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Horror
Thursday, 2 April 2009
One of my son’s fiends was round the other day, and he was telling us about the latest ‘Saw’ film he’d seen…number five I think, I felt sick just listening to it and told him to stop….
Am I the only one that is fed up of every other film being some gore filled horror?….these films do well because of shock tactics, I get it, but rather than congratulate, what can only be a very sick mind, for thinking this stuff up, should we be putting them in therapy.
And am I imagining it, or are the age limits for this blood fuelled violence getting lower…I’ve watched films with a 12 rating and been shocked. And I don’t let the kids watch 18 movies, I don’t let them watch the saw films, or Sin City, or 300, because it is mindless violence in my opinion. If a film requires bloodshed for the story, as much as I don’t relish it, it is different, ‘Saving Private Ryan’ for example had bloodshed, and I couldn’t stomach it personally, but it was telling a historical part of history…
But even Deion’s friends...eleven year olds…seem to have seen some pretty violent stuff.
I know I watched the odd horror film when I was in my late teens, on sleepovers, huddled under the duvet, but horror films were very different then. Film makers used to rely on making you jump, now they seem to want to out do each other with blood, gore, torture and the most gruesome abuse.
Perhaps I am being naive… but should we not be concerned that our teens seem to be relishing these violent torture scenes in films?
2 April 2009 at 12:46
I think parents like to blame films/video games/rap lyrics for their childrens behaviour. I let my son watch films because I don't believe in sensorship, but I make sure he knows it is not real. He is not violent.
2 April 2009 at 13:09
It really is ridiculous. It seems like every other flick on the movie store shelves is something like "Attack of the Brain Eating Demons". I am grossed out by it all and it freaks me out that they make them because obviously people are watching them. Yikes!
2 April 2009 at 13:14
This is my point, there seems to be a large part of society revelling in watching this blood and gore, I don't want my kids exposed to it.
yes, we need to teach our kids it is not real, acceptable, but that becomes harder when it is so accessible.
the worst kind for me are when they use kids, this 'childen' one i see advertised looks awful, surely it affects teh kids who act in them, i would never let my kids act in these films.
2 April 2009 at 13:17
I do like scary movies but those over the top ones like the Saw movies to me are not SCARY but just plain violent. I fear it will only get worse
2 April 2009 at 13:43
I totally agree with you. I remember watching movies like Frankenstein or even Poltergeist and being scared. There was no blood or guts in those. It is way out of hand with this senseless gore.
2 April 2009 at 14:56
My parents never really put restrictions on what we could watch. I only remember them making us cover our eyes through sex scenes. As you said though, the movies and other forms of entertainment just keep getting worse and worse.
2 April 2009 at 15:06
interesting issues you raise today. I enjoyed reading through your site and seeing your photos. I am glad you enjoyed the Chihuly Saffron Tower on my site for theme day. I have a daytime photo of the Saffron Tower up today. Thanks for your comments.
2 April 2009 at 15:45
I used to watch a lot of them as a teen. Just like riding a rollercoaster it seemed to be fun to go to the movies with my friends and get scared.
But, since my daughter was born they really gross me out and worry me a little bit. Knowing there are actually people like that out there.
2 April 2009 at 17:02
Personally, I can't stand horror films today. Poltergeist was good. I know the exorcist freaked your generation out, but it was tame when I saw it.
I guess I can see your point about kids being exposed to it, but honestly trying to shield them never works. There are too many outlets out there now. We can complain about it, and say it "shouldn't be this way", and that you "don't want it to be this way", but the fact is that "it is this way". This is not going to change as long as these films make money, which they do by enticing the tween/teen group who don't know any better into watching what amounts to utter trash generally.
Case in point, the "saw" films. The first one I thought was very well made, and I enjoyed it, but I couldn't even watch the next sequel. These films are rated "R", and kids should not be getting into them. Parents or older siblings bring them. I think the best you guys as parents can do, is make sure that you've given your child the guidance and moral foundation that allows them to process this stuff responsibly. Because it IS out there, and it's not going away.
2 April 2009 at 17:28
yes, this is true, and kids of course will feel totally left out and will probably even be teased for not watching it...i think there's a line that is being crossed with film makers now, and it won't stop...
I can't stand any of it, I don't mind thrillers that make you jump, or somehting a little supernatural, but not torture, violence and needless massacre.
i hope my kids never get into it, i used to have nightmares over Dr Who...the old ones with the plasic daleks...now kids are desensitised to so much more.
special affects are so much more real today too.
2 April 2009 at 17:47
Oy, I love when people say that these movies have no effect on their kids. Hello generation of desensatized kids. Know why we are no longer shocked when real life crimes are committed? cause movies now a days show us much more horror than what goes on in real life *usually* The kids who witness these atrocious movies at a younger age will have no chance to recognize that these movies are not what actually happens. As much as anyone can say their kid understands that they are "just movies" is naive because even as adults we dont necessarily grasp the meaning. How many times have you seen a scary or creepy movie and been a little spooked. Even though we tell our selves that its just a movie, it doesnt stop you from feeling a little jumpy, am I right? There has to be a line between real life and movies. When they make these real life type movies ie; last house on the left ( I didnt see it, but the previews were enough. too real life for me thanks, I have the news ) they use things that happen in real life like rape and murder to keep audiences entertained. This passes for entertainment?! What the crap? Give me a scene that makes me jump out of my skin without the torture and rape, thanks. I think it boils down to the fact that anymore people claim it as "art" or their interpretation of "life imitating art" whatever. I think these people just lack real creativity when it comes to horror films. I challenge anyone to try to make a horror film that does not use blood and guts. That would be a movie to see in this day.
Call me a jerk, but I really dont think I will have respect for that parent that thinks its okay for their 10 year old to watch R rated films. I know I would be very upset if my kids came home from a friends house and said they watched something like that at that age. I know everyone is entitled to what they want to believe, but at some point kids can and do become violent. People can blame whoever they want, but having lived really close to Columbine, our school was shut down the next couple of days because of it. We had several kids bring bombs in the following weeks and even up until my senior year. The kids who did it all seemed mildly "normal" but were withdrawn and usually took their cues from a movie that they were currently obsessed with. Also, anyone heard of the Mortal Combat killing where the teenage girl and her boyfriend killed the little sister after getting her drunk then using video game moves on her? My hometown. So please, people can say it doesnt impact kids, but is it worth the chance? Would you let your kid play in traffic if they told you that they would be careful?
(stepping off soapbox, sorry)
2 April 2009 at 18:05
I know this scares me too! It seems like we create a world where all of our sensitivities get screwed up and lost in the whirlwind.
2 April 2009 at 20:07
There should defainlty be an age limit before kids can watch that stuff. Me personally doesn't really bother me unless it is constant (Dawn of the Dead). Saw, first one was creepy but you know what to expect now so not so scary. But it takes alot to freak me out when it comes to movies.
2 April 2009 at 22:33
MoCo has a friend that is obsessed with horror films. She even has parties to feature these awful movies and parents allow their children to go. I have convinced my boys that is a sin to watch one and they will go to hell if they do. Wow, that is scary in itself! Maybe I should rethink my approach! LOL
3 April 2009 at 01:57
I agree that so many films are filled with an over indulgence of violence..among many other things. I think its sad.
3 April 2009 at 09:02
thanks everyone, your comments were great...I don't think this is something that will change, after all, as usual, its about the money...
i guess all we can do is try not to expose or children to the worst of it, at least when they are older, we can of hopefully taught them well enough to deal with it...
although I got an e-mail that made a great point...do we stop our kids watching the news too..after all, the wars, bloodshed e.t.c, personally, my kids watch the news and are as horrified as us about some of the things they see and hear,
a couple of years ago a 13 year old girl went missing, and was found in a building, cut up and dumped...that building was two minutes from my house...so in a way this is teaching kids about the real danger...i want them to be aware of that danger, not wasting time on gratuitous violence...
again, maybe i'm naive...but we have to sensor for the kids, they aren't able to do it, and as for some of the stuff ten year olds see and find okay...shocking...
I agree with sassypants wifey that it has to affect kids...no two ways about it...