I liked your description. It's cool cause your first sentence can be taken a different way, "I think it's a perfect representation of how the 90s was not a horror decade...", which is funny (counter intuitive for NBK) at face value, but then you go on to explain quite well how 90s horror genre was oblique (and I'd say Post Modern). Lots of these films are examples of this: like Anachrophobia is the classic Post Modern humor twist, and Tremors is rather retro 1950s, Funny Games, Deep Blue Sea, Flatliners all have oblique horror themes.

As I originally wrote, I'd never want to debate if NBK was a Horror film, I'd just say I don't think Oliver Stone or I ever thought he made one. Generally speaking, NBK is a remake of Bonnie and Clyde. The American family glued to the "news papers" to be entertained by the media starlets: deranged murderers. NBK is up for interpretation, but Stone is pointing his finger at the media for making these sick people stars, and us for making these sick people stars. I just never thought Bonnie & Clyde and NBK significant to the Horror genre, but those are I just my thoughts. I'm not making an 'argument', not asking for changes, just enjoying the discussion.

If other people want to throw support to other movies to be added I'll remove my backing of Natural Born Killers but only if people come forward. I really don't want to hold things up but there's definitely something more deserving then NBK

Still haven't heard back from fortunato so giving this some more time.

Sorry, folks. The 00s will have to wait for a wee bit longer.

I think it's probably worthwhile for me to state my case as to why Natural Born Killers is "horror" enough to make a horror list. Again, I'm not lobbying for it to stay. I personally think it should, but I don't have a problem with it dropping off. I just want to put on record how I come to my conclusion.

First, I'll just pick at a couple of Sculpt's points, not to call him out because I know he's not trying to start a debate, but because I think his points exemplify why it's less common to see NBK as a horror (or horror-related) film. First, the Bonnie and Clyde thing... Just because a film is loosely a remake of an earlier film, doesn't put it in the same genre. A Fistful of Dollars is basically a remake of Yojimbo, but it's not a samurai film. NBK is a standalone film, and much different tonally and thematically than Bonnie and Clyde. Secondly, just because a film makes a social statement doesn't disqualify it from being horror, but it can distract from the horror when giving a broad-stroke analysis of the film.

Also, side note: The "immoral media," and pop-consumers-as-sheep themes, although they are the most clearly-outlined, they're far from the only themes explored in the film, which also touched on the power of sex (Mallory on the car hood), nurture vs. nature (Mallory's abusive family and psychological reprocussions), the risk when good people help bad people (the Indians), and the media becoming complicit in the crime story (Downey Jr.'s killing of prison guards). I'm sure there are plenty more... the film is complex, which contributes to it being not considered "horror."

Anyway, on to why I think it's horror. A while back I stated my definition of horror. I'll continue to reference it because that's how I draw the lines, and, although I know it's not everyone's definition, I don't think it's outlandish, and suspect it's actually pretty close to a lot of other people's definition.

So basically:

1. Are characters that we care about under pursuit by something harmful or scary (real or perceived, supernatural or natural)?
2. Are we as viewers supposed to be scared or shocked in the process?

There are two groups of victims in NBK: 1) All the people that get killed (obviously), and 2) Mickey and Mallory themselves, victims of their own degrading psychological conditions.

First, the obvious, random victims. Do we care about them, and are we as viewers supposed to be scared or shocked when they are pursued? I'll just use one scene as an example, but there are plenty of others to choose from: The scene in the cafe, where Mickey and Mallory go on a killing rampage. The feeling I got while watching that scene was almost identical to the billards bar scene in Near Dark, and in both cases, I found it scary. Why? It's not just because people got violently killed. It's due to Oliver Stone's (and Kathryn Bigelow's) direction -- we learn just enough about these characters to relate to them and care for their well being. We've all been those people -- the waitress putting up with snotty customers, the guy playing pool wanting to protect his girlfriend. Watching those scenes, we know that each one of those people is doomed, and we can only hope that someone can get away or be spared. It doesn't hurt the case that each was killed in such violent fashion.

Secondly, Mickey and Mallory as victims of their own minds. Do we care about them? Yes, because they're the protagonists. This movie happens to have villain protagonists, but they're protagonists nonetheless.

So then are we supposed to be scared? Let me start by saying, psychological horror, I believe, is perhaps the most misunderstood of the horror genres. ("If there's no blood, it's not horror.") Case in point, the thread where that new chick MaskOfPersona came to our forum asking specifically for minimal-blood, psychological horror. Most people greeted her with "you don't like blood, what's your problem?" or recommended she watch Frankenstein 1931 or a film where a child is beaten to death in a gunnysack. I'm not mentioning this be critical, but simply to point out that even most horror fans don't appreciate psychological horror, and often miscategorize it.

By my definition, a film is psychological horror if the "deadly force" is the characters' own minds, and the film is scary because we fear for the well-being of either the psychologically-affected characters themselves (like in Bug) or for those around them (like in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (the sister)). In NBK, it's a bit of both. In the Indian ritual scene, we see the horrors inside Mickey's mind. Forget what does and does not scare you, personally; this scene is clearly intended to be scary. At multiple points, we see Mallory's flashbacks to her abusive family and the continuing deterioration of her mental state. At the same time, we fear for those around them -- the Indians, who are there to help, but we fear are at risk in doing so. Also, the guy who is seduced by Mallory on the car hood while she experiences her flashbacks, causing her to lose control. In my book, this is psychological horror at its best. The tension is built, not due to something creeping around in the dark, but due to the building chaos in the mind of someone capable of inflicting harm.

Bottom line, I think there are a lot of reasons why it's easy to miss the horror in Natural Born Killers -- either due to the wide variety of styles, including black humor, action and drama, or because of the non-horror social themes, both overt and subtle. But if you peel away some of the complexity and diversion, IMO the film is horror, even at its core.

I completely agree with your points on why it is horror. I, personally, consider it horror and have come across multiple documentaries and books that also group it under horror. Also, in reference to A Tale of Two Sister, I stand by what I said. There is one bad scene (which I did not think was that bad). It is definitely psychological horror.

Geez you won me over. Thats a lot to think about. I'm definitely gonna be thinking about all you said the next time i watch it. Maybe i'll come out with a different perspective.

I also believe that the best horror movies are the ones with social and societal messages. It is these things among other things why I like the horror genre.

Still no reply from fortunato.

Also asking a clarification from Sculpt - did you post a negative vote for Night of the Living Dead (remake)? I thought I saw it yesterday, but can't seem to find it now.

If yes, that film will drop out of the selected ones as well.

No neg to NOTD from me.

Ya, same here. That's always been a big draw for me.

I'd like to remove my backing of Natural Born Killers and Neg vote Night of The Living Dead. Instead I'd like to back Funny Games and Man Bites Dog

Done.

We are back to TWO empty slots for Honorable Mentions. Two new films stake a claim for those places - Funny Games and Man Bites Dog.

http://www.horror.com/forum/showthre...943#post954943

Let's hear more on this new development.

Who do I have to kill to get us on to the 2000's? :p

Sorry for making things difficult. From now until the 00's I won't cast another vote. I have enough already

I'll back Tremors.

Anyone else for Funny Games or Man Bites Dog?

With that, Tremors has just eased itself into the 5th Honorable Mentions spot.

http://www.horror.com/forum/showthre...943#post954943

Need to find ONE final film.

I'm only dicking around, carry on voting and discussing, it will take as long as it takes, all good with me. :cool:

Oh I know. I just know I've gone back and forth a couple tines and don't want to piss anyone off by holding things up. Really glad Tremors made the list.

I'll back Tremors and Natural Born Killers.

Tremors and Funny Games. I love Man Bites Dog, but I don't really think it belongs on this particular list, either.

And that was a neg vote for NBK; sorry for the delay.

Fortunato has spoken, and that helps us seal the SIXTH and FINAL film for our Honorable Mentions of the 90s.

http://www.horror.com/forum/showthre...943#post954943

If the majority are in agreement, we shall start working on the 00s.

Yes, please, let's move on!

Looks good to me.

Yes let's get to the 00's

Looks good. Onward!

Onward we go...

I would have preferred if Natural Born Killers had made the Honorable Mentions section at least, but this is a pretty good list. I am fine with it.

thumbs up

\

Agreed..........

Majority have given it the thumbs up so we pack up the 90s. Here's our final selection...

IN THE CUT

Candyman (1992) - 11

Jacob's Ladder (1990) - 9
Scream (1996) - 9
Se7en (1995) - 9

Army of Darkness (1992) - 8
Dead Alive (1992) - 8
Misery (1990) - 8
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 8
The Blair Witch Project (1999) - 8

The Sixth Sense (1999) - 7

Dracula (1992) - 5
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) - 5
In the Mouth of Madness (1994) - 5
Wishmaster (1997) - 5

The Exorcist III (1990) - 4

Cronos (1993) - 3
Cube (1997) - 3
Sleepy Hollow (1999) - 3

Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) - 2

Stir of Echoes (1999)

Ringu (1998) - 5 (backed by neverending, seconded by Giganticface, The Villain, metternich1815) [IN]

Nightbreed (1990) - 3 (backed by Kandarian Demon, seconded by neverending, Straker, fortunato, The Villain, realdealblues) [IN]

-----------------------------------------------------------


HONORABLE MENTIONS

Audition (1999) - 6 (backed by The Villain, seconded by Giganticface) {Straker*, neverending*, Sculpt*}
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) - 4 (backed by metternich1815, seconded by hammerfan, realdealblues) {The Villain*}
Funny Games (1997) - 4 {Giganticface*, Sculpt*, The Villain*, fortunato*}
Event Horizon (1997) - 3 (backed by tiberius, seconded by metternich1815) {Straker*, neverending*}
Cemetary Man (1994) - 3 (backed by Straker) {Giganticface*, metternich1815*, The Villain*}
Tremors (1990) - 2 (backed by The Villain) {realdealblues*, Sculpt*, Giganticface*, tiberius*, fortunato*}



DEBATABLE

Leprechaun (1993) - 6 (backed by realdealblues, seconded by natedog722) (-1)

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) - 4 (backed by The Villain, seconded by realdealblues)
Night of the Living Dead (1990) - 4 (backed by Kandarian Demon, seconded by hammerfan) {Giganticface*, realdealblues*} (-1)


MINORITY

Deep Blue Sea (1999) - 3 (backed by metternich1815, seconded by The Villain, tiberius) (-1)
Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) - 3 (backed by natedog722) (-2)
Natural Born Killers (1994) - 3 (backed by metternich1815, seconded by Giganticface) {neverending*, tiberius*} (-1)
Predator 2 (1990) - 3
Urban Legend (1998) - 3 (backed by metternich1815)

Anaconda (1997) - 2 (backed by tiberius) (-2)
Blade (1998) - 2 {Sculpt*}
Bride of Chucky (1998) - 2 (-1)
Child's Play 2 (1990) - 2
Frankenhooker (1990) - 2
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) - 2 (-2)
Hardware (1990) - 2
House on Haunted Hill (1999) - 2 (backed by Kandarian Demon)
Interview with the Vampire (1994) - 2
Subspecies (1991) - 2
The Faculty (1998) - 2 (backed by The Villain) {realdealblues*}
The People Under the Stairs (1991) - 2
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) - 2
Warlock: The Armageddon (1993) - 2 (backed by Kandarian Demon)
Wolf (1994) - 2


SINGLE VOTES TO

Alien³ (1992)
An American Werewolf in Paris (1997)
Arachnophobia (1990) (backed by Sculpt) {The Villain*, metternich1815*}
Basket Case 2 (1990)
Begotten (1990)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Castle Freak (1995)
Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995)
Clean, Shaven (1993)
Cure (1997)
End of Days (1999) (backed by natedog722)
Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
Fallen (1998)
Fear (1996) (backed by neverending) {The Villain*}
Flatliners (1990) {Sculpt*}
Frankenstein Unbound (1990)
Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion (1996)
Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999)
Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
Hiruko the Goblin (1991) (backed by The Villain) {Straker*}
Humanoids from the Deep (1996)
Jurassic Park (1993) (backed by Sculpt)
Kiss the Girls (1997)
Lake Placid (1999)
Man Bites Dog (1992) (backed by Straker) {Giganticface*, The Villain*}
Mirror Mirror (1990)
Necronomicon: Book of Dead (1993)
Needful Things (1993)
Nightmare Concert (A Cat in the Brain) (1990)
Perdita Durango (1997)
Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1994 Video)
Ravenous (1999) (backed by Giganticface)
Scream 2 (1997)
Shakma (1990) ([backed by The Villain)
Sphere (1998)
Stigmata (1999)
Terror Firmer (1999)
Tesis (1996)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994)
The Dentist (1996)
The Frighteners (1996)
The Guardian (1991)
The Lawnmower Man (1992)
The Night Flier (1997)
The Ninth Gate (1999)
The Relic (1997)
The Stendhal Syndrome (1996)
The X Files (1998)


SPECIAL SECTION - REST OF THE GIANT MONSTER FILMS OF THE 90s :-

Deep Rising 1998
Gamera: Guardian of the Universe 1995
Godzilla 1998
Godzilla 2000: Millennium 1999
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah 1991
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II 1993
Godzilla vs. Mothra 1992
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla 1994
Gorilla 1995
Komodo 1999
Mighty Joe Young 1998
Mimic 1997
Rebirth of Mothra 1996
Rebirth of Mothra II 1997
Rebirth of Mothra III 1998
Reptilian 1999
Starship Troopers 1997
The Iron Giant 1999
The Lost World: Jurassic Park 1997
The Mighty Kong 1998
Tremors 2: Aftershocks 1996




We now enter the 2000s...

IN THE CUT

Jeepers Creepers (2001) - 6
Let the Right One In (2008) - 6
Shaun of the Dead (2004) - 6
The Ring (2002) - 6

[REC] (2007) - 5
28 Days Later (2002) - 5
Dog Soldiers (2002) - 5
Paranormal Activity (2007) - 5
Saw (2004) - 5
Signs (2002) - 5

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) - 4
American Psycho (2000) - 4
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) - 4
The Cabin In The Woods (2011) - 4
The Descent (2005) - 4
The Mist (2007) - 4
The Others (2001) - 4

Cloverfield (2008) - 3
May (2002) - 3
Shutter (2004) - 3

Frailty (2001) - 2

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Ginger Snaps (2000) - 3 (backed by neverending, seconded by metternich1815, hammerfan, Sculpt, realdealblues) [IN]
Greedy Guts aka Little Otik aka Otesanek (2000) (backed by Straker, seconded by Sculpt, The Villain, fortunato, Giganticface) [IN]

---------------------------------------------------------------

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The Devil's Backbone (2001) - 4 (backed by neverending, seconded by Straker, fortunato, The Villain)
Battle Royale (2000) - 3 (backed by The Villain, seconded by neverending, Straker) {Giganticface*}
The Host aka Gwoemul (2006) - 3 (backed by The Villain) {Straker*, Sculpt*, Giganticface*}
Inside aka À l'intérieur (2007) - 2 (backed by Giganticface, seconded by neverending, Straker) {The Villain*, Sculpt*}
Hard Candy (2005) (backed by neverending, seconded by The Villain, metternich1815, Straker) {Sculpt*}
The Orphanage (2007) (backed by The Villain, seconded by hammerfan, metternich1815, Sculpt)



DEBATABLE

Prometheus (2012) - 4 (backed by natedog722, seconded by tiberius) (-1)



MINORITY

Dawn of the Dead (2004) - 3 (backed by Kandarian Demon)
Dead Silence (2007) - 3 (backed by natedog722, seconded by Kandarian Demon)
Diary of the Dead (2007) - 3 (backed by metternich1815, seconded by tiberius)
Final Destination (2000) - 3 (backed by metternich1815, seconded by natedog722, realdealblues, Kandarian Demon, tiberius) (-2)
Hatchet (2006) - 3 (backed by Kandarian Demon)
Session 9 (2001) - 3 (backed by Giganticface, seconded by hammerfan)
The Strangers (2008) - 3 (backed by natedog722)


30 Days of Night (2007) - 2 (backed by natedog722, seconded by hammerfan)
Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) - 2 (backed by Straker, seconded by realdeablues, Kandarian Demon) (-1)
Constantine (2005) - 2 (backed by Sculpt)
Dagon (2001) - 2 (backed by Kandarian Demon)
Daybreakers (2009) - 2 (backed by Sculpt)
Feast (2005) - 2 (backed by realdealblues)
Fido (2006) - 2 (backed by realdealblues)
Grindhouse (2007) - 2 (backed by metternich1815)
Hostel (2005) - 2 (backed by The Villain, seconded by realdealblues) (-1)
House of the Devil (2009) - 2
Ju-on (2002) - 2 (backed by Kandarian Demon)
Martyrs (2008) - 2 (backed by Giganticface)
Oldboy (2003) - 2 (backed by neverending, seconded by Giganticface) {Sculpt*}
Pulse aka (Kairo) (2001) - 2 (backed by neverending, seconded by Straker) {Sculpt*}
Splinter (2008) - 2 (backed by natedog722)
The Devil Inside (2012) - 2 (backed by metternich1815)
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) - 2 (backed by natedog722, seconded by Kandarian Demon)
The Hills Have Eyes (2006) - 2 (backed by realdealblues)
The Signal (2007) - 2 (backed by realdealblues)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) - 2 (backed by natedog722)
Thir13en Ghosts (2001) - 2 (backed by realdealblues, seconded by Kandarian Demon, tiberius) (-2)



SINGLE VOTES TO

An American Haunting (2005)
1408 (2007)
28 Weeks Later (2007)
Antichrist (2009)
Apollo 18 (2011)
AVP: Alien Vs. Predator (2004)
AVPR - Aliens versus Predator: Requiem (2007)
Beneath Still Waters (2005)
Black Sheep (2006)
Black Swan (2010) (backed by Giganticface, seconded by Sculpt)
Blade II (2002)
Boogeymen: The Killer Compilation (2001)
Borderland (2007)
Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
Cabin Fever (2002)
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009)
Darkness Falls (2003)
Dead Birds (2004)
Dead Snow (2009)
Devil (2010)
Disturbia (2007) (backed by Sculpt)
Drag Me To Hell (2009)
FeardotCom (2002)
Final Destination 2 (2003)
Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
Fright Night (2011) (backed by realdealblues)
Frontier(s) (2007) (backed by neverending)
Ghost Ship (2002)
Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) (backed by Sculpt)
Grave Encounters (2011)
High Tension aka Haute Tension (2005) (backed by metternich1815, seconded by Giganticface)
Home Movie (2008) (backed by neverending)
Hostel: Part II (2007)
House of 1000 Corpses (2003) (backed by metternich1815)
I am Legend (2007)
Identity (2003)
Ils aka Them (2006) (backed by neverending)
John Dies at the End (2012) (backed by Sculpt)
Julia's Eyes (2010) (backed by The Villain)
Ju-on: The Grudge 2 (2003)
Land of the Dead (2005) (backed by realdealblues)
Legion (2010)
Let Me In (2010)
Lovely Molly (2011)
Man-Thing (2005)
Mirrors (2008)
Mother of Tears (2007)
Mum & Dad (2008) (backed by neverending)
My Bloody Valentine (2009)
My Name Is Bruce (2007)
Chakushin Ari aka One Missed Call (2003)
Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) (backed by The Villain, seconded by hammerfan)
Red Dragon (2002)
Red Riding Hood (2011)
Resident Evil (2002)
Sauna (2008)
Shadow of the Vampire (2000) (backed by Straker, seconded by The Villain) (-1)
Silk (2006)
Sinister (2012)
The Amityville Horror (2005)
The Butterfly Effect (2004) (backed by Sculpt)
The Cell (2000) (backed by Sculpt)
The Daisy Chain (2008)
The Fog (2005)
The Forgotten (2004)
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)
The Messengers (2007)
The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007) (backed by The Villain)
The Revenant (2009)
The Ruins (2008)
The Skeleton Key (2005)
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008)
Thirst aka Bakjwi (2009) (backed by Straker)
Three... Extremes (2004)
Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Trollhunter (2010) (backed by The Villain)
Tucker and Dale Vs Evil (2010)
Underworld (2003)
Vacancy (2007) (backed by Sculpt)
Venom (2005)
Versus (2000)
Zombieland (2009) (backed by realdealblues)


SPECIAL SECTION - REST OF THE GIANT MONSTER FILMS OF THE 00s :-

2-Headed Shark Attack 2012
Behemoth 2010
Big Man Japan 2007
Boa vs. Python 2004
Deep Sea Beast Reigo 2005
D-War 2007
Eight Legged Freaks 2002
Gamera the Brave 2006
Garuda 2004
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla 2002
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus 2000
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack 2001
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. 2003
John Carter 2012
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 2012
Journey to the Center of the Earth 2008
Jurassic Park III 2001
King Kong 2005
Mega Python vs. Gatoroid 2011
Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus 2010
Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus 2009
Mongolian Death Worm 2010
Monsters 2010
Negadon: The Monster from Mars 2005
Sharktopus 2010
Spiders 2000
Super 8 2011
The Attack of the Giant Moussaka 2000
The Monster X Strikes Back/Attack the G8 Summit 2008
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep 2007
Tremors 3: Back to Perfection 2001
Tremors 4: The Legend Begins 2004
Ultraman the Next 2004


{*} = Support for Honorable Mentions



The initial backings/negations stay.

Adding a special "Giant Monster" films section at the end for due consideration, since it was demanded.

Remember, we are here to select TWO films from the remaining ones from the DEBATABLE section onwards.
The "In The Cut" section is NOT for debate.

Once that is done, we can proceed to select SEVEN films from the remaining stock for our Honorable Mentions.

As with the 90s, we have a few films from the 2000s with NEGATIVE VOTES as well, so it's pretty much open for debate. Although, if we go by majority, we can chuck in the 2 films with 4 votes each into our top 24 and then proceed directly to the Honorable Mentions. Or we can debate till we find our films by majority backings.

Either way, let's hear 'em.

Ginger Snaps
Session 9
30 Days of Night
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
The Orphanage

It looks like I have already previously backed the movies I felt deserved to be in the list, and from what I've understood we can't back them again, right?

Yep. You can't back the same film twice.

So, do I need to go back and see what I voted for to begin with?

Votes are fine. You can vote for a film AND back it ONCE during the subsequent debates.

OK, thanks, V.

So, are we voting or backing right now? This whole process gets more confusing every day.

Oh good. I'm glad I'm not the only one! :D:p

IMO, it's not a bad idea to remind us of what you backed, if for no other reason than to put it back on the radar. (Probably good to mention that you've already backed them though, to save V the trouble of looking it up.)

...

Having said that, I'm going to re-mention three films I've already backed. These three films are not just on my top 22, but are way up near the top.


Inside

A fresh take on the slasher subgenre, it bastardizes the formula, yet still essentially addresses almost every item in the list. This film makes me squirm more than just about anything, and that's saying something. Forget Hatchet: that's more of the same old, same old. This is something new.


Martyrs

An utterly one-of-a-kind film for those that are willing to give it the chance it deserves, and can stomach it. As the French are doing, it incorporates existing subgenre elements, but twists or re-invents them in ways no one has done before. (It's a home invasion movie... wow, that was quick. It's a demon ghost film... or is it? It's torture... a whole new level and tone.) The film is unique in that, like the experiments performed on the protagonist, the viewer becomes the subject of a similar experiment: can you endure more pain than you can imagine, to the point of transcendence to a new level of existence? Okay, maybe the viewer won't reach martyrdom by watching the film, but it will be dizzying ride in the process.


Session 9

This film does creepy, surreal atmosphere about as well as two of my favorites: The Shining and Jacob's Ladder. The location is almost a character in itself, and some of the imagery and sounds are as memorable and spine-tingling as that in The Changeling. The slow-burn creep-out storyline is as good as it gets, and has a rewarding ending.