Didn't think I was a particular fan of the horror genre until I tried to think of my top 10 horror films and came up with a list of 29. The list below is my shortlist. Please use the form underneath to tell me your own favourites and I'll feature them on the site as well

MY TOP 10 HORROR FILMS

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974)

Forget the trashy remake, Tobe Hooper’s 1975 original is one of the most imaginative, scary, deeply creative films ever made. With the help of some feathers, bits of bone, a chainsaw and a budget that nowadays wouldn’t even pay for a new kitchen, the unforgettably oppressive atmosphere for the house was created. From the moment Leatherface (cinema's most fucked-up mother figure ever) takes to the screen, this film doesn’t let up its relentless pace which quite literally makes the viewer feel as breathless and truamatised as Marilyn Burns at the end as she finally escapes. The film was originally entitled, ‘Brain Cheese’ which really sums it up. MORE

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THE WICKER MAN (1974)

Next to the telephone, vacuum cleaner, television, antiseptic, anaesthetics and the thermos flask, Scotland’s greatest export ever. Gloriously creepy, funny, classic horror/musical. The sort of thing Dennis Potter might have produced if he’d been brought up on a hippy commune. Edward Woodward is perfectly cast as the sexually repressed police officer, visiting pagan paradise – Summerisle, to investigate a missing child, Rowan. Christopher Lee subverts his horror image beautifully; Britt Eckland’s wall dancing tease is heaven on earth and Walter Carr, sadly missed, looks worryingly at home. Add to this one of the most bizarrely wonderful soundtracks ever. Glorious. MORE

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HALLOWEEN (1981)

The theme tune to this film still makes me hurl with fear. Can’t listen to it without coming up in hives and weeping fearfully. Despite being one of the most damaging films as far as understanding mental illness goes, ever, this is classic horror that forever more I can’t think of certain scenes. Michael Myers behind the washing etc/appearing momentarily at the side of a hedge etc. Jamie Lee Curtis is unusually likeable (for a slasher movie) in the central role, and it is the audience’s empathy with her character that make her pursuit by Myers in the final scenes so gripping. Donald Pleasance offers scant comfort with truly awful acting – ‘He is gone from this place.’ Another low-budget ($300,000) gem. MORE

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HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER (1990)

Saw this as the first film in a double bill with ‘Peeping Tom’ at the suitably creepy Scala cinema in London. Fled in terror into King’s Cross before the second film started. This grisly, unapologetic, dead-eyed horror film, based on the life and crimes of American serial killer, Henry Lee Lucas, really plumbs the depths of unpleasantness. It opens with images of Henry’s previous victims, killed in a variety of ways to escape detection. When backward, incestuous cousin Otis starts joining Henry of killing sprees, things just go from bad to worse. The scenes where the men kill two prostitutes, and torture and kill a family are particularly nauseating. Still can’t see Michael Rooker (Henry) in films without feeling decidedly uneasy. MORE

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THE FLY (1986)

Though I’m not a great fan of science fiction, I absolutely adore this extremely gory remake. Jeff Goldblum is perfect as the goofy scientific genius slowly metamorphasising into an insect after an experiment teleporting chimps goes terribly wrong. Think one of the films particular strengths is that right up to the final transformation, the viewer feels complete sympathy with ‘ the monster’ – ‘If you stay, I’ll hurt you.’ Also a fascinating insight into insect psychology, a beautiful allegory for the dreadful process of a slow death and an early insight into the gloriously twisted mind of director, David Cronenberg. MORE

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IRREVERSIBLE (2002)

Horrible but brilliant film which has the viewer reeling from the opening scene. The murder scene at the start is perhaps the single most disturbing and sickening image I have ever encountered; the uncensoredness of the rape make it deliberately harrowing for the viewer; the swirling camerawork and hellish depths of the S&M club made me feel cold and repulsed. Perhaps the film’s greatest power though is in the horror being through human action and emotion. Told over the course of a day in the life of couple, Markus and Alex, the harrowing odyssey begins with the brutal killing then goes into reverse to reveal the horrifying events that lead to the hellishly brutal climax of the opening scene. Only for those with a strong stomach. MORE

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JACOB'S LADDER (1990)

Thought I was going to have a heart attack the first time I watched this. Another stunningly paranoid monster of a film, following the life/death of Vietnam vet/postman, Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) and the concept of primal fear and post-traumatic stress disorder. This is the stuff that nightmares are made off – from the unexplained sightings of strange demons with grotesque twitching movements and facial distortions; Charles Manson turning up at a party; the terrifying and surreal imagery; dreams that Jacob’s dead son is still alive being suddenly thwarted by real life, this horrifying and strangely spiritual film doesn’t let up. MORE

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BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999)

I can’t think of a film that has so completely divided audiences into the love/hate camps more than this. Have had several arguments with people who absolutely loathed it. Perhaps people are just too used to horrific and expensive special effects and are too lazy to use their imaginations. Love the simple props (never has a pile of twigs looked so menacing,) the way the animosity between the 3 characters adds to the growing sense of terror and the way the film slowly gets under your skin and refuses to shift. Was also fascinating seeing the effect discussion on the internet prior to the film’s release had on both its box office takings and audience reaction. MORE

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MANHUNTER (1986)

100 time scarier prequel to ‘Silence of the Lambs’ with the excellent Brian Cox portraying a quieter and infinitely more menacing Hannibal Lector (although it is detective, Will Graham, rather than Lector who is the focus of this film.) The towering killer ‘The Tooth Fairy’ is truly malignant; the use of verbal description rather than actual images forces the viewer to conjure up even more horrific images and the character of the blind female also gives director Michael Mann the opportunity to give the unpleasantness a truly sensual edge. MORE

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THE TENANT (1976)

Criminally overlooked Polanski film in which he plays the lead – a man who moves into a new flat where the previous tenant – Simone – has committed suicide by jumping from the window. After meeting the dead girl’s friend (Isabelle Adjani) and learning more about her, he begins to slowly being taken over by the spirit of the dead girl – wearing her clothes, smoking her cigarettes, drinking the same drink as her and obsessing over one of her teeth which he finds stuffed in a hole in the wall. The oddball neighbours are unsympathetic and more concerned with the noise of furniture being moved about the flat in the middle of the night. A stunning portrait of total paranoia which knocks spots off ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ and ‘Repulsion.’ MORE

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YOUR FAVOURITES

Andre G Top 10
1. THE OMEN - Every single time I watch this film I have goosebumps, I think its the music though . . .

2. ZOLTAN: HOUND OF DRACULA - Only watched this film once when I was very young but it has had a long lasting effect . . . the dogs eyes at the end of the film should get you.

3. THE DEVIL RIDES OUT - what can I say about this movie other than . . THE BEST HAMMER HORROR FILM EVER...and it stil boats the best looking Satan to this date and I have seen a lot of movies with old scratch in them.

4. THE ENTITY - Pretty dam good film. I'm not saying its everyones cup of tea but from the point of view that supposedly this incident was actually monitored and documented by numerous scientists and doctors....see for yourself.

5. THE AMITYVILLE HORROR - Again, another film in which the film score will haunt you for weeks after viewing . . And again supposedly based on actual events . . .

6. PRINCE OF DARKNESS - John Carpenter, this is perhaps his best horror film besides my next two...

7. HALOWEEN - I have'nt met anyone that does'nt like this film or who did'nt get a little edgy film watching this the first time round.

8. THE FOG - The Fog - Another film which has stood the test of time....from the beginning to the very end this is a creepy movie....Typical John Carpenter score too.

9. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - Did'nt you love it when the loud mouth pain the ass in the wheel chair copped his whack ! ! ! If you've not seen this movie its worth buying or renting out just for that alone. BRAVO LEATHERFACE.

10. THE GRUDGE - Went to the picture to see this with very low expectations and found myself a bit nervous after the first two minutes. Great movie shame theres a sequel coming.

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Flash, UKA's Top 10
1. THE THING - some might say sci-fi but there's a thin line somtimes. Too many scary moments to mention many, but there is one where a heart attack victim is getting his heart massaged by a colleague. I won't tell you what happens next, just think Max Bygraves and one of his classic songs.

2. ALIEN - Perhaps sci-fi again but so many great moments in the best of this series, When Tom Skerrit goes hunting for it , Tom you silly, silly boy.

3. JEEPERS CREEPERS - I just like the monster in this, he must the coolest demon around. He even whistles the theme tune. Not a great ending though.

4. JEEPERS CREEPERS 2 - As you all know this creature sleeps for 23 yrs then wakes up and eats for 23 days, on the menu is humans and more humans, but not all humans only a certain type that give off a certain scent when scared. In JP2 the creature traps a bunch of cheerleaders and football jocks on a coach, he can't get in for the time being but they can't get out, but he lets them know which one's he's after and which are safe, the selection process is almost funny as he points who's hot and who's not.

5. BRIDES OF DRACULA - This because it has arguably the best Dracula ever an little known stage actor called 'David Peel.' He is perfect for the role. If you see him for the first time you think how come I haven't seen this guy before. Alas David preferred Stage work to films

6. THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT - This was a great idea, it just depended on whether you knew it was a set up. If you didn't I imagine you'd be terriffied.

7. THE EXORCIST

8. THE FOG and PRINCE OF DARKNESS - John Carpenter at his best

9. IT - Although a cheesy tv production I'm hopeful they'll make a decent film of it one day. This version was good I have to say. As was 'Salems Lot'

10. INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE - this is the only film where I have respected Tom Cruise as an actor. The cast is stunning and the film very underrated. Kirsten Dunst gives a remarkable performance for one so young

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Tony Campbell, UKA's Top 10
1. JEEPERS CREEPERS - The bit where the young lad falls down the tube into the demon's lair!

2. THE THING - Terrifying the whole way through. I love the suspense etc, but the bit where the guy's head comes off and it sprouts legs and walks off like a spider is just damned awful - great stuff. .

3. PHANTASM - A really eerie movie with great, dated music. It's got it all: demons, killer dwarfs and a parallel universe - all accessed through a funeral parlor.

4. THIRTEEN GHOSTS - Great and has some really gruesome ghosts

5. THE RING - The new version has some great jumpy moments

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'A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET' - "Not so scary, I just like it"
Nominated by Michael Carrigan

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'BLAIR WITCH PROJECT' - "Found the start of Blair Witch terrifying for all the wrong reasons, ie because it still had 90 minutes to go"
Nominated by Michael Carrigan

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'THE WARRIORS' - "The bit where they sing, 'Warriors coming out to play.'"
Nominated by Alec Wallace

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'CARRIE' - "The bit where the hand comes out the grave and grabs her. I can't watch it. It's too scary" Nominated by Mick

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'PSYCHO' - "The bit where the detective goes up the stairs and the mother comes out the room in front of him"
Nominated by Mick

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'AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON' - "I first saw it when I was a bairn and it terrified me. The scariest bit was when he turns into the werewolf and you see it all happening"
Nominated by Kerry McCann

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'THE EXORCIST' - "The bit where her head's spinning round. I love that film. "
Nominated by Stevie Coutts

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'THE WICKER MAN' - "Love the bit where he's going round the island trying to find out information about the missing girl and all the villagers are wearing masks and jumping out at him"
Nominated by Niall Sandilands

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'ROSEMARY'S BABY' - "It's dead scary despite the fact there's no real blood or gore. Its what's going on in the background makes it scary. The really scary things in life are not dripping in blood. They're in your head"
Nominated by Niall Sandilands

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'THE BIRDS' - "The bit where the birds peck that woman's eyes out, I nearly shat myself."
Nominated by Ian Brown

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'CARRIE' - "The bit where the hand comes out the grave at the very end."
Nominated by Stevie Smith

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'X, Y AND ZED' - "The bit where the boys strip David Hemmings, their school teacher in the woods and turn him round on a big wheel. Browning was the bad one."
Nominated by Stevie Smith

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'BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN' - "I could watch it forever. Lon Chaney as the monster with Maureen O'Hara. When the little girl looks in the pool and sees the monster's face. It's sad how they treat the monster because he's basically kind"
Nominated by Stevie Smith

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'THE HILLS HAVE EYES' - "I still have nightmares about the film. My pals made me go to see it when I was only about 14. I nearly started crying I was so scared"
Nominated by Liam Sinclair

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'THE THING' - "Watched it the other night. Rates among the best. The Alien films to a lesser degree, not really horror "
Nominated by Spacegirl

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'DARK WATER' - "Scary Japanese horror by the director of the original 'Ring' movie - Hideo Nakata"
Nominated by Danny Williams

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