HI all, just wanted to give a shout to all like-minded horror buffs out there!  I've been addicted to horror films since the 70's; I used to stay up late watching made for TV horror movies with my mom and sister.  I have to say that I'm disillusioned with most "horror" films made after 1990...I'm not a fan of Saw or any of those movies...to me that's not horror....it's sadism and effects based on the fact that there really is no shock value anymore; we've all been over-exposed and there really hasn't been anything that shook me to the core since The Omen and The Exorcist.  I respect the fact that a lot of people like the Saw movies and others that have come out since then...but for me, I really miss the old ones.  The direction was so different...it was more of a creepy, suspenseful vibe; a strong build up and cinematography that kept you guessing.  Back then they actually had A list actors in horror films, i.e. Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, Bette Davis, etc.  I truly miss that era.  Nothing gives me that creepy dread feeling like Rosemary's Baby, The Omen or Let's Scare Jessica to Death.  I LOVE those old movies!  Nothing was spoon fed to the audience...the fear just slowly crept in and it would leave you with a freaky vibe even days after you watched it.

That's just my take!!  I'm rather opinionated when it comes to movies and music, but I respect everyone else's opinion too!!  BTW, I hated "Funny Games!"

Nan

I do agree with most of what you said.  I'm not a big fan of the new trend of torture flicks.  I know I'll be disagreed with by alot of folks, but I didn't like Hostel either.  It may be an age thing.  But I think there is a difference between a horror movie and a murder/torture movie even though the murder/torture movie may show horrible acts.  Like a war movie can show horror, but it's still not a horror movie.  Look at the horrors of Trainspotting, but that's not a horror movie.

Examples:  I loved Seven and Silence of the Lambs.  I thought everything about them was great -- the acting, directing, production, storylines -- just great, but . . . . but . . are they reaaaaally horror movies?

There I said it.  I think they're murder/suspense movies.

I think Henry: Portriat of a Serial Killer and Ted Bundy are murder movies.

And it may just be personal feelings.  I mean who am I to dictate how a piece of someone else's art should be labeled.  So it is just my opinion ultimately.  If you wrote a song and called it folk or folk/blues, who am I to call it country. 

But in my humble opinion, Horror movies must have some element of the unreal or supernatural to them.  If Micheal Myers stays dead after being shot -- it's a murder/suspense movie.  The fact that he gets up makes it a horror movie.

Murderers and madmen can be killed or imprisoned.  Supernatural evil cannot be stopped, just slowed down or suppressed, but it will be back.  No matter how many times we put the stake in Dracula's heart, someone always pulls it out and back he comes.  If you put a stake through John Wayne Gacy's heart, he ain't comin'back.

And no matter how much zombies, vampires and mummys terrify us -- they won't really murder the family next door or snatch our children.  I prefer supernatural horror to real-life murder voyerism.

But PS Nan:  If you haven't seen the Descent -- give it a try -- shows that some folks still remember what horror is.

Hi again,

I agree with just about everything you said, and I do think it's an age thing, definitely.  We didn't grow up with computers, Gameboys, violent video games and all that in your face stuff and we think differently.  I refused to see Hostel because I knew I would like it.  To me, that is not horror.  I agree with you in that horror has to have an element of the supernatural, whether it's ghosts, a boogeyman, a vampire, witches, or the Devil himself.  THAT is what shakes me to the core.  Murder, sadism and torture is not horror.  I'm not even a big fan of slasher flicks, unless you count the very first Friday the 13th.  Jason was pretty scary back then.  I'm a fan of creepy dread, not exciting new ways to physically torture someone.  That's not my bag and I think it's indicative of how society has changed.  People get mind-numbed and over-exposed to the raw violence that's shown constantly these days and I guess when you've grown up with that, it's hard to appreciate the simpleness of the old great flicks like Rosemary's Baby or Burnt Offerings.  Those are the films that still get me.  I watch so many horror movies that are recent, hoping that I'll score one that actually does that for me but so far...it hasn't happened.  I think the last "new" movie I saw that I liked was Lost Souls.  I also like Penny Dreadful (Horrorfest last year), but that was more suspense than true horror.  It did keep me on the edge of my seat though.

I've seen Descent and I didn't love it, but it was better than some of the stuff I've seen lately.  The creatures were pretty cool and the fact that they were not really in your face was a nice change.

I'm supposed to be working right now (I work at home for a national IT Consulting Company), but this is much more interesting!

Nan

correction...regarding Hostel, I knew I WOULDN'T like it.

Hey Nan -- since I don't consider us newbies anymore, I've started this topic What is a horror movie over in the general horror section.  I hope you join me.  The water's quite warm and no I didn't pee.

Hi Nan!

This may be the beginning of your posting at The Ossuary, but I do think that I've seen a list or two from you on the site too - great to have you here! It looks like you'll find several that share your views about the new trend in sadistic horror. I, for one, am just immature enough to think they are fun in a highly gross way... but don't get me near an E.R. show because I can't handle the blood... fake only for me, thanks.

Don

LOL!  Yeah, I feel the same way!!