Underrated/Overrated Horror Films

[strtfghtr]

There's a lot going on in this thread and too many noobs to keep track of so I'll just give my opinions on the various topics:

Dawn: As I've said before it's over-rated. Day all the way baby.

Carrie: I find it over-rated, never really got into it though I know people who go nuts for the film

Zombie: One of Fulci's best, though I prefer The Beyond, Zombie has the great visuals and an actual coherent story that Fulci's other zombie flicks lack. Can't wait for my Arrow Bluray to show up at my house. (side note: Don't Torture a Duckling is my fav giallo from him)

Prince of Darkness: This is a great "rainy Saturday afternoon" type of movie. While not Carpenter's best, the film is a blast to watch and is neither over or under-rated.

Prometheus: This movie was awesome and I look forward to the bluray.

Exorcist: One of the greatest films ever made and possibly the greatest horror film, no amount of praise is enough.

[Splat]

Under-rated: Xtro. I feel what kills it for people is the weirdness for a lack of a better word. I know when I was a kid I didn't like it for this. But know I really appreciate the movie for this

As for the whole Zombie/Zombi 2/ Zombie Flesh Eaters thing I love this movie even if it is not perfect. Really like the earthy feel of these zombies....Fulci's walking flower pots.

As for over-rated nothing is really coming to mind at this time as I really don't pay attention to what everyone in thee Horror Kingdom likes as a whole.

[Edo]

This is like..the ONLY good Fulci film. Can't really stand, or understand for that matter, any of his flicks. The wood on the door to the eye is an amazing horror moment though.

I too am not a fan of Fulci. The only one I could sit through without struggling was Don't Torture a Duckling. The way people worship him like he's some kind of Mario Bava or Dario Argento is disgusting.

[Splat]

The way people worship him like he's some kind of Mario Bava or Dario Argento is disgusting.

I really like a lot of his films but yeah he isn't worship worthy

[strtfghtr]

Under-rated: Xtro. I feel what kills it for people is the weirdness for a lack of a better word. I know when I was a kid I didn't like it for this. But know I really appreciate the movie for this

Good call Splat, you never hear too much about this movie and it's a good turn your brain off and enjoy kind of movie.

Hell Night is another good under-rated movie, classic 80s cheese and some badass kills.

[Splat]

Good call Splat, you never hear too much about this movie and it's a good turn your brain off and enjoy kind of movie.

Thanks mate glad to see someone else who appreciates this little bit of Brittish Horror

[Macready]

Underrated: The Being. Talk about 80's cheese.

[I_Drink_Your_Blood]

Yeah, add me as another fan of Xtro, too.

[Scorpion_#701]

That's actually pretty much what I said when I first saw it. I struggle to think of anything since 2000 that was better.

There is a long list of films this decade that are far better than 'Prometheus'.

This is like..the ONLY good Fulci film. Can't really stand, or understand for that matter, any of his flicks. The wood on the door to the eye is an amazing horror moment though.

COTLD and 'The Beyond' are much better. His very best work is his giallo stuff though.

I too am not a fan of Fulci. The only one I could sit through without struggling was Don't Torture a Duckling. The way people worship him like he's some kind of Mario Bava or Dario Argento is disgusting.

I rate DTAD as his best film. Yeah, there is no way Fulci ranks up there with Bava and Argento. He was a hack for most of his horror career.

[Splat]

Yeah, add me as another fan of Xtro, too.

Awesome

I thought THE BEING wasn't too shaby either and quite an entertaining watch

[I_Drink_Your_Blood]

I rate DTAD as his best film. Yeah, there is no way Fulci ranks up there with Bava and Argento. He was a hack for most of his horror career.

Some of his later films were absolutely terrible (Touch of Death, Sodoma's Ghost etc.).

Awesome

I thought THE BEING wasn't too shaby either and quite an entertaining watch

I've never seen The Being - will have to check it out!

[strtfghtr]

The Being is a good watch, I suggest some friends over and a few drinks.

[Macready]

The Being is a good watch, I suggest some friends over and a few drinks.

Is that an invite

[Edo]

There is a long list of films this decade that are far better than 'Prometheus'.

I should've said best mainstream Sci-fi/Horror film since 2000. There is indeed a big list of films superior to Prometheus.

[Scorpion_#701]

I should've said best mainstream Sci-fi/Horror film since 2000. There is indeed a big list of films superior to Prometheus.

I would have to disagree with you there as well. There have been far better sci-fi films this year alone with 'Looper' and 'Dredd'. 'District 9' from 2009 shits all over 'Prometheus'. I've actually just finished a second viewing of it for a revaluation and my opinion is still the same - visually stunning but a God-awful script.

[BurnetRhoades]

Much as I love, love, love me some Sir Ridley Scott, I'd have to say Danny Boyle's Sunshine is a better film overall. I really liked Prometheus, dug the story, all the links to previous films and universes and its overall heavy, human-questioning-the-meaning-of-it-all context (which I think is necessary for all good science fiction, separating it from mere fantasy) but the script could have been better written, in terms of dialogue especially.

It wasn't as dumbed down as if Cameron had wrote it but one of the biggest leaps asked by the film was to believe any one of those characters were actual scientists. In Alien, you didn't question the role or purpose or experience of any character. I don't like being able to "see" people act or it be my responsibility to convince myself that I'm not just watching play acting. That's their job.

[Kronos]

visually stunning but a God-awful script.

Right on target. Exactly the way I felt about it too. Way too much wasted potential.

[Splat]

It wasn't as dumbed down as if Cameron had wrote it but one of the biggest leaps asked by the film was to believe any one of those characters were actual scientists. In Alien, you didn't question the role or purpose or experience of any character. I don't like being able to "see" people act or it be my responsibility to convince myself that I'm not just watching play acting. That's their job.

Well very nice point made there

[Edo]

I would have to disagree with you there as well. There have been far better sci-fi films this year alone with 'Looper' and 'Dredd'. 'District 9' from 2009 shits all over 'Prometheus'. I've actually just finished a second viewing of it for a revaluation and my opinion is still the same - visually stunning but a God-awful script.

You have me beat. I didn't care for Dredd 3D, but you are absolutely right about District 9. I haven't seen Looper yet...

[Scorpion_#701]

Much as I love, love, love me some Sir Ridley Scott, I'd have to say Danny Boyle's Sunshine is a better film overall. I really liked Prometheus, dug the story, all the links to previous films and universes and its overall heavy, human-questioning-the-meaning-of-it-all context (which I think is necessary for all good science fiction, separating it from mere fantasy) but the script could have been better written, in terms of dialogue especially.

It wasn't as dumbed down as if Cameron had wrote it but one of the biggest leaps asked by the film was to believe any one of those characters were actual scientists. In Alien, you didn't question the role or purpose or experience of any character. I don't like being able to "see" people act or it be my responsibility to convince myself that I'm not just watching play acting. That's their job.

I too liked the actual premise, the links to the Alien mythology and its philosophical context. However, the screenplay is damn lousy. It's a stunning film to look at - real visual eye candy and the sheer scope of it all is magnificent. Ridley Scott is a great filmmaker and he got the very best he could from such terrible writing.

The characterization is awful. They were all unbelievable one-dimensional characters and I could not believe for one minute that they were scientists. Their dumb illogical decisions just piled up throughout the entire course of the running time. Because of this, the performances suffered from what is a hugely talented cast. The only exception was Fassbender. His character was interesting and his performance was strong. I don't need to be spoon-fed what's going on in the movie but just coherency in the narrative is all that I ask. There is no reason given at all, as to why everything is happening. There are no deep hidden meanings to it all no sub-text to be found just testament to incompetent writing by introducing all these ideas and not giving reasonable explanations for them. All it did was just cause a confusing and unsatisfying viewing experience. It's such a shame because this could have been a great film. This had the potential to be a masterpiece.

What it is though is a good jumping off point. Give Scott a good script and this can be elaborated on to expand the universe and all this can be fixed with explanations as to why it all happened.

Right on target. Exactly the way I felt about it too. Way too much wasted potential.

This is how I've got it -

Alien & Aliens (tied)
Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)
Prometheus
Alien Resurrection
AVP: Requiem
AVP

You have me beat. I didn't care for Dredd 3D, but you are absolutely right about District 9. I haven't seen Looper yet...

I loved 'Dredd'. I went to see it four times! Twice in 3D and twice in 2D. You won't be disappointed with 'Looper'.