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Analysis of a horror movie
Evolution of horror film
The evolution of the horror genre
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The topic I have chosen for my investigation is horror/gore films. The hypothesis I am trying to show is the desensitisation audiences have adopted from films such as Carrie and The Human Centipede. What I have noticed over the years is the competition within the film industry over who can produce the most thrilling, spine-tingling and downright mortifying horror films that will still attract audiences. There are always reams of people who are dismayed by the copious amounts of blood and gore they find in most horror/thriller films, so why are productions like these still being made? The public yearn for more. They want more gore, more extreme deaths, and suspense; but how far will they go? Where will the line be drawn? In a world that is so saturated and ingrained in violence, where brutal murders, wars an deaths can be seen on television and read about in the newspapers, is it possible that people are becoming desensitized to it? Think back to 1960, when Alfred Hitchcock released his now world famous horror, Psycho. The famous scene where actress Janet Leigh is attacked in the shower and brutally and very graphically stabbed repeatedly to death by the psychotic murderer played Anthony Perkins. In the 60’s, not many directors were brave enough to go into the horror/gore genre and fully explore it; this made Psycho terrifying and was considered especially violent. If you compare this film to some of the horror/gore films that are being released in the present time, Psycho would be considered tame by today’s standards. Comparing Psycho to a modern day horror such as Carrie, it is evident how much the horror film industry has changed and developed. It has grown in such a way that we are always out looking for a higher thrill, a more... ... middle of paper ... ... building in volume. They then fall and whip the ground as they make contact. Carries facial expression at this time shows no remorse. The fizzing of the wires then causes what looks like the same light pattern you would get from lightening; this fills the room with intervals of blindingly bright lights. Jump cuts are repeatedly used to show the students in the hall trying to escape the hall. Echoes of students screaming things like, “We’ve got to go!” and “Come on!” cover up the non-diegetic sound of the instrumental track in the background, however it is not shown which students exactly are saying this. Back to the original Carrie, things are starting to take a turn for the worse. One of the students tries to take control of the hose that is killing and injuring his classmates. The non-diegetic suspenseful instrumental track is building in volume ever so slightly.
2. According to Sobchack, contemporary screen violence greatly differs than portrayals of violence in years past. Today, violent scenes are careless and lack significance because we as audiences have become calloused and desensitized to any acts of violence. She states that there is “no grace or benediction attached to violence. Indeed, its very intensity seems diminished” (Sobchack 432). Senseless violence, gruesome acts, and profound amounts of gore are prevalent in movies today, and because even this is not enough, it must be accompanied by loud blasts and noise, constantly moving scenes to keep audiences stimulated and large quantities of violence for viewers to enjoy what they are watching. Decades ago, it was the story that was engaging to audiences and filmmaking was an art.
Too many horror films provide scares and screams throughout their respective cinemas. Not many viewers follow what kind of model the films follow to appease their viewers. However, after reading film theorist Carol Clover’s novel, watching one of the films she associates in the novel “Halloween”, and also watching the movie “Nightmare on Elm Street” I say almost every “slasher” or horror film follows a model similar to Clover’s. The model is a female is featured as a primary character and that females tend to always overcome a situation at some point throughout the film.
The Graduate has greatly expressed theses themes throughout several scenes in the movie through the mise en scene such as lighting, camera angles, and sounds. Scenes such as Ben’s birthday party, and of Ben drifting in the pool contain symbolisms of water being the “isolation” and eventually “comfort” that Ben eventually submerges into when feeling frustrated or alienated. The different camera angles in the film allow us to see through Ben’s POV and also the low angles that were shot of Mrs. Robinson created a sense of dominance from her. The diegetic and non-diegetic sounds of the film including the famous song ,Sounds of Silence, enhances the feelings of Ben’s anxiety as though they are his own
The 1960s brought about what some have argued is the first slasher film Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Hitchcock was able to cast major Hollywood stars to actor in his thriller. He cast a young, handsome Anthony Perkins in the lead and a major star in Janet Leigh, whom Hitchcock kills in the beginning of the movie. In that day it was unheard of now it’s done in movies such as Wes Cravens 1996 movie Scream killing off a major star such as Drew Barrymore. According to FilmmakerIQ.com Psycho “shocked audiences into believing horror could be more than B-Film Fare (14)”.
However, we are desensitised now thanks to the films that have exploded onto the scene since Psycho that terrify us and make us fear our own mortality just like Psycho has done. “White Noise”, “Creep”, these films are way beyond Psycho, but ... ... middle of paper ... ...
“Poor decisions and bad luck are contingencies of most horror films” (Wesley Morris). The 1960’s thriller, Psycho, is no exception. It has been acclaimed as one of Alfred Hitchcock’s best films because of its use of psychopathic elements to create what has come to be known as a “slasher films”, a subcategory of horror films. It evolved the horror genre from monsters and the supernatural to the human condition and the monster living inside. The motion picture Psycho tells the story of a Marion Crane, a secretary who flees Phoenix, Arizona with $40,000 she steals from her boss. Days later she arrives to the Bates Motel in Oregon. At the isolated, vacant motel, she meets the owner Norman Bates who shows her hospitality. Later, however, we find
Some would say watching horror movies and being scared out of your wits is a fun way to spend their hard earned money. They go see these movies on average once a week, each time choosing a newer version of a trilogy like “Chucky” or “The evil Dead”. Film making has come a long way over the last few decades, the graphic...
The movie Psycho was created in 1960, and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film had many meaningful moments behind it, which all led up to a shocking yet interesting twist for an end. Many clips corresponded well with Bill Nichols thoughts and opinions on how “Every movie is a Documentary.” By comparing both the Nichols reading, and the film Psycho, it is easy to see that this film is a wish-fulfillment documentary. This film shows what could be a scary reality in many people’s lives. It gives us examples of what could be our deepest nightmares and dreads, influences an opinion over people who have multiple personalities, and even feeds some peoples interests.
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” a quote that sums up humanity’s unchanged love for horror movies. Over the years, as millions of people have watched horror movies the graphics, special effects, and sounds have changed for the better. While scenes have intensified yet remained the same someone gets stabbed, butchered or killed violently. It’s hard to imagine how anyone in their right mind could choose to see such violent acts. Which is the reason why Stephen Kings say’s “I think we’re all mentally ill; those of us outside the asylums only hide it a little better-
Stephen King, a very well-known writer and director, has a passionate voice when it comes to anything dealing with horror. In “Why We Crave Horror Movies,” King calls us out for knowing that we love the adrenaline rush and how we are so captivated by horror movies. He explains how we watch horror movies for the level of fun. King proposes that we go to defy ourselves; to see how far it can push us and that is what makes the experience so interesting. We lock our inner psycho from reality and feed it with the demonic, bloody violence found in horror movies. Doing this suggests that horror movies are our fix for our psychotic thoughts. Stephen King’s “Why We Crave Horror Movies” portrays that we are all insane in some weird way through
Enhancing the sustained fright of this film are an excellent cast, from which the director coaxes extraordinary performances, and Bernard Herrmann's chilling score. Especially effective is the composer's so-called "murder music," high-pitched screeching sounds that flash across the viewer's consciousness as quickly as the killer's deadly knife. Bernard Herrmann achieved this effect by having a group of violinists frantically saw the same notes over and over again.
What is it about violence that is so attractive to the general public? There are so many people who would rather see a violent movie than a movie filled with romance or adventure. If you were to compare the revenues from box office earnings I'm almost positive the movies filled with blood and guts earn much more than other movies. Naturally, if a person in the movie industry knows this will make them mega bucks , they will continue to make movies like this to make more money.
Sapolsky, Barry S., and Fred Molitor. Sex and Violence in Slasher Films. Mass Media and
People are addicted to the synthetic feeling of being terrified. Modern day horror films are very different from the first horror films which date back to the late nineteenth century, but the goal of shocking the audience is still the same. Over the course of its existence, the horror industry has had to innovate new ways to keep its viewers on the edge of their seats. Horror films are frightening films created solely to ignite anxiety and panic within the viewers. Dread and alarm summon deep fears by captivating the audience with a shocking, terrifying, and unpredictable finale that leaves the viewer stunned.
Almost everyone has a favorite genre of film, but how everyone defines their favorite genre can differ greatly. Horror is one of the genres where its definition can be perceived differently by many people. Like all other genres, horror does have rules and traditions that must be included in order for a film to be considered a horror film. These rules and traditions include a protagonist, an antagonist, an escape or escape attempt of some sort, and very influential audio and visual effects.