What makes a good horror film to you?
A good storyline and being scared out of your head
Or plenty of blood, guts and gore?
Do you prefer a horror film to be realistic like Hostel or Final Destination and Saw
Or
Do you prefer a horror film to be totally far fetched and totally unrealistic like Friday 13th, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street?
Take Friday 13th, how many times does Jason get killed and yet he still comes back, time after time, after time, they are just slasher movies for the sake of slasher movies, no real storyline and certainly so far fetched that it takes the scariness right out of them
But with Hostel, this is realistic, because this can and probably does happen in the world, take snuff movies for example! So it makes the horror film more realistic and therefore more scary
So do prefer horror films to be realistic or just totally unrealistic fantasy that could never happen in today's society
Does it make any difference to you? I think if the story is more real then it tends to far more frightening, because it could happen
But monsters and zombies coming back from the dead, that isn't horror it's comedy!
[question posted by wolfie34]
responses and comments:
I love horror movies. The best ones, for me, are the ones that could actually happen. There are some totally sick people out there, and it is terrifying to think that some of the things you see in some of the movies is quite possible. However, I do like movies that others think are horror movies, like One Missed Call, The Grudge, Dark Waters, etc. Those are not scary to me, they are just full of suspense. [thebohemianheart]
*LOL* True. Sometimes it strays so far from the original you have to wonder how it ever came to be in the first place, OR it starts to repeat itself. [thebohemianheart]
Hello wolfie happy I prefer horror movies that have an air of realism to them, as well as suspense. There are some movies that rely on suspense and gore only (such as the Friday the 13th series) and I really don't like these so much. Like you, I also didn't get anything out of the Grudge and really don't understand the appeal at all. I was bored to sleep! If you want to see a really scary show, tune in to our current President's State of the Union Address. But I warn you -- you won't be sure whether you should laugh or hide! [Transdisc]
LOL! You made me laugh thanks! That does sound scary! [wolfie34]
The scariest ones are the ones that are within the realm of possible. Saw - very scary. I found 'The Stand' to be extremely scary, being a fan of the book, I read it many times before the movie, and everytime I go through the Lincoln Tunnel, my skin crawls. Now that is scary! I think what also makes it scary when the horror is set in your own town or a town near you. [Debs_place]
I have to agree with you on that. The scariest ones are the ones that you know can most likely happen. I also do like some that are impossible, I mean if it has alot of gore in it, lol. But yea the scariest are the ones that are realistic. [BuffMom]
Oh yes, more realistic, this makes it more believable and it scares you more. I was glued to that tv watching Hostel and I got so into it that it made me re-think about traveling to certain places where something like this can and does happen. [howard96h]
Hence the snuff movies! Thank you my friend, I much prefer realism it does have the edge. [wolfie34]
Sometimes I will watch the horror movies. I think the real good horror movies are from Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. In fact the foreign horror movies are not very terrified for me because most of them I feel it's just so violent. It only relates the blood and kill. It's just sick rather than horrible for me. A good horror movie not only makes you feel scared when you are watching it, but also it tells you something. Something that you shouldn't do. Such as you should never do bad things to others. By the way, the American horror movie The Eye is exactly a copy movie from a horror Hong Kong film. I haven't watched the American version yet, I don't know what's the big difference between them. I will judge it when I watch it. I love China [youless]
Horror films can be very brutal and violent my friend, with the age of special effects they can really make them horrific [wolfie34]
I think there is room for all kinds of horror, but I suppose things that could really happen are the ones that stay with you after the film has ended. After watching Saw I did find myself wondering if I was living a fulfulled enough life so that I wouldn't be a target for a Jigsaw-esque killer. Although I suppose some could say Saw isn't particularly realistic. On the whole, I think the scariest films are the ones that play on our primal fears - the dark, not being able to scream for help or run away - where the fight or flight reaction is hindered. For example, the episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with the Gentlemen, where everone's voices were stolen, really scared me and several people I spoke to about it. I've never been scared by Buffy before. I also think films where the killer wears a mask are inevitably creepier. In the Scream films, the second you see who the killers are and they begin to use a gun rather than a knife, it's instantly not scary anymore. [cheerupcharlie86]
Hi wolfie, I love the combination...LOL! I don't like to be frightened a lot because I might not be able to sleep..LOL! SO, If it is possible for them to come up with combination, realistic yet funny sometimes, I will love that! lOL!happyhappyhappy [checapricorn]
Hello wolfie34 As you know I don't like horror movies but I think I can still respond to your discussion as I have seen a couple and I think that qualifies me!! Oh I have seen one of the nightmare on Elm Street movies too, I think the 5th one, not sure. Wow I have seen a few horror movies for someone who doesn't like them eh? Anyway, watching a far fetched film I think you can just shrug your shoulders and that be the end of it and possibly laugh at it, the most far fetched seem to be more of a comedy. Movies that are more realistic can put the fear of God into you in your own real life so I guess it depends on if that bothers you or not. You can also tune into Crimewatch UK each month to get the same sort of feeling!! [Humbug25]
I guess it depends on where you live wolfie3!! [Humbug25]
a good horror for is the one that i am scared of with of course a good story line. a realistic to watch like you are among of the actors and actresses on the movie. i don't want to see zombies on the movies, i am not a kid that afraid of zombie but i am afraid of ghost. zombie is only for comedy. [julyteen]
Well, I love both kind of horror movies. Real stories gain more attention as a spectator for me, while far fetched are more entertaining and horrifying. I usually watch horror movies with my Girlfriend (for those cosy moments) or with my sister. Both ways, the movies are equally horrifying and entertaining. A real story involves the spectator making him to find out about that particular thing on the Internet or somewhere else, while far fetched films are just for stopping your heart beat. The movies in which the killed person comes back once, can be tolerated but when he comes back again and again, enforces you to leave. This is comedy. Cheers! AJ Rox.lol [ajrox1810]
I'm like you, Wolfie. I like stories that COULD be true. That makes them all the scarier. There are countless knockoffs of slasher movies. If I see a cover that shows a person in a hood and mask, weilding a machete, I don't even bother to pick it to read the plotline. They're all the same old thing, different settings. But if you DO pick up the jacket and check the maker, it's always some unknown studio,with the film possibly made outside someone's garage. Everyone wants to be a producer ... without producing anything worthwhile. Memo to self: Want a good horror movie? Stick to known studios with a track record of successes. (C) 2008 RJScott [rjscott]
I find a horror movie is good when it is realistic and you realize it is something that could happen . I am not into blood and guts and find this more disgusting then a horror movie . I want to watch something that is going to keep me in suspense with wondering what is going to happen next and don't want to have to keep looking away because they are showing someones head being cut off or bleeding all over the place . I agree the monster and zombie movies are more of a comedy then anyting else !! [samtaylorskykierajen]
I don't want blood and guts. I won't watch it. I won't watch Friday the 13th ever... there was a whole series of them and I couldn't watch all the way through the first one. I don't like cutting and slashing and to me Jaws was a horror film that I couldn't watch all the way. [OreoCookie3]
I shall let you into a little secret, after watching Jaws believe it or not it put me off swimming in the ocean, daft eh! [wolfie34]
It really depends on what the story is about. I like all types of horror movies, especially the cheesy B-rated movies. I appreciate a realistic storyline because that makes watching it a more intense experience. Slasher flicks make me laugh because they are far-fetched, and they are just fun to kick back and watch and not have to put much thought into the plot of the story. Just straight slashing and gashing! [illfavors]
It's slashing for the sake of slashing, mind you they don't need much thought do they, so when you come home late from a night out you can just put one on and don't need to worry about the storyline! [wolfie34]
I think being realistic is what makes them so horrific and frightening.Having to think that it could happen is so scary. I agree that the ones you mentioned are too far fetched. Yes, i hate it when Jason gets to live again and again. It just never stops i think it is getting tiresome watching it. [sweetie1026]
Yeah, i remember that one with Jason fighting with Freddy Kruger, i didn't even bother to watch that one. They do get boring with the sequels. [sweetie1026]
I would have to go with both. Depends on my mood at the time. I like horror pretty much no matter what. I do like the kind that just scare the heck out of me! Especially the realistic kinds. But then again, I definately like the monster kind and blood and gore. In the past year or so I've been getting into the zombie horror. Despite what some people say, it can be horrifying. The idea of your family member turning into this mindless being who's only goal is to eat your flesh is terrifying. Then add the thought that you may have to be the one to kill them even more disturbing. But then again, I'm into the slasher/exploitation type films. I liked the first hostel and saw. The rest weren't as good in my opinion. [starr4all]
I love all types of horror movies but I agree with you and think the more realistic horror movies are the best. I loved all three Saw's, Final Destination's and others like that. I also like a good Zombie movie! Demon movies are great too. But realistic movies are the best! The thing is, I don't get scared by these movies. It takes a lot to frighten me and I can watch a horror movie late at night all by myself with the lights out and it doesn't bother me at all. Where we live, you would think that I would get scared because we live way out in the country almost in the woods. But I love living here and I love horror movies. I also love horror books. My favorite authors are Stephen King and Dean Koontz. :) [cwilson26]
i love scary movies! i myself prefer them to be more realistic, because i think it makes them more believable and thus more scary, like it could really happen to you. my favorite movie is silence of the lambs, and i think that is one of the reasons why i like it so much- because it is a realistic thriller about a serial killer. plus i really do not care for all the blood and gore. [fatmansmommy]
I prefer the ones that are realistic....thrillers that keep me sitting on the edge of my seat. I don't like a lot of blood & guts....that doesn't scare me but just makes me feel sick. Not a fun time. A little fantasy is ok but all too often, it is so overdone that as you said...its comedy. I never got into those jason type movies. I saw one or two and they were just ridiculous. Yup, we should be movie buddies. [sid556]
I can't speak for others, but I find that the films that show the reality of something topical like an ecological disaster that can actually cause the everyone in the world to die a painful death instantly would be more thought provoking than having a dead ex-con sit next to me in the middle of the night at a Starbucks and suffocate me to death with an empty "Grande" cup. [mrghill]
I hate movies which involve zombies and monsters. Stephen King books and movies are really impressive. He builds a story around a normal daily occurrence and then deviates in the horror scene as the story gets along. In Misery a famous bestseller author gets trapped in a storm while his car crashes. A nurse takes care of him and tries to help him recover from his broken bones. I really think that King is a genius how he manages to captivate the readers imagination. [ronaldinu]
You are right Stephen King is a genius, I loved his Desperation and Apt Pupil novel, Christine was pretty good for it's time. Couldn't get into Firestarter. [wolfie34]
wolfie i hate just blood and guts,give me a good story line anytime.so realistic for me.some thing like the omen movies or flowers in the attic,amityville or any of these types of movies.jason and friday the 13th i would not even bother to watch,but i a good story line that keeps you wondering all through the movie is great.cheers sue [suehan1]
The Omen was scary, for it's time! I remember the second film Omen 2 that was actually quite horrific, the lift scene and the juggernault, ewwww pretty much scared me out at the time! The third film was a let down, the second was the best of the three [wolfie34]
I would like a horror movie to be realistic, then it is more scary to me :D Else I jsut laugh the entire movie :D Have a nice day.. [NrgDfenZ]
I am in pursuit of perfect thouht it is not possible. Thus I don't like film with blood or something. It is scary! Prince Diary, for example, is totally imaginative. However, it feels good to watch and should be horrored [hiddenwing]
I don't have a preference to which one is better, but I usually get more scared by the more realistic ones. If its something that could actually happen its usually days before I can walk through my house at night without turning all the lights on LOL. I don't really even watch scary movies by choice, but I have 3 teenagers that love them so I've seen most of them. [madasp]
I guess I shouldn't be responding to this discussion since I'm one who does not enjoy horror movies. I don't care if they're realistic or far-fetched, I prefer them to be non-existent in my life. Scratch that, I think I'd go with far-fetched, it's bad enough to sit through the news and hear of gory details about how someone dismembered someone else. [SaintAnne]
I like the ones that are funny. Like killer tomatoes, and the ones with giant bugslol I like the alien ones and there was one where this guy said he had a headache and then he got his head cut off...in giant killer beatles......the funny ones are good. The vampire ones can be funny too, especialy the older ones....I like the comedy better everytime.... [eaforeman6]
Ewww I hate the ones that feature bugs, Remember Starship Troopers? That film grossed me out! Those giant bugs, scary! [wolfie34]
I prefer a suspenseful and terrifying story line. The guts and gore don't really do anything for me. As for realistic vs. unrealistic... the best horror movies make you believe in their reality. One of my favourites is a Japanese film called "Uzumaki" (English title: Spiral) about a small town that is cursed by the spiral. Not a creature, not a monster, but the concept of a spiral. People begin dying in ways that relate to spirals, or by being twisted into spirals. While few movies could be more unbelievable in their premise, I completely believed this movie and felt the fear and horror along with the characters who were being stalked by this unseen force. As for zombie movies, the point of them is being able to suspend your disbelief. In fact, some cultures do believe in "zombis" returning from the grave through means of Voodoo rites. To dismiss all of the zombie movies as comedy rather than horror doesn't take into consideration the real horror that can be conveyed in this manner. Most science fiction movies are unrealistic, but we don't dismiss them as comedy (The Matrix, for instance). Things like "A Nightmare on Elm Street" were originally intended as horror-comedy, and not to be taken seriously. George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead", however, isn't funny in the slightest and is considered a scary and classic horror film by most. Unrealistic? Sure. But while I watched it, I believed, and I was scared. [tessrow]
People are different. some prefer more far-fetched things, but I prefer more realistic things, even if it is a horro film. I know it's just a movie, so I'm not worried about reality being scary. I think far-fetched things are just plain silly, and they don't interest me in the least bit. [danishcanadian]