BTK's Top 10 Horror Movies of 2009

Posted By : BlacktequilaKiss, Friday Dec,25
Filed Under : Editorial, ,

So it's that time of year again... The decorations are up, the tree is surrounded by presents and we horror fans are looking back over the past year. For many 2009, lived up to a lot of its hype. Trick 'R Treat was finally released to fantastic praise from both the critics and audience, indie films finally managed to garner some respect. Among them was Pontypool and Grace. The kiddie flicks were able to show their staying power thanks to Orphan. Yes to many 2009 was a bright year.

And whilst it was not that bad a year I do not think it was that good either. The potential was big but a lot of movies fell under their own weight and I was disappointed. I enjoyed Drag me to Hell but as entertaining as it was, it was never really a film that I considered worthy of a top 10 list.

This is my top 10. Some you will have heard of, some not but all these movies I believe deserve to be among the list. So sit back, enjoy and relax. ( Editors Note: with each film on my top list is a link to the films rating in our tomb. Please take a minute and review them if you saw them and contribute your views. Good reviews or bad we want to hear what you think )

10. The Last House on the Left Remakes are generally seen as a let down among horror and more often than not there is good reason. So when they announced this movie was being remade, a lot of people did not take kindly to the news. Thankfully this turned out to be a breath of fresh air. It managed to tighten up the story, the brutality while not as prevalent was still harsh enough to draw breath. Director, Dennis Iliadis, provided a tight little movie that surprised me and I am sure many others. For these reasons alone, it deserves a solid place on the list.

The Last House on the Left (2009) The Last House on the Left (2009)
Masters of horror Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham revisit their landmark film that launched Craven’s directing career and influenced decades of horror films to follow: The Last House on the Left.Bringing one of...
82.27% Approval
(Based on 22 Reviews, Write one )

9. Hush A little known Brit flick, not many will know of this film and it is for that reason and others I included it. It's that classic tale of cat and mouse; a young couple are nearly in an accident with a truck driver and soon find themselves being followed by him. But there's more to the story than they realise.The strength of this film lied in the strong performances of the two main roles and the story itself. Whilst borrowing certain aspects from movies like Joy Ride, it managed to retain its own identity and stand out. Well worth watching and owning, this proved to be a favourite of mine for the stark manner it portrays itself.

Hush (2009)
Tired and irritable, Zakes Abbott drives home along the motorway, his girlfriend, Beth, asleep beside him. Failing to spot his exit he speeds across the causeway, cutting up a white van and barely avoiding an accident. Apoplectic ...

75% Approval
(Based on 2 Reviews, Write one )

8. Shuttle: Again this is not known well and is another produce of Britain. This movie was included for the fact that it manages to not only keep your attention throughout but grabs you. The storyline is simple enough: two young girls get onto a shuttle and find themselves being abducted, whilst the movie did lag in certain spots overall it was a grim, dark movie that kept me wondering and questioning. The beauty of this movie was in the ending which did not give the happy ever after so alluded to. The ending instead was the darkest aspect and will make everyone realise why this movie made my top 10.

Shuttle (2009) Shuttle (2009)
When Jules and Mel return from a girls’ weekend vacation, they find themselves stranded at the airport, late on a rain-drenched night. Wanting nothing more than to get home safe and sound, they board an airport shuttle with ...

75% Approval
(Based on 2 Reviews, Write one )

7. Babysitter Wanted: Ironically my thanks go to Goon for this movie. It was only after reading his review I took the incentive to check it out and it was by far one of the best decisions made. We follow Angie, a bright young girl who is looking for any job to help her pay her way whilst in college. That's when she finds an advertisement for a babysitter, however the boy she babysits as a hellish appetite. It's a fantastic movie that quickly moves away from the Halloween-esque beginning and delves into a different movie altogether. The twist was the original and the film was a wonderful film that never let up for air. Worthy of a lot of notice.

Babysitter Wanted Babysitter Wanted
Attractive but sheltered, Angie Albright (SARAH THOMPSON) is excited to finally leave her strict religious household to attend college. While her new roommate is wilder than she’s used to, Angie soon discovers that there are...

75% Approval
(Based on 6 Reviews, Write one )

6. Dead Snow aka Død snø What needs to be said of this movie... It contains Nazi Zombies, a kick ass soundtrack (trust me), beautiful gore, some wonderful references to the older horror movies and a setting that makes it all blend in with the black sense of humour. After a long time of trying to find this movie, I was afraid it would be a movie that did not live to the hype. On this occassion I was wrong. It starts off slowly and patience is needed but once zombies appear, the blood splatters far and wide. It's an immensely entertaining film that has that rewatchable factor and is a movie that needs to be seen to be believed.

Dead Snow (2009) Dead Snow (2009)
A limited release through IFC. The story follows a group of friends who drive to a cabin in Norway where German troops were slaughtered by locals in 1945. Now the undead zombie Nazis are coming alive to feast. Besides zombies, the...

78.33% Approval
(Based on 12 Reviews, Write one )

5. Doghouse: Yet another Brit flick to be mentioned but of all of them this remains my absolute favourite of '09. Jake West is an interesting director that infuses a great mixture of horror and comedy but can lack at times. Doghouse redeemed him. A typically lad's horror movie, it was the mixture of tightly clothed 'zombirds', that british sense of humour and the inventive manner in which they stayed alive that kept this film crisp and a lot of fun. Well worth seeing for the toy car chase scene alone!

DogHouse
Vince (Stephen Graham) is handling his divorce badly. He’s depressed. Gone to pieces. But his mates aren’t giving up on him. Struggling with their own women troubles, they drag him off for an ultimate...

80% Approval
(Based on 3 Reviews, Write one )

4. Martyrs The shock element of movies is used a lot lately to make its mark and has shocking as Martyrs was on occasion it was also thought-provoking, deeply intensified and a film that got beneath the skin. Right from the get go it's in your face and disturbing and as the movie goes on things only get worse. The brutality whilst hard to stomach is an important token to the movie. Too often I need a movie that gets to me and whilst this is not one I would rewatch on a regular basis, it deserves all the praise it receives for pushing the envelope, making us think and above all being a movie that has its own originality.

Martyrs Martyrs
France. A night at the beginning of the 1970s. Lucie, a little girl missing for over a year, is discovered wandering by the side of a country road. Near catatonic, she can say nothing about what has happened to her. The cops qui...

83.33% Approval
(Based on 15 Reviews, Write one )

3. Splinter: This movie can be forgiven as being seen as only a monster film by the majority but to me this movie is a lot more than that. It explores common themes of what can happen when faced with the unthinkable, how the characters rationalise what to do. Whilst the effects were pretty damn good, this movie stands on its shoulders thanks to the cast who gave their whole and made a simple formula, more complex and compelling. One of the best, in my opinion, of 2009.

Splinter (2008) Splinter (2008)
Splinter is set in and around a quiet gas station on a lonely freeway, where a terrifying virus-like monster inhabits the bodies of its victims and drives them with a relentless lust for blood. The virus monster is said to twist t...

80.59% Approval
(Based on 17 Reviews, Write one )

2. Pontypool: To not include this film on the list would be pointless as it proves the horror genre is alive and kicking. Although some are reluctant to call this a zombie film, I feel it deserves a place for one of the best original pieces of the year and one of the greatest performances in Stephen McHattie. Set in a small radio station, cut from the outside world, reports start coming in off people contracting a virus and bloody incidents following. With no idea of what is happening outside, it's up to
Grant Mazzy and his two girls to keep safe in the small confines of where they work. It comes down to the simplicity of characters. Each character is beautifully layered and adds an ominous tone to the movie. The gentle twist whilst not that breathtaking still creates rivets of shock and the movie has an whole is indie cinema at it's best. A rare treat for this year and something to be admired.

PontyPool PontyPool
Film is getting a limited release through IFC. Helmed by renowned Director Bruce McDonald, PONTYPOOL marks the filmmaker’s first venture into the horror genre. The film is adapted from the novel “Pontypool Changes Ever...

83.75% Approval
(Based on 8 Reviews, Write one )

And finally my No.1 spot goes to none other than:

Grace : What a welcome and wonderful surprise! From the beginning to the end, I was drawn into the world of Jordan Ladd (played expertly by Madeline Matheson). When she gives birth to the aftermath it is a journey that begs to be watched by others. It's not a gory film and does not pretend it is. The meat and strength of this movie comes from both the performances and the child's unquenchable thirst. It's an harrowing watch that kept me glued to my seat and the best film I saw of '09 for the reasons listed. It does move at a slow pace but getting into the story is easy enough, anyone who has not seen this, needs to do so. Quite simply the best movie '09 has offered, in this humble gal's opinion.

Grace Grace
The story revolves around Madeline Matheson, an eight months’ pregnant woman who is determined to deliver her unborn child, Grace, naturally. When an accident leaves Grace dead inside her, Madeline insists on carrying the ba...

70% Approval
(Based on 8 Reviews, Write one )

And that everyone is my top 10. Special honour to: Drag me to Hell, Trick 'R Treat, Midnight Meat Train and Mum & Dad

However there is one thing left to do... Best Coveted Award for Low Budget Comedy Horror: Infestation: When I watched this movie I was surprised by the amount of good acting, the role played by Ray Wise and the good effects. Even though at times it was easy to tell the CGI, it was a good old fashioned bug horror comedy that needs to be seen by those that appreciate movies low on budget but big on heart. A great little time is had when watching this.

Infestation (2009) Infestation (2009)
Our hero, Cooper, awakes to find himself nauseous, weak and covered in webbing, hanging from the ceiling of an office where, just minutes ago, he started his new job. As he struggles out of his slimy prison he comes face to face w...

80% Approval
(Based on 1 Reviews, Write one )

Hope you loved the list and feel free to leave any feedback! And Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year, my fellow HMers!

Editors Note: This is a guest editorial submitted by a member of our community. Look for more guest editorial top 10 lists as the year comes to a close. If you would like to submit one email it to scoops@horror-movies.ca with your username and we just might feature it here!

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