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The Rue Morgue Library #1
Rue Morgue Magazine's 200 Alternative Horror Films You Need To See
You've seen The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror, and The Blob. But how many of you are familiar with The Exorcist III, Amityville II: The Poession or The Blob Remake?
Or minor masterpieces such as Incubus, The Black Pit of Dr. M or Ichi The Killer? Fright film fans need look no further than this indispensable guide from from the experts at Rue Morgue, the worlds leading horror in culture and entertainment magazine.
Or minor masterpieces such as Incubus, The Black Pit of Dr. M or Ichi The Killer? Fright film fans need look no further than this indispensable guide from from the experts at Rue Morgue, the worlds leading horror in culture and entertainment magazine.
162 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 21, 2015
Does exactly what it says on the tin, which is exactly what you want with a book like this.
This film guide presents a selection of excellent 200 (actually 260, since there's a few bonus lists inside) off-the-beaten track horror movie recommendations. Each one has a mini-review that puts the movie in context and explains why it's a must-see. The reviews are written by Rue Morgue staff, who strike the perfect balance between serious film critic and enthusiast.
I've watched a ton of great movies from here over the last few months that I wouldn't have known about otherwise, and pretty much every review so far has been spot-on. A few of them were movies that didn't appeal to me personally (Calvaire - *shudder*), but that's no fault of the recommendations themselves.
This film guide presents a selection of excellent 200 (actually 260, since there's a few bonus lists inside) off-the-beaten track horror movie recommendations. Each one has a mini-review that puts the movie in context and explains why it's a must-see. The reviews are written by Rue Morgue staff, who strike the perfect balance between serious film critic and enthusiast.
I've watched a ton of great movies from here over the last few months that I wouldn't have known about otherwise, and pretty much every review so far has been spot-on. A few of them were movies that didn't appeal to me personally (Calvaire - *shudder*), but that's no fault of the recommendations themselves.
December 23, 2012
This book has been one of the best investments I have made in a while. Even if you're not a fan of the genre of horror there is still something for everyone. Yes, there is a section on best family orientated films.
This guide was very well written and with hold a place next to "Creature Features" by John Stanley on my shelf.
This guide was very well written and with hold a place next to "Creature Features" by John Stanley on my shelf.
October 17, 2015
Great companion to Fangoria's 101 Best Horror Movies You've Never Seen. It may be superior to the fangoria book since it has more pictures (in color), twice the reviews, and extras like lists and interviews. I do really wish it had an index but since the films are alphabetical it isn't a huge problem to find what you are looking for.
January 19, 2022
A great source if you are looking for interesting horror movies. The book’s stated purpose is to provide an alternative to the horror movies that always show up in the best lists (The Exorcist, the Shining, etc), and it does an excellent job. I especially love the recommendation of foreign films as international movies tend to be ignored for these sort of things. One complaint-some of the films listed are very difficult to locate.
January 26, 2021
Excellent resource for non-mainstream horror films.
February 12, 2022
It must read Fair horror fans if you like Horace cinema and enjoy in particular, the less known titles. This is a great place to start.
July 8, 2013
There are plenty of horror movie retrospective books, and “(insert number) movies you should see” books. In such a diluted field it takes something special or a different approach to rise above the chaff. So many of these list books cover the same movies that we’ve all seen. If I want to read about Friday the 13th I’ll read Crystal Lake Memories, not a paragraph or two. Rest assured this is not one of those books. First of all it’s not a random publisher looking to cash in. It’s a trusted name in horror that is putting the book out, Rue Morgue Magazine, which I’m a big fan of. Rue Morgue, Fangoria and Gorezone were all staple reading material for me.
The book is an alphabetical listing of the included films along with featured spotlight articles on specific films that go into greater detail. There are also a variety of top ten lists such as Foreign Zombie Films, Alternative Slasher Films, and So Awful They’re Amazing Horror Films. The proof of the pudding is in the titles chosen for this book. Thankfully there are lots I haven’t seen, so I have now added them to my watch list. This is a list book, and fitting 200 movies into 160 or so pages means there is not the space for huge depth or critique but the articles are well written and there is certainly enough detail to pique interest. There are major films in here, and a few obvious choices amongst them, although I suppose that is all relative to the experience of the reader. Most of the titles are not obscure indie productions, but just films that have been overlooked or not given the credit they deserved. So, in the spirit of the book here are the top five movies I want to see from the selection: Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, Hell’s Ground, The Entity, Baby Blood and Amer.
This is a concise, interesting reference book and a tool for finding some classic horror you might have missed. For some of the older or foreign titles, tracking down copies to watch might prove tricky and will take some digging.
7/10
The book is an alphabetical listing of the included films along with featured spotlight articles on specific films that go into greater detail. There are also a variety of top ten lists such as Foreign Zombie Films, Alternative Slasher Films, and So Awful They’re Amazing Horror Films. The proof of the pudding is in the titles chosen for this book. Thankfully there are lots I haven’t seen, so I have now added them to my watch list. This is a list book, and fitting 200 movies into 160 or so pages means there is not the space for huge depth or critique but the articles are well written and there is certainly enough detail to pique interest. There are major films in here, and a few obvious choices amongst them, although I suppose that is all relative to the experience of the reader. Most of the titles are not obscure indie productions, but just films that have been overlooked or not given the credit they deserved. So, in the spirit of the book here are the top five movies I want to see from the selection: Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, Hell’s Ground, The Entity, Baby Blood and Amer.
This is a concise, interesting reference book and a tool for finding some classic horror you might have missed. For some of the older or foreign titles, tracking down copies to watch might prove tricky and will take some digging.
7/10
January 15, 2013
A brilliant book. Loads of photos, most in color. Color reproductions of over 190 movie posters (a small handfull are reproductions of the DVD covers).Info provided includes year of release, country of origin, actors, and director, along with a terrific synopsis of each film. The book also includes interviews, suggested viewing lists like: 10 Made for TV Terrors You Need to See, and 10 Foreign Zombie Films You Need to See. In some synopses the info is provided on the original books the films are based upon, and the authors. All regarding great horror films you may have missed, and at a bargain list price of $9.95! That's right, nine dollars ninety five cents! You can't go wrong with this one.
December 31, 2013
A great collection of seldom seen horror films with short blurbs about each one. I would question the use of the word "alternative" as many of these films had mainstream releases, but that it about the only quibble I have. In addition to the 200 movie recommendations there are also interviews with famed horror auteurs in which they discuss a particular film (either one they made or one which influenced them). There are also several spotlight lists which focus on one aspect of the horror genre or another (vampires, zombies, family movies, etc.).
I marked the films which I wanted to see with Post-It Note arrows. Now my copy looks like some odd paper based porcupine.
A must read for the horror film fan.
I marked the films which I wanted to see with Post-It Note arrows. Now my copy looks like some odd paper based porcupine.
A must read for the horror film fan.
April 30, 2013
A great book for any horror movie fan looking for some hidden gems to add to their "must watch" list (we've all got one). There were a lot of titles that I had already seen, a number that I've been meaning to, and quite a few that I'd never heard of. A nice mix of mainstream and obscure, foreign and English-language. I certainly didn't agree with every single entry - some are too well known amongst horror fans to be considered "alternative" (like "The Blob" remake, or "Let the Right One In"). And a few of the movies I just didn't think were good enough to make the cut (Kevin Smith's "Red State" is an interesting failure, but a failure nonetheless). Still, a very fun read overall.
May 21, 2013
A good variety of movies and lots I'd never heard of. Good bathroom reading.
May 26, 2013
Entertaining collection of revues of "obscure" and under appreciated horror films throughout the ages. Found a few I hadn't heard of or seen. Definitely recommended.
July 16, 2013
A lot of little known horror movies I have seen, and a lot of horror movies I haven't heard of but will definitely hunt down.
November 8, 2016
Great reference guide. I'm trying to work my way through all 200 films.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews