Horror Movies Thread...what makes it good for you?

[scott1598]

With the onslaught of grungy, realistic looking horror movies of late, I am wondering if the "true" horror movies of old are gone. I think "Slither" brought that cheesy, horror-ish quality back a bit, but with its dismal return I don't think we will see too many of these type come out of Hollywood.

It seems all they want is the cheap, out-do the next in terms of raw human emotion and raw visuals like "Saw" , "Hostel" , "Wolf Creek" , etc... I mean these are all fine and good, but none has really gripped me like the movies of old.

So what makes a good horror movie for you and do you think we will ever see them again?

[BellsOfWar]

pointless, maniacal, brutal killing. give me that and i'm happy.

[Charlie Goose]

I don't really consider Slither a horror movie, it's more sci-fi. Plus, I prefer my horror to be free of comedy and slapstick.

With a scary movie, I don't want to be horrified, I want to be terrified. And I want the startles, or the BOO scares to be limited.

And lots of bewbies.

[DonnachaOne]

Define "the movies of old". Because I'm sure "the movies of old" were described in the same way by 'seasoned' movie fans as you'd describe Saw, Hostel etc.

[DonnachaOne]

Something I've noticed that makes a great horror flick is this;
if the horror stuff was taken out, it'd still be a good movie.

Sounds nuts, I know, and it certainly doesn't aplly to all flicks. With some films it works very well - the horror isn't going to always be scary, so you can't use that as a crutch. Something like Dawn Of The Dead, for example. It's more about these people trying to survive in isolation - that'd be interesting enough without the zombies. The fact that there are zombies in the film is gravy.

Beautiful, bloody gravy.

[Cinemaddiction]

Originality.

[GameGenie]

I like slashers mainly and hopefully there will be a good return of them. Original movies are always a plus too.

[Rockmjd23]

Gore, and not of the Al variety.

[DVDHO]

Rated R,and that's enough for me to give it a chance,PG-13 I stay far away from it especially if it's a gory/slasher type film.

[scott1598]

Define "the movies of old"
"Night of the Living Dead" (1968)
"Dawn of the Dead" (1978)
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984)
"Halloween" (1978)
"Bride of Frankenstein" (1935)
"Aliens" (1986)
"Carrie" (1976)
etc...

ones with depth, style, and destined to become classic and not just the "scare ride" of the week.

[Matthew Chmiel]

"Night of the Living Dead" (1968)
"Dawn of the Dead" (1978)
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984)
"Halloween" (1978)
"Bride of Frankenstein" (1935)
"Aliens" (1986)
"Carrie" (1976)
etc...

ones with depth, style, and destined to become classic and not just the "scare ride" of the week.
:lol: I just love it how there's a slew of '70s and '80s horror in that list and then Bride of Frankenstein. What makes it funnier is the fact that I don't know one person who considers Aliens a horror film. "Game over man! Game over!"

:lol:

Flicks like Saw, Hostel, and The Hills Have Eyes are similar to the grindhouse flicks of the past. Their vicious brutalness and dark demeanors are like that of The Last House on the Left, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I Spit On Your Grave, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, and even the original The Hills Have Eyes. Not only are they not shy from showing all of the death and massacres take place in front of your eyes, they're even less shy from showing how emotions can swiftly take over another human being.

Ever since Saw hit big, it seems that the studios are taking notice of how a horror film do huge numbers and still be effectively creepy and extremely violent. Land of the Dead, The Devil's Rejects, Saw, Saw II, Final Destination 3, Hostel, The Hills Have Eyes, Slither? Easily some of the best horror films to be released within the past decade*.

* = Other films in this boat would include Shaun of the Dead, Dog Soldiers, Ginger Snaps, Final Destination 2, 28 Days Later, Cabin Fever, and even the Dawn of the Dead remake.

[scott1598]

What makes it funnier is the fact that I don't know one person who considers Aliens a horror film
i think a lot think both "Alein" and "Aleins" are horror, maybe with the nudge going to the original moreso than the sequel...

[Matthew Chmiel]

i think a lot think both "Alein" and "Aleins" are horror, maybe with the nudge going to the original moreso than the sequel...
Do you even know a lot of people?

Alien is more of a thriller than a horror film, but I can see where others would classify it as a horror film. Simply put, it's Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" in space.

Aliens is not in any way, shape, or form a horror film. It's got a few horror elements, but that's about it. Hands down, it's a science-fiction action film.

If you want to take the other Alien sequels into consideration, Alien 3 happens to a science fiction film mixed with elements of a psychological thriller (or at least that's what Fincher was hoping for) and Alien: Resurrection is a piece of shit.

[Damed]

Originality and atmosphere.

In-your-face gorey visuals don't scare as much as they go for a cheap gross out.

[gryffinmaster]

Alien is more of a thriller than a horror film, but I can see where others would classify it as a horror film. Simply put, it's Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" in space.
:up: It's hard for me to classify the first Alien as well. Sci-Fi/horror/suspense-thriller? It's got all those elements at play at once - and to a GREAT blend.

[Corvin]

I know what doesn't make it good for me: gratuitous violence.

What is gratuitous is of course arguable and maybe even completely subjective, but I am personally talking about films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre (both new and old), The Hills Have Eyes (new, can't speak for the old), Hostel, FearDotCom---and I'm sure I'm missing tons of movies. The focus of this genre, insomuch as one could put all these films into a "genre," seems to be about human suffering. I simply don't find these films enjoyable but I'm fascinated by the mentality of those who do.

So, what kinds of horror films do I enjoy? I suppose I enjoy the psychological horror films. I was a fan of M. Night Shyamalan, but I think he needs to move beyond the twists.

[AnonomusBob15]

Children of the Corn really freaked me out, still kind of does with the music and atmosphere.

[scott1598]

Do you even know a lot of people? :hscratch:

Alien is more of a thriller than a horror film, but I can see where others would classify it as a horror film. Simply put, it's Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" in space.

Aliens is not in any way, shape, or form a horror film. It's got a few horror elements, but that's about it. Hands down, it's a science-fiction action film.

If you want to take the other Alien sequels into consideration, Alien 3 happens to a science fiction film mixed with elements of a psychological thriller (or at least that's what Fincher was hoping for) and Alien: Resurrection is a piece of shit.

i'm not going to argue with you as you seem a combatitive :mad2:

Horror films are often combined with science fiction when the menace or monster is related to a corruption of technology, or when Earth is threatened by aliens from Filmsite.org

Some horror films owe a substantial amount to other genres, particularly science fiction, fantasy and the thriller. from Wikipedia.org

[mndtrp]

If the characters do what I would do, or like to think I would do, then I'm drawn into the story. That's enough to get me a little antsy.

As soon as they run into a closet and hide when they were by the front door, then I get pissed and just hope they die quickly.

[PopcornTreeCt]

I would say Peter Jackson's King Kong has the most elements of a true horror film going back long ago to the drive-in monster flicks. I'm sure most would disagree, but I believe that is still horror at it's pure.

[Matthew Chmiel]

i'm not going to argue with you as you seem a combatitive :mad2:

Horror films are often combined with science fiction when the menace or monster is related to a corruption of technology, or when Earth is threatened by aliens from Filmsite.org

Some horror films owe a substantial amount to other genres, particularly science fiction, fantasy and the thriller. from Wikipedia.org
Well no shit sherlock? Here I go in a circle again...

Alien is a thriller with elements of horror and science-fiction.
Aliens is an action film with elements of horror and science-fiction.

With Alien, there is a sense of dramatic irony as none of the characters know how their fate is going to be sealed by who or what. With Aliens, the characters go into the situation knowing that there's a chance they won't make it out alive. Ridley Scott plays up the scares and the suspense whereas James Cameron plays up the action and the science-fiction.

Both are perfect genre blends, but Aliens, regardless, is not a horror film.

[Rypro 525]

So, what kinds of horror films do I enjoy? I suppose I enjoy the psychological horror films. I was a fan of M. Night Shyamalan, but I think he needs to move beyond the twists.
if you want a great psychological horror movie, you should try out either "pulse" (original's on dvd, remake comes out in july or "a tale of 2 sisters" (no word on remake but the dvd is great)

[Corvin]

if you want a great psychological horror movie, you should try out either "pulse" (original's on dvd, remake comes out in july or "a tale of 2 sisters" (no word on remake but the dvd is great)

Cool. Thanks for the recommendation. :thumbsup:

[dhmac]

Do you even know a lot of people?

Alien is more of a thriller than a horror film, but I can see where others would classify it as a horror film. Simply put, it's Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" in space.


I disagree completely - Alien is sci-fi/horror, it's not really a thriller. And Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians (aka And Then There Were None) is a "Who Done It?" built around figuring out the mystery on who is killing everyone. In Alien, however, it's pretty obvious throughout who-done-it: the Alien! The fact that in both stories people are getting killed and so the group of survivors is shrinking is an over-simplified similarity, because when looked at closely, these two aren't really similar at all. Actually, Alien is much closer to a "haunted house" movie than it is to a thriller.

[FRwL]

My favorite horror films are the '50s scifi horror, these from my favorite decade overall include The Thing From Another World, Attack of the Crab Monsters and similarly veined horror elements, even later on with Mystery of the Wax Museum, Horror of Dracula, The Hound of the Baskervilles.
The silents were prevalent in fantastical horror since it was actually a continuation on celluloid of the 19th century interest in the macabre headed by figures like Poe. 30s was a jump-kick in the horror franchise. The '40s there wasn't much of it since there was real life horror with the war, no one wanted, except for notables like The Black Cat. '50s i discussed. The 60s is known for psychological horror, Hammer, Amimcus, AIP stuff along with the 70s of course make up a strong era for horror. Early '80s is pretty good still (The Evil Dead) but then it just descends into the slasher films hurting the genre in the process. 90s simply sucks as horror, heck 40s is better than that. We've seen somewhat of a revival in horror with this decade but it's not toward my taste really.

I like the '30s-60s era films, and the silents too like Nosferatu, and the continuation of Hammer/Amicus/AIP into the 70s.

[DonnachaOne]

"Night of the Living Dead" (1968)
"Dawn of the Dead" (1978)
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984)
"Halloween" (1978)
"Bride of Frankenstein" (1935)
"Aliens" (1986)
"Carrie" (1976)
etc...

ones with depth, style, and destined to become classic and not just the "scare ride" of the week.


Any one of those films could be seen as the "scare ride of the week" (except for Aliens, it's not a horror movie). In the past, your predecessors (scott1597 or scott1596, I guess) probably denounced "boo movies" like A Nightmare on Elm Street as pathetic, insipid scary movies, just like you're doing with horror flicks today. Nothing is "destined" to be a "classic"; history's made these films into "classics" to some people, sure, but for every one you listed there were tons of others released the same year that went nowhere.

If Hostel is embraced by future generations as a masterwork of filmmaking, how will you feel?

I know what doesn't make it good for me: gratuitous violence.

What is gratuitous is of course arguable and maybe even completely subjective, but I am personally talking about films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre (both new and old)The new I'll give you, but I didn't see a lot of gratuitous violence - or even that much violence in general - in the 1970's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I understand that you are making a point about what is gratuitous or not, but The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, despite its title, terrifies without a lot of blood or gore.

i'm not going to argue with you as you seem a combatitive :mad2:
The only one being combative is you. Calm down. It's only another person's informed opinion, and if you can't debate a point rationally, there's no need to stoop to hardly-veiled-at-all insults. You owe Matthew Chmiel an apology.

[Matthew Chmiel]

The new I'll give you, but I didn't see a lot of gratuitous violence - or even that much violence in general - in the 1970's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I understand that you are making a point about what is gratuitous or not, but The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, despite its title, terrifies without a lot of blood or gore.
:thumbsup:

The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre was brilliant for keeping it's violence mostly off screen. While there are scenes where you do see characters get killed (such as the kid in the wheelchair), the camera is placed at a distance so one can't see it in detail. Everything else is lead to the viewer's mind. And boy, did that movie scare the shit out of me when I was little.

[The same applies to Night of the Living Dead. There's really no violence/gore on screen, but the atmosphere gave me nightmares for days when I was 10.]

[Corvin]

The new I'll give you, but I didn't see a lot of gratuitous violence - or even that much violence in general - in the 1970's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I understand that you are making a point about what is gratuitous or not, but The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, despite its title, terrifies without a lot of blood or gore.

That's true, and a very good point. The film's focus, though, is still human suffering, even if the actual physical violence isn't shown as graphically as some of the newer films. I mean, the entire last half of the film is the girl screaming for her life. I found it fitting for the film---because like the girl, I too felt like I was being tortured---but I have no desire to watch that movie again. Ever.

[inri222]

I like horror movies that focus more on atmosphere than blood and guts.

Repulsion
The Vanishing
Carnival of Souls
Exorcist III
Cure
Psycho
Rosemary's Baby
Vampyr
Don't Look Now
Diabolique
Peeping Tom
The Haunting
Cat People
Jacob's Ladder
Dead of Night
The Blair Witch Project
Eyes Without a Face
Kwaidan
Suspiria

[scott1598]

The only one being combative is you. Calm down. It's only another person's informed opinion, and if you can't debate a point rationally, there's no need to stoop to hardly-veiled-at-all insults. You owe Matthew Chmiel an apology.
no, i don't at all. my comment was simply directed to his:
Do you even know a lot of people?
which has nothing to do with anything and only seeks to belittle someone for no reason. it had nothing to do with his other comments relating to the actual subject.

as for your:
Any one of those films could be seen as the "scare ride of the week" (except for Aliens, it's not a horror movie). In the past, your predecessors (scott1597 or scott1596, I guess) probably denounced "boo movies" like A Nightmare on Elm Street as pathetic, insipid scary movies, just like you're doing with horror flicks today.
my predecessors? i mean what is that really if not a failed attempt to demean?

those i mentioned are classics and in no way reflect the weekly barrage that comes out today. nor did i say any of the ones out today are "pathetic" or "insipid" as that would imply having no entertainment value whatsoever and i believe they do have.

call "Aliens" what you want, but to denounce and say that it ABSOLUTELY isn't a horror movie is just weak and not really based on anything except YOUR opinion. horror, as defined, carries a broad spectrum of genres and sci-fi is a big one. if you don't think aliens killing, decapitating, and jutting there metallic-like mandibles into a victims' face or sternum, as well as, planting organisms inside their bodies by clinging to their faces and forcefully ingesting the embryos only to have them mature and burst through the stomach lining and outer dermis isn't horror, then i suggest you rethink for a moment.

[Matthew Chmiel]

call "Aliens" what you want, but to denounce and say that it ABSOLUTELY isn't a horror movie is just weak and not really based on anything except YOUR opinion. horror, as defined, carries a broad spectrum of genres and sci-fi is a big one. if you don't think aliens killing, decapitating, and jutting there metallic-like mandibles into a victims' face or sternum, as well as, planting organisms inside their bodies by clinging to their faces and forcefully ingesting the embryos only to have them mature and burst through the stomach lining and outer dermis isn't horror, then i suggest you rethink for a moment.
Your logic is faulty and makes no sense. There are numerous films that contain:

- Aliens killing people can be found in Mars Attacks! (a dark sadistic comedy with elements of science-fiction).
- Decapitations can be found within such PG and PG-13 non-horror fare like Hocus Pocus, Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, and Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
- Aliens putting their mandibles and whatever the hell you're blabbling about into people's faces can be found within The Faculty. Now there could be some debate if said movie is considered a horror film, but with it's low body count (only two people are actually "killed") and it's emphasis on the alien invasion-angle, it's simply put a science-fiction thriller with horror elements.
- Facehugging and all that other Alien goodness can be found within Alien Vs. Predator.

I don't have to rethink anything, because your logic is faulty. A decapitation might be horrific to some, but in other instances, it cannot be. It's all about context and how it's handled. I might be freaked out from a decapitation as in Argento's Deep Red (where a pearl necklace and a moving elevator causes a character's demise), but I might be laughing my ass off at a decapitation in say Hocus Pocus.

In Aliens, the context is all about showing the brutality of what is occuring to the soldiers as they try to "reclaim the colony" and wipe out the aliens. Would you consider Saving Private Ryan a horror film as the heroes of that film are trying to stop the war and wipe out the Germans? No. Intense violence does not equal a horror film.

[scott1598]

ok, now back to our thread...

[nodeerforamonth]

Gore!

[Bareit]

Apparently the horror genre is well defined and is not open for debate. I will remove my copies of Alien and Aliens from the horror section ASAP.

[scott1598]

Apparently the horror genre is well defined and is not open for debate. I will remove my copies of Alien and Aliens from the horror section ASAP.
ur kidding, right?

[happycamper]

A good horror flick for me is one that either visually shocks me with gore, has scenes that have a realistic feel to them (like it could really happen), or leave me with a general feeling of uneasiness and tension while watching it.

[modfather]

Apparently the horror genre is well defined and is not open for debate. I will remove my copies of Alien and Aliens from the horror section ASAP.

Not so fast! I've always considered Alien (primarily the original, without a doubt) to be a horror movie - set in a SciFi environment. So if you really want to be accurate, create a category just for "Horror in a SciFi Environment" - but if you want to be lazy (like me), just leave it in horror and watch with humor as family and friends will see it in the wrong category on your shelf and raise their eyebrows with a puzzled look...

meh, just leave it in horror. If anyone says anything about it - tell 'em The Modfather said it's ok. ;)

[Bareit]

ur kidding, right?

Yes.

[Julie Walker]

I'm open to all kinds of horror and films in general. The one thing they all must do is,entertain and keep me interested in some way. If they fail at that,I don't care how 'impressive' the cinematography is or 'thought provoking' the plot is. They failed in my opinion by making me disinterested in the proceedings and boring myself.

I love a good campy fun horror fest like Dead Alive or Slither. And I also love a seriously disturbing grisly film(Hostel,Hills Have Eyes remake) that is well made and keeps me interested. And I also enjoy a decent 'psychological' horror film like The Shining(original),Rosemary's Baby or Audition.

So I say,always have a variety of horror types in release instead of too much of one or the other. Because then it becomes fairly boring and less 'fun' in choosing what to view.

So while the grisly disturbing unrelenting unpleasent attempts at horror today are welcome. Some more Slither or Dead Alives are sorely needed to help even the playing field.

[GoldenJCJ]

If the characters do what I would do, or like to think I would do, then I'm drawn into the story. That's enough to get me a little antsy.

As soon as they run into a closet and hide when they were by the front door, then I get pissed and just hope they die quickly.
Hmmm...I've never thought about it like that but I agree wholeheartedly. Nothing takes me out of a horror flick faster than a character doing something completely idiotic. Instead of being wrapped up in the suspense and terror, I'm too busy rolling my eyes and yelling at the screen.


Also, this ongoing Alien debate is the reason I store my DVDs in alphebetical order. Trying to sort them by genre nearly makes my brain explode (don't even get me started on what genre Jaws is). :hairpull:

[Tscott]

I'd like a dash of humor and some social/psychological subtext with my horror, please.

Examples of subtext that I'm talking about are like how zombies have the "mindless heard- alive or dead, what's the difference?" and "how quickly will society break down when it does?" commentaries on humanity. Dracula/Vampires has the "mysterious man who'll steal away our women" thing or the "lonely soul condemned to live forever" depending on what film. Frankenstein has the dangers of science and technology. Wolfman has the animal urges inside man that he can't control. Etc...

The current crop of horror seems to be sorely lacking in this sort of thing and seem to only want to repulse and shock the viewers. (I say "seems to" because I haven't seen Saw, Hostel, Wolf Creek or any of the others of this type, and don't have much of a desire to.)

[Rypro 525]

Cool. Thanks for the recommendation. :thumbsup:
no prob. reading will be required for both movies (and the region 3 version of Pulse is better because it has a 5.1 track, while the region 1 version only goes 2.0)

[DonnachaOne]

The current crop of horror seems to be sorely lacking (social/psychological subtext) and seem to only want to repulse and shock the viewers. (I say "seems to" because I haven't seen Saw, Hostel, Wolf Creek or any of the others of this type, and don't have much of a desire to.)Fair enough, but I don't think the films you've mentioned are devoid of social/psychological subtext.

That doesn't necessarily make them good, either... take Resident Evil, for example. With Alice In Wonderland as a model and undercurrents of the horrors of corporate might, it's still a terrible film.

my predecessors? i mean what is that really if not a failed attempt to demean?It's not an attempt to demean, in this case it means "likeminded people who came before you". A perfectly innocuous term. Calm down scott1598, not everything is an attack on you.

Perhaps watching movies that aren't horror will ease your paranoia. I recommend Aliens.

[modfather]

I'm not sure I'm on-board with some of the newer style of horror films (Saw, Hostel, Hills Have Eyes, Devil's Rejects, etc.) It seems like they write themselves, though:

1. Horny teenagers go someplace they shouldn't go.
2. Horny teenagers have sex and drink beer.
3. Horny teenagers get slowly tortured and hacked and mutilated.

Now I'm an old fart, granted, and I realize that Halloween and many horror films in the past used these kinds of formulas. But #3 on my list is much more graphic today, of course. But for me, a good horror movie has mounting tension and suspense. Halloween is a great example of this: yes, Jamie-Lee Curtis does some dumb things in the movie, but Michael just can't be stopped. He's right behind/next to her, (slowly) chasing her... Granted, that's the last 20 minutes of the movie, but it's a big pay-off.

I'm not in the proper demographic for horror films anymore, so it probably doesn't matter what I like. ;) But the one thing I think these newer films lack, is real tension and suspense. I like white knuckles in a horror film - am I grabbing my seat - is my sphincter tightened? These reactions don't come from just cutting a guy's head off with a rusty razor-blade over a 3 minute period, while another bad guy pokes his eyes out with a leaky ball-point pen while a third nut-bag rips his junk off and the fourth pyscho twists his arms and legs off... Looks cool on-screen, though, if you're a 15 year old boy sneaking into an R rated movie!

P.S. Just to keep the hate flowing, Alien *IS* a horror movie. Put the characters in a creepy house in the middle of the woods and it is still a horror movie. :)

[DonnachaOne]

I'm not sure I'm on-board with some of the newer style of horror films (Saw, Hostel, Hills Have Eyes, Devil's Rejects, etc.) It seems like they write themselves, though:

1. Horny teenagers go someplace they shouldn't go.
2. Horny teenagers have sex and drink beer.
3. Horny teenagers get slowly tortured and hacked and mutilated.

Now I'm an old fart, granted, and I realize that Halloween and many horror films in the past used these kinds of formulas.Fair enough, and they sure used those formulas before; I agree that they use more blood and gore today, but I don't think it's any more of a crutch than it was in the movies you grew up with. In days of yore, just like today, filmmakers would skimp on character development and creating atmosphere when they could just wow the audience with a creative, screenworthy scene of gore. "Man, I just saw Friday The 13th! You have to see it dude, an arrow is pushed through a guy's chest from behind!"

Also, The Devil's Rejects and The Hills Have Eyes have no horny teenagers. In fact, those films have groups of people who are innocent and have their own problems, not a bunch of teenagers who are "asking for it". I think this adds to the realism and muddies the predictability that we've come to expect. Also, whereas The Hills Of Eyes kinda-sorta-follows principle 1, in The Devil's Rejects, normal people are living their lives and trouble finds them.

P.S. Just to keep the hate flowing, Aliens *IS* a horror movie. Put the characters in a creepy house in the middle of the woods and it is still a horror movie. :)
That's not a horror film... house in the middle of the woods? It's a hunter's lodge! They're all on a merry Bill-Paxton-led hunting weekend that goes HORRIBLY WRONG.

"The bears mostly come out at night... mostly..."

:)

EDIT: Modfather was actually talking about Alien. Modfather sees sense.

[scott1598]

That's not a horror film... house in the middle of the woods? It's a hunter's lodge! They're all on a merry Bill-Paxton-led hunting weekend that goes HORRORIBLY WRONG.

"The bears mostly come out at night... mostly..."

:)

fixed!

[modfather]

whoops! Fixed mine too. :) Should have read "Alien" is a horror film... It's amazing what an "S" does to a word. :)

[DonnachaOne]

fixed!He was talking about Alien, which I'm not disputing is a horror flick.

Also, just because something is "horrible" does not make it horror, your silly made-up word notwithstanding. If you have to make up new words to try and hit a point home... that's scrumtrillescentally feeble.

I see that you're not disputing my other comments. I will take it that you accept them as true and undisputed, then. Fair enough, glad you're coming 'round.

[scott1598]

He was talking about Alien, which I'm not disputing is a horror flick.

Also, just because something is "horrible" does not make it horror, your silly made-up word notwithstanding. If you have to make up new words to try and hit a point home... that's scrumtrillescentally feeble.

I see that you're not disputing my other comments. I will take it that you accept them as true and undisputed, then. Fair enough, glad you're coming 'round.
at this point, i dunno if you are serious or being sarcastic.

bottomline... "AlienS" is very much a horror/sci-fi/action film!

[DonnachaOne]

bottomline... "AlienS" is very much a sci-fi/action film!

"Fixed!", as the kids do say these days

[Corvin]

...why do arbitrary genres matter again?

[DonnachaOne]

...why do arbitrary genres matter again?Oh come now! What if fate calls upon you to run a video store? What then? Where will your genre-eschewing ways get you THEN? Hmmm?


As it is, they really don't matter per se, but if a discussion is built around the defining qualities of a particular genre as it changes through time, it helps to dsicount films that don't apply, otherwise you end up with tons of nonsense posts (see above, I've replied to most of them...). Count Aliens as a horror flick, and you might as well include Sleepless In Seattle. That Meg Ryan's one scary stalker-type sometimes.

[scott1598]

otherwise you end up with tons of nonsense posts (see above, I've created most of them...). Count Aliens as a horror flick, and you might as well include Sleepless In Seattle. That Meg Ryan's one scary stalker-type sometimes.
fixed! man you dig yourself deep.

[Matthew Chmiel]

fixed! man you dig yourself deep.
Uh no. You're the one counting Aliens as a horror film.

If Aliens is a horror film then I want to count Indepedence Day as a horror film because the aliens in that film were scary and people fighting them makes me horrified.

See, that's a better comparison.

[asianxcore]

really depends on the type of horror movie I am watching, for instance..

Hostel, I was just looking for flat out gore/exploitation and it succeeded in that. So I enjoyed it.

The Eye, was just flat out creepy in many parts during the movie. Especially the elevator and the hospital hallway. It was a movie that was primarily based on ghosts and atmosphere, so in that sense the movie got underneath my skin and was efffective.

I don't think for me there are general things I look for in horror movies that make them good. There are so many sub-categories now in horror that I look for different things in each type that make it overall enjoyable for me.

[Bareit]

Uh no. You're the one counting Aliens as a horror film.

If Aliens is a horror film then I want to count Indepedence Day as a horror film because the aliens in that film were scary and people fighting them makes me horrified.

See, that's a better comparison.


DVD Aficionado lists it as a "Space Horror", if that matters. So I don't think he's the only one.

When I first saw Aliens, it scared the crap out of me. I'll continue to list it as a horror, if that's alright with you.

[scott1598]

DVD Aficionado lists it as a "Space Horror", if that matters. So I don't think he's the only one.

When I first saw Aliens, it scared the crap out of me. I'll continue to list it as a horror, if that's alright with you.
:thumbsup:

[DRG]

I can appreciate lots of different types of horror. I can enjoy something for being tense and suspenseful, and I can enjoy something for being just plain fun. I can enjoy a gorefest, or I can enjoy horror that's more psychological. My main demand is that the movie entertains me, pure and simple. However it goes about that is fine with me, but just don't bore me.

[DonnachaOne]

Originally Posted by DonnachaOne
otherwise you end up with tons of nonsense posts (see above, I've created most of them...). Count Aliens as a horror flick, and you might as well include Sleepless In Seattle. That Meg Ryan's one scary stalker-type sometimes.fixed! man you dig yourself deep.
Wow, I wish I could make excellent points by simply changing what someone said, rather than actually taking them to task. You lead me to believe that you cannot find anything wrong in my posts, otherwise you'd respond to them instead of "adding" to my posts in order to find a target. Fair enough then.

So... you then agree that if you include Aliens, you may as well include Sleepless In Seattle? See, that was supposed to be a joke, but if you agreed with that statement you're a bit sillier than I first realized. Not that being silly is bad, but it hardly makes you cut out to argue, as you continue to demonstrate.

[scott1598]

Wow, I wish I could make excellent points by simply changing what someone said, rather than actually taking them to task. You lead me to believe that you cannot find anything wrong in my posts, otherwise you'd respond to them instead of "adding" to my posts in order to find a target. Fair enough then.

So... you then agree that if you include Aliens, you may as well include Sleepless In Seattle? See, that was supposed to be a joke, but if you agreed with that statement you're a bit sillier than I first realized. Not that being silly is bad, but it hardly makes you cut out to argue, as you continue to demonstrate.
i'm simply not going to stoop. i made my point clear and that was that. all this is is a difference of opinion and opinion is all this question is...there is no right or wrong. why you keep going on with comments like yours tells me all i need to know.

[DonnachaOne]

i'm simply not going to stoop. i made my point clear and that was that. all this is is a difference of opinion and opinion is all this question is...there is no right or wrong. why you keep going on with comments like yours tells me all i need to know.Either you're not going to "stop" and you made a typo, or you're not going to "stoop". Any lower than a slew of "fixed!" comments? That's stooping fairly low already, but of course you know that.

The accepted concept of "this is is a difference of opinion... there is no right or wrong" is new to you, acording to your posts. It looks like you've run out of things to blurt, and are now coming up to speed with the rest of us who respect informed opinions. It's fine to have an informed opinion, good sir, and I have yet to see you have evidence of one.

(I wonder how "scott1598" will respond. I wonder if he will ever-so-humorously "fix" my post, since that will definitely support his thought that Aliens is a horror flick, not dragging out a one-sided debate any further)


Fear not scott1598, we can progress and you can debate respectfully and knowledgeably, but you have to want to...

[scott1598]

Either you're not going to "stop" and you made a typo, or you're not going to "stoop". Any lower than a slew of "fixed!" comments? That's stooping fairly low already, but of course you know that.

The accepted concept of "this is is a difference of opinion... there is no right or wrong" is new to you, acording to your posts. It looks like you've run out of things to blurt, and are now coming up to speed with the rest of us who respect informed opinions. It's fine to have an informed opinion, good sir, and I have yet to see you have evidence of one.

(I wonder how "scott1598" will respond. I wonder if he will ever-so-humorously "fix" my post, since that will definitely support his thought that Aliens is a horror flick, not dragging out a one-sided debate any further)


Fear not scott1598, we can progress and you can debate respectfully and knowledgeably, but you have to want to...
:wave:

[Bobby Shalom]

It's really great to see people put down on an internet message board for their opinions. Kudos to DonnachaOne and Matthew Chmiel for being the top internet bullies today! imdb lists Aliens as Action / Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller. Not that that means anything, but I will respect that data over theirs anyday.

[DonnachaOne]

:wave:
Excellent. We are at peace. I look forward to our discussion in future, scott1598.


Back to the Horror movie thread.

I noticed a few ads for Hostel last night. It was the usual barrage of unsettling stuff we've seen in trailers and print, but the soundtrack was Beethoven's "Ode To Joy". An unusual cue for selling a horror flick, but it's catchy and the ad's stuck in my head now... seems to me Eli Roth & co. know what they're doing.

His next adaptation is of a Richard Matheson story. Given Matheson's history in horror, would this fall into "old-time" horror moviemaking or would it fall into today's horror conventions?




It's really great to see people put down on an internet message board for their opinions. No-one is being put down for having an informed opinion.

Kudos to DonnachaOne and Matthew Chmiel for being the top internet bullies today!Bullies? If you like to call people names over the internet, um, right on I guess, whatever makes you feel good. Just remember personal attacks are not tolerated on these boards...

imdb lists Aliens as Action / Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller. Not that that means anythingAgreed.

Now Bobby, did you have something to add to the Horror Movies discussion (since this is your first post in the thread), or were you just trying to provoke people?

[scott1598]

I noticed a few ads for Hostel last night. It was the usual barrage of unsettling stuff we've seen in trailers and print, but the soundtrack was Beethoven's "Ode To Joy". An unusual cue for selling a horror flick, but it's catchy and the ad's stuck in my head now... seems to me Eli Roth & co. know what they're doing.

where did you see these ads? i would love to see "Hostel" set to one of my all time favorite pieces of music (thank "Die Hard" for that!)

[scott1598]

I noticed a few ads for Hostel last night. It was the usual barrage of unsettling stuff we've seen in trailers and print, but the soundtrack was Beethoven's "Ode To Joy". An unusual cue for selling a horror flick, but it's catchy and the ad's stuck in my head now... seems to me Eli Roth & co. know what they're doing.

where did you see these ads? i would love to see "Hostel" set to one of my all time favorite pieces of music (thank "Die Hard" for that!)
i just saw the "Ode To Joy" ads...very cool!

[Zodiac_Speaking]

It really depends on what the horror movie is, but to simplify things, first it must be original, gorey, something new and fresh, and have a good idea. Those will make me excited for anything. Recently, I thought (of last year) High Tension was that for me, but for this year I'm excited for Behind the Mask: Rise of Leslie Vernon. Look for this to blow up within the horror community and it represents everything that excites me about horror.

An older film that I discovered recently that does the abve is Aftermath for Unearthed Films. It rocks.

[DarthVong]

I like old school slasher/horror. The classics like Halloween and such. The last most recent film that gave me a shudder was Exorcist III, and that was just because of The Scene. I enjoyed SAW for the ending. The whole "Scream-like" sub-genre I could do without, but that could be because I'm not a teenager.

[Kudama]

I like different sensations from different movies.

My recent favorite is the ones coming out of Japan these past few years. Juon is probably the best example I can give. Instead of jump scares, the camera would just pan slightly revealing more to the scene and creating this weird wave of electricity that slid up from the base of my spine and washed out over my shoulder blades culminating in the classic hair sticking on end feeling. A lot of these Japanese horror movies create this sensation in me (it’s quite pleasant actually) and it seems like a signature to that particular style. I think Juon did it to me like twenty times.

I really love good grindhouse for another reason completely and I really liked Hostel a lot. I’m what you call hyper-mortal. In that death and its totality have haunted me since early childhood and if given the choice would never accept non-existence (or the terror and pain that precede it). These movies tend to be grounded in our reality and, if well done, let me experience the visceral dread without being in danger. Sort of like your house feels so much cozier when it’s raining out. I just feel so lucky not to be in these situations. Plus I’m a mild sadist/masochist, but then who’s not? :)

My absolute favorite is a good Lovecraftian style demon. We don’t get enough of this. Say what you will about Silent Hill’s plot. All I know is those were some beautiful, mind numbingly evil looking monsters in the preview and I want more. More. More than any man has EVER SEEEEN!!! I hope I come out of that movie and have to go pick up some Just For Men for my hair. I can’t wait (T minus 6.5 hours and counting).

[scott1598]

Another week, another horror movie I have no interest in seeing at the top. It's like printing money with those things lately...
i like what Sierra said in another thread. highly agreed and with it's low budget it will likely make a profit and pave the way for movie versions of "Condemned: Criminal Origins" or "Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem" or "Fatal Frame" or "Silent Hill 2" or ...

[AnonomusBob15]

Has anyone ever seen the move "Mind Ripper"? I thought it had a great atmosphere and was a terrifying small film.

[sethsez]

i like what Sierra said in another thread. highly agreed and with it's low budget it will likely make a profit and pave the way for movie versions of "Condemned: Criminal Origins" or "Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem" or "Fatal Frame" or "Silent Hill 2" or ...
Unlike most of those, Silent Hill actually had a chance of being adapted well for the medium, and the second game would actually be a good movie (the first was a bad choice to adapt, but I guess they had to establish the town somehow...).