In the almost three years that I've kept this blog, the topic of scary movies has been addressed several times. Everytime a new horror film is released, I have to reconcile the conflicting emotions I have about the subject, because as much as I love to be scared, I hate dealing with the aftermath, which usually involves a determination not to get up and pee once the lights are out unless Luke escorts me to the bathroom or the sun is shining through the bedroom blinds. As a result of early exposure to religious folklore about devils breaking through the earth's crust to claim bad little children, I can't convince my heart these scenarios have no basis in reality and could never happen, even if my brain knows otherwise. It's not uncommon for me to burst into tears upon a film's conclusion, which is exactly what happened when we saw The Grudge on the big screen two years ago and The Amityville Horror remake in the comfort of our living room last fall. And yet, like a drug addict itchin' for a fix, I always want more. Whenever we're browsing through the aisles of a Blockbuster, gory rentals are the first ones that catch my attention.
Luke and I got to talking about scary movies last week, during which I was shocked to learn he'd never seen Carrie, one of the all-time genre greats. While it's not one of my favorites, some of those scenes are permanently burned into my memory: Carrie's mother being crucified with all those knives in her kitchen, with the Scary Jesus Cross looming in the background; the sole survivor of Carrie's senior class paying her respects at Carrie's grave site when Carrie's arm shoots up from the ground to undoubtedly pull the poor girl into Hell.
In honor of the Halloween season, which horror movie scene has left the biggest impression on you?
I would have to say Scream, because that is the only scary movie I have ever seen. And then walking through the dark grotto at SJC later that night Kevin scared the living hell out of me, and I will never see another scary movie.
On a lighter note, though also in regards to movies, every time I comment at blogger it asks me to Choose an Identity. And I always think of the Julia Roberts line from Pretty Woman where she asks, Who do you want me to be baby?
Posted by: Lost A Sock | October 18, 2006 at 11:57 PM
I do not watch horror films at all!!!
Posted by: butterflygirl | October 19, 2006 at 01:04 AM
The clown in the shower drain in IT. I was scared to shower for a year (I saw it quite young).
In particular, the clown looks all happy from his tiny drain home, then he looks down towards the ground and on looking up has looks like a cross between a werewolf from the howling and the werewolf from American Werewolf in Paris...of course with a clown wig and nose on.
That movie still scares the beejeebus out of me.
Posted by: David McNelis | October 19, 2006 at 03:21 PM
David! That movie scared the crap out of me, too. One time I watched it with Samantha (I think I was ten at the time), and when we were getting ready for bed, we were horrified to discover balloons underneath our pillows. My parents have a sick sense of humor, and I love them for it.
Also, I had recurring nightmares about the brother's bleeding picture. Good times.
Posted by: Frema | October 19, 2006 at 04:09 PM
When I was 16, I had friends over to watch scary movies and sneak beers out of the downstairs fridge at my father's house. We were watching Hellraiser.
And right in the middle of a SCARY part, the door to the TV room opened and in walked a CLOWN carrying a boquet of balloons.
Hellraiser + clowns = some serious phobias.
Also, when I was in 10th grade, my Mom was out at parent-teacher night. I read Cujo that night. I put the book down to go outside and have myself a Mom's-Not-Here-Don't-Have-to-Sneak-It cigarette. Heard a dog bark. Yikes!
Posted by: Lizzy in the City | October 19, 2006 at 04:42 PM
I thought 28 Days Later was pretty f'n scary. Not to be confused with 28 Days, the Sandra Bullock rom-com of a similar name, and also scary but for different reasons.
And there was a movie a few years ago with John Cusack... "Identity" or something like that. Psychological thriller. Also quite good.
Posted by: culotte | October 19, 2006 at 04:43 PM
I love scary movies, but like you, hate the aftermath! A few of my favorites - House of 1000 Corpses and Silence of the Lambs...
And something you should NEVER EVER EVER watch? Dead Alive - it's by Peter Jackson, the guy that directed the Lord of the Rings, and it is by far the grossest pieces of cinema I have ever. seen.
Posted by: Jessi | October 19, 2006 at 06:00 PM
All the reasons you just mentioned (and scenes) are why I don't let myself watch scary movies. I'm SUCH a wimp, and I am proud of it. YAY WIMPS!
Okay, well, maybe not PROUD, perse, but... not as ashamed as I ought to be, that's for darn sure!
Posted by: Mrs. S | October 19, 2006 at 06:29 PM
I don't know if I'm really qualified to comment, as I've never actually seen the scariest scenes in the horror movies I've watched - I'm always cowering behind a pillow.
But I was never quite the same after watching "The Shining". And my husband once made me watch the original Japanese version of "The Grudge" - pretty nightmare-inducing...
Posted by: Kelley | October 19, 2006 at 06:31 PM
I got a little frightened in the first Harry Potter movie when Voldemort is in the forrest eating the unicorn. Creeeeeepy!!! But I don't think Harry Potter qualifies as a horror film.
Posted by: Britt | October 19, 2006 at 07:50 PM
Since I am quite fearful when it comes to viewing scary movies, I have not seen many flicks of horror. However, when I was a child, I found Darby O’Gill and the Little People, a movie with a G-rating to be very, very scary. This movie features banshees wailing to indicate a preeminent death, and the Grim Reaper driving a chariot coming to pick-up the deceased. Now, that is a scary movie; G-rating or not.
Posted by: mjd | October 19, 2006 at 07:53 PM
Hmmmm, though I knew it was not real, the Blair Witch Project sat with me in dark late at night for quite a while after I saw the movie. It wasn't so much the movie itself as the made up folklore and the fake documentary that made it seem like the story leaked into reality. That irked me a bit, I admit.
Posted by: Luke | October 19, 2006 at 09:22 PM
I'm with Luke on this one. The sad part is, I didn't even see the stinkin' movie- the commercials for it freaked me out too much! The image of the handprints on the wall. YIKES!
Posted by: Art Nerd Lauren | October 19, 2006 at 11:14 PM
Great topic, Frema! I was going to say The Exorcist until I read Luke's comment... Blair Witch messed my shit up for WEEKS! Thanks for the reminder, Luke!
Posted by: Number Twelve | October 20, 2006 at 04:29 PM
Final Destination, Blair Witch, and the 'second ending' of the Butterfly Effect scared me to death.
And also, I do not take showers, only baths...Psycho and IT are responsible for that. I can only take showers A)alone during the DAY, or B)at night, but my husband must stay in the bathroom.
I cover my eyes when I watch scary movies, but I just keep on renting them!?!
Posted by: Stacey | October 20, 2006 at 06:11 PM