From a film making point of view, I've always loved the art of a random scare. The likes of Hitchcock and Carpenter have made a name for themselves after having mastered this considerably tricky art. It is hard not to appreciate the considerable craft it took to film the famous shower scene of Psycho or deliciously timed scenes of Halloween.
What about the unique horror soundtracks in horror movies? Think Exorcist; think Rosemary's baby. Horror soundtracks have got to be different from the rest just for the simple reason that the music is not just for background or to highlight tension but it is a sort of literary tool that the director uses to enhance the "show but don't tell" aspect of a scene. Just watch the opening credits of Rosemary's baby as the point of view shifts from one building to another and you'll know what I mean.
What about the psychological aspect? This is undoubtedly the most "controversial" aspect of horror watching if you will. Are we sick or demented for liking blood; murders; devils and darkness? I think not. Well most of us anyway. I think fear is an emotion, just like love. It is an extreme emotion that our body craves from time to time, just like other extreme emotions. What I mean is, why do some of us enjoy roller coasters or abseiling? Because they discover aspects of themselves through these extreme emotions. They get to know themselves better. Now fear, unlike other extreme emotions, even if desired, is a consequence of an undesired situation, so none of us would gladly bring it on himself. And here is where, I believe, horror films come along. They appease us in our thirst for fear, but in a safe way. They make us ask us "what if?" What if I were that girl in Texas Chainsaw running from a demented killer. What if I had a poltergeist visit me in the dead of night, just like in Paranormal activity.
These are some of the reasons why I love horror films anyway and for not even one second have I ever doubted that horror, both as film or literature, is a form of art. It is unique in its approach, ambitious in it's scope.
Any thoughts about this subject would be greatly enjoyed.
I enjoy these explorations into what makes us scared and why we may be addicted to horror. J.C. I think you're right on the money, and I also think if we dig a bit deeper into the psyche, artistry aside, we find a whole nest of eek. I take nothing from artistry; I made lots of money playing the viola professionally and I so love movies and books and have huge wads of respect for all artists. I was good enough to make a living, but would be considered hacksville compared to our giants. What I was going to mention in terms of our psyche, or rather question, is why are we so drawn to that which is dark? Why don't we do the happy birdy land, bunny tree hop hop? Like in our heads? I believe (and this will be a dialog if I don't bore you to death with this) that we're way more interesting with bit of the dark in us. I don't mean dark, mysterious and brooding. I mean the realization that we're here for a limited engagement. Well, I like your site, J.C. I like your posts and I'll be back to visit and share. Thanks!
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Yepp, I totally agree. I believe that those of us who dare ponder a little bit deeper than what's for dinner, will undoubtedly realize that to ask difficult questions is to delve into the dark corners of our lives. Incidentally that's why I've decided to combine horror and philosophy because I believe that one ( horror) can be a consequence of the other ( Philosophy). I especially like your comment about the fact that we're more interesting with a bit of dark in us. I do find myself being a bit suspicious of overly and overtly happy people who do nothing but smile and sing and praise the Gods. It's not that I have anything against happy people, on the contrary, I always aspire to be one, it is that I find them a bit, I don't know, maybe fake. For a true experience of life will undoubtedly be one which finds a balance between happiness and sadness without long stretches at the extremes. I was wondering what you thought about this.
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