Best of 2014: Eric's Take

(Editor's note: Over the rest of this week and next we'll be rolling out our staff picks for the best in horror from 2014, leading up to the official BGH Best of 2014 list and the Year in Review podcast. Enjoy!)

The Best

1. The Sacrament - I've had a bit of a complicated relationship with Ti West throughout his career.  Despite my shit talking, I've always thought he was an incredibly talented filmmaker who just hadn't found his voice yet.  I'm not sure how he landed on "The Sacrament", but what I do know is that he hit it out of the park with this found footage gem.   The only movie that truly scared  me this year. The tension early on is palpable and the amusement park ride finale is one for the books.

2. Cheap Thrills - The Sacrament may have been my favorite movie of the year, but David Koechner gives my favorite performance in this diabolical little film about how far someone will go for money.  It's funny, dark as hell, and even features a newly bad-ass Ethan Embry.  What more could you want?  Make sure you don't miss this one.  

3. Under The Skin - The one movie that visually stuck with me this year.  Ask me to look back on 2014 in horror, and instantly the finale of this movie comes to mind.  It's fairly aimless, but still manages to be visually striking and downright bizarre.  Worth it for the sublime imagery alone.  

4. Godzilla - Was it flawless? No.  Bryan Cranston's early exit was almost unforgivable to me at the time, but looking back I have to give it up for the fight scenes.  Is there a name for that move where he spits fire down the other monster's throat?  I feel like it needs a name. Someone get on that. 

5. Snowpiercer - This sci-fi/horror mashup about a post apocalyptic society surviving on a train that never stops really captured my imagination this year. Great performances all around, including Captain America himself Chris Evans.  As I'm sure has been mentioned by my cohorts multiple times though, Tilda Swinton steals the show.  Lots of great sociological themes being played with here and an unforgettable atmosphere.  Throw in some of the weirdest imagery in any movie this year and you had me at hello.  

6. Honeymoon - A really gorgeous horror film that I feel was slightly overlooked this year.  Features a sweet romance between its two leads, fantatsic cinematography and one hell of a finale that will leave you squirming.  To boot, gives an interesting female bent to the horror that the genre sorely needs.  

7. As Above, So Below - Did this look like a cookie cutter studio joint from the trailer? Sure.  But it's actually an incredibly fun found footage film with a great story, spooky imagery and one of my favorite endings of the year, even if it was a little understated for some.  Don't overlook this one.  

8. The Babadook - I wanted to punch the kid in the face the entire time, but you can not deny the sheer artistry that went behind making Babadook.  I mean that from all aspects, from the incredible illustrations to the monster design to the sound.  This is one classy ass horror film, ladies and gentlemen, as well as a great antidote to the "Wani-verse" films of the last few years. That's why it's on this list. 

9. Oculus - Another great theatrical horror film that came out this year, who knew?  Mixes narrative and found footage elements masterfully, packs some great scares and a few of my favorite performances all year.  Just ignore the grown up male lead and his vacant stare.  

10. Tusk - You know I liked this movie because I bumped I, Frankenstein from the number 10 slot for it, and there's nothing I like more than trolling everyone with these lists.  What can I say, Kevin Smith made a movie that doesn't at all feel like he was involved, and that's the best thing about it.  Plus, you have to love the "made on a lark" nature of the film's inception and production.  You probably have to have a healthy tolerance for Justin Long to enjoy, which I do, but I guess if you don't you can always enjoy the sight of him in a Walrus suit for a good 45 minutes.  That's something, right?  

The Worst

1. V/H/S Viral - Oh how the mighty have fallen.  I was willing to ignore the "Bloody Disgusting Presents" intros at the beginning of the first two films and admit that they're actually pretty great. But this one? My dude's dropped the ball.  How about getting actual real filmmakers to make these shorts?  Nacho Vigilando gets a bad rap here since he turned in what was far and away the best story.  The rest? HIT EJECT.

2. Devil's Due -Hands down, far and away the movie that made me the angriest this year.  Will be studied for years to come in regards to how NOT to make a found footage movie.  Just bad, trashy, terrible garbage.  Flush it.  

3. Ouija -It's hard to be mad at Ouija.  It's not exactly made for 32 year old guys who host podcasts.  But still, it has to be shamed.  If we don't shame the bad movies, then what are we even doing here?   

Conclusion: 2014 was a fairly quiet, mediocre year for horror.  There are a handful of diamonds in the rough that should absolutely be checked out though.  And even if 2015 isn't any better, at least Star Wars will come out in December and make up for it.  Help me, J.J. Abrams, you're my only hope.