Horror biz

MANY people, myself included, complain about the amount of remakes, prequels and sequels we see released in cinemas every year. Easily, the most over saturated genre is the horror film. Historically, whenever a horror film is released to acclaim, it would be followed by a seemingly endless line of spin-offs. Most are indistinguishable from each other, each as bad as the last. There are, however, many horror sequels and remakes that are lesser known and underrated. With Halloween just a week away I’d like to recommend three of the best ones.

‘Psycho II’ (1982) takes place 22 years after Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ (1960) and deals with Norman Bates’ release from a mental institution and his return to ‘Bates Motel’. Good enough to avoid comparisons from the original, ‘Psycho II’ stands on its own as a great chiller, featuring a show stealing performance from Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates and a great twist ending.

Ignoring the events of the critically panned ‘Exorcist II: The Heretic’ (1977), ‘The Exorcist III’ (1990) is a direct sequel to the original film. George C. Scott stars as a police lieutenant investigating a series of bizarre, apparently unconnected murders. Dark in tone, it matches the mood of the first film and is, arguably, a much scarier film overall. It too has a great twist ending.

‘Nosferatu the Vampyre’ (1979) is a remake of the silent classic ‘Nosferatu’ (1922). Klaus Kinski stars as Count Dracula and portrays him as a rat-like, parasitic, depressive figure - completely unlike the suave depiction of Dracula we’ve become accustomed to. One of the best vampire films ever made, it manages the impossible; surpassing the original in every way.

Honourable mentions also go to ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’ (1987) and ‘Dawn of the Dead’ (2004). Check them out.

By Kelan Headley