Wednesday, February 11, 2004
While reading Andrew Tudor's essay about horror films and postmodernism, I was instantly drawn in to the subject. I have watched many of these films myself, specifically more of the modern films, and thoroughly enjoy discussing them. One of the series of films I enjoy most that was discussed by Tudor, is the Scream trilogy.
The series stars Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette. I agree with Tudor's analysis of the films, especially when he states that much of the appeal of Scream is the fact that it plays off of the audience's anticipated fear. Tudor states, "tension is released and our expectations are fulfilled in the familiar manner of the 'suspense-shock cycle.'" In particular, this is one aspect of the films that I did notice when watching them for the first time. The way that Craven and Williamson (the director and writer, respectively) use typical horror scene music and camera tricks to build the suspense for the audience, yet the something such as a cat knocking over garden tools calms the audience down, only to build it back up again after the appearance of the killer. Another aspect that I also thought was creative (and one not addressed specifically by Tudor), was the fact that in the films, Craven plays on the audience's stereotypes and reactions to the typical horror film. For instance, when asked whether or not Sidney likes horror films, she replies, "what's the point, they're all the same. Some stupid killer stalking some big-breasted girl who can't act, and who's always running up the stairs when she should be going out the front door." Often times while viewing a scary film, audience members are inclined to state, "damn girl, don't go in there!" This association and possible relation to the film's characters allows the audience to further insert themselves into the film, increasing the level of tension at later times. It is made clear that Sidney knows that it's stupid to run upstairs, yet when faced with the same situation, also follows the typical scary movie bimbo. One aspect Tudor does state, however, is that the addition of such elements of association adds to the film's scare factor.
Overall, I believe that Tudor did an excellent job in assessing various horror films and their effects on the audience. He analyzed many aspects of the films, and addressed these in relationship to postmodernism. I believe that the essay is very informative and influential.
(As a side note, Tudor incorrectly discussed the relationships in Scream. He says Casey and Billy are together, when it was really Sidney and Billy. Also, the character "Gale Weathers" is referred to as "Gile Weathers," a improperly spelled name.)
The series stars Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette. I agree with Tudor's analysis of the films, especially when he states that much of the appeal of Scream is the fact that it plays off of the audience's anticipated fear. Tudor states, "tension is released and our expectations are fulfilled in the familiar manner of the 'suspense-shock cycle.'" In particular, this is one aspect of the films that I did notice when watching them for the first time. The way that Craven and Williamson (the director and writer, respectively) use typical horror scene music and camera tricks to build the suspense for the audience, yet the something such as a cat knocking over garden tools calms the audience down, only to build it back up again after the appearance of the killer. Another aspect that I also thought was creative (and one not addressed specifically by Tudor), was the fact that in the films, Craven plays on the audience's stereotypes and reactions to the typical horror film. For instance, when asked whether or not Sidney likes horror films, she replies, "what's the point, they're all the same. Some stupid killer stalking some big-breasted girl who can't act, and who's always running up the stairs when she should be going out the front door." Often times while viewing a scary film, audience members are inclined to state, "damn girl, don't go in there!" This association and possible relation to the film's characters allows the audience to further insert themselves into the film, increasing the level of tension at later times. It is made clear that Sidney knows that it's stupid to run upstairs, yet when faced with the same situation, also follows the typical scary movie bimbo. One aspect Tudor does state, however, is that the addition of such elements of association adds to the film's scare factor.
Overall, I believe that Tudor did an excellent job in assessing various horror films and their effects on the audience. He analyzed many aspects of the films, and addressed these in relationship to postmodernism. I believe that the essay is very informative and influential.
(As a side note, Tudor incorrectly discussed the relationships in Scream. He says Casey and Billy are together, when it was really Sidney and Billy. Also, the character "Gale Weathers" is referred to as "Gile Weathers," a improperly spelled name.)
