What do you like best about horror movies?

[Stingy Jack]

Honestly, the only Italian film I have seen is Dario Argento's Sleepless. And I really enjoyed that. The murder with the French horn was particulalry horrendous and disturbing. But there are films like these that take themselves seriously, even though they are gory. It had a good plot, plenty of fine twists and suspense ... but it wasn't scary. I really can't stand a film that is so incredibly stupid because all of the brains behind the project went into making the guts look real. And most of the time, even that doesn't work. But, there are fans of these films! There are people who will watch the same story over and over and over again, just to see the blood (*ahem* Friday the 13th series). I just don't get it.

[orangestar]

There are certain movies that can be intelligent and gory at the same time. A Nightmare on Elm Street for example. I think people put it in the same category as F13 and Halloween, but I think its much smarter. The gore and blood doesnt necessarily make it a dumb splatter movie.

[donnie darkko]

4 recent horror movies Cabin Fever had everything, it was great blood, jokes, smart story well maybe not that smart but still gnarly, and the new dawn was pretty cool

I see where we are going with this. From what I see by reading the debates and arguments, after some point, there actually seems to be 2 different horror fan types... 1. The ones that prefer to think over and use their imagination (Blair Witch Project) and 2.The fans that aren't scared of anything anymore, and are bloodhound thirsty beasts (house of 1000 corpses etc). I think the key here is like what Nightmare on Elm street was..by mixing in all of the elements in a way that would attract all types of horror fans, the more sophiscated class, and the gore-thirsty grunt ones.

A good start-out in the movie would be blood and gore to fire up the imagination, but the rest would be used by the imagination and creativity, because like Stingy Jack said..we dont want to be shown the same bull over and over...once we see something, we will move on. Personally, I found the Blair Witch project quite scary..but that is a movie which would suck to view over and over, because there isnt any blood or gore to drool at, therefore the Blair witch project tape would be a waste at buying. That movie is great for first timers and rentals, and really sends the chills down it paid attention to. Remember though, this is a movie..not a book. Some people watch movies over books for that very particular reason...to just sit back and enjoy the show, rather than thinking logically. Well, stingy, it looks like I have some King of the Long post competition to do :) its glad to know I have some challenge around here at least lol.
Dexter

[Stingy Jack]

Well, if you're going to make a film (or, at least write a screenplay), then the only advice I wish to give is to make sure the story is one you want to tell told in a way you want to tell it. There are so many good artists out there who don't realize that they have become prostitutes with their art: they do something base and vulgar for money, something that they normally wouldn't do. Don't pander to the demands of the masses. Write what you want, how you want to write it, and don't make changes to the script you feel uncomfortable with because some producer is telling you that it won't sell as it is. And take offense with anybody who tells you that you need to dumb-down your material if you want to make more money.

Example: If I was a chef, and had spent a lot of blood, sweat and tears creating a new dish, I wouldn't really be bothered if people liked the food or not. It is my creation, take it or leave it. However, when you come in and taste my food and begin to tell me things like "you should fry this squash instead of roasting it, and this chicken needs to be salted down", that's when I become offended. "I would like it, if it wasn't what it is." No you wouldn't! You wouldn't like it because it would be something else if I changed it. You would like the other thing! If I change it just to make money, then my creation, the way I intended it to be, is gone. And then you haven't really created anything there that is your own.

[Stingy Jack]

Oh! I just thought of the perfect example for my argument while I was preparing the coffee pot (I apologize that I seem to be overthrowing this thread ... its just that this is a subject I care a lot about.) Okay, Night of the Living Dead was scary ... and it was gory (particularly for its day). But then we got Return of the Living Dead and its sequels. None of these were scary. They didn't bother with things like atmosphere and character development that the first film had -- they were more concerned with making some gruesome corpses and showing a lot of brains getting eaten. And they turned the zombies into a big-ass comedy troupe! They're all running around, pratfalling and zinging off a one-liner: <in a thick, Southern accent> "Get that damn screwdriver out of my head!" These are the movies I'm talking about. I can't call these things "horror" movies, because they don't even try to scare. They try to make the audience laugh in the same way the bug zapper makes its audience laugh.

Anyway, I'm done now. Unless someone adds something I want to comment on. :)

[Vodstok]

I believe those kind sof movies are referred to as "Splatter Comedy". They would give kids nightmares, but not their intended audience.

A movie that masterfully mixes gore with suspense and intelligence is the original Alien. It never shows you too much, but has TONS of suspense (and uses claustrophobia and hopelessness with artfulness), and has one of the most classic gore scenes ever. (John Hurt on the table :D)

To me, it is one of the most perfect horror movies ever, unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality.

Sorry, i lost myself for minute.

[Stingy Jack]

I agree. Alien has always been one of my favorites. It is a true masterpiece, and I will rank it right up there with The Shining in terms of establishing the feel of isolation. Alien never made it to my horror collection, though. I always thought it was too sci-fi.







Maybe I need to rethink this.

im a fan of the grotesque gore filled films and also low budget horror.
and that does'nt mean i dont like and understand films like the exorcist and blair witch project, alien, the shining and lots more, because i found those films very shiver up the spine scary, especially the exorcist and blair witch, when all my mates found blair witch hilarious, who talk with there mates the whole fucking way through-not paying atttention to the film. i even have a freind who found 'the evil dead' hilarious.
but like i say i do not know why but i have well.... almost a fetish for being grossed out, so i really love splatters and gorey cheesy indie films

[Hate_Breeder]

I like being scared i guess.