HDC Presents: 100 Years of Horror

[Kandarian Demon]

Originally Posted by metternich1815

Just curious, what is your type of horror? I am just surprised because some of the best horror films of the 90s were ones that did NOT rely on CGI, but instead on story, character development, and even used higher thinking by scaring through psychology. I respect other's views on horror of the 90s, but am surprised by so many that believe it was a bad decade for horror, despite quite a number of really excellent films (at least in my opinion).

In short, supernatural horror. Something that can't be destroyed with a machine gun. And sure, they made supernatural horror movies in the 90s, but that specific genre seemed a little dead at the time. When I think of 90s horror, I think of boobs and childish toilet humour (as in "Scream", which I think is the movie that best sums up everything I disliked about 90s horror)

It was also a time where many horror movies were scarred by really horrible acting. Sure, there's ALWAYS been bad acting in horror - but I guess around that time, the talented, classic horror actors were either no longer around or too old, and sadly they were never replaced. But at least at this point in time, I think we are beginning to see better acting in horror again.

[xX_StarChild_Xx]

I back Cannibal Holocaust. :)

[metternich1815]

Originally Posted by Kandarian Demon

In short, supernatural horror. Something that can't be destroyed with a machine gun. And sure, they made supernatural horror movies in the 90s, but that specific genre seemed a little dead at the time. When I think of 90s horror, I think of boobs and childish toilet humour (as in "Scream", which I think is the movie that best sums up everything I disliked about 90s horror)

It was also a time where many horror movies were scarred by really horrible acting. Sure, there's ALWAYS been bad acting in horror - but I guess around that time, the talented, classic horror actors were either no longer around or too old, and sadly they were never replaced. But at least at this point in time, I think we are beginning to see better acting in horror again.

I have to agree that supernatural movies were relatively dead in the 90s, which explains why you probably didn't like that period. Personally, I like virtually every sub-genre of horror with the exception of the torture and exploitation ones. As far as Scream, I am not sure what you are referring to? I think you are meaning Scary Movie. If you had a different intention you may correct me. Personally, I loved Scream because it was one of the most brilliant and witty horror movies up to that time. Additionally, it helped to revive horror movies. I also thought it was a great psychological thriller. I liked the other Scream films, but they are not as great as the original. So, I guess we are on opposite sides on this (not that there is anything wrong with that, I am just making an observation).
As for acting, I am not entirely sure what you are talking about. I don't think the acting was any better or worse than other time periods. There were some really good actors in my opinion for example Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal, Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Spacey in Se7en, Kane Hodder as Jason (even when the movies he was in weren't good, he still delivered a really great performance), Tony Todd as Candyman. These are just a few of many great performances in the 90s. So, I don't think that I agree that acting was bad in the 90s. Ultimately, while supernatural films, with the notable exception of The Blair Witch Project, were dead, I still think that the 1990s was a great period for horror movies because some of the greatest horror movies in horror movie history, at least in my opinion, were made during this period.

[_____V_____]

Originally Posted by xX_StarChild_Xx

If I already voted for Cannibal Holocaust in my top 20 of the 80s I can't back it can I?

Yes, you can.

And that helps us nail the 20th chosen one for the 80s. Thanks, guys.

Entries for the 90s are open for the next 48 hours, before we start compilation work for the decade.

Keep the entries for the 00s coming. I expect plenty more lists by this weekend.

[Kandarian Demon]

Originally Posted by metternich1815

As far as Scream, I am not sure what you are referring to? I think you are meaning Scary Movie. If you had a different intention you may correct me.

I'm afraid I did mean Scream, although I do tend to mix it up with Scary Movie. I've never watched the Scream sequels though, so I can't comment on those, but I've watched the original twice. I didn't find it scary or spooky at all, and it just wasn't my kind of humour, I guess.

But, just because I didn't personally like it doesn't mean it's crap. I love to debate, if I didn't I would be here - but something that entertains thousands of people all over the world and makes them happy obviously has value, no matter what my personal taste or opinion is.

Originally Posted by metternich1815

As for acting, I am not entirely sure what you are talking about. I don't think the acting was any better or worse than other time periods. There were some really good actors in my opinion for example Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal, Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Spacey in Se7en, Kane Hodder as Jason (even when the movies he was in weren't good, he still delivered a really great performance), Tony Todd as Candyman. These are just a few of many great performances in the 90s. So, I don't think that I agree that acting was bad in the 90s.

Well, of course there are exceptions - although I don't really consider Se7en or Silence of the Lambs to be horror, but that's just my opinion. I guess the best way to explain what I mean is to tell you that some of my absolute favourite movies are the famous Poe movies starring Vincent Price - particularly "House of Usher". I think that was a very spooky movie, even though it was just 4 actors in an old house and a lot of well-delivered dialogue.

Or "The Haunted Palace" (yes, I know... Lovecraft, not Poe :p) - there is this particularly frightening scene where Vincent Price's character looks up at the painting of Joseph Curwen, and his face goes from gentle to pure evil in a split second. No special effects, just good acting. I almost peed my pants the first time I saw it :D That's the kind of stuff I miss, and I think that ended around the 90s, where nobody even tried because it just wasn't in fashion.

But yes, sure, there were good movies too. The one that really stands out for me, even though many people dislike that movie, is the remake of "House on Haunted Hill" - and I especially enjoyed it because of the great performance of Geoffrey Rush.

[metternich1815]

Originally Posted by Kandarian Demon

I'm afraid I did mean Scream, although I do tend to mix it up with Scary Movie. I've never watched the Scream sequels though, so I can't comment on those, but I've watched the original twice. I didn't find it scary or spooky at all, and it just wasn't my kind of humour, I guess.

But, just because I didn't personally like it doesn't mean it's crap. I love to debate, if I didn't I would be here - but something that entertains thousands of people all over the world and makes them happy obviously has value, no matter what my personal taste or opinion is.



Well, of course there are exceptions - although I don't really consider Se7en or Silence of the Lambs to be horror, but that's just my opinion. I guess the best way to explain what I mean is to tell you that some of my absolute favourite movies are the famous Poe movies starring Vincent Price - particularly "House of Usher". I think that was a very spooky movie, even though it was just 4 actors in an old house and a lot of well-delivered dialogue.

Or "The Haunted Palace" (yes, I know... Lovecraft, not Poe :p) - there is this particularly frightening scene where Vincent Price's character looks up at the painting of Joseph Curwen, and his face goes from gentle to pure evil in a split second. No special effects, just good acting. I almost peed my pants the first time I saw it :D That's the kind of stuff I miss, and I think that ended around the 90s, where nobody even tried because it just wasn't in fashion.

But yes, sure, there were good movies too. The one that really stands out for me, even though many people dislike that movie, is the remake of "House on Haunted Hill" - and I especially enjoyed it because of the great performance of Geoffrey Rush.

I understand many of your arguments, but, personally I love Scream. In fact, it is my favorite horror film. I primarily enjoy how it satirized the horror genre. I agree that there were no actors of the likes of Vincent Price or Peter Cushing, but that is true of multiple decades. Personally, I think that the acting was better than in the 80s though, even though there were good movies and performances then too. I have always had a broad definition of horror and I think that the horror theme sin Se7en and The SIlence of the Lambs are quite prevalent, thus making them horror movies. Of course, "horror movie" really is an open-concept with no clear definition. I would also include horror comedies like Young Frankenstein into horror. I was never a big fan of the remake and I enjoyed the original far better.

[Kandarian Demon]

Originally Posted by metternich1815

Of course, "horror movie" really is an open-concept with no clear definition.

It is! Especially when it comes to the darker crime movies. Just because something is scary doesn't make it horror, though. I'm frightened by war movies, I won't even watch them, but I wouldn't classify them as horror.

[_____V_____]

Sitting down to compile the 90s tonight. Expect the Master List up in the next 18 hours.

[tiberius]

Originally Posted by _____V_____

Sitting down to compile the 90s tonight. Expect the Master List up in the next 18 hours.

I just sent mine in like five minutes ago. Will it be included (just curious)?

[_____V_____]

Originally Posted by tiberius

I just sent mine in like five minutes ago. Will it be included (just curious)?

Yes .