recent Torture/Horror trend stems from...

[Roderick Usher]

The Passion of the Christ!

Now I'm not one of those believers,(and mean absolutely no offense to those of you out there who are) but I know good story and good mythology. The story of the Christ is compelling stuff, healing, miracles, dying for sins,...all good story telling elements.

But this film...

Mel managed to turn this epic bit of Mythology into a snuff film with 10 times the gore of Hostel. The scourging scene made me squirm. Mel has some sort of "you must suffer to be a man" thing going on, that is alternately ridiculous and titilating. (torture scene in Lethal Weapon, anyone?)

I told all of my friends that it was the best horror film of the year - hell Mel even threw in an androgynous devil character who lurks around menacingly like Damein.

It showed that you could load a film with torture and gore and make a mint!

[Posher778]

I think you misinterpreted this movie a bit...

[paws the great]

Passion of the Christ is not horror film.Its a deeply moving work of religious art.

[persuasian70]

Recent Torture?Horror trend stems from Japanese horror movies like Audition, Suicide Club, tec., in my opinion. Japan would not be influenced by The Passion because the vast majority of Japanese are not Christians.

[azathoth777]

Originally posted by persuasian70
Recent Torture?Horror trend stems from Japanese horror movies like Audition, Suicide Club, tec., in my opinion. Japan would not be influenced by The Passion because the vast majority of Japanese are not Christians.

And the Japanese where making torture horror long before The Passion... came out.
I think it's more that people want more blood and such, and torture is just the best way to do that. Alot of horror fans are sick of wimpy PG-13 films.

[urgeok]

the recent torture flicks were influenced by the 70's grindhouse movies of which Tarantino and his ilk loved.

[PR3SSUR3]

The Passion of the Christ was indeed eye-watering stuff in places, and it was obviously decided that sadistic gore was required in order for us to fully appreciate our saviour's revelation.

Perhaps Christians are made to feel like women, then, after watching I Spit on Your Grave?

'Christploitation' isn't new (remember The Last Temptation...?), but never has it been so visceral.

In terms of what has been the influence on Saw, Hostel, Wolf Creek et al, I would say producers have finally decided to put both feet back in the nasty exploitation era and go for broke. Shock sells, and filmmakers have realised they are allowed to get away with much more this decade than they were in times of broad censorship twenty years ago. Because the authorities and campaigners are more distracted by the internet, film isn't the scrutinised media that it was.

If they can truly ditch the self-awareness and irony while they're at it, this is good news for all of us.

[urgeok]

Originally posted by PR3SSUR3
[b]If they can truly ditch the self-awareness and irony while they're at it, this is good news for all of us.


i think that trend will fade in time ..

call them 're-growing pains'

[Freak]

I'm sorry and I hope I don't offend anybody with this, but Passion is the most over rated movie of all time.Like Jesus is the only person to ever be tortured for hours and hours.

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Freak
I'm sorry and I hope I don't offend anybody with this, but Passion is the most over rated movie of all time.Like Jesus is the only person to ever be tortured for hours and hours.

uhhh, i'm not a christian but even i couldn't let this one go ..


Jesus supposedly died for all of our sins. everyone ... the whole world at the time ....and everyone since.

so if you follow this faith i think that makes his act pretty significant.

the only thing that offended me about that post was how rediculous it was.

[tarcher80]

Originally posted by paws the great
Passion of the Christ is not horror film.Its a deeply moving work of religious art.

LMAO. Sorry I hope I didn't offend you, but that really made me spit out my drink.

I'd rather not get into a debate, (I've been in enough about this movie) although I've probably just left myself open for one.

Sorry again, just had to share that *still chuckling*

[Roderick Usher]

Originally posted by tarcher80
LMAO. Sorry I hope I didn't offend you, but that really made me spit out my drink.

I'd rather not get into a debate, (I've been in enough about this movie) although I've probably just left myself open for one.

Sorry again, just had to share that *still chuckling*

Yeah, I was trying to skip over that one too.

Art? Maybe a titlating blurring of the line between religious ecstacy and bloodlust - which in itself is a pretty cool benchmark to hit.

[tarcher80]

ok one more comment (i can't resist)...

i was raised catholic and still hold some of the belief system, although i respect the major religions and believe that all of them have something to offer. my beef w/ the movie is simple: why did it have to be made?

there have many movies that depict the crucifixion, albeit not as bloody as this one, but its been done b/f. what purpose does this movie serve??? does it make me want to be a better catholic? no. but does it use the age old religious tradition of fear/guilt to facilitate faith? yes.

that is my beef simple beef w/ this movie.

oh, and mel is crazy loon too.

[Roderick Usher]

Ex-Catholic myownself

Right there with you. Mel is a loon, but it's kind of fun watching him implode.

[Doc Faustus]

I think it was kind of weird that something like the crucifixion required a violent dramatization in this day and age, but the torture horror trend comes more from flagging economy, war abroad and the feelings of insecurity and social immobility that result from it. As America gets scarier for people to live in, its going to keep looking grittier and scarier on film. It's symptomatic that the crucifixion isn't shocking enough on its own anymore and that a multimillion dollar blockbuster made to remind people that Christ died for their sins has a niche. That scares me.

[PR3SSUR3]

Well, I'm perfectly at home with the idea that every so often, mankind needs a reminder of what Jesus Christ supposedly had to endure (for our sins).

Who's to say Mel Gibson's movie wont be as or more important as the bible in 4000 years time?

[Roderick Usher]

Originally posted by Doc Faustus
I think it was kind of weird that something like the crucifixion required a violent dramatization in this day and age, but the torture horror trend comes more from flagging economy, war abroad and the feelings of insecurity and social immobility that result from it. As America gets scarier for people to live in, its going to keep looking grittier and scarier on film. It's symptomatic that the crucifixion isn't shocking enough on its own anymore and that a multimillion dollar blockbuster made to remind people that Christ died for their sins has a niche. That scares me.

fantasic point Doc

[Roderick Usher]

And I gotta say, I'm loving everyone's point of view in this thread.

Kind of validates the film to know that so many poeple still have a very strong, visceral reaction to it.