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Great horror films are profoundly unsettling. They linger in the subconscious like a nightmare or bad childhood memory. They chill you to the bone and make you look over your shoulder on the way home from the theater. For the most part, the films I have chosen for my list have passed the test of time. They have improved with age, like fine wine.

I have included few recent films in my top 50 because it is too early to determine their historical significance. I have ranked the horror films in order of preference. They were judged in terms of direction, acting, and originality. Of course, I also considered how scary they are.

I’ve seen more English language than foreign language horror films, so I’m sure I missed some international classics (there are supposed to be a ton of great hard to get Asian horror films for instance).

I have also left out most horror comedies (such as “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein”), and science fiction flicks even if it has horror elements (such as “The Fly” ).

1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (USA, 1974)
2. A Nightmare on Elm Street (USA, 1984)
3. Halloween (USA, 1978)
4. Night of the Living Dead (USA, 1968)
5. Dawn of the Dead (USA, 1978)
6. The Evil Dead (USA, 1981)
7. Hellraiser (UK, 1987)
8. The Exorcist (USA, 1973)
9. Braindead (AKA Dead Alive) (New Zealand, 1990)
10. Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn (USA, 1987)
11. Suspiria (Italy/West Germany, 1977)
12. The Thing (USA, 1982)
13. Return of the Living Dead (USA, 1985)
14. The Ring (USA/Japan, 2002)
15. The Shining (UK, 1980)
16. 28 Days Later (UK/USA/France, 2002)
17. Friday the 13th (USA, 1980)
18. Army of Darkness (USA, 1993)
19. Poltergeist (USA, 1982)
20. Alien (UK, 1979)
21. Ring (AKA Ringu) (Japan, 1998)
22. Cabin Fever (USA, 2002)
23. Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (Germany, 1922)
24. Re-Animator (USA, 1985)
25. E Tu Vivrai Nel Terrore – L’aldilà (AKA The Beyond) (Italy, 1981)
26. House of 1000 Corpses (USA, 2003)
27. Day of the Dead (USA, 1985)
28. Nightbreed (USA, 1990)
29. Zombi 2 (AKA Zombie) (Italy, 1979)
30. Psycho (USA, 1960)
31. Batoru Rowaiaru (AKA Battle Royale) (Japan, 2000)
32. Frankenstein (USA, 1931)
33. Sleepaway Camp (USA, 1983)
34. Ginger Snaps (USA/Canada, 2000)
35. The Omen (UK, 1976)
36. An American Werewolf in London (USA/UK, 1981)
37. Black Christmas (Canada, 1974)
38. Bio-Zombie (Hong Kong, 1998)
39. Aliens (USA/UK, 1986)
40. The Haunting (UK, 1963)
41. The Lost Boys (USA, 1987)
42. Child’s Play (USA, 1988)
43. May (USA, 2002)
44. The Fog (USA, 1980)
45. Freddy vs Jason (USA, 2003)
46. Bride of Frankenstein (USA, 1935)
47. Ghost Ship (USA/Australia, 2002)
48. Candyman (USA, 1992)
49. Honogurai Mizu No Soko Kara (AKA Dark Water) (Japan, 2002)
50. The Blair Witch Project (USA, 1999)

Just outside the top 50: Audition, Se7en, Scream, Ju-On:The Grudge, Dracula (1933), Thirteen Ghosts (2001), Wrong Turn, Ichi The Killer, The Eye, Bubba Ho-Tep, Two Thousand Maniacs, The Silence of the Lambs, Night of the Living Dead (1990), In The Mouth of Madness.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Dogs, just like humans, have a variety of conditions that can affect their health. Unfortunately, dogs can have bone and joint problems, eye problems, nervous disorders, digestive, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, as well as hereditary diseases and even cancers. As a dog owner, the health of your pet is always a concern. The good news is that by following a few simple steps, you can ensure that your dog will be healthy and any conditions that arise will be noted and treated as early as possible to obtain the best possible outcome.

The following list is a general outline of the suggestions that most vets recommend for ensuring your dog’s health. Remember that some breeds may have additional needs that are health-related, so be sure to research your breed and be aware of any conditions or dog health risks that may be prevalent within the breed.

Exercise
All dogs need some level of exercise on a daily basis. Many of the small breeds will exercise indoors or will “self-exercise”, but other breeds simply do not. Owners need to realize that just turning the dog outside in the yard for a couple of hours a day may not be exercise either. Many dogs will simply find a shady spot to rest in until they’re allowed back in the house. Having a dog means that you’re willing to make a commitment to their daily exercise, whether that is going for a walk, jog, or just tossing the ball or Frisbee for 20 minutes. Watch your dog to be sure that they’re not over tired or injured during exercise, especially if there’s a lot of jumping or running involved. Encourage your dog to exercise even if they don’t seem to want to that day.

Diet
Feed only a good quality or premium dry kibble to your dog. Avoid the wet foods, as they are often not as nutritionally balanced as the kibble, plus they can cause both dental and digestive problems. If you are feeding wet food, consult with your vet and make sure that you are using the correct amount and type to balance the nutritional needs of your dog. Avoid feeding human food and too many treats. Human food or treats should be less than 5% of the daily food intake of your dog. Many vets and dog health experts recommend no human food and only select dog treats.

Some foods should be avoided completely. The following are harmful and possibly fatal to dogs:

· Chocolates
· Sweets and sugars
· Raisins
· Raw pork
· Raw fish
· Any kind of poultry that is raw
· Any kind of raw or cooked poultry bones
· Coffee
· Mushrooms
· Onions and garlic (in large quantities)

Dogs should always have free access to clean water and should never be kenneled or kept in an area where there is no water.

Attention to Detail
By carefully observing your dog on a regular basis, you can note any signs of discomfort or anxiety quickly. Watch for changes in your dog’s behavior, including their energy level and food and water consumption. Often the first signs of many conditions are a change in eating patterns. Any odd behavior should be noted and carefully monitored. Behaviors such as seizures, excessive salivating, excessive or abnormal tearing of the eyes or discharges from any part of the body should be immediately checked by a vet.

Routine Vet Visits
Be sure to keep vaccinations and other dog health precautions up to date with routine visits to the vet. In some areas, heartworm and other conditions require constant monitoring and the vet can provide this service. Before breeding your dog, be sure to have her or him completely checked for any genetic conditions or predispositions such as hip dysplasia.

Love and Attention
Last, but certainly not least, your dog needs your family’s love and attention. Dogs thrive when they feel they are a loved and involved member of the family. Dog health is linked to love and attention, as loving owners are usually more aware of changes in the dog’s health and well being and get professional help sooner.

In all cases, it is vitally important to talk to your vet about any concerns that you may have with dog health and be sure to know any conditions that are specific to the breed of dog that you own.

Popularity: 56% [?]

There are several things to think about whenever you are going to get a dog for you or your family. You want to match your new dog to you and your family and to your families overall needs as closely as possible. Please, never ever get a dog on impulse because you will probably regret it later. With any luck you’re choosing a pet that is likely to be with you 7 to 13 years. Select the right dog, and you will both enjoy all those wonderful years.

If you don’t take the time to plan a bit ahead of time right now, you may regret it in the future. This is one of the main reasons that shelters are so full of unwanted pets today – and one thing that could easily be avoided. One good idea is to look for a dog rescue group or reputable breeder when choosing a dog – and to avoid getting a dog at a pet store.

This decision alone can be overwhelming. The selection of available dog types is truly amazing. Did you know the dog comes in more than 400 different breeds? There is more variation in dogs than in any other species. Dogs can come in all shapes, sizes, coat types and personalities.

Your job is to find the perfect dog breed that fits both your personality and your lifestyle. So, here is a list of things, in no particular order, that you’ll want to take into consideration when deciding on whether or not you should get a dog in the first place.

1) Why do you want a dog in the first place? Do you simply want a companion, a dog for protection purposes, a dog to participate in sports activities with, or some other reason? Again, you must research the breeds carefully.

2) Do you want a pure breed or mixed breed dog? Unfortunately, many animal shelters and dog rescue organizations will have plenty of each. The main difference between pure breeds or mixed breeds is that with the pure breeds you will have a much better chance of knowing how big he’ll be once he reaches adulthood and what basic physical and behavioral characteristics he will probably have.

3) Learn all you can about the different individual dog breeds: visit local dog shows if possible to see many different dog breeds in one location, speak with groomers, dog breeders and your veterinarian. They can all offer you more insight into various dog breeds – the pros and cons of each and may better help you decide on a few dog breeds that you may be really interested in.

4) Are you an experienced dog owner or is this your first dog ever? There are many dog breeds that are not appropriate for a first time owner. Knowing all you can about the breed and what the breed was originally bred to do (it’s original job) is a big step in understanding the dog and what you could possibly expect from it.

5) What is your lifestyle? Are you sedentary or are you very active? Some dog breeds require a lot of daily exercise – both physical and mental. A half hour walk given to a Basset Hound is no where near enough exercise for an Australian Shepherd. Researching many dog breeds thoroughly before getting one is truly essential.

6) Can you properly house your new dog? Dogs are very social animals and your new dog should really be part of your family pack – they really do better when they are a real part of the family. And the best place for your new dog is in your home with you. You should also have a securely fenced area for your dog to exercise in. Having your dog chained in the back yard is not proper housing and is also very cruel. Which brings up a new issue…..

7) How much time can you truly devote to your new dog each day? Can you really commit to the dog for it’s entire life? What if you have to move? Add another child to your family? If you have children, are you willing to teach the children to peacefully co-exist with the dog? If you can’t devote time to raising the dog, making sure it is socialized and well trained for the rest of it’s life, then please, do not get one.

 Puppy or adult dog? Keep in mind, puppies require a lot more work than adult dogs overall. You have to schedule time for puppy classes, training, socialization, and other activities. Remember, these are babies. House training and teething are just a few of the things you’ll have to go through with a puppy, but not necessarily an adult dog. Training and learning is a lifetime activity. One obedience class does not make your dog trained.

9) Can you afford to get a dog and to own it throughout it’s life? Getting the puppy or dog is just the beginning. Now comes all the other things you’ll need to get: vet checks, leashes, collars, extra toys, all sorts of treats, a crate and other necessary supplies, puppy shots every few weeks, training classes, food (the bigger the dog the more food you’ll go through), medical emergencies, etc.

10) What about dog grooming? All dog breeds need grooming of some kind – even the hairless ones! Some breeds require only a few minutes of brushing once a day while others may require professional grooming. It’s important to note that all dogs need regular attention to their teeth, ears and nails. Also, all dogs shed – some dog breeds may shed less than others but this is one fact you must accept.

I hope all these steps have gotten you to thinking that adding a dog to your life is no small thing. Impulse buying can often lead to trouble. It’s your job as a future dog owner to research both your life as well as several dog breeds to help decide on which breed is the best match for you – BEFORE you bring a new dog home.

Popularity: 5% [?]