Halloween Watcher's List (Top 10 Indie Flicks)

Halloween, The festival of Samhain, Dance of Satan... our favorite time of the year only comes around but once. Celebrating it with costumes, candy, pranks, parties and anything else that protrudes us into wanting be someone else for a night. But all hallows eve also requires the utmost in quality horror entertainment, and my list I present to you for this year I feel contains probably the ten best indie horror films that I own copies of on my shelf. As a collector and purveyor of this business, I am glad that if worldwide streaming were to go down in flames for some reason, I can still revel in the blood of virgins and watch the undead tear people apart in anticipation of their dinner.

I'm getting hungry.

I present to you my top ten Indie Horror Flicks that I think you all should track down for Halloween (in no particular order). Most of these I have already written reviews about here on Cinema Slayer, so you can search them in my search bar and see what I said about them. But whether you care about my review or not, these are indie flicks that you never really see or hear anyone talk about. These are Halloween perfection as I see it, and they need more attention. Here we go. 

10. Pumpkin Karver

If you haven't read my early piece about Pumpkin Karver, go search it. This is absolutely one of my favorite Indie horror flicks, and it embodies pretty much every entertaining fear trope that needs to be there. Cute girls, dumbass guys, stupid costumes, a pretty evil villain and an atmosphere that really is unique to this offering. If you want to start an indie horror collection, please buy a copy of this. Please. Oh, and Amy Weber is scorching hot in this as well. Just saying.

9. Monster Man

 The side studio for Lionsgate that produces indie horror has some real gems, and Monster Man is absolutely glorious. The two main bumbling characters play off each other very well and I could honestly say that this is one that could stand on it's own with multiple views. Perfect for having popcorn and a bag full of those nasty black and orange caramel-taffy things that no one likes or knows the name of, this won't leave a bad taste in your mouth as those things will.

8. Splinter

Splinter is strange because you never find out exactly what the monster is in this film. Mystery adds a layer of intrigue here, and it's frightening because you never know where it's going to come from next. This is a modern monster flick that pretty much takes place in a gas station for the duration of it's run time, but it never feels cheap, boring or dull. The pace is spot on and it drags the viewer from scene to scene in anticipation to see what will happen next. Truly an indie great.

7. Farmhouse

 I've already done enough praise for Farmhouse in my actual review-so just watch this damn movie already. Steven Weber and Kelly Hu are just downright bad, bad people here and shows how much range they have even in something as small as this. They love what they do and it makes this film shine, as it should make your shelf shine with a hard copy sitting there next to Evil Dead and Dead Alive. It's that good. It also sports one of the greatest twist endings in any indie horror film. Seriously.

 6. Hi-8 (Horror Independent 8)

A lot of horror anthologies are hit or miss for me, but Hi-8 has an air of grandiosity that can't be missed. Being the huge SOV fan and collector that I am, this had to be on this list because I feel more horror fans need to experience this as an essential part of their fear diet this Halloween. Candy and tooth rot aside, there are some shorts in here that are genius (particularly the one aptly named "The Tape") and the only way to see them is compiled in this anthology. A great way to start off an indie/underground viewing spree.

5. Trailer Park of Terror

  

The perfect example of blind buying something cheap and quick, Trailer Park of Terror just hits all of the right spots that any blood fanatic needs satiated. Great characters, awesome setting, better than average cinematography and a rockabilly zombie that can tear it up on his guitar mixes itself up to being an amazing horror indie diamond in the rough that pretty much everyone passed up on. Were going to be some sexy sinners tonight.

4. Cemetery Gates

    

It's been quite some time since I've watched Cemetery Gates, but I just recall being blown away at it's entertainment value. Especially since I got it for free in a buy one get one free deal at my usual collectors spot-and it features Reggie Bannister from the Phantasm franchise. If you want to watch an indie horror film to see his ridiculous skullet ponytail and witness the main monster take a shit randomly, this is the perfect Halloween outing for you. Listen to some Pantera while you're at it. 

3. Skinless (Ballad of Skinless Pete)

People in the science and medical fields have been looking for a cure for cancer for a very long time now. Pete found it. Except it's not quite what he thought. He was cured until his skin started peeling off. This is almost akin to a Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde ripoff, but the difference here is that Pete doesn't switch back and forth. He just falls apart (literally) and the journey is gory to the extreme. Gorehounds will love this one, and I suggest some fruit punch while you view. The redder the better.

2. House of the Devil

 If you want an indie that is all atmosphere, suspense and feelings of unease-House of the Devil is the ticket you need to purchase. It builds itself into what I feel is probably one of the greatest unknown "walls are closing in" type of film that just keeps you guessing until the reveal of what is actually going on with the family and the house that they live in. Sorely missed and underrated for those outside of the horror community. Live in this house if you dare.

1. Pool Party Massacre

  

 Fun, fun, fun. Pool Party Massacre has become an indie gem for me personally, and it just gets all of the bindings of 80's horror right. The girls are all attractive (albeit on the thin side) there's plenty of gory deaths, creative kills, astoundingly clean cinematography and characters that you just want them to die because they deserve it for one reason or another. Oh, and the twist ending actually confused me and made me laugh at the same time. Don't miss this on Halloween. It will make you wish it was summer again.