I want your opinions. I -crave- your opinions.

[swiss tony]

I'm a bloody coward. I know it, in real life... I mean, put me in any of those Saw situations, and maybe I'd escape 3/12 of them or however many there are. I feel like if I watch them, it gives me that small revel because I know I could never do it in real life. One of my friends watches because he thinks it "prepares" him, should a similar situation ever occur to him (ok, not Saw style, but you know). How do you justify your attraction to the genre? What makes it make you tick?[/QUOTE]

i watch so i can think to myself 'holy fuck, i'm glad that shit isn't happening to me', closely followed by 'i wonder if that shits ever happened to someone else' hence, the fact i find movies that are based on fact or can at least happen much more disturbing. in short, i just watch these sorts of movies for adrenaline eg henry, hostel, last house on the left.
furthermore, i find there are two types of emotions provoked by horror. that was the first, the toe curling reaction. my prefered movie reaction type is the spine chiller eg ju on, exorcist, event horizon. as far as preparing yourself for similar situations goes i think your friend might be pulling your leg. he must enjoy these movies first and foremost. i mean, you wouldn't watch rocky if you wanted to learn how to scrap.
ps. good thread:)

[Demonique]

Hmmm... You've never seen a movie that scared you? Not even psychologically?

Scared me? As in hide behind the couch, pull the blanket over my head, copper penny taste in the back of the throat scared? No. Although I cannot claim that I have seen all the horror movies ever made or even most of them - I can't say that any I have seen have scared me. Perhaps I am missing some good movies. I have seen movies that have made me cringe, created tension and provoked thought but none that have really scared. I must say that atmosphere is a big draw for me as well.

[swiss tony]

Originally Posted by Demonique

Scared me? As in hide behind the couch, pull the blanket over my head, copper penny taste in the back of the throat scared? No. Although I cannot claim that I have seen all the horror movies ever made or even most of them - I can't say that any I have seen have scared me. Perhaps I am missing some good movies. I have seen movies that have made me cringe, created tension and provoked thought but none that have really scared. I must say that atmosphere is a big draw for me as well.

never had hairs stand up on the back of your neck? what about in real life? good god maybe you are a cenobyte! lol. what about as a child? the omen, exorcist etc were there for me in my adolescence. lost plenty of sleep over them

[Demonique]

Scared in real life - absolutely yes. That is why I know what that scared taste is like. Movies do not scare me - at least none that I have seen yet. I think it is because I know that a movie is a bunch of people playing make believe and getting paid for it. I also find myself analyzing the gore scenes as to "how'd they do that?". So the realism is not there for me. Cenobites - gotta love 'em. lol. :D I used to read scary books as a kid and they kept me up at night. But back to the topic at hand - I still feel that if I am not scared, a movie that makes me cringe is nearly as good.

[swiss tony]

fair enough. when i watch horror movies i sit as close as i can to the t.v.(within reason), turn off the lights and insist on silence at the key times so i can become totally engrossed by it. it sounds like a logical analytical mind might not be letting you get everything you can out of movies. :eek: blair witch made me jumpy for a couple of hours afterwards and i was in my mid twenties at the time. yikes! just occurred to me that maybe i'm in the minority and have just admitted to being a big girl.

[Demonique]

yikes! just occurred to me that maybe i'm in the minority and have just admitted to being a big girl.

Worry not - I may just admit to being thirty-mumble as well. That's as far as this girl goes in the age dept. I think that my lack of belief in movies may stem somewhat from my passion for books. Everything in a book seems more real to me and books get a much more emotional response. I liked Blair Witch (ducks, waiting for rocks) and thought it was novel for its hype - if a little exasperating when someone tells you all wide-eyed for the 30th time that it's a true story. I also enforce a no talking rule and all the lights are out when I watch movies but the reality just isn't there for me. This does not stop me from loving horror in any way.

[swiss tony]

i hear you. on the subject of real movies, given that you like cringey horror, have you seen cannibal holocaust? sick shit. (joking about the 'real' bit). i do like a lot of the gore stuff, i find i spend most of the movie laughing at the worst bits. i think thats a defensive reaction. do you prefer movies that are blood soaked where appropriate or the o.t.t. splatter fests?

[Demonique]

I would have to go with blood soaked where appropriate, splatter fests I just find funny (laughing at gore will cause those around you to edge away from you nervously - I know). I like a good story and if it comes with those "eww!" moments, that's even better. Event Horizon is on top of my movie list as well - the gore furthers the story - it is not the story in itself. The same could be said for Saw and Hostel.

[swiss tony]

i thought event... was more ghost than gore. actually, that might be the reason why it appeals. it has equal parts of both. generally, i find less is more in relation to gore (nice! it rhymes). take an american werewolf in london or candyman or it or the omen. a sense of menace is always superior to splatter. sometimes i find myself saying 'why are you screamiing its only a hand, you have a spare. the japanese girl in the last movie had a fucking blow torch in her eye'. we become desensitised. but a good psychological thriller can always mess with your head. session9 is a great mix of menace with nastiness at the right time. if anyone can recommend some more finely balanced movies of the same ilk as event horizon and session9 i'd be very interested.