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HorrorBid's Top 10 'Horror Movie' Masks
Any top 10 list you create, no matter what the subject, is always met with a few different but similar reactions. "What the hell are you guys thinking?" And "That list sucks, why didn't "blank" make the cut you idiots?" The word blank is usually replaced with a billion things that we should have included but didn't. So knowing this is a no win situation going in, why create these lists in the first place you ask? The simple answer. Disagreeing with people is fun....
Follow up:
There are so many things to love about horror, but one of the best by far is the kick ass masks that our favorite villains don when they're ready to get down to some serious killing. Not that a human face can't be scary. Hannibal Lecter is the most obvious example of how that's not true.
Still, there's something terrifying in the cold, inhuman stare of the right face cover. Whether it's a modified William Shatner mask, or just one of the best pieces of sports equipment of all time, masks have a unique ability to brand a killer and send chills down our collective spines.
So let's all get down with these identity covers, and if you've got a winner that I missed then spit bullets and let us all know what you love!
So with that intro behind us now we get down to brass tacks. We are giving you a list of the top 10 horror masks in film history. So get those belts buckled because no matter how we do this we are almost 100% positive you are going to disagree with at least a few...no a lot of our picks.
Any mask that has a laser sight on it is very alright in my book. And let's be honest, the Predator looks a lot more badass wearing that sucker. Those beady eyes they've got are a little silly. Not that I'd tell one that in person. I also dig the fact that you've essentially got a monster wearing a mask, which is a nice literal twist on the metaphorical usual.
9. Halloween Masks (Skull, Pumpkin, Witch) HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH
Generally I find that this entry in the Halloween series is neither as bad as its detractors claim, nor as good as its 5 or 6 supporters would like to believe. It's a fairly disposable little horror tale that is lifted above its actual merits by the ridiculously awesome gore in it. Gore that is a direct result of some of the most thoroughly f*cked up masks ever to hit a toy store shelf. So say what you will about the movie, the masks are amazing.
8. The 3 Killer Masks, THE STRANGERS
In an age where I am literally desinsatized to most horror movies The Strangers jumped up and bit me. I wasn't expecting the tense moments to have the effect on me that they did. And to top it off even more they gave us those damn creepy masks. It's one thing to break into someones house for no reason and killing them but wear a ski mask or something. The little porcelain doll faces and the hood with the mouth drawn on, forget about it. Just creepy!
I hadn't even heard of this movie until HorrorBid member WickedBeard recently unveiled this costume (CLICK HERE FOR PICS) and it definitely deserves to be on the list. This movie is a roller coaster of murdering gruesomeness and Chrome Skull is one badass killer. Some critics tore this film to shreds but after getting a chance to watch it, it is one of those rare gems I won't soon forget. On top of that the mask that Chrome Skull wears may just be one of the most wicked looking masks out there.
6. Skin Mask, LEATEHRFACE FROM THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
More flat out revolting than frightening, take a moment to really think about running around, and thus sweating heavily, in a mask made out of various other people's skin. Ugh. The mask loses some of its power because there's so much focus on the chainsaw in the imagery of the tale, but still, not a bad entry in the genre cannon and it's Leatherface for Christ sakes!
5. Dr. Decker Button Mask, NIGHTBREED
Here are a few things I know about the Button Mask. It makes no sense for one. How do you see out of the damn thing. Two, it's got David Cronenberg in there, which makes the mask infinitely scarier. And finally, for a busted up thrift store piece of wardrobe it sure is an effective nightmare inducing cover up. It must tap into some Jungian archetype or something, 'cause as soon as that sucker goes on, my balls shrivel right up.
4. Leslie Vernon Mask, BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON
One of the coolest of the "new breed" masks, a lot of what makes Vernon's cover work is the fact that he's such a charming and charismatic guy throughout most of the movie, that when the mask goes down and he gets to work it's deadly serious and surprisingly scary.
Let's be honest, you guys aren't going to be surprised at what the number 1 and 2 masks are on this list. They're just too obvious and there's no point in being stupid about trying to mix things up. Since those two hit, though, Wes Craven has given us the only new iconic mask since. You still see Ghostface all over the place as soon as Halloween comes knocking, and it immediately takes you back to watching those movies. The how's of picking a genius horror mask are nebulous, but the effect is immediate.
2. 1975 Don Post William Shanter Mask, MICHAEL MYERS FROM HALLOWEEN
For those who are about to disagree with me here, I'll give you the knowledge that HorrorBid is on you side in the feeling that Myers should have probably been numero uno. And it is a great freaking mask. Who would have thought without Bill Shatner the world of horror may be a different landscape and the slasher genre may have never existed. Not only is this a perfect example of a cold, emotionless head piece, but you also have to give up the fact that when Myers suddenly sits up behind Laurie, the mask just popping in the background, you've got yourself one of the best scenes in genre history.
1. Hockey Mask, FRIDAY THE 13TH
I'll go on record and say that I think Halloween is a slightly better series than F13, and the hockey mask is hindered by the fact it doesn't even appear until the third movie in the series. Nevertheless, for pure badass badassery I can't think of any sight that would make by blood drop straight out of my body faster than walking through the woods and seeing that mask. A happy accident that the crew were hockey fans led to a perfect summation of the brutal, unstoppable killing machine that is Jason Voorhees.
On top of all that the hockey is as much known for horror as it is hockey, a feat that if you think about it, is truly remarkable and the simple reason it edged out Myers for the #1 spot. To 99% of the public no matter what mask you're wearing, whether it be a Michael Myers mask or Michael Jackson mask most people will say "hey look it's Jason!". Try it this Halloween and you'll understand what we mean.
And that wraps up our top 10 list....now let the outrage begin! :-)
29 comments
1. Jason Hockey Mask- Friday the 13th
2. Michael Myers- halloween
3. Leatherface- texas chainsaw
4. Saw Pig- Saw
5. Scream Ghost- Scream
6. Hanniball Lechter mouth guard- Silence of the Lambs
7. Miner Mask- My Bloody Valentine
8. Halloween Masks (Skull, Pumpkin, Witch) HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH
9. Hunting Mask- PREDATOR
10. Half Face Mask- Phantom of the Opera
1. Myers..Halloween
2. jason.......F13
3. Leatherface......TCM
4. ghostface......SCREAM
5. HALLOWEEN 3 masks
6. miner mask .......MBV
7.conductor mask...TERROR TRAIN
8. Pig face....SAW
9. Scarecrow...Night of the Scarecrow
10. killer's mask in STAGEFRIGHT
Boy, this list really does suck. Who made it? Here are several that should be on the list, take your pick.
Prom Night 1980. (a simple easy 2 eye hole black ski mask with glitter on it…for all you collectors out there, find one. You can’t.)
Terror Train 1980 (take your pick on any of the masks the killer wore.)
My Bloody Valentine 1981 (a MSA mask)
The Funhouse 1981 (Savage Eye Frankenstein mask customized.)
Also, Halloween should absolutely be number 1. People were freaked out and terrified by the mask Michael Myers wore in 1978. I’m sure the people who made this top ten list were still “twinkles” in their parents eye’s in 1978 but read any reviews from 1978/79/80.
For the most part you got me. I haven't seen Laid to Rest yet but the mask looks killer. I would have probably included the MBV mask but it doesnt make or break it for me.
And I agree with you over the guy above me. Even though the Myers mask from Halloween is a big deal, its only that way amongst die hard horror fans. In the general public the hockey mask is way more famous. Good pick!
Bringer of Death…No, I read the article. My yapper will speak my own mind, I’m not a sheep. Maybe you did not read the topic…Why make a so disagreeing topic a main staple to their website? Because the people who decided to post this topic, wanted to instigate a fight; like we’re doing right now. Also, what would you’re top 10 be then?
Dan…Maybe you didn’t see Halloween back in 1978? The general public thought this mask was genuinely scary. Being popular is one thing, being down right scary is another. And we’re talking about Halloween 1978 only.
But all of this doesn’t mean crap when your wearing a Jason mask and someone calls you 'Chucky' on Halloween night! There goes your famous popularity right there.
Seriously, do us all and yourself a favor and never get on Horrorbid or the internet again for that matter.
It was WAY better than "Behind the Mask." I absolutely HATED that movie.
I do not mind that Jason's mask is #1 since, well, it has become the symbol of the slasher genre. When "normal" people think of a generic slasher villain, they think of a crazed psychopath wearing a hockey mask. No other mask can compare in that aspect. Why do you think I went as Jason last Halloween? He is quickly and easily recognizable (for very little money). That and the fact that there was no way in Hell that I was going to finish my Sam costume in time. (Next year, next year).
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