Bringing on the Fear: Part 3 -- Mirrors and Windows

It's been a little bit of a wait for the third part of my series on what actually scares me (the holidays will do that to you), but I'm back with one of my freakier fears which I'm sure a lot of people probably share.
Mirrors and windows.

In real life, I'm actually quite wigged out at a dark window or mirror.  Maybe I've seen Candyman too many times, maybe I just hate to see my reflection in a dark window, probably both.  I have a window at the end of the hallway at the top of my steps to my house's second floor, and every time I come up the stairs and see myself - or the shadow of myself - in that window it freaks me out.  As for mirrors, they are so popular in horror films - perhaps an over-used gimmick considering there are more than 20 films with the title The Mirror listed on IMDB - but damn if it doesn't give me chills.  People seeing something other than their own reflection back at them, or in a vampire's case - don't see...well, you be the judge.

THE SHINING

                     There are a whole lot of scary scenes in Kubrick's version of King's haunted
                   hotel. But this scene, when Jack enters the dreaded Room 237,  what he finds
                                       looking back at him in the mirror is simply terrifying.
                                                      So much for a quick roll in the hay.

TALES FROM THE CRYPT:  ...AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE

So maybe if Joan Collins hadn't killed her hubby on Christmas Eve, she
wouldn't have had such an issue with calling the police when there was
a homicidal maniac on the loose.  So much for hiding the body.

TWILIGHT ZONE:  THE MOVIE

"There's something on the wing of this plane!!!"
 John Lithgow made movie history in his portrayal of a man on
the edge, but how about this guy? At least he was a little
bit more frightening than the original man-beast from TV.

SALEM'S LOT

Anyone not creeped out by this scene can't be my friend anymore.
Seriously.  I love vampires  - and I've seen more than my share
in film waiting outside the windows of their victims.
But none have terrified me more memorably.

PHANTASM

 Most of Phantasm is kooky and bizarre, but there's no denying that

                                  the Tall Man is downright evil. That dude lurks...everywhere!

FRIDAY THE 13TH

So what does Marcy see in the mirror?  A reflection of a young woman
about to take a hatchet to the head, that's what.

CANDYMAN

The ultimate "Don't Look in the Mirror" film. 
I've been paralyzed with fear by this film since the very first time I saw it. 
I used to think I could do it...that I could say Candyman five times while
looking in the mirror.  I've since decided not to lie anymore

 

THE RING

The first time I saw The Ring the worst part for me was Samara

climbing out of the well.  Then, after closer inspection, THIS was the
scene that got me most.  The damn mirror!  Seeing her reflection in it.
Still makes me shiver.

REAR WINDOW

This is my second favorite Hitchcock film (and everyone knows what my favorite
one is so there's no need for me to say it).  It's also the reason I don't look
out my own window and into the neighbors house anymore.
Curiosity killed the cat.  And others as well.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE:  NIGHTMARE AT 20,000 FEET

Even though the "monster"on the wing of the plane pales in comparison to
the 80's remake, this episode of the greatest anthology series ever still packs
a frightful punch, if for nothing else but Shatner's constipated expression.

SUSPIRIA

Come on now, did you really expect me to make it through an entire post
without a mention of Argento somewhere?  Thought not.
To me this scene was one of the most unnerving of the film, simply because
as mentioned, I hate being able to see my reflection in a dark window.
You knew DAMN well something was about to happen...

ANGEL HEART

But he knows who he is, right???
How I loved Mickey Rourke in the 80's! And Angel Heart is one of my faves
because of all that creepy voodoo that he do. This shot makes you question
(as it does Harry, as well) just who he is and what is going on.
Yeah, a mirror always tells the truth.  Unfortunately.

POLTERGEIST

Can I just say holy shit right here?
The first time I saw Poltergeist I was doing fine... thinking Oh yeah,
I can handle this, a few chairs being moved, some weird noises,
disappearing little girls... then!  This scene DID. ME. IN.

THE MACHINIST

This pic is by far the most disturbing one you will see here.
In fact, this is probably the most disturbing film listed here and I'd be
willing to bet most people haven't seen it.  Needless to say, Christian Bale
as seen here in this mirror:  Lasting creepiness that will stick with you.

MIRRORS

While Mirrors isn't exactly crucial horror viewing, some of the visuals
are entirely heinous and macabre.  Right about here in the film is one of the
most traumatic and distressing scenes ever shown in a mirror, so it
had to be included here.  Hot damn, it's gruesome.

.

BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA

Ahh, the vampire. Forever banished from mirrors and unable to cast a
reflection within one.  Which makes this scene in 1992's Dracula so
unnerving.  And let's face it, Gary Oldman was a creepy old crud.

HALLOWEEN:  RESURRECTION

Michael Myers was forever lurking around outside windows, and
so it's pretty hard not to mention him here.  Laurie was constantly
witnessing Michael when she looked out the windows.  At the
clothesline, by the car, in the yard at the neighbors, Michael is a sneaky
nut. But he never fails to get his desired reaction.  Fear.

WHAT LIES BENEATH

There was a lot of steamy bathroom action in this film, but not the
kind you might think.  I'm always wigged out by steamed bathroom
mirrors, even in my own home.  Maybe I've seen too many movies,
but I always fear the thought of someone looking back at me when I
wipe away the excess steam...

THE GRUDGE

I think I may have mentioned at some point how much The Grudge freaks
me out.   Seeing the little boy in the window of the elevator window is only
one of the scenes that gets to me.  Another would certainly be when Sarah
Michelle is on the bus in broad daylight and sees Kayako in the bus window...

CARNIVAL OF SOULS

Carnival might be old, but it packs a punch as far as terrifying visuals go.
The ghoul that follows Mary around throughout the course of the film
turns up everywhere, including outside her car window- menacing her
with his disquieting grin and empty eyes. 

SECRET WINDOW

I couldn't not mention one of my favorite Johnny Depp films here.
Secret Window showcases him in all his bizarre quirkiness as if the
part was written for him.  Especially when he attacks himself in the
mirror, only to discover the truth does indeed, lie within the mirror.