Best Horror Movies of 2008: Limited-Release/Direct-to-Video

Does a somber, introspective British film sound interesting to you? How about one set in a mutant-spawning plague-ravaged future? The Vanguard is a smart and socially relevant take on standard zombie apocalypse fare with atmospheric music and exhilarating visuals.

One of several quality horror-comedies to come out in 2008, Jack Brooks is a romp with an old school '80s flair that feels like it could be the pilot for a syndicated TV show (and I mean that in the best way possible).

Strong writing and acting shine through low production values to craft a tense, involving ghost story with characters you actually care about.

This quirky, gory supernatural slasher from Thailand mixes odd sexual humor, campy melodrama and an over-the-top flair (including deaths by cell phone, handbag, hair and fetus) in a blend of Asian ghost story -- think The Ring or The Grudge -- with dreamlike visuals, a la A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Like This Is Spinal Tap by way of Friday the 13th, this occasionally hilarious mockumentary about an inept horror movie production is a treat for both horror fans and fans of the independent film process.

Stunning visuals highlight this tense, labyrinthine thriller that captures the creepy, surreal essence of its H.P. Lovecraft inspiration, even if you're not sure what the heck is going on.

This is how sequels should be done: keeping the same thematic elements of the first, but exploring different avenues so as not to become a mere retread (Are you listening, Final Destination series?). In the case of White Noise 2, it takes the original and adds elements of The Eye and Final Destination in the story of a despondent man who attempts suicide in the wake of his family's murder but is brought back from "the light" with the ability to see people's deaths before they happen.

What begins as a dramatic rendering of a serious topic -- postpartum depression -- turns into all-out, slasher-styled horror in this well-made shocker. The premise -- a 10-year-old farm boy defending his three younger siblings from his mother when she suffers a violent postpartum mental breakdown -- is terrifyingly original, and while the final product is imperfect and of questionable taste, its strong cast and direction ensure its lasting impact.

Superb performances propel this powerhouse thriller about a lonely man's quest for vengeance in the death of his dog. Although it peters out at the end, it remains an engrossing cinematic treat.

Perhaps the best micro-budget horror movie of the year ("micro-budget" being a relative term), this violent British effort about a chair that serves as a gateway to a Hellish realm defies conventions with its twisty plot, dark humor and self-aware voiceovers.