Nightmare on Elm St.

The classic horror film. For anyone who might have been born yesterday, NoES was directed by Wes Craven and began a series which STILL hasn't stopped capturing the imagination (or wringing fountains of blood out of it). As I'm writing this I'm also waiting anxiously for the newest incarnation of not just Freddy but also Jason. Both of whom have stared in nearly a dozen movies each. It's hard to beat that kind of star power.

Anywho, NoES very quickly draws you in and doesn't let you out again. It's such a good movie that I won't spoil it. Except to say that I don't scare very easily. . .that being established, there's a scene in which the NoDoz queen is relaxing in the tub. The camera switches to a very low shot between her legs (you can't see through the water though) so she's looking very innocent and vulnerable, a sure guarantee that something is about to happen. After a couple seconds Freddy's hand (yeah, that hand) comes up through the water and curls over like he's about to rip her belly open. If it doesn't freak you out you're probably already dead.

NoES is a true classic, not just of horror, but of good story telling. Terror, sexuality, and power are seamlessly welded together. Augmenting each other rather than distracting. If it ever gets put on the big screen again I'll definitely be in line. If you haven't seen it yet you should.