2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

[SuperScribe]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

It was on a now-deceased horror film message board that I used to visit where people would post their own stories in the writing sub-forum...and a few even posted pages from their own screenplays. And I thought to myself "Wait...you can do that? Just write a movie script?"

Turns out that you can. One dude there had one of his scripts optioned and another guy made a sale. So I figured "Why the hell not? There are stories I'd like to see.", read a bunch of scripts, learned the format and started writing.

So it literally was my love for horror that lead me to my new love - screenwriting.

You've never told me that before, but, man, that's awesome -- you came to screenwriting from a place of pure passion.

[seh]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

[quote=Biohazard;610258]
Horror, when done right, is amazing. When done poorly, are some of the worst films ever created. There isn't much middle ground.

quote]

Very, very well said.

[12916studios]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

Some times, the stings -- The jump out of your seat moments -- Are made up on set and not necessarily in the script.

That's different, however, from a set piece like a foot chase where the killer is chasing the victims through the house, and / or out onto the surrounding grounds. That is always written and carefully choreographed because this is an action sequences, not a sting.

Though I did not know that (about the "stings"), I am honestly not that surprised. There are some things that just work better on the spot when you're trying to figure stuff out.

[Biohazard]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

My thoughts exactly. Like exactly.

The Exorcist is one of the reasons I'm a screenwriter.

It was on a now-deceased horror film message board that I used to visit where people would post their own stories in the writing sub-forum...and a few even posted pages from their own screenplays. And I thought to myself "Wait...you can do that? Just write a movie script?"

Turns out that you can. One dude there had one of his scripts optioned and another guy made a sale. So I figured "Why the hell not? There are stories I'd like to see.", read a bunch of scripts, learned the format and started writing.

So it literally was my love for horror that lead me to my new love - screenwriting.

[WritersBlock2010]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

So, maybe I like Horror, when it is not just straight "let's get scared shitless." The thing about THE MIST was that it was more about the characters, and had some brilliant themes too, which is probably why I liked it so much.

I can read Horror scripts, and am fine with those. But watching the movies I really can't do, because I don't like suddenly being surprised (you know...I don't like jumping in shock). That being said, I find the genre to be a quite fascinating. Okay, maybe hate was a strong word.

Some times, the stings -- The jump out of your seat moments -- Are made up on set and not necessarily in the script.

That's different, however, from a set piece like a foot chase where the killer is chasing the victims through the house, and / or out onto the surrounding grounds. That is always written and carefully choreographed because this is an action sequences, not a sting.

[ihavebiglips]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

Oh, so you're trying to say that all slobbering rapist/killers look the same? Geez, some people.

Hey. Profiling works.

[Gwai Lo]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

You got me. But there are some similarities between the killers in the original LHOLT and the thugs in DEATH WISH, if I remember correctly.

Oh, so you're trying to say that all slobbering rapist/killers look the same? Geez, some people.

[ihavebiglips]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

But LHOTL was the one with the Cobra Kai sensei from Karate Kid as an inept deputy, right?

All of the torture porn is blurring in my mind.

Maybe it's the themes blurring.

City = corruption, danger, disease.

Country = innocence, serenity, etc.

Sorry if this sounded like a maralyn post.

[ihavebiglips]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

I think you're thinking of DEATH WISH?

****!

You got me. But there are some similarities between the killers in the original LHOLT and the thugs in DEATH WISH, if I remember correctly.

So much so, that I can't picture LHOTL without Goldblum.

He haunts my dreams.

[Gwai Lo]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

I don't think I ever really realized that THE MIST was a horror film...

All the monsters didn't give it away??? Stephen King's name maybe?

I kid, I kid. I know what you mean.

[Gwai Lo]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

Yeah, but did it have a tweaked out, chops-lickin' Jeff Goldblum?

I think you're thinking of DEATH WISH?

[ihavebiglips]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT remake is a better film than the original in my opinion. Blasphemy, I know, but Craven's original is crudely made, poorly acted, and just a fakkin ugly piece of crap. It's revered and reviled as one of the first of its type, one of the most mean-spirited horror movies ever, but it's truly terrible filmmaking. The remake has that European sensibility to it, it's gorgeous to look at but not ostentatiously styled. The cruelties really hurt, I was invested in the survival of the victims. The performances are all quite good, and the script is a bit kinder to its good characters and a bit crueller to its bad ones without sacrificing any of the original's bite. Now if torture --> revenge is not your bag then sure, it's a pretty vile piece of crap. But some of us like getting our buttons pushed I guess.

Yeah, but did it have a tweaked out, chops-lickin' Jeff Goldblum?

[12916studios]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

I don't think I ever really realized that THE MIST was a horror film...and I LOVED that. Even saw it in theaters too. Granted, I was dragged to it by a friend. (I wanted to see HITMAN, he wanted to see THE MIST. We saw both, and I fell asleep during the former because it sucked so much.)

So, maybe I like Horror, when it is not just straight "let's get scared shitless." The thing about THE MIST was that it was more about the characters, and had some brilliant themes too, which is probably why I liked it so much.

I can read Horror scripts, and am fine with those. But watching the movies I really can't do, because I don't like suddenly being surprised (you know...I don't like jumping in shock). That being said, I find the genre to be a quite fascinating. Okay, maybe hate was a strong word.

[Gwai Lo]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

No worries! I forgot both of the filmmakers are in the talkbacks. Demon Dave and SJ Bernheim. Vern himself has a black box.

[SuperScribe]

Re: 2009 in HORROR: it was a pretty weak year.

Excellent, spot on review. Thanks for posting the link, Gwai Lo.