10) Dracula 2000
    2000 Dimension Films
    Written by Joel Soisson, Patrick Lussier
    Produced by W.K. Border, Joel Soisson, Wes Craven
    Directed by Patrick Lussier
    Starring: Johnny Lee Miller
              Justine Waddell
              Christopher Plummer
    Length: 99 minutes
    www.weinsteinco.com

More of a sequel, yet an updated version of Bram Stoker's all time classic. The movie features VanHelsing, alive and well, who has kept himself alive by shooting vials of Dracula's blood into his own veins, yet employing leeches to filter out the possibility of eternal life as a vampire. VanHelsing, an antiques dealer, still has yet to find a way to eternally destroy Dracula. When the evil incarnates undead, dormant body is stolen, it is up to VanHelsing to track him down, before he finds his living Lucy.

9) Terminator: Salvation
   2009 Warner Bros./Columbia Pictures
  Written by James Cameron, John Brancato, Michael Ferris, Gale Anne
  Hurd.
   Produced by Derek Anderson, Victor Kubicek, Jeffrey Silver, Moritz
  Borman.
   Directed by McG.
   Starring: Christian Bale
             Sam Worthington
             Moon Bloodgood

With this journey into the Terminator saga, we discover the reason
behind Skynet's waged war against humanity. The special effects and
imagery border on insanity, as this one is not to be missed! John Connor
(Bale), leader of the resistance, and Marcus (Worthington), share
contrasting, yet concurrent back stories, and the ending may leave you
reaching for your box of tissues. We discover Skynet's plan for a T800,
using human tissue, and we get to see the obsolete Terminators, including
the T600, which looks like Jason Voorhees, with a machine gun! DON'T miss
this one, it has plenty of heart!

8) The Mist
  2007 Dimension Films
  Based on the novel by Stephen King
  Screenplay by Frank Darabont
  Produced by Frank Darabont, Martin Shafer, Liz Glotzer
  Starring: Thomas Jane
            Laurie Holden
  Length: 125 minutes

What would you do under strange and extraordinary circumstances? As a
powerful Mist leaves Maine in a stranglehold, stranded shoppers in a
supermarket are forced to come to terms with their own faith. What is it?
Is it the apocalypse, is it just a passing storm? Is it something entirely
more powerful out there in that unbreakable, unpassable mist? Find out!
The ending, perhaps one of the most brutal and moving, will leave you
breathless.

7) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre- The Beginning
 2006 Newline Cinema/Platinum Dunes
 Written by David Schow
 Screenplay: Sheldon Turner
 Prdouced by Michael Bay, Mike Fleiss
 Directed by Jonathon Liebesman
 Starring: Jordana Brewster
           Taylor Handley
           R. Lee Ermy
           Andrew Bryniarski
Length: 91 minutes
  www.newline.com
  www.bloody-disgusting.com/platinumdunes

Fire it up! I've always been a huge fan of the Big 4, and have approached
the remakes with skepticism, yet overall, with a certain degree of
acceptance. The original 'Chainsaw will always be the all-time classic,
and although I liked the remake, I felt that both action and interest fell
off the edge of a cliff midway through, at least for me. However, "The
Beginning" (the prequel to the remake; a ballsy move to say the least) is
probably my favorite in the entire series.
 I will NEVER..............EVER take anything away from Tobe Hooper's 1974
classic, nor of Gunnar Hansen's portrayal of Leatherface, (which is still
my favorite portrayal of the dead skin masked character) but this
particular movie, had my blood pressure risen to the level of near
volcanic eruption the entire time, on that evening that I cut out of a
college class, and had the movie theater to myself. I was on the edge of
my seat, and so naturally high with adrenaline and anticipation, wondering
would happen next. Main point, I found "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The
Beginning" to be the most entertaining in the entire series! I wish they
would make another one!

In the prequel, we get to see why the Brown family turned to cannibalism.
It also explains who Leatherface (Thomas Hewitt Brown) was at one time,
and why he is the way he is. The producers of this movie, in my opinion
pulled a rabbit out of a hat, by giving us a good back-story. For those of
you who pay close attention, Leatherface's mother's identity is also
revealed. Being a fan of unmasking scenes, I believe it was the right
choice to show Leatherface's real face in both Platinum Dunes ventures!
R. Lee Ermy, once again creates magic with his over the top performance,
as a shaky, violent spirited hick, turned Sheriff. Good shootin' there
buddy! This offering also is the first to actually live up to it's name of
a "Chainsaw Massacre", as we see plenty of death and mutilation, via
chainsaw, and not just 2 or 3 attacks!
I am highly respectful to Michael Bay and company for paying attention to
the original Leatherface's appearance in both the remake, and prequel to
the remake, by giving blonde haired, blue eyed Andrew Bryniarski, brown
contact lenses, and a black wig; something that, in my opinion, Rob
Zombie, and the late Moustapha Akkad, should have paid closer attention
to, when choosing who would play Michael Myers. I've read that the TCM
franchise is now officially done, so on a not so bitter note, I think Rob
Zombie should actually try his hand at a Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. I
think it would ultimately be much better received, than what he did to
Halloween. Long live The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!

6)  Quentin Tarantino Presnts:
     Hostel- Director's Cut
   2007 Sony Pictures
   Written and directed by Eli Roth
   Produced by Mike Fleiss, Eli Roth, and Chris Briggs
   Starring: Jay Hernandez
             Derek Richardson
             Eythor Gudjonsson
             Barbara Nedeljakova
   Length: 91 minutes
    www.sonypictures.com

  Watch as consequence meets untimely fate, in this "torture era" classic!
It will make you think twice about fooling around in a foreign country, be
it with prostitutes, or letting your guard down in a night club! Somebody
has  set a trap for you, hundreds, if not thousands of miles in advance!
The ultimate will to survive is put to the test, as the uber wealthy
actually will pay to murder somebody! Check out a lengthier review at this
very website.

5) Saw
   2004 Lionsgate Entertainment
   Screenplay by Leigh Wannell
   Story by James Wan, Leigh Wannell
   Produced by Greg Hoffmann, Oren Koules, Mark Burg
   Starring: Leigh Wannell
             Cary Elwes
             Danny Glover
             Tobin Bell
   Length: 93 minutes
   www.lionsgate.com
   www.officialsaw.com

  A torture era classic, that set the bar for psychological and physical
torment, "Saw" will have you writhe in pain, asking yourself how much more
can you take?! If it's not the gruesomeness that will get you, it will be
your mind exploding from the suspense!
   Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) demands the truest of heart, and testament of soul
to escape death. Seriously, it's just fun watching rich people get f#cked
up! If you're too stubborn to see your own greed, then you might just fall
prey to Jigsaw! The franchise that just keeps coming, "Saw" may actually
give Friday the 13th a run for it's money.

4) Freddy vs. Jason
  2003 New Line Cinema
  Written by Damian Shannon, Mark Swift
  Prouced by Sean Cunningham
  Directed by Ronny Yu
  Staring: Monica Keena
           Kelly Rowland
           Jason Ritter
           Robert Englund
           Ken Kirzinger

  After many failed attempts to launch this movie, and after many scripts
were turned away, this movie has finally seen the light of day. The
pairing of the two villains as bitter enemies unwinds throughout, as
Freddy and Jason are given a modern Frankenstein/creation makeover.
  Freddy, (Englund) in the throes of obsolescence, is more of a joke to
the teens (tweens) of Elm Street. Being the wise man shyster that he is,
has a plan. Jason (Kirzinger, who by the way, was a victim of Kane
Hodder's Jason in part 8, getting thrown through a window in Manhattan)
long dead, can only be brought back by a Voorhees. Freddy, disguised as
Mrs. Voorhees, resurrects the legendary killer, to do his dirty work for
him. Trying to gain power from Jason's misdeeds, Freddy soon finds out
that he can longer  control the monster he created. Prepare for a fight to
the death!
  I too thought Kane Hodder should've been Jason, as the ultimate send off
for him, and was disappointed in Yu's choice, as well as with the look and
gait of Jason, but not of the kill scenes. Freddy, (not the 1 I rooted
for, for the record!) was an older, wiser, slicker scumbag in this movie,
which I thought was the right choice for the evolution of an aging
anti-hero. Overall, a great storyline, and an intelligent movie, with
superb acting.

3) Friday the 13th-The final Chapter
   2009 Paramount Pictures (Originally released in984)
   Screenplay by Bruce Hidemi Sakow
   Produced by Frank Mancuso Jr.
   Directed by Joseph Zito
   Staring: Kimberly Beck
            Peter Barton
            Crispin Glover
            Corey Feldman
     Length: 91 minutes
   www.paramount.com/homeentertainment
   www.fridaythe13thfilms.com


  Forget about Raymond, everybody loves Jason! You will no longer find
this type of Friday the 13th around, because Harry Manfredini's score,
captivating you, and making you believe that there really is a deformed
backwoodsman, who thinks that you're looking for trouble in his territory,
no longer is involved in F13 films. Sure, I've seen 'em all, and will
salivate when the remake of part 2 comes out, but this one will always be
my favorite of the bunch. This is where the series hit it's stride, where
it was supposed to end for good, and where it would've easily continued
with Jason on the prowl, if the sheriff at the end, could've only said,
"Ma'am, we didn't find the body of any killer". Still, The Final Chapter
that launched a thousand more sequels and with a hardcore fan base, part 4
has been re-mastered for your viewing pleasure!
  When does it take place? On Saturday the 14th, after he wakes up in the
morgue? Who cares at this point, for mama's boy with the 1970's era
goaltender's mask, is up and at it again, on his never ending quest to
avenge the death of his mother. This time however, upon arriving home to
Crystal Lake, little Tommy Jarvis (Feldman) has it in store for him. Ted
White, who later revealed that he was reluctant to play the role of Jason,
but did so for the money, was in my opinion, the best Jason. Perhaps, his
own anger and inhibitions about playing Jason, caused him to convey a more
convincing job, rather than your average larger than life stuntman having
fun. Friday the 13th- The Final Chapter, is the last of the really good
Friday the 13th's.
  I am, however, glad that they continued. After part 5's faux Jason, they
brought him back from the dead, drowned him again, brought him back from
the dead, drowned him again, brought him back from the dead, put him on a
boat, drowned him again, blew him up, sent him to hell, shot him into
space, oh boy!  He's probably living on Earth 2 at the moment, but without
that, there would be no Kane Hodder, who came in at the right time of
emerging technology to give Jason a face, a voice, and an audience to
meet! Still, I'm a stickler for remaining true to the original formula, so
it was good to see Jason with brown eyes once again in this one. Mark my
words, the new remakes, or "re-imaginings" as studios like to call them,
of the relaunched F13 series, will not outlast the original, and will
eventually turn out to be the resurrection of Godzilla. He gets blown to
smithereens, only to come back fresh and new, every so often.

2) Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door
   2007 Starz Media Inc.
   Based on the novel by Jack Ketchum
   Screenplay by Daniel Farrands, Philip Nutman
   Produced by William m. Muller, Andrew Van DenHouten
   Directed by Gregory M. Wilson
   Starring: Blanche Baker
             Daniel Manche
             Blythe Auffarth
   Length: 91 minutes
   www.jackketchum.net
   www.starzhoment.com
   www.moderncinne.com
   www.thegirlnextdoorfilm.com

  A dramatic movie, which turns out to be gut-wrenching, about forced loss
of innocence. Auntie Ruth (Baker), plays an alcoholic, divorced she-devil,
who is forced to take care of her nieces, after their parents have
tragically died. Davey (Manche) befriends the innocent, blossoming girl
next door (Auffarth), and is  almost helpless to watch as Auntie Ruth
allows the torment and abuse of her, at the hands of her sons and the
neighborhood boys. He must play it cautiously, if he is to free the girl
from hell. You will not believe your eyes. The symbolism and imagery runs
rampant in this classic.

1) Signs
   2002 Touchstone Pictures
   Written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan
   Starring: Mel Gibson
             Joaquin Phoenix
   Length: 106 minutes
   www.touchstonepictures.com
   www.mnightshymalan.com

  Mel Gibson plays a recently widowed, Episcopalian priest, who has
abandoned his faith. Ultimately, he must dig within his own soul for the
answers, if he is to save his family from xenophobia. Earth is under
attack, and these beings are not out to eviscerate cows, but are coming
for us one by one. But then again, religion says they're not real, right?
Tying in our own beliefs, inhibitions, and the bonding of family ties,
"Signs" will have the most desensitized of horror fans (including myself)
rooting for the good guys!
  I've always loved M. Night Shyamalan's work. The man, time in and time
out, delivers a solid, well planned story, and  will twist in elements of
the macabre, and any form of the supernatural, and unexplained. He will
make you believe that the subject matter, no matter how bizarre, can
happen. I too, agree with the boss (Terry Reid Wickham), that a Halloween
remake would've turned out a lot better if M. Night Shyamalan was the
driving force behind it. It would be real interesting to see what he would
do. Maybe in 2018?