Horror Movies

Understanding the Popular Appeal of Horror Cinema: An Integrated-Interactive Model

http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sf...moviesRev2.htm

This subject continues to pique my interest. My friend's 13 year old sister seems entertained by gory stories. She was describing this book to me that she's reading and told me how cool it was that the characters were being mutilated. I tried to get a rational explanation out of her as to why she enjoyed it, but all she told me was "because it's cool."

I was allowed to watch horror movies from a very young age (my mother used to bring me to her film classes and figured I knew how movies were made and that they weren't real). The slasher movies of my childhood were just plain silly - Nightmare on Elm Street, etc. - and not based in reality at all, so I didn't find them particularly scary and it was hard to identify with any of the one dimensional characters and feel empathy for them. I did enjoy the more psychological and supernatural ones though - Omen, Shining, Rosemary's Baby, etc. I love a good ghost story. I think people tend to substitute themselves for the characters to experience fear in a safe way - like roller coasters. I'm not sure why this is fun, but it is sometimes. I love movies like the Ring and the Sixth Sense - Dark and Creepy, but not violent.

That said, I can't do the modern slasher/torture films. I have no desire to see any of the Saw movies. Even the previews bother me. I can't stand graphic and realistic violence regardless of genre. I've seen a few war movies that had wonderful plots and acting but bothered me for days. I know I wouldn't be able to watch American History X from descriptions I've heard. My husband recently saw a prison movie where the main character's back story involved something horrific happening to his wife and child. It was just the back story and I didn't even see the movie, but I cried and cried when my husband was telling me about it. I can't stand violence against children and animals. Often, violence in non horror movies is worse because it is much more realistic.

I think INFP's (and maybe other NF's?) feel empathy different than others. I often feel physical pain when I see someone else suffer pain. I don't think everyone experiences this so it makes sense to me that not everyone would be as bothered by depictions of violence.


This is a very good topic though. I never gave much thought to the appeal of these movies. It's interesting.

I'm not really a fan of horror movies,but I loved "The Ring".and I agree with Untitled about "the Saw movies",it's a SICK movie .I don't know why people love it so much.

try Amytiville,,

Originally Posted by Shadow

I don't understand the fascination with watching other people get mutilated. Can anyone shed some light on this? ...perhaps, those of you who do enjoy this particular genre. Most horror movies don't seem to be rich in plot or suspense, just sensless gore and violence. There must be somewhat of a demand for these films or they wouldn't be so successful in the entertainment industry. What does this say about our society? In Rome, bloodsports seemed to be quite appealing in their culture. I have to question the mentality of someone who enjoys watching others suffer, in reality or in fantasy. Violence is popular in video games, as well. When I was younger, I thought boys were supposed to like violence so I pretended to enjoy horror movies and war movies, but what is so entertaining about them? I wonder if people who enjoy watching violence would have a different perspective if someone they loved had been a victim of torture.

Horror movies....I kept so creeped out/scared. I seriously can't handle them. The Ring was the first one I saw-- in middle school. Not god. Perhaps it was because I had never been allowed to before and now I go tthe chance and it came as a shock?
War movies....I love them o.o I don't know why. Maybe the adventure appeal to them? Maybe it just lost the "creepy" factor and just the "blood and gore" factor? In real life, do not enjoy watching anyone in pain-- physical or mental. I can't even handle watching someone getting injected. But somehow I can handle some of the goriest war movies and actually cheer some of the scenes on.
I do, however, enjoy a good plot. And I only like the best of crime/mystery novels. Usually not my type. There could be a few exceptions.

This is a rejected series pilot that came out a few years back. Check it out.

[ame=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3315295143249630002&ei=a1OLSualDJK llQfO68mZCA&q=babylon+fields]Babylon Fields - Pilot[/ame]

Originally Posted by Shadow

This subject continues to pique my interest. My friend's 13 year old sister seems entertained by gory stories. She was describing this book to me that she's reading and told me how cool it was that the characters were being mutilated. I tried to get a rational explanation out of her as to why she enjoyed it, but all she told me was "because it's cool."

It could be something social. Like people don't want to be called sissies for not being able to handle stuff like that. Personally, I don't rally care what people say about me not watching horror movies-- I won't watch them. I can barely even listen to them. I get so creeped out xD
Also, the human mind accustoms itself to a lot of stuff. Sometimes when you grow up watchign stuff like that or experiencing it, it won't affect you any more.

I enjoy horror films, but I don't like gore or slasher movies. If it's realistic, I cringe and cry and sometimes actually feel the pain and fear as the characters on the screen. I especially hate when gore/slasher films feel the need to kill off innocent pets for shock value.

That being said, I like scary horror movies if they are more in the direction of fear and suspense. I think the reason lies in the same realm as people who enjoy terrifying rides. They are scary, there is a thrill, but there is no real sense of danger. Well, at least as far as the movie is concerned... ^_^;;

I often end up watching movies that are slasher/gore much to my dismay (I always hope it will be a better movie with a plot and real scariness, but most of them that are recent are crap) and don't like them and equate them to trash. But, I also know that I've seen so many violent things on tv that unless something is realistic or I have invested time into the characters, I end up laughing and finding the movie stupid.

In real life, I can't handle any kind of pain or torture to people, animals, plants... But somehow, in tvland, it doesn't bother me as much unless it's vivid and realistic.

Originally Posted by yara

I'm not really a fan of horror movies,but I loved "The Ring".and I agree with Untitled about "the Saw movies",it's a SICK movie .I don't know why people love it so much.

SERIOUSLY!!! WTH!!! Saw is so gross. If anything, it probably gives people ideas of what to do.

Originally Posted by avalanche183

SERIOUSLY!!! WTH!!! Saw is so gross. If anything, it probably gives people ideas of what to do.

I wouldn't be able to handle Saw :/ My friend called me on the phone while she was watching it...I felt so bad, but my parents were screaming at me to get off of the phone for bed time...that was like 7th grade....Poor friend of mine! D: