1 of 42

Write now Article Tools

"I've got a great idea for the next big horror film!"
"Really, I thought you said you were out of ideas?"
"I am! But, I'm going to just re-make everyone else's films and add lots of gratuitous sex and violence!"

I don't hate horror films, but I do hate what they have become over the past ten or so years.

When I was a kid there were two categories of horror films to watch: The classic Black & White films and the Japanese Monster movies. All of them were really entertaining for their own reasons and unfortunately, nowadays these movies are either being re-done or someone is trying to do an "homage" to them. Just thinking about them is giving me the shakes right now...okay, I'm good. Let's look at what I'm talking about:

Everyone remembers the classic "Dracula" starring Bela Legosi in the role that made him immortal. He had style, grace, that cool Hungarian accent. He made the role and you could believe he was a vampire. A few decades later Francis Ford Coppola directed a nightmare remake of the film. All of the actors in the film were totally over the top (even Gary Oldman, who's usually a little more subdued in his roles) and there was far too much gore and nudity. Unfortunately this would not be an isolated case.

When I think of guys from horror films that defined the word "Cool" I think of Vincent Price. The guy could just walk into a room, light up a cigarette, convince the local constabulary that he hasn't committed any crimes and then steal away the leading lady. Or, he could invite a few unsuspecting individuals to stay in his "House on Haunted Hill" and offer lots of money to those that survive. There was nothing supernatural about this film, but there was a lot of death and intrigue. It was a classic. The re-make, on the other hand, was just wrong. The only real similarities between the original and this film that Dark Castle Studios just threw together was the title. The rest was supposed to be a supernatural gore-fest which included even more nudity. (The would later do a re-make of "13 Ghosts" which would feature more of the same, but a slightly better plot).

I mentioned Japanese Monster movies above and everyone knows about the granddaddy of all monsters: "Godzilla" (or Gojira if you want to be picky). The original and most of its sequels were movies that set the standard for any movie featuring guys dressed in rubber suits fighting around cardboard cities. The special effects were terrible, but you didn't care. It was the plot (or lack thereof) that kept you coming back. Then in 1998 producer Roland Emerich ("Independence Day", "The Day After") decided to Americanize the genre. He got a big-budget cast and used state-of-the-art CGI graphics to create the big lizard. He tried to emphasize more of the human drama around the monster - the end result was boredom on a grand scale. If I hadn't been given free tickets I would have walked out and demanded my money back.

Other recent bad re-makes have included "The Amityville Horror", "Halloween" (Rob Zombie should never be allowed to direct!), "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", and the ultimate insult, "House of Wax" (even with Paris Hilton's death scene).

If the motion picture industry wants to win be back as a fan of the horror genre they need to stop trying to gross me out and go back to trying to get my interest.

Learn more about this author, David Furritus.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Why I hate horror movies?
We want to hear your view. Write now!