ALIEN (1979)

What is there left to say about this masterpiece that hasn't been said. The setup is simplistic as  a group of salvages in deep space answer an sos and discover an alien species that attaches itself to one of its crew. Later on he awakes and seems fine but soon after a deadly creature erupts from his chest killing him and begins knocking off the crew one at a time. Ridley Scott's perfect classic is intense and nightmarish suspenseful with fine performances all around but Sigourney Weaver is the real standout here. She injects Ripley with a vulnerability and strength that seems genuine and engaging. She's one of the fiercest heroines ever. The movie has garnered such a huge following over the years and rightly so it's one of the best movies ever made!

Budget: $11M
Box Office: $203.6M

10/10

SORORITY ROW (2009)

I never understood why this wasn't a bigger hit. Sure it's not a great film but it's a clever and overly entertaining slasher flick. The setup is simple as a group of bitchy sorority girls play a prank that goes horribly wrong, leaving one of their sisters dead. They of course decide to bury the truth with one of them suggesting otherwise. A year later they begin to receive creepy text messages and find themselves being stalked and brutally murdered by a mysterious hooded killer. The movie is fun, the soundtrack is great, the kills are shocking, the performances are pretty perfect all around and the film is executed stylishly and on top of that the twist is surprisingly creative. But what really makes it fun is that the film lovingly pays homage to the trashy, slasher college subgenre of the 80s successfully. Plus the screenplay is just so fun with some truly inspired dialogue. Brianna Evigan is fierce as one of the final girls and Carrie Fischer is one hell of a stand out as the house mother.

Budget: $12.5M
Box Office: $27.2M

7.5/10

THE RELIC (1997)

From the makers of Aliens". I remember that scrolling across the screen when I saw the trailer for this underrated creature flick. It centers around a scientist at a museum played by a feisty Penelope Anne Miller and a cop played by Tom Sizemore that find themselves under attack by a monster in a museum. The movie is overly entertaining with great creature design and nifty special effects for the time. Sadly, the film was panned by critics and floundered at the box office. But it's since found a deserved cult following. The film can feel generic at points but it's super fun and even a little scary.

Budget: $50M

Box Office: $48M

8.25/10

HIDEAWAY (1995)

I've always loved this movie since I first saw it with my friends in theaters back in 95. I thought it was such a unique, original idea executed with solid performances and inspired visuals as well as s kick ass score and soundtrack. The movie tells the story of a sexy ass Jeff Goldblum as Hatch a man who dies in a car accident and is resurrected by an experimental procedure. A few days after awakening he begins to horrific visions of murders through the eyes of a disturbingly sexy Jeremy Sisto. He tries to solve the crimes blaming his self along the way and becomes even more intent when the killer targets his daughter it girl at the time Alicia Silverstone. Christine Lahti also stars as her mother and she is one tough bad ass. The movie is do fun and imaginative I'm surprised it never really took off.

Budget: $15M

Box Office: $12.2M

8.5/10

WRONG TURN (2003)

I've loved this movie since I first saw it in theaters. It came out a little after the chainsaw remake and didn't receive a big release or a lot of publicity. Which is sad because it could have been a hit. It was also the last movie Stan Winston would do before passing. It centers on a young man trying to make an interview and a group of friends who have an accident because of a razor wire trap left in the road. Before you know it they are being hunted by three cannibalistic, inbred brothers who are superhuman, brutal, efficient and very hungry. The film is an electrifying combination of action, horror and sweaty palm inducing suspense. Eliza Dushku is always sultry in the lead, hottie is Desmond Harrington makes for a fine hero and Emmanuel Chirqui and Jeremy Sisto are engaging as a young engaged couple. Kevin Zegers and Lindsay Wallace of the dawn remake also star as a horny couple. The movie is directed confidently by Rob Schmidt of crime and punishment in suburbia and has some of the best, most creative kills of the decade. The cinematography is impressive as well both claustrophobic, innovative and sweeping when it comes to capturing the West Virginia wilderness.

Budget: $12.6M

Box Office: $28.7M

9/10

WHEN A STRANGER CALLS (1978)

I know alot of people don't care for this film but I think it's one of the best remakes in my opinion. Let's face aside from the first 20 minutes the original was pretty unwatchable it was followed by a Superior showtime sequel and now remade into it's best form. Taking the originals opening and stretching it out for 90 minutes makes for a simplistic, edge of your seat, achingly suspenseful nightmare. Similar to Halloween in its form and ambitions. Camilla Belle is awesome as the young babysitter forced to work at a gorgeous house in the middle of nowhere to pay for her cell phone bill. Upon arriving she's told the children are asleep but as the night goes on there are strange occurrences and creepy phone calls with the voice of a disturbing Lance Henriksen. It all leads up to a mostly satisfactory finale as the killer and Jill have a face off. The movie is directed stylishly with gorgeous, immersive cinematography and a solid lead performance from Camilla Belle.

Budget: $15M
Box Office: $67M

8.5/10