Ten “Fresh” Picks for Your 2011 Halloween Movie Marathon

It's about that time again. Halloween is right around the corner. No matter their age, people love to engage in pulse-throbbing movie marathons on Halloween night. But we all know that all horror films are not made the same. Slashers, B-movies, and ghost stories are all surefire options. But true horror film connoisseurs know that these films serve pretty specific purposes during a Halloween marathon. So as you're organizing the movies for your marathon, consider a few of these "fresh" choices---and see why they should make the list.

The Final Destination (2009)

Put this little movie on first and you'll really get things going. Nobody ever really gets scared during Final Destination films. But the quirky death scenes will certainly put you on edge. All in all, a great way to get your guests warmed up for scarier fare.

Trick R Treat (2009)

"Trick R Treat" is the ultimate film that revolves around the magic of Halloween. You've got all the elements. Urban legends that drive kids wild, hidden neighborhood horrors, good old fashioned trick or treating, and quite a few surprising twists make this film a good time for all. This movie should probably appear early on in your marathon, to really set things off.

The House of the Devil (2009)

Don't be surprised if you've never heard of this one. "The House of the Devil" will make you believe that it was filmed in the early 1980s. But you can attribute that to good casting, costuming, and set design. The movie pays homage to the slasher/supernatural flicks of yesteryear by recreating that horror and suspense in period fashion. Don't sleep on this creepy little movie.

Insidious (2011)

People claimed that "Insidious" was one of modern horror's scariest films. Indeed, it just might be. This movie added yet another "twist" to your typical ghost story. Some claimed it was an indirect Poltergeist rip off. Others just weren't buying the underlying storyline. Make your own decision this Halloween. Just make sure you watch this one with the lights out, to get the full effect.

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

You would be greatly helped by watching the first "Paranormal Activity" before seeing this one. Better yet, see the third installment (in theaters October 21^st) and then circle back to this one. Pulling all the pieces together of this creepy "mockumentary" will really send chills down your spine.

Let Me In (2010)

There's no way you can have a Halloween movie marathon without adding at least one vampire flick to the collection. But if you're tired of the typical bloodthirsty fare, you'll definitely want to look into this remake of the Swedish original.

Devil (2010)

Don't let the name M. Night Shyamalan scare you away from this little treat. He brings us a film about what it might be like to encounter the devil in human form. With a movie that will make you think twice about getting into an elevator, the director relied on his careful storytelling ability to creep out audiences.

The Happening (2008)

In case you need further proof that M. Night Shyamalan still has the ability to chill his viewers, just add "The Happening" to your marathon. Some left theaters in 2008 unconvinced of the horror. But the "Sixth Sense" director strayed from his typical PG-13 formula to hash out this R-rated little bloody story; that in and of itself warrants an entry on your movie marathon list.

The Last Exorcism (2010)

This is one movie that should probably end up somewhere square in the middle of your little horror film fest. Unlike other "exorcism" flicks, this one attempts to expose the frauds in the business of demon removal. But just when you think you've figured out the story, the ending completely blows you away.

The Human Centipede (2010)

Ever so often, there comes along a movie to completely repulse its viewers. In 2010, that movie was "The Human Centipede." And in case you're wondering---yes, the human centipede being formed in this film is as nauseating as you could possibly imagine. You may not get serious chills; but rest assured, this digestively-challenged horror film should definitely be saved until last in your Halloween movie marathon.

SOURCES:

www.movies.yahoo.com

www.movieweb.com