You’ve heard the podcast, now you can see our picks for the top 10 horror films of 2009 with your seeing-ball-things.  As we’ve discussed before, this was a solid year for horror cinema - a year in which the curse of the PG-13 horror film was dispelled by Drag Me to Hell and Carriers, and the French continued to rock our shores with their vision of extreme horror.  Independent film had a great year, and even an ultra-low-budget film like Paranormal Activity made big-budget flops like Jennifer’s Body cower in fear.  Without further ado - our picks.

#10

Bo: Zombieland - The zom-com is in real danger of becoming a cliche, but the fun and unapologetic gore of Zombieland made this one worthy of entry into this list.  And Woody Harrelson as Tallahassee.... Priceless.

Maven: Antichrist - Coming in at number ten is Lars von Trier's controversial film starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg.  There has been much buzz about von Trier since the release of this film and the fact that, to many, it seems like he's slamming women.  Well apart from thinking that this disturbing motion picture is beautifully put together, I also disagree with that interpretation.  Of course you will see what you will see but I see an original story, brilliant acting and powerful images.  No misogyny though.

#9

Bo: The Burrowers - J.T. Petty’s exercise in genre-blending is a thrilling and surprisingly thoughtful meditation on Western expansionism.  Using both blood and brains, Petty crafts one of the creepiest movies of the year building towards what may be my favorite final shot in a film on this list.

Maven: Deadgirl- While this film is not among those with a large budget, I do feel it has a giant heart.  Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel managed to put together an extremely sensitive and tastefully done film that is more about raging teen hormones than the rage of zombies as the title might suggest.  Some were horrified by the actions within but I would like to see people look beyond the obvious and delve deeper into theme.  This is a smart movie that deserves recognition for going outside of the box.

#8

Bo: My Bloody Valentine 3-D - Before 3-D became passe, a remake of the 1981 slasher film marched into theaters with great visual gags, a suitably convoluted plot, and an assload of fun.  Throw in a little Tom Atkins and you have the makings for a minor classic.  

Maven: Pontypool - Wow.  Just wow.  Pontypool is most assuredly original.  I dare anyone to say it has been done before.  And even though the story wanes a bit toward the end as I feel maybe Bruce McDonald may have struggled to tie it together, Stephen McHattie's extraordinary performance sold me on this film all by itself.  It even managed to give me the creeps and that means a lot in this day of watered down horror where I'm only likely to get a chill if I leave the window open. 

#7

Bo: Pontypool  - More love for Stephen McHattie from me, as well as the original take on the zombie film.  Equal parts acting and concept lift this film from the glut of usual genre fare to become something altogether unique to the genre.  Though Maven’s assessment of the conclusion is sadly correct, there’s enough to recommend this film in the first two acts to make this list over again.

Maven: Paranormal Activity - Everyone knows about this movie.  Everyone has seen it, almost.  Made for a mere $11,000.00, it has brought in over $100,000,000.00 already and the DVD hasn't even come out.  Did you read that correctly?  I said ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.  Of course the amount of money a film makes tells you nothing about whether or not it's good (*cough* Friday the 13th *cough*) but I will submit that if you can be effective enough to drag mainstream audiences to the theater to the tune of that much, you must be doing something right.  And I really feel PA is effective in its simplicity.  Straightforward creeps for little cost.  That's my kind of film making.

#6

Bo: Carriers - Woefully mishandled upon release, this was one of only two films on this list to give me the honest-to-god creeps.  Ditching the usual plague-as-catalyst-for-zombies trope, this movie actually makes the idea of a disease-ridden America terribly frightening.  So many scenes to mull over after the film ends, and a conclusion that is absolutely harrowing.  The movie begs you to ask yourself what you would do.  You may not like the answers.

Maven: The Children - For all of you who claim to have seen everything when it comes to evil kid movies, I beg you to give The Children a watch.  Yes, it's another film about children whooping up on the grownups but this one takes it farther than we are used to going and they hold nothing back.  There is bone crunching brutality, blood covered snow and one helluva bleak ending.  And that makes me smile. 

#5

Bo: Drag Me to Hell - You know it’s been a good year when the return to horror by one of the maestros barely cracks the top five.  Raimi takes the old fable of the gypsy curse and puts his gooey, funny, thrilling spin on it.  Sure, you can see the end coming, but it’s the journey here, not the destination.  Extra points for the scene where the cat returns.

Maven: The House of the Devil - Okay so I didn't fall as in love with this film as Bo did, but I do love it.  Ti West's tale doesn't necessarily bring anything new to the game but that is the beauty of it all.  It hearkens back to the days when we, as young horrorlings, would huddle close the TV at night, casting glances behind us while we watched the latest creepfests within the safe confines of our blankets wrapped around.  From the opening title sequence allll the way to the end credits, this flick delivers it old style.  It's just like going home...if you live in The House of the Devil. 

#4

Bo: Not Quite Hollywood - Despite the fact that this isn’t cover-to-cover a film about horror films, it rests on this list for the time spent on that genre (the majority of the film, really), and because it is simply the best documentary about movies I may have ever seen.  Exuberant, energetic and very, very funny, this one will make you want to seek out those Australian gems that may have passed you by.  Razorback, anyone?

Maven: Drag Me to Hell  - What can I say?  Raimi comes back to horror with a big freakin' bang and we get to see it in all its puke-covered glory.  I don't have to tell you how many times I saw this in theater, do I?  I think I've said it enough.  But the where the hell were the rest of you?  Fans really let me down this time.  I was very sad.   But then, whatever.  At least it's out there.  That gives me comfort. 

#3

Bo: Martyrs - After a visual assault by the French with Inside and Ils, Pascal Laugier unleashes the most brutal assault yet.  A viscerally and philosophically difficult film that makes no compromises, this was the one film that cemented for me that the French are making the most daringly original horror films on the planet.

Maven: Grace - *Laughs* if you are anywhere near my facebook page then you know how attached I am to this movie.  I would love to buy it a present.  Paul Solet laid out a gorgeous film with such care and such devotion that it brings a tear to my eye.  No really.  Beauty does that to me.  And this is truly beautiful from Jordan Ladd to the set design to the film-worthy documentaries of Adam Barnick. I was not expecting to be so touched by such a simple idea.  So it may not be as horrifying as some had hoped but it was enough to induce fainting from at least four people so deal with it!!!  Come on back, Paul, very soon and give us another.

#2

Bo: The House of the Devil - I have to thank Ti West for making a movie that was absolute nostalgic perfection, without sacrificing genuine scares for fond memories.  As I mentioned on the podcast, this film seems made for me, and I love it dearly.  The building tension, the music, the performances - if it weren’t for the impact of our number one pick, there would have been no contest for me.  

Maven: Martyrs - If violence and brutality are more your style, then the French deliver it like never before with Martyrs.  Plugged squarely into the "movies with a brain" category, this flick forces you to contemplate some very deep issues.  If it doesn't then you must not be paying attention.  And there's nothing gratuitous here, either.  Pascal Laugier didn't do anything he didn't need to.  I've seen some compare Martyrs to a typical torture porn.  That makes me angry.  There is so much more going on here and to cast it into the lot with movies that only do things for shock value...it's unbelievable.  Yes, it's shocking but not without cause.

#1

Trick ‘r Treat

Bo: This movie made me fall in love with Halloween all over again.  And I have a Sam doll.  Where’s the next issue, already?  ‘Nuff said.  

Maven: I honestly don't know why it would even be necessary to describe why this film landed at number one.  I can think of no other place it would belong.  Michael Dougherty's lovesong to a horror fan's favorite holiday speaks very loudly for itself.  There is not one bad performance, not one plot hole, and not one thing wrong with it from the script to the the look to the adorable Sam.  Not one thing.  This has been my favorite movie to pass around this year simply because it renewed my love for Halloween like no other film ever has.  It still makes me giddy to this day and it is an automatic classic.  Thank you, Mr. Dougherty for bringing it all back.  You know exactly what it's all about.  Oh, and I'm still TICKED you got the shaft.  If any film deserved a theatrical release this year, it's this one.