I could make so many jokes right now... |
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Listening to certain music puts one into certain moods, no? As I listen to the brooding drone of the band Sunn O)), I flow into a very peaceful and quiet mood. And as I contemplate topics to write of, the music delivers an idea. Satan. (I love my music!) Christianity in general actually. Without the religion of Christ, many horror films would have not been created. So that's the focus of today little ones, the place of Christianity within the horror genre.
One of the most common themes of film is the battle between good and evil; horror films especially makes use of this. And what better examples of good and evil than God and the Devil? For the most part however, Beelzebub is the star. And he's portrayed in so many different ways, such as Al Pacino in the DEVIL'S ADVOCATE. In that film, the devil is apparently a man who likes to bark a lot, which has become Pacino's best role in his later years. The character of God is mentioned in many films, but he hardly ever comes out and makes some witty quips with the main character about Satan's bathing habits or anything.
As I have mentioned in earlier columns, possession is prevalent throughout the genre. This obviously has to do with Christianity; it also employs the use of priests and church folk as heroes. They use their bibles and crosses in place of flamethrowers and shotguns. This also brings up the place of church people in horror. Nuns are usually a symbol of purity, much like children or animals. Priests however, especially 
The fact that I have two pictures of Keanu makes me question my moral fiber |
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recently, seem to always have a hint of being tainted somehow. They always get corrupted by the flesh, greed or the want for piña coladas or something.
This brings forth the concept of a hell and heaven. The HELLRAISER films take place within hell, and they really don't seem all that well furnished. Or air-conditioned. Or without an eternity of agonizing pain. However, in horror the concept of heaven always seems very hard to get to. There's always so many hoops to jump through and demons to obliterate. Like poor Keanu "I know Kung Fu" Reeves in CONSTANTINE. That guy ha a sucky time. And, just like in reality, most films do not show what heaven actually is. For all you know it could be Yanni and Manilow 24/7.
Christianity also can help a movie progress through the morals and ideas it embraces. The character might at first be a drunkard-rapist-monkey lover, but through the values he learns, he could become the hero. Just like in other genres when the main character changes through the help of personal tragedies or mentors or talking potatoes or what have you. It always appears that atheists do not hold on to their beliefs long in horror flicks.
So, all in all, Christianity equals gore. Or something along those lines. I'm far too tired, plus I'm listening to Les Claypool which isn't the best thing to do when trying to focus. So I'll let you sweet reader, decipher whatever intelligible blathering I have written. Just remember kids, Jesus loves you, just stay off his freaking lawn!
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| The Lair of the Mad |
Every other Tuesday
'The Lair' discusses the many aspects and qualities of the horror genre. From actors, to make-up, to music, James Shafie explores everything the "cult" genre spews up.
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| James Shafie |
James Shafie is an avid watcher of movies of all sorts, but the horror genre is closest to his heart. He loves to read and is addicted to music, mostly metal and it’s thousands of sub-genres. He was once fired by Blockbuster, which we see as a strong character trait.
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