I really thought "horror" movies didn't scare me until

[Soubasse]

Don't hold your breath! I've even scoured the World Movies page and haven't hit anything yet. If I don't find something soon, I think some regression hypnotherapy will be in order.

Watched District 9 last night. A lot of it came off the screen like a Verhoeven film, and it could have been a bit silly but was for the most part strangely compelling. The aliens were generally more human than the humans. Some scenes were clear echoes of the Sth African Apartheid situations in the 70s.

 

[Contratrombone64]

Soubasse District 9

Hence the title "District 9" of course, which is obvious if you know anything about where coloured and blacks were segregated to in Jo'burg by the regime.

I didn't like it at all, frankly. The only part of the film I was engaged by was the enormous space ship hovering over the city, now that WAS spectacular. The "mock-u-mentary" way the first half of it was filmed irked me no end.

 

[Fretless]

My wife and I have been watching quite a few foreign films on Foxtel recently, quite a few of which have been thriller/horrors. Unfortunately, I can't remember the titles of any of them and there was a really rather good one about a group of hikers who come across a little-known Incan (I think) pyramid. The structure is practically engulfed in a nastly plant that turns out to be the primary antagonist by infecting its victims and basically devouring them from the inside. The party are trapped at the top of the pyramid by a group of local militants who obviously know what the plant does and do not allow them to leave.

I think the movie you're looking for is called The Ruins. Haven't seen it, but I keep up with a lot of the horror films on the web.

Soubasse District 9

Hence the title "District 9" of course, which is obvious if you know anything about where coloured and blacks were segregated to in Jo'burg by the regime.

I didn't like it at all, frankly. The only part of the film I was engaged by was the enormous space ship hovering over the city, now that WAS spectacular. The "mock-u-mentary" way the first half of it was filmed irked me no end.

Just saw this recently and loved all of it. I was skeptical that I would be able to get into the documentary style it used, but I was sucked in right away. A few scotches helped, too.

 

[Contratrombone64]

Ahhhhh, my dear Fretless (long time no see by the way). Scottish tipple help's with ALL life's problems ... er, except that is, of course, for hang-overs...

 

[Soubasse]

I think the movie you're looking for is called The Ruins.

Many, many thanks! Have just Googled it and indeed that's the one! Surprised to notice that a lot of it was apparently shot in Australia. Am now trying to think where. I was wrong about the pyramid temple, the setting was Mexican, not Incan.

CT, the significance of the title District 9 was alas not that obvious to me since my knowledge on the Sth African segregation issues did not extend that far, but having recently re-watched Cry Freedom I've just twigged since you've mentioned it. I'm sure I recall a reference to District 6 there, so now it makes sense with the inversion of the number.

Now that my other dementia has been cleared by Fretless , you may like to try The Ruins. It had a vaguely similar vibe to The Descent, but with some of the more visceral content an little more obvious.

 

[Contratrombone64]

I just downloaded The Shining courtesy of iTunes and have been scarring the beejeepers out of meself in bed in the evenings on me iPod ...

red rum, red rum, red rum

 

[marval]

I have to admit "The Shining" is a bit scary. It has been a while since I saw a film that got me quaking in my shoes.


Margaret

 

[OLDUDE]

I havn't seen Descent but it sounds like one not to miss
I did once read a similarly themed book where the thing that really scared me was when they entered extremely narrow crevasses not knowing if they would get stuck with no way back. (Followed by a session with ferocious killer crabs)
In my youth there was an endless supply of Vampire, Werewolf and Monster movies but I was more frightened by classics such as "The Pit and the Pendulum" and "The Fall of the House of Usher". More recently there was "Psycho" and "Halloween".

 

[Soubasse]

I thought for all the critical panning it received, The Shining was a cracking good horror film mainly because of the pyschological aspect of it. The "slowly going insane" characterisation of Jack Torrance (espcially the way Nicholson played it, I mean who else could have done it really?) kept one thinking "how bad is this going to get?", and since we'd already had the subliminal flash-frame teasers via Danny's visions. Kubrick's always individual use of camera and music really helped heighten the tension as well. It's still one of my favourite Kubrick films and still one of my favourite horror films.

 

[Contratrombone64]

Soubasse - I triumphantly agree with you about Kubrick's directing, it certain adds to the un-nerving terror.

 

[Fretless]

Now that my other dementia has been cleared by Fretless , you may like to try The Ruins. It had a vaguely similar vibe to The Descent, but with some of the more visceral content an little more obvious.

I checked out the book on CD from my local library yesterday, so I'm getting a start on it. I've got my nose in a couple of other books and an online jazz history class that are keeping me busy.

 

[Contratrombone64]

I watched a quite weird Sci-Fi / Horror film last night called "Moon". About these clones working on the moon for a terrestrial mining company. Quite spooky and chilling in places, especially the final twist.

 

[Soubasse]

Soubasse - I triumphantly agree with you about Kubrick's directing, it certain adds to the un-nerving terror.

This scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmn6FRgYwBQ
always stood out for me. Everything about the pacing of the editing, the long tracking shot following Danny, the turn of the corner, the gong crash when he sees the twins and everything that follows - brilliant (and simple really).

 

[Contratrombone64]

eeeiiikkk @ soubasse

 

[elfspell]

hmm.. horror..
Once I was a great fan of horror movies. Watched so many that got immune. Some times I even got sleepy while someone was eaten from inside or something... until I saw the "Its Alive" (1974)
Yes its an old film, with no special effects etc but... it was the last time I watched ANY horror movies.

I just remembered and got goose pimples...

 

[teddy]

July
That first episode of Alien did star sigorney weaver, as did the next three. I agree, it was ground breaking. If you want real horror read stephen kings The Shining. Pants scaring. The film was almost as good, and the scenes in the hotel bar, when you knew there was no one else there, where genuinely menacing. I will make sure I watch the descent. Suffering from clastrophobia as I do should add another element. Good review.

teddy

 

[White Knight]

Even though both have already been mentioned several times in this thread, I would have to add also "The Shining" and "Alien" to any list of really effective and gut wrenching horror movies. They have an almost Alfred Hitchcock sense of pacing, plot and lighting, which make for the surprise twists to be that much more scarily effective. I think too the fact that these films portray basically "ordinary people"--like us--who are trapped in extraordinary situations lend a great deal to the horrifying aspect of their plights.

 

[teddy]

Recently re-watched an old TV film made about 40 years ago called Whistle and I'll come To You. Wonderful creepy atmospheric piece filmed in Norfolk. very little dialogue but a must see. The old black and white photography only adding to the effect. Very recently remade with John Hurt, and shot just down the road from me. Good, but not neally as good as the original. Watch it if you can find it (but not on your own late at night).

teddy

 

[01rich01]

I'll throw in Paranormal Activity as the scariest horror i've seen. It's not gory in any way, nor does it use special effects. Just keeps you tense the whole way through.

 

[teddy]

I'll throw in Paranormal Activity as the scariest horror i've seen. It's not gory in any way, nor does it use special effects. Just keeps you tense the whole way through.

I agree. they are often the best sort.

teddy