HORROR Movies, Books, Stories, Poems, Like/Dislike the mystery elements Options

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hi!  

One of my co-workers just saw yet another remake of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre) at the movies last weekend.

I don't know about you, but I find the most scary movies/books/poems/stories that I take a liking to are the ones where the 'mystery' is left to your own imagination.

Instead of seeing the blood and gore, I'd rather 'imagine it' for myself.

How about you?

~Cleo  

[Guest_Jox_*]

Hi Dan,

I find it very interesting that you consider the "Alien" movies as horror movies (though I understand your point ).

Well, creatures emerging from people's bodies is somewhat cliche now - but when "Alien" first came out it was very horriffic. Aside: Have you ever seen the tv sit com series "Red Dwarf" It satirises lots of Sci-Fi including "Star Trek" and "Alien."

Out of curiosity, would you consider "The Lord of the Rings" (novels or movies) to be horror?  IMO, they are some of the most suspenseful works ever done.  And they certainly have what I would call a "menacing supernatural element".

Good point. I don't think I would but only because I did not consider it menacing. You are quite right: it was intended to be menacing but I just hated the film so I would have been quite content to see all the cast wiped out. I suppose one must have some sympathy with the endangered characters.

I ought to say this is a British film - so not only some American ones I hate! (Indeed recent British films I hate include "Trainspotting" and "The Full Monty".)

"Lord of The Rings" - The film was well-made and Sir Ian McKellen and others are excellent actors. My problem is the genre. I cannot relate to mystical / mythical stuff alone. I don't mind it being an element in productions / books but it if becomes the raison d'etre then it's not the genre for me. (We only watched Lord of The Rings because a friend "insisted" we borrow his DVD and assured us we'd like it. We won't watch the next ones in the series.) By contrast, "Star Wars" has all those mythological / pseudo religious elements in it too but is saved, for me, by other aspects. (Plus my favourite actor - the late Sir Alec Guinness). I would never read "Star Wars" books though - the genre would not appeal; it is everything else which the films bring that I do  appreciate.

Also! (Not being a film fan) a film must have humour in for me to like it. Even the darkest films need humour - and, ideally, irony should be present.

So, I say to all again, this is a very personal view. Can I just mention "Harvey" (1950) again... American and one of the best films of all time. James Stewart was an excellent supporting actor and Harvey was magnificent. For your info...

Harvey is a pooka in the form of an invisible six-feet tall white rabbit. He never becomes visible in the film (which means it is a very hard acting role which he undertakes brilliantly). However, Elwood P Doud (Stewart's character) does have a painting of the two of them made - so one can see he (Harvey) is a very handsome beast indeed. Doud is committed to a mental hospital because other humans are stupid and blind. Eventually, however, there is a happy ending. (And Stewart and Harvey are, jointly, my second favourite actors). Now why cannot Hollywood produce such pictures any more. And no schmaltz!

"Harvey" Review

Of course, it's been my experience that the very best novels, movies, etc., can't really be put in any "category".

PS- I'm also a big James Bond fan.

Good man! What is your favourite film in the series?