Horror Film History

The movie industry has been developing fast recent years. Due to the improvement of technology, movies are becoming much more widespread nowadays, and especially for the horror movies. Movie directors are able to pursue as many special effects as they can to create a horror atmosphere, which makes those movie plots more eye-catching for the audiences. Honestly, I am not a fan of horror movies. I am not scared of it, I just feel a little bored about it, and I am also confused why people still want to see those movies if they feel paranoid after watching it. However, after reading two articles in Monsters, I come to realize the meaning of creation of horror movies, which is not only for fun, but also a review of our real life. Those ideas indicated by Chuck Klosterman and Stephen King are kind of similar, yet differently inherent.

The horror genre is synonymous with images of terror, violence and human carnage; the mere mention of horror movies evokes physical and psychological torture. As remarked by noted author Stephen King “the mythic horror movie…has a dirty job to do. It deliberately appeals to all that is worst in us. It is morbidity unchained, our most base instincts let free, our nastiest fantasies realized.” (King, 786). At manageable intervals, we choose to live these horrific events vicariously through the characters in horror movies and books as a means of safely experiencing the “what if”. The horror genre allows us to explore our fears, be it spiders, vampires, loss of our identity, or death of a loved, under the most fantastic and horrible

Horror films in the 1950s were very different from those in modern times, as 1960’s Psycho is often credited as the father of modern horror film. 50s horror films would often fit into the science fiction or thriller genres today. The 50s were known as the “Monster Movie decade”, as films often used aliens and monsters to reflect communism or fascism, fears reminiscent of the era (American Movie Classics Company LLC, 2017). The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) was released in 3-D and used a foam and latex suit to create one of film’s most famous monsters- Gill-Man (see image 10) (American Movie Classics Company LLC, 2017). The suit was very realistic for its time and is often cited as a landmark for visual effects. GOJIRA: FIND SFX STUFF

Since it’s infancy at the beginning of the eighteenth century, horror has followed certain conventions that results in an awakening of the senses, evoking intense emotions of fear and terror in the audience. Horror feeds off triggering the primal fears embedded within all of humankind, creating a sense of menace that is the very substance of this genre. Furthermore, the central menace of a piece tends to enlighten the human mind to the world of the paranormal and the enigmatic, dark side of the unknown. The movie “Psycho” directed by Alfred Hitchcock is a perfect example. Infamous for its shower scene, but immortal for its contribution to the horror genre, “Psycho” was filmed with great tact, grace and art in regards to horror conventions.

A girl runs frantically through the woods trying to escape an axe wielding villain. The defenseless victim suddenly trips and collapses to the ground. The villain laughs wickedly as he lifts the axe above his head. The girl releases a final scream as the weapon quickly ends her life, causing the audience to go silent as they watch the villain drag away the lifeless body. Death, blood, guts, suspense, screaming, and terror are all just a few things to expect when watching a modern day horror film. What is horror? Horror can be defined as an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. (Wilson) The description of horror is not very pleasant, but for some reason horror films are extremely popular. Why is this so? People are addicted to the

The decades that stick out in horror movie history are the 70s and the 80s. Most critics would agree with me when I say that the horror movies in the 70s and 80s changed the horror genre forever. The horror movies during those decades are viewed as being the foundation for the horror movies today. But why did those two decades have a significant impact on the horror genre? What made the horror movies better than the horror movies today?

Even though, along with the advance of technology, horror movies, being adapted or not, are becoming more repulsive and real than ever and, despite the fact that they are predictable, since the objective is always the same (to scare the audience) it keeps on attracting thousands of people all over the world.

Often the horror genre acts as what Mark Gatiss (2010) deems a ‘collective dream’ in his miniseries A History of Horror, where socio-cultural anxieties are depicted in the realm of fantasy in which consumers can freely enjoy. As Slavoj Žižek’s commented in is documentary The Perverts Guide to Cinema (2006), "we have a perfect name for fantasy realised. It's called, 'nightmare.'" Research into the genre of horror inevitably uncovers research into Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis. Interpretation of the horror medium is greatly assisted with psychoanalysis, as Freud's theories offer scholars multiple avenues of thought and analysis. This may be from the basis of dream interpretation and the application of such ideology in horror 'fantasy', to

From dark, eerie locations to monstrous tragic films, the production of horror took a different turn when the American film obtained the ability to become more explicit (Geraghty). Around the 1970’s the new Hollywood horror era had developed, ultimately shifting the old horror monstrous theme to more of a disturbing and unnatural theme, which became popular in America. These new themes varied in terms of topics such as disease, possession, and mental illnesses (Geraghty), each in which portrayed graphic and detailed visualizations of disturbances in horrific context. Some of these themes were influenced by using literature as the basis for a plot and an interest in foreign horror used by film directors (Geraghty). As technology became more advanced in film, directors were able to use visual and special effects to create cinema that will indeed provide a suspenseful experience through narratives on screen for the audience. The new Hollywood era contained many elements to create a terrifying movie for their audience. For example, in a recent film called The Blair Witch Project (1999), the main character is documenting and recording supernatural events in video diaries, allowing the audience to have the perspective of the character (Geraghty). Not only does the perspective of the main character have a great effect the audience, but also the quick movements of the camera occurring in the movie does as well because it creates a terrifying effect for viewers. Due to the horror films providing a social escapism for its viewers, the people of America started to favor the horror

Comedy has been used throughout the history of horror films for numerous reasons. It is

The movie affected me personally because of its realism. I have seen that most contemporary horror movies involve zombies, vampires, monsters, or paranormal activities which obviously do not exist. However, the more plausibility possibility of a troubled person doing me harm made the movie terrifying for me. Especially since the realistic filming of the murder taking place in the shower scene has made me forever fear taking a shower. I actually felt like I was watching Marion getting undressed, which made me feel very uncomfortable as I felt I was invading her privacy. Although, I have never been attacked by a psychopath while taking a shower. The good versus evil theme of the movie resonated with me as it reminded me of the constant struggle

In this paper, I will be discussing reviews on horror films and gothic horrors using the movie mama as my main example. My aim is to analyse the horror genre and the emotional effects it has on different people. My objectives are to identify and analyse the generic elements of the horror genre, gather people’s opinions about the horror genre and to find out the reasons for these opinions. To aid my research, I have prepared and shared out questionnaires with open and closed ended questions to gather people’s opinions. I have also held focus groups.

We all fear something in this world, whether it’s real or imaginary. Have you ever wondered why we are so terrified of certain monsters or objects? Some adore creatures while others fear them. Horror films often analyze monsters in various ways through categorical contamination, historical or social relevance, and psychological interpretations. The beasts or location background provides tales, leaving readers with evidence. Entering Mystic Falls, a small, friendly town that has a past of mysterious animal attacks, is brought back to shock the community. Monstrosity is shown throughout the whole TV series, The Vampire Diaries in many different aspects. Not only are vampires physically threatening, but they are also mentally threatening. Furthermore, throughout this series the Salvatore’s, a pair of vampire brothers along with others control the minds of many victims, transforming them into one of their kind or leaving them dead. We are left wondering if these monsters feel love or any remorse. Vampires and hybrids were once human, therefore; I believe we have a connection with them since they were once one of us. Recognizing the humanity within horror, brings us to see the horror in humanity, allowing us to feel sympathy for these creatures. Although these blood sucking monsters and abnormal werewolves from the mysterious town of Mystic Falls sometimes appear as dangerous, feasting animals full of monstrosity, giving off a threatening appearance, they can then transform

The horror movies of the past ten years of so have tended to be more violently graphic and visceral - a reflection of modern times, perhaps. Think of the blood and gore, of the violent deaths at regular intervals in such movies as the Friday the Thirteenth series, I Know

Nowadays horror films have age restrictions that are ridiculously too young. People do not realise that horror films could have such massive, negative impacts on those who view the content. If a child is clearly seen as immature and undeveloped, horror films should be absolutely none of the child's business. The child is most to be unable to identify what is real and fake from the film, leaving the child to be worried and distort from the intensity of the film. I believe that the viewers of horror films are predominantly those of the teenaged community. Unfortunately, sometimes teenagers are looked up upon from those who are younger. Influencing the children to take on actions that are not necessarily positive. There are many consequences that are introduced by watching horror films. Which may include ; paranoia and could even inspire someone to commit devastating crimes. There are many films that are wrongfully age restricted and should be restricted older.