That "specialness" has died, and we the audience are holding the smoking gun and it's really not a generational thing either when you come down to it. Movies are purchased at the Wal-Mart, downloaded or Netflixed by people of all ages who (to quote Ministry) "Use it a while, then it's over the shoulder." This stuff is literally landfill fodder within a month of being released on DVD. They can't give it away; how much quality do you expect to find in a medium that's now given about the same amount of respect as fast food?
I've had heated conversations with people about film only to have them admit near the end that they "missed that part" because they were "vacuuming" or were "on the phone."
Blasphemy!
The simple fact of that matter is, like all things in life, you pretty much get out of it what you put into it. Even those crappy Ring rip-offs may have a pearl or two if you're willing to meet it halfway. As much as sincerity is missing on the part of the filmmakers, the audience too seems to be going through the motions. Most are prematurely voicing their critiques in their heads, when they should be going with the flow or at least paying attention. I think if you're a true movie lover this approach to film is like thinking about work while you're having sex; everybody loses. I can't say that we have not had a couple duds come down the pike recently, but when the good stuff goes by, it appears to me that it's equally shredded and with as much glee. There will always be a pendulum swing as far as horror movies go, but it's our responsibility as viewers to, at least try to, listen to what a film has to say. I just hope when the next "big thing" does come around, we're not all not too jaded to recognize it.
Zombos Closet of Horror has the last word...
"Well, you've certainly got your work cut out for you," said Zombos with glee. I hate it when he says things with glee.
"Alright, I'll bite. What can I say after all this? That I find too many of today's horror movies embarrassing? I'm embarrassed to say I'm a fan, and embarrassed to be seen watching them in a theater. When I tell people I write a horror blog they look at me queerly."
"Oh, go on," chided Zombos, "you are only embarrassed because you're the only over-fifty person in a theater full of frisky teenagers at those midnight showings. It's a wonder you haven't been picked up by the police yet. Better be careful or you'll have a Children of the Corn encounter to deal with." He chuckled. I hate it when he chuckles, too.
Article comments
1 - E. D. Deuss
The problem with recent (and not so recent) horror movies is that they mostly have blood & gore (BAG) for its own sake. If one wants that, they should work in a butcher shop! Damned few "horror" movies made over the past 30 or so years would be deemed classics. A classic, in my humble opinion, is a film that one wants to see over and over and over again.
The Universal horror films of the '30s and '40s are mainly classics and appeal even to today's viewers. There was a certain quality about those films, for example, that is totally lacking in the majority of BAG films of the last 3 or so decades.
Some of the best "horror" or "thriller" films have the "less is more" idea of not showing every little thing. The unseen is much more spooky than actually seeing whatever it is.
My rule of thumb is: most remakes are not going to be as good as the originals. Some of the BAG films might be suitable for renting, but I sure wouldn't pay big bucks to see 'em.
2 - George
The big problem with todays horror is it is SO FANTASTIC AND SO DRIPY OF BLOOD NOT REALLY DOWN TO EARTH.What scares people is in the normal cours of our lifes journy....lets say...a friend of your's is a palentologest working in south america comes across a fossol of a 5 fingered claw and arm.....breaks it off and shows it to other scientiets....they think there could be more to this so they put together an expedtion to find the CREATURE from the black lagoon....in B/W mind you....There was no huge spiritul hold on the lagoon by the creature. Like in the new mummy movies....All that tends to not be believable..Is not at all scary.. But our boy the creature is just a simple creature living in it's own world....We came to capture him.....very very hard to do...That was scary...But the whole story could actually happen...the way it was written....So what is believable and what is not??? that is the question!!!!..Is seem to me that to much is put into the new horror..K.I.S.S..KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID...aND THE PEOPLE WILL COME...G..
3 - joelp
easy for you talentless fucks to sick back and complain.
go out and make your own movie if the rest suck so bad.