Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 14:51:38 -0500
From: Ron Leming <bone-AT-1s.net>
Subject: Re: movies in the past five years.


well, I haven't done any studies on why viewers are attracted to horror, 
but my own theory is that horror is the core of all story telling. The 
cautionary tale, told by cavemen around the fire to teach people to stay 
away from vcertain areas of the forest or to beware of certain animals. 
Most fairy tales, in their original version, are horror stories. We as 
humans, most of us, enjoy seeing horrible things happen to people, as 
long as we know they aren't real. There's a reaction of 'thank god it 
isn't me' and the feeling that we're MUCH smarter than the character in 
the movie because we'd have NEVER have split up or gone down to the 
basement to see what that funny sound is. I think there's also a 
cathartic effect to horror movies which helps us deal with real life 
horrors. There's also a certain comedic effect which is enhanced by its 
proximity to horrific events, and people have always reacted to the 
horrible in life with humor. It's just the way our minds deal with it. 
Some time take a look at all the Ed Gein jokes that made the rounds 
after his arrest and the revelation of his crimes. The same with Dahmer. 
A good horror movie uses this combination of horror and humor very 
effectively.
-- 
I'm not sure why, but lately these Weed Whacker salesmen have been 
beating a path to my door.

http://www.bonestructure.net




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