Neither did I, until I started working on Hansen’s memoir! Then it became a must, and I’m actually glad I did it in that order. The film criticism about the work is really mind-blowing too. See the Wikipedia entry.
I never watched horror movies as a kid or young adult. No way. It was only by talking to critics Linda Williams and Laura Miller (who coaxed me with Cronenberg) that I considered I could watch “movies that deliberately make you scream” with more objectivity, and curiosity— much like I reviewed porn, professionally.
I considered that I had the *same* squeamish reaction toward what are called “weepies” — movies traditionally marketed to women about tragic feminine figures, total masochists, who give it all up for their ungrateful family, etc, only to be abandoned and despised. Maybe get cancer. Stella Dallas is the classic. You’re supposed to cry your eyes out, but I recoiled.
It’s interesting to me that horror is now SO popular, in literature and movies, that instead of being relegated to Halloween nights, it’s year round. Do you think it’s a cathartic counterpoint to the actual news of the day? Or what?
I like the overly political horror: like “Get Out” — I mean it was hilarious, pointed, and yes, scary as hell. After it was over, it seemed unbelievable that no one before had ever made an horror movie about racist paranoia.
And what was the one about the girl whose vagina was deadly? I chortled at that one too.
Never watched this movie.
Neither did I, until I started working on Hansen’s memoir! Then it became a must, and I’m actually glad I did it in that order. The film criticism about the work is really mind-blowing too. See the Wikipedia entry.
My list of never watched also included Titanic and Sound of Music. 🤷🏻♂️
I never watched horror movies as a kid or young adult. No way. It was only by talking to critics Linda Williams and Laura Miller (who coaxed me with Cronenberg) that I considered I could watch “movies that deliberately make you scream” with more objectivity, and curiosity— much like I reviewed porn, professionally.
I considered that I had the *same* squeamish reaction toward what are called “weepies” — movies traditionally marketed to women about tragic feminine figures, total masochists, who give it all up for their ungrateful family, etc, only to be abandoned and despised. Maybe get cancer. Stella Dallas is the classic. You’re supposed to cry your eyes out, but I recoiled.
It’s interesting to me that horror is now SO popular, in literature and movies, that instead of being relegated to Halloween nights, it’s year round. Do you think it’s a cathartic counterpoint to the actual news of the day? Or what?
I like the overly political horror: like “Get Out” — I mean it was hilarious, pointed, and yes, scary as hell. After it was over, it seemed unbelievable that no one before had ever made an horror movie about racist paranoia.
And what was the one about the girl whose vagina was deadly? I chortled at that one too.
TEETH?
Yes, that was one of them! I laughed like a crazy woman through the whole thing.
I loved it. Directed by Roy Lichtenstein's kid.
Really? How delicious to know