I consider myself to be slightly socially anxious. I don't like people coming up behind me unannounced, hovering around me, getting close in my face, etc. I also dislike people standing off in the distance just staring at me; it makes me very nervous.
Maybe people in general freak me out. Yeah, I think that's it.
In turn, I have chosen several pics from films in which these "social problems" of mine would be cast to the forefront. They give me a chill up the back of my spine. And render me helpless to stop watching. Why? Because I like to be scared.
My very favorite example of this is the scene above from The Woman in Black. This moment is SO effective that not only does the hair stand up on the back of Mr. Kidd's neck, but it stands up of mine as well. It always, always, ALWAYS scares the shit out of me. If you don't believe me, see it for yourself.
Ahhh! The Tall Man!!
Phantasm was always scaring the crap out of us with this guy. The hovering over the bed was terrifying too, but again, the subtle fright of him behind our hero...
No, you wouldn't automatically think of Norman Bates or Psycho for this category, but every time I think of Norman standing high on the hill....watching....waiting....
And worse yet, Mother in the upstairs window. Damn!
Though blurry (blame the tv for that), Dark Night of the Scarecrow is always going to fall into the willy-inducing category for me.
Freddy Kreuger with his long freaky arms was eerie enough, but to have to witness him from afar, in the shadows like that? Most chilling moment of the film and it simply wigs me out. (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
Damn this little freak from The Orphanage. I mentioned him before because of the sack over his head, but him way down that hallway? Just standing there? I can see him in my head when I close my eyes.
The Strangers is a great film for this kind of terror. Many times throughout the movie one of the three villains is just simply standing there, looking foreboding as hell.
To me, the most paralyzing moment in the movie. (The Strangers)
I've been singing the praises of Lake Mungo for several months now. It's clearly one of the best mockumentaries to come along, and is a downright spooky film. If you're wondering why I included this particular pic, then you're not really seeing it.
Effing creepy crawlers! (The Descent)
In The Exorcist, when Karras has the flash of his mother coming up out of the subway and she's just standing there...and he gets the Pazuzu face flash... oh holy hell I can't even talk about it. Why you do this to me Dimi???
Yep, I've mentioned little Sam before as well - but he's great at setting tension and inducing scares. See how he just blends into the background? (Trick 'r Treat)
Dark Water is another one of those wacky Japanese horror films that are so famous for nightmarish young women on the rampage to settle a curse...and most of them have these ghostly visages in the background somewhere. This is no different.
Creepier yet is this still (Dark Water)... I guess I need to watch this one again.
Though a dour and fairly awful remake, The Eye has its obligatory shock value moments, this one included. Did I mention how I don't like people standing right behind me?
The Thai version of Shutter is miles scarier than the lame remake.
But the redux does have its moments... (Shutter)
More than one of them in fact. (Shutter)
I don't think I need to explain how ultimately shuddersome Samara truly is. She's no more effective than when she's just standing there, all that dark hair covering her face. (The Ring)
This time, The Grudge 2, American style.
While I am not a big fan of the Friday the 13th remake, I will say I thought this scene was entirely unnerving. Jason hasn't been scary to me since the original part 2, but he does have his moments.
One of my favorite films, and one of my favorite sinister moments in film. As Sears drives the snowy road alone, he thinks he sees something up ahead on the road... Sure enough, he does.
(Ghost Story)
I need to take another look at this film. The first time I saw it the lead character reminded me so much of Jim Carrey that I could barely sit through it, thinking he was going to bust out a silly grin. But Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon has at least one hair-raising moment...
I don't think I really need to say anything here, do I?? (The Shining)
If you haven't seen the 1961 gem, The Innocents, you need to - now!
Michael Myers constantly sneaks around and pops out where you least expect him. Behind the clothesline, outside the school, across the street, and this moment in Halloween that started my obsession with the white-masked wonder.
Yes, I know this person isn't facing the camera or standing directly behind someone, but this ending of The Blair Witch Project has long been one of my most fear-inducing favorites. If you've seen the film you'll know why. If you haven't, well then you must have been trapped under a very heavy rock.
