Horror Films and Best Picture in the Oscars

Thoughts?

I think; The reason for this is that here we have an original story, based on the novel concept by Thomas Harris. Most movies today are original projects that do not have an established fan base. Furthermore, they entertain the whims of the producers/writers, in that rather than focusing on the psychological aspect of the story, they’d rather shove nudity and gore down our throats.

While there is a time and place in a horror story for either of these aspects, they should not be the focus of the story. For example, I enjoy the Friday the 13th series immensely. If you’ve watched any single one of these movies, you know that the show is going to be 35% (sex/nudity), 55% (gore/dismemberment), and 10% dialog that’s so poorly written, it’s comical.

There’ll never be a Jason Voorhees movie to hold an Oscar, for any category. I’m sorry folks, that’s just how it is.

In order for there to be another horror movie in this category, I believe it’s going to need to replicate the success of Thomas Hardy’s hard work. It’s going to take the hard work of a “Book” author to reach this level as well!

Correct me if I’m wrong here, but from my experience, Novelists stand a better chance at creating something magnificent, than, say, a screenwriter in this genre.
Notice the last part of that sentence there? I don’t want to discriminate screenwriters in general, I just believe that in order for a horror story to succeed, it’s going to again take the efforts of the novelist.

A novelist is going to have more time to work on the story. Whether he or she is an indie, or is working directly with a publisher, there is going to be much more time to create something that is powerful, something that can be easily refined. With a screenwriter, the script needs to be pumped out as fast as possible. It doesn’t take as many pages to create a believable movie, but only because it’s a collaborative effort between the screenwriters, the producers, the directors, etc. All come together to create a believable vision, and if one fails, they all fail. What one envisions, the other may not.

Take the movie adaptation of ‘The Shining’ for example. While we love, love, LOVE, this movie, any true horror fan knows that it’s a bastardization of the original story.

Does this mean it’s not a success? Mhm, I would think that at the time…no. But now, it’s a cult classic.

“Here’s Jooohny!”

However, and before I wander too far from my thoughts, I want to hit home on what I’m trying to validate here. There are hundreds of horror movies made each year. They are pushed through the meat grinder with reckless abandon, and while some are much better than others, they fall way too short of where they need to be.

Hollywood is looking in the wrong direction for a new story. You know, as well as I do, that it has grown lazy in its efforts to please the masses. I mean, let’s face it.  It’s as simple as them finding the highest ratings and surfing off of the success of its origin.

I’m talking remakes here.

Remakes, reboots, whatever you want to call them, we need to get the fuck away from it. Moderation, people!  Seriously!

I love the superhero thing that’s going on, simply because it’s something we haven’t seen on film. Over-saturation can become a problem, if it hasn’t already, but at least it’s something new!  But, and here’s what I’m shooting for, at least it’s pulling from canon Marvel/DC Universe history and creating something for us to enjoy!

The Walking Dead?  Also pulled from canon writing!

Okay, okay.  So I’m talking comic books, but damn it, they’re books that have already been established!

I would rather watch a movie created by a Fan (or creator) of an established body of work, than to expect greatness from a group of fellas shooting a movie with corn syrup and red dye, while chasing the ‘actors’ with a cell phone.  Talk about a genre that needs to go away!

Yeah, screw you Daniel Myrick.  Thanks for nothing, while we’re at it!

If we want a horror movie in the Oscars once again, or at least a movie that crosses the genre divide (such as the movie of this article), we need Hollywood to keep pushing outward.  They need to look to the novelist of the day, week, month, or hell, even the year! Reach out and connect to us, Hollyweird!  Let us remind you how to work towards creating a fan base, rather than a quick buck.

I’m willing to bet that more than a few of us could even put gold in your future?

Hmm.

Now there’s a thought.