Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3gB1zgpGqs
Read Why We Crave Horror Films by Stephen King, the essay can be found online. Simply type in "why we crave horror films" into google and a pdf of the article is the first hit.
Answer the following question and post your answer to the blog by 3 p.m. on Halloween. We will discuss this essay in class on Monday.
Question: What has been your own experience watching horror films? Are they one of your favorite film genres, or do you avoid horror films? Identify one horror film and explain your response to it.
48 comments:
Until reading Stephen King’s essay, I had not thought much about the psychology of horror films. Although I am not particularly bothered by all of the blood and gore, horror films have never appealed to me. I can’t imagine the reason why people would welcome nightmares and trouble sleeping. At our age, with so much pressure to be more “adult,” it is possible that people want to watch them to show how tough and unafraid they are. Instead of watching horror movies, I prefer to watch crime shows. The difference between the two is usually that crime shows have a thick plot of mystery and case solving, whereas horror movies have the general purpose of showing as much blood and gore as possible. An example of this is the saw movies. The last commercial I saw was for saw five, and my guess is that the main substance of those movies is human limbs being sawed off. Because of this, my experience with horror films is very limited, and I expect that I will continue to avoid that film genre.
Like Steven King says " horror movie's are like roller coasters," and I love roller coasters. I love being terrified to an extreme and to have all the terribly horrifying things imaginable brought to life. I can't honestly say that horror movies are my favorite genre but on occasion its fun to watch a really scary movie. Last summer all I did was watch horror films, I watched all the classics as well as some more modern ones. By the end of the summer I was so desensitized nothing fazed me even slightly. I remember watching the exorcist and being bored the whole time waiting for something good to happen. When the end came I was really disappointed that nothing really scary happened but I thought it was a good movie. I just didn't get the terrified feeling I thought I would. In older movies like that, there is more space left for your own imagination to piece together the unknown and that is part of what makes it so scary. My problem though, was that I had previously watched other scary movies where people had been hacked to pieces and gross looking creatures or people would pop into view at random times to make my heart skip a beat. My favorite movies though are zombie movies. I think they are there own genre in a way. They mix action and horror so that not only are they exciting but they put you on the edge of your seat; to me, nothing beets a good zombie movie.
I tend to avoid roller coasters and horror films. I don’t go on rides at the amusement parks and I have never seen a horror movie and don’t plan on doing so. While watching the movie Super 8 which is more of a thriller, action movie, I ended up jumping out of my seat several times. I really enjoyed watching that movie but there were times where it got very suspenseful which wasn’t my idea of entertainment. Therefore I have no head to head experience with horror movies because I don’t wish to. I much prefer the comedies and action films that I actually enjoy watching; the movies that make me laugh or are well made.
Claire, I agree with your statement on preferring to watch crime shows rather than horror movies. I too think they have more of a plot and overall more entertaining even though I haven’t seen a horror film, yet I’ve gathered enough information from previews of people being dragged out from under their beds while to screen is all green or blue or something.
After reading Stephen King's essay and thinking about horror books and movies, I really don't understand how he can write book after book without needing some sort of counseling. I really dislike the idea of horror films, although I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen one. I don’t want to watch possessed children killing people or see monsters attack people while they are sleeping. I’ve seen and heard of enough violence that has kept me from sleeping for days, so why watch something that is just going to make it worse? I’ve heard people say that horror movies are fun and aren’t scary, but I just don’t get what they mean. It’s fun to watch people die, and it’s not at all scary to come up with new and more painful ways for someone to kill you? Just the trailer commercials on TV are enough to keep me awake at night, so whenever I see one come on, I either change the channel, or plug my ears and shut my eyes until I hear the quiet screaming end. Even the trailers for action movies have kept me awake at night. I remember watching the trailer for Unstoppable, and for three days I had nightmares about being trapped on a train. The last movie commercial I remember seeing was for Final Destination 5, and it made me nauseous watching clip after clip of people just dying. I really don’t understand how people could watch the entire movie, since I barely make it throuhg trailers.
Max- I completely agree with you. I would rather watch the comedies and action films. What other emotions did/do you feel while watching a horror movie?
What I don't understand about horror films is why someone would even want to expose themselves to violece and gore unless there was actually some meaning to the story. Most of the horror films these days are movies that have no story line at all. In other words if you took a two and a half hour film and basically took away some of the gore, then there would be a very poorly written story. The reason so many writers make horror movies is they know with a studio full of effects they can make a seller movie without having to do very much real writing. I personally think that lots of 70s, 80s, and 90s movies like Alien, and Aliens have good writing because the effects of the day were not good enough to cover bad writing.
Max-
Your totally right, there is much more entertainment in comedy then in watching random monsters attempt to kill people.
I don’t watch horror movies regularly. But when I do, it seems that I mostly like to watch post apocalypse movies. Something about a few people trying to survive in a hostile world is really awesome to me. I have a good deal of zombie movies, usually filled with a lot of action, and gore. And for the most part, they don’t really scare me. Because I know that something like that would never happen. Until I watched I Am Legend. It was not scary in that you would think, and most horror movie aficionados would not even be fazed by it. But to me, it was very scary because it could actually happen. When it comes to watching horror movies, I generally stick with the totally un-realistic ones. That way I don’t have to be worrying that some day that could actually happen
Clair-your Paragraph was written very well. I like how you gave an example of other genres that you like to watch instead of horror.
I for one love roller coasters and I can see the connection that Stephen King makes with horror films. However, I think I like roller coasters a lot more because I'm not a huge fan of horror movies. I do like the thrill of being scared from a film. Where the movie actually scares you by making ridiculous things seem real. The one thing I can't stand is a movie that is just over the top blood and gore that has no plot or anything and just mainly wants to gross you out. Those kind of movies are the ones that leave a scar in your head; a mental scar that can't be forgotten no matter how hard you try. As I've said before in class, movies are like foods. You've got to feed your brain movies that are "healthy" for it as in it has a point and you can gain something out of it. There's no point in watching a brain that is "unhealthy" for your brain and just leaves you up all night grossed out.
Teddy-
loved hearing how you could relate King's connection between horror movies and roller coasters. I remember in 8th grade english you would always be reading those Stephen King books. Really understood what you mean eve though your opinion was different than my own.
I don't have an interest in horror films and I don't think I have every seen a whole movie. I've seen parts and then decided to change the channel because it didn't appeal to me. It's not because they scare me too much I just don't like to see people get cut up or other things that often happen during horror movies. Stephen King said that horror movies might some form of psychic releif but personally I think comedies let your slip out of the real world too. Also, action movies can be just as thrilling without being gory. I don't see a reason for watching horror films so I don't put myself through them. The gory nightmares that follow aren't worth proving my "toughness".
Araya,
I agree completely. Horror movies are scary and there is nothing really fun about them. Like you, I don't have a "craving" for horror movies and I don't see the point of them. Comedies and action movies are much more enjoyable.
I personally am deathly afraid of horror movies and it is guaranteed that I will get a nightmare the night after I watch one but I still absolutely love them. It’s almost like an addiction; I can’t help but watch and be terrified. Like Stephen King said in his essay it is very similar to a roller coaster. I love riding roller coasters but at the same time I find them to be very scary. Both horror films and roller coasters are thrilling inducing and give me that adrenaline rush, a feeling that I crave. I think that’s the only reason why I put myself through the pain of experiencing a horror film. I know I’m going to face consequences later when I’m lying in bed jumping at every noise I hear but it is all part of the experience. I remember the first horror movie I watched was White Noise. My sister was watching it with her friends and I must have 10 or 11. Watching that film was absolute agony and I can recall sleeping on the floor of my parents’ room for at least a night or two. But I also remember wanting to watch another movie just like that because it was such a thrilling experience. I guess you could call me a thrill-seeker.
Ben-
I really liked your analogy that movies are like foods. I agree that movies with just goriness for the sake of goriness are pointless and a waste of time.
There are so many times when I've seen an add for a horror movie and thought "wow, I really want to see that" no matter how terrifying it looks. But then I think about all stories I've heard of people being so scared of movies like "Paranormal Activity" or "Saw" and not being able to sleep at night let alone be in dark room alone or take a shower. Yet, there's something about horror movies that makes them so tempting; to have the thrill of a good scare, to feel your heart racing while you nervously anticipate something jumping out from no where. It seems counterintuitive that horror movies are can be so repulsive and gory, yet a lot of times when I see something gross I can't help but look no matter how badly I don't want to see it. The closest thing I've seen to a horror movie would have to be "Shutter Island" which I actually just watched on Friday night. It wasn't too gory, and I'd probably consider it more of a thriller. I prefer to be a little creeped out rather than permanently scarred by the terrible images. It's a more satisfying feeling for me to have that similar thrill but also an ending that makes you think and want to watch the movie again. Our curiosity for horror movies is a strange phenomenon, and I really admire Stephen King's ability to analyze the mentality of it. It's like we always want what can't have, or rather, what we don't want to have.
Henry-
I feel similar to you in that I don't want to see a horror movie, but at the same time I can't help but be curious. It really is alike an adrenaline rush.
My experiences watching horror movies are few and far between, and are mostly limited to older films. I come from a family of movie fans; old monster movies and classics were played in my house. I have only seen a few, if any, modern horror movies, and I didn't really enjoy them. I have no problem with anyone who finds the alternating gore and suspense exciting, but I've never really felt that way. I have enjoyed some more recent movies - The Fly (Jeff Goldblum version) was far more exciting than its black-and-white counterpart. It incorporated just enough oozing fluids, mutilation and monsters leaping from the shadows for me to find the movie exciting and enjoyable. It's when horror movies go over the line, trading plot points for severed limbs, that I stop being as interested.
Eleanor,
I thought you had great descriptions of how you felt about horror movies. You're right; there is something that makes even the most terrifying film tempting.
-James
I don’t think I have ever watched an entire true horror movie. I have seen parts of them at Halloween parties over the years, and found them bloody and pointless. However, I do like movies that have a lot of suspense in them, like Jaws. Jaws has very little blood or gore, but still manages to be remarkably terrifying. I find movies that allow your imagination to create the fear factor much more enjoyable and scarier than movies that just try to scare you with a lot of blood and gore. I agree that scary movies are like roller coasters, but in that often the anticipation of a big drop or tight turn is often scarier that the ride itself.
James-
I agree that when horror movies have to much gore and to little substance, they are uninteresting. I think of horror movies as being like this and that is why I am more of a thriller fan.
Ben-
Thats a good point you bring up about how some horror films are just pointless gore that gross you out. I usually like films that are scary because they are clever, but some movies are over the top and just try to hard and instead of actually scaring the audience they just gross them out.
I am very picky when it comes to horror films. Most of the films I do not like at all. However, the films I did enjoy were amazing. I loved the thrill of those few films. Like a few others, I despise those horror films that are just blood and guts. They aren't even scary; they're just disgusting. I prefer the films that are suspenseful and make me jump; the films where something pops out of nowhere. Horror movies aren't one of my favorite genres because it is hard to find one that pleases me. However, I would say "The Orphan" is probably one of my favorite movies. It was suspenseful and it made me jump. Throughout the whole movie I was on my seat because I didn't know a whole lot about the orphan girl's past until it was too late. I remember being startled many times and when the movie was finished I was afraid the orphan would pop out of my closet.
Ben-
I completely agree with you about how some horror films are disgusting. The blood and guts are pointless and aren't even scary; making a poor film.
Stephen King’s ideas about horror films were very interesting and I had never thought about them in that way. I don’t think horror films really have a purpose but I liked how King’s essay explained how some watch them to be mature and others to have fun. I thought the mature part was really interesting. Do you have to watch horror films to be mature or is it just something people do to make themselves feel more mature? I think that people think as themselves as adults if they can watch things like that. I don’t think I have ever seen a horror film because like I said before I think they have no purpose. Watching people get killed and movies with zombies and non realistic things really don’t catch my attention. Other movies have a lesson at the end, happy endings to make you feel good and other things. Horror movies just have suspense and gore which doesn’t appeal to me. I would rather feel good after watching a movie and not have nightmares about the film. I have avoided horror films so far in my life and I will probably avoid them throughout the rest of my life.
John- I liked how you explained that you are very picky when it comes to horror movies. That was an interesting point.
I hate horror films. I believe horror movies have no reasons other than to frighten the watchers. It is understandable some people enjoy the adrenaline rush and fright, but why would anyone want that? Because I don’t like scary movies, I never decided to see one. I don’t want to deal with trying to sleep at night imagining monsters underneath my bed, psycho murderers waiting for me to enter the bathroom, or waking up to see a dead person hanging from the ceiling.
Horror films are my least favorite film genre. I avoid them completely. When a friend invites me to a sleepover to watch a scary movie at one in the morning, I decline their offer. Although I haven’t seen a scary movie, I’ve heard enough to know I wouldn’t be able to sleep or stay alone in the house comfortably. However, my younger brother loves horror films and watches them every chance he gets. I guess each person has their own responses to watching scary movies.
Ben-
I agree with your thoughts about how “feeding” your brain good movies will have a better effect than scary movies. Did you see a particular scary movie which caused you to think like this? This would make your comment a lot more interesting since a foundation for your philosophy would be set.
When it comes to horror films I usually avoid them at all costs. I cannot wrap my head around why a person would want to deliberately want to put themselves in a frightening situation. For me, I had trouble relating to Steven King’s essay ‘Why We Crave Horror Films’. I love roller coasters; I enjoy the all the adrenaline, and the experience. However, I really do not like horror films and I cannot understand how they have fans at all. Perhaps I am not in the position to criticize horror film enthusiasts, because I have never finished one. But I don’t want to. As well as the initial fear, I sometimes suffer from nightmares afterwards, which is no fun. I don’t really know why I could enjoy roller coasters, and not horror films, but I can understand why Stephen king would create the analogy.
teddy- your comment was interesting, because i could never imagine growing immune to fear. probably because i don't watch horror movies very often, they are very shocking to me.
Horror films have always interested me and the first one I ever saw was intact on Halloween when I was in 4th grade. I watched the movie "Psycho" which was a Albert Hitchcock film and one that I will remember forever. Unlike other movie genres Horror movies are the only kind that stay in your head constantly reminding you of the terrifying parts in the movie. The scariest parts in a borrow film are the ones you remember most clearly and stick with you for the longest time. After I saw the movie "Psycho" I freaked out seeing that I was so young, i had nightmares and I always had to have a light on. When I look back on that movie I realize it wasn't even that scary, I went on to watch more of Albert Hitchcocks movies from "Dial M for Murder" and "The Ring". Although I enjoy watching the occasional horror movie it is not my favorite genre, one person can only take so much.
John,
I liked reading your take on horror films and I agree with you for the most part. Suspense is a huge part of horror movies and its nice how you recognized that.
The horror movies I have watched are few and far between. At the moment, I am hard pressed to name more than one. It's not that I hate horror movies; I actually don't really mind them at all. It's more that when I am looking for a movie to watch, I prefer a comedy or a more intellectually stimulating movie. To me, comedies are movies that you can just chill out and watch. You don't have to think much, you just have to watch and react to what happens. There is no requirement that you make connections or else be left in the dark. Horror movies are also like this, but they just aren't as appealing to me. The one horror movie I've seen that has really stuck with me, was "The Wolfman". It hasn't stayed with me because it was frightening, in fact it was funny. The producers and director tried so hard to make it scary that it became predictable and stupid. I laughed when the werewolf popped out from behind some object, because it was just so stupid. Having something jump out was the most obvious thing in the situation, and it took out all the thrill and fear that normally comes when you are startled. I think that Stephen King makes a good point when he says that everybody is a little mentally ill, but I disagree that everyone enjoys the mutilation and blood that a horror movie entails.
I disagree with Ian that horror movies have no plot, because the best ones actually do have intriguing plots. I do think that those are hard to find and while the stereotype that horror movies are all blood and gore isn't completely true, most movies won't probe it false.
I really don't see the point of horror movies. They never really ver made sense to me. The only thing I find them useful for is to prove how tough you are or to freak out a friend. Other than that, I don't enjoy horror movies. The plot is often very weak and jumps all around. The creators of horror movies really way to heavily on the element of surprise, and I don't get any real entertainment from watching them other than seeing the frightened looks on my friends' faces. During the summer, I often rented movies from videostop and watched them on my own at my leisure. The point of this was to entertain myself and free me from boredom. This is why I lean heavily towards comedy movies. They are great with a group of people, one other person, or just by yourself. I cannot say that I've ever gotten the same enjoyment out of watching a horror movie by myself. A couple of years ago, I saw the film "Drag me to Hell". After watching this movie, I made the decision that I do not enjoy horror movies. This was mainly due to the fact that it had no real plot and was simply disgusting. I've seen other horror movies since then, and have arrived at the same verdict.
Erich,
I agree with some points in your essay, butI am curious as to what you mean when you say that "one person can only take so much". Does this mean that after seeing too many horror movies, you become permanently terrified, or were you trying to say something else?
Aditya
I have never watched a horror film. Sometimes I have considered maybe watching one that’s not very scary and bloody with other people so I wouldn’t be as scared. I do not understand people like King and have no idea why he wants to just write horror books. I also didn’t agree with his comparison to a roller coaster. The two things seem to be scary in a different ways. Roller coasters are both thrilling and fun while being scary, but horror films seem to just expose people to violence. I don’t think there is any point to horror films and they really don’t do any good. In my mind, horror films have a negative affect on people and let them see things they probably shouldn’t.
Lindsey,
I agree that maybe we shouldn’t criticize horror before seeing one, although I feel like I have heard enough about them to make good judgements.
I very strongly dislike horror films. I don't mind the gore too much but the suspense is what really gets me. I can understand why horror films are so appealing to some people; they create a way for people to scare themselves while being in a completely safe environment while following a predictable plot so people can concentrate on the fear factor of the film. While some people enjoy that I don't. Scary books don't bother me at all because in the back of your mind you always know that it's just words on a page where as the goal of movies is to make you believe that you are either standing right next to one of the characters or you are a character. Concerning King's comparison of horror movies to roller coasters I half agree. I understand that he is trying to explain that they are both ways to experience a thrill in a safe environment, but at the same time they are completely different. In my opinion roller coasters are a physical thrill where your body reacts to changes in speed. Horror films are much more psychological. Once a friend and I watched a horror movie where this little girl became really creepy (why is it that little kids are so scary?) and we ended up turning it off 10 minutes in. In short, horror movies are not my thing.
annalee- i like how strong your opinion is. I also liked that you pointed out that roller coasters are not the same kind of scary. You make a good point in that a lot of horror movies do a have a violence and gore factor. I think you brought out a lot of good points.
I like the occasional horror movie but most of the time I avoid them. I don't like movies that are disgusting like Saw. Most of the Saw movies have predictable plot lines and the main purpose of them is to be as bloody and gory as possible. Although Saw is based on a true story, the scenes are hard to believe. I am afraid of movies where a young child is the mass murderer. It freaks me out. I like movies with a lot of suspense because it keeps me interested. The points Stephen king brought up in his essay were very interesting. I have read the shining and pet cemetery by Stephen King. It is very different reading a scary book then seeing a scary movie. I like reading books better because feels less realistic when I picture the characters and scenes.
Sara- I completely agree with your fear of children. You brought up good points but I enjoy horror movies and books.
Generally I choose to avoid horror movies. Since a young age I have always gotten nightmares that have kept me up throughout the night, so I don't like to have those terrifying images imprinted in my head. I feel that someway or another I will be the one slowly getting killed or hunted. I disagree with Stephen King's essay about how a scary movie is like a roller coaster. I love roller coasters yet abhor horror films. They are totally different and unrelated. One is meant for joy and the other is for sick enjoyment.
Aditya - I totally agree that comedies are the way to go. No point in scaring yourself for no real reason.
I try to stay away from horror films because I tend to get nightmares for weeks. In my nightmares I replace myself with the main character of the movie and experience everything the character would have in the movie. I also have a horrible fear of blood and guts, so when I see bloody horror movies I usually end up getting sick. I also really don't like amusement park rides because again I get really sick on them. I kind of do see the relationship between amusement park rides and horror movies, but I do understand the point that others have about either loving horror movies and hating roller coasters and vice-versa.
Emily- I think you voiced your opinion well, and I agree with you about the difference between reading a scary book and seeing a scary movie.
After reading Stephen King's essay, I realize his comparison of roller coasters to horror movies is very accurate, in my opinion. I fear horror movies, I know I'll regret what I'm watching, but there is something thrilling about facing your fears. Horror movies are not my favorite, and I would much rather watch a chick flick. Horror movies provide excitement and suspense, but often leave you with bad dreams. I enjoy stabbing and exaggerated killings over a film that deals with psychotic people and prisoners escaping. Horror movies leave me with images I could definitely live without, and I think I'll stop watching them. I would never watch a horror movie alone. Those who can do that scare me and I fear they have adopted the ideas of many murderers. I have to have at least one person to hide behind when I've decided not to let my eyes and mind suffer a horrific scene. One horror movie in specific that I remember quite distinctly is Disturbia. The entire film seems like it could happen to anyone, and that reality scares me.
Erich- I agree that horror films should be "occasional".
I like horror movies. Until reading this essay I never thought about why I liked them or not. But I like the adrenaline rush you get from watching scary movies and the scared feeling. I don't have a problem with them because I know it's all fake, so I don't get nightmares about them. The only time i've gotten scared from a movie was when I was five I watched the first Matrix, there was a part where a spider crawled into someone's belly button, and since then I've been scared of spiders. I think that the people who come up with all the gruesome ideas in horror movies could be slightly mentally ill.
Noah, I agree with you, I like comedies more than horror movies, there are just certain times where a horror movies can be more appealing, like late on halloween or something like that
I Enjoy horror films/books. I like how they keep you on the edge of your seat and I like how they freak you out because the movie/book gives u a reaction. Just like with comedy films/books they make me laugh. It is the same with horror films/book except it is the opposite feeling.
Stephen King says that "horror movies are like roller coasters". I can agree with that because both roller coasters and horror/scary movies give a feeling of thrill and adrenaline. I absolutely love roller coasters because I love adrenaline and they are so much fun. I have still never seen an extremely scary movie, but the ones I have watched that aren't as scary are still thrilling, and people get excited knowing that something scary is going to happen.
Max, you made a very good point in your response. Good job!
Stephen King talks about how "horror movies are like roller coasters" which I completely agree with. While you ride to the top the suspense builds and then, something jumps out at you. Personally, I never chose to watch horror films, but when I do watch them, i tend to enjoy them. The shining was the first horror film that I really chose to watch because it is such a classic. The one thing about horror films are that they only give you that feeling of being scared once.
Teddy, I like your point on how watching lots of horror films kind of desensitize you from being scared as easy
I used to despise horror films as a younger person. I thought the idea of terrifying oneself was completely inappropriate, let alone displeasurable. However, I grew to appreciate the psychological aspect of some films in the genre. Though I have never been a fan of slasher films aside from the comedic value from their absurdities, I can definitely admire the complexity of many thrillers and psychological horror films. The Shining, for example, is one of my favorite movies. It documents a man's descent into insanity due to his surroundings. It literally disturbs him, and it's fascinating to see how he and others around him cope with it. One of my absolutely favorite scenes in cinema is the final scene from Jonathan Demme's Silence of the Lambs, where the protagonist is in a pitch-black room trying to find a criminal mastermind who can see her every move with night vision goggles. This is a really nerve-racking scene, for it conveys such a powerful feeling of fear to the viewer. I enjoy horror movies that project feelings solely from human emotions much more than mindless blood and gore. For instance, I think the SAW franchise is absolutely ridiculous; it fails to provoke my mind even a little bit. It's just repulsive. Shutter Island, however, sends chills down my spine based on the main character's inability to recognize his identity. Mind games are always more powerful than bloodbaths.
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Chris, it's interesting how you say that horror films only scare people one time. I completely agree; what always tends to scare me is their concepts. Some plots and conclusions to horror movies are so thought provoking to me that I am often terrified months after watching them. But in a good way! I enjoy thinking about things.
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