- Horror Movie - Horror Homeroom

Posted on April 16, 2015

It Follows (2014)

Dawn Keetley

David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows (2014) is destined to be a classic horror film. It’s mesmerizing, chilling, and deeply unsettling. It’s indebted to the horror tradition, yet utterly distinct. On the surface, it’s about the classic equation of horror: sex = death. But underneath, it’s just about death—not violent, bloody, shocking death but death’s slow inexorability.

In its central plot device, It Follows draws from the slasher tradition: you have sex, you die, not at the hands of a knife-wielding monster but in the form of something that acts like a virus. Some “thing” as Hugh (Jake Weary) tells the protagonist, Jay (brilliantly played by Maika Monroe), after he’s passed it on to her, will now follow you: it won’t run; it’ll only walk, but it won’t stop and if it touches you, you’re dead. We see the influence of Gore Verbinski’s The Ring (2002) here. For now Jay has something of an ethical dilemma: does she pass on the fatal “thing”? To whom?
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Posted on April 12, 2015

Considering The Allure of Horror Films

Gwen

There is a debate among scholars, psychoanalysts, philosophers, and spectators as to the allure of horror. Generally speaking theories include manifesting repressed feelings, seeking to see others punished / survive, sensation seeking, purging of emotions, and as an outlet for societal ills.[i] In an attempt to weigh in on this discussion I argue that the allure of horror films is largely linked to the acceptance of the darkness in our hearts. It is about the gratification of letting your socially uncomfortable traits frolic amongst the others for 90 minutes. [ii] While this may seem dangerously close to the catharsis school of thought, I diverge by adding a few other mechanisms. For one, I don’t feel as if we need to be purged of these feelings that society deems undesirable. Furthermore, I believe there are three overarching components to the enticement of horror films: 1) engagement in the illicit; 2) the comprehensive, visceral body sensations; 3) and most importantly, the admission that we all have a dark side.
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Posted on April 8, 2015

The Lizzie Borden Chronicles Review

Gwen

Sometimes life forces you into hard decisions. For example, whether you should watch the new episodes of Intervention on A&E or test out Lifetime’s new series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles. While neither will disappoint if you enjoy drama and suspense, The Lizzie Borden Chronicles premiere episode (airing on 4/5/15) was surprisingly AMAZING! This new series follows on the success of the Lifetime Movie Lizzie Borden Took an Ax (original air date 1/25/14) which chronicled the Borden murders and subsequent trial. The new series picks up in the aftermath of Lizzie Borden’s acquittal. While I did enter into the series with low expectations, I certainly will not make the same mistake after watching the first episode.

Posted on April 8, 2015

THE MEME REVOLUTION IN GORE VERBINSKI’S THE RING

Dawn Keetley

Gore Verbinski’s The Ring centers on an infamous videotape and was released, ironically, at the very moment in time (2002) that VHS was becoming obsolete, replaced by digital recording technologies. I recently taught the film, wondering if it still has anything to say, thirteen years later, now videotape truly is obsolete. I’m convinced, after another round of watching it, that The Ring is still very relevant. In fact, the film’s fundamental message—that the media are taking “us” over, replacing “brain cells” with images—is more true today than it was at the beginning of the millennium.

Posted on April 1, 2015

APRIL FOOL’S DAY (1986) Review

Gwen

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

R | 89min | 1986 | USA | Fred Walton

Synopsis: A group of wealthy college co-eds escape to a private island to celebrate spring break. They have little idea that their April Fool’s weekend is no laughing matter.

Review: ‘April Fool’s Day’ is no laughing matter.