Do you like horror movies?

@SplitZip (1488)
Portugal
January 23, 2007 2:34pm CST
I do and always have. When I was little, I'd watch scary movies, then my hyperactive imagination wouldn't let me sleep at night. The first few times, I convinced my parents to let me sleep with them because I was so scared, but then they got fed up with it and said it was well deserved, since I was watching those kinds of movies! But I would still watch them, and stay awake all night, with cold sweats of sheer horror. Now, I'm not scared of horror movies anymore, but I still enjoy them (because I think being scared by them, experiencing true horror that is, in reality, harmless, is a key ingredient of horror films). I also like extreme films, I think they are very cathartic. You watch the most vile, gruesome things, and then you're "purged" and get on with your life. Some people think watching these movies is "sick", but I believe society needs and has always needed them. Greek tragedies were often pretty gruesome, around the time Shakespeare "Titus Andronicus", gory plays were EXTREMELY popular. Public executions were attended by thousands of people screaming for blood and guts. Some people claim, I have heard, that society today is lacking that cathartic effect of not seeing "justice being done". This is interesting now, because if you remember, the Saddam hanging footage was released recently. People WANT to see these things, it's not necessarily out of "sickness", it's a big part of human nature. Because our world (the western world and, by force of the globalization phenomenon, everyone's world), is largely based on christian/catholic values, such things are considered as "evil". I don't think this is the case AS LONG as it is only fictional imagery. Religious art work has also been very gruesome in the past (especially depictions of the martyrdom of saints), but today it is generally not. Why do you think we have drifted from this natural urge, this bloodthirsty impulse? Anyway, back to horror movies, as I mentioned, I'm a big fan. I like many different kinds of horror, from low-budget zombie movies, to John Carpenter and early Wes Craven (oh master of disappointing sequels!), to the stylish and atmospheric asian horror, to the corny but breathtaking beauty of Dario Argento, to the oldschool Hammer films, to psychological "supernatural family dramas" like "A tale of two sisters", to the utterly vile and gruesome Takashi Miike, not to mention that I even took a peak at the "doomed" Guinea Pig films. I like it all. I think that today we are mostly very sheltered from real danger, and it's wonderful that we are, but horror movies put us in touch with our primal survival instincts, we feel exhilarated and alive when we watch these movies. Then we go home or turn the TV off and go make ourselves a nice cup of tea. Life is good, there are no slimy monsters chasing us. Or are there? ;)
6 responses
@ronita34 (3922)
• Canada
24 Jan 07
Horror movies are my all time favorite type of movie to watch. I don't know what it is about me but i always tend to watch them alone to. I would say that the Grudge 2 is a really freak you oyt movie and i also liek the House of Wax!
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
24 Jan 07
You mean the grudge 2 japanese or american? I only saw the first film in japanese. I have the dvd, but actually, the scariest part is a bonus feature where they tell horror stories... they only show a lit candle on screen, but the way they narrate the stories is quite chilling! :)
@ezzrssi (11188)
• Italy
23 Jan 07
yeah i love horror movies ,are my favorite kind of movies
1 person likes this
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
23 Jan 07
Thanks for your reply!
@norteh (615)
• Netherlands
23 Jan 07
I'm very afraid of the movies. Watching them for 15 seconds is a nightmare. Can't sleep and thinking that any minute there can be a crazy screaming thing attacking me.
1 person likes this
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
23 Jan 07
Hehe, as you can see, I understand it, been there myself, although I was still very little at the time. But, I mean, there's nothing wrong with being a grown-up and still being scared of horror movies, in fact, when you are no longer scared, some of the enjoyment does stop. I think this is why people keep looking for scarier, more gruesome films :)
• United States
23 Jan 07
I'm a Catholic and I love horror movies. I've never had trouble from another because of my taste in movies. But religions have told me horror movies were demonic, of the devil and that I was inviting demons to come. Silly, huh? There just movies and I love the scare they give me. That creepy feeling that maybe something like that is waiting for you. Like you take a old country road and your car breaks and out comes Leatherface with his chainsaw. You have the same taste in horror movies as I do. I love Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, John Carpenter , Wes Craven and the list goes on. The Hammer films with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are great. I only saw one of the Guinea Pigs and, man, was it gross! If it's a horror movie I love it! The main reason we have stopped having public executions is because we think it's not humane. Personally I think it would be be a great deterrent to crime. Seeing someone hanged would make most people think twice before committing a crime.
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
23 Jan 07
Well, I've never had anyone tell me anything similar, but if I'm watching a disturbing film, the normal reaction is "ew, why are you watching THAT?!". Some people don't understand the appeal. Hehe, I couldn't sleep when I first saw "Nightmare on Elm Street" :) And "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is such a classic. You know, I always wanted to be able to scream like horror movie girls do, just for kicks. But I think I might lack the lung capacity! (LOL) It's true about the humane bit, but what some contend, is that by not seeing justice being applied, we are losing touch with the concept of justice itself. If it's not seen, then it loses meaning. I'm not sure if I agree, but killing someone by lethal injection in a little room just doesn't seem humane or just either. It's a complex issue (these things always are!).
• Ireland
23 Jan 07
I loved watching all the old Dracula and Frakenstein films. I remember going to the cinema as a teenager because I wanted to see Dracula, and when the film was over, I insisted on walking home on my own, because I was afraid that my friend might turn into a vampire. Every time I see Cristopher Lee in a film, I expect the two fangs to show at any moment. He is very scary. I still watch horror films, and my son has a great collection of them, but I will only watch them when there is somebody in the house with me.
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
23 Jan 07
That's amusing :D Christopher Lee was great. Vincent Price too. Those old movies are terrific, very nostalgic. But I don't think audiences find them even remotely scary today. Same with those old "creature" films, the Black Lagoon was so frightening! But now, it just makes me smile and laugh a little :)
@sweetlady10 (3611)
• United States
23 Jan 07
I don't like horror movies. Not that I am afraid to watch horror movies, but somehow I don't like it. I like drama, romantic and comedy movies.
1 person likes this
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
23 Jan 07
I see. Everyone has their own likes/dislikes.