Horror Movie Freak.CBR

Horror Movie Freak [2010/Ebook/CBR]



Horror Movie Freak
By Don Sumner
Published: August 11, 2010
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Krause Publications
Language: English








You'll scream with delight while reading this fun and engaging book that discusses fright flicks all horror fans need to see to ascend to the level of a true Horror Freak —from classics (Dracula and Psycho) to modern movies (Drag Me to Hell) and lesser-known gems (Dog Soldiers).
Movies are divided into various categories including Asian horror, beginners, homicidal slashers, supernatural thrillers, and zombie invasion. Features more than 130 movies, 250+ photos of movie stills and posters, and a chapter on remakes and reimaginings. The book also includes the DVD of George A. Romero's original 1968 version of "Night of the Living Dead."
"Fun and completely enjoyable. You can almost hear the terrible music that filmmakers like me use when we make a horror flick. This is an excellent guide for Horror Freaks and aspiring horror movie makers. If you're already a Freak, Horror Movie Freak will turn you into one, so be careful...and stay scared." George Romero.





















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In my opinion, Don Sumner has written this book the most appropriate way possible: by not being too scholarly and by talking to the reader as one horror freak to another horror freak or horror freak-in-training. For the last few years, I've proudly written for his site and it was an honor to help create the master film list for this book. I've always believed the most important thing in reviewing horror is to not be afraid to admit that you love it or that you love certain films, and Don captures that idea beautifully, preaching the gospel and virtues of being an unabashed, unashamed Horror Freak. It is one thing to make a "simple" list of "The 100 best films". It is quite another, and far better in some ways, to make a list of movies that are important to a well-rounded, foundational knowledge of the genre....a primer, if you will. Everyone needs a place to start in the genre...or a way for seasoned vets to remember movies they haven't revisted in a long time. Horror Movie Freak fills that void.
Besides watching horror movies, I love reading about them and have bought my fair share of books over the years. Horror Movie Freak is one of the best. It's a book written by a major horror fan (Freak) for other Horror Freaks and the pure joy of the genre shines through. The book has zippy writing, a fun design and lots of super color photos of movie stills and posters. I was also happy to see some B movies get a mention, like "Silent Night, Deadly Night" and "Motel Hell," and there is also a section on all the different kind of remakes, as well as a shout out (scream out?) to some notable scream queens. And you sure can't beat an endorsement from George Romero himself, or the free DVD of his zombie masterpiece, "Night of the Living Dead," that's included, with a funny introduction by the author. This is a nifty little package perfect for other Horror Freaks and genre novices alike.





















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As the title suggests, Don Sumner's HORROR MOVIE FREAK is fun and entertaining book for fans of horror films that runs the gamut from Universal's classic horror films of the 1930's right up to modern day Asian horror films and everything in between. What it is, is an engaging look at horror films in a variety of different sub-genres. What it isn't is comprehensive. HORROR MOVIE FREAK is geared towards horror fans, not horror aficionados, but that's ok. Sumner doesn't present the book as an authoritative look at horror films but rather overview of the genre and even something of a primer for newer fans. The book segments the films into almost 20 different categories including Aberrations of Nature, Aliens and Outer Space, Beginner's Shelf, Classics, Evil from Hell, Ghost Stories, Homicidal Slashers, Monsters, Vampires, and Zombie Invasion. There are also sub-sections that deal with modern remakes, Scream Queens, and the groups ten picks for films to watch for Halloween.
These categories allow for Sumner and his team to more accurately define a film's subject matter rather than paint them too broadly and it also adds to the book's enjoyment in a campy way. Over 130 films are included in the book. The entries include the film's release date, director, writer, and cast credits. A plot summary of each is followed by a short analysis of the film and some personal anecdotes. Each entry includes one or more screen-shots and often includes a picture of the original theatrical poster.
The author provides a nice overview of the horror genre, from Nosferatu (1929), to the monster films from Universal Studios, to Hammer horror, and all the way up to films released in 2010. The book is divided into categories based on historical classification, characteristics, or subject matter. Examples of categories include Vampires, Ghost Stories, Monsters, Asian Horror, Classics, Homicidal Slashers, and Zombie Invasion. Each category has a brief summary, and is then is typically followed by three to seven films in the subgenre. Some may quibble about the inclusion of a particular film in a category, but for the most part, Sumner seems on target. He also devotes a special section to Scream Queens Jamie Lee Curtis, Debbie Rochon, Dee Wallace, and Adrienne Barbeau.