Top 10 Movie Masks

There are many features that make movie characters so memorable, their clothes, their physical features and in some cases, the masks they wear. Over the years we have seen a variety of memorable masks on the big screen, from the ones that conceal secret identities to the ones that just make you look scary as hell, masks definitely add to a characters personality and can have an effect on that characters impact on the film. The following list is my pick for the top ten movie masks of all time, it covers a range of films from horror to comic book adaptations, but mainly horror. Enjoy!

10. Baby Mask- Brazil 

Terry Gilliam's surreal sci-fi comedy had many memorable scenes, from Sam Lowry's (Jonathan Price) dream sequences to his mother's (Katherine Helmond) questionable cosmetic surgery, Brazil was not a film you'd soon forget. However, one of the most memorable bits for me was the films climax where *SPOILER* Sam's former friend Jack Lint (Michael Palin) proceeds to torture him while wearing a mask that resembles a baby doll's face. It is undeniably a creepy mask and given the time when its used it becomes a lot more unsettling, however due to the darkly comical nature of Palin's character it's not completely unnerving. The mask only makes a brief appearance but its time onscreen is certainly memorable.

9. Hockey Mask- Friday the 13th franchise

Ever since its first appearance in Friday the 13th Part III, Jason Voorhees' hockey mask has become an iconic object in the world of horror cinema. Ever since Jason donned the mask in the third installment of the franchise he has continued to wear it, making it a symbol of both Voorhees and Friday the 13th. Its round, empty sockets and featureless face make Jason seem all the more lifeless and imposing, like some hulking phantom with a machete in hand. Once you lay your eyes on Jason you'll never be able to look at hockey masks the same again.

8. Michael's mask- Halloween franchise

One of the more enigmatic horror movie villains (for a few films anyway), Michael Myers was a characters whose motivations were shrouded in mystery. This hulking man was made all the more imposing by the sinister rubber mask that he wears while slaughtering the babysitters of Haddonfield Illinois. The lifeless, black eyes are what makes it most memorable, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance) at one point even recounts how black Michaels eyes were. Funnily enough, the original Myers mask was actually a William Shatner, James T. Kirk mask that was tweaked a bit to give it its sinister appearance, so the next time you're watching Halloween remember that's William Shatner's face killing all those teens.

7. Translucent mask- Alice, Sweet Alice

A film about a little girl being brutally murdered on the day of her holy communion is a pretty dark concept, especially when the little girls sister Alice (Paula E. Sheppard) is the prime suspect. But what makes this film terrifying is the mask that the raincoat-clad killer wears. It is a creepy, translucent mask that wears a sinister grin, giving the killer a strange doll-like appearance. It is a simple idea but oh god is it creepy as hell, I would consider it one of the more underrated horror movie masks, maybe because the film is not as iconic as the likes of Halloween or Friday the 13th. However, it may be one of the creepiest masks in any horror film I've ever seen.

6. Rorschach's mask- Watchmen

Alan Moore's acclaimed graphic novel Watchmen got its own film adaptation in 2009 where the relentless Rorschach was played by Jackie Earle Haley. Dressed like a noir detective with his trench coat and fedora, Rorschach's most memorable feature is his mask that resembles an inkblot (thus the name Rorschach). The best feature of the mask is that it can change itself depending on Rorschach's mood, how does it do this? Nobody knows but it's very cool. Although Rorschach does claim that this mask is his actual face while his alter ego, Walter Kovac's face is in fact the mask, I think the white inkblot mask better fits this list.

5. Button-eyed mask- Nightbreed

Nightbreed was an adaptation of Clive Barker's story Cabal about a young man who stumbles upon the hidden city of Midian inhabited by monsters. Although it was not as memorable as Barker's claim to fame Hellraiser, one thing about it that you will not forget is the character of Dr. Phillip Decker played by the master of body horror himself, David Cronenberg. Decker was a serial killer who wore one of the coolest masks ever, a sack with a zippered mouth and button eyes, spooky stuff. It is a creepy mask due to its expressionless button eyes and its distorted features and it really made Decker an eerie character, along with his chilling voice. After Pinhead, he could be one of Barker's finest creations.

4. Ghostface- Scream franchise

Wes Craven's meta-horror Scream and its subsequent sequels introduced a new generation to the horror genre and the franchise has since earned its place in the horror hall of fame. One of the reasons why it has become so iconic is its mysterious antagonist Ghostface who dons a ghoulish white mask that is reminiscent of the Edward Munch painting The Scream. Although Ghostface has had multiple identities, the mask has remained consistent and has since become a symbol of terror for the citizens of Woodsborough. It has since become the subject of numerous rip-off Halloween costumes however the original mask is as memorable as the killers sinister voice, provided by Roger L. Jackson.

3. The "killing" mask- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

The original Texas Chain Saw Massacre saw the insane Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) wear a variety of masks fashioned out of human skin. Three masks were worn in the original film, the old lady mask, the pretty woman mask and the killing mask, my favourite of the three. The killing mask is the one that Leatherface has become most associated with, human skin stitched together and stretched across his face and earning him his name. One scene in this film that I will never forget involves the mask, it is when Franklin (Paul A. Partain) and Sally (Marilyn Burns) are walking through the woods at night and Leatherface appears out of nowhere with his roaring chainsaw. It is a shocking scene and the sudden appearance of that hideous mask onscreen is one of the most memorable scenes of the film. Out of all of the masks worn by movie serial killers, Leatherface's is by far the greatest.

2. Guy Fawkes Mask- V for Vendetta

Another adaptation of an Alan Moore graphic novel, this time in the form of the dystopian masterpiece V for Vendetta. The protagonist known only as V (Hugo Weaving) wears a grinning Guy Fawkes mask to reflect his anarchistic ways, much like Fakes he wants to take down the system and the mask perfectly represents this. It has since become an iconic image, becoming a symbol of liberation and freedom and can be seen being worn by many an activist. It has also been used by web-terrorist group Anonymous, and has become heavily associated with them. However, the mask has its origins in Moore's story and has gained its popularity from  the film adaptation.

1. Vader's helmet- Star Wars franchise

By far the most iconic movie mask of all time belongs to the imposing Darth Vader (David Prowse/James Earle Jones). The mask not only conceals Lord Vader's disfigured face doubles as a breathing apparatus, thus the heavy inhaling and exhaling. It adds to Vader's sinister appearance, the lifeless features of the mask reflect Vader's lack of humanity and how he has become more machine than man. It is a symbol of dread throughout the galaxy and a figurehead for the Empire, Vader's mask is one of the most recogniseable ones in cinematic history and even today remains just as iconic as it did back in 1977. 

So that's my pick for the top 10 movie masks, some honourable mentions go to Hannibal Lecter's mask in Silence of the Lamb's and the Phantom's mask in The Phantom of the Opera. If you've got any movie masks that I've left out let me know what your favourite is. Next week there will be more from the Vault of Doom where I'll be talking about the Lucio Fulci film House by the Cemetery, so stay tuned for that.

What is 'Death House' and Why You Should Be Excited For It

If like myself you're a big fan of horror cinema, you've probably heard the recent news of a film called Death House floating around the internet. If you haven't heard of it already, Death House is a film currently in development that is being dubbed 'The Expendables of horror' and is based on an original screenplay written by the late Gunnar Hansen aka Leatherface from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. I first heard about this movie some time last year a while before Hansen's death but at the time there was not much about it to be found online, however as of recently there has been news that the final draft of the script has been completed. The film has been written by Hansen and its director Harrison Smith and is due to be released next year which means production will probably begin some time in the months to come, exciting stuff. So what's it all about? Well according to IMDb, this is the premise:

The Death House is the Area 51 of Evil...a subterranean government facility that holds humanity's worst on nine levels. Hell...Dante's ninth level, holds the Five Evils...the "dark stars" of Death House. These individuals are so heinous they can never walk among society again. They may also be supernatural.
Agents Toria Boon and Jae Novak have their own dark pasts, arriving at Death House to tour its levels and observe its denizens first hand as well as the medical and mental experiments of Drs. Eileen Fletcher and Karen Redmane. Their depraved experiments date back to the Nazi doctors of WWII. Prison cells are virtual reality holodecks that recreate prisoner environments before they were incarcerated. A special hallucinogenic gas keeps inmates under control. The victims are homeless bused into Death House to play literal victims while killing habits are studied. The results are sick, but only a hint of what goes on here. Hell literally breaks loose inside the facility when an EMP device detonates, killing all power and communication and...releasing every prisoner.
Boon, Novak and Fletcher are caught in a race against advancing prisoner hoards led by occultist Neo-Nazi Sieg. The monsters are freed and they're going down. Boon and Novak's fight through Death House turns into a house of horrors gauntlet with the only hope of escape in descending into Hell and with the help of The Five Evils. Events culminate in a violent face to face standoff with absolute evil...only to find that they have traveled down a rabbit hole and through a looking glass. Black is white and white is black and the definitions of good and evil no longer apply...
Who are the monsters?
Who will escape...


Very exciting stuff indeed, to me it sounds like the final act of The Cabin in the Woods meets Con-Air or something along those lines. The most exciting thing about this film is the ensemble of horror alumni reported to be on board, in this post I will take you through the who's who of Death House. 

Danny Trejo

If you don't know who Danny Trejo is then I assume you've been living under a rock for the entirety of your life. The actor has become a hispanic Chuck Norris of sorts and has appeared in a variety of roles in films such as Machete and The Devil's Rejects along with several television appearances in shows such as Breaking Bad. He is one of the most recognisable actors in modern cult cinema and is an excellent addition to the cast.

Robert Englund

One of the biggest icons in modern horror cinema, Englund is most well known for his portrayal of Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. He is an actor who can be both humorous and menacing at the same time and as he is one of the biggest names in the horror genre in modern times it is only right that he is added to the cast.

Dee Wallace

One of the greatest scream queens of horror cinema, specifically in the 80's, Dee Wallace has appeared in a number of horror films including Cujo and The Howling. Her onscreen presence always has a lot of energy and she always brings so much life to her characters. Her role is supposedly that of Dr. Eileen Fletcher, a doctor with questionable methods who works at the Death House, I look forward to seeing what Wallace will bring to the film.

Kane Hodder

Hodder is both an actor and stuntman who is best known for playing Jason Voorhees in four of the Friday the 13th films and Mr. Crowley in the Hatchet films. Due to his height and build, Hodder makes for an imposing figure and the fact that he does stunts too is a bonus. Hodder missed his chance to go toe to toe with Robert Englund when he was recast in Freddy vs Jason so maybe in Death House he'll get another chance.

Michael Berryman

Berryman is another recognisable horror alum who is best known for his role as Pluto in Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes. This role earned him his spot in the horror hall of fame and since then he has appeared in other films such as its sequel and The Devil's Rejects. Berryman has since become one of the most recognisable actors in modern horror cinema and it is only right that he have a place inside the Death House.

Bill Moseley

I'm a fan of Moseley especially so I was delighted to see him among the ensemble, always entertaining in his roles, Moseley brings a dynamic atmosphere into any scene he is in. He is most well known for his memorable role as Chop Top Sawyer in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Part 2 along with being one third of The Devil's Rejects, Otis Driftwood. He has appeared in a variety of horror films throughout his career and Death House is certainly lucky to have him on board.

Barbara Crampton

The Beautiful Barbara Crampton is another scream queen along with the aforementioned Dee Wallace who has appeared in numerous horror films from Re-Animator to more recent titles like You're Next. She has had a long and colourful career in the genre and is another of the more recognisable scream queens of the modern era. She is reportedly playing Dr. Redmane in Death House, a collegue of Wallace's character so it will be great seeing the two scream queens side by side onscreen once again.

Doug Bradley

He'll tear your soul apart, that's right, the man who brought the menacing Pinhead to life in Hellraiser is joining Death House too. The English actor has starred in 8 of the Hellraiser films making him a long standing member of the horror hall of fame, he brought personality to the character of Pinhead and made him the memorable movie monster that he is today. I look forward to seeing Bradley in Death House and to see if he channels any of that Pinhead energy since retiring from his role as the cenobite.

Ken Foree

This tall, well-built man is best known for his memorable role as Peter in George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead, however if you grew up in the late 90's watching Nickelodeon you will probably recognise him as Roger Rockmore from Kenan and Kel. Like Hodder, his build makes him and imposing figure but as we have seen in the likes of Kenan and Kel, Foree is just as comedic as well. 

So those are the residents of the Death House, along with the likes of Camille Keaton and Torsten Voges they will be causing havoc within the maximum security facility hopefully sometime next year. It is a shame that Gunnar Hansen won't be around to see the final film as it is essentially his creation, but I'd like to think the final film will be dedicated in his memory. Now this film could either go good or bad, it could be a milestone in modern horror becoming a memorable cult classic or it could simply be shite, but all I know is that seeing all of those horror film stars onscreen together will be enough to satisfy me. Death House is currently in pre-production and is expected to be released next year.

Vault of doom- 'Suspiria'

Welcome boys and ghouls to the first installment in a new fortnightly segment that I like to call Vault of Doom. Every two weeks I will be looking at a different horror film, usually cult films or forgotten classics, and discussing what makes them so great and the impact they have had on me. It is essentially the appreciation of horror cinema by a combination of facts and personal experiences so I hope you enjoy hearing me raving on about the bizzare, the bloody and the brilliant films within the Vault of Doom.



I have decided to begin with my personal favourite horror film of all time, the psychadelic, supernatural Italian masterpiece that is Dario Argento's Suspiria. For those of you who don't know what Suspiria is, it is a 1979 Italian horror film about budding ballerina Suzie (Jessica Harper) beginning her education at a prestigious dance academy in Germany only to discover the dark secrets that lie within its walls. I first became aware of this films existence about three years ago during a phase where I was beginning to build up a tolerance to the general scare tactics of horror cinema. Jump scares became predictable and gore was no longer vomit enducing which led me to seek out some of the scarier films which I hadn't seen, this led me to find a trailer for Suspiria and after watching it a number of times I had to see it immediately. I first watched it one night in the summer of 2013 alone in the dark and as soon as Goblin's haunting theme began to play during the titles I knew I was in for something completely different.

One of the first things that struck me while watching Suspiria was the lighting, the red and blue colours greatly enhanced the mise-en-scéne and along with the beautifully eerie score I was already feeling the goosebumps within the first few minutes. That's the thing about Suspiria, sure it has a few jumpscares and sure there are several bloody sequences, but these are not what Argento relies on to make this film scary. Instead he uses a combination of the colourful cinematography and Goblin's chilling soundtrack to build this atmosphere of suspense that will leave you feeling somewhat uneasy during some of the films more intense scenes. This is only enhanced by the excellent production design, inside the Tanz Academy lies a labyrinth of colourful and bizzare rooms that feels like a Tim Burton movie on acid, you can see that a portion of his influence is drawn from Suspiria. Visually, the film is a work of art as nearly every frame is like looking at a painting. It has a hauntingly dreamlike atmosphere that gradually descends into a twisted nightmare of the occult.




There is one particular scene from the film that I remember scaring the shit out of me when I first watched it, not in an in-your-face jump scare kind of way but in a way that left me feeling uneasy throughout and had that feeling stay with me long after the film had ended. The scene involves the blind pianist Daniel (Flavio Bucci) making his way home from an evening spent drinking at the local boozer, his only companion being his trusty guide dog. The scene plays out with the tune of Goblins spine tingling theme lingering in the background, we follow Daniel as he makes his way through the dark and empty streets before finally arriving at a large, empty town square. There is a real sense of isolation in this scene as Daniel stands alone in the vast square like a single ant in the middle of your kitchen floor, he is surrounded by darkness. The tension continues to build as his dog becomes increasingly uneasy, barking frantically at the shadows projected onto the surrounding buildings. This eventually leads to an unexpected crescendo that I won't spoil, it is a scene that creeped me out very much at the time and still comes to mind whenever I'm walking alone at night.

Of course the film is not without flaw, there are several plot points that seem rather underdeveloped or unexplained. What was the grand scheme of the evil coven who resided in the Tanz Academy? Why was Suzie targeted in the first place? What was the deal with the freaky butler Pavlo (Giuseppe Transocchi)? All questions that linger in the mind when Suspiria ends, but in a way they only add to the surreal mystery surrounding the film and leaves viewers to form their own theories out of the ambiguity. The film also contains some questionable acting and dubbing, certain dialogue seems rushed at times and some of the minor characters come across as quite unrealistic in how they act, but the main players all do a decent job in their roles so it's not all bad. German actor Udo Kier turns up at one point, the only cast member I had any prior knowledge of at the time which made me laugh a little when I heard his strong German accent replaced with a smooth American one. The films flaws are minor though and in the grand scheme of things you tend to be too busy being hypnotized by the visuals to remember them.



All in all, I loved Suspiria when I first saw it, it is a hypnotic visual masterpiece with plenty of chills and stunning imagery, Argento's masterpiece. Even now when I watch it I am still overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of this film, although it no longer manages to creep me out as much I will always have those fond memories of running up the stairs in the dark afterwards while Goblin played over and over in my head. It is a must see for any horror fan and a recommendation for budding cinematographers, or if like my girlfriend you just love nice lighting I'd suggest watching Suspiria. If you have any thoughts or memories about the film let me know in the comments, apart from that I hope you have enjoyed the first installment of Vault of Doom, until next time!

Masters of Horror, the essential episodes

Masters of Horror was a horror anthology series that ran from 2005 to 2007 and was penned by The Stand director Mick Garris. Each episode was directed by a different director known for their works in the horror genre, John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper were among the names. On paper it sounds like a brilliant concept but in reality, Masters of Horror was unfortunately a bit of a hit and miss. Its episodes lacked consistency, ranging from shockingly good to painfully bad and by the time it ended, the bad outweighed the good. It was a shame to see such a brilliant concept so poorly executed, the show had a lot of potential but fell down with some of its weaker episodes. However, there were several episodes of the show that stood out among the rest, episodes that were so shocking and frightening that they earned their respective directors the titles of  'Masters of Horror'. To give you an idea of some of the redeeming factors of Masters of Horror, here are six of the shows greatest episodes.

6. Incident On and Off a Mountain Road

The first episode of the series directed and co-written by Don Coscarelli of Phantasm fame is one of the more average ones on this list but an episode I quite enjoyed. It follows a young woman named Ellen (Bree Turner) on the run from a mysterious killer known only as Moonface (John DeSantis) in a forest in the mountains. It flashes back and forward between those events and previous events involving Ellen and her husband (Ethan Embry) on a survival retreat in the woods, both stories come together in the end in a clever plot twist. I enjoyed this episode a lot mainly due to its strong female lead who manages to overcome the numerous obstacles in her way (not just Moonface), she is a likeable character and a fitting final girl. There is also a rather comedic appearance from Coscarelli's Phantasm star, the late Angus Scrimm for those hardcore genre fans out there. In short, it was a satisfying opening to the show that contained all the elements that make a good horror film, the monster, the final girl, the chase scenes, the gore, Coscarelli definitely delivers in this one.

5. Pelts

Dario Argento is a man who's career has met an unfortunate decline in quality in recent years, however the episodes that he directed for Masters of Horror show that the Italian Hitchcock has not lost his touch. Pelts was his second entry to the show and involved fur trader Jake (Meat Loaf) who gets more than he bargained for when he makes fur coats from cursed raccoon's. It sounds like a ludicrous plot but it is one of the more comedic episodes, albeit darkly comedic. What I liked about it most was that it was a stylistic throwback of sorts to Argento's earlier films such as Suspiria, the lighting in both the strip club and the apartment are very reminiscent of Argento's masterpiece. There are also great performances from Meat Loaf and horror alum John Saxon (who starred in an earlier Argento flick, Tenebrae), they really bring life to their rather sleazy characters. Most of all in typical Argento style, its gruesome and bloody, it's an episode that will make you both laugh and cringe and is one of Argento's better modern works.

4. Family

Another of the more comedic episodes, this time directed by a man with as much love for horror as he has for comedy, John Landis. The episode follows Harold (George Wendt), a seemingly innocent old man who lives in a typical suburban neighborhood, in reality he is a serial killer. Harold soon becomes obsessed with a young couple who move in near him, especially the wife Celia (Meredith Monroe), but not everything is as it seems. I loved this episode, Wendt gives a brilliant performance as the warm-hearted killer and seeing the way he interacts with the bodies of his dead victims like they're his family is entertaining in a twisted way. Landis achieves the perfect blend of humor and horror in Family, offering some sinister twists and turns along the way and I consider it to be a highlight of his career. His other episode Deer Woman is also worth a watch and contains a sly reference to An American Werewolf in London.

3. Jenifer

Argento's other episode is a twisted gore fest about temptation and lust, it follows Police Officer Frank Spivey (Steven Weber) who rescues a mysterious young girl with a beautiful body but a hideously disfigured face. It is one of the more brutal episodes and Argento is relentless with the gore, nobody is safe in Jenifer, not even cats or children. Seeing Spivey's insidious relationship with Jenifer spiral out of control is quite terrifying and it is only enhanced by the brilliant performance from Weber along with Jenifer's rather terrifying appearance. Like many of Argento's works, Jenifer has a chilling score from Claudio Simonetti of Goblin which makes everything all the more chilling. A terrifying blend of lust and repulsion, like Pelts, Jenifer is one of Argento's greatest modern works.

2. John Carpenter's Cigarette Burns

With a big name like John Carpenter attached to this episode you know it's bound to be good. Featuring the talented Norman Reedus as projectionist Kirby, it follows him on his mission to find the last existing reel of infamous horror film La Fin Absolute du Monde, a film that is thought to be cursed. Along the way he deals with the loss of his girlfriend to an overdose and her vengeful father who wants to shut down Kirby's cinema, along with terrifying visions. The episode is a slow burner, all throughout we are teased with this supposedly cursed film and wait in suspense for it to finally be revealed, who better to build such suspense than John Carpenter himself, right? It is a slow burner but all worth it in the grizzly climax that involves a movie projector and the always entertaining Udo Kier. It reminds us that Carpenter still has not lost his mojo when it comes to horror and suspense as he delivers one of the best episodes of the series, but the best is yet to come..

1. Imprint

Now you know you're doing something right when your episode is pulled from airing for being too graphic, and of all people to achieve this it was of course Takashi Miike. Miike is a Japanese director known for his violent films such as Ichi the Killer and disturbing ones such as Audition. Imprint is both violent and disturbing in a tale involving abortions, mutations, incest and (in classic Miike fashion) needle torture. It follows American tourist Christopher (Billy Drago) returning to Japan to seek out his former lover in a seedy brothel, here he meets a young, disfigured prostitute (Youki Kudoh) who tells Christopher what really happened to his lover. Think Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon as a horror and you have Imprint, it has various versions of the same story told by an unreliable narrator and is full of sinister twists throughout. Personally I loved it, it's one of the most surreal and disturbing pieces of horror that I've ever seen and has stuck with me ever since I first watched it, making many modern horrors look like episodes of Scooby Doo in comparison. Miike gains the true title of master of horror in what is one of the most extreme pieces of television ever, a must see for every horror fanatic.

There are several honourable mentions such as Deer Woman, Sick Girl and We All Scream for Ice Cream, but the six I have mentioned above are the ones that truly stood out for me among many of the painfully mediocre episodes. Masters of Horror was not a perfect series, however those episodes are what made it somewhat enjoyable partially due to their directors, all real horror masters. So that's it for this brief post, my next post will be the beginning of a fortnightly post where I look back at classic cult horror films and give my thoughts on them so stay tuned for that. 

What if?- Iron Man 3

It's that time of the month again, that's right it's time for another 'what if?' article. Every month I look at a film that was either almost made, that I think should be made or that was just plain bad and in need of a re imagining and think about what if it were made or what if it were good. No film fits the criteria of the latter as much as Iron Man 3, the most recent standalone outing for Marvel's fan favourite hero that kick started phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film promised to be darker in tone that previous films in the Iron Man franchise, especially due to the introduction of Ben Kingsley's Mandarin character, the arch nemesis of Iron Man in the comics. However, the result was a disappointing entry to the MCU that offered the same tired formula as previous entries, but what made it so bad? Well to start, the Mandarin was revealed to be no more than a drugged up actor playing the fictitious terrorist leader under the influence of Guy Pearce's Aldrich Killian. Again, a plot that involved Iron Man fighting a rival industrialist who was easily disposed of by the films end. Up until that plot twist I was quite enjoying the film, it was somewhat darker while retaining Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) signature humour and until that dreadful revelation it looked promising. So here is how I would have done things.

The First Act

The first act remains essentially the same, Tony suffers PTSD after the events of Avengers Assemble, his bodyguard Happy (John Favreau) is put into hospital after an encounter with an extremis soldier and the Mandarin is sending extremis soldiers to terrorise US. However, there would be several changes in this version, first of all Rhodey (Don Cheadle) becomes the Iron Patriot earlier on in the film (this will come into play later) who is fighting in the Middle East against the Ten Rings terrorist organisation. Secondly, Aldrich Killian would only have a minor role similar to the comics where he commits suicide near the beginning leaving Dr. Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall) in charge of his company. Finally, there would be scenes involving the Mandarin himself, not just the video messages he sends but scenes that focus on him and give him more depth. They would involve him meditating and doing other things like that in an attempt to unlock the power of the ten rings which he possesses. In this version, the terrorist leader believes that if he can unlock their power he will become invincible. Also the opening scene would be one of Tony talking to Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) similar to the post credits scene of the actual film. Then it more or less carries on the way the film does, Tony calls out the Mandarin resulting in an attack on his house leaving him stranded in some small town in the middle of nowhere.

The Second Act

For Tony, this would essentially go the same way as it does in the film. He meets Harley (Ty Simpkins), fends off the two extremis soldiers and eventually rebuilds his armor and finds the Mandarins location. Meanwhile Pepper teams up with Maya Hansen trying to find Tony while at the same time she worries over the disappearance of Rhodey who she has not been able to contact. Eventually Maya reveals herself to be working for the Mandarin and sedates Pepper. Tony then discovers that the Mandarin is hiding out in Miami and flies there, entering the mansion in a similar manner to the actual film. Once inside however, he confronts Hansen who teases him over the fact that she has Pepper, Tony demands that she tell him where she is but Maya is then shot by the Mandarin who then does the same to Tony. Stark regains consciousness and the Mandarin goes on a monologue about how he hates America and all that stuff he usually talks about in the film, he then reveals Rhodey who is chained to the wall. He forces Tony to watch as he tortures Rhodey which emphasises how relentless he really is. He eventually stops, sparing Rhodeys life before telling Tony that he will only become more powerful. Tony somehow manages to escape and rescue Rhodey however the mansion is crawling with extremis soldiers, Tony manages to call in his armor from home and uses it to escape along with Rhodey, however Pepper is nowhere to be found.

The Third Act

The third act begins in a similar fashion to the actual film, Tony fends off extremis soldiers aboard air force 1 only this time he saves the president and they fly off to his secret bunker for protection. Meanwhile the Mandarin's scientists have injected Pepper Potts with extremis while he meditates. After they complete the procedure, one of them goes to tell the Mandarin who opens his eyes, they are glowing. He then says that he has accessed the power of the rings before disintegrating the scientist using one of the ten rings. This version of the films climax would take place at the presidents bunker, Tony and Rhodey are tasked with fending off the extremis soldiers, They are both weak due to Tony's gunshot wound and Rhodey's wounds from being tortured, Tony then decides to call in his large arsenal of armors like in the actual film and manages to take out the extremis soldiers leaving only one remaining, Pepper. Tony is shocked to see her like this and tries to save her however like in the actual film she falls to her apparent death. Iron Man then confronts the Mandarin who has achieved the power of the ten rings, he taunts Stark, Stark taunts him back and it is an intense and emotional confrontation. Tony however is no match for the rings and although he puts up a good fight, he cannot defeat the Mandarin. As the villain prepares to strike down Stark, he is taken by surprise by Pepper who finishes him off, leaving him in a comatose state. After that the film ends more or less the way the actual film does, Pepper is cured, Tony gets shrapnel out of his chest, Happy recovers etc. The ten rings are seen being taken to a S.H.I.E.L.D. H.Q. and the final shot is that of the comatose Mandarin held up in a medical wing of a maximum security cell. The post credits scene would then hint at HYDRA making a return.

It's not perfect but I think it fixes the whole Mandarin flaw from the film and does not treat him like a disposable villain, it leaves him there waiting to recover and seek his revenge on Iron Man. I also included the ten rings as I think it works considering Tony's recent encounter with the extra terrestrial. Also, if this was the actual film it would have more AC DC on the soundtrack, something it lacked in comparison to the other films. So that's my take on how the film should have went which leaves us at the end of another 'what if?' segment. In my next post I will be looking back at the series Masters of Horror and also there will soon be another fortnightly post which I will be starting so stay tuned for that!

10 Haunting Horror Film Theme's

Music has always been a key part of films, from Bernard Herrmann's memorable Citizen Kane score to John Williams' epic music from the Star Wars saga, music has always played a large role in the film industry. Horror films are no different, in fact music is an extremely important ingredient in a horror film for setting the tone or building suspense throughout. Over the years there have been a number of haunting horror themes that have sent chills down our spines whenever we hear them, aiding the films scare factor. In my opinion, the following ten pieces of music are the pinnacle of horror movie scores as they help to set the films tone, make for many suspenseful moments and are just generally chilling so sit back and have a listen to my top 10 horror film theme songs.

10. April Fools Day- Slaughter High (1986)

In the wide menagerie of 80's slasher flicks, Slaughter High would probably be among the obscure and has remained a cult classic since its initial release. This nasty slasher follows a group of people attending their high school reunion only to be stalked by a maniacal former classmate who they accidentally left disfigured back in high school. The films score was composed by Harry Manfredini and its main theme is one of the most memorable in 80's slasher history. This hard rock number which plays throughout really suits Slaughter High as it is a fun film and I feel the theme song helps to set the films playful tone. Also it's a really cool song and you can listen to it here. 

9. Rocky Mountains- The Shining (1980)

Although it strays pretty far from Stephen King's book, Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation of The Shining is a horror masterpiece in its own right. Like many of Kubrick's films, the soundtrack is a memorable one which in this case is mainly due to its opening theme. The opening theme of the shining was composed by Wendy Carlos (who also composed the electronic tracks in Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange) and my god it makes for one of the most memorable opening credits there is. The sinister, synth-heavy tune sets the dark tone of the film while the haunting, moan-like sounds are truly and utterly chilling, check out the iconic theme here.

8. Profondo Rosso- Profondo Rosso (1975)

When it comes to scoring horror films, Goblin are experts. The Italian prog rock band made made their claim to fame from their frequent collaborations with director Dario Argento, the first of which was his 1975 giallo classic Profondo Rosso. The main title is a prime example of Goblins talent, its incorporation of a church organ is very reminiscent of old horror films such as The Phantom of the Opera while maintaining that signature Goblin style. It is a brilliant piece of music that sets up the very music-centric film (its lead protagonist is a jazz pianist), in fact the entire soundtrack is worth a listen, incorporating genres such as prog rock, jazz and metal so if you have the time I highly recommend it. You can listen to the main theme here.

7. Friday the 13th Part III theme- Friday the 13th Part III (1982)

I already spoke about Harry Manfredini and his work on the Slaughter High soundtrack however he is most well known for his work on the music of the Friday the 13th franchise. Now there have been many renditions of the theme for Friday the 13th but the third installments takes the cake, it is the most 80's horror theme song out there. It is more catchy than haunting but that's what makes it so memorable, keyboard heavy and boasting a bongo solo halfway through, it is definitely one of the most memorable horror themes of the 80's. You can listen to it in all its glory here.

6. Tubular Bells- The Excorcist (1973)

The only entry on my list that was not composed originally for the film, what many of us have come to know as the theme from The Exorcist is in fact the opening to Mike Oldfield's prog rock record Tubular Bells. After its brief appearance in William Friedkin's acclaimed horror film the song became extremely popular and has been associated with the film ever since. This is understandable as the haunting piano solo from the beginning of Oldfield's record suits the films tone perfectly and really sets the eerie atmosphere that The Exorcist is so well known for. Although it has been said that Oldfield was not happy with how it was used in the film, Tubular Bells gained immense success due to its inclusion and is now referred to by many as The Exorcist theme song. You can listen to the portion of Tubular Bells used in the film here.

5. Psycho Theme- Psycho (1960)

One of horror cinema's most iconic films to date, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is a suspenseful masterpiece that was way ahead of its time. To achieve such levels of suspense, a score was composed by maestro Bernard Herrmann and my god is it one of the most memorable scores in cinematic history. The tense opening theme sets the films suspenseful tone and gives the impression that something sinister is about to happen, never have violins sounded so terrifying. There is also the iconic shower scene number with the high-pitched violins but I feel that the films opening theme is what helps to create the suspenseful atmosphere in the first place and without it we may have an entirely different film altogether. You can listen to the brilliant theme here.

4. Phantasm Theme- Phantasm (1979)

Another synth-heavy theme on my list, this one from Don Coscarelli's cult horror film Phantasm which starred the late Angus Scrimm (R.I.P.). The score was composed by Fred Myrow and Malcolm Seagrave and takes elements from the previously mentioned Mike Oldfield and Goblin while establishing itself as an original piece. It is a truly haunting theme that sets up the films eerie atmosphere, there is one particular scene in which the films antagonist known only as the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) walks down main street while the creepy number plays and it sends shivers down my spine every time I see it. If you wish to listen to the chilling theme from Phantasm it is right here.

3. Halloween Theme- Halloween (1978)

One of the things that makes John Carpenter such an admirable filmmaker is the fact that many of his film scores are self composed and there is no better example of his genius than in Halloween. The main theme composed and performed by John Carpenter is at heart a simple piano melody but it has since become one of the most well known horror themes of all time. It sets the suspenseful mood of Carpenters tense slasher film right from the beginning and is just one of the many chilling tracks from the mind of John Carpenter. The Halloween theme song is right up there among some of the most memorable film themes of all time and if you haven't heard it already well then get on that scene by clicking here.

2. Rosemary's Lullaby- Rosemary's Baby (1968)

I'll have to admit I never really found Rosemary's Baby scary, its acting and its direction by Roman Polanski are fantastic don't get me wrong and while it is a tense flick I was never really scared by it. However, one thing about it that does creep me out big time is its theme song, this haunting lullaby performed by the lead actress Mia Farrow and composed by Krysztof Komeda always manages to make my spine tingle. It is a fitting theme song for a film about to give birth to the antichrist and although it is a lullaby it will only keep you awake at night. If there's one thing about Rosemary's Baby that freaks me out it is Rosemary's Lullaby so if you want to experience the same spine chilling sensation you can listen to it here.

1. Suspiria- Suspiria (1977)

We're back with Goblin again who take the top spot in what is undoubtedly their finest work, the Suspiria score. This beautifully haunting theme song (which was composed before production on the film was completed) really sets the eerie and dreamlike atmosphere that Suspiria is so famous for. Used in many scenes throughout the number always leaves a lasting effect and will give you goosebumps when you actually watch the film. With a combination of the score along with the beautiful cinematography, production design and his own skills as a director, Argento manages to create a haunting air of suspense from start to finish, without Goblin's score it would not have been the same. It is one of my favourite film scores and by far my favourite theme song from any horror film and if you want to experience the wonders of Goblin, you can do so here.

So those are my favourite horror themes but I'm sure there are plenty more that a lot of you enjoy too so let me know in the comments what yours are. Also keeping in spirit of the musical theme of this post I would like to congratulate my friends' band The Tailor Made for making the semi-finals of Bloodstock's metal to the masses campaign, you guys rock and you can check them out here if you enjoy a blend of grunge/indie/metal/punk music.

Feminism in Horror Cinema

Women in film has always been a topic of discussion, over the years we have gradually seen the emergence of more prominent female actors taking on more central roles making the industry more diverse in terms of gender. While initially women were generally there to portray the attractive love interest (looking at you Bond), in contemporary cinema strong female leads are no longer uncommon. Believe it or not one of the primary factors for the gradual empowerment of female characters in film was the evolution of the horror genre. Now I know what you're thinking, you're probably picturing some scantily clad woman with large breasts running helplessly from a maniac with an axe, and in some cases you are correct in picturing this. However, horror cinema has aided in the gradual empowerment of women onscreen, introducing some of cinemas strongest female leads and paving the way for the ones of modern cinema. To understand this, we must go way back to the birth of horror cinema.


In the 20's and 30's the horror film genesis began with the likes of expressionist films in Germany and the works of Lon Chaney in America. Once talkie films began horror became even more prominent with some of the most influential films coming out of Universal studios. However, there was a common trend for the women in these films, they generally played the love interest of the male lead who must be saved from the imposing monster and this can be seen in countless films of the time. If you look closely at some early horror films however, you can see a break in this trend. One of the first horror films, F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu ends with the character of Ellen (Greta Schroder) luring the sinister Count Orlok (Max Shreck) into her bedroom so that he can be burned by the sunlight, ultimately sacrificing herself. This is one of the best examples of a female heroine in early horror cinema. In the late 30's and 40's, a new role for women in horror films began to slowly squeeze its way in, the role of the monster. One of the best examples is Cat People in which Simone Simon plays Irena Dubrovna, a Serbian immigrant who is cursed to turn into a panther in moments of extreme passion. This is an important film for women in horror cinema due to its sexual undertones and its empowered female lead.

When the 50's began so did the atomic age and the vampires and ghouls that once dominated the screens were replaced with atomic monsters and creatures from other galaxies. Women once again were reduced to playing damsels in distress. However, towards the end of the 50's the British production company Hammer began producing gothic horror films once again, this time in colour. Along with introducing horror giants such as Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee to the genre, Hammer also introduced Hazel Court, one of the first "scream queens". Hammer horror films became extremely popular in the 1960's and began to release more female centred horror films such as Frankenstein Created Woman and Brides of Dracula both featuring more prominent and complex roles for their female leads. Meanwhile on the other side of the Atlantic, scream queen Hazel Court appears in a number of AIP Edgar Allan Poe adaptations, her most memorable role being that of the deceiving Lenore in The Raven. During the 60's a female lead was not uncommon when it came to horror films with two of the most influential horror films of the decade featuring female leads, these were Psycho and Night of the Living Dead. Although both characters meet their demise by the end of their respective films, they were among many women who were part of this growing community of strong female leads.

The 70's was perhaps the most influential decade for women in horror. While the 60's gradually began to introduce more important roles for their female actors, the 70's gave us a wide number of some of the strongest and most memorable female characters in the history of horror cinema. Hammer continued its series of female-centric horror films, the most memorable ones being the Karnstein trilogy. Based on Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu, the films marked the genesis of what would later be known as the lesbian vampire subgenre and acted as a means of sexual empowerment for the women of horror. The 70's also marked the age of exploitation films, independent films that featured excessive violence and uncensored sexuality. Many exploitation films were of the horror genre and included the likes of I Spit on Your Grave, a film about a woman who gets her gruesome revenge on the men who raped her. This trend of a strong female figure fighting back against oppressive male characters became a common trend in cinema in the 70's, particularly in the horror genre and this concept of a "final girl" came into play in films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Black Christmas. 

The late years of the 70's however, brought some of the most memorable feminist horror films of all time. 1967 saw the release of Brian De Palma's Carrie, an adaptation of Stephen King's book which focused on a young girl with strange abilities getting back at those who bullied her while coping with personal issues like getting her first period. The following year saw Dario Argento's supernatural masterpiece Suspiria released which featured a female dominant cast and followed a young girl investigating the mysteries that lie within the ballet academy she attends. Again in Suspiria we see the "final girl" concept in Jessica Harper's character of Suzie Bannion. 1978 gave us one of the greatest horror films of all time in the form of John Carpenter's Halloween which saw Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) surviving the night while being pursued by the sinister Michael Myers (Tony Moran). Strode was an interesting character, sensible and mature, an embodiment of purity. This became the stereotype of the "final girl" that echoed in future slasher films. In the final year of the 70's we got one of cinemas greatest female leads in the form of Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in Ridley Scott's Alien. She was strong, intelligent and persistent and managed to defeat the terrifying Xenomorph and make it out alive. By the end of the 70's a strong female lead became a key ingredient to making a good horror film.

The 1980's saw the slasher boom which was triggered by both Italian giallo films and earlier slashers such as the aforementioned Halloween. The boom saw countless slasher flicks released each year ranging from the likes of Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Many of these continued this trend of a killer picking off teenagers until finally being stopped by the strong female lead, the 80's also made promising careers for a variety of "scream queen's" such as Jamie Lee Curtis and Dee Wallace. While there were still cases of objectification in 80's slasher films, the majority of them featured a "final girl" who saves the day in the end. Many of these franchises were laid to rest in the 90's, horror was slowly declining in comparison to its peak in the previous decade. Perhaps the defining horror of the 90's was Wes Craven's Scream which was a satirical take on the slasher genre and featured the character of Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) who is without a doubt one of the most badass final girls to exist. However, in the year 2000 one of the most important contemporary feminist horror films was released in the form of werewolf flick Ginger Snaps. It follows Ginger (Katherine Isabelle) and her gradual transformation into a werewolf, it is both a horror and a coming of age film as lycanthropy in Ginger Snaps is a metaphor for puberty. Seeing Ginger's gradual empowerment as she grows into a werewolf is both entertaining to watch and also (well, I feel anyway) it sort of represents the role of women in horror cinema.

The 21st century has seen a continuation in this trend of empowered women in horror films, be they the antagonist such as Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie) in House of 1000 Corpses and Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) in Orphan or the final girls such as Trish (Gina Phillips) in Jeepers Creepers and Beth (Lauren German) in Hostel Part II. Women in horror have transformed from mere damsels in distress to strong figures who can defeat whatever threat faces them by the end of the film. Horror cinema has given us characters such as Ellen Ripley and Laurie Strode, some of the most iconic heroines of the big screen. Although it is true that some misogyny does still exist in horror films in cases such as objectifying women or the excessive torture of women onscreen, it is fair to say that horror cinema has come a long way since its humble beginnings and has been a major influence of the gradual empowerment of women in film.

Top Ten Horror Film Directors

Horror is easily one of my favourite genres of cinema, it is a genre that can either take itself completely seriously or not at all yet can still work in either case. Perhaps one of the oldest genres of cinema with origins in gothic literature and early cinema from the likes of Georges Méliés, horror cinema has a rich history that spans an entire century. Over the years there have been a variety of directors who were acclaimed for their works in the world of horror cinema, even today directors such as James Wan and Eli Roth keep the genre alive with films that bring in some originality while paying homage to older films. It is true to say that there have been some legends of horror cinema, directors who kept the genre fresh and helped it to develop and grow, introducing new ways to keep audiences scared shitless. The following list is my own pick for the top ten greatest horror film directors of all time, people who have scared us for years and helped to make horror what it is today.

10. James Whale

James Whale is one of the earliest directors to establish himself as an icon of horror cinema and although he only has four horror films under his belt, they have influenced the genre immensely and are still relevant today. Whale is most well known for his work on Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein for Universal studios which both starred Boris Karloff as the monster. The style of his Frankenstein movies were gothic and dark and influenced countless adaptations and parodies later on in the genre including the likes of Young Frankenstein and Van Helsing. When many people think of the Frankenstein story they think of Whale's exaggerated and gothic sets along with Karloff's iconic creature making Whale one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of horror cinema.

9. Tobe Hooper

This Texan filmmaker made his mark in the horror hall of fame with his 1974 low-budget slasher film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and has since gone on to direct films such as Poltergeist, The Funhouse and a television adaptation of Stephen King's novel Salem's Lot. When Hooper initially released The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the film was met with criticism for its shocking sequences and for being (at the time) too extreme, this reaction alone highlights Hooper's talent as a horror film director. The man is responsible for several other memorable scenes in horror such as the clown doll attack in Poltergeist and the revelation of the sinister Kurt Barlow in Salem's Lot. Along with being a master of horror, his directorial skills are also admirable which is evident in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre which is aesthetically pleasing along with being shockingly memorable.

8. Terence Fisher

Terence Fisher is most well known for his countless films made for Hammer Studios including the likes of Horror of Dracula and The Curse of Frankenstein. He also managed to establish both Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing as the icons of horror that they are today due to their frequent collaborations together. However, the biggest impact that Fisher has on the genre is the fact that he is the first director to bring gothic horror films to full colour which allowed for more visible onscreen blood. His style is notable for its gothic elements along with colourful sets and costumes while his films contain more violence and sexual undertones than previous films of the genre. His films were less camp and took themselves a bit more seriously than earlier horror films making Fisher one of the most prominent directors in horror cinema in the mid-20th century.

7. Lucio Fulci

The Italian Lord of Gore, Lucio Fulci is notorious for his penchant for excessive violence in his films such as Zombi 2 and The Beyond. Although many of his films suffer from poor acting and plot holes, Fulci manages to create an immense sense of dread throughout his works using his directorial skills, creating numerous memorable moments such as the tarantula scene in The Beyond which still makes me shiver. His films have been criticised for their graphic depictions of violence and some of them even made it on to the video nasty list in Britain. However Fulci's films have since gained a cult following from the likes of Quentin Tarantino to myself being among the fans. His graphic depictions of violence have gone on to influence countless films, especially those in the torture porn subgenre while some of his films remain creepy even by today's standards (House by the Cemetery and The Beyond still give me chills).

6. Alfred Hitchcock

Although the iconic director is better known for his mystery and thriller films, Hitchcock is without a doubt the master of suspense which is one of the key elements to making a horror film. The director is responsible for one of the most influential horror films of all time, Psycho based on Robert Bloch's novel and considered to be one of the earliest slasher films. The film was way ahead of its time and even today it remains to be one of the most shocking horror films ever made thanks to its gothic style and Hitchcock's talent for creating suspense. The British director may also be responsible for ornithophobia thanks to his 1963 horror The Birds where a small town in San Francisco is terrorised by the flying beasts. For a man with such talent for suspense it is surprising that he does not have more horror films under his belt, however Hitchcock to this day remains one of cinema's most influential directors.

5. George A. Romero

George A. Romero is often cited as one of the defining directors of horror cinema and this is very true as he issued in a new age of zombie films with his classic Night of the Living Dead. Before Romero, the typical representation of a zombie was a dead person brought back by means of voodoo or witchcraft as an undead slave of sorts, however Romero redefined the zombie genre making them into the bloodthirsty walking corpses we all know and love today. Again, Night of the Living Dead was met with controversy upon its release due to audiences finding it both shocking and upsetting, since then however it has become one of the defining horror films of the 20th century. Romero followed it up with two more zombie films Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead along with a follow up trilogy which began in 2005. Along with his iconic zombie films Romero has directed other films such as Creepshow and The Crazies building up a colourful filmography for the iconic director.

4. Wes Craven

Last year we unfortunately lost one of horror cinema's most beloved filmmakers Mr. Wes Craven which was truly upsetting as he has given us some of the most memorable horror films of the 20th century. Like many of the directors on this list, Craven was met with controversy with the release of his debut film Last House on the Left due to its depiction of rape and violence. However, the film has since become one of the most iconic horrors of the 70's and highlighted Craven's skills as a director. He went on to direct films such as The Hills Have Eyes and later on the Scream series but his most well known work is A Nightmare on Elm Street. Craven  gave us the character of Freddy Krueger who has since become one of the most recognisable villains in horror cinema, this is undoubtedly the highlight of his career and what really left his mark in the horror hall of fame. Despite a lack of successful horror films late in his career, Craven will always be remembered for his massive contribution to the genre as he rightfully should be. 

3. Dario Argento

Often cited as the Italian Hitchcock, Dario Argento is renowned for his films and his contribution to the horror genre. From his early giallo films such as Profondo Rosso and Four Flies on Grey Velvet to his iconic supernatural horror Suspiria, Argento has been praised for his talents in building suspense and for his skills as a director which are particularly noticeable in Suspiria, his greatest film. His films are recognisable for their depictions of graphic violence, high levels of suspense and memorable cinematography, along with frequent collaborations with Italian prog-rock band Goblin and Ennio Morricone on his scores. Suspiria is the best example of Argento's talents as he combines colourful cinematography and production design with an eerie score from Goblin making it a beautifully haunting piece of cinema. Although in recent years his films have declined in quality, his unique style and early works continue to influence modern horror cinema today.

2. Mario Bava

Before Dario Argento revolutionised the giallo genre, Mario Bava created it with films such as Blood and Black Lace and The Girl Who Knew Too Much. Bava is regarded as the father of Italian horror as his films such as I Vampiri predate those of any other Italian filmmaker, he also influenced fellow Italian filmmakers such as the previously mentioned Fulci and Argento along with his own son Lamberto Bava. However, his influence spans beyond Italian cinema as Bava is often regarded as the man who kick started the slasher genre. Although it came after Psycho, his film A Bay of Blood is what made the slasher genre what it is today and its influence can be seen explicitly in films such as Friday the 13th Part 2 and is often regarded as one of the defining films of Bava's career. His influence has echoed through the works of numerous modern horror filmmakers and without Bava it is fair to say that slasher films may not have been the same.

1. John Carpenter

Writer, director, musician, it is fair to say that John Carpenter is a man of many talents but among all of those talents, Carpenter is the horror master. Over the years, Carpenter has given us some of the most suspenseful films of the horror genre such as The Thing and Halloween, the latter being another one of the most influential early slasher flicks. To do what Carpenter did with Halloween on such a low budget is a great achievement as not only is it a stylistic and suspenseful masterpiece but it also set off the long chain of slasher films that came out in the 80's. His films continued to keep the consistency that was set by Halloween with many more successes throughout the 80's while his later films gained a cult classic status with the likes of They Live. In recent years we don't hear much from Carpenter, he (along with Dario Argento) gave us some of the more memorable episodes of the anthology show Masters of Horror yet his most recent film The Ward met poor reviews. Recently he has released an album Lost Themes which highlighted his musical abilities that made his films scores so memorable. A true auteur of the horror genre who utilised past influences while also influencing more contemporary filmmakers, John Carpenter is a true master of horror who's films are set in stone as some of the highlights of horror cinema.

So that was my pick for the top 10 best horror film directors. I'd like to give a few honourable mentions to David Cronenberg, Tod Browning, Takashi Miike and David Lynch (to be fair some of his films are more terrifying than a lot of modern horrors) who did not quite make the list but are still among some of my favourite directors of the genre. If you have any favourites who I might have left out then let me know in the comments, I'm not sure when my next post will be but I should have one up within the next week, thanks for reading.