I have seen my share of “graffiti” related movies and they all tend to lack a certain realness.  Most movies of that genre emphasize aspects of the culture that really don’t speak to real writers/bombers.  Either they overload the main characters with hip hop super powers or they portray the act of graffiti in a unrealistic manner. WHOLETRAIN is as real as it gets yet still maintains a captivating story line.

After watching the film there was a short Q&A with writer and director Florian Gaag. We were able to talk briefly with him about what was next for the film and he assured us there would be a coming DVD release and possibly a larger premiere in the near future. He also mentioned possibly bringing the world famous MACLAIM crew to Los Angeles to collaborate with local artists in support of a larger west coast release.

We will be looking forward to seeing new things from Florian Gaag in the future or at least getting our hands on a DVD copy of Wholetrain.

Before I start, let me make a few things clear about this list.  First, I excluded 2 of my favorite horror film, The Exorcist and The Shining.  I figure if you haven’t seen either of those movies, then you don’t have the appreciation for good horror and probably should just skip this list all together.  Second, this list is not ordered in any way and by all means, this is not the end all of horror movie lists.  I picked these movies on 2 scare factors: Original scare and Repeat Scare.  Original scare factor should be self-explanatory; its how scared you felt the first time you saw the film.  Repeat scare is how well the movie rates on repeat viewings.  There are movies that have the BOO! scare tactic that just doesn’t work upon viewing the movie for a second or third time.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

The fact that this movie has no drug use, no real profanity and no sexual situations and still managed to get an R rating should tell you something.  In fact, by today’s standards, there really isn’t anything gory in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  Just pure, unrelenting violence.  The best kind!

Ringu (1998)

Supreme Japanese horror.  You’re most likely familiar with the US remake, The Ring.  Even though I feel Gore Verbinski did an excellent job in the remake.  I feel that this original version is far superior in style and substance.  Don’t let the subtitles scare you off.

The Evil Dead 2 (1987)

Bruce Campbell. Sam Raimi. ASH-isms.  Nuff’ said.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Ignoring the plethora of parodies and a horrible sequel, this movie stands as a great example of low-budget horror cinema.  When I say low-budget here, I don’t mean cheesy.  The atmosphere this movie creates is so spot on.  I still get chills from this movie’s ending.

28 Days Later (2002)

When I first found out that Danny Boyle, director of Trainspotting and The Beach (which by the way are 2 of my most favorite films), was making a zombie film, I was all in. This movie doesn’t actually refer them as “zombies”, rather this movie takes the “infected” path.  A virus is something a little more realistic than the “undead” and frankly a lot creepier.  The church scene does it for me….”Hello…Hello..?”

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

I have to thank my dad for this one.  He told me this movie had is a scene where a guy gets his head smooshed by a mask he is wearing.  That alone sold me on it.  But I wasn’t prepared for the pure style that this movie presents.  There is just so much to take in here, from the clockwork band to the death scenes. Vincent Price is the man and was made for horror.

Halloween (1978)

Now I’m not really a fan of the slasher films, in fact I’ll take a sci-fi/psychological horror any day, but there is something to be said about a movie that has a crazy manic killer, that isn’t dead.  Micheal Meyers is on a killing spree for no apparent reason.  He’s also not some failed comedian trying to kill you in your dreams, or some mongoloid that kills campers.   An unstoppable, silent killer.  Sorta like high blood pressure.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

Blair Witch Project set inside a house. I will say that the theatrical version has the BOO factor with its ending, while the original version is a little more on the disturbing side.

Replusion (1965)

Roman Polanski makes an eerie film about a woman’s fall into insanity while/from being isolated in her apartment.  I personally find this movie to be creepier than the movie he made 3 years later, Rosemary’s baby.

If you got a scary movie recommendation, send it to jimmy@thebadcharacter.com or @jimsorock on twitter.

Its been a little over 2 years since we made the move out here to LA and while some of us were more familiar with the city from previous adventures, last night was the first night I felt I could call LA my home.  Watching “The Soloist” and recognizing all the locations really put a sense of how much I love this city and how familiar I have become with different landmark locations.  From the Los Angeles Times building to Grand Ave to La Cita, there are so many great spots filled with great memories and experiences.  And though I can’t say I see myself residing permanently in LA, I believe I will always have a deep love for this city.

I haven’t completely finished watching it just yet, but The Soloist is a great movie.   The writing and direction is impressing, giving the viewer a real sense of what it would be like to be in the mind of someone losing touch with reality.  Living in Los Angeles, we see individuals on a daily basis that have been deemed crazy by “normal” society standards.   It’s hard to relate to these individuals because they have their own sense of what they believe is reality.  But what truly is reality? Is it what we see as the truth? The general view of the natural world?