Horror movies getting towards the end of the line?

[Thrillogy]

well most of these days we see all these horror movies coming out. so the question is do you think the genre is towards its end? sure there are a few great films here and there, but other than that I think these films have run their course. your thoughts?

[Slab]

As long as there's fear, there will be a place for the horror film. People have to just want to write something worthwhile instead of copying, and remaking.

[boogeyman87]

You can pretty much say this about anything. Comedy movies, drama movies, music, tv shows, etc. But theres always a new generation of kids and people who get into it. Plus just when you think its over and theres no ideas left , they blow us away or make a good movie.

[Maxvayne]

The'll still be around. Even if Hollywood is now calling them "Psychological Thriller's". It's a new age for Horror. The 90's should have been the death of it, but it stood tall and it's running strong in the early and now mid 2000's with the like's of Freddy vs. Jason, Cabin Fever, May, and House of 1000 Corpses.


The hype surrounding House of 1000 Corpses brought horror back whether you agree with it or deny it. Then all these great horror movies started flooding in.

With the like's of Saw it will make it stronger. And I believe the future of horror will rest on people like Eli Roth and Lucky Mckee's shoulders.

[Laow-Z]

Well for me, to state the most logical is that if H9 doesn't re-establish itself i think this series is pretty much done, same goes with the next Friday movie. Psychological thrillers and horror are making a strong presence nowday's and i think now more than ever they will become bigger and better.

[Ninja]

Originally posted by Laow-Z
Well for me, to state the most logical is that if H9 doesn't re-establish itself i think this series is pretty much done, same goes with the next Friday movie. Psychological thrillers and horror are making a strong presence nowday's and i think now more than ever they will become bigger and better.

Or bigger and worse. Writers/Directors just need to put more creativity and imagination into films. If they can do this then there is no doubt in my mind that they will be able to come up with a great horror flick.

[horrorqueen7]

Originally posted by Ninja
Or bigger and worse. Writers/Directors just need to put more creativity and imagination into films. If they can do this then there is no doubt in my mind that they will be able to come up with a great horror flick.

Agreed.
TCM remake was def a badass flick! Best horror movie I have seen in a while.

[Ninja]

Originally posted by horrorqueen7
Agreed.
TCM remake was def a badass flick! Best horror movie I have seen in a while.
Really? I didn't care for it that much. Perhaps because I saw the original for the first time just weeks before? Probably not. I prefered the original. The remake was just too clean for me. You can't have well-known actors/actresses in a movie that is meant to be like TCM. It just takes away from the scaryness of it.

[horrorqueen7]

Originally posted by Ninja
Really? I didn't care for it that much. Perhaps because I saw the original for the first time just weeks before? Probably not. I prefered the original. The remake was just too clean for me. You can't have well-known actors/actresses in a movie that is meant to be like TCM. It just takes away from the scaryness of it.

Thats cool. Yeah, the original is def scary!!

[halo thirty one]

horror stories have been around forever and will continue to last "as long is there is fear" like slab said. even some of the fairy tales we are all used to were darker in their origins when they were first created. my children's literature teacher said they were intended to put a little fear in the children to make sure they wouldn't stray too far from their families.

[Blackesteyes]

Horror will never die, even if it goes full circle and we get back to Hammer Horror style shit with a cool modern twist that'll actually appeal to fans, it'll always be there. As long as fuckers like us obsess over it then it'll always live on.

[zombie commando]

How can you honestly believe horror is going to die!!??

Look at all the cool shit that is coming out in the future.....from Land of the Dead, to Saw and Machinist.......this genre is happening right now. It's kicking ass and taking names.

Just because Halloween and some played out slasher flicks aren't doing so well doesn't reflect one bit on the genre. Horror is more on the rebound after the 90s than anything else. It will never die out!

That's like saying "you think they'll ever stop making books", or "you think they will ever stop making sci-fi movies". It's utterly ridiculous.

[Ninja]

Originally posted by zombie commando
How can you honestly believe horror is going to die!!??

Look at all the cool shit that is coming out in the future.....from Land of the Dead, to Saw and Machinist.......this genre is happening right now. It's kicking ass and taking names.

Just because Halloween and some played out slasher flicks aren't doing so well doesn't reflect one bit on the genre. Horror is more on the rebound after the 90s than anything else. It will never die out!

That's like saying "you think they'll ever stop making books", or "you think they will ever stop making sci-fi movies". It's utterly ridiculous.

I interpreted the question as "Do you think the horror genre is starting to lack good storylines/characters?" Not "Do you think horror movies are starting to suck so bad that they are going to stop making them?"
Granted there are a few badass movies set to come out, but there are also shit for story flicks coming out. That happens to every great genre though. I think the movies are starting to suck but then some director/writer comes out with a badass movie and redeems the genre, which SAW will probably do.

[bundy]

Originally posted by The Slab
As long as there's fear, there will be a place for the horror film. People have to just want to write something worthwhile instead of copying, and remaking.

Exactly!

[zombie commando]

Originally posted by Ninja
I interpreted the question as "Do you think the horror genre is starting to lack good storylines/characters?" Not "Do you think horror movies are starting to suck so bad that they are going to stop making them?"
Granted there are a few badass movies set to come out, but there are also shit for story flicks coming out. That happens to every great genre though. I think the movies are starting to suck but then some director/writer comes out with a badass movie and redeems the genre, which SAW will probably do.

He used the word END. As in no more beyond a certain point. He even elaborated by saying "I think these films have run their course."

Even if we are speaking of bad storylines, I think there is alot of gas left in the tank as far as horror flicks go. As long as people have emotions there will be a place for horror.........

[Slab]

Originally posted by bundy
Exactly!

No one ever says that better. :D

Thank you Matt. :)

[Dchabz]

I think that all the movies are fizzling out, but that doesn't mean anything, someone will repeat what has been done ( not same idea wise, but will have a new character that takes over and does successfull horror sequels)

[TheThorn666]

Well later in the future you could see virtual Horror movies where you can find yourself in the movie and it could be up to you to make the decision on how the movie ends! I dont know yet thats just My opinion!

[NCamp]

I think movies like the Ring, The Grudge, and Saw are showing a revival in good scary movies. No more Jeeper Creeper crap.

[Chuck D]

I have a very informative, witty, inspiring and beautiful comment to add to this discussion;

Roll on Seed Of Chucky! :D

[Annie]

I have only 4 words to post on this thread:

HORROR WILL NEVER DIE!!!:eek:

[Creepingmouth]

Originally posted by ChuckyDarko
I have a very informative, witty, inspiring and beautiful comment to add to this discussion;

Roll on Seed Of Chucky! :D


NEVER!:yar:

[FranchiseHatesMe]

Originally posted by ChuckyDarko
I have a very informative, witty, inspiring and beautiful comment to add to this discussion;

Roll on Seed Of Chucky! :D Seed of chucky? What are you smoking Chuck that movie is MTV. How the fuck can that shit be scary. Fucking Britany Spears is in it? HELL NAW!

[Jackolantern99]

Originally posted by icparenumber1
Seed of chucky? What are you smoking Chuck that movie is MTV. How the fuck can that shit be scary. Fucking Britany Spears is in it? HELL NAW!

HELL NAW! is right. She's NOT in it. Watch the damn commercials. :rolleyes:

"BRITNEY SPEARS DOES NOT APPEAR IN THIS FILM"

[FranchiseHatesMe]

Originally posted by Jackolantern99
HELL NAW! is right. She's NOT in it. Watch the damn commercials. :rolleyes:

"BRITNEY SPEARS DOES NOT APPEAR IN THIS FILM" Oh she dont? Oh my bad then i thought she was. Thanks for poniting it out to me Jack.

[boogeyman87]

Seed of chucky, while a fun romp isnt something i want representing 2004's entry into the horror books. The Grudge and Saw are nice additions, but where is Friday the 13th part XI?? That will be the saving grace. :p I mean it , it will. Ok, it could be...

[Annie]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
Seed of chucky, while a fun romp isnt something i want representing 2004's entry into the horror books. The Grudge and Saw are nice additions, but where is Friday the 13th part XI?? That will be the saving grace. :p I mean it , it will. Ok, it could be...

God help us. Are we up to Eleven already?
:)

[Chuck D]

Originally posted by Creepingmouth
NEVER!:yar:

I raise you one pirate! :yar:

Originally posted by icparenumber1
Seed of chucky? What are you smoking Chuck that movie is MTV. How the fuck can that shit be scary. Fucking Britany Spears is in it? HELL NAW!

Silence, ghetto wannabe ;)

[Jackolantern99]

Originally posted by ChuckyDarko


Silence, ghetto wannabe ;)

That's what we're hoping for...

[boogeyman87]

Originally posted by Annie
God help us. Are we up to Eleven already?
:)

Yes and we're loving every minute of it. :) Right ???;)

[freethy]

Horror is way past the end of the line. It de-railed age's ago. All we are left with today is the wreck.

[Bucky-lives]

Originally posted by freethy
Horror is way past the end of the line. It de-railed age's ago. All we are left with today is the wreck. yes Freethy i would say that is correct.nice point! but it still shows signs of life from time to time with really good movies.
it will always be alive.... barely but alive.

[zombie commando]

Originally posted by freethy
Horror is way past the end of the line. It de-railed age's ago. All we are left with today is the wreck.

I completely disagree. As long as there is fear, then horror movies will have a place.

I don't see how anybody can say that horror is dead with movies like the Grudge, and Saw raking in the dough.

[#1FreddyFan]

Originally posted by zombie commando
I don't see how anybody can say that horror is dead with movies like the Grudge, and Saw raking in the dough.

While The Grudge and Saw may be good films, there is a WORLD of difference between films being cash-cows and actually being high-quality in terms of writing and directing. A film can be lack-luster in terms of quality when comparing it to others that have come before it, and still "rake in the dough"(Freddy vs Jason, for example).

[zombie commando]

Originally posted by #1FreddyFan
While The Grudge and Saw may be good films, there is a WORLD of difference between films being cash-cows and actually being high-quality in terms of writing and directing. A film can be lack-luster in terms of quality when comparing it to others that have come before it, and still "rake in the dough"(Freddy vs Jason, for example).

Making dough is what these movies sole purpose is. They could care less about the thoughts of a few fanboys and girls.

The Grudge was an excellent horror movie as well. Saw was entertaining even though it had it's flaws. Haute Tension is a good one too. I suggest seeking these movies out, and looking at all the movies on the cusp of being released before saying that horror movies are dead.

[#1FreddyFan]

I never said the horror genre was dead. It'll never die. It may go on a bit of a hiatus from time to time, but it will never die. I'm just saying that because a few horror films released make some good bank at the box office doesn't mean that the genre itself is booming.

[freethy]

I think it is dead. If there are new movie's out there that are still actualy scaring and shocking people then why can't I find any? The saw and the grudge is nothing new. We grew up on horror movies and now we are immune to it. H9 will be nothing more then a guy walking around in a white mask on halloween night killing kids. Something we will see for the 8th time. Exorcist 4, same shit still going down there. Then we have the ring, the sixth sence, god bless this child....Same shit going on there. Millions of zombie movies about zombies moping around eating brains. Japan comes out with a few decent movies, then they start going over old ground too. Hollywood starts remaking movies after ideas run thin. Horror becomes comedy, movies start looking like MTV music videos, the seas boil, 40 years of darkness, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria.

[#1FreddyFan]

Okay Venkman ;)

[zombie commando]

Horror has more life than any other genre outside the theaters....

"Horror films are like Christopher Lee's Dracula -- just when people think they're dead, they find another way to rise from the grave.
Lately, big box office and a proliferation of shingles dedicated to horror have it looking like the genre that will never die. Some are the brainchildren of horror vets like Tobe HooperTobe Hooper and Sam RaimiSam Raimi, while others bring new players into the field.

Last week Lions GateLions Gate signed "Saw" producers Twisted Pictures to a nine-pic deal. The low-budget "Saw" is still cutting a swath at the box office, while "Seed of Chucky" sprouted Nov. 12 domestically, building on a robust year for horror.

Why the sudden interest in launching shingles specifically for scarefests?

Begin with the fact that horror films perform differently than other genres on video.

Horror movies depend more on long-term playability than short-term openability to generate profits. And in today's opening-weekend-driven bizbiz, focusing on playability means getting away from the studio system.

Says Ghost House's Rob Tapert: "For ones that work, or for quality product, it has a very long life. Where most films need to be blockbusters to have a 10-20 year life span on video and DVD, a good horror film can generate a steady stream of video revenue even with very little theatrical gross."

Lions Gate acquisitions prexyprexy Peter BlockPeter Block agrees. "The average life of a movie on video is about six months. But horror films just keep on selling."

But it takes a special touch to turn buckets of blood to box office gold.

Horror fans know what they like, even when hardly anyone else does. Last year, uber-horror fan Eli RothEli Roth's directing debut "Cabin Fever""Cabin Fever" grossed $30 million worldwide on a budget of $1.5 million.

The catch is that the pictures have to deliver what they promise. They don't have to be Oscar-worthy, but they have to be scary. Genre fans will gobble up "good horror" and even "good bad horror," which delivers cheesy fun, but they will utterly ignore "bad bad horror."

Also feeding the new horror shingles is the wave of stories from Asia, which has reinvigorated the genre. One of them, "The Grudge," is the year's highest-grossing horror pic, at $89 million, while two others have topped $50 million.

Horror filmmakers also draw on the genre's history.

Joel SilverJoel Silver and Robert ZemeckisRobert Zemeckis, for example, named their horror company Dark Castle as an homage to horror impresario William Castle.

Silver and Zemeckis have lots of company. Ghost House partners Raimi with Rob Tapert, Joe DrakeJoe Drake and Nathan Kahane; Platinum Dunesis making a "Texas Chain Saw" prequel; and Focus' Rogue PicturesRogue Pictures, distribbed "Bride of Chucky""Bride Of Chucky" and "Shaun of the Dead." It looks like the biz is screaming for horror shingles.

Tapert points to cheapie "The Evil Dead," which launched his career and Raimi's, as an example of a horror pic that worked.

"It never made a nickel at the box office but continues to sell and has a huge fan base. And new generations keep discovering it," he says.

Many of the execs in these new shingles echo Silver, whose Dark Castle made "Gothika" and "Ghost Ship." Silver says that having a separate company helps them make fun pics at a lower price in a genre where the directors are the real stars.

"These movies don't require movie stars, they don't require the budgets that go into making big action pictures, so they can be made affordably. I think they come out best when they come from one shingle," Silver says.

That applies to development and production, too.

Vet helmer Hooper, who recently partnered to start the TH Nightmares shingleshingle, says that with fewer people involved in the process, all of them specialists, there's a better chance of delivering the thrills the genre promises.

"These things have to come from a pure vision to plug straight into the audience's head, and the less people involved in jamming those radio frequencies, the better the audience can pick up on the tune," says Hooper, who helmed the original "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" and "Poltergeist."

When Hooper began his career in the 1960s, schlock shingles often emphasized horror fare in addition to sci-fi and youthsploitation. "It was a very small group, it was Castle, it was Hammer, Roger Corman and American Intl.," he says.

Hooper's career took off in 1974 when "Massacre" logged $31 million domestic on a budget of less than $150,000.

Today, Hooper's TH Nightmares aims to create a brand for the young audaud that made the "Massacre" remake a hit. The label plans to release a series of films with versions tailored to broadcast TV, theaters and video.

The shingle isn't alone in its branding strategy. Bloodworks, which has hooked up with vet goremeister Herschell Gordon Lewis and financier Peter Hoffman, is another label that hopes to earn the loyalty of horror fans, whom managing partner Christopher Tuffin compares to heavy-metal rock fans.

"They're so passionate. It's a cottage industry," says Tuffin, who produced "2001 Maniacs" in association with helmer Roth's horror shingle, Raw Nerve Films. "It's a very die-hard community."

Lions Gate's Block calls genre fans very smart and says that horror-only labels are a good way to reach them.

"They're looking for something that will question authority in its own way, and its important to send the message that this film isn't from a Fortune 500 company, it's from a like-minded fan."

Fan Web sites like Chud.com and the Horror Channel's DreadCentral.com have helped those fans develop their own subculture. They can build buzz for a film, good or bad, in ways unimaginable in Castle's day. So horror shingles had better deliver the goods -- or beware.

variety.com"

......not a sign of horror dying.

[MichaelMyers]

A lot of the horror movie series should end already. Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, and a few more series should end already, they have done their time and its time to move on.

[Annie]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
Yes and we're loving every minute of it. :) Right ???;)

Hehehe.

The baddies will never die, thus saving the horror world.

[ShadowX81]

Horror will never die. But the idea of an actual scary movie is it critical condition
The trouble with producers is that they are trying to apeal to the masses. They stick in celebrities regardless of thier acting abiltity just to have star appeal. The films score is no longer a composed piece, but is a bunch of crappy rock songs. they try to make amovie more entertaining then scary by putting in tons of jokes. They stick in a love story which makes the movie feel like a "teen" movie. they use some dumb @$$ plot that doesnt make much sence and is stupid just so the audience wont have to think hard while watching the movie. In the end you have something that can best be described as the movie american pie with a killer thrown in. Almost like they gave comlete creative control to MTV.
What they dont get is sure this might make is appealing to the masses, but if you make a truely good horror film it will be appealing to the masses on its own.

[blicdh]

I feel the Horror genre is like the economy. It grows, then it contracts.(Storywise) It grows and contracts, and it just keeps doing this over a period of time. It's just that we have been in a rough spot for a while. For a long while at that. Once 2010(or even sooner, by the looks of things) rolls by, we will be facing some very inventive horror stories.

[Annie]

Another thing that's happening is that Hollywood is making all of these psychological thrillers with a lot of shock moments and gore here and there. It's almost like they're "touching up" the horror genre. Don't get me wrong, I love thrillers too...Silence of the Lambs, Donnie Darko, etc. Darko wasn't scary per se, but it was def a thriller.

:D

[boogeyman87]

Where have all the slashers gone?? I'm tired of pyschological thrillers and such. I want mindless horror. Like seed of chucky but bigger. :P Welll basically i just want Jason back in Manhattan. :)

[FranchiseHatesMe]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
Welll basically i just want Jason back in Manhattan. :) Someone shoot this motherfucker. ;)

[Jackolantern99]

Originally posted by icparenumber1
Someone shoot this motherfucker. ;)

Glass houses...

[boogeyman87]

Originally posted by icparenumber1
Someone shoot this motherfucker. ;)

Hey hey narc. I'm just trying to have a good time here. Dont comit your hate crimes here! Hate crimes! :)

[Annie]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
Where have all the slashers gone?? I'm tired of pyschological thrillers and such. I want mindless horror. Like seed of chucky but bigger. :P Welll basically i just want Jason back in Manhattan. :)

I won't disagree that mindless horror does a soul good from time to time.
:)

[Chuck D]

Originally posted by Annie
I won't disagree that mindless horror does a soul good from time to time.
:)

Tell me about it! [hugs Troma collection] :D

[Annie]

Originally posted by ChuckyDarko
Tell me about it! [hugs Troma collection] :D

HAHAHA!
Real horrorshow, droog.

[boogeyman87]

Ahh so i have followers on my side. Mindless horror does the soul good when its starving. Where are you Jason? :(

[Annie]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
Ahh so i have followers on my side. Mindless horror does the soul good when its starving. Where are you Jason? :(

Are they still making FT13th?

[boogeyman87]

Originally posted by Annie
Are they still making FT13th?

Well its more with the Freddy vs Jason now. Still crossing fingers for Friday the 13th part XI. Something. :)

[Annie]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
Well its more with the Freddy vs Jason now. Still crossing fingers for Friday the 13th part XI. Something. :)

They should do a reunion-type of thing, where the beginning characters come back for one final battle with Jason. They'll be all old and everything. That would be interesting.
:)

[HalloweenOnline]

Horror movies will never, ever die. I'll tell you why.

Modern cinema owes a LOT to horror movies. Even though critics often, and sometimes rightly so stick their nose in the air to a lot of what passes for horror movies these days, the truth is the movie industry took off in the 50's in large part due to the success of horror movies. At it's very core, the movie industry thrives on spectacle and fantasy. People want to see something that makes them feel different, and something they don't see every day. Perhaps no genre better embodies this spirit than classic, scary movies.

Scary movies are a staple, and whether critics like it or not, they're going to be around as long as the movie business is. Guaranteed.

[zombie commando]

Originally posted by HalloweenOnline
Horror movies will never, ever die. I'll tell you why.

Modern cinema owes a LOT to horror movies. Even though critics often, and sometimes rightly so stick their nose in the air to a lot of what passes for horror movies these days, the truth is the movie industry took off in the 50's in large part due to the success of horror movies. At it's very core, the movie industry thrives on spectacle and fantasy. People want to see something that makes them feel different, and something they don't see every day. Perhaps no genre better embodies this spirit than classic, scary movies.

Scary movies are a staple, and whether critics like it or not, they're going to be around as long as the movie business is. Guaranteed.
Totally agreed.

[Creepingmouth]

Originally posted by ChuckyDarko
Tell me about it! [hugs Troma collection] :D

LOL:D