Review: Scary movies that will frighten you right

October 29, 2008
By Brittney Meyer
Student Life Reporter

With Halloween quickly approaching, the Halloween spirit is in the air. This is a time when most people are up for watching some scary movies with their friends, sitting around a big bowl of popcorn and candy, scared to the bone.

It’s hard to find a horror film that doesn’t leave you laughing at the end (or even in the start), especially those classic horror films from the ’60s-‘ 80s. If it is scary movie, there should be no laughing involving. The following movies are ones I’ve seen over the past few years that have caused many sleepless nights and horrid nightmares and that I have banned myself from ever watching again.

thevoidmovies.wordpress.com Released in 2007, 1408 stars John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson and is based on a story by Stephen King. Run time is 112 minutes. PG13

The first is 1408 and for it being rated PG – 13, it’s intense. I know I was curled up in my seat, hiding my eyes, almost crying, while yelping for my mom. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story, Mike Enslin (John Cusack) visits haunted and scary places known for paranormal occurrences and then compiles his findings in a book. He receives an anonymous postcard telling him not to stay in room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. Cusack’s character took it as a challenge and felt the need to stay the night there to make a good ending to his latest book. The hotel manager (Samual L. Jackson) bribes him and even tries to scare him off from staying,, but nothing could keep Enslin away. Due to a loophole in today’s legal system, he gets to stay in the room… and the rest you’ll have to see. If you do view the film, make sure you watch the director’s cut and not the alternative ending and make sure you’re not alone. The movie is based off a short story written by the scare master himself, Stephen King. If you get very scared, as I did, just tell yourself ‘it’s just a movie’, like I told myself, over and over.

www.hollywoodjesus.com Open Water, featuring Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis, was released in 2003. Run time is 79 minutes. Rated R

Another great scary movie I refuse to rewatch is Open Water. I used to enjoy swimming in the ocean each summer with my family and even dreamed of going scuba diving until I saw this movie.  Now, it’s good-bye shark-infested ocean and hello safe activities. Open Water was a short budget film that was based off the 1998 disappearance of an Australia couple. The couple is left behind after a scuba diving session on vacation and has the idea that the boat will realize their disappearance and come back for them. The wait for the boat to return is the most anticipating forty minutes ever. The suspense in this movie gives the illusion that you are waiting in the ocean with them, which is what makes you on edge. I was so nervous for the couple and anticipating the next event that I just wanted it to be over so my nerves would calm and I could sleep peacefully.  This is definitely a movie I’ll never watch again. I already never want to step foot in the ocean, or any foggy, vast body of water, ever again.