Horror films to watch: Letter B Part 2

A little while ago I made a list of horror films to watch starting with the letter B. An easy endeavour right? Well, it turned out that this whole A-Z list became a massive beast and I had realised I had neglected some great films. So, instead of just adding some to the previous post. I discovered that there were enough films to warrant its own post. So let’s look at what was missed out on the first time!

Basket Case (1982)

A wonderful little B-movie that is piles of fun. A premise is as silly as you can imagine with a film about two twin brothers who were Siamese and separated by surgeons at some point seeking revenge on those who separated them. One is a normal-looking man, the other is a brutally malformed man who lives in a wicker basket. What we have is a cast that you are not sure to think they are in a Shakespeare play as they chew the scenery or they are first-time actors who are deer’s stuck in the headlights. The special effects are laughable, but a charm is there. This is a film that knows what it is and you cannot but help love that.

The Brood (1979)

An early Cronenberg film that showed the world what he could really do. A body horror that wasn’t afraid to show its teeth, be it physically or emotionally onto its audiences. This is a gritty grindhouse style film that has a shockingly strong cast considering the budget given. Like all of Cronenberg films, there is obvious subtext at play. Anger, distress, the pain of divorce and how that impacts the parents of a child and the child itself. We are left with an intensely grim film that will remain quite memorable.

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

The debut from Dario Argento, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage shows the early talents that Argento had, and while there are obvious issues or limitations with the script. But where it really shines is in what we think we see. We think we see into the darkness more than what is there and it plays up this to an expert extent. This is a smart horror-thriller that not holds up today, but still remains one of Argento’s best films.

Black Sheep (2006)

A horror film based on the premise of what happens when sheep become rabid somehow manages to be as funny and dark as you would dream it to be. A horror that is rooted in the New Zealand films of it’s past. Director Jonathan King had to tread a very careful line here and he does so very well. A film that revels in the mayhem and is truly at its best when it is marauding through the chaos left by our woolly friends, Black Sheep is a cult film that purposely brings the laughs and good times.

The Beyond (1981)

Another classic genre director pops up in the letter B! This time out it is legendary director Lucio Fulci who brings as much shock as possible to audiences and even today we will still be winching and covering our eyes away from what we have seen. This is a bold movie that shows the lack of fear from our great director. By not allowing to keep along a linear narrative, this is a fluid film that if anything causes the scares and horrific moments to come more to the forefront.

Born of Fire (1987)

One of the first Islamic horror films that ventures into Arabic mythology in a way that has rarely been seen. Another surrealist film, that is outstanding to look at and has its own definitive style that has to be appreciated. At times the horror is on the lighter side, but it is still there. This is a film for those who very much enjoy the arthouse side of horror, where what we hear from our characters is less important than what we see. A film that is rooted from its era in horror.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

As gorgeous a gothic horror as you will see. Francis Ford Coppola brings us a gothic romance horror film. This is a great adaption that perhaps tries to blend in too many genres all at once. But when it focuses on romantic horror that is where the film shines. This is a Dracula that you will not have seen too many times and boy is it a welcome sight by such an amazing cast and director. But most of all, it is worth it just for Keanu’s accent…

Bad Taste (1987)

For younger audiences it is probably difficult to imagine that the guy who made The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, also ventured off early in his career to make low budget gorefests. The nature humour that Jackson has in his writing shows us an artist who was free to make whatever he wanted. This is cheap fun time that didn’t need to be too loyal to its bare script. A fun time. (Also, how did this guy also make Heavenly Creatures?)

Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)

The best Elvis since Kurt Russell? You betcha, also possibly the best JFK to ever be on screen. We are given an alternative world where Elvis lived and was in a coma and is now in a nursing home as he has to help his fellow senior citizens defeat an Egyptian mummy. As daft as it sounds, this is a wonderful horror-comedy that strikes all of the right notes. A film that is sadly often forgotten about. Here is your reminder, this is one of Bruce Campbell’s best performances.

The Blob (1958)

Supposed teenager Steven (yes at the time Steven) McQueen watches a mysterious object land near his home town. What follows is the destruction of a town filled with adults who do not believe the troublesome teenagers until it is far too late. For a film that is 53 years old, it holds up well enough and rooted itself in one of the best B-movie sci-fi horrors of its time. The Blob is rife with subtext and is far stronger than you first remember.

The Blob (1988)

Unlike its predecessor 30 years prior, this iteration of The Blob takes no prisoners and revels in the 80s gore and anger of its time. A true testament to the strength of practical effects. The Blob has countless memorable and shocking deaths. One of the examples of when a remake is taken seriously and done right. It can be equal if not superior to what came before it.

Bride of Re-animator (1989)

Over the top silliness that still keeps (or tries to) its gory splatter brained head afloat, Bride of Re-animator is the sequel no one really expected, but is still warmly welcomes (to me anyway). This is a film that almost forgets the plot and narrative and becomes a long test for all of the practical effects contained within. An utter joy for the splatter horror fan. A decent sequel that like some other films on today’s list, is sadly forgotten about.

That’s our list today! I hope it was worth your while coming back to the letter B. Please make sure to check out the rest of our letters below!

Horror films to watch: Letter A

Horror films to watch: Letter B

Horror films to watch: Letter B (Part 2)

Horror films to watch: Letter C

Horror films to watch: Letter D

Horror films to watch: Letter E

Horror films to watch: Letter F

Horror films to watch: Letter G

Horror films to watch: Letter H: Part 1

Horror films to watch: Letter H: Part 2

Horror films to watch: Letter H: Part 3

Horror films to watch: Letter I; Part 1

Horror films to watch: Letter I – Part 2

Horror films to watch; Letter J

Horror films to watch; Letter K

Horror films to watch: Letter L

Horror films to watch: Letter M

Horror films to watch: Letter M (Part 2)

Horror films to watch: Letter M (part 3)

Horror films to watch: Letter N

Horror films to watch: Letter N (Part 2)

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