Horrorshow

Tuesday, August 7. 2007

Horrorshow

Some dream in color, some in black and white

I dream in horror. Not usually, but for the past few times I've slept, I've dreamt horrific scenes. Murder, mayhem, approaching unstoppable killers with mysterious scars (because in my dreams, the killers want you to know who they are. They don't hide behind masks.)

Creeptastic.

I generally don't mind whatever movie my brain tries to play while I am sleeping. I find it interesting to see what danger my subconscious would present me with, as it gives me a fabulous opportunity to survive it, or get a good story idea. These horror dreams have been entertaining, well directed, and often with a kick ass yet entirely appropriate soundtrack, but I am curious why I am having them.

In recent years, I have been incredibly disappointed with horror movies and books available. It seems like scary has been entirely replaced by gory, and I just don't find gore scary. I find it to be a technique used when the storytelling itself falls through. It certainly illicits a reaction from the audience, but it isn't one of fear. Fear and revulsion are just not identical, no matter what the horror genre may be trying to tell us lately.

Prove me wrong, AntiCrafters. What's scary out there right now in books and movies?

Posted by Renée Rigdon in renee_speaks at 11:53 | Comments (11) | Trackbacks (0)

Comments

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In movies, I find Adam Sandler and that guy from Elf terrifying.

#1 Alynxia on 2007-08-07 12:48 (Reply)

The Descent is the scariest movie I've seen in a long time.

#2 Amy on 2007-08-07 22:58 (Reply)

I'd have to agree with you here. In this age of big budget films, we're more reliant on special effects than story lines. Most actors are hired on looks rather than talent. Who needs a story line when you have millions of dollars' worth of blood, topless women and hot guys to show off for two hours?

I've always liked movies that messed with your head and had a surprise ending over anything else. The Others and The Sixth Sense were like that, for example. Gave a bit of a scare, and completely didn't expect the ending.

And, if a story happens to have depth and they guy that happens to be in it is hot, well, that's just icing on the cake.

#3 Sabrina (Link) on 2007-08-08 05:53 (Reply)

How about the sheer number of HP fans? ::shiver::

#4 Samantha (Link) on 2007-08-08 08:18 (Reply)

Well, these two are old but very scary to me. The Ring and The Eye (2003). (Don't worry, I had to look up the year). I am sure everyone saw The Ring already, but The Eye was a little undernoticed. Scared the hell out of me. Both are based on Japanese horror films, so you might check out some Japanese movies, if you don't mind subtitles. I still can't sleep if something reminds me of The Ring right before bed.

#5 Angela (Link) on 2007-08-08 10:30 (Reply)

True story: I will not reach for the toilet paper on its holder when I wake up at night to pee because it's right next to the door (which I leave open at night because I'd be more afraid of seeing movement in the mirror, which is directly across from it, than what's behind the door - and by the way I of course don't turn on any lights) because of that space between the wall and the door where it is sooo dark that I think someone's hand is going to reach out and grab me. So we have special "Zabet's a dork" toilet paper that is not on a holder near the toilet for my nighttime excursions.

Really, it's true.

Yes, I'm that pathetic... Ringu and Ju-on scared the everlovin' piss out of me.

#5.1 Zabet on 2007-08-08 14:02 (Reply)

I have to agree with Amy, The Decent is really disturbing. I wouldn't say that I was scared to go to be that night, but it's a really good movie if you're into examining where the depths of madness can take us.

I heard it was based off of a book, anyone know the author??

#6 Alice on 2007-08-08 12:45 (Reply)

Oh thank the gods, I thought I was the only weirdo who has a hard time with the midnight pissings.....

Being prego and going 3 times a night is especially stressful.

DAMN YOU STEPHEN KING!!!

#7 Alice on 2007-08-08 14:38 (Reply)

i'm personally fond of the masters of horror series, which has some truly creepy episodes such as "cigarette burns" which was seriously one of the most disturbing things i've seen in a while.

#8 savannah (Link) on 2007-08-08 23:51 (Reply)

Thank you for this suggestion. I watched it tonight (thank you netflix)

shudder

#8.1 Renee (Link) on 2007-08-10 18:56 (Reply)

There are a lot of awesome Asian horror from the last several years that isn't so gory (of course, there are the ones with gore, too). One Missed Call by Takashi Miike is awesome. The Japanese version of Dark Water is great (as is the US version). The Korean movie Phone was really creepy. And, from the French, Calvaire was creepy and David Lynch-like.

And, if you're like me and the state of the US is frightening, Idiocracy will make your hair stand on end. "I like money ..."

#9 futuregirl (Link) on 2007-08-11 00:04 (Reply)

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