We made it folks! We're at the front gates of the mega-grand finale for the Top 10 Horror Movies of All-Time Countdown! Today is the eve of Halloween, but before we get to that big day tomorrow with the big reveal, we still have the #2 or the runner-up for top horror movie of all time, and it may come as a bit of a surprise ...#2 - Halloween
Whoa! Wait! What?!?! Arguably the most famous and iconic holiday scream picture of all time only got the #2 spot?! Believe it. But that's not to take anything away from this classic picture. Halloween, written and directed by John Carpenter, began scaring the mess outa people back in 1978, making it the slasher flick that every OTHER slasher flick wanted to be like. Michael Myers was the psychopath's name ... And family slaying was his game, beginning with his sister when he was just a child, only to be institutionalized, escape 15 years later, return home to Haddonfield, IL, and pick right back up where he left off ... Stalking his long lost sister, Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, and murdering all her teen chums that Halloween night ...
How does it make the top 10?
Duh. This one isn't up for debate. The pacing and timing of Halloween can only be described as poetic ... Methodical in how Michael returns and begins his mini rampage. From the start of the film, its like a gradually accelerating car, and upon nearing the finale, that car is barreling down the highway, your heart-rate is through the roof, and there is no chance of slowing down. And that legendary haunting musical theme?! What?!?! Awesome.
Halloween doesn't force itself. The "slower" periods are used expertly to establish the tone. It FEELS like actual Halloween night all the way through. They spend a lot of time with that, and it's important.
And as solid as Jamie Lee Curtis is, the standout and REAL hero, is Michael's 'fake-no-jacks' psychiatrist, Dr. Loomis, played by Donald Pleasance. He was Michael's doctor for 15 years, though, for a psychiatrist, Loomis constantly seemed to have trouble dealing with everyone, as nobody seemed to like or trust him throughout ... But that's ok. Loomis is the only one who truly understands that therapy is over for Michael, and the only form of medication left for his patient is a bullet to the head. Gotta LOVE a doctor like that. 
From the host of talent that created the movie, the legitimization of the 'slasher movie' genre, the genuine frightfulness and impeccable pace and strength of storytelling in a premise that could have just as easily been a total wash, Halloween is a classic. Forget the crappy psychoanalysis and wasteful backstory of all the bullshit Rob Zombie remakes ... And forget all the sequels (except Halloween 2, which was fairly decent) ... Halloween is a work of art and makes itself thee film to forever define an entire holiday season.
Don't forget - "You can't kill the boogeyman! ..."
Tomorrow ... #1 ... the Finale. Oh what could it be?!?! ...
Want a hint? .... heh heh heh ... Nope! Tune in a find out!!!
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