tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post111427717406409262..comments2024-03-28T14:49:36.133-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: An Intro to My Blog, and the first subject: Mass Media as New BoogeymanJohn Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-21186910939941175132016-09-09T11:13:21.675-04:002016-09-09T11:13:21.675-04:00There were also movies that wrapped themselves , h...There were also movies that wrapped themselves , however loosely around specific times , such as Prom Night , Final Exam , and Hell Night !! Bryan W. Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11700096624986678480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-1121427319104885042005-07-15T07:35:00.000-04:002005-07-15T07:35:00.000-04:00Maybe a better word choice would have been "effect...Maybe a better word choice would have been "effective." Basically, I think that art has a duty not merely to entertain, but to - in some fashion - expose or illuminate aspects of the human condition. I think the horror film has proven on many occasions that it is just the avenue (or genre) that can do this best, because by its very nature, its need to "scare," it taps into universal fears and dreads, especially those related to the bigger context (politics, sociology, racism, sex roles, etc.) Horror is more efficient at reflecting life than other kinds of film (say, a straight drama like "Mississippi Burning" or something) because it cloaks its meaning. It isn't overtly didactic; the deeper meaning emerges through imagery, film grammar, and other "stealth" ways. So to me, the horror form is a very efficient way to get the artist's point across without seeming like a sermon. Not too on the nose; open to interpretation; illuminating and thought-provoking, and downright enjoyable. I dunno...John Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-1121395749216993892005-07-14T22:49:00.000-04:002005-07-14T22:49:00.000-04:00Well, I expect to watch 'em one day. Gotta be in t...Well, I expect to watch 'em one day. Gotta be in the mood, if you knowwhatImean.<BR/><BR/>Can you elaborate on what the heck you mean by an "efficient" art form? This idea intrigues me. What is the value of "efficiency" in art?<BR/><BR/>Or did I just blow your mind?<BR/><BR/>(On a side note, I am soooo drunk on cheap Merlot right now, so feel free to ignore this post as I'll probably regret it in the morning.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-1121374392044653552005-07-14T16:53:00.000-04:002005-07-14T16:53:00.000-04:00I did grow up in the 1980s, so I remember the best...I did grow up in the 1980s, so I remember the best and the worst of the horror movies of that time. You're right about the holiday template. Valentine's Day had "My Bloody Valentine," there was "Happy Birthday to Me," "Bloody New Year," "New Year's Evil," even "April Fool's Day." I didn't think there was an "Arbor Day." I'll look that up!!!<BR/><BR/>You know, "Videodrome" featured this idea of the "new flesh" and becoming one with the media/TV, which - you're absolutely right - has something very much in common with "The Ring." Cronenberg's "Existenz" in 1999 was also a variation on that theme.<BR/><BR/>I think you'd like "The Ring" and "Videodrome," both are pretty solid flicks and S C A R Y.John Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-1121373019657094342005-07-14T16:30:00.000-04:002005-07-14T16:30:00.000-04:00Just getting caught up with your work here, so ......Just getting caught up with your work here, so ...<BR/><BR/>Even though the horror film is not one of my favorite genres (more of a Hitchcockian thriller guy myself) I am intrigued by all these critically-lauded scary movies all of a sudden.<BR/><BR/>I (and I suspect, you) grew up in the 80's, and while there were some seminal horror flix at the time, I mainly remember all the ubiquitous, cheap knockoffs. Every holiday had a horror movie. "Silent Night, Deadly Night!" "Happy Birthday To Me!" "Arbor Day!" I think. Wasn't there an Arbor Day? Long time ago.<BR/><BR/>Didn't Cronenberg's "Videodrome" cover similar thematic territory to "The Ring?" I haven't seen either one, incidentally. I'm just curious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com