Scary movies worth watching

Horror movies, like horror novels, generally suck. I am happy to report that it is still possible to be scared, or at least unsettled, by a good horror movie. Since scary movie month is almost upon us, I thought I would recommend a few movies to add to your Netflix queue.

Black Christmas: This is a pre-Halloween young females in peril film, but it is quite good. It is set at a Canadian college in winter, so the tone is dark and moody. Margot Kidder stars as a horny lush(so you know she's doomed) , and you also get Keir Dullea from 2001. While the story may seem cliche, the prank phone calls from the baddie are SCARY. When he sings "Bye Baby Bunting" over the phone, I want someone to hold me and make it go away.

Session 9: This is from the director of the Machinist, a recent thriller. The plot concerns a toxic waste clean-up crew working in an abandoned insane asylum. It has lots of slow build tension and revelation. If you like movies that generate creepiness from a general sense of wrongness, like Blair Witch, then you will probably dig this.

Sleepaway Camp: This looks like another 80s slasher flick, which it is on one level. There is a camp with lots of horny teenagers who become dead teenagers. What saves it is a particular sub-plot and a no kidding, crazy-ass surprise ending. I hate to say more, but this is not another Friday the 13th. Don't read about it, as the goodness will be revealed, just go rent it.