Give Me The Creeps: ‘Hanging Around’ From ‘Sinister’ (2012)

There’s nothing like an effective creepy beginning scene to a horror movie.  Especially a scene that makes you feel uneasy, like if you’re watching a snuff film that you shouldn’t be. Fun Fact:  I loved the 2012 movie Sinister.  The sequel that came out in 2015, not so much.  But the original kinda blew me away, and in the horror world it actually attempted to do something a little different.  That’s a rare feat nowadays, and one of the things that I loved about Sinister was the opening scene.  No set up.  No warning.

I still remember watching this scene in the theater.  I squirmed in my seat a little and may have squeezed the hand of the person next to me (who may have been a stranger). Luckily for Sinister, the rest of the movie followed suit with the creepiness (lawn mower scene, anyone?) and we even got a satisfying equally creepy ending too.  Too bad Sinister 2 sucked ass, but at least we have the original to fall back on if we ever need to see how it’s done right.  I’ll be attending Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood this weekend and they will have a partial maze built around the Sinister universe.  If they’re smart, they’ll somehow incorporate this ‘hanging family’ scene into it. Now – fuck you, Sinister for giving me the creeps!

Great Moments In Jump Scare History: ‘Lawn Work’ From ‘Sinister’ (2012)

Much like the brainless girl who takes her top off and then gets killed minutes later, the jump scare is a necessity in horror cinema.  Sure, it’s a cheap thrill – but that little jolt in my seat can win me over in the end, especially if I’m on the fence about a movie.  It can also make me ponder wearing a diaper, but that’s another embarrassing story.

So many horror movies and so many good jump scares over the years.  But as I was watching 2012’s Sinister last night again, I was reminded of one of the better ones in recent memory.  If you’ve seen Sinister, then you probably know what part I’m talking about.  The creepiest moments of this film are located within the home movies that Ethan Hawke’s character finds while living in his new house.  All of them will make you cringe, but only one has a jump scare worthy of being on the ‘Greatest Moments In Jump Scare History‘ list.  I now present to you:  ‘Lawn Work’