You had some really great responses to our question about Vincent and Jerome and how they compared with each other. I especially appreciated Tasha's post about how the two are "brothers" and Bonnie's point about how we are all, essentially, "invalid" due to the flaws in our human nature that cause us to discriminate. Everyone had great points! I would encourage you to read them over.
I must say that even though some of you complain about the blogs, the writing here is often stronger than in your papers--hence, one of the reasons why the blog is a useful tool.
For this week, please post a response to Stephen King's essay "Why We Crave Horror Movies." We will be reading it in class and discussing it. In this space, please discuss whether or not you agree with King's assertions.
Thanks in advance!
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19 comments:
I agree with King's assertion that we are all mentally ill. This is the reason we spend so much money going to horror films. I believe that humans crave horror films because it gives you a rush of excitement and acts much like a highly addictive drug. Take the Saw movies for example, yes, four movies about the same thing can get a little ridiculous but why do you think they keep making them? People crave the excitement and gore of it all. I also agree that more young people enjoy horror films than do people of about 40 or 50 years of age. By the time you reach these ages, the blood and gore are no longer exciting to you, more disgusting than anything.
Heather Haskins
This essay is weird, but true.I agree with most of what he says! We, as people, tend to go with the happy go lucky subjects. Something that will bring a smile to our face, but we also want that thrill. When he talked about the joke about the babies and the bowling balls; people with laugh at it and people will frown apon it. Some people will be hipocrits about it, but turn around and tell another horror joke in a differnt way, but mean the same thing. I think everyone wants a little scared excitement sometimes rather than a bubbly topic or movie.
~Samantha Duryee
According to Stephen King “that we’re all mentally ill; those of us outside the asylums only hide it a little better-and maybe not all that much better, after all” (par. 1). I believe that statement is true. People go see horror movies to prove to others that they can handle it. People pay eight dollars to go to a movie for fun. Going to horror movies has excitement in gets you worked up and into the movie. I believe that horror movies are mostly for younger people. The blood and gore appeals to the young people, older people find it gross.
Jenny Evans
I agree with Stephen King because people who go see horror movies do it because they want to feel that rush of excitement. We are all a little crazy like he says, so we watch them to release all that tension that we feel. I’m not saying that we get happy from watching other people get killed, but we like feeling a little scared sometimes. Proving that we don’t get scared easily is also really important. We all like comedy movies and what not, but we also have that side of us that likes to feel that excitement. Well at least that’s the reason why I go watch scary movies. Another thing also is that younger people enjoy them more because they like seeing the blood, and the gore.
Karla Baez
I agree with Stephen King when he claims that people go to horror movies to have fun. It is kind of strange why people enjoy those types of movies. I think that people watch movies and do other forms of entertainment to escape from reality. Some people might find their lives stressful, or boring, so that is why we need to have fun in life. People probably won't go crazy if they don't watch horror films, but they might if they don't get some sort of entertainment.
Shawn Martin
I dont really agree with Stephen King on him saying that we are all mentally ill. If this was the case murders would get away with pleading insanity. Everyone is different, but i have worked in a psych ward before with people who are harmful to others off their medications. They have been diagnosed with schitzophrenia, and multiple personality disorders.
I just dont see people going to watch entertainment as mentally ill. What about people who get hurt on americas funniest home videos? i dont really find that funny , but some people do.
I think that people who watch horror movies watch them because they are interesting and the events don't happen every day. The people getting hurt causes an emotional feeling that we feel sorry for some of these people, but others we are glad to see gone or hurt.
It makes me wonder if Stephen King, himself thinks he is insane. Probably not.
I like horror movies allot, but I am not shure why. I am going into a medical profession, but i don't think thats why. My mom asked me if I was some kind of serail killer when i was younger because i had souch a big collection of horror movies. Everyones different.
I agree with this King's essay even if I'm not watching horror movie. He said, we are all have mentally ill and we watching this horror movie for fun. Because people want to have experience like thrill by watching horror movie. Actually I lkie horror movie because this is just fun. But I'm not watching it because everytime after I watched this horror movie, I got so scared and I couldn.t get sleep. I mean, even if I'm not watching horror movie but I still like watching horror movie. I know it's weird but I agree with people watching horror movie for fun.
-Ho soung-
I agree that we all crave horror movies, but only to an extent. Personally I'm not a very big fan of them, but every once in a while I like a good scare. I think we all are a little mentally ill, just some are a more than others. With the potential lyncher in all of us, I think that horror movies are a way of expressing anger by watching someone do what we want to do. Yes horror movies are a roller coaster ride, and just like roller coasters we shouldn't ride to the point of brain dammage.
-Bonnie Mills
I agree with Stephen King's essay "Why We Crave Horror Movies." I feel that it is true that most people go to horror movies just to prove to themself and others that they can handle it.Many people go to horror movies so that they can get an adrenaline rush. In my opinion I think we are all mentally ill to some degree. Most of us would not go out and reinact what we have seen in a horror movie.
~Alysen Sly
Why do we crave horror movies??? I agree and disagree with Stephan King's essay.When I first read it I agreed with what he said about being mentally ill if you crave horror movie. I agreed with this because, I absolutly hate horror movies and thought that anyone who would crave blood and guts is crazy. I dont understand how people can sit and watch that kind of stuff. Why would someone want to see someone else die and be in pain. I guess thats why I could never work in a hospital. I know Im not perfect in any way, but I sure think that their is something wrong in someones brain to want to pay $8 to see someone else die. I disagreed with this after I got home and talked to my family about it. I was saying how King thinks were all mentally ill for craving horror movies. They all disagreed with me because they all love horror movies! They all crave horror movies, when they come out to buy, my family are the first ones there to get it. They said they give you a thrill and want to see what happens next. I feel we can get action and excitement out of other things instead of horror movies. I think everyone has a little insanity to them, and horror movies are just one thing that triggers some of our mental illnesses.
Tasha Nagel
I completely disagree with Stephen Kings statement about us being mentally ill. Everyone is different, just because you like horror films means you are mentally ill? I just believe that statement is ridiculous! I mean what if you like a romantic movies and hate horror films, does that make you mentally ill? Or if you just like to watch Disney movies, does that make you mentally ill? I just believe King's statement does not apply to everyone, and it is an untrue statement.~Sheyla
I Really just believe it is entertainment.People have been watching these types of movies for years and if it had any significent effect on our behavior I am sure it would have been well documented. You Could say that horror movies created crazy people or made people do thing.you could also argue that love stories make people stalkers, because they thirst for love so heavily. But then we would be here all day. I think that thepeoplewho are actually sick enough to do the things that are on these horror movies get it from home or where they came from. I don't think we give ourselves enough credit if Our belief is we are so simple minded that an image on a screen can make us commit such crazy act. everyone has there breaking point but stephen king is trippin.Thou he may be crazy for thinking up this crazy stuff, He's on his own.
I do agree with Stephen king's essay on "Why We Crave Horror Movies." Right now scary movies have been a big hit in the box offices. And the movies that are out are exremely gory and graphic. But in todays sociey the more realistic the better. We are almost all a little mentally ill. Whether we will admit it or not.
-Caity Mills
King thought that we were all mentally ill and i agree with what he is saying. We want to feel the excitement and the rush it brings when watching a horror movie. We want to show to others that we can handle horror movies even though we are probably freaking out inside. Stephen king is right we are all a little bit crazy and watching horror movies help to release tension and feelings inside.
Jay Jensen
I'm not sure if I completely agree with Stephen King, not everyone is "mentally ill". Yes, there are the ones who crave a horror movie and then there are the ones who would rather not see them. It all depends deep down on the individual whether or not they like that kind of stuff or not. I personally do not like horror movies. I don't like to be scared. I don't understand why someone would pay $8 to see a movie and another $3 for popcorn and end up throwing your popcorn up in the air during a "scary" part. What a waste. You almost always know what is going to happen, a pretty girl ends up running/or doing something stupid and then someone always ends up dead. I just don't find a "thrill" in that.
I agree with almost everything that Stephen King says. People do get that rush of excitment when they watch horror movies. I think younger people are more exceptable to horror movies than older people because older people tend to not like gore and guts in movies. So I agree with Stephen King when he says we are all mentally ill.
-Bob Harsin
Stephen King’s article, “Why We Crave Horror Movies” made a number of interesting points. The idea that we are all mentally ill may be true, but I think it speaks to the fact that we are all human. I think that the reason we watch horror movies may be the same reason we enjoy shows like “Jerry Springer”. When you watch those you can think, “Well, at least my life isn’t that bad!” In horror movies we can think, “Well, at least I’m not that crazy!” Horror movies also give us an adrenalin rush that we don’t get on a routine basis. We aren’t being chased by wild animals, or settling new countries and braving the elements to stay alive. We do seek out thrill giving activities; some as simple as amusement park rides and some as deadly as climbing Mt. Everest. People like to feel the rush of excitement and horror movies give us a safe way to do it.
Andrea Harken
I do agree with the fact that we all are a little crazy. However, I don't believe that everyone watches horror movies to release that. What did all these people do before there were movie theaters? I think that comparing a public lynching to horror movies is a little extreme. Maybe it is true for some people, but I would rather listen to some crazy music than watch a horror movie. Every horror movie, excluding Dracula, I have watched involuntarily. Maybe I'm affected too easily, but after I watch a scary movie I'm like a zombie. I turn bitter and depressed. I cried after watching Hostel, and yes I know that's pathetic. But I too have to have some way to feed the gators, and it has nothing to do with watching people getting killed on the big screen.
-Becca Peterson
King's opinion in "Why We Crave Horror Movies" is quite similar to mine. I do agree that we all have a crazy side, but many of us are strong enough to keep it under lock and key. Even the most saint-like people have dark thoughts, but it doesn't necessarily mean they are sincere or that they would act upon them. I, personally, enjoy the adrenaline rush I get from watching horror movies. One gets to experience that suspense and terror that they will hopefully never have to encounter in real life. It may sound far-fetched, but I believe horror movies can also prepare us if something that crazy ever happened to us. How did the actor/actress escape? How did they outsmart the killer? What could they have done different? I love horror movies and can relate to King's assertions.
--Candace Daiker--
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