I don’t think there is a movie fan on the planet that doesn’t have a list like this. Movies that scarred you for life. Most people immediately think of the horror movies that kept them up at night. I’m sure statistically, horror movies make up 90% of the films that send chills up your spine when you think about them. This series was always about more than just horror films. Even Disney movies can have a lasting affect on you for all the wrong reasons. Beyond that, there are also the movies that absolutely disappoint you so much that you can’t bare to watch them again. Movies that literally anger you because you expected so much more.
Combined, this series looked at everything from Spiders to bad sequels.
Check out the entire ‘Movies That Scarred Me For Life’ Series below and be sure to comment. What movies have haunted you?
Go to any major sports website and you will find Power Rankings. A popular ranking system that lists every team in a league from best to worst.
Since I work for a sports network, it makes perfect sense to take that system and rank my favorite movies of all time.
Except I’m doing things a little differently. These won’t be updated weekly. (That would be ridiculous) However, you will find links to stories I’ve written on the films in addition to trailers and bonus posts.
I made a couple war movies when I was in high school. I think every film nerd did. To me, Saving Private Ryan is the definitive war film. Hanks, Spielberg and a phenomenal story.
Movies that scarred me for life is all about the movies that keep you up at night. The horrors you just can’t seem to get out of your head. But beyond the monsters, ghosts, slashers and aliens, there are also the cringe worthy films you wish you never saw. Movies that made you wish you had the lost two hours of your life back. There are tons of ways a movie can scar you for life. This series will look at 12 of my personal favorites.
Paranormal Activity
Paranormal Activity was an indie phenomenon whether you liked the film or not. Turning tens of thousands of dollars into millions was a remarkable feat. The reason for the film’s success is a simple and terrifying concept executed to perfection.
I saw the original in theaters in a packed house with my girlfriend and had an absolute blast. I can understand that some people didn’t like the movie but the way I see it, you either bought it or you didn’t. Those that bought it ran for their lives in their own homes for months afterwards. I happen to be very interested in ghosts and the paranormal so I was completely wrapped up in this chilling tale… And ran for my life in my own home.
At the time, my girlfriend and I were 2 hours away from one another and I had to drive home by myself after the movie ended…
In the dark… Alone…
It’s bad enough when you’re genuinely freaked out but if you’re a horror fan with an imagination it’s much worse. I felt an equal balance of terror and inspiration during that drive. Inspired by such a fascinating success story and frightened that a demon could be waiting for me when I got home.
A co-worker of mine won’t even allow the DVD in his home now. I wouldn’t go that far but I was definitely freaked out as I drove white-knuckled down that dark highway. I spent most of the time thinking about the infamous ‘dragging’ scene. The rest of the drive was spent trying to forget the creepy smile pictured above.
After the drive, I was extremely tense and nervous in my house. It was actually pretty cool. There aren’t many movies that make me keep the lights on. By the time I went to bed, my imagination had taken over and I was doomed. I remember being thankful that my bed rests against a wall. All I could think about was my door slamming shut and an invisible demon breathing on me… That night I slept as far away from my bedroom door as possible and left the television on for good measure.
I think about Paranormal Activity every single time I hear an odd sound at night.
“Is this the night?”
Sometimes, I let my imagination get the better of me and really, that’s what makes Paranormal Activity a great horror movie. It’s a film that takes a life of it’s own once you leave the theater. (If you bought it of course.) In this case, the fear of the unknown took over. Paranormal Activity is one of those rare movies that scarred me for life because it kept me coming back for more. I was first in line for the sequel and will be for every forthcoming entry into this remarkable franchise. Sure I was terrified that first night and had a hard time falling asleep. The difference is, I went and saw the film a second time the very next night…
I didn’t sleep any better that night.
Never before have I had so much fun being scared in theaters.
This edition of Versus should probably incorporate Neill Blomkamp somehow as his extraordinary film District 9 kind of paved the way for more low(ish) budget/high concept films. Even better, he did it by creating an imaginative short film called Alive In Joburg first which I included below.
Director Oren Peli did an amazing job with a tiny budget and created a massively successful horror franchise. He proved that it doesn’t take a ton of money to create a horrific atmosphere if you have a solid concept and clear direction.
2010′s Monsters showed us that you don’t need a massive budget to create a successful alien invasion story.
Director Gareth Edwards created the incredible visual effects by himself but more than that, he created an pretty fantastic film driven by wonderful characters.
Each took relatively small budgets (Peli especially with a budget of $15,000) and armed with entertaining stories, launched themselves into the Hollywood spotlight.
Sometimes all it takes is a good idea and the passion to pull it off. Blomkamp did it and is now seen as one of the leading young directors today.
So which director will win this battle? Lets break it down.
The Hype
Paranormal Activity
Oren Peli and company made this film in 2007. It was a long time before it got into the hands of Steven Spielberg.
The marketing team did an incredible job of creating hype for this film. Basically, daring people to demand it in their cities. Using the web, social media and positive word of mouth, a tremendous amount of hype was generated.
And the film delivered as promised.
Monsters
This film didn’t get nearly enough publicity leading up to it’s release. It’s unfortunate.
I did like how they released it online. I wish it was available somewhere On Demand in Canada early on. I would have definitely payed to rent it.
Instead, I was forced to wait.
Winner: Paranormal Activity
The Directors
These films are both incredibly alike and incredibly different. Both films involve 2 main characters facing enormous challenges and both keep things relatively simple. Where they differ is scale.
Paranormal Activity
Shot in one house with hand held techniques. The ‘found footage’ style is executed perfectly and provides some of the best scares in recent memory. Peli does a fantastic job showing you just enough to keep you at the edge of your seat while holding back for the spectacular finale.
Monsters
Monsters is a much more polished film. While P.A remains locked in one location, Monsters takes you on a journey filled with Aliens, Armies, Battles and much more. Edwards has a great eye for visual effects. You’d never know they were done on such a low budget.
Using clever placements of signs, debris and other effects, the director creates a perfect ‘Infected Zone’ that pulls you into the story.
I give the edge to Monsters here for the sheer scale the director managed to achieve.
Winner: Monsters
The Cast
Paranormal Activity
Both main characters did a great job selling the story to the audience but there were still moments here and there where it felt a little over the top.
Monsters
The strength of this film is the character work and a lot of credit has to go to the cast.
Winner: Monsters
The Films
Paranormal Activity
To this day it remains one of the best theater experiences I’ve ever had. Such a simple concept. Such an entertaining movie.
Monsters had a different impact on me. The way the film is presented was inspiring. I may not know a lot about visual effects but I’ve certainly applied it to my screenwriting. I’m no longer afraid to go a little further instead of constantly worrying about escalating costs.
Early word has surfaced that Gareth Edwards will be taking on Godzilla next. If that’s the case, it will be a while before we see anything new so the edge still goes to Peli.
Winner: Paranormal Activity
Overall
Each category is worth one point with ties counting as a point for each.
Paranormal Activity: 5 Points
Monsters: 3 Points
The Winner: Paranormal Activity
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More and more, there are films being released that I absolutely adore. These films are unique, original and incredibly entertaining.
The only problem is I can’t figure out what to call them.
Big concept/Character driven?
Found Footage?
Low Budget cost with Big Budget looks?
Take your pick or suggest a better one by commenting below.
I’m a huge fan of the usual suspects like Scorsese, Spielberg, Jackson, Tarantino and more. Personally, you can add J.J Abrams to that list.
Yet, more and more I find myself drawn to some new filmmakers out there creating absolute masterpieces.
Some of them are even mentored by the titans of the industry. District 9 was produced by Peter Jackson while J.J Abrams seems to have a hand in every awesome movie being released. (Cloverfield, Star Trek, Mission Impossible 3 to name a few.)
This new trend of mixing independent style (and budget) with high concept stories is literally changing everything.
What started years ago with The Blair Witch Project has now gone mainstream and exploded into huge blockbusters.
District 9 was the first.
I think District 9 is responsible for bringing the independent feel to blockbuster films.
Thanks to these types of films, the line between studio and independent is disappearing. Pulling off an incredible movie no longer takes a gargantuan amount of cash. All it takes is an idea and the commitment to execute.
It was produced with a moderately small budget considering the subject matter and earned both financial and critical success.
District 9 relied on it’s amazingly original concept, well executed effects and the strength of the story and characters. Director Neill Blomkamp brought the story back to the forefront.
Audiences are smarter now and we demand good great stories. The summer’s biggest movies were packed with massive set pieces and effects sequences but many lacked the necessary amount of heart needed to connect to the story.
Cloverfield
Things got even better when Cloverfield’s marketing campaign took over the internet.
J.J Abrams and Co. brought the mystery back to the movie trailer.
I remember sitting in the theater wondering…
What the hell is this?!
What is this movie called!?
Giant monster movie? Found footage? It started an amazing trend I feared would one day become overused but so far I’m not complaining.
Cloverfield completely reinvented the ‘Monster’ movie by creating a unique experience for movie goers.
We didn’t need to see the monster every 5 minutes. We needed to be engaged in the mystery and ride along with the main characters.
Monsters & Skyline
Those movies opened the door for 2010′s monster/alien invasion in the form of Monstersand Skyline.
Not too mention The Troll Hunter and many more movies made on a smaller scale but with HUGE IDEAS.
NOTE: I’m not entirely sure about The Troll Hunter but it definitely looks like a crazy/weird ride.
Paranormal Activity
Paranormal Activity came along and proved that with enough creativity and dedication, you can turn $15,000 into over 100 million.
Unbelievable.
Director Oren Peli created my favorite movie of 2009 by creating a horrific and completely gripping story. When it works it works.
I for one cannot wait to see the Peli’s next film. The alien themed: Area 51.
Even big action directors like Roland Emmerich are jumping on board as the director is losing the big budget in order to direct The Zone. A ‘small’ alien invasion movie.
[UPDATE] It appears Mr. Emmerich has canceled the project.
J.J Abrams is even scheduled to return in what could be one of my most anticipated movies of all time.
Super 8
Super 8 is being produced by Steven Spielberg and I fully expect this movie to be J.J Abrams E.T: The Extra Terrestrial.
The hype has begun.
The viral marketing machine is already going with mysterious websites and cryptic messages popping up everywhere.
I believe this type of marketing has changed the way movies will be released forever. By engaging your audience early on, you build a relationship with them. You build hype and keep the momentum going right up until the release.
There are times when films will fail to live up to the amazing amounts of hype they generate but so far, I have yet to be disappointed.
Following movies has never been more satisfying and fun.
These are all new and original franchises made by incredibly talented and imaginative people.
I want to do that!
Battle: Los Angeles
Whoa. This trailer came along and completely kicked my ass. It’s unfortunate that Skyline was so terrible but amazing that we still have another alien invasion movie to look forward to in 2011. Check out the trailer below and tell me it doesn’t look bad ass?
is one of those rare movies that scarred me for life because it kept me coming back for more. I was 
kind of paved the way for more low(ish) budget/high concept films. Even better, he did it by creating an imaginative short film called Alive In Joburg first which I included below.
