Indisputably, Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater is one of the best places to catch a film. It’s a wonderful space only bettered by its seemingly nonstop barrage of quality series and festivals. For five years now, the Film Society of LC has celebrated the most wonderful time of year with a series simply titled Scary Movies. It often boasts New York premieres of eagerly awaited new fright flicks (this year hosted THE INNKEEPERS and KILL LIST), but it also works wonders in the repertory department. This past weekend’s rendition was tops and in addition to classics POLTERGEIST and HOUSE OF USHER, I was introduced to three gems: DARK WATERS, SEVENTH VICTIM and EYE OF THE CAT.

As veteran horror-film viewers, FANGORIA fans are exposed to endless monsters that come in endless forms. Corpses, sharks, blobs and even an ill-tempered Plymouth Fury can wreak havoc on screen, and fans will not only accept them but cheer for more. But a tree monster? I can safely say that FROM HELL IT CAME showcases the first tree-monster I have witnessed on screen.

Monsters come in many forms. Some are created by the hand of twisted science, others are hatched in government laboratories for sinister military purposes. Some rise from beyond the grave, and a few arrive from beyond the stars. However, some monsters are of the human variety, with the very worst lurking in the reflection in one’s own mirror.

Turn back the clock and re-consider the simple, very effective, scares of the original DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK (1973)...