Great topic, for atmosphere is to me the quintessential ingredient to any horror film. In the beginning of Halloween when you see the dark night and brief glimpses of "crazy" people wandering around, the mood is set and that is fear. While I don't expect anyone to re-create Carpenter's masterpiece, the lack of directors with the interest and know-how towards creating that atmosphere is more than lacking, certainly on the main-stream front.

Perhaps that too is why independent films are often more effective, since the grainy effects of shooting in 16 or 32 mm often add a touch of realism. Going back to the original posters comment, the horror films of the 80's had an atmosphere that, like it or not, is gone for good IMO. A director can try all he likes to re-create that atmosphere and look(as Tobe Hooper did with The Toolbox Murders), but I have yet to see one that really makes me feel I am in that time era. Having the movies on VHS helps to preserve some of that special quality that I can't really explain.

I also wish there where more modern directors that could combine the surreal beauty of directors such as with Andrei Tarkovsky and the atmosphere of the early 80's like Douglas Buck does, but there is still hope for the future. I can't think of any reasons in particular right now, but I will get back to you on that.