John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness
I don't know why this one isn't more well-known. Maybe it's just that the biggest name in the cast is Donald Pleasence, but it's a pretty great little movie and deserves more love.
The story centers on a group of grad students researching odd goings-on in an abandoned church. Turns out there's a big ol' jar of Satan goo in the basement which causes all Hell to break loose. The tension mounts nicely as the movie goes on, and while it's gorier than the majority of Carpenter's work it doesn't feel gratuitous.
Adding to the atmosphere is the great electronic score by Carpenter and Alan Howarth, one of their best. The movie as a whole finds a terrific balance by remaining unnerving and unsettling throughout without ever becoming grim or oppressive. It's all a little silly, but it plays it straight while managing not to veer into unintentional comedy. Definitely worth a look.
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