I'm not sure exactly why but I truly enjoy foreign horror films, especially Korean. Something about the additional challenge of a different culture and language adds a little separation/safety, but also makes the story less predictable. Plus just some great acting and directing. Some fantastic ones are:
Korean: Shutter, A Tale of Two Sisters, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, Phone
Other: A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, Under The Shadow, Let the Right One In
The best and most disturbing US horror I have seen in years is The Eyes of My Mother. Deeply unsettling, original, and beautifully shot. Sorry, I'll stop now. Excited for horror season, obvi!
Oh, I watched Gonjiam last year I believe. An interesting take on the found footage genre. Maybe it's because it was in Korean but it didn't grate on me the same way that other found footage films tend to. I remember watching Grave Encounters 2 and having a scene where the camera shuts off, then immediately turns on with the characters running from a ghost chasing them and I couldn't help but think of how ridiculously comical it all looks.
I think what mostly ruined found footage for me was, again, a Redlettermedia video where they were talking about how ridiculous it was for VHS tapes to have that electronic distortion. That revelation sort of ruined all found footage films for me.
Train to Busan is also great! So is I Saw the Devil which may be more psychological thriller but still enjoyable.
I may watch Let the Right One In I've heard it's great. I'll take a look out for They Eyes of My Mother!
And Happy October 13th! There'll be a few more articles to come hopefully!
Train to Busan was a very pleasant surprise for me since I'm not a huge zombie fan, I saw the devil is high on my list too. Definitely check out let the right one in, not your typical horror, much more emotion and odd sweet/sadness. Hope to find some suggestions wandering into this thread! Love the content variety MD. We all need to take a break from reality with some pre2020 chats. Thanks!
Yeah I was so surprised to have a film with such strong characters that pulled on the heartstrings the way that it did! Although I heard the sequel was not very good.
I'll keep a lookout, I believe Prime Video only has the US adaptation which I heard isn't as great.
I mentioned two Anthology Series above. Tales of Halloween is a bit hit or miss for me but I watch it every year because it at least feels very Halloween with its atmosphere. I mentioned Tucker and Dale vs Evil below as a great comedy horror film.
Oh, there's The Wailing which is a Korean film and I believe available on Prime Video. Very long but very good. I enjoyed the atmospheric nature of it. It starts off rather lighthearted and has a few moments throughout the film but it gets really dark. That may be an interesting one to consider especially if you like hints of Korean and Japanese folklore, although I believe it goes past the 2 hour mark.
I do want to write with more variety. Although the COVID stuff is important I'm also thinking of the longevity of this Substack as well. I've always wanted to write about drugs and supplements, and really other things we eat from a pharmacological/biochemical perspective to provide some insights and some perspective for the things around us.
These posts are also just some fun additions that I think we need. It keeps in line with the season and also provides some breaks from the morose air that can pervade this side of Substack.
A side note, I do not like watching horror movies alone, at all. Best viewed with a friend or family. My adult daughter loves them too, so it is always something we have always done together. My wife hates them!
My bf doesn’t like them, so I watch them alone when he’s at work (night shift). I light my candles and get cozy…then scare my cat to death with a scream, occasionally.
I think the most common feeling for me is not so much fear when I watch a film, but afterwards when you have those moments where you need to go to the bathroom at night and you just think there's a figure somewhere down the hallway that will disappear when you turn on the lights...
Which is pretty funny because it's one of those little superstitions when growing up that you have to cover your feet while sleeping or else something will grab you! I guess blankets make it all a little bit too difficult for monsters 🤷♂️
Oct 13, 2022·edited Oct 13, 2022Liked by Modern Discontent
Not a fan of the horror genre. I have, in the past, watched horror movies with others that I cared about, often diverting my view from the worst of the scenes to avoid recording them visually. Until recently, the only real-life horror had been my own birth, stuck in the birth canal, which I obviously do not remember clearly but it left an imprint -- a phobia around drowning -- nevertheless. The only other experiences coming even close to that were certain family "scenes", in the worst sense of that word.
Now, having witnessed more than two years and ongoing of very real horror happening all around me, although not yet to me, any interest in movies, let alone horror movies (or novels) is gone.
Wow, that's such a strange memory to have. Was it something that you talked about once only to have family members corroborate the events of your birth? That would seem pretty unsettling to be quite honest.
It's certainly true that a lot of stuff is going on around us that is quite horrific. At the same time, the constant state of morose that many people appear to be in is also unhealthy. So at the same time we can be alert to the goings on in the world we can still have some time to enjoy trivial things.
The whole thing seems pretty strange now, but perhaps it wasn't unusual for that culture in that time (early 1950s). My parents never said anything about it while I was growing up, and yet I am an only child because my mother wouldn't risk going through that again. When I started college I couldn't keep up with the work and I sought help from the campus counseling center. That eventually led to an interview between a psychologist and my father, and a diagnosis of "minimal brain damage" (it would be autistic spectrum today). And only then, at 18 years old, did my father tell me what had happened. They had noticed ongoing symptoms all along (so had I!) but they were "waiting to see if it would go away."
I learned about the connection between being stuck in the birth canal and fear of drowning from others that had had similar experiences.
There were/are other symptoms besides autism, and I suspect but can't prove that my mother, who was not well at the time, was given DES while she was carrying me, causing the endocrine disorder that I live with, making me tall, and possibly even accounting for the oversized head at birth.
Many mothers were given that, and many children were harmed, though symptoms varied widely depending on exactly what was developing at the time of exposure, and a particular major aspect of the harm was covered up successfully. I don't want to go into that too much here, but it is the source of my suspicions. Lets just say I survived the cancer (my mother did not) and I've made it to 72, outliving even my father by 14 years so far.
My brain healed to some extent over the decades, and especially in my 50's, although it seems to be cross-wired in certain ways that make life more difficult, and you wouldn't want me to plan a social event for you. I would rather go for a quiet walk.
Ah, very interesting! Thank you for sharing your story ClearMiddle! That makes a lot of sense. I wasn't sure if it was some sort of recurring nightmare that was never quite explained until later which pieced it together.
I wonder if that is some innate reflex that may have become instilled given that time.
I haven't heard of DES and had to look it up. That's very interesting and as a synthetic hormone I can see many factors at play.
I always wonder to what extent my mind works differently than others. I always feel that many may not quite understand how I frame things or how my mind pieces things together relative to others.
Anyways, I'm sorry for your loss, but it's good to hear you are doing well! It sounds like you are thriving well into your 70's so here's to many more years!
Ah, I hope those were enjoyable at least! My dad used to come with us to watch films such as Lord of the Rings while he just fell asleep. I guess different strokes I suppose.
Yes, life can sometimes be scary enough, but sometimes it's fun to be the one who decides the horror I suppose haha!
Another interesting subject. I definitely enjoy a good Stephen King book (not so much his more recent politics). And perhaps oddly, being raised Catholic, I'm occasionally drawn to movies with demons but not when it gets too real like "Paranormal". That really bothered me. But I tell myself, "l'll only watch a little..." I think I prefer books because I create the images in my mind, which are softer than the ones you might see on screen. Thanks for making me think about this.
You know, I've never read any of his works. Do you have any in mind that would be worth reading?
That's very interesting to see how your background can have that influence. When you mean paranormal, do you mean the genre or the Paranormal Activity series of films if I may ask?
Books can really challenge one to see if they have an imagination. There are some books I read where I can really create a setting, and yet at the same time I just look into my mind and go, "really, is that the best you can do?"
I doubt you doubt your imagination:), I would think you have a very good one based on your writings.
You may not know, but the movies "The Green Mile" (no horror but a great movie) and "The Shawshank Redemption" (also no horror but GREAT) were Stephen King books. He truly is an amazing writer. I have read everything he's ever written (several times). I'd try The Shining, The Dead Zone, The Stand, Salem's Lot ( a great Vampire story), Duma Key plus many others. Within all his stories are gems of absolute beauty.
The "Paranormal Activity" film series. I only watched the first because I found it so disturbing.
As a test of imagination, I reread Lord of the Rings (I've read them every couple of years since I first read them at age 12) to see if I still see the characters the way I did back when. Aragorn is my Aragorn and not Viggo (although he did a great job), etc. It's not so easy, but by the 2nd book, I'm mostly back in the magic place I found at 12. Here's to our imaginations!
Oh, those I'm familiar with being Stephen King's works. I'm aware he has several outside of the typical horror tropes, but I suppose I never spent any time diving into any of his works. I'll see if any of his short stories are available.
Paranormal Activity certainly had a "charm" for its position in the found footage genre and really starting much of it, and it certainly added a bit more "reality" to the horror aspect.
That's good to hear about the imagination still being alive! I just remember reading a few of Lovecraft's works which take place in port towns, and I just remember that my mind made all of the port towns look the same. I guess I don't have much of a frame of reference but I remember telling myself that they all looked the same in my mind.
Yes, I just watched Tucker and Dale vs Evil a few days ago! Such a great film that is somewhat subversive! Many can be on the edge of campy, but there's quite a few that are rather enjoyable especially if it has that air of Halloween.
I'm not sure exactly why but I truly enjoy foreign horror films, especially Korean. Something about the additional challenge of a different culture and language adds a little separation/safety, but also makes the story less predictable. Plus just some great acting and directing. Some fantastic ones are:
Korean: Shutter, A Tale of Two Sisters, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, Phone
Other: A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, Under The Shadow, Let the Right One In
The best and most disturbing US horror I have seen in years is The Eyes of My Mother. Deeply unsettling, original, and beautifully shot. Sorry, I'll stop now. Excited for horror season, obvi!
Happy Halloween everyone!
Oh, I watched Gonjiam last year I believe. An interesting take on the found footage genre. Maybe it's because it was in Korean but it didn't grate on me the same way that other found footage films tend to. I remember watching Grave Encounters 2 and having a scene where the camera shuts off, then immediately turns on with the characters running from a ghost chasing them and I couldn't help but think of how ridiculously comical it all looks.
I think what mostly ruined found footage for me was, again, a Redlettermedia video where they were talking about how ridiculous it was for VHS tapes to have that electronic distortion. That revelation sort of ruined all found footage films for me.
Train to Busan is also great! So is I Saw the Devil which may be more psychological thriller but still enjoyable.
I may watch Let the Right One In I've heard it's great. I'll take a look out for They Eyes of My Mother!
And Happy October 13th! There'll be a few more articles to come hopefully!
Train to Busan was a very pleasant surprise for me since I'm not a huge zombie fan, I saw the devil is high on my list too. Definitely check out let the right one in, not your typical horror, much more emotion and odd sweet/sadness. Hope to find some suggestions wandering into this thread! Love the content variety MD. We all need to take a break from reality with some pre2020 chats. Thanks!
Yeah I was so surprised to have a film with such strong characters that pulled on the heartstrings the way that it did! Although I heard the sequel was not very good.
I'll keep a lookout, I believe Prime Video only has the US adaptation which I heard isn't as great.
I mentioned two Anthology Series above. Tales of Halloween is a bit hit or miss for me but I watch it every year because it at least feels very Halloween with its atmosphere. I mentioned Tucker and Dale vs Evil below as a great comedy horror film.
Oh, there's The Wailing which is a Korean film and I believe available on Prime Video. Very long but very good. I enjoyed the atmospheric nature of it. It starts off rather lighthearted and has a few moments throughout the film but it gets really dark. That may be an interesting one to consider especially if you like hints of Korean and Japanese folklore, although I believe it goes past the 2 hour mark.
I do want to write with more variety. Although the COVID stuff is important I'm also thinking of the longevity of this Substack as well. I've always wanted to write about drugs and supplements, and really other things we eat from a pharmacological/biochemical perspective to provide some insights and some perspective for the things around us.
These posts are also just some fun additions that I think we need. It keeps in line with the season and also provides some breaks from the morose air that can pervade this side of Substack.
A side note, I do not like watching horror movies alone, at all. Best viewed with a friend or family. My adult daughter loves them too, so it is always something we have always done together. My wife hates them!
My bf doesn’t like them, so I watch them alone when he’s at work (night shift). I light my candles and get cozy…then scare my cat to death with a scream, occasionally.
I think the most common feeling for me is not so much fear when I watch a film, but afterwards when you have those moments where you need to go to the bathroom at night and you just think there's a figure somewhere down the hallway that will disappear when you turn on the lights...
Or a hand grabs your foot from under the bed. Nope!
Which is pretty funny because it's one of those little superstitions when growing up that you have to cover your feet while sleeping or else something will grab you! I guess blankets make it all a little bit too difficult for monsters 🤷♂️
Ha! You've got guts.
Yeah…then I wonder why I can’t fall asleep and hear “noises”. Lol!
Not a fan of the horror genre. I have, in the past, watched horror movies with others that I cared about, often diverting my view from the worst of the scenes to avoid recording them visually. Until recently, the only real-life horror had been my own birth, stuck in the birth canal, which I obviously do not remember clearly but it left an imprint -- a phobia around drowning -- nevertheless. The only other experiences coming even close to that were certain family "scenes", in the worst sense of that word.
Now, having witnessed more than two years and ongoing of very real horror happening all around me, although not yet to me, any interest in movies, let alone horror movies (or novels) is gone.
Wow, that's such a strange memory to have. Was it something that you talked about once only to have family members corroborate the events of your birth? That would seem pretty unsettling to be quite honest.
It's certainly true that a lot of stuff is going on around us that is quite horrific. At the same time, the constant state of morose that many people appear to be in is also unhealthy. So at the same time we can be alert to the goings on in the world we can still have some time to enjoy trivial things.
The whole thing seems pretty strange now, but perhaps it wasn't unusual for that culture in that time (early 1950s). My parents never said anything about it while I was growing up, and yet I am an only child because my mother wouldn't risk going through that again. When I started college I couldn't keep up with the work and I sought help from the campus counseling center. That eventually led to an interview between a psychologist and my father, and a diagnosis of "minimal brain damage" (it would be autistic spectrum today). And only then, at 18 years old, did my father tell me what had happened. They had noticed ongoing symptoms all along (so had I!) but they were "waiting to see if it would go away."
I learned about the connection between being stuck in the birth canal and fear of drowning from others that had had similar experiences.
There were/are other symptoms besides autism, and I suspect but can't prove that my mother, who was not well at the time, was given DES while she was carrying me, causing the endocrine disorder that I live with, making me tall, and possibly even accounting for the oversized head at birth.
Many mothers were given that, and many children were harmed, though symptoms varied widely depending on exactly what was developing at the time of exposure, and a particular major aspect of the harm was covered up successfully. I don't want to go into that too much here, but it is the source of my suspicions. Lets just say I survived the cancer (my mother did not) and I've made it to 72, outliving even my father by 14 years so far.
My brain healed to some extent over the decades, and especially in my 50's, although it seems to be cross-wired in certain ways that make life more difficult, and you wouldn't want me to plan a social event for you. I would rather go for a quiet walk.
Ah, very interesting! Thank you for sharing your story ClearMiddle! That makes a lot of sense. I wasn't sure if it was some sort of recurring nightmare that was never quite explained until later which pieced it together.
I wonder if that is some innate reflex that may have become instilled given that time.
I haven't heard of DES and had to look it up. That's very interesting and as a synthetic hormone I can see many factors at play.
I always wonder to what extent my mind works differently than others. I always feel that many may not quite understand how I frame things or how my mind pieces things together relative to others.
Anyways, I'm sorry for your loss, but it's good to hear you are doing well! It sounds like you are thriving well into your 70's so here's to many more years!
My parents took my sister and I to horror films when we were young teens. I haven't seen one in about 40 years. Life is scary enough sometimes! 😄🙈
Ah, I hope those were enjoyable at least! My dad used to come with us to watch films such as Lord of the Rings while he just fell asleep. I guess different strokes I suppose.
Yes, life can sometimes be scary enough, but sometimes it's fun to be the one who decides the horror I suppose haha!
Another interesting subject. I definitely enjoy a good Stephen King book (not so much his more recent politics). And perhaps oddly, being raised Catholic, I'm occasionally drawn to movies with demons but not when it gets too real like "Paranormal". That really bothered me. But I tell myself, "l'll only watch a little..." I think I prefer books because I create the images in my mind, which are softer than the ones you might see on screen. Thanks for making me think about this.
You know, I've never read any of his works. Do you have any in mind that would be worth reading?
That's very interesting to see how your background can have that influence. When you mean paranormal, do you mean the genre or the Paranormal Activity series of films if I may ask?
Books can really challenge one to see if they have an imagination. There are some books I read where I can really create a setting, and yet at the same time I just look into my mind and go, "really, is that the best you can do?"
I doubt you doubt your imagination:), I would think you have a very good one based on your writings.
You may not know, but the movies "The Green Mile" (no horror but a great movie) and "The Shawshank Redemption" (also no horror but GREAT) were Stephen King books. He truly is an amazing writer. I have read everything he's ever written (several times). I'd try The Shining, The Dead Zone, The Stand, Salem's Lot ( a great Vampire story), Duma Key plus many others. Within all his stories are gems of absolute beauty.
The "Paranormal Activity" film series. I only watched the first because I found it so disturbing.
As a test of imagination, I reread Lord of the Rings (I've read them every couple of years since I first read them at age 12) to see if I still see the characters the way I did back when. Aragorn is my Aragorn and not Viggo (although he did a great job), etc. It's not so easy, but by the 2nd book, I'm mostly back in the magic place I found at 12. Here's to our imaginations!
Oh, those I'm familiar with being Stephen King's works. I'm aware he has several outside of the typical horror tropes, but I suppose I never spent any time diving into any of his works. I'll see if any of his short stories are available.
Paranormal Activity certainly had a "charm" for its position in the found footage genre and really starting much of it, and it certainly added a bit more "reality" to the horror aspect.
That's good to hear about the imagination still being alive! I just remember reading a few of Lovecraft's works which take place in port towns, and I just remember that my mind made all of the port towns look the same. I guess I don't have much of a frame of reference but I remember telling myself that they all looked the same in my mind.
i had no idea there were categories of horror, tho comedy is the best- such an ironic mix
Yes, I just watched Tucker and Dale vs Evil a few days ago! Such a great film that is somewhat subversive! Many can be on the edge of campy, but there's quite a few that are rather enjoyable especially if it has that air of Halloween.