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Film is one of the few venues that allows visual, aural and literal art to be presented simultaneously. It's an arduous task, no doubt, to create something that presents a story AND is entertaining. Which is more important, one wonders, to be entertaining or to be "art"? To be intelligent and provoke thought or allow the audience to leave their reality in pursuit of a fun getaway? Is one choice more noble than the other? Film is always criticized for not being either not intellectual enough or too silly. This is especially true of the horror genre, which is routinely lambasted for being too silly
Horror is unique in that there are films created to only be gross and fun. "Goresploitation" films like BLOOD FEAST and BRAIN DEAD (also known as DEAD ALIVE) seek to disgust their viewers and make sure they have fun while choking back their vomit. Films like this are fun to watch for a lot of people, but definitely not all. Some say they shouldn't even be allowed to be watched, since they are so vile and putrid in nature. Then comes the ever-present debate of "What is art?" Has a film that shows mating zombies (and their zombie offspring) worth earned its right to be called art? Who knows!
But which is more important in the horror genre, fun or intellect? Well, looking in the annals of the genre, one might be more apt to say fun. As 
Possibly my favorite horror film. |
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I wrote in an earlier column, the whole point of the genre was to scare the audience in the first place. If the writer came up with believable characters and thought-inspiring dialogue, and the director was able to also create a storyline that was a satire/foil/insert-literary-term-here for society, good for them! THE THING achieved this level, creating conflict among characters who had visible emotions and inward problems, along with a shape-shifting, man-devouring alien.
Many critics dismiss the genre entirely for being juvenile and immature, arguing that making movies solely to see how much gore the audience can stomach is idiotic. Is having fun stupid? I would disagree. So many movie-makers and critics have forgotten that part of film is entertainment. Merriment people, y'know, joy?! And this genre succeeds at it more than the others most of the time. Ask a horror fan why he watches movies in the genre. "To have fun." they'll say or "Brainstorming". "Ha ha!", you'll say, while slowly sidling to the door.
So maybe this genre has got it right. Maybe not, but honestly I think they do. Filmmakers should try to make movie more enjoyable, rather than cerebral. And though my mom hates horror movies, she would agree that they've got their heart in the right place. Like the saying goes, "You can't spell slaughter without laughter."
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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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