Another year, another Halloween, another edition of Horror Movie Rental Picks. Whether you’re recovering from a long night of trick-or-treating on Friday, or an evening of partying at Bauhaus on Saturday, pick up these movies for a decidedly disturbing experience. Sure, you could go with the old tried-and-true recommendations, the “Exorcists,” the “Shinings,” etc., but for a truly twisted, terrifying movie, these can’t be matched. Enjoy ‘em, and don’t eat all your candy at once.

House of 1000 Corpses (2002)
Directed by: Rob Zombie
Starring: Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon, Chris Hardwick

When shock-rocker Rob Zombie gets his hands on a camera, you know you’re in for an interesting, albeit grotesque, experience. Nothing could be truer about “House of 1000 Corpses,” which manages to combine all of the obsessions found in Zombie’s grating music: rock ‘n’ roll, sex, horror, and poor white trash. The plot is paper-thin: four teenagers visit Captain Spaulding’s (Haig) museum of oddities, where they learn the local legend of Dr. Satan. Intrigued, they take the Cap’n's directions, but their car breaks down along the way. (big surprise there!) While it’s being repaired, they are entertained by a freakish family of crazies who want to have them for dinner in more ways than one (note the similarities to “Texas Chainsaw”). As the hapless victims gradually fall prey to their hosts’ twisted desires-the brother is into taxidermy, the sister, bondage and dress-up-they also come closer and closer to discovering the truth behind Dr. Satan. “House of 1000 Corpses” is not so much a true horror movie as it is one giant tribute to its predecessors, with Zombie supplying few original ideas. Instead, he tries to cram in as much horrifying imagery and as many bizarre characters as possible. His directing is quick and jerky, with old horror and snuff film footage dispersed throughout. The result might not be the scariest movie, but it’s certainly one of the most self-consciously nasty films ever. Try not to vomit up your popcorn.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Starring: Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Gunnar Hansen

With the ill-advised remake now out in theaters, why not turn to the excellent original? Tobe Hooper’s masterpiece of low-budget, visceral horror has spawned hundreds of imitators and tributes, from numerous sequels to more recent flicks like “Cabin Fever” and “House of 1000 Corpses” (see before). The elements of the plot are highly inconsequential: What matters is that five unsuspecting, horny teenagers end up in backwoods Texas with a hulking, homicidal, human-skin-mask-garbed maniac named Leatherface (Hansen). Once we get through the requisite slaughter, however, we’re also introduced to Leathy’s bizarre extended family, which includes a raving redneck and a dead (?), mummified-looking grandpa. It’s this aspect of the film that continues to captivate people-the idea that there are weird, inbred clans living in deserted farmhouses who prey on wayward travelers (see “Deliverance,” “I Spit On Your Grave,” “Poor White Trash 2,” etc.) “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is a true trendsetter and one of the undisputed classics of modern-day horror.

28 Days Later (2002)
Directed by: Danny Boyle
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris

One of the most recent forays into the “zombie survival” genre, “28 Days Later” explores the possibility of an entire country infected by a super-contagious disease. The denizens of Britain are plunged into such a nightmare when an animal rights group sets free a troop of “Rage”-carrying apes who turn everyone they come in contact with into crazed, cannibalistic zombies. Jim (Murphy), a bicycle courier, awakens from a 28-day coma to discover that he’s one of the last remaining survivors of this Anglo-epidemic. Teaming up with the tough, cynical Selena (Harris), Jim attempts to escape the ravenous hordes and find uninfected solace. They eventually make their way to Manchester, where a small brigade of soldiers is making plans for the future (including a nefarious procreation scheme). Director Boyle (“Trainspotting”) gives his horror film a fast-paced, slightly grimy feel thanks to quick cuts and digital filming. The DVD release contains three different endings, ranging from hopeful to downright bleak. Check out this well-crafted hipster version of Romero’s “Living Dead” series.

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