English Comp I, W2A1 discussion my comments only

Unit 2: Week 2 – W2: Assignment 1 Discussion

Discussion Question

“Why We Crave Horror Movies” by Stephen King What does King mean in paragraph 4 when he says that horror movies are “innately conservative, even reactionary”? What does he mean in paragraph 11 when he calls them “anarchistic, and revolutionary”?

Responses

		Response	Author	Date/Time

W2A1 Lori Schreiner 5/21/2012 2:46:59 AM “Why We Crave Horror Movies” by Stephen King What does King mean in paragraph 4 when he says that horror movies are “innately conservative, even reactionary”? What does he mean in paragraph 11 when he calls them “anarchistic, and revolutionary”? “Innately conservative, even reactionary” means that it is normal for society to go to a horror movie and have expectations to be scared. It is a natural born instinct for us to be interested in the unknown and abnormal. I myself have always been curious of everything. Paranormal, unusual perceptions and scary things intrigue me. I always notice in the scary movies the girl/boy always leaves the window open or answers the door to an unknown. Curiosity kills the cat so to speak. I am expecting while watching something to happen but shudder anyway when it does.  I am reacting to my expectation.   King compares this to riding a roller coaster you expect to get a thrill. Horror films are called anarchistic due to they are “daring” us to watch something besides the normal emotions of ”love, friendship, loyalty, kindness”….  They evoke a change in us to think about things usually not discussed.  It revolutionizes us to remember that not everything is roses. RE: W2A1 Lori Schreiner 5/21/2012 9:26:13 AM I find that I generally do watch horror movies with the notion that there will be gore and violence.  Sometimes I have one hand over one eye and just barely peeping at the screen expecting something to pop out.  The eerie music playing in the background especially in the movie Jeepers Creepers, I expect the car to run out of gas before it does. In paragraph 4, King talks about how the main character is far from ugly. King is trying to say that without some normalcy in the film we would not watch as much as we do. Kings choice of contrasting words comparing the horror film with “fairytale”, “black and white” help to convey that people enjoy to watch the horror as much as the fairytale.  I do not think this is absolute proof as to why people watch.  I myself have found most horror movies funny as I have gotten older.  Someone is always trying to escape, the person with the white tank top on is the one with the plan and will most of the time survive, the villain is usually in black, curiosity is what most of the time gets them killed.   Watching with my child “I know what you did last summer”, my daughter says mom I would run not go back to the scene.  She can clearly distinguish from a young age the black vs. the white part of the movie.  “The shades of gray are taken away.” I think King could of used more ancedotes to make his points. Without personally experiencing what he is mentioning this essay would not make sense to some. The audience of this essay would have to have seen a horror movie and noticed the normalcy in the movie to comprehend the essay. It does demonstrate the brilliance of his writing that the implied perception that everyone has seen a horror movie there is no need to explain and leaves you to think deeply about your own experiences. Reference: Nadell, Judith, Langan, John, Comodromos, and Eliza A. (). Longman Writer, The: Rhetoric, Reader, Research Guide, and Handbook for Education Management Corporation [8] (VitalSource Bookshelf), Retrieved from http://digitalbookshelf.southuniversity.edu/books/9780558950774/id/ch16lev1sec8 RE: W2A1 Lori Schreiner 5/22/2012 7:11:48 PM I think it is quite strange the my favorite actresses are the sincere, drama, realistic types.  I have seen every movie that Demi Moore has played in.  The actressess that can turn on the tears and have you crying with them are the best. Demi Moore, Jodi Foster, Meryle Streep, Julia Roberts etc… The strange part is that my favorite actors are the ones that can go out of there way to get a laugh, Chevy Chase, Robin Williams, John Candy, Steve Martin, Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy. I think it is the way that these actresses/actors can act without saying a word and can leave you saying,” wow how did they do that”. Every crease line, hair, eyelash on them is acting, amazing indeed. I have a couple of favorite serious guys too.. Tom Cruise I have seen all his movies and also Keanu Reeves, John Travolta, Denzel Washington etc… there is so much talent it is so hard to find a one and only favorite. RE: Week 2 Assignment 2 Lori Schreiner 5/22/2012 7:19:02 PM I agree that there are some people that have never been afraid of a horror movie. My son when little would always tell me ah mom that is not real.  I think it is the expecting wanting to be thrilled, scared when we watch that creates the scary ambience. RE: W2: Assignment 1 Lori Schreiner 5/22/2012 7:27:27 PM King writes that they are black and white leaving out the shades of gray.  This way when you watch you do not have to guesse who is the good guy and who is the villian.  There are no twist to trick your mind.  It allows you to see the ugliness as it is.  It is pretty clear that the guy with the chainsaw cutting up a person is the bad one.  There is nothing to think about that one. I  just watch for the thrill of watching to get a scare. RE: W2A1 Lori Schreiner 5/23/2012 12:33:52 AM Yes Thelma that is the first question I ask someone about a Horror movie, Is it scary? If they say not at all it was lame, I won’t be interested in seeing it at the box office at all. I do not want to spend my extra money on a dud lol. RE: W2: Assignment 1 Lori Schreiner 5/23/2012 1:07:32 AM I do not watch alot either but do find myself watching the many sequels to Friday the 13th and Nighmare on Elmstreet to find out what happened in their past to create such a monster that it does not even look human anymore.   Each sequel gives just a very little glimpse to keep me wanting to watch the next one and the next.  Those little elements are what as a teenager would discuss with my classmates about the movie at school the next day.  Did you see when Jason was in the water?  Etc…. RE: W2A1 Lori Schreiner 5/23/2012 8:15:56 AM Whitney, I definitely do not think you are psycho insane.  You are right that everyone has personality traits they are instinctly born with.  Have you ever notice that one newborn is happier than another? One likes more or less touch?etc….. We are all born with different combination of traits and no one is exactly alike including a twin.  Maladaptive behavior stems from stress creating these most basic traits to hit overdrive and become uncontrolable.  It becomes automatic without the person even realizing.  Ever seen a stressed out person just go off start screaming, ranting and it does not even make much sense? This is stress on automatic autopilot just snapping and the anger trait is let loose.  It is not yet pscyopathic but could continue on to reach that point. This is the differernce between sane/insane.  A sane person still realizes.  So you are right by watching and realizing this is wrong we keep ourselves sane.  My stress trait is to cry lol. So you are pretty much safe with me:) I believe the best way to view the horror is to first realize it is not real.  Freddy and Jason are not real.  Then watch how mean they are with out no remorse and  this is the most wrong ever.  If you can determine this then you are definitely sane.  If by chance you think they are real and that what they do is cool and would be something you would like to do; well that is a line crossing.  I would recommend that person to see a pschyiatrist.  Now that you know that watching is more fun cuz it can be for just the thrill and excitement. The scare that you exspect to get.  Just like when very very young and your mom, dad or favorite aunt played peek a boo with us. I hope this makes sense. RE: Landrum,Alyssa W2:A1 Lori Schreiner 5/23/2012 9:02:11 AM I think by revolutionary also it means to realize the wrong and not everything is right in life.  Like if you have ever been beaten by an extension cord t. Click you realize this is wrong. Most grownups that beat their children with sticks and belts and things are the very parents that never watch a horror movie and never allow the children to watch. Is it because they know if they let the children watch it will open their eyes to see that beating is wrong?????? They try to keep their craziness hid from view? From even the children and therefore creating a monster that thinks its ok to continue the cycle with their children.  Generations of abuse began to form over these sick parents not allowing them to see that what they are doing to them is wrong? RE: Landrum,Alyssa W2:A1 Lori Schreiner 5/23/2012 9:16:59 AM This is why with my children I explain the good, the bad and the ugly.  I tell them the code word is bubblegum if by chance they are at their best friends house and need me to come get them but can’t say why or what for on the phone for whatever reason. That is the code word all they have to say is mom can you get me some bubblegum and that is my clue to come get them.  As a little kid and even as a grown person I have been in situations that did not allow me to call 911. The mean person (my exhusband) grabbed the phone from the wall and smashed it.  (clearly the maladaptive traits out of hand) Me as a big dummy say out loud I am going to call the police letting him know in advance that is what I am doing. So duh that was stupid of me.  So I give my children code words and teach them to keep secretes. LMAO I can’t keep secretes very good at all but they are like the best at it.  I was never allowed to keep a secrete( was like considered a bad thing growing up) So I still am no good at it.  I problably could of snuck me and my children out of that house with the police that day if someone would of taught me this one little thing. For anyone out there that might be clueless like I  was if your spouse is in a mad rage he might destroy the phone if you tell him nicely that you are calling the police. RE: W2A1 Lori Schreiner 5/23/2012 9:55:43 AM I wanted to tell you also that comedy relief is just that a big relief. When you get to the point that you can finally talk about a tradgedy or sad thing in your life without crying without depression. With just being a “big girl” facing the demons and then can even begin to laugh and find the humor in things again it is a relief. To me it works better than rolaids. I noticed my emotions were strange and very currious about them. As a teenager, I would be at a party my friends would be drunk high laughing uncontrollaby watching Richard Pryor Stand up Comedy.  I would just sit there wanting to cry watching.  Something deep down in me made me think that for him to be able to joke that much, be so funny something horrific had to have happened to him or had seen something horrific. I realize now that the comedy is the relief part.  Now that I have the relief in my own life, I enjoy the comedy of others very much.  The relief feels so good you can not help but like it. I hope this makes sense. RE: W2: Assignment 1 Lori Schreiner 5/23/2012 6:49:04 PM Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elmstreet