Need A Little Help

[7]

So, I'm currently in the process of proselytizing a friend of mine who had previously decideded that they didn't like horror movies at all. As we all know here, this was a horrid mistake on their part!

I need a list of five films that best demonstrate horror as an artform. If possible, please keep the blood and gore to a minimum (she isn't a fan) - and try and suggest films with some intellectual value and merit. No Eurotrash films this time

Take this approach, if you were going to try and get someone interested in the artform, how would you slowly get their feet wet - without being too extreme and turning them off.

Thanks for the help.

[HNT]

1) Either NOTLD or Dawn of the Dead. I would probably suggest Night to keep the gore factor down. There is no better choice for political subtext than those two films, though.

2) Rosemary's Baby. Gotta love the psychological tension in that one. Not to mention, it has a pretty strong feminist subtext that most women should be able to relate to. Don't forget to discuss the whole "is this her paranoia or is it real?" angle either.

3) Jaws - A lot of folks will say this one isn't horror, but it is a good creature feature that is well acted, fun to watch, and packs some legitimate scares for anyone who hasn't seen a lot of horror films.

4) Silence of the Lambs - Not a traditional horror film, but this one has enough nastiness hinted out without really being put on screen to freak her out pretty good. Can't argue with the acting or direction, though. This one is hard to criticize even for people who don't generally like violent films.

5) Halloween (1978 of course) - It is the king of all slashers. People who think that they don't like slasher films have seen the immitators before the original. Nobody can deny the quality of this film. she will have to like it. NOt too bloody either.

Anyway, that is my standard list of flicks that I use to convince girls that I am not a psychopath for having a well developed horror film colleciton when they first see it. After she sees these films, go ahead and unload a little Evil Dead action or something like that. YOu'll both be amazed how ready she is for it after a healthy dose of this medicine

[CK]

Hell Night would be a good non cash cow way to go as far as slashers go.

I agree with HNT about NOTLD or DOTD.

But as my motto goes from now on... how can anyone go wrong watching "Snakes on a Plane"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

[Jen]

1. Night of the Living Dead ('68)
2. Psycho ('60)
3. Halloween ('78)
4. The Haunting ('63)
5. The Devil's Backbone

Others:
Jaws
Poltergeist
The Dead Zone
Freaks
The Bride of Frankenstein
The Black Cat ('34)

If it wasn't for the gore, I would definitely suggest The Evil Dead films, I have actually had some success introducing people that aren't really into horror to those films.

[GL]

Don't look at me on this. I showed my sister Burial Ground when she was 8, and loved it. And it was the first film I showed her from my collection, mainly because she loved the cover.

[Canetoad]

No. & I performed the same exercise with Mrs Toad when we first got together. This is what she has warmed to.

Phantasm
Suspiria (and most Argento)
Dawn of the Dead 78 (she's very political)
The Descent (more recently obviously, but a huge hit)
Shaun of the Dead
The Omen

[7]

Now that most of you have thrown in your ideas, I just want thank you guys.

Have to see what I come up with, I like a little bit of everyone's list.