The Catalyst

By Rachel Davis, Reporter

With Halloween quickly approaching, horror movies are in high demand again. But amidst the cheap remakes of old slashers and attack of the killer bees, many quality films are looked over. Though obscure, they deserve a chance, and these are some of the best:

1. House of 1,000 Corpses

One of Rob Zombie’s most infamous films, House of 1,000 Corpses is camp, thrilling and fun. It’s a must-watch, though not necessarily for more compassionate viewers, as sadistic humor abounds; the terror the main characters endure is relentless and savage, and they’re portrayed in a completely unsympathetic light. One almost feels bad for laughing at their plight, but that never stops it from being funny.

The Manson-like Firefly family, the unlikely ‘heroes’ of Corpses, also make it hard to disapprove of any of the atrocities committed. They’re one of the most charismatic bands of lunatics in cinematic history, featuring Sid Haig as the horribly charming Captain Spaulding, and director Rob Zombie’s wife Sheri Moon Zombie in the role of Baby Firefly, a coy and homicidal beauty. The cast is endearing in the worst possible way, and whatever guilt follows, laughter is guaranteed.

2. Repo! The Genetic Opera

It’s rare to find a musical that appeals to horror fans, and vice versa. However, Repo! is a gem; it’s an all-singing, all-dancing tribute to plastic surgery and organ repossession. The dark humor and post-apocalyptic settings are sharply contrasted by the upbeat rock influence of the musical score. Many of the songs are beautifully-done and catchy to the point of addiction, enough so that this author was compelled to download the soundtrack less than a week after watching the movie.

In addition, the cast is strengthened by a bevy of well-known stars, underground actors and actual opera singers. (Soprano Sarah Brightman, formerly Christine in Phantom of the Opera, shines in particular as the protagonist’s diva godmother Blind Mag.) Actresses Alexa Vega and Paris Hilton also give remarkably solid performances, and Repo! remains one of the few genuinely tolerable movies the latter has achieved a starring role in.

3. Tokyo Zombie

While kitschy humor and excessive gore effects are almost standard for every zombie movie produced since the heyday of Evil Dead, both are taken to an extreme in Tokyo Zombie, which has been hailed by critics as, “What Laurel and Hardy would make if they were Japanese. And George Romero fans.”

Splatter veteran Tadanobu Asano takes center stage as one half of a duo of working-class slobs turned wannabe jiu-jitsu masters who accidentally kill off their boss in a freak accident. They attempt to hide him in a massive toxic waste dump known as Black Fuji, only to trigger something even worse; a mass awakening of the dead already buried there.

The pair escape the city and embark on a string of misadventures that involve more toxic waste, hordes of the undead, over-the-top fight scenes, shrewish women, and preoccupation with delicious snack foods. While some of the more subtle puns and references to Japanese culture may be lost on viewers, Zombie is a hilarious and surprisingly lighthearted watch for horror enthusiasts.

4. Dead Alive

Peter Jackson’s first shot at directing, while not as hyped as the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong, is a must-see for those who want to view the lighter side of horror. Dead Alive is a mindlessly fun 97-minute gore fest, replete with zombies, martial artist priests, and brutal slapstick comedy. While it might sound like an unlikely combination, Jackson incorporates every element with style.

Though viewers with delicate sensibilities or low tolerance for a lack of a plot are advised against viewing Dead Alive, veteran zombie movie fans and newcomers alike should enjoy the grotesque special effects and unlikely, twisted elements of romantic comedy woven into the plot.