill Paxton)
Antichrist (2009, d. Lars Von Trier)
Martyrs (2008, d. Pascal Laugier)
Inside (2007, d. A. Bustillo and J. Maury)
[rec.] 2 (2009, d. Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza)
Dagon (2001, d. Stuart Gordon)
Ju-On: The Grudge (2000, d. Takashi Shimizu)
Ju-On 2 (2000 d. Takashi Shimizu)
Premonition (2004, d. Tsurata Norio)
Lunacy (2005, d. Jan Svankmajer)
Pontypool (2008, d. Bruce McDonald)
Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006, d. Scott Glosserman)
Dog Soldiers (2002, d. Neil Marshall)
Pan's Labyrinth (2006, d. Guillermo Del Toro)
Trick 'r Treat (2007, d. Michael Dougherty)
Battle Royale (2000, d. Kinji Fukasaku)
Splice (2009, d. Vincenzo Natali)
Infection (2004, d. Masayuki Orchiai)
Lake Mungo (2008, d. Joel Anderson)
Ginger Snaps (2000, d. John Fawcett)
30 Days of Night (2007, d. David Slade)
Ginger Snaps 2: Unleased (2004. d. Brett Sullivan)
Noroi: The Curse (2005, d. Koji Shiraishi)
13 Tzameti (2005, d. Gela Babluani)
End of the Line (2007, d. Maurice Devereaux)
Splinter (2008, d. Toby Wilkins)
Thirst (2009, d. Chan-wook Park)
Bug (2006, d. William Friedkin)
Nightmare Detective (2006, d. Shinya Tsukamoto)
The Collingswood Story (2002, d. Michael Costanza)
The Power of Nightmare (2004, d. Adam Curtis)
May (2002, d. Lucky McKee)
Suicide Club (2002, d. Shion Sono)
Exte: Hair Extensions (2007, d. Shion Sono)
Grace (2009, d. Paul Solet)
Below (2002, d. David Twohy)
Requiem For A Dream (2000, d. Darren Aronofsky)
Eden Lake (2008, d. James Watkins)
The Others (2001, d. Alejandro Amenabar)
Uzumaki (2000, d. Higuchinsky)
In My Skin (2002, d. Marina De Van)
Three...Extremes (2004, d. Fruit Chan, Chan-wook Park, Takashi Miike)
Calvaire (2004, d. Fabrice Du Welz)
Black Sheep (2006, d. Jonathan King)
Acolytes (2008, d. Jon Hewitt)
Room of Death (2007, d. Alfred Lot)
My Little Eye (2002, d. Marc Evans)
Dead Birds (2004, d. Alex Turner)
Isolation (2005, d. Billy O'Brien)
The House of the Devil (2009, d. Ti West)
The Backwoods (2006, d. Koldo Serra)
Severance (2006, d. Christopher Smith)
The Cottage (2008, d. Paul Andrew Williams)
Hell House (2001, d. George Ratliff)
A Certain Kind of Death (2003, d. Grover Babcock and Blue Hadaegh)
Gozu (2003, d. Takashi Miike)
Right At Your Door (2008, d. Chris Gorak)
Dead Man's Shoes (2006, d. Shane Meadows)
The Eye (2002, d. The Pang Brothers)
Creep (2004, d. Christopher Smith
Triangle (2009, d. Christopher Smith)
1408 (2007, d. Mikael Haftrom)
Rogue (2007, d. Greg McLean)
The Burrowers (2008, d. J.T. Petty)
Three...Extremes 2 (2002, d. Peter Ho-Sun Chan, Jee-woon Kim, and Nonzee Nimibutr)
Ils (Them) (2006, d. David Moreau and Xavier Palud)
The Children (2008, d. Tom Shankland)
StakeLand (2010, d. Jim Mickle)
From Within (2008, d. Phedon Papamichael)
We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011, d. Lynn Ramsay)
Black Death (2010, d. Christopher Smith)
The Skin I Live In (2011, d. Pedro Almodóvar)
The Woman (2011, d. Lucky McKee)
TrollHunter (2011, d. André Øvredal)
Wrecked (2010, d. Michael Greenspan)
Midnight Son (2011, d. Scott Leberecht)
The Last Circus (2010, d. Álex de la Iglesia)
Heartless (2009, d. Philip Ridley)

the Wrong Turn movies are hands down my favorite and 4 has an uber hot lesbian scene.

what more could you ask for?

I was surprised to find that I've actually already seen all of those movies. Rather solid list, really. I think that Pan's Labyrinth would also make an excellent addition to it. Some might argue that it's not a true horror movie in the traditional sense, but the Pale Man is like something straight out of an eight year old's nightmares and Captain Vidal is a vicious, nasty, brutal psychopath. Even the "good" elements of it (the Faun, the fairies, etc.) are pretty creepy-looking.

And I'm probably going to be in the minority in saying this, but I never got all the hype with 28 Days later. I've seen it a couple of times and never really enjoyed it.

Capt. Sparkles: I think that Pan's Labyrinth would also make an excellent addition to it.

I honestly don't get the love for that movie. I couldn't have been more bored and can't remember one scary thing about it.

"The Host" is okay, kind of overrated. Two of the scariest/horrific movies I've seen within the last few years came from France of all places: "Inside", and "Martyrs". If you are easily squeamish then you may not want to watch either movie.

And I'm still looking to see "A Serbian Film". It must be really bad because Netflix refuses to stock it and it's not available on Amazon Instant Video, or to even buy the DVD for that matter.

Seen them all. But if you want a truly horrific film, see the film "Sleep Tight", by the director of "[Rec]". No zombies, but far scarier, especially if you're a woman.

Dumb-Ass-Monkey: The reason so many of those movies are foreign? They don't have the studios breathing down their necks to make PG-13 horror. You lose that restriction, and suddenly the odds of it being a good horror movie triple.

Cabin in the Woods, Tucker and Dale vs Evil and Drag Me to Hell were all good US horror movies. Drag Me to Hell even did it with a PG-13 rating.

Is it too early to put "Cabin in the Woods" on that list? Probably the most fun I've ever had watching a horror movie in the theatre.

skinink: "The Host" is okay, kind of overrated. Two of the scariest/horrific movies I've seen within the last few years came from France of all places: "Inside", and "Martyrs". If you are easily squeamish then you may not want to watch either movie.

And I'm still looking to see "A Serbian Film". It must be really bad because Netflix refuses to stock it and it's not available on Amazon Instant Video, or to even buy the DVD for that matter.

Another disturbing French horror movie is High Voltage. If just for the opening scene.

D'oh!

Meant to add:

Le pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) (2001, d. Christophe Gans)

Many of the items on the list in TFA are amongst my faves of the decade as well (the "28..." series' charms continually elude me. Conversely, their respective scores are amongst my faves of the past 12 trips 'round the sun.)

Also, "Dead Girl" (not a foreign film though). This one is a really farked up zombie movie.

Dumb-Ass-Monkey: Carth: Cabin in the Woods, Tucker and Dale vs Evil and Drag Me to Hell were all good US horror movies. Drag Me to Hell even did it with a PG-13 rating.

Cabin was rated R

the other two were produced by small studios who were more interested in making good movies than in making the usual bland Japanese Horror Movie But Starring Americans that the big studios love so much.

None the less, they were American movies There are plenty of American horror movies, sure, small studio, horror movies out there that can still creep people out.

And if you like that type slow burn, vampire film like Let the Right One In, try Midnight Son. Again, no secret vampire societies, no epic vampire vs. human/werewolves wars and no superpowered vampire hunters. Just a young man whose body is breaking down and his need for blood in order to keep himself alive. Quiet and creepy.

mekki: Dumb-Ass-Monkey: Carth: Cabin in the Woods, Tucker and Dale vs Evil and Drag Me to Hell were all good US horror movies. Drag Me to Hell even did it with a PG-13 rating.

Cabin was rated R

the other two were produced by small studios who were more interested in making good movies than in making the usual bland Japanese Horror Movie But Starring Americans that the big studios love so much.

None the less, they were American movies There are plenty of American horror movies, sure, small studio, horror movies out there that can still creep people out.

And if you like that type slow burn, vampire film like Let the Right One In, try Midnight Son. Again, no secret vampire societies, no epic vampire vs. human/werewolves wars and no superpowered vampire hunters. Just a young man whose body is breaking down and his need for blood in order to keep himself alive. Quiet and creepy.

Another good vampire movie is "The Reflecting Skin".

skinink: And I'm still looking to see "A Serbian Film". It must be really bad because Netflix refuses to stock it and it's not available on Amazon Instant Video, or to even buy the DVD for that matter.

Plus, every version you are likely to see, even if you purchase it, it still edited. I've seen the uncut version at a film fest in SF and the little cuts they've made are truly critical to the impact of the film. I think it's really a brutally great film in its original form.

I am surprised High Tension did not make the list, or at least a mention here...

hubiestubert: 28 Days and 28 Days Later were interesting looks at zombies.




The horror. The horror.

Pandora's Litterbox: The "macabre" (if not "horror") films from the past 12 years which have most resonated with me:
The House of the Devil (2009, d. Ti West)

I've never really been scared by a movie like this, along with The Innkeepers.

skinink: "The Host" is okay, kind of overrated. Two of the scariest/horrific movies I've seen within the last few years came from France of all places: "Inside", and "Martyrs". If you are easily squeamish then you may not want to watch either movie.

And I'm still looking to see "A Serbian Film". It must be really bad because Netflix refuses to stock it and it's not available on Amazon Instant Video, or to even buy the DVD for that matter.

I own both those movies and they are fantastic. As for A Serbian Film I've only needed to watch it once, such a messed up film.

The creature in The Host was awesome. The other 95% was nigh on unwatchable. Are all Korean films like that, or was this a horror flick starring their Pauly Shore? Jesus, it was a slog to get through that one.

Pandora's Litterbox: The "macabre" (if not "horror") films from the past 12 years which have most resonated with me:

Christ, dude. How many minutes 'til Wapner?

Pandora's Litterbox: D'oh!

Meant to add:

Le pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) (2001, d. Christophe Gans)

Many of the items on the list in TFA are amongst my faves of the decade as well (the "28..." series' charms continually elude me. Conversely, their respective scores are amongst my faves of the past 12 trips 'round the sun.)

Shocked that The Descent isn't on your list. Go watch it.

fearmongert: I am surprised High Tension did not make the list, or at least a mention here...

IMO 'twas 3/4 of a truly great fright flick. And then THAT happened and it bought itself a one-way ticket to Nullification City. My unsolicited advice to those who haven't yet seen it: turn it off when the police begin looking at the gas station videotape and make up an ending out of whole cloth. Whatever you conjure up in your imagination cannot help but be better than the film's released denouement.

Grey Street: Is it too early to put "Cabin in the Woods" on that list? Probably the most fun I've ever had watching a horror movie in the theatre.

This. I didn't expect it to be so fun. Loved it.

fearmongert: I am surprised High Tension did not make the list, or at least a mention here...

I was really enjoying that movie until the final 10 minutes. It really does have the worst plot twist ever.

Hot Rod Zoidberg: Pandora's Litterbox: The "macabre" (if not "horror") films from the past 12 years which have most resonated with me:
The House of the Devil (2009, d. Ti West)

I've never really been scared by a movie like this, along with The Innkeepers.

Jesus, The Inkeepers. My friend made the comment that if you took out the horror stuff, you'd still have a very fun workplace movie; add in the horror stuff, and you have a terrifying movie about characters you actually give a damn about.

As for The Orphanage, I have no shame in admitting I was almost sobbing at the end of that. God, what a great piece of work.

I didn't think anyone hadn't heard of 28 Days Later. When Walking Dead started there were a lot of complaints that they both started the same way. And aren't they about to release a third one?

HighZoolander: Pandora's Litterbox: D'oh!

Meant to add:

Le pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) (2001, d. Christophe Gans)

Many of the items on the list in TFA are amongst my faves of the decade as well (the "28..." series' charms continually elude me. Conversely, their respective scores are amongst my faves of the past 12 trips 'round the sun.)

Shocked that The Descent isn't on your list. Go watch it.

I could have made a list that was thrice as long as what I posted but I had a thought that perhaps t I was strenuously pushing it as it was. (and based on one reply here, that instinct was a right-and-true one.)

Besides, "The Descent" for me was "merely" a very good film and not a best of decade one.

Pandora's Litterbox: HighZoolander: Pandora's Litterbox: D'oh!

Meant to add:

Le pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) (2001, d. Christophe Gans)

Many of the items on the list in TFA are amongst my faves of the decade as well (the "28..." series' charms continually elude me. Conversely, their respective scores are amongst my faves of the past 12 trips 'round the sun.)

Shocked that The Descent isn't on your list. Go watch it.

I could have made a list that was thrice as long as what I posted but I had a thought that perhaps t I was strenuously pushing it as it was. (and based on one reply here, that instinct was a right-and-true one.)

Besides, "The Descent" for me was "merely" a very good film and not a best of decade one.

Huh. For me it was definitely a best of decade movie - definitely in the top ten if not top five. Lots of overlap in our choices though.

The Host wasn't so much a horror movie, I don't think. It was a funny monster movie that happened to have a large amount of gore.

Bathia_Mapes: Grey Street: Is it too early to put "Cabin in the Woods" on that list? Probably the most fun I've ever had watching a horror movie in the theatre.

Not exactly a foreign horror film though, which is what this thread is all about.

Ah, must have missed that from the article. It's funny, though - horror has become probably the most international-friendly genre of film, with incredible entries coming from all over the globe. It's gotten to the point where I almost don't even notice when a horror film is foreign, just that it's scary, well-made, and effective in whatever it's trying to accomplish.

Pandora's Litterbox: Suicide Club (2002, d. Shion Sono)

If you liked that, check out the sequel Noriko's Dinner Table. Not exactly a horror film, except in the existential sense, but it gives an explanation of what was really going on in Suicide Club.

vrax: skinink: And I'm still looking to see "A Serbian Film". It must be really bad because Netflix refuses to stock it and it's not available on Amazon Instant Video, or to even buy the DVD for that matter.

Plus, every version you are likely to see, even if you purchase it, it still edited. I've seen the uncut version at a film fest in SF and the little cuts they've made are truly critical to the impact of the film. I think it's really a brutally great film in its original form.

Exactly what is edited out the film? The baby scene?

So no love for Uwe Boll?

/Tara Reid as a scientist scared the hell out of me.

HighZoolander: Shocked that The Descent isn't on your list. Go watch it.

The Descent sucked monkey balls once it left the claustrophobic and betrayal stories for the "underground dwellers." Seriously, they farked up their own movie just when I was getting interested.

The Host also sucked balls. I was all excited for the new Korean horror and drifted off like 5 times. God that sucked.

Dead Snow and Trollhunter were decent flicks though.

If you're an actual fan of horror movies, then you've probably seen most of those.