The first Nightmare on Elm Street movie is scary ESPECIALLY the first time you see it: youtube.com/watch?v=Adgp0v_mfTk Lake Placid is not scary, but HYSTERICALLY funny. youtube.com/watch?v=qqK07DFav8k.
I have really enjoyed the Saw series. I also like hostel, but I remember the first time I saw the first Saw movie and didn't know what to expect or how far they would take things.
I'm a big fan of slasher movies but they are often so far fetched that they aren't actually scary. I think the true "scary" movies are the ones based on true stories simply because they could happen to anyone... The strangers isn't too bad - imdb.com/title/tt0482606/ I always recommend this, though it is one of those movies that is so bad it is good... if you have netflix you should check it out (don't actually spend money on it)... good times Death Bed: The Bed That Eats - imdb.com/title/tt0385639.
Ringu is absolutely terrifying to me. It's the Japanese movie that inspired The Ring. If you like horror, you should watch this.
The Exorcist. Hands down the greatest horror film ever made. While some people will tell you "oh it's not scary" (which may be true since I didn't really jump at all during it), its creepy and gets under your skin and sits with you for a long time.
And the sequel to the sequel Exorcist 3 is actually VERY good aswell (written and directed by the author of the original). But avoid Exorcist 2, 4 and 4 (attempt 2). Absolute crap.
Childs play. I still get bad dreams of little chucky... I hate that doll!
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.