Are you planning a Halloween party for your friends? Do you have a home cinema and a decent horror movie collection on DVD? If so, here are two different sets of movie suggestions that will give your party the right atmosphere, plus giving your speakers and subwoofer a workout too!

My first selection is for the more sophisticated crowd, which perhaps includes those who aren’t fans of the more hardcore horror offerings that could feature on your collection! So here is party number one, which I call ‘It Could Happen To You…’.

1: American Psycho

Obviously reading the book does not make for an exciting evening, so Mary Harron’s pitch-perfect movie is the next best thing. Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is wealthy and successful on the outside, but inside he struggles to control his violent outbursts…or does he? The unrated DVD is obviously the way to go and although it is not an effects movie, the soundtrack is great and the stark whites and reds of the colour scheme will show off your screen.

2: Seven

An excellent companion piece to American Psycho, David Fincher’s nightmarish movie is on a par with his best work, Fight Club (which, incidentally, would also fit well with these to movies). Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are the cops on the trail of a sick killer obsessed with the seven deadly sins in the more-thriller-than-horror movie. It belongs here due to its powerful ending, depressing tone and truly terrifying killer. The DTS track on the Region 2 disc is excellent, filled with surround effects and some serious bass on the soundtrack.

3: Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Completing a trilogy of terror featuring real-world scares is the true classic from Tobe Hooper. Happy-go-lucky teens experience the deepest depths of human depravity following a trip to an old family home in rural Texas in what will be the scariest and most insane entry in your party line-up! Lulled into a false sense of security by your ‘safe’ first movies, your guests won’t know what hit them with this one! Dark Sky Films recent Ultimate edition has the best print and a nice 5.1 remix and is by far the best option for this movie.

Now if those three didn’t make any of your friends wonder what waits for them when they leave your house, I don’t know what will! If your guests are more experienced horror viewers and want a little bit of everything for their special October night, then what you need is my second horror party line-up, named ‘The One That Goes All The Way…’.

1: Braindead

Also known as Dead/Alive in the USA (but don’t bother with that version as it’s cut) this comedy/gore-fest from Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson should start your evening off in the right way! The plot is throw-away (something about a monkey’s bite causing the living to turn into zombie-like maniacs), but the movie is non-stop fun all the way through. The UK DVD is unfortunately a little ordinary, but no one will care!

2: Haute Tension

Superior to most of the last few years’ horror offerings, this French example lives up to its name by being a fraught and tough 90 minutes, even when you disregard the ridiculous ending. Two girlfriends plan some studying at a family farmhouse, but their weekend is ruined by the arrival of a vile killer. Great gore effects and providing you use the French 5.1 soundtrack from the UK DVD release (under the name of Switchblade Romance) a rocking soundtrack too, this should get everyone prepared for the grand finale…

3: Cannibal Holocaust

Well, someone had to mention it. Anyone looking to horrify/offend their visitors should whip this one out without mentioning the title and just lock the doors when play is pressed because if any film is going to promote walkouts, it’s this one. The Grindhouse Releasing 2 disc is the only one to play in company (thanks to the animal-cruelty free option) and make no mistake, this is one harrowing movie. Frightening in a shower-afterwards kind of way, not only will everyone be talking about this one after they leave, they will be humming the fabulous soundtrack too.

So, there we have it, six movies split into two groups depending on your guests taste and your bravery! For extra fun, slip any of the second group into the first* to see jaws hit the floor, but above all, make sure there are plenty of snacks, keep the lights low, shut the cat out and make sure you have a great Halloween!

*Caution, may cause friends never to call back.