Scary Movies at an all time low

[Red-Link]

You don't see much else but slasher movies being released in western audiences, even then there is the occasional breath of fresh air. I find it surprising that nobody has mentioned Black Swan.
The genre isn't given any respect, nor the budget, it's tossed around as something without any value. The people behind the production of most "horror" films seem to be completely delusional and out of touch. They don't produce anything of value, just frighteningly sadistic shadows of a real work of value. They base these films on what they think the public wants. They're out of touch.
Again, serious horror isn't given any respect. If I remember correctly, Del Toro's Lovecraft adaption died due to lack of funding.

I loved Black Swan. It was probably the scariest film I've seen in a while. As for the "delusional and out of touch" people behind the films, unfortunately, they're the most in touch in the industry. You can make bank off a really cheap horror film with a bunch of nobodys. Who wants to cough up the money for innovation when a tried and true method of dull mediocrity gives such a good payoff?

Are those films even making any money? I think they should seriously reconsider it. As far as I recall the last few "big" horror releases did little in the box offices. While Black Swan did quite well... Maybe that'll lead on to another few good releases. One can dream anyway...

DVDs and rentals are really strong for that type of film, not mention licensing for television use. One other note people should realize: because those are so easy to make, they make a great learning film for cast and crew. It's when that's somebody's whole career that it's an issue.

Ah, I hadn't realised that, good point. Though, I'd still like to continue to clutch straws and hope Black Swan has done some good for the genre. There's also the chance we could see some great change. The whole Hollywood system is growing rather stagnant, fewer seem to be tolerating the usual mess they put out. Again, one can dream.

No, you're absolutely right. I think Black Swan definitely has a chance to help the genre, and I see no way that it could have hurt it. As for Hollywood, when a movie sucks, people blame Hollywood, when it's good, they find someone other than Hollywood to thank. The big H's days are numbered, as the group of people who associate it with stagnation and mediocrity grows to be more than just the stereotypical indie crowd, and all I can say is, "Thank goodness."

 

[BoosterGold]

snip

Okay, so you say horror is at an all time low, Natalie Portman just won Best Actress for a Horror Movie. You want a scary flick watch Black Swan

 

[Red-Link]

Eh I could care less about special features, I just wanna watch the damn movie! I'll have to add those things to my list of things to get eventually. Plus I've ran out of books to read, so I should get those books as soon as I can.

Pick up Battle Royale while you're at it. One of my top three favorite books of all time.

I saw half of that movie, I regret not watching the other half. Movie was fucking amazing.

Hell yeah it is, and the book is at least 20x better, now if only Toei could drop their damned asking price so a studio with balls will license it for a DVD in our region.

I'm pretty sure if that movie ever gets released here, it'll make bank. I know there's a high demand for it.

Yeah, but if a big studio buys it, they'll chop it to bits to appease the censors, and a small studio can't afford it, not to mention Toei wants to retain some weird rights on it (I forget the specifics, though). The funny part is, by today's standards, it's pretty tame, but studios are still afraid to touch it.

Because we've been having a long conversation that's only tangentially related to the topic at this point, I have just one thing to say to tie horror and over-the-top violence together: Suicide Club. Thank you, that is all.

Let's get a bunch of people to pitch in money so we can start our own company...only buy Battle Royale! I'm surprised, I know a few big people in Hollywood like the movie too. Weird.

I've been wanting to see Suicide Club sooooo bad since I heard of it. I want it! I want it! I want it!

Off to Kickstarter! I think that would actually be a pretty good idea. And yeah, Suicide Club is awesome, if a bit random and confusing at points.

I really wish it would get released in America sometime soon, that would be awesome. DAMN YOU MOVIE STUDIOS!!! I've been wanting to watch Gozu and Tetsuo The Iron Man, are they any good? I just watched Oldboy like a week ago, it's not really horror, but it's pretty fucking intense.

I've not seen them yet, but I've heard good things.

 

[Kenbo Slice]

Eh I could care less about special features, I just wanna watch the damn movie! I'll have to add those things to my list of things to get eventually. Plus I've ran out of books to read, so I should get those books as soon as I can.

Pick up Battle Royale while you're at it. One of my top three favorite books of all time.

I saw half of that movie, I regret not watching the other half. Movie was fucking amazing.

Hell yeah it is, and the book is at least 20x better, now if only Toei could drop their damned asking price so a studio with balls will license it for a DVD in our region.

I'm pretty sure if that movie ever gets released here, it'll make bank. I know there's a high demand for it.

Yeah, but if a big studio buys it, they'll chop it to bits to appease the censors, and a small studio can't afford it, not to mention Toei wants to retain some weird rights on it (I forget the specifics, though). The funny part is, by today's standards, it's pretty tame, but studios are still afraid to touch it.

Because we've been having a long conversation that's only tangentially related to the topic at this point, I have just one thing to say to tie horror and over-the-top violence together: Suicide Club. Thank you, that is all.

Let's get a bunch of people to pitch in money so we can start our own company...only buy Battle Royale! I'm surprised, I know a few big people in Hollywood like the movie too. Weird.

I've been wanting to see Suicide Club sooooo bad since I heard of it. I want it! I want it! I want it!

Off to Kickstarter! I think that would actually be a pretty good idea. And yeah, Suicide Club is awesome, if a bit random and confusing at points.

I really wish it would get released in America sometime soon, that would be awesome. DAMN YOU MOVIE STUDIOS!!! I've been wanting to watch Gozu and Tetsuo The Iron Man, are they any good? I just watched Oldboy like a week ago, it's not really horror, but it's pretty fucking intense.

I've not seen them yet, but I've heard good things.

But you've seen Oldboy right? I believe that's a movie everyone has to watch.

 

[Mr Somewhere]

You don't see much else but slasher movies being released in western audiences, even then there is the occasional breath of fresh air. I find it surprising that nobody has mentioned Black Swan.
The genre isn't given any respect, nor the budget, it's tossed around as something without any value. The people behind the production of most "horror" films seem to be completely delusional and out of touch. They don't produce anything of value, just frighteningly sadistic shadows of a real work of value. They base these films on what they think the public wants. They're out of touch.
Again, serious horror isn't given any respect. If I remember correctly, Del Toro's Lovecraft adaption died due to lack of funding.

I loved Black Swan. It was probably the scariest film I've seen in a while. As for the "delusional and out of touch" people behind the films, unfortunately, they're the most in touch in the industry. You can make bank off a really cheap horror film with a bunch of nobodys. Who wants to cough up the money for innovation when a tried and true method of dull mediocrity gives such a good payoff?

Are those films even making any money? I think they should seriously reconsider it. As far as I recall the last few "big" horror releases did little in the box offices. While Black Swan did quite well... Maybe that'll lead on to another few good releases. One can dream anyway...

DVDs and rentals are really strong for that type of film, not mention licensing for television use. One other note people should realize: because those are so easy to make, they make a great learning film for cast and crew. It's when that's somebody's whole career that it's an issue.

Ah, I hadn't realised that, good point. Though, I'd still like to continue to clutch straws and hope Black Swan has done some good for the genre. There's also the chance we could see some great change. The whole Hollywood system is growing rather stagnant, fewer seem to be tolerating the usual mess they put out. Again, one can dream.

No, you're absolutely right. I think Black Swan definitely has a chance to help the genre, and I see no way that it could have hurt it. As for Hollywood, when a movie sucks, people blame Hollywood, when it's good, they find someone other than Hollywood to thank. The big H's days are numbered, as the group of people who associate it with stagnation and mediocrity grows to be more than just the stereotypical indie crowd, and all I can say is, "Thank goodness."

I couldn't agree more with you there. Who knows what will happen, but it'll certainly be exciting to see what comes from it.

 

[Red-Link]

Eh I could care less about special features, I just wanna watch the damn movie! I'll have to add those things to my list of things to get eventually. Plus I've ran out of books to read, so I should get those books as soon as I can.

Pick up Battle Royale while you're at it. One of my top three favorite books of all time.

I saw half of that movie, I regret not watching the other half. Movie was fucking amazing.

Hell yeah it is, and the book is at least 20x better, now if only Toei could drop their damned asking price so a studio with balls will license it for a DVD in our region.

I'm pretty sure if that movie ever gets released here, it'll make bank. I know there's a high demand for it.

Yeah, but if a big studio buys it, they'll chop it to bits to appease the censors, and a small studio can't afford it, not to mention Toei wants to retain some weird rights on it (I forget the specifics, though). The funny part is, by today's standards, it's pretty tame, but studios are still afraid to touch it.

Because we've been having a long conversation that's only tangentially related to the topic at this point, I have just one thing to say to tie horror and over-the-top violence together: Suicide Club. Thank you, that is all.

Let's get a bunch of people to pitch in money so we can start our own company...only buy Battle Royale! I'm surprised, I know a few big people in Hollywood like the movie too. Weird.

I've been wanting to see Suicide Club sooooo bad since I heard of it. I want it! I want it! I want it!

Off to Kickstarter! I think that would actually be a pretty good idea. And yeah, Suicide Club is awesome, if a bit random and confusing at points.

I really wish it would get released in America sometime soon, that would be awesome. DAMN YOU MOVIE STUDIOS!!! I've been wanting to watch Gozu and Tetsuo The Iron Man, are they any good? I just watched Oldboy like a week ago, it's not really horror, but it's pretty fucking intense.

I've not seen them yet, but I've heard good things.

But you've seen Oldboy right? I believe that's a movie everyone has to watch.

Not yet, but it's on Netflix instant, so it's only a matter of time.

 

[Kenbo Slice]

Eh I could care less about special features, I just wanna watch the damn movie! I'll have to add those things to my list of things to get eventually. Plus I've ran out of books to read, so I should get those books as soon as I can.

Pick up Battle Royale while you're at it. One of my top three favorite books of all time.

I saw half of that movie, I regret not watching the other half. Movie was fucking amazing.

Hell yeah it is, and the book is at least 20x better, now if only Toei could drop their damned asking price so a studio with balls will license it for a DVD in our region.

I'm pretty sure if that movie ever gets released here, it'll make bank. I know there's a high demand for it.

Yeah, but if a big studio buys it, they'll chop it to bits to appease the censors, and a small studio can't afford it, not to mention Toei wants to retain some weird rights on it (I forget the specifics, though). The funny part is, by today's standards, it's pretty tame, but studios are still afraid to touch it.

Because we've been having a long conversation that's only tangentially related to the topic at this point, I have just one thing to say to tie horror and over-the-top violence together: Suicide Club. Thank you, that is all.

Let's get a bunch of people to pitch in money so we can start our own company...only buy Battle Royale! I'm surprised, I know a few big people in Hollywood like the movie too. Weird.

I've been wanting to see Suicide Club sooooo bad since I heard of it. I want it! I want it! I want it!

Off to Kickstarter! I think that would actually be a pretty good idea. And yeah, Suicide Club is awesome, if a bit random and confusing at points.

I really wish it would get released in America sometime soon, that would be awesome. DAMN YOU MOVIE STUDIOS!!! I've been wanting to watch Gozu and Tetsuo The Iron Man, are they any good? I just watched Oldboy like a week ago, it's not really horror, but it's pretty fucking intense.

I've not seen them yet, but I've heard good things.

But you've seen Oldboy right? I believe that's a movie everyone has to watch.

Not yet, but it's on Netflix instant, so it's only a matter of time.

When you get around to watching it, message me. I think it's a good movie to discuss.

 

[captaincabbage]

Eh, the last movie I saw that I would honestly describe as "Shit-your-pants Terror" would be Wolf Creek.

 

[Zeema]

i watched 8 legged freaks the other day.

Im very afraid of spiders extremely afraid like too the point if there was a spider boss in a game i wouldn't beat the game.

But i didn't get scared not once and i was like 'wow these are horror movies?'

Anime horror is pretty good though.

on a unrelated sort would you say Elfen lied was a Horror?

Freaks is considered a horror comedy, though. I haven't seen it, so I can't comment on it's quality as such, but I thought I'd mention that. Can you recommend some anime horror. I like what I've seen, but it's not much. I'd quite like to get my hands on some more.

yeah sure why not?

'When They Cry' is supposed to be pretty good but i haven't really read any lately

 

[Azrael the Cat]

No good zombie movie has EVER been made. >=[
Please prove me wrong, and link a good one. I like realistic ones, not the standard loose every soldier in the first 20 min and all that stupid shit. I swear it's like people want to commit zombie assisted suicide in thoes movies.

I hate to say it, but folks who prefer some constant-violence-gore-everywhere zombie film over the Romero original trilogy (Night, Dawn and Day) are part of the problem with horror films.

Dawn of the Dead (the original, not the action-film remake) would still, for me, be by far the best zombie film, and probably the one where the political/social commentary really works well with the choice of 'monster'. It's an awesome critique of mass consumerism (hence the 'zombies' as consumers, brain-dead but going through the routine of their shopping day). The scenes where you've got the shopping centre full of the shuffling zombies, pushing around their shopping trolleys, reaching to shelves as if to get something, pushing prams and so on - it just nails the 'lifelessness' of mass consumer culture. Which, of course, was Romero's exact point.

 

[TheXRatedDodo]

While Modern Horror digs itself into an early grave, why not just explore another horror sub-genre, or say, Japanese Horror, there's a veritale cornucopia off Japanese Horror stuff all working around totally different themes, ideas and moods.
Then there's Italian Horror and the old giallo stuff, another treasure trove of incredible films there. (Check out City of the Living Dead, Profundo Rosso and Suspiria to get you started with Italian Horror... All great films with amazing soundtracks!)
What about 70's video nasty type affairs? Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Evil Dead, I Spit On Your Grave, Last House on the Left?
What about Psycho?

Let modern horror ruin itself, it'll just be reborn as something new and amazing again soon enough. In the mean time I'd just recommend searching out horror from other times and places

Oh, actually, a recommendation for you OP. If you want to be the most scared you've ever been in your life I'd highly recommending David Lynch's Inland Empire..
And good luck to you if you decide to watch it

 

[TheMadDoctorsCat]

The sad thing is that the System Shock games did horror better than most movies did.

But if you're a fan of that kind of thing, you may want to check out another Asian horror: "Kairo". I don't think I've ever see a better film about the fear of being alone with something that wants to hurt you. It's very much a slow-burn film, so frenetic action junkies will not like it, but atmospheric horror fans definitely will.

 

[funguy2121]

Am I the only one that notices all these scary movies are just becoming too dull and outdated? They aren't as scary anymore like they used to be. It's mostly remakes or a bad storyline (or the budget is just awful). I've been into scary movies all my life but I never seem to get scared of them. I'll sit there the entire time and not budge when a scary part comes up, It's like I'm made of stone or something. A while back Paranormal Activity was called and I quote "The Scariest Film of all time" and when I bought it (HUGE mistake) and watched it, I seriously felt like burning it and bury it in my back yard it was that terrible. That was the worst $20 I have ever spent in my life. Do you think scary movies aren't what they seem any more and what was your scary movie that you didn't find..well...scary.

I think the genre as a whole is overrated. Not that there's anything particularly wrong or weak about the style, just that precious few people out there know how to properly direct or write horror. I'd love examples of what you think are great and horrible horror films.

I'll go ahead and invite ridicule and scorn - the only movie that I found scary for very long at all was the original Exorcist (I hated all the sequels). The first time I watched Aliens I found the first scene with the film's namesakes to be pretty terrifying. Event Horizon was no longer scare after I paused all the quick flashy visions of "Hell" and they turned out just to be a bunch of images of impaled people and blood. I enjoyed the first 2 Scream films but it was for the comedy and not the horror. I hated the 3rd and am anticipating quite a bit of suck from the new one.

The problem is that it's too easy to get a project greenlit in Hollywood, particularly if it's devoid of intellectual content. And since the insipid suits running the show seem convinced that horror is nothing more than buckets of gore and the occasional tit, that's about 95% of what we get.

Also, I wonder what Stephen King adaptations you enjoyed? I enjoyed, Misery and Dream Catcher and would like to see justice done to The Stand. Also, I'm about 90% certain that Seth Green is one of the kids in It.

 

[Masterninjaz12]

Well my favorite

Am I the only one that notices all these scary movies are just becoming too dull and outdated? They aren't as scary anymore like they used to be. It's mostly remakes or a bad storyline (or the budget is just awful). I've been into scary movies all my life but I never seem to get scared of them. I'll sit there the entire time and not budge when a scary part comes up, It's like I'm made of stone or something. A while back Paranormal Activity was called and I quote "The Scariest Film of all time" and when I bought it (HUGE mistake) and watched it, I seriously felt like burning it and bury it in my back yard it was that terrible. That was the worst $20 I have ever spent in my life. Do you think scary movies aren't what they seem any more and what was your scary movie that you didn't find..well...scary.

I think the genre as a whole is overrated. Not that there's anything particularly wrong or weak about the style, just that precious few people out there know how to properly direct or write horror. I'd love examples of what you think are great and horrible horror films.

I'll go ahead and invite ridicule and scorn - the only movie that I found scary for very long at all was the original Exorcist (I hated all the sequels). The first time I watched Aliens I found the first scene with the film's namesakes to be pretty terrifying. Event Horizon was no longer scare after I paused all the quick flashy visions of "Hell" and they turned out just to be a bunch of images of impaled people and blood. I enjoyed the first 2 Scream films but it was for the comedy and not the horror. I hated the 3rd and am anticipating quite a bit of suck from the new one.

The problem is that it's too easy to get a project greenlit in Hollywood, particularly if it's devoid of intellectual content. And since the insipid suits running the show seem convinced that horror is nothing more than buckets of gore and the occasional tit, that's about 95% of what we get.

Also, I wonder what Stephen King adaptations you enjoyed? I enjoyed, Misery and Dream Catcher and would like to see justice done to The Stand. Also, I'm about 90% certain that Seth Green is one of the kids in It.

Well my favorite films from Stephen King were Storm of the Century, Rosered, Misery, and 1408 are by far my best ones that got me freaked out the most.

 

[Tibs]

Eh...I never cared for horror movies anyways.

 

[putowtin]

lets face it most "horror" movies released now are just big budget slasher flicks, it's like Hollywood have a hard on for bad S&M.

 

[Terminate421]

The trick to the horror movie is not to let one see something too much. (But thats coming from a guy who is insanley in love with Dead Space's scariness)

If I make a horror movie, don't worry, I won't eff it up for you guys.

 

[EmperorSubcutaneous]

My absolute favorite horror movie of all time is The Haunting. The 1963 version, not the terrible 1999 remake.

You don't see much of anything (which is important, because no one can scare you better than your own mind), the horror is all based on sound, suspense, and the psychology of the characters. It's amazing.

So yes, in general I think horror movies are pretty terrible lately. Probably because of how easy special effects are to make now. Sometimes they can be used well, like in Black Swan, but usually they're just used to show things that are better left to the imagination.

 

[Rayne870]

I think the only thing that ever scared me was watching Blair Witch at 3 in the morning while falling asleep at the low points and waking up when the panic ensued. After reading the wiki page several years later it makes total sense that I was scared out of my mind.

But yeah...today's horror movies just don't have what it takes.

 

[Masterninjaz12]

The trick to the horror movie is not to let one see something too much. (But thats coming from a guy who is insanley in love with Dead Space's scariness)

If I make a horror movie, don't worry, I won't eff it up for you guys.

If it makes me piss myself then I will congratulate you in person and even hug you lol