Ashley says: When thinking of what horror movies to list for this, I started to think of what used to scare me as a child. What were the images that would send little kid me into fits when I saw them on television?
The first thing to come to mind is one that even today I’m thoroughly disturbed by. A clown and not just any clown, Pennywise from Stephen King’s 1990 miniseries “IT.”
The miniseries starring an ensemble cast including Tim Curry and Richard Thomas, is the story of six friends who return to their home town of Derry, Maine when a series of murders eerily resemble the actions of a supernatural force they battled as children, Pennywise the clown. Reunited after previously defeating Pennywise, the group once more must face their fears to destroy the thing they call “IT.”
Sounds rather innocent until you actually see Curry portray Pennywise. He turns what looks to be a hauntingly sad clown into a homicidal menace. Curry, known to embody any character he’s portraying, makes you see only the frightening clown and never the actor. Not to mention the character of Pennywise was based on real life serial killer John Wayne Gacy, giving the character a slight touch of reality.
Pennywise states it best when he says, “I’m every nightmare you’ve ever had. I’m your worst dream come true. I’m everything you ever were afraid of.”
For this reason, “IT” is my No. 5 pick on the countdown because after Pennywise, clowns were never the same to me.
Amanda says: In this instance, I must say I agree with Ashley on our top five pick for the most horrifically scary movie. “IT” defied logic and effectively stirred clown phobias in an entire generation. A book and a miniseries turned movie, the story is of six friends and their psychological struggles with a child murderer in their hometown.
Of all the storylines of the infamous thriller writer, Stephen King, “IT” I must say is the most disturbing. With elements remnant of other killers in horror movies, like Freddy Krueger in Friday the 13, it’s victims are confronted through dreams or “visions” of their worst fears.
Pennywise, otherwise referred to as IT, is powerfully played by Curry. His duty is to horrify and he does it masterfully. It’s been almost 20 years since the making of the film and yet it remains quintessential to the genre of horror.
Death is something to be feared by humanity, however, proven by the film and its characters; even scarier is the prospect that disillusioned visions and dreams can be made reality.
I still cringe when viewing this film and not many movies could trump the fear it arouses within. I give It a big thumbs up. You’re sure to incite the Halloween mood with a film like this.
And remember what your friendly neighborhood clown, IT, says, “Let go. Be afraid. You all taste so much better when you’re afraid.”
Over the next four issues, our reviewers will be continuing their countdown with some of the Horror genre’s scariest films just in time for Halloween.

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