I’m not much of scary movie watcher. Suspenseful is fine, but creepy horror is too much for me to handle. I’m not talking about unrealistic ones like the Friday the 13th or Chucky films. I don’t watch them, but they aren’t the ones that really scare me. The ones that push me over the edge are the creepy realistic ones.
When I was in my early teens, I babysat various neighborhood kids. About that time the 70’s movie “When a Stranger Calls” was making the rounds in various circles. Since it was all the rage, I (stupidly) decided to watch it when it was on TV one night while babysitting. Big mistake! The movie is about a babysitter who received crank calls at the houses where she babysat. At that time, one of the families I sat for was a newly divorced mother with 4 kids. When I was there, her ex-husband would make obscene phone calls to the house. So when, in the middle of the movie, the babysitter finally calls the police and they trace the call only to find out the calls were coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE, well let’s just say I took a leave of absence from babysitting for awhile. Even now, just thinking about it makes me shiver.
A month or so ago, a new television show called “The Following” started up on television. Kevin Bacon followed his wife’s footsteps into the realm of television drama, and the show was getting good reviews. It was set to be about a serial killer who creates a network of serial killers from jail via the internet and the FBI agent who is on the case. Because I like police/detective-type stories I decided to record it thinking I might try an episode or two. About 7 years back I tried to watch Dexter, but didn’t make it through the first episode. Granted, I watched at night, right before bed, but the cut up bodies strewn about the streets of Florida was as far as I got before turning it off. Creepy and nighttime and sleep are not a good mix.
Anyhow, I think I’ve become smarter this time around as I’m watching while there’s still light outside. I don’t watch much TV during the day, so I’m only two episodes in, but so far so good. The show is interesting, and it spends a lot of time on the investigation side which I find fascinating. On the other hand, the crimes are really creepy, realistic and creepy. I do a lot of watching through the fingers of the hand covering my eyes gasping, “Oh my god!” But I have been able to sleep terror free once night rolls around. That’s progress I guess.
Hard to credit Bacon is 55. But he was in a film years ago where big worms were trying to eat him. Set in the dry valleys east of you, Joshua Tree. It was the cheapest bit of cinematography ever but it scared the bejapers out of me. You might have seen it. It had a diner, a desert villa, a cat bulldozer and a trailer from an 18wheeler. Every so often a worms' 10ft jaw would erupt and swallow a person.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, quite frankly, I wait for the re-run in drama. Then the utter rubbish will have been culled since others have undergone the tedium. I mostly watch the sitcoms these days. They live and die over a three episode tenure.
We've a bank holiday today since 17th was a Sunday.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tremors_%28film%29 this
ReplyDeleteNo, I've never seen that one. It doesn't sound like a film I could sit through and if I did, my feet would have to be up off the ground in order not to be eaten by giant man-eating worms. (shudders) :) Why is it that Joshua Tree (which is really quite beautiul and interesting) is always the setting for scary movies?
DeleteWe didn't get today off. I think a lot of people would have enjoyed having the day after off over here as well. It's hard to go to work the day after celebrating.
I've watched several episodes of this and I have yet to make up my mind. I thought the first episodes were such a downer because, there did not seem to be any winning for the good guys, last week it seemed that we were to feel badly for the bad guys. I am not sure where this is going. Mr BC kind of likes it so we will perservere.
ReplyDeleteI can see that, I just want them to find that litte boy, and, the ex-wife? What a mess. I don't feel they want us to root for the bad guys, but again I'm only 2 in. That might change as I get further into it.
DeleteI tried to watch the Following and didn't make it past 15 minutes. I balked at the dogs and blood in the pilot.
ReplyDeleteWere there dogs in the first one? I don't remember that. My eyes were probably shut too tight. :)
Deleteprogress for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of horror movies either.. though I did like them when I was younger.. I am watching The Following and it is interesting while disturbing.. never watch American Horror Story.. I do.. but through my fingers with my husband by my side and light open wondering why I'm watching this!?
The American Horror Story commercials alone freak me out. I like FX's shows as they're a bit edgier than the regular networks, but that's one I won't even attempt through covered eyes. :)
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