Halloween = Scary Movie Night!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good horror movie. I wasn't always that way. I used to cringe at the sight of blood on a movie screen and would sleep with all the lights on after seeing Jason or Freddy slice up unsuspecting (and dumb) teenagers. But the more I saw them, (and the more I got into film), I realized that it was mostly just special effects and there was nothing to be afraid of.

If you're like me, Halloween is one of your favorite times of the year. Not because you get to dress up like some creature of the dead (or of the night), or because you get an excuse to eat candy to your heart's delight -- but because TV caters to you for an entire day, by showing all the movies that make you squeal, scream, cover your eyes, and call for your mommy.

On this Halloween, networks like AMC and Cinemax are offering scary movie marathons for most of the day (I've been watching AMC most of the month). GO HERE to get a listing of Halloween horror flicks if you plan to cruise the couch on this frightful night.

If you'd rather make it a Blockbuster (or Hollywood Video) night, check out some of the top horror movies HERE. It's AOL's list of the top 31 scary films ever.

I'm not a major online mogul or anything, but I am a horror movie lover ... and I feel like AOL's list left off a few good flicks. Here are some of MY picks for those who enjoy a good scare:

THE CLASSICS

• Pet Cemetery - a graveyard brings pets, and people, back to life ... with a license to kill.


• Psycho - a troubled mama's boy owns a hotel of horror.


• Poltergeist - a little blond girl named Carol Ann opens the portal to a spooky realm.


• Texas Chainsaw Massacre - a true story about a chainsaw wielding killer ... nuff said.


• Children of the Corn - demon children take over a town.


• Cujo - a dog with rabies is thirsty for blood.


• Friday the 13th (the original) - a man returns from the dead to kill teens who converge at a lake.


• Nightmare on Elm Street (the orignal) - Freddy Kreuger enters your dreams and turns them into nightmares ... and slayings.


• Gremlins - a rare pet becomes a town horror when it's owner breaks some cardinal rules.
  

THE NEWBIES:

• Saw - a sick joker turns fear and tortue into a chilling game.


• Saw 3 - almost better than the original ... the tortue continues as people choose between mutilation or death.


• Urban Legend - so called superstitions turn into real-life horror stories.


• The Grudge - a house where horror lived touches everyone who enters its doors ... and kills them.
  
  

For those that like a little suspense ... anything by M.Night (A Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, etc.) is a good way to go ... for something more chilling (without the blood and gore) there's always what I call the "Crazy Bitch" movie. Think "Snapped" for nearly 2 hours. Here are my top picks:

• Single White Female - a woman gets a little too close, trying to take over her roommate's life (and possibly take it over).


• The Hand That Rocks the Cradle - a new nanny wants to replace the woman of the house ... by any means necessary.


• Fatal Attraction - an affair becomes more than a married man bargained for when his mistress turns crazy.


• Carrie - (a classic) a high school girl is an outcast, but after a pig-blood prank, she becomes her classmates' worst nightmare.
  

So there you are ... grab some popcorn (and some Halloween candy), wrap yourself up and veg out. It's safer than hitting the streets (unless you're a scaredy-cat).

Whether you're watching a marathon or poppin' in a DVD, these movies are sure to please if you're in the mood to be spooked.

Have a Happy Halloween!!!