Horror Movies Through The Years (includes reviews of select films)

Horror movies have been scaring children and thrilling adults since film began.  I will be breaking down every era of Horror films since the 70s and reviewing select horror films. 

1970s-This era of ghostly horror films was also when slasher films started to take shape, but it wouldn't be till the 80s till slashers would be defined by 2 movies. Though the film that would lay the template for all slashers to come was released: Halloween.  No other film was more responsible for creating the genre then this single film, which would rise from obscurity to become a classic. Every slasher film to come would be influenced by Halloween in some way or another, even though the myriad sequels have tarnished the originals reputation.

1980s-This is the decade where the slasher film would rise to what it has become, the 2 films that would define the genre were released: Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. These 2 films have my picks for the 1st and 2nd greatest horror films ever made, and these are the films I have chosen to review. 

Review: Friday the 13th

Directed by Sean S. Cunningham

Written by Victor Miller

The film that would define the slasher genre, is one of the best of the genre. For the first 45 minutes of the film you are led to believe who the killer is until they throw you a curve ball in the last 15 minutes of the film. That being said, this film has a lot of problems, like the mediocre acting and the really terrible dialogue. This stops the film from achieving greatness, but it still is a thrill-a-minute ride.

3/5

Review: A Nightmare on Elm Street

The single best film of the slasher genre, it features a great villain, believable characters, good acting, and some great kills. The film that would define Horror master Wes Craven's career, and quite possibly the greatest horror film ever made.

5/5

1990s-This is the era when slashers films would be turned on their ears, and many horror films would become self-referential. Not many notable films during this era save for Scream.

2000s-The era when slashers would revert back to the golden era for inspiration, like the great remake of Friday the 13th, and the upcoming remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street, also the era when Zombie films would become popular fueled by films like Dawn of the Dead and 28 Days Later.

This is my retrospective on the Horror Genre, hope you enjoy!