- Horror Movie - Horror Homeroom

Posted on July 3, 2015

Top Ten Horrific Pets

Gwen

If there are certain messages that horror drives home, it is that you are not safe anywhere and be very careful when you mess with nature. What follows is a list of some of the creepiest and memorable pets from horror history. During my data mining expedition I noted that the majority of horror films that use animals as the monster tend to rely on birds, insects, sharks or reptiles. Outside of these films, the annals of horror include few mammals as the source of horror. The few outliers include the occasional grizzly, ape, wolf, lion, or tiger (and those have more of an undertone of foreignness to their horror).

When it comes to horror on the home front I suggest it’s not only step-parents that you have to worry about but also Felix and Fido. I leaned away from stereotypical uses of cats as witches’ familiars and a dogs as werewolves; what I found was that in many of these films man tampered with nature. What can I say, when you mess with the bull, sometimes you get the horns!

Posted on June 30, 2015

First Impressions of MTV’s Scream: #PLLDoesitBetter

Gwen

Throughout the little sneak peaks and the premier episode (airing on MTV at 10pm on 6/30/15) the audience is repeatedly instructed to care about the characters of the Scream TV series. You have to care if the teacher pays too much attention to the girls, care if the girl forgives the jock boyfriend, care if the basketball team wins, that way you care when one of them dies. Unfortunately, aside from the tutorial instructions, there is nothing goading you into actually caring about these characters. While there are noticeable parallels to the Scream movies, I see way more allegiance to the ABC Family series “Pretty Little Liars”. This does not seem shocking since MTV harnessed the creative power of Mina Lefevre (former ABC Family VP of Development and Programming). That being said, sit back and hear me out:

Posted on June 24, 2015

Top Ten Places in the North East Every Horror Fan Should Visit

Gwen

As I sat in Cape Ann, MA amid my travels along the northern east coast I have had time to reflect upon why I love this area so much. Besides the fact that I love the idea that I can blend in naturally with the sarcastic, smart, dark clothes wearing, coffee mainlining women of the north east; I especially love the fact that this area is a combination of majestic nature, bustling cities, and most importantly home of the greatest horror film locations. There is no ranking system here as it is all very subjective. So in the interest of my own compulsive need for order, I will list them from the northern most point downward. A note of consideration if you go to these sites, remember some are private property and if you feel compelled to visit, please respect their homes and lives.

Posted on June 21, 2015

Creepshow (1982) and “Father’s Day” Celebrate Patriarchy

Gwen

“Father’s Day” is one of five short stories included in in the film Creepshow (1982). From the minds of George A. Romero and Stephen King, Creepshow pays homage to the EC horror comics of the 1950s while working out the 1980s challenges to patriarchy. I’ll focus on “Father’s Day” here, and and then critique the film’s treatment of the leading representations of patriarchy.

Posted on June 9, 2015

Insidious 3 Film Review: Darkness, Depression & Disease

Gwen

Review: Insidious 3 sheds light on darkness, depression, and disease.

Synopsis: A prequel to the series, this installment provides insight into Elise Rainier and the use of her abilities to help others. She teaches the audience about her talent and about The Further. When you call upon one person they all hear you…and when you go into the darkness, things come back with you.

Like the recent film, Unfriended, Insidious 3 places suicide as a main actor in the film.[i] In Unfriended the actions of others lead to the darkness that befell Laura Barnes which later justified the haunting of her assailants. However, Insidious 3 delves deeper into the psyche by exposing the levels of despair like Dante’s nine circles of hell. Insidious 3 illuminates depression, despair and despondency, and then sprinkles it with the uniquely horrific experience of losing a life to suicide or through disease. Both of these are often inexplicable ends which leave the living with unanswered questions that might push them to stick their head down the rabbit hole of depression. Each of the characters is touched by tragedy, sickness, and suicide. How they cope with such tragedy determines if they become a victim of the darkness.