Scream (1996)
So if you read my review of this film on my other blog, you'll know that this was the film that not only made me fall in love with horror movies, but also made me fall in love with film in general. To summarize, I was never a horror fan before I saw this movie, but once I saw it I yearned to be in on the joke- to understand the films referenced in this smart slasher. So I sought out books (before google was commonplace) about horror and film and became obsessed. So I don't know that I can be totally unbiased in my review of this film, as it does hold a special place in my heart.
This film follows Sidney Prescott, a girl whose mother was tragically murdered. When another string of murders begins, the teens of the town use the school closure as a chance to party. As the party goes on, they begin to be picked off one by one and Sidney must fight for survival, learning that the slayings may have something to do with her mother's death.
So, this film simultaneously tells its own gripping story, while also spoofing the genre that Craven was instrumental in creating. It affectionately mocks genre tropes, as the characters are aware of the "rules" of their universe and must use their knowledge to survive. This film is funny as well as scary, it has a great balance of gore and tension. The characters are smart, which makes you invested in their survival. Plus, there's a great killer reveal. As I said before, I may be biased, but it hard for me to find things I don't like about the movie.
Scream is great for horror fans and the general public alike. Unlike films like, The Cabin in the Woods (which is one of my favorite movies), Scream can be enjoyed by people who are not familiar with slasher tropes because it holds its own as a slasher. But, if you are knowledgable about the genre it makes the movie doubly enjoyable because of the references. I recommend everyone check out Scream, as it is truly a horror classic.
Netflix available: No
Hulu available: No
Xfinity available: Yes
Amazon available: Yes
Rating: 5/5