Horror movie fans are as mad as hell and we’re not gonna take it anymore.
Or at least we should be.
The genre remains the bastard child of the film industry, a place where A-list directors dare not tread and actors flee once their careers are firmly established.
So the next time you suffer through another horror remake or 3-D interpretation of a mediocre slasher film, take action.
Support indie horror fare. Some of the best thrills you’ll find come from smaller, independently produced horror directors. Think “Splinter,” “Eden Lake,” “Hush,” “The Burrowers” and “Rogue.”
Each is smart, sophisticated and chock full of scares. And none of them got the kind of promotional push the new “Friday the 13th” reboot enjoyed.
No matter. Horror fans are in the driver’s seat now. We can buy straight-to-DVD horror movies that surpass their studio peers, or peruse IFC on Demand to find the latest horror sleepers.
And when you see a solid indie horror, tell a friend or three. Spread the word. Indie directors are struggling to get their work seen, and a little love from genre fans can go a long way.
(Photo: The Aussie horror film “Rogue” got virtually no support from its stuiod during its theatrical release, yet it’s light years better than most mainstream horror movies.)
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I'm an award-winning journalist and film critic with more than a decade of experience in newspapers, magazines and the Web. I'm a member of both the Washington, DC Area Film Critics Association and the Denver Film Critics Society.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I saw both Rogue and Quarantine based on you’re recommendations and I enjoyed each. The problem, as I see it, is that people just run to whatever hyped horror-crap comes out. And they make money. Tons of money. So Hollywood just keeps making the same garbage knowing there’s an audience (sheep) that will cram the theaters no matter how good the movie is. Great trailer + great poster + uneducated horror fan = cash. I know I sound like a complete horror movie snob (and I am) but there’s no way I’m putting down my hard earned cash for another Saw, Hostel or Halloween. I’d rather take my chances with a new concept may disappoint me than with a formula film that just leaves me feeling ripped off.
I always refer to myself as a horror movie fan but the reality is I hate about 99% of the horror movies I see. John Nolte (when he was still Dirty Harry) had an interesting take on horror films. He said that every element of the film must come together, especially the direction. When it does, a well executed horror film can be the ultimate cinematic experience. When they don’t, well…there are plenty examples of that.
found my current indie horror favorite on IFC on Demand - Dark Mirror - http://www.ifcfilms.com/viewFilm.htm?filmId=1560
it’s getting good reviews and all that - but still annoying to see great movies like this getting less attention than those rehashed hollywood remakes
Thanks for the tip, Terry … will have to check it out.
And yeah, it’s frustrating. But movie consumers have the power to change this … and encourage talented directors to keep on working.
i consider myself a horror fan and i try to tell everyone i know about the good films that are out there. the problem with modern horror is you have to look hard to find the good stuff and a lot of people aren’t willing to do that. harcore horror fans are and i consider myself in that group try to seek out the good films. the majority of great films in the genre are not new ones but the ones that came before that were overlooked for one reason or another. the thing that is so great about this genre is that it has just about something for everyone whether you taste falls with the classics ex. universal monsters,hammer,rko val lewton films of the 40’s then you have the 70’s exploitation films aand all the classics that don’t really need mentioning and then whether you love it or hate it the slasher genre then there are the countless zombie movies and one of my personal faves european horror most notably lucio fulci and dario argento i think the blame could be put on us to an extent but i think a lot of the blame falls on those critics that always look at the horror genre as an eye sore on the film industry and i don’t include Christian in with that group because i feel that he actually likes horror well that is if it’s good.
Great point on the last part … I remember reviewers who were disgusted with “The Descent” because, midway through, the underground monsters make an appearance.
It’s a horror movie, for crying out loud. If you can’t appreciate a monster element in a movie, then step aside and let someone else review it.