Scream Bloody Entertainment

Foreword
The 13 Horror Films feature has become a well-known and beloved tradition here on Scream Bloody Entertainment, and through the years it has evolved into an event that is thoroughly anticipated and enjoyed by both its writer and readers. I therefore urge you all to rejoice, for with the conclusion of 2010 yet another year of delicious cinematic horror madness has come to an end, and the list of the thirteen best horror films of the year has just landed, as punctual and well-timed as always.

Just kidding. Right now it’s the 31st of December 2011, so that means that this list is – more or less – one year late. One year. It sure as hell tops last year’s release, which I posted nearly half a year late. Well, you know what they say, better late than never, right? That said, I hope this list proves to be an enjoyable read and maybe it will manage to bring to your attention one or two movies that you may have missed last year. See you all next year!

Hopefully.

Honorable mentions and other noteworthy releases:

• Splice
  Directed by the promising Vincenzo Natali, who more than ten years ago delivered the highly original and acclaimed sci-fi slash horror slash thriller slash whatever-else-people-want-to-classify-it-as Cube, Splice is a film that sure has a good amount of flaws, but its unsettling moments and thought-provoking thematic prevent it from being a mere dismissable effort. A shame it tanked at the box office, but that shouldn't be a reason to overlook it. ('addiced to horror' article here)
• I Spit on Your Grave
  The gimmicky R-rated remake of the controversial 70s horror film doesn't improve much on its original, but I Spit on Your Grave proves that it doesn't shy away from violence and gore, delivering a rape scene as disturbing as few others in recent times followed by a series suprisingly brutal deaths. Those with a weak stomach should tread lightly, or rather not tread at all. ('addicted to horror' article here)
• The Last Exorcism
  The Last Exorcism doesn't break any new ground when it comes to the found footage genre, and many complaints have been heard regarding its ending, but the fact remains that this film can be surprisingly disturbing and ultimately quite frightening, landing it a spot among those horror movies that aren't exactly great, but which still manage to make your skin crawl. ('addicted to horror' article here)
• Paranormal Activity 2
  The sequel to what many regard as 'one of the scariest horror films ever' doesn't quite live up to its predecessor's reputation, but it nevertheless delivers a few good scares and thrills along the way, and the departure from the original in following an entire family instead of a couple is fresh and appreciated. Those who wet their pants watching the first one will likely need a change of clothes this time around as well. ('addicted to horror' article)
• Altitude
  Not exactly a good film on any account, Altitude only stands out from the rest of the throwaway low-budget efforts due to its impressive visual style and the Lovecraftian tone that keeps popping up along the way. Of course, exploiting the fear of flying as much as possible helps as well, and almost makes one forget about the wreck of a twist at the end. ('addicted to horror' article here)

Los ojos de Julia is a chilling and thoroughly intriguing Spanish horror movie, though its plot leaves a lot to be desired. While the acting is really good (particularly that of leading actress Belén Rueda) and the movie boasts some really impressive cinematography and captivating score, it fails when it comes to its storyline, which isn't very well fleshed out, often feeling as if it doesn't really know what direction it wants to take. Overall, Los ojos de Julia is an atmospheric horror thriller and it's a lot better than what we usually get to see these days, but if you decide to give it a watch, be prepared for a lackluster story. (addicted to horror)

Amer may be one of the strangest horror films in recent years, making for a dreamlike experience devoid of dialogue and filled with hauntingly beautiful visuals. Its style, reminiscent of 70s giallo films, fits the mood and tone of the storyline perfectly, and the mesmerizing mix of sounds that adorn each scene are yet another plus. However, Amer falls a little short in the narrative department, failing to create a coherent whole, thus providing little closure in the end. In addition, the film drags quite a bit during its second half, almost as if the filmmakers ran out of ideas. Nevertheless, Amer remains a thoroughly intriguing ride for those able to appreciate (and put themselves through) more artistic and experimental pictures. There's not much to be had here for everyone else, though. (addicted to horror)

Daybreakers offers a refreshing break from the vampire movie craze that has been going on for the past couple of years and it brings the evil, scary vampires back to the screen. It's also a lot of fun and the cast is decent, apart from a few misplaced roles (see Willem Dafoe). There's a lot of jump scares which make the movie feel cheap at times, but they are easily overlooked due to the fine design and creative ideas put into the film. It may not be the next vampire classic, but it's nonetheless a great vampire flick in period filled with countless bad ones. (addicted to horror)

Suck is one of those films that you would never expect to deliver much more than your usual horror fare, but somehow, it manages to creep behind you and surprise you when you least expect it. Featuring various cameo appearances from real life rock stars such as Alice Cooper, Moby and Iggy Pop, this one seemingly ordinary vampire flick is a lot more than meets the eye. On a visual level, Suck looks great and the production value, apart from a couple of cheap gory moments (which could have been totally intentional, mind you), is outstanding. The story is so-so, but there lots of memorable moments and simply hilarious scenes that turn Suck into a worthwhile experience. Plus, you gotta hand it to Rob Stefaniuk for directing, writing, acting and even co-writing some of the songs for the movie. (addicted to horror)

The Crazies is one of those rare horror remakes that actually work and some may argue it even surpasses the original. Timothy Olyphant and Radha Mitchell do a good job as the two lead actors and the rest of the cast is good enough to keep this movie together. The story is rather interesting and the fast pacing makes up for an intense atmosphere and suspenseful scenes. The Crazies may not offer anything new, but it's as entertaining and fun as it can get. Definitely worth a watch. (addicted to horror)

Piranha is the perfect example of how a movie can be so right when everything in it is so wrong. If you would have asked anyone how this film would fare before it got released, chances are no one would have given you a positive answer, yet here we are with one of the most entertaining and hilarious films of the year. Piranha is another great success for director Alexandre Aja, but it is an even bigger success for modern horror movies and 3D films as well. If you're looking for fun, lots of laughs and insane amounts of gore and nudity, look no further than Piranha. This film had all the right ingredients for it to turn into a disaster, yet it went in the whole other direction and managed to exceed all expectations. (addicted to horror)

A Serbian Film is definitely one of the most extreme horror films in recent years, but unlike many other of its type, it has excellent production quality and a coherent plot going for it. The film may seem awfully gratuitous at times and it often feels like it's doing certain things just to see how far it can go, but that doesn't diminish its shock value. Most certainly not for the faint of heart, A Serbian Film is a disturbing tale of violence, pornography, death and pretty much every disgusting thing you can think of. It's gruesome, it's horrific, it's shocking. (addicted to horror)

After his last couple of films, it seems as though anything with M. Night Shyamalan's name written on it is bound to fail, but Devil proves to be a surprisingly good horror thriller with an interesting premise and a really solid twist. It does have a couple of weaker points and there sure are some plotholes here and there, but the film is very effective and makes for a highly intense ride. Ultimately, Devil overcomes the whole M. Night Shyamalan hate and turns out to be a very well done horror film. (addicted to horror)

There is no doubt that The Loved Ones is one of the best horror films to come out of Australia in quite a while. It's an entertaining film with an interesting plot and some really good acting from its cast, but it's also directed and shot in very good quality, which makes it all the more enjoyable. The only unfortunate thing is that the film didn't become too popular, but fans of the genre will definitely treasure this indie gem. (addicted to horror)

Dream Home is part fine drama backed by social commentary, part relentless splatterfest like you wouldn't expect. How this film manages to blend these two seemingly unrelated genres together is quite puzzling, but it undoubtedly succeeds, delivering not only a well-written final product, but also one that is thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable. Unlike many slasher flicks, Dream Home actually has a memorable and well-developed antagonist, and the kills are also really inventive and wonderfully diverse. To cut it short (no pun intended), Dream Home is one of the most fun gorefests since the French bloodbath known as Inside a few years back. (addicted to horror)

Tucker & Dale vs Evil is no doubt one of the most pleasant surprises of the year, delivering the most hilarious horror trip since the celebrated Shaun of the Dead a few years back. Thoroughly engaging and backed by a well-written plot, this little indie film puts a new twist on the slasher genre, twisting things around and making for plenty of laugh out loud moments while at it. Lead actors Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk are outstanding in their roles, and the characters of Tucker and Dale will surely become cult favourites in the future. If you're looking for a killer comedy, look no further than Tucker & Dale vs Evil. (addicted to horror)

Let Me In may be the most unnecessary American remake in recent years, with the Swedish original Let the Right One In having been released merely two years ago, but it is also one of the most well-done. While it plays out much like its predecessor, director Matt Reeves manages to make some significant tweaks to the story, summoning a darker tone and providing more focus on the relationship between the main characters. The acting is also solid, and even though Chloe Moretz delivers a very decent performance, it holds no water to that of Lina Leandersson in the original. Ultimately, Let Me In remains an unneeded remake, but the beautiful cinematography, haunting score and well-constructed storyline make it a fine alternative to one of the greatest horror films in the last ten years of cinema. (addicted to horror)

Perhaps one of the most profound South Korean horror films in the last couple of years, Bedevilled is a raw and brutally honest picture, backed by a dark social commentary and and a heartbreaking tale of revenge and tragedy. Featuring powerful performances from the entire cast, beautiful cinematography and soothing scenery, Bedevilled is an outstanding mix of drama and full-fledged slasher horror, with a slow-moving but thoroughly enjoyable first half and a savage and bloodstained second. A brilliant piece of South Korean filmmaking, Bedevilled is not to be missed. (addicted to horror)