HORROR MOVIES 101

Why do we like horror movies (a call for assistance)

Re:Why do we like horror movies (a call for assistance)

indieabby88:

Hey, guys! I'm in need of some help on a final essay for English, and since the topic is film-related, I thought who better to turn to than you all? The essay I'm writing is about fear, specifically the enjoyment people get out of it. I'm planning on writing about the success of the horror genre, and I'm trying to get some feedback on why it is people enjoy getting the crap scared out of them when they go to the movies. Any thoughts? I personally tend to go for the over-the-top camp factor (hence my love of movies like "Evil Dead"), or scary movies that try to make a statement, or do something unexpected. Most of all I like movies that reinforce the idea of my safety. I like zombie movies not only because of the ridiculous amounts of gore, or the basic questions of human nature, but because I'm 99% certain that I'm not going to have to worry about dealing with an attack of the undead anytime soon. But that's just me. Any other opinions on the matter? Anything you guys have to add would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I think it gives a lot of people a tangible "face" to put on their fears and anxieties thus making them easier to deal with. I tend to love horror movies that showcase human characters and are based in reality because 1.) it shows me all that fucked up shit that has happened and will more than likely (hopefully) never happen in my life 2.) stupid as it sounds and probably not the most reliable of tools to follow, but makes you prepared and gives you a false sense of being prepared if some horrific situation ever arises 3.) I lead a very sedate life and aside from my weekly game of disc golf or a trip to McDonalds, my heart rate doesn't race and that pulse-pounding feeling of a truly terrifying horror movie that reaches into you and starts clawing at your deepest fears is an amazingly perverse adrenaline rush that really makes you feel alive.

Eh, hope that helps. Good luck!

Re:Why do we like horror movies (a call for assistance)

mercurial:

indieabby88:

Hey, guys! I'm in need of some help on a final essay for English, and since the topic is film-related, I thought who better to turn to than you all? The essay I'm writing is about fear, specifically the enjoyment people get out of it. I'm planning on writing about the success of the horror genre, and I'm trying to get some feedback on why it is people enjoy getting the crap scared out of them when they go to the movies. Any thoughts? I personally tend to go for the over-the-top camp factor (hence my love of movies like "Evil Dead"), or scary movies that try to make a statement, or do something unexpected. Most of all I like movies that reinforce the idea of my safety. I like zombie movies not only because of the ridiculous amounts of gore, or the basic questions of human nature, but because I'm 99% certain that I'm not going to have to worry about dealing with an attack of the undead anytime soon. But that's just me. Any other opinions on the matter? Anything you guys have to add would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

I think it gives a lot of people a tangible "face" to put on their fears and anxieties thus making them easier to deal with. I tend to love horror movies that showcase human characters and are based in reality because 1.) it shows me all that fucked up shit that has happened and will more than likely (hopefully) never happen in my life 2.) stupid as it sounds and probably not the most reliable of tools to follow, but makes you prepared and gives you a false sense of being prepared if some horrific situation ever arises 3.) I lead a very sedate life and aside from my weekly game of disc golf or a trip to McDonalds, my heart rate doesn't race and that pulse-pounding feeling of a truly terrifying horror movie that reaches into you and starts clawing at your deepest fears is an amazingly perverse adrenaline rush that really makes you feel alive.

Eh, hope that helps. Good luck!

 

I am not sure on why I love horror. I am more into the stuff that hits you in the the face and your like wow. Or it gets to the point and you have to stop the movie and take a breather. I love the more Macrabe films, but with some type of plot, even if its b-rated. I warched some new german splatter, the other night and it was pontless. The whole blood bag squirting like for mile and no point. I think that is the biggest thing and its not just with horror but with any genre, it takes your mind to diferent realm of thought.

Like the new french gore and what if you were trapped with woman that wants the fetus inside u or something unearthly attacking you from a distance and all they wanted was to play. Like the woman in the house and the fetus, it blows you mind to see two woman playing their survival modes and just grabbing ordinary crap that you would have around your house to survive.

I am not sure if that was any help but also take a look at filmzines! There is new one out that is really good called Paracinema! Take care and good luck. -N-

Re:Why do we like horror movies (a call for assistance)

 There is always the old adage of 'People Love To Get Scared' ...   The pure adreniline rush that that is ascociated with a 'lie-or-death' situation...   Be it scaling a cliff wall or jumping out of an airplane or riding a roller-coaster or going to a 'Haunted House' at Halloween time...    But for Horror Movies, there was something more...

    The 'Golden Age' of Horror began in 1931.   America was deep into The Great Depression and people who were 'down on their luck' needed some 'escapism'...   Whether it is to look at these movies and go  "Wow. Things COULD be a lot worse..."   or to say  "Look at that lucky guy! I wish I were there..."  ...   It is pure 'escapism' .  

   Be back later with more...

                                                                           < GOR >

Re:Why do we like horror movies (a call for assistance)

   It is 1931...   The Great Depression is in full swing and the U.S. is overpopulated with poor and destitute people who are struggling just to stay alive.   Even the 'wealthy' people are devastated.   Crime and murder and suicides are rampant.   TV had not yet been invented (!!!) and the country was still under 'prohibition' !   You were not even allowed to DRINK, for Christ's sake!   But, if you were lucky, you could pay 15 or 25 cents and catch one of the first 'talkies' at the corner Movie Theatre...   One of these earliest movies was  Dracula , and a phenom was born.   These Horror Movies took off like a firestorm and led to dozens of sequels and, eventually, remakes.    (does any of this sound familiar?)...   While Universal remained the king of the horror movies throughout The Depression and WWII, several other studios decided to jump on that Horror Movie bandwagon as well...   The most notable being RKO with their release of  King Kong  in 1933.   Prohibition had just been repealed so you were actually (legally) able to get drunk and go watch the 'giant monkey picture' !  

   In 1945, the United States became the first and only country to use nuclear weapons on innocent civilians.   I have no comment on this fact one way or the other.   But it IS interesting to note that in the late 40's, right after the U.S. just slapped Japan in the face with an A-Bomb, that the Horror Movies suddenly changed...   it is as if the Horror Movie had been hit with a good dose of radiation that caused a mutation of some sort...

   I am rambling...   be back later with more...

                                                                            < GOR > 

Re:Why do we like horror movies (a call for assistance)

I have really been thinking about why I love horror movies so much.  I know it started when I was around 4 or 5 years old and I used to LOVE all the Godzilla and Giant Robot movies, then there was Scooby Doo, then it graduated to the Christopher Lee Dracula movies, then Friday Fright night.  So it’s always been a part of my life.  There are so many things that I have been afraid of in my life and some pretty horrible stuff happened to me when I was a little child.  For some strange reason, scary movies might have been a way for me to face my fears SAFELY and know that while watching this and surviving this movie, I had overcome something.  OR it’s like others have said, since I hate flying, roller coasters and anything physically “scary” this is the only way I get my adrenaline rush (except when I am singing on stage, that can give you a major adrenaline rush – especially if you know you haven’t practiced enough on your songs…eeek, but it’s not the same).   Now I’m just hooked on them and am always searching for old ones or foreign ones I haven’t seen before – I just love it. 

Re:Why do we like horror movies (a call for assistance)

divinemsjunebug:

I have really been thinking about why I love horror movies so much.  I know it started when I was around 4 or 5 years old and I used to LOVE all the Godzilla and Giant Robot movies, then there was Scooby Doo, then it graduated to the Christopher Lee Dracula movies, then Friday Fright night.  So it’s always been a part of my life.  There are so many things that I have been afraid of in my life and some pretty horrible stuff happened to me when I was a little child.  For some strange reason, scary movies might have been a way for me to face my fears SAFELY and know that while watching this and surviving this movie, I had overcome something.  OR it’s like others have said, since I hate flying, roller coasters and anything physically “scary” this is the only way I get my adrenaline rush (except when I am singing on stage, that can give you a major adrenaline rush – especially if you know you haven’t practiced enough on your songs…eeek, but it’s not the same).   Now I’m just hooked on them and am always searching for old ones or foreign ones I haven’t seen before – I just love it. 

   June...  Have I told you lately that I Love You? ...