25 Underrated Horror Films (And The Exorcist) [Paperback]

Take it from someone who has spent many hours in his early days on the internet perusing and haunting message boards, chat rooms, and movie websites: the definition of underrated and overrated is a hot topic and can cause hours of hot debating, analytical discussion, and very high tempers. Often times it results in insults and name calling and nothing is ever resolved. To a movie buff what’s underrated and overrated is often akin to discussing politics and religion. You just don’t broach the subject.

And if someone does, no one will admit they’re right or wrong, and no one is willing to bend to the other’s thoughts and arguments. No matter how valid their arguments may be about the movie in discussion. And in the end everyone decides they’d rather be apart than risk getting in to a slap fight. Insisting a film like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is overrated often translates to “I touch myself while looking at pictures of your daughter” to some fans. They just gaze in disgust and prepare to chase you with a shotgun.

With author Paul Cornelius’ “25 Underrated Horror Films,” he’s walking a fine line between amusement and controversy.

I for one don’t agree with every choice on his list of the twenty five underrated horror films in the book, but the upside is I didn’t close the book feeling angered or irritated at his choices. That’s mainly because as a book, it’s very unassuming and entertaining, while author Paul Cornelius offers a reasonable argument for his choices. He often displays a keen insight paired with a great sense of humor throughout every entry. “25 Underrated Horror Films” is a short and light bit of reading for the discerning movie geek, and it offers up some interesting essays on twenty five films author Paul Cornelius considers under appreciated or unfairly forgotten.

Throughout the book I spent most of it either nodding my head in agreement (I enjoy “Darkness Falls”), nodding my head in utter refute (“Rob Zombie’s Halloween”? Really?), and occasionally scratching my head in confusion (Is “Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein” really underrated? I always thought it was considered a classic). Every time I discovered I was either laughing or smiling in reaction to Mr. Cornelius’ rather sharp and witty writing.

But what’s most important is that author Paul Cornelius never actually makes the reader feel talked down to or patronized. He offers his own views and personal feelings on the film in question and then allows the reader to decide for themselves. Adhering to the typical movie geek mold, while I did enjoy Mr. Cornelius’ reasoning for “Rob Zombie’s Halloween” being included, no way will I ever relent in dismissing the film as anything but junk. However, Mr. Cornelius puts up a damn good argument for Zombieween. I will profess to that. He spends much of his arguments conveying why he feels a certain way for the film, and though the book is about underrated films, he doesn’t try to convince us they’re perfect. He does point out flaws and plot holes for many of the films in the book, which thankfully prevents the reader’s assumption that he’s some fan boy on a misinformed rant.

One thing I did notice within the confines of the book is potential seeds for a nice and entertaining sequel about the movie exploits of author Cornelius. Through the essays he peppers in stories about his exploration of certain movies, and it’s quite funny and unique to see him recall the journey of movie fandom with such emotion and insight. We learn that he knew his wife when they were children, and we get to learn a lot about his family. I’d surely like to learn more. Maybe there’s space for a sequel somewhere.

With the added list that’s compiled in to a short, and sweet book, there are some little nuggets of entertainment included, such as lists from Mr. Cornelius’ friends about their top five Underrated horror films, and a whole essay praising the mother of all horror films: “The Exorcist.” While Mr. Cornelius doesn’t describe it as underrated, he explores why he holds a love hate relationship with it that ended in love, and why it’s the ultimate horror that’s not underrated, nor overrated. It’s just right. You bet it is. What makes “25 Most Underrated Horror Films” so great, beyond the writing and praise of “The Exorcist” is that author Cornelius pays homage to “Plan 9 from Outer Space” dismissing its label as the worst film ever made. A film so funny and entertaining can’t possibly be the worst, and I’m, glad Mr. Cornelius stands up and defends it as a somewhat undiscovered comedy gem. No one is going to agree with all of the choices made in the book. That’s a given. But you have to admit, it’s a fun read.

 “25 Underrated Horror Films” is from Hallow Harvest Books and can be bought HERE!