Top 10 Horror Films of 2009

Its that time gang where we look back at the best films of 2009 and this go around I want to look at the best horror films of 2009. In an effort to be as transparent as I can I should point out not every film on my list had a theatrical release in 2009. Some had theatrical releases either small or internationally before but never really got wide release until hitting dvd in 2009. So for that reason I have taken some leeway with my list.

There are tons of great horror films out there and I wish I had seen them all but here is 10 that I think stood out from the crowd and are worthy of being added to any fans collection!

Trick R treat: Trick R Treat was released into various niche film festivals and got rave reviews from horror fans and critics and when it hit dvd it lived up to all the hype. Similar to Creepshow Trick R Treat is an anthology of horror stories that all inter connect to tell one larger story while still telling its own smaller stories. Trick R Treat is not just one of the best horror films of 2009 its one of the best horror films made in a very long time. [ Trick R Treat Trailer ]

Last House on the Left Remake:  I do not tend to enjoy remakes as much as the originals but the Last House on the Left remake surprised me. I watched the unrated DVD and found it both disturbing and intense. Although aspects of it had been fine tuned for a more mainstream audience anyway you cut it this remake was in your face, brutal and extremely disturbing. Its a story of family, suffering and vicious revenge all tied up in one gruesome bundle. Its about as niche and disturbing as mainstream horror can get. [ Last House on the Left Trailer ]

Martyrs. I saw Martyrs after it was recommended to me as being one of the most interesting and though provoking films to ever come out of the foreign film market. Little did I know it would be all of this and also one of the most brutal and disturbing films I have ever seen. I have seen well over 1,000 films and Martyrs is one of two films I had to fast forward through.  Some of its content is so extreme there was just no way I could watch it... despite that I found myself stopping as quickly as I could from the fast forward so I did not miss a minute of the intense story. Hostel is Torture Porn as it has no story and focuses on brutality for the sake of it. Martyrs is brutal while being driven by a truly thought provoking story that slowly unfolds.

As brutal and disturbing as Martyrs is its over arcing story is what makes it the film that is it. Take it from me.. I do not like films that are brutal and gorey and as brutal and gruesome as Martyrs was.. I loved every disturbing moment of it. Martyrs is a film that wont soon leave my memory.

Dead Girl: While we are talking about Martyrs we should probably take a minute and talk about Dead Girl. Dead Girl much like Martyrs is also quite disturbing and is an eye opening experience. The film tells the story of a couple of young friends who find an attractive woman bound and naked in an old abandoned building. The film shows how they slip into perversion while fighting with their inner demons and trying to cope with the repurcusions. The film is one of those genre defining films which could easily fall into ‘torture porn’ but its also carries a heavy message and makes you think. Clearly Dead Girl is not for the faint of heart but its fantastic story is what makes this movie worth seeing if you can overcome the stomach turning scenes in it. [ Dead Girl Trailer ]

Splinter: Splinter is the closest thing to the THE THING that you are going to get without being a blatant rip off. That is at least until the remake of the Thing that is being worked on now is released. This movie is somewhat gorey and tells the story of a couple who run into a criminal and soon find out that he is by no means the most dangerous thing on the road they will be encountering. With FX done traditionally rather than with the typical CGI Splinter really is a throwback to classic monster movies and as noted is very similar to The Thing in its vibe and tone while still being a very original and fantastic film. Definitely one for the scifi-horror fans to checkout. [ Splinter Trailer ]

End of the Line: End of the Line is a Canadian production so as a Canadian its nice to have one on my list as more than a token. End of the Line tells the story of a religious group that decides its End of Days and sets about bringing it. Creepy and dark End of the Line is a throwback to classic films like the early work of John Carpenter and George Romero and is a truly entertaining experience. Although the film is a low budget indie production the film does not suffer from this at all. Overall a fantastic film with religious overtones and end of day ramifications that will keep you interested throughout. [ End of the Line Trailer ]

Pontypool: Pontypool is not a film that will appeal to everyone but for those of us who are traditional zombie fans its a must see  especially if you are a die hard of George Romero’s early films. Pontypool tells the story of a disc jockey who while on the air discovers that the little town he works in is being over run by  a zombie like plague. Truly an original film that is a borderline zombie film it is both intense and creepy playing out more like a stage play then a film. Pontypool is a throw back to the earlier years of zombie filmmaking where people like George Romero focused on the message and small sets to deliver a terrifying experience where as modern zombie films seem to be more about the FX and over the top carnage. For the more mature and cynical zombie film fan Pontypool is a winner. [ Pontypool Clip ]

District 9: District 9 is really more a scifi movie then a horror movie but when you combine aliens, gore and epic destruction you really can be excused for putting it on a horror list. District 9 is one of the best written and shot scifi films in years and although not really ‘scary’ the oveall story of a man who struggles with not just inner but outer demons in the form of an alien infection makes the film intense and creepy and just all around... good times. As much as Avatar got all the hype District 9 was THE must see movie of 2009 not Avatar. [ District 9 ]

Surveillance : Jennifer Lynchs Surveillance is a fantastic film filled with twists and turns and an outcome that was hard to predict.  The film is about a serial killing duo who are killing their way across the country and the two FBI agents who set out to catch them. The film is anything but predictable and although tame at moments also has some seriously disturbing moments sure to make you cringe. If you liked SEVEN you will enjoy Surveillance. [ Surveillance Clip ]

Zombieland. Last on my list is Zombieland. Zombieland is fun, dark ,witty and packed full of undead carnage and is the first really good zombie comedy to come out of the Hollywood machine. Up until now we have had to turn to the indie houses or over seas for a good laugh out loud zombie comedy to enjoy us ( Shaun of the Dead, Nerds of the Living Dead, etc). Zombieland is not only refreshing and highly entertaining its also clearly a zombie film done by fans and for fans as it picks up on the many tips on how to survive the zombie apocalypse that zombie fans have been discussing for years and interjects just enough humor and ‘buddy flick’ magic to make the film a hit. Shot on a very limited budget Zombieland was a smash hit at the box office and one that every horror fan should own. [ Zombieland NSFW Trailer ]

Honorable mention goes to Paranormal Activity the most profitable movie in film in history. The film was made for $25k and made over $100million. I passed on the film because the constant bombardment of viral marketing actually turned me off which is the only reason its not on my list.. I did not see it. It deserves at the very least an honorable mention for its huge box office success and genius viral marketing by Paramount.