Old-School Scary Movies Played All Day At ‘Dismember The Alamo’

There's a Halloween tradition that takes place every year at the Alamo Drafthouse in Yonkers. It's called "Dismember The Alamo" and it's exactly what you think it might be - a movie marathon celebrating the best, the weirdest, and the craziest horror films out there. Only here's the catch: they don't tell you what the movies will be ahead of time.

This was the fourth year they've done Dismember The Alamo in Yonkers, but the first that I've attended. And it was awesome - the anticipation leading up to each movie, the costume contest featuring characters both well-known and obscure, and of course, the movies themselves. Here's what went down this year at Dismember The Alamo.

Movie # 1 - The People Under The Stairs

An underrated entry from iconic horror director Wes Craven, the man behind The Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Scream. This movie is a blast, a weird hybrid of action, horror, and comedy that features an eraly performance from Ving Rhames and a couple of Twin Peaks cast members just going absolutely nuts.

Movie # 2 - Sisters

An early cult classic from Brian De Palma, director of Carrie, Scarface, The Untouchables, and Mission: Impossible. This is a tense, often very funny thriller that keeps the audience on its toes and features an incredible score from frequent Alfred Hitchcock composer Bernard Herrmann. This was probably my favorite movie of the day, and definitely one to go in while knowing very little.

Movie # 3 - Dead People

Alternately known as Messiah of Evil, this is an obscure title that was difficult to find for the marathon, and it delivered. It's a slow burn, but there's creepy moments throughout, a couple of truly standout scenes, and some great central performances. If you're able to track it down, it's worth seeing.

Movie # 4 - Maximum Overdrive

You may know Maximum Overdrive as the only movie Stephen King ever directed, with a soundtrack entirely supplied by AC/DC. I had seen this once before when I was about 13, and it wasn't particularly good then. It's still not that good now, but it is fun to watch with a crowd of people. There is so much absurdity going on (like, for example, when a vending machine comes to life and starts murdering people by pelting them with soda) that laughing along with a crowd makes for a fun experience.

Movie # 5 - The Slumber Party Massacre

The final movie of the night was a celebration of female horror directors, so it was appropriate to end with Amy Holden Jones' The Slumber Party Massacre. What seemed to start as a generic slasher turned into something surprising, funny, violent, and above all, just great. If you feel like you've seen all the big slasher movies of the 70s and 80s like Halloween, Friday the 13th and so on and you're looking to dig a little deeper, this is a perfect, self-aware horror movie and a great way to end the night.

And that's it! Now I have to plan for my next marathon, because I am indeed an insane person. The Hudson Horror Show is coming up in December, and the Alamo Drafthouse has a few more coming in the next few months, including a run of all four Lethal Weapon films.