The movies that everyone secretly loves and won't admit it...Part 3 "Friday the 13th" Film Series

The original concept was "Halloween meets Psycho" in the woods. Using the same mold, and considering "Halloween" held so many roots in Alfred Hitchcock's classic, "Friday the 13th" should have been a mess, instead it is a pot-boiler with a twist and a formula that echoed throughout the decade. It's almost iconic that the first film in the series debuted with the new decade, because the series would go on to become synonymous with the 80's.

The obligatory sequel that would truly set the tone for the series from here on out, for the most part. We are introduced to prototype Jason, despite not wearing his signature hockey mask that he is best known for, the sack on his head is almost as, if not more jarring and freaky. The story itself, like all the films in the series, is no more or less than an excuse to put teenagers into vulnerable positions to find themselves at the end of Jason's fury.

Jason's back, and he's now donning the mask we all know and love, and this time it's in 3-D. Despite the fact that a decent version in 3-D has yet to be released, this is still among the better executed films, though most of the 3-D gags don't hold up so well in standard 2-D viewings.

In what was supposed to be the final chapter in the "Friday the 13th" saga, we are given one of the best in the series, both in story and effectiveness. Corey Feldman is introduced to us as Jason's cheif nemesis, Tommy Jarvis. The formula is working well in this mix of scares and some laughs, and an ending worthy of the name, though we all know it's not really the FINAL chapter...

Corey Feldman only appears in a dream sequence cameo in the 5th installment, though his character, Tommy Jarvis, is still a main part of the story, though played by a different actor because this film takes place years after part 4, in a half-way house for troubled teens. Though not among the most popular of the films, it's usually at least given credit for trying something different, while at the same time taking it back to it's roots a tad with a twist ending.

Jason lives once again, as the title promises, as the series nears it's peak before it bottoms out. A different person is playing him, yet Tommy Jarvis returns to Jason's old stomping grounds only to revive the long-dead killer. A fun romp through the forest, and a worthy entry that screams the 80's.

The last true good installment in the series pits Jason up against a "Carrie" like character, as she gives the zombie killer a run for his money. Fan favorite Kane Hodder makes his debut as Jason, his first of 4 turns as the infamous goalie.

Paramount's last go at bat in the series, before they would sell off Jason to New Line Cinema (only to retain the character again some time later in a complicated deal). Jason does take Manhattan, take forever to get there that is. The common complaint about this entry in the series, besides a lot of spooky ghost stuff not usually associated with the series, is the problem here. Jason spends most of his time on a boat with the smallest graduating class ever, even for a smaller town, and only about 15 minutes in New York. Has some fun moments, but over-all a miss.

This movie still makes me scratch my head over 20 years later. This movie is the most arrogant, idiotic, flagrant disregard for any film franchise ever. (Until the Leprechaun remake...I guess). Jason Goes To Hell attempts to give a new mythos and god knows what else, to the Friday the 13th series. It failed on so many levels other than the clever "Freddy vs Jason" tease.

Jason in space...what more is there really to say about this...except, for it's probably the best of any (insert your horror franchise here) goes to space movie out there...'nuff said.

The movie that fans waited 2 decades to see, finally came to us with mixed results, but over-all brought an end to two franchises in at least a bombastic way. Sadly Kane Hodder did not reprise his role as Jason for the first and last time.

A needless remake that crams most of the first film's story in the first few minutes of the film, and then tries to cram 3 more movies into the following hour and a half, missing all the things we really truly love about the series, giving us a plastic rip-off of a once well beloved, yet flawed series. Platinum Dunes takes a dump all over everything, and "Friday the 13th" wasn't able to avoid the mess in this instance.