Many people express a distaste for the horror genre of film making. Indeed, horror films are often exploitive and use cheap effects to thrill and scare an audience.
Have your views about the horror genre changed after viewing “Hush” from the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Joss Whedon and “Carrie” by Brian De Palma?
What did you like the best when you viewed these two works? Would you recommend either of them to a friend? Explain.
I can’t say that I’ve been a huge fan of the horror genre and, especially lately with the advent of the torture/horror genre represented by the “Saw” franchise, I am often quite appalled at why anyone would seek out these films for entertainment. Notwithstanding my reservations, I did enjoy rewatching both “Hush” and “Carrie” recently.
ReplyDeleteI remembered how much fun Buffy the Vampire Slayer was to watch: innovative and creative work made for interesting TV. The gentlemen characters with their sidekicks in straitjackets were truly creepy. The shot in the clock tower when we first sight these tall and malevolent demons is a shocker, with the camera panning slowly up one arm until we reach a face with metallic teeth. Ugh!
“Carrie” was more truly shocking, however, because it touches on the evil we find in the hearts of the “normal” people all around us and on the influence of madness on otherwise well-meaning people (think of Carrie’s mother who does, in her heart of hearts, want to protect her from harm). I’m struck today by the beginning of the trial of the Norwegian killer of 77 innocent people—he cried in court when his anti-Islamic propaganda film was shown! He pleads “not guilty” because he acted in defence of his country; he does not deny the killing! And he was found “sane” by doctors there . . .
Watching “Carrie” again made me feel uncomfortable. The small acts of violence were especially disturbing: the pelting of Carrie in the shower scene that opens the film; the slaps between supposed boyfriend and girlfriend; the sadistic punishment of the gym teacher to her misbehaving students.
In terms of recommendations I would be careful. Not everyone has the stomach for horror and, especially in the case of “Carrie,” not everyone can look unflinchingly on the worst of human behaviour. Yes, Brian De Palma’s ending was “over the top” and, after we saw Carrie radiate her happiness on that stage, it was disturbing to see the violence she unleashed. But, then, what isn’t surprising when another person intentionally harms another? If my friends have shown an interest in difficult and subversive forms of art, then I would definitely recommend that they watch both Buffy and “Carrie.”
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For me, I don't think it is a qustion if I like the horrors. I do, it is something I watch all the time, it was not something that has just been introduced to me. I find certain horrors to be exciting. You mention 'SAW' movies. Movies like that also disturb me. Anything to do with torture/gang rapes is something I can't fathom as to why anyone would make such a movie about. Where are their minds when they come up with such a theme.
ReplyDeleteBut do I still watch them, depends, if it is just a 'B' rated film, then no. I will not waste my time. If I do watch, what do I get out of it? Well, they usually have the victim seek revenge. I need to see that to erase the horror of the villians actions out of my mind. Knowing that we can take a stand towards evil makes me feel good.
I liked both 'Carrie and Buffy', I would reccomend Buffy, and if I knew someone who liked horrors, then yes I would reccomend 'Carrie'.
I don't think that Buffy is that horrific, to worry about how someone will react. I think most teens are interested in that theme. Which is why it probably turned into a tv series. I have not seen 'Hush'. It was very different from the other ones I have seen, and yes I would say a bit creepy. I don't think there was anything that I really liked over another. I liked it as a whole.
Carrie, on the other hand was disturbing, more real life, because it could and does happen. I have experienced both being bullied and abused. The scene where the pig is killed was very disturbing to me. And you did not have to see the killing to find it to be very violent. I guess some of the other violent scenes weren't as bothersome to me, because I am use to seeing it. Whether it be from watching too many movies or in my life. At this point in my life, it takes quite a bit to scare me. I am very bothered by horrific acts againts people and animals. Any other theme is just a story, so a good scare is fun once in awhile.
What did I like best about this movie, if I have to pick something, because this one too I liked most of it, but I did like the prom scene where they made her look beautiful and innocent. I liked that they gave Carrie a moment of happiness.
I thought they did a good job putting this movie together. Everything connected and the acting was well done as well.
I thought the very end was a bit much, kind of stupid to see the house fall to pieces and then bury itself in the ground. I would have liked a different ending, but that's Stephen King for you.
There are many different types of horror movies, they are not all gory. I think that most people assume Horror movies are all blood and guts. When that is not always the case. Horror has many different faces. So, thanks for sharing these ones with us.
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ReplyDeleteWhen I watched "Carrie", I was shocked at the beginning. A girl who have magic power. When she was angry she could broke a mirror on the wall in the bath room. Her mother heard that a glass crashed and went up stair to see her. The mirror was restored on the wall, so her mother looked at her for a while then went down stair. At that moment, I didn't understand why little scrap mirror could restore.
ReplyDeleteIn the middle, she and her boy classmate joined a ball. They got the prize to become a wonderful couple. When they stood on the stage smiling to accept people' plaudit. I liked to see her smiling look that looked very charming.
Nevertheless, two girl classmates hid behind the curtain and pull down a tub of red pigment. Suddenly, she was shocked and become angry and her magic power come out. The fired spread rapidly in the ballroom. This scene looked really terrible, and I scared. I don't know why two classmates made this big mischief. Were they jealous? Why they did this revenge ?
However, the most terrible scene was that she plied her magic power to shoot her mother's body with a lot of knife. At this moment, I almost stopped to breathe. In addition, I confused why her mother want to kill her. This movie had a miserable ending, so I felt very sad.