Trisha Paytas
Published: 2014-09-19
Total Pages: 202
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Carrie. The Exorcist. Scream. The Thing. These are the movies that chill the blood and leave viewers huddled under the blankets at night. Of course, not every horror flick can boast such prestige. Leprechaun in the Hood is more likely to generate groans and catcalls than screams, while the dialogue in a gem like Texas Chainsaw Massacre: the Next Generation makes what's intended to be a screamfest into unintentional comedy. Join Trisha Paytas as she explores the wild, terrifying, and sometimes whacky world of slasher flicks and screamfests under the able guidance of horror movie writer Jeff Rendell. Together, the duo introduce thirty-one of the best and worst in horror-films so terrifying they haunt viewers for years, and those goofy flicks so bad they're good. Paytas watches well-known classics of the genre, as well as obscure works important for their influence or their connection to the broader world of cinema. Did you know before directing The Lord of the Rings Peter Jackson was best known for directing a New Zealand slasher flick called Dead Alive, widely considered one of the goriest movies ever made? Or that the flick includes an epic (and hilarious) man vs. zombie baby battle in a public park? Paytas shares one movie for every day in October. Each movie is rated by Fright Factor, Gore, and Body Count, with a wry synopsis so funny it's as entertaining as the movie itself. "Why It's Awesome" and "Why It Sucks" sections quickly bring you up to speed on a flick's best and worst features-with the caveat that it's sometimes the campiest of horror flicks that provide the most fun. After all, some days you want Piper Laurie's chilling portrayal of the religiously crazed mother in Carrie, and sometimes you want a heavily made-up Warrick Davis as a rapping Leprechaun. So lower the lights, grab your favorite movie snacks, and join Paytas and Rendell on their odyssey through abject terror, terrifyingly dark powers, chainsaws, leprechauns, and demons. Just remember, it's not their fault if you can't sleep when it's all over.