I don’t need to remind you that Halloween is this weekend, and in keeping with the spirit of the holiday, here’s a list of horror films you shouldn’t miss.
“SLAXX” was my official gateway into a Shudder subscription. Released this past March, it’s the story of a possessed pair of jeans brought to life to punish the unscrupulous practices of a trendy clothing company. Shipped to the company’s flagship store, Slaxx proceeds to wreak carnage on staff members locked in overnight to set up the new collection. Good thing skinny jeans are no longer in style. If you like the ’80s film “The Stuff” and dislike modern fast fashion, this is the flick for you.
I’ve been a total sucker for found-footage films since the first time I saw “The Blair Witch Project” at the Gaslight Theatre back in 1999. When I’m looking for a scary movie, I always tend to gravitate toward films one to three of the “Paranormal Activity” franchise and this, “Willow Creek,” written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. A man and his girlfriend camp in the woods – Willow Creek, where the famous Patterson-Gimlin footage of Bigfoot was filmed. It’s a fairly short film, clocking in at an hour and 20 minutes, but, oh, man – that tent scene!
Not to be confused with the 1996 film starring Chris Farley and David Spade, this “Black Sheep” (2006) is about sheep-fearing Henry, who returns to his brother’s New Zealand farm, hoping his sibling will buy out his share of the property. However, what he finds are genetically altered sheep that prey on humans and turn their victims into undead, woolly killers. Shear madness ensues as Henry, an animal-rights activist and a farmhand set out to stop the rampaging animals. It’s silly because sheep are docile, friendly animals, right?
Speaking of silly horror movies, next up is 2019’s “Killer Sofa.” I found this gem on YouTube, and we need to clear something up right out of the gate: It’s not a sofa, it’s a recliner. A story of the ages, “Killer Sofa” is about a killer reclining chair that becomes enchanted by a girl and starts committing crimes of passion.
This movie quickly rose to one of my favorites. It’s really, really funny (that one fight scene ...) and pretty gross. And it’s got a soft, squishy center. Two teenage boys accidentally summon an evil entity by delving into black magic with their band.
The epic, epic “Mandy.” If you haven’t seen it, you should. In the Pacific Northwest in 1983, outsiders Red Miller and Mandy Bloom lead a loving and peaceful existence. When their pine-scented haven is savagely destroyed by a cult led by the sadistic Jeremiah Sand, Red is catapulted into a phantasmagoric journey filled with bloody vengeance and laced with deadly fire. It’s got Nicolas Cage and a chainsaw battle to end all chainsaw battles.
katie@durangoherald.com
