Guest Author - Florence Cardinal

There's paranormal horror, slasher and psycho movies, but one type of horror can include any and all other kinds. They're what I like to call atmosphere movies, movies that keep you on the edge of your seat. Something's going to happen, something's coming closer, but you don't know what or when. It's in the bushes, it's above your head. It's something hidden in the shadows at the top of the stairs.

The atmosphere of impending doom can invade any of the subgenres of horror, but today I want to talk about two of my favorites, and what I consider masters of the art of making you look over your shoulder. You may not agree. Everybody has there own thing that sends the creepy crawlies up his or her back. For me, these are the ones.

The first is The Mothman Prophecies. In that show, every time a phone rang, or Richard Gere walked through a door, I held my breath, expecting something to leap out at him. To add to the appeal of the movie, the special effects of the final scene when the bridge goes down is tremendous. I bought the movie, and I've watched it several times, and each time it's the same thing. It keeps me on pins and needles even though I know what's going to happen.

I know I'll get a lot of argument over my second choice. This was one of those movies you either hated, or loved. I loved it. A dark forest, weird symbols, disappearing kids The Blair Witch Project had them all. For me, there's nothing creepier than a dark grove of trees where anything may lurk. You didn't think much of it? Your choice and you're not alone. But I liked it and I'll watch it again.

It's all in the atmosphere - the feeling that something's lurking in the shadows, hovering above your head or - Look Out! Right behind you. Sometimes it's just not knowing. It might be the darkness or the shadows. Creaking doors, the moaning of the wind. Even music. If you took away the music from some of these horror shows, they'd lose a lot of their power. Jaws, for instance, with the incessant DUM dum DUM dum DUM dum, whenever the shark approached.

For me, it's never seeing the actual monster, or watching the murder committed. No. It's the suspense. The uncertainty. It's all about atmosphere.