Halloween 1978 -- My thoughts

[snapdragon76]

Well, I did something I thought I would never do. I deliberately watched a horror film. Now, I'm not one who generally likes horror films because even though I know none of it's real, my subconscious does not (yes, my subconscious. That's what it is. *eye shift*).

But, given the time of year, the TV is full of horror films and after a little research, I decided on the original Halloween. Now, this was a deliberate choice on my part, because after looking at the the information from Wikipedia and IMDb. Mostly because there was no graphic violence and gore in it. Granted I did watch the AMC showing (complete with annoying commercials and edits. Not that there was a lot they edited. A curse word here, a boob shot there. If I watch this again, I'm getting the full DVD version), so it was a wee condensed. Still, the menace was emphasized by lighting and camera shots, not by graphic amounts of blood or gore. It also helps I watched it during the day because I'm a big fat wuss.

I for one, prefer suspense and thrills to Gorn and Body Horror (like The Thing. LOADED with Body Horror. Just a few clips were enough to give me the heebs).

Also, with this movie, there were only four on screen deaths. Two stabbings and two strangulations. Most of which happen near the end of the movie and with hardly any blood. THAT is the sign of a master filmmaker. There is no real need to show the graphic details. The audience will fill in what happens with their imaginations. Hitchcock was a master at this. There is a reason Psycho is still considered a suspense classic.

I'm not even going to bother with the sequels (which, like many sequels, got more and more absurd) or the remake made in 2007. Not only did they get more and more graphic, but the plots got worse and worse. However, I may tackle the original The Fog next...

One thing I did find surprising was that they unmasked Michael in the end. Surprisingly handsome, I must say.



Tony Moran ladieeeeess!!

Comments

[rosehiptea.livejournal.com]

I saw the original The Fog when I was in high school. (I only saw it because it was a party that I had to go to for an organization. I had to sit through Friday the 13th Part 2 and The Fog.)

The Fog was a much better movie than Friday the 13th Part 2 which was quite stupid. I wouldn't spend real money on seeing it, though. However I don't remember large amounts of gore or body horror in it, and it had a plot of sorts beyond "Let's kill everything," so it might be worth watching.

I don't watch very many horror movies. I'm trying to watch more, since I figure if I can play the Silent Hill games (and sit through the movie, which was way gorier) I can handle a little horror, but I'm still not sure I could make it all the way through The Thing myself. (Great though it is, or so I've heard.)

If you want something that's just creepy with no gore at all I recommend a Japanese film called Kairo. (Also known as Pulse, but don't get it mixed up with the American remake which was also called Pulse.) Excellent and very disturbing film which does not rely on gore at all.

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

I may look and see if both The Fog and Halloween are available on Netflix. Since I already pay for the service, it wouldn't be a waste or anything. From what I read The Fog is more supernatural that all out horror, with some creepy elements to it. But, I'd most likely still watch it during the day, chicken that I am.

Yeah, I hear the Japanese do really well on the creepy. I'd have to see. Even some of the specifically creepy ones can be a mite TOO creepy for me. I'd still like to sleep, lol!

Yeah, I'm not gonna touch any of the Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street films. I'd never sleep again if I saw any of those!