In the Mouths of Critics Under the Stairs

There was a time when horror movies were reviewed more often with more than a snicker, a derisive grin, and a wink, and mainstream critics turned their attention to them as much as any other movie.

Before re-imaginings, remakes, and endless sequels--carried on well past their box-office prime--made the horror genre a running sitcom of pop-commercial excess, At the Movies' Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert, and Richard Roeper went head to head, thumbs poised at the ready, with critiques of films by John Carpenter, Wes Craven, George A. Romero and others. They shed more light than blood in their reviews, and not being jaded horror-junkies, their observations and personal impressions, given in 2 to 3 minutes, are entertaining and informative. My favorite reviews are those conducted by Siskel and Ebert.

David Cronenberg

George A. Romero

John Carpenter

Wes Craven