Demons, spiders, psychotic killers, tentacled creatures -- we expect those to possess fear factors. This Friday's list looks at the less likely sources of horror. I intentionally left out bongs and gingerbread men.
In no particular order, here are my Top Five Horror Movies Featuring Traditionally Non-Scary Items or Animals.
Bed
Death Bed: The Bed that Eats (1977)
Surprisingly not a horror comedy ... I don't think. From 1972 (although not released until 1977, lost, and then refound in 2002), a low budget B movie featuring an evil bed created from the tears of a demon. While I can't in good faith recommend this movie, I also can't not recommend it, since it's really something to see. I suggest watching with friends. And beer. Note: in 1988, the television show Monsters also featured a murderous bed in the episode "Pillow Talk".Sheep
Black Sheep (2006)
Not to be confused with the Chris Farley comedy from 1996, this Black Sheep is about genetically modified killer sheep running amok in New Zealand. Goats are inherently scary, but sheep, not so much, so props to this movie horror comedy for completely making it work.
Tire
Rubber (2010)
I love this movie, but that said, it's not for everyone (just check out the tremendously split reviews). A discarded tire in the California desert inexplicable comes to life and develops psychokinetic powers. While rolling around on a rampage, a group of "viewers" watch form a distance with binoculars, commenting on the movie as it plays out. Weird, fun and creative, Rubber also features a great soundtrack from French electronic music artist Gapard Augé and Mr. Oizo. Mr Oizo, btw, is the pseudonym of the movie's writer and director Quentin Dupiux.
Bunnies
Night of the Lepus (1972)
Exceedingly silly although not designed to be, rather than a low budget indie, Night of the Lepus was a full-fledged MGM release staring Janet Leigh, Rory Calhoun, Stuart Whitman, and original Star Trek "Bones" McCoy DeForest Kelly. The movie was based on a 1960's Australian sci-fi book called The Year of the Angry Rabbit by Russell Braddon, which offered a bit of intentional humor, unlike the movie. Even with gallons of fake blood, bunnies are still bunnies.
St. Bernard Dog
Cujo (1983)
In general St. Bernard's are lovable, friendly dogs pictured in vintage cartoons with a brandy barrel around their neck to save stranded Yukon travelers. In this 1983 adaption of the Steven King novel, Cujo the St. Bernard, after getting sick with rabies, isn't out to save anyone. More than a year ago back in July 2015, website Film School Rejects found a press release announcing a planned reboot of the movie, but since that time the IMDB listing for C.U.J.O. (Canine Unit Joint Operation) has been down or removed, so maybe that project is dead. Maybe that's a good thing.
Below, Above or Beyond the Cut
Steven King could make a a a fuzzy slipper scary, and maybe he already has, My picks for this post omitted cars and other vehicles, which have almost become a thing and deserve their own top five list. largely thanks to Christine.
While I won't call them honorable mentions, I did want to provide two movies that were under consideration.
Teeth (2007)
A vagina. With teeth. I didn't add this one because you might argue vaginas aren't completely non-scary, plus they don't fall into the category of either item or animal, and there was no way I wanted a "beaver" joke on this site. Plus, there wasn't an appropriate pic.
The Twonky (1952)
Designed as a comedy, this movie features an outer space being that looks exactly like a 1952 television set. Technically, the Twonky isn't a television set, though. Still, if you can watch Death Bed, than you can handle The Twonky. I've got a soft spot in my dark heart for this movie.
via GIPHY
