Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
It is odd, is it not, how popular horror movies have always been? This means odd considering the fact that fear is not usually a very pleasant state of mind to be in outside of the theater. It is a survival mechanism, and a primal one at that, yet people like to pull the trigger on it in groups and even when they are home alone.
Maybe it is the adrenaline rush when the scary monster jumps onto the screen. Maybe it is the fact that folks can allow themselves to get frightened knowing all along that it is all make believe. Certainly it is the opportunity for a date to get closer together and maybe squeeze hands. Yeah, scary movies are fun indeed.
So when one is watching those things, does one ever wonder what kind of sick mind is putting them all together? Many do, and some to the point of fascination. There is a stereotypical type; they go to wacky conventions dressed up like ghouls and vampires on their time off. But those running those conventions know something that others do not.
They know that there is money to be made scaring the pants off of people. So do the directors and producers of such fare. So how could a person actually make a living doing the same thing themselves? To begin, they could try for a job on a set. The thing about many scary movies is that they are on such a low budget that they are an easy way to get an entry-level film gig.
This would include makeup people, as most of the really good ones use a truck load of make up. And all of that blood and gore has to be mixed up and smeared on to the characters by someone. Hey, someone has to do it, and they could earn a little bit of money doing it.
And what about writing a script? It seems that a writer could distill the essence of every great scary film into a simple formula. It could probably be described in about four sentences. And that right there is the seed for a new film script. Just add in some new characters and locations and it may actually be on to something big. Again, all famous film folk started in the same basic way.
And as far as the acting goes, if an actor can scream really good, and if they are attractive enough, it should not be too hard to find a small role, in which the character gets killed off pretty early on in the film, and start building a resume reel thereby. Again, many of these types of films are very low budget, so the return in any work put into to them could be substantial.
So instead of paying the hard earned cash out of pocket to get scared by someone else, why not think about using some of that cash to do the scaring professionally? Many good, respectable careers have been started on the low budget B-film horror circuit. It is safe to say that others could, too, and could actually make a living with horror movies.
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Movies have been made for many years and horror movies have as well. When looking at the horror movie it is best to look at the horror literature that influenced it first. By understand that it is possible to understand the movies that were made from them.
Horror in literature left a legacy that helped to propel this genre into films. If there had not been such a legacy of literary works then we may not have the same movies we do now. The term horror was first coined in 1764 in a book by Horace Walpole’s called The Castle of Otranto which was full of the supernatural. In the following centuries literary giants like Edgar Allan Poe championed this genre with great works like The Raven. Some of the great horror movies of today are based on old horror stories like Frankenstein and Dracula which were both written in the 1800’s.
At the beginning of horror movie history these movies were often ones that had the supernatural in there. In the late 1890’s short silent films was where these movies start. The Frenchman Georges Melies is thought to be the creator of the first horror film with his 1896 short silent Le Manior du diable. Around this time the Japanese also tried their hand at this genre with Bake Jizo and Shinin no Sosei.
The first full horror film was an adaptation of the hunchback of Notre-Dame. Many of these first horror films were created by German film makers as the early 1900’s were the time of the German expressionist films. These films have influenced horror film makers for decades to Tim Burton. During the 1920’s Hollywood started dabbling in the horror genre with Lon Chaney Sr. Becoming the first American horror star.
Hollywood started to popularize the horror film in the 1930’s. In this time the classic Gothic movies Frankenstein and Dracula were created. Other films mixed Gothic horror with the supernatural at this time as well. The iconic werewolf movie The Wolf Man was created in 1941 by Universal studios. It should be noted that this was not the first werewolf film but has become the most influential. B pictures like The Body Snatchers were made in 1945 as well.
In the 1950’s there had been many innovations in the technology used to make films. Additionally in this time the horror film was divided into two categories being Armageddon films and demonic films. During this time social ideas and fears were placed into movies but in such a way that it was not direct exploitation.
There were many iconic movies created in the 1960’s that changed the genre. The Birds made by Hitchcock was one of the first American Armageddon horror films set in modern times. Night of the Living Dead is one of the most iconic zombie films. This movie changed how people viewed zombies and changed horror films altogether.
Horror movies have a long history that goes back to the start of cinema. It is possible to see the way the movies changed from gothic to modern.
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Sunday, July 18th, 2010
Horror movies are a driving force in the film industry. With that being said, zombie movies are a large section of the horror genre, providing a rich and exciting sub-genre to the industry. Audiences consistently flock to theaters to experience the thrills of these types of movies, indicating that they will be around for a long time.
Zombies are an interesting aspect of pop culture. They take many different forms, and are utilized in a variety of ways to scare the audience. These zombies are typically defined in two forms, that of the reanimated, deceased corpse, and or that of a mindless or brainwashed living human. They can be fast or slow, as well as offering varying degrees of intelligence. However, no matter what form they take, they are generally terrifying.
General taste in zombie flicks will differ from person to person, but there are several movies which have had an undeniable impact on the genre. One of the most popular movies with the greatest impact on the industry comes from the pioneering voice of zombie movies, director and writer George Romero. His 1968, black and white independent film “Night of the Living Dead” has been frightening audiences for decades, and revolutionized popular thoughts on what zombie films should be.
As the second film in George Romero’s “Living Dead” series, “Dawn of the Dead” is another classic from the premiere voice of the genre. This film, released in 1978, showcases a group of survivors who hide from the zombie epidemic by barricading themselves in a shopping mall. This film is popular for it’s supposed critique of American consumerism, as well as serving as an interesting character piece.
A more recent release offers a new formula, a comedic take on the niche that is heavy in gore, social satire, and comedy. The 2003 release of “Shaun of the Dead” is widely considered a fresh, but entertaining, look at zombie movies. Largely thought of as one of the most entertaining zombie films ever, this movie explores horror, comedy, and showcases interesting characters.
In this remake of the classic of the same name, 2004’s “Dawn of the Dead” provides a new look at a classic formula. Largely based on Romero’s classic film, director Zach Snyder takes a stylish and modern approach to this zombie movie. Like the original, a group of survivors lock themselves inside a shopping mall in hopes of surviving a zombie apocalypse. This interesting tribute film updates the classic with interesting characters and psychotic zombies.
Director Danny Boyle released “28 Days Later” in 2002 to both critical and commercial success. This movie revolves around the disintegration of social structures due to an accidental viral outbreak. Widely known for lightning-fast, psychotic zombies and inspired scenes of vacant and ghostly cities, it is a fresh take on the genre that offers both thrills and interesting artistic direction.
In the horror niche, zombie films are an established sub-genre that does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Not only do they provide us with thrills and chills, but often they approach many different topics in a subliminal fashion. Zombie films have been popular for decades, and will be successful for quite some time.
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Thursday, July 15th, 2010
People love to be scared, yet in control. We ride roller coasters and participate in extreme sports in an effort to get our adrenaline pumping and our hearts racing. With that being said, one of the most popular, and safest, forms of experiencing thrills and chills comes in the form of watching horror movies. For horror fans, a quick introduction to the classics of the genre is in order.
Although tastes will differ, there are some classic films that defy progress and time, and stand as some of the crowning achievements in the movie industry. They have played vital roles in establishing the thrillers we watch today. These timeless classics occupy many sub-genres and continue to scare people to this day. For both casual and hardcore fans, take a moment and explore some of the most popular horror films of all time.
Based on the novel by Stephen King, widely considered the king of horror literature, the film adaptation of “The Shining” is often considered the crowning achievement of horror movies. Light on gore, but heavy on atmosphere and tension, the film provides a frightening experience that does not end when the movie is over. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the plot follows the developing madness of a failed novelist who succumbs to insanity after a long winter in a vacant, haunted hotel.
The 1971 best seller by William Peter Blatty became the basis for the frightening film “The Exorcist”. This movie has been scaring audiences since it’s release, and is still popular to this day. Directed by William Friedkin, the story focuses on the terrifying experience of a young girl who becomes possessed by demonic forces. This film offers many of the best horror scenes available in the entire genre.
One of the most popular directors of all time, Steven Spielberg crafted a terrifying psychological thriller in the form of his classic film titled “Jaws.” In this film, a large shark terrorizes a beach, supplying the movie industry with some of the most iconic scenes of all time. This movie has stood the test of time, producing many irrational fears of water through this underwater leviathan.
Within the horror industry, one popular sub-genre is referred to as “slasher” films. The pioneer in this niche is the film “Halloween”. With one of the most frightening protagonists of all time, and a terrifying soundtrack that haunts people well after viewing the movie, the film has spurred many sequels and imitations. The series follows the character named Michael Myers, as he stalks his estranged sister.
Spawning many sequels and an 80’s pop culture icon, “A Nightmare On Elm Street” is a classic of the genre. Director Wes Craven took a somewhat fresh approach to his killer, allowing him to haunt the dreams of his victims, attacking when they are asleep. The star of the film, Freddy Krueger, is one of the most popular movie villains of all time.
So, what makes a horror film great? Opinions will differ, however, two key aspects include a film’s ability to scare its audience, and its ability to stand the test of time. These classic horror movies have formed the basis for a thriving industry that is still going strong.
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