Author: unkle lancifer
It's a Horror to Know You:: Ryan Clark of Thrill Me!
It's a Horror to Know You: Ryan Clark of Thrill Me! (http://thrill-me.blogspot.com)
1. What is the first film that ever scared you?
It's difficult to recall, but I'm going to say Frankenstein (1931). I had seen The Ghost of Frankenstein prior to watching the original, but I think I handled that one pretty well. When my mom finally bought the original on VHS for me, the main thing keeping me from watching it was the commercial at the beginning for the Universal Monsters Classic Collection and the clip it showed of the monster's hand rising from the slab as the good doctor yells, "It's alive!" I actually brought the movie to Catholic school (!) and convinced my first grade teacher to let us watch it in class to help me conquer my fear. It didn't work, though, because I was shaking so badly in my seat that she took out the tape. Eventually, I worked up the nerve to watch it at home, and I was fine.
2. What is the last film that scared you?
I don't get scared by films very often anymore, but A Serbian Film filled with me a sense of dread that I haven't felt in a long time. The tone of it disturbed me more than the disgusting acts.
3. Name three horror movies that you believe are underrated.
Okay, I'm gonna pick three that are TRULY underrated:
The Premonition (1976) – Bizarre supernatural horror film with a wacked-out, terrifying performance by the late Richard Lynch as a psychotic mime and a nice turn from Ellen Barber as a mentally ill mother who kidnaps her daughter (All in the Family's Danielle Brisebois) from her foster parents. I can't figure out why this film is rated so low. It's a little cheesy (if you think that's a valid criticism – I don't) but it has wonderful atmosphere akin to Let's Scare Jessica to Death and Don't Look Now.
I Know Who Killed Me (2007) – I know, I know… Maybe this belongs on the next list, but I don't care. I don't hate Lindsay Lohan like most people, so I've got nothing against this unique, giallo-esque gore thriller. The lighting is exquisite, the score is highly reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann, and Lohan really isn't bad at all. I wish she'd get her act together and make more movies like this one.
The Headless Eyes (1971) – I genuinely enjoy this piece of trash. It's probably the allure of sleazy 70s NYC that draws me in, and it's way grittier than even Maniac could ever hope to be. The opening scene alone is brilliant: a thief gets his eye poked out with a spoon and yells "My EYE!!!! Aaarhhhhhrrrgg!!!" on a loop as he staggers into the street with his eye dangling by a thread and people crowd around him. Classic.
4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.
Breeders (1986) – For me, this beats out Troll 2 as the best worst movie ever made. It's about an alien's attempt to take over the world by raping virgins – except the "virgins" all look like they belong in 80s adult movies. A big-haired feminist doctor and a clueless detective are on the alien's slimy trail, and they play it so seriously that every line of dialogue is gold.
Scream for Help (1984) – I just reviewed this one for my blog. I really think it should become a cult movie on the level of Rocky Horror, because it's so delightfully over-the-top in every way, yet there was genuine talent involved behind-the-scenes, so it's alternately engaging and mind-boggling.
Pieces (1982) – What can I say about Pieces that hasn't been said before? So many great and hilarious scenes, but for me it's all about Lynda Day George repeatedly screaming "BAAAAAASTAAARD!!!!" at the sky.
5. Send us to five places on the Internet !
And the Facebook page for the book I'm working on, Blood Among the Stars: The Making of "Carrie" (HERE).
"Oh, That's Them-The Little Horrors!" (Guest Post by Peter Gutierrez)
I know it took place earlier this month, still at some remove from Halloween, but I can't help feeling that the new DVD release of Hammer House of Horror must be one of the genre's home video highlights of the season, maybe the year. Synapse Films has done its typical bang-up job in terms of the transfer, with the result that this 1980 TV series (it ran for but a single season) now looks and sounds better than ever.
Does that mean it's so pristine that it has lost some of its late-‘70s feel? Hardly. In fact, I think the overall me-decade vibe and its particular brand of horror is one of the main virtues of the series, at least for anyone who's savvy enough to be a regular Kindertrauma reader. And of course a big part of that period's aesthetic was its depiction of children in all their creepy, other-ly glory.
Perhaps the best known episode of Hammer House of Horror in this regard is "Children of the Full Moon." Despite its title telegraphing the monster du jour, the story still manages to go places that you don't see coming—and very nasty places at that. The kids themselves are the very image of courteous British youngsters, apart, of course, from all those eerie off-screen noises they make. "Oh, that's them—the little horrors," exclaims Diana Dors, part of a memorable performance that plays exquisitely with the Kindly Maternal archetype. Ultimately, the kids aren't central to the actual action but, interestingly, they become increasingly important to the episode's themes about the nature of humans and animals and how we ignore any overlap at our own peril.
Another notable episode also seems to make its lone child character fairly tangential to the main plot. At first, that is. By the conclusion of "The House That Bled to Death," however, there can be no doubt regarding that character's importance; in fact, what makes the lurid script so brilliant is the way that the narrative kind of ignores her because that means that the audience does as well… until she comes back to haunt us. Well, I don't mean haunt us literally—or wait, maybe I do: I'm being coy because I don't want to give away too much. And for that same reason I certainly don't want to dwell too much on a scene at a kids' birthday party that may be the most celebrated sequence of the entire series. In terms of sheer logic, sure, what happens is more than a bit nonsensical, but that just adds to the fun.
My favorite episode that features kids prominently, and one of my favorites overall, has to be "Growing Pains." Honestly, though, I can't tell how many of its neat psychological effects are intentional and how many are the result of some storytelling incoherence mixed with paranormal elements drawn from the making-up-the-rules-as-we-go-along school. But who cares? The episode sports tragic deaths (that might still prompt giggles), weird science, stuffed animals, and a supremely ambiguous, and therefore effective, turn by child actor Matthew Blakstad. "Growing Pains" thus feels like The Turn of the Screw filtered through schlock… which is precisely what makes it so wonderful.
Of course the series has plenty of reasons for one to like it apart from its kid-centric episodes. "The Silent Scream," with Peter Cushing and Brian Cox, is justifiably praised for its unnerving originality, and I'm personally quite fond of the demented surrealism of "Rude Awakening." But check out the thirteen episodes for yourself, and discover your own favorite. You really can't go wrong.
Peter Gutiérrez writes on horror for Rue Morgue and Firefox News, and blogs on film and pop culture for School Library Journal.
Traumafession:: Reader Dirk on Astrid Lindgren's "Rupp Rupel"
Hello, dear traumapeople!
I don`t know, how popular the other works of Astrid Lindgren, the author of "Pippi Longstockings" are in the english speaking world, but here in Germany they are very common. So everybody likes this nice grandma and her stories about innocent times from Sveden, right? She would never traumatise anyone, right?
Well… Although her fantasy Novels are sometimes really dark, it was a pictured book, that really scared me as a child: "Rupp Rüpel – das grausigste Gespenst aus Smaland" (something like "Rupp Rude – the most horrible ghost of Smaland") as it was called in german. Looks harmless, isn`t it?
Wrapped in a story from the author's childhood, is the tale of the eponymous ghost: A rude troublemaker, who wants to scare the vicar, dresses as a ghost and dies from shock, when his coat is stuck in the churchdoor, because he thinks, it's a real ghost "or even the hand of the Lord himself, who wants to punish him for his deed". His frozen body stands on the churchyard for hundreds of years, till a tough woman makes a bet to carry him at night into a tavern. She does it and wins, but when she brings him back, he clinches his icy hands around her neck and forces her to bring him to the vicar's grave, where he apologies and gets salvation… while the woman goes insane. Happy Ending!
Very classic mix of two famous ghost stories, we've often seen in "Twilight Zone" or "Hellboy". That would'nt be the problem, even for a child. The problem were the illustrations by Ilon Wikland: Rupp's prank as a ghost, the frozen corpse at the tavern and the gruesome grip of undead hands.
Some time ago a friend told me, that she got also traumatised by it in her childhood and still got the book. So I could get an update of his gruesomeness. – Maybe out there at the internet are more victims of Smaland's most horrible ghost?
Greetz
Dirk
Traumafessions:: Reader S. on The Twilight Zone Movie and Garbage Pail Kid Cards
First of all,
I have just discovered Kindertrauma, and I have to say, as a kid who got spooked quite a bit from watching too many scary movies/t.v. shows, I love the idea behind this website! I also should admit that I found it through a very random google search. I wanted to find the name of a television show that I used to watch as a child (at first I thought it was a 90s adaptation of the Twilight Zone), and, because of my lucky search engine abilities, I was brought to Kindertrauma. I found out the show was called Amazing Stories and the episode that traumatized me was an episode called "Thanksgiving."
Anywhoodle, I figure I might as well share some of my childhood scares. One was not actually a t.v. show, but it was a stupid collection of cards. I believe they were called Garbage Pail Kids, and I found them when I was about nine years old. After my father's breakup from a woman he had been with prior to marrying my mother, I accidentally ended up with a tub of those damned screwed up collectible cards which belonged to his ex-girlfriends demented fourteen year old son (no relation). I was going through the tub expecting it to contain my seemingly innocent Pokemon cards, but instead I found THESE screwed up images of mutilated babies in a toy card form. It made me sick to my stomach after finding a few. Needless to say, the awkward harbored feelings towards the family my father had been a part of before mine was made more awkward after I found those obscene cards.
Secondly, the movie that really screwed with my head as a kid was The Twilight Zone Movie that came out in the 80s. It was this scene…
Anyways, thank you for being a wealth of information about scary crap from when we were kids. Hopefully my traumas are relatable for some other inner child needing closure!
Thanks,
S
Traum-mercial Break:: Fragile Childhood
UNK SEZ: Chances are you've come across this Finish commercial floating around the internet recently but just in case you hadn't I thought I'd throw an anchor on it here. Even if it didn't feature a hideous clown and a monstrous Santa this spot designed to raise awareness to the plight of children with alcohol abusing parents would still be destined for kindertrauma infamy. Not only creepy and disturbing, it effectively captures with images alone, the private hell a dependent child experiences shackled to an unstable guardian. It's also an uncomfortable reminder of just how thin the line between horror films and the real world can be for some kids. Thanks to Brother Bill & Jennifer Y. for making sure we were aware of it!
Kinder-Spotlight:: Scare U!
UNK SEZ: Here's something you kids may enjoy! Our new kinderpal Beverly over at THE SCARE HOUSE (One of America's top haunted Houses stationed in good ol' Pittsburgh PA.) gave us a tip about a video series they are doing called SCARE U! It's a project after our own heart as it examines what scares people and why. The first segment is on clowns (Very Kindertraumatic) and an upcoming installment will concern dolls (likewise). Cooler still, there will be a new video presented every Wednesday till Halloween! Check out their Youtube channel HERE to keep up to date! Thanks for the decapitated heads up Bev!
Season of the Funhouse!
UNK SEZ: Thanks to the folks at SCREAM FACTORY, this past Tuesday saw the release of HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH on Blu-ray! To celebrate, here is a special H3 puzzle! Can you put these images in their correct order? The first and last are correct (A=1 and O=15) but in what order should the others go? If figuring this out gives you the same type of headache putting this together gave me, feel free to guess!
One random lucky commenter is going to win a set of five SCREAM FACTORY buttons! You'll get HALLOWEENs 2 & 3, TERROR TRAIN, THEY LIVE and fittingly, THE FUNHOUSE! Good luck!!!
It's a Horror to Know You:: Captain Cruella of the Carnivorous Cadavers!
It's a Horror to Know You: Captain Cruella of the Carnivorous Cadavers of Cruella's Crypt!
1. What is the first film that ever scared you?
This is a real toss up. I'd have to say it was Jaws or Hellraiser II. Both of which my mother let me watch when I was ridiculously young, ( Thanks Mom!) I wouldn't set foot in any body of water unless I could see the bottom and even then a, "dun dun, dun dun, dun dun" would get me running out of the pool faster than a fly to rancid meat.
2. What is the last film that scared you?
It takes a lot to scare me, I mean I AM the Captain of an undead Army, however…. I would say the last movie I saw that really gave me pause was Prometheus. The movie was beautifully atmospheric and foreboding. I'm also one of those alien conspiracy theory nuts and the thought of alien life decimating the earth with viruses and general doom isn't something too far off from what I really think is a very real possibility.
3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.
1. Candyman – because who didn't see that movie as a kid and say it in a mirror just to freak yourself out?
2. Maniac – it's gross, it's over the top and I've never viewed mannequins in quite the same way.
3. Jeepers Creepers – another film where something as simple as a corn field in the middle of the night during one of those haunted hayrides in October just screams, "EVIL"
4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.
Just THREE?
1. Amityville II. It is so epically retarded, it's good!
2. Troll II ( I see a pattern of two here) This needs ZERO explanation.
3. Night Train to Terror – because every horror movie should have a catchy dance and song segway.
5. Send us to five places on the Internet!
Love Train For The Tenebrous Empire!
It's a Horror to Know You:: Mike of Swords & Dorkery!
It's a Horror to Know You: Mike of Swords & Dorkery!
1. What is the first film that ever scared you?
The first movie I remember being scared by is Rikki-Tikki-Tavi ("If you move, I strike; if you don't move, I strike!"). Hey, I was like 4.
The first horror movie I saw in a theater was Poltergeist, and for a ten year old that was scary sh*t.
2. What is the last film that scared you?
The remake of The Hills Have Eyes. The sense of peril was sustained really well.
The scariest thing in a movie for me, though, is still the brief flashes of white fright masks in The Exorcist, maybe because I somehow didn't notice them the first time I watched the movie but now I spend the whole time viewing it waiting for those little flashes.
3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.
Martin. Everyone talks about Romero's zombie films but this was such a punch in the gut when I first saw it I can't believe more people haven't seen it.
The Prophecy (1979). Not a great movie but better than it's rated and almost forgotten because of all the other movies with the same title. I read the book after seeing it and would say the movie does the book justice, which is maybe damning it with faint praise, but still I give it credit for trying to have a message as well as scares and decent characterization.
Blood on Satan's Claws. A bit better than a run-of-the-mill Hammer production, this one has a great atmosphere and builds a sense of dread that is only slightly spoiled by the rushed ending.
4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.
Motel Hell – probably the first slasher I ever saw, and although it is seriously goofy in parts, there is a sincerity to the production that demands respect. I doubt it would hold up so well to repeated viewings and I've only actually watched snippets in the last 30 years.
Versus – if that counts as horror. Incredibly stupid but still fun all the way through.
Acolytes – the writing could have been better but it has its moments.
5. Send us to five places on the Internet!
Not all of these are horror-related but most have some scary/creepy stuff alongside interesting tidbits your readers might enjoy.
Halloween Movie Marathon – a collection of creepy images.
Yog Blogsoth– mostly drawings based on HPL.
Cyclopeatron – a kaleidoscope of crazy science fantasy and D&D.
Aldeboran – the blog of a great comic-style artist with a seriously disturbed aesthetic.
Skulls in the Stars – physics + horror + more.