REVIEWS

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TOP FIVE VIDEO GAMES

House of the Dead (ARC)

Although "House of the Dead" and its sequels can be found on Sega, PC and Xbox, the arcade version is the perfect marriage of interactive gun games and graphic undead villains. The game's only weapon is a gun, in 3-D environments, filled with creative zombie characters and devil dogs. "House of the Dead" is a must play at the local arcade.

Resident Evil 4 (GC)

Being hailed by Gamespot.com as, "probably the single greatest horror-themed action game ever created," this game has redefined the horror-themed genre. Within the first few minutes of playing, it is easy to tell that the beautiful graphics were well planned and that this is not an average "Resident Evil" game. The plot is more carefully laid out, as the main character is a government agent who finds zombies and humanoid creatures while on assignment in a European village. "Resident Evil 4" is difficult and by no means a monotonous zombie game.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS)

This installment is simply superior to previous Castlevania editions. Instead of playing a Belmont, the player is cast as Alucard, the son of Dracula. "Symphony of the Night" introduces more weapons and a level map, making the game more enjoyable. The score and graphics are incredible, given the forum and time period in which it was released. "Castlevania" is a very enjoyable, spooky series, but "Symphony of the Night" is a unique addition.

Silent Hill 3 (PS2)

This game has realistic graphics, making its horrific monsters even more unnerving. The hero of this game is Heather, a character who finds herself in an abandoned shopping mall trying to survive in a slowly unraveling plot. By the time Heather reaches the town of Silent Hill, fear has set in-making this game a heart-pounding adventure.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (PS)

An undead champion has returned from the spirit world to rid the world of dark creatures and their evil leader Kain. The world is in darkness so the graphics tend to stick to the same color palate of browns and grays. Still, there are plenty of details as the player impales zombie-like creatures and lights vampires on fire. "Soul Reaver" delivers dark action on every level. -Sara Brito sbrito@mscd.edu

TOP FIVE MOVIES

The Evil Dead Trilogy ("The Evil Dead" 1981, "The Evil Dead II" 1987, and "Army of Darkness" 1993, dir. Sam Raimi)

It's not often that the guy wielding the chainsaw is the hero in horror movies. The movies in this series evolve from a traditional horror movie, as in the original, to a wild, comedic experience, as in "Army of Darkness." Considered by many to be the king of cult horror movies, "The Evil Dead" series, starring a campy Bruce Campbell, is a cheesy, funny gore-fest.

Audition

(2000, dir. Takashi Miike)

This story about a man searching for love is one of the most gory and truly horrifying films to come out in the past 10 years. Part love story, part gruesome horror flick, Miike's "Audition" will surely leave the audience questioning what their significant other is really capable of.

Bubba Ho-tep

(2002, dir. Don Coscarelli)

This is a story about an ageing Elvis Presley, played by Bruce Campbell (see "Evil Dead Trilogy"), and a black JFK (Ossie Davis) teaming up to defend their nursing home from an ancient Egyptian mummy. Although the plot reads like a B-horror movie, it's the side story of Elvis that gives it heartwarming charm.

Idle Hands

(1999, dir. Rodman Flender)

Devon Sawa plays a teenage burnout whose hand becomes possessed by a murderous spirit. The film wholeheartedly embraces the fact that it's a teen-stoner comedy. It is filled with stupid-yet-clever jokes. It also stars Seth Green ("Austin Powers") and Jessica Alba ("Fantastic Four").

Shaun of the Dead

(2004, dir. Edgar Wright)

A masterful mixture of comedy and horror, "Shaun of the Dead" stands out at the top of its class in the latest rise of zombie flicks, which include "28 Days Later," and the remake of "Dawn of the Dead." -Joe Nguyen nguyejos@mscd.edu

TOP FIVE VAMPIRE BOOKS

I am Legend

by Richard Matheson

Instead of one vampire preying on countless hapless humans, "Legend" tells the story of the last man on earth, surrounded by legions of hungry undead. A stunning inversion on the classic vampire story.

Interview with a Vampire

by Anne Rice

The book that set a million goth hearts aflutter. Rice makes vampires sexy and svelte, but still keeps them just scary enough to keep it interesting.

Dracula

by Bram Stoker

It can be slow going, but it's a bona fide classic that spawned the whole bloodsucking genre.

Salem's Lot

by Stephen King

One of King's true masterpieces, this is probably the best modern vampire novel that sticks (more or less) to the classic mythos.

Vampire$

by John Steakly

When it's time to stop being afraid, and time to start kicking bloodsucker ass, pick this one up. It's a pulp-flavored tale of hard-bitten vampire hunters employed by the Vatican.-Cory Casciato casciato@mscd.edu