We live in a fairly busy day & age, and one of the hardest things to do is spend quality time with each other. While it’s easy to turn this into a discussion on social constructs and the absence of communication between individuals, it’s also a time to think of one of the great byproducts of our busy world — “date night” and date night movies. Even if the week has been hectic, we know we can look forward to at least one night to let our hair down & have fun.

Date night movies are key to making this special night all the more impactful because you want a movie that sets a tone or even a mood. Perhaps this is the reason why the romantic comedy (“rom-com”) is so popular for couples looking to have a good time at the movies while still maintaining a little romance. Even this, it seems, is changing.

More couples are looking for more lofty movie material than the “paint-by-numbers” nature of your standard romantic comedy. They value the importance of a film’s subject matter and the subsequent conversation, or at the very least something completely unorthodox. As such, here are three other movie genres that are worth looking at when planning out your next date night:

1. Horror Movies – You’re right in thinking that the idea of watching a horror movie for a special night out with your significant other doesn’t seem like a great idea, at least on the surface. But remember that some of the best horror films being made today happen to have foundations in current social issues, which can start some deep conversations. Other horror movies are just terrible movies that are easy to poke at, especially if you have a partner in crime!

2. Science Fiction – OK. This may be on everyone’s list as nothing but nerd territory to be avoided at all costs especially during a date. But for the record, let it be known that 1) nerds did get their revenge at least three times; and 2) science fiction has been the genre of movies and literature that has culled the greatest minds of any era. If you need a movie that will expand your horizons and create the idea platform for discussion and debate, this is it. So, ditch the outdated “nerd” categorization, and get down with some sci-fi.

3. Musicals – If you still need the romantic leads & comedic interludes but are hungry for some jaunty tunes & phenomenal dance sequences, you might be in the mood for a humdinger of a musical. Not only do you have a long history of massively successful musicals during Hollywood’s ‘Golden Age’, but recent movies have shown a resurgence in the genre’s popularity & ability to still connect with new audiences. Who knows? You may both just be willing to get in on the singing and dancing!

Date night movies don’t have to consist of the usual “rom-com” fare. With a little creative thinking, you can make your next date night one for the books.

If you enjoy watching teen horror movies, you must have heard things like, “the African-American guy always die” or “couples who have sex ended up murdered.” Movies like Scream (1996), Urban Legend (1998), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) strengthen these ideas with their formulaic storyline and negative character depiction. Most teen horror movies comply to a certain pattern. Some of these patterns are rooted from stereotypes.

Stereotypes are standardized and simplified conceptions of groups based on some prior assumptions. We use stereotypes to try to understand our world in an instant way. Most people don’t have the time to intimately socialize with all members of the society. To bridge this knowledge gap, we use stereotypes to fill the blanks in our heads. Although a lot of stereotypes are used in a pejorative manner, some stereotypes depict groups of society in a positive light. In example, French people are considered romantic, women are better at listening, and gay men have better sense of fashion.

Although stereotypes can be used as a way to communicate with the audience, when used in improper context, the result may be negative. The primary harm that arise from stereotyping is that it leads to discrimination and prejudice. The rule of survival in teen horror movies is to understand the stereotype, and conform with the formula. By instilling this idea, the audience may accept that the reality in these movies may apply to reality in everyday life. Stereotypes in teen horror movies are usually negative. Common stereotypes that appeared on movies are mostly about racial and ethnic minorities, female, sex and sexual orientation, the elderly, and the disabled.

For example, women who wear revealing clothes in horror movies are usually an easy target for the killer. Women who boldly outlined their sexuality are considered cheap. These movies drive the audience’s opinion, making them think of these women as second class citizen. The women did not conform with the movie’s formula, hence, the audience feel less respect towards them. Without the audience’s empathy, it is easy for the movie makers to eliminate the characters. When applied to a real world scenario, these stereotypes could turn into prejudice. Woman who chose to wear minimum clothing will be considered dispensable, and may will receive unpleasant reaction from the society. Wearing these clothes are no longer a fashion preference, but rather a statement of a character.

Other stereotypes that is seen in these movies are, jocks and cheerleaders usually have bad behavior, and they are often the first one to die. African-American, Asian, and Hispanics are also on the list to die next. Gay people and those with obesity can’t avoid being taken out too. Those who survived are usually Caucasian male or female who are nice, not promiscuous, and strong enough to take challenge after challenge. Surviving in teen horror movies are never an easy task.

Although teen horror movies are plagued with negative stereotypes, some actually had a positive one in it. Positive stereotypes, like, the heroine in the story is always so strong and resilient to attacks and the leading Caucasian male served as a knight that will do just about anything to save his friends and the heroine.

Stereotypes is inevitable in movies, but there are always something we can do about it. The key is to maintain balance in portraying characters in teen horror movies to achieve more realistic feel. Innovation and fair depiction are rare in the movie industry, but it doesn’t mean that the audience will reject any kind of efforts to tip the scale in the right direction. The film makers should take this into consideration, to prevent further degeneration of certain groups in our society.

Whether it’s Halloween or not, you’ll find that there are some movies that stay with you long after you first watch them. It’s these iconic performances, stories, and creepy villains that haunt many people at night. Even though the movies are meant as entertainment, they can prove to be beneficial for a variety of reasons. Aside from scaring people, they can serve as educational tools, especially if you look past the initial violence and scary notions that are presented. In fact, you can learn several great life lessons from the majority of cinema that is meant to be quite creepy to say the least. The following are just some of the many things you can apply to life in general.

Be Vigilant at All Times – Perhaps the best piece of advice that you can have in life is to be vigilant at every step of your day. Do not relax too much, because it’s when you’re too relaxed that you miss some obvious things. Whether you are driving and tired, or you are walking down the street and forget to look both ways, calamity can strike if you aren’t paying attention. Many of the characters in the horror franchises that are popular play their lives aloof, and tempt fate before meeting their end. Always be alert, and aware of your surroundings, it’s a good trait to acquire.

Call For Help Immediately – Ever wonder why the main characters don’t just call the police? Many movies have played with this notion, having the main character run up stairs away from harm, or rather into the trap of a mad man. Call for help immediately, don’t wait, and if you find the phone is not working, run far away from the incident and seek assistance. Don’t stop at one place, keep searching until you have reached safety. This goes for any emergency, not just one that is of a nightmarish world.

Stay Calm in Crisis – When crisis hits, the best thing you can learn from horror movies is to do the opposite of what the characters do, stay calm. Do not panic, it helps no one to get into a frenzy. It’s when chaos reigns that you make a lot of mistakes, so do not allow fear or anxiety to settle in.

The preceding lessons are just some of the things you can learn from the many horror movies out there. They might sound rudimentary, but you’d be surprised how many ignore simple traits from entertainment. Then again, they are just that, entertaining pictures.

Halloween is here again- have you got your costumes sorted out for the big night yet? While many people will be turning  to the traditional ghosts and ghouls, there is a whole universe of movie related Halloween costumes out there that would  be perfect for every taste! Horror movies are the perfect place to look for inspiration for Halloween costumes this  year, and there are a wide range of horror themed Halloween costumes from the classics of horror cinema as well as the  latest gore fests.

But which would be the right one for you? You must keep in mind your build, and what would be comfortable and practical  for you to wear throughout the night of your Halloween fun. Also keep in mind the fact that other people may be going  along in similar Halloween costumes, so be sure that the outfit you choose is better than the rest!

In the realm of classic horror movie Halloween costumes, there are few finer than those based on the classic Universal  monsters. Universal Monsters is that bunch of famous monsters as they appeared in the legendary Universal films of the  black and white era. Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Wolf Man and so on are all  instantly recognizable characters that would make great costumes. A number of versions of each of these hugely popular  characters are available from costume retailers online and in physical stores.

For fans of the modern era of horror film icons, there are even more choices available. Characters such as Freddy  Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street films, Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw  Massacre, Jigsaw from SAW, Pinhead from Hellraiser and many, many more. The characters are available in full costumes or  as standalone masks and accessories, which you can add to garments that you already own.

There are horror movie Halloween costumes for men and women, boys and girls, in a variety of sizes and designs. How  about Ghostface from Scream, or Hannibal Lecter from the films based on the novels of Thomas Harris? Then there are also  the characters from the famous Tim Burton related movies such as Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse  Bride! Whatever your favourite scary movie is, there’s a great horror movie Halloween costume out there for you. Perhaps  under your bed…

Horror movie lovers watch horror movies for different reasons. Some watch them just because they are bored. Others watch horror shows because they think that nothing scares them. But by and large, most people watch horror movies because they want to be frightened. Now why would anyone want to do that to themselves?

Well, for one, it’s sometimes fun to add a little spice to our daily lives by having a horror movie give us a really good scare. For sure, we all know that it’s fiction, and would be more than likely to have a really good laugh about it later on. However, there’s nothing like spending over ninety minutes, watching a cheesy horror movie that tries to be frightening but really isn’t. So it’s definitely a good idea to avoid being trapped in a movie theater with a big tub of butter pop corn, and realizing that the horror movie you are watching just isn’t going to frighten you. And do achieve that, we have to watch out for the signs.

You know a horror movie is most likely going to be worth watching when you see these signs. First, go over all the official website and watch the trailers. Horror trailers often contain the best parts of the movie, as it’s all part of marketing. If the trailers can’t scare you, the show will most likely not be able to scare you either. But even when the trailers are really good, don’t be taken in just yet. For all you know, those may be the only good parts in the movie. Spend some time on other third party websites to read all the reviews. Better still, lurk around some fan forums and read what others have to say about the show. If the show is good, you will get to read raving reviews. Otherwise, you may want to drop the idea of watching the show altogether.

Next, you may want to go a little in depth and check out the production crew and the cast. Who is the director of the film? Horror movies directed by internationally acclaimed directories like Steven Spielberg will most likely be worth watching. If the whole production crew and the cast sound like a bunch of newcomers, then you may have to rely solely on the reviews for your assessment of the movie.

Modern horror movies are often filled with special effects. So the special effects team, and the make-up team are just as important. Great horror movies often come with great visual effects, sound effects, as well as great make-up. Combined with a killer script, you will most likely be in for a real treat.

Finally, remember that the best horror movies are those that can get you really scared – even after the movie has been completed. Watch out for the signs that we have just mentioned above, and enjoy the thrill and experience of being totally scared! If you don’t think you can stand watching it alone, be sure to go the movies with someone else. To enhance the experience even further, try watching horror movies during the Halloween. That’s when there is a festive yet eerie atmosphere surrounding the dark nights.

During the ongoing age of the pandemic there’s been hardly any activity concerning the big screens and the new hot weekly releases, and movie buffs really miss the coveted visits to the theatres. However, if one is not so much strained about watching movies on computers or on mobile screens then one can still have lots of enriched watching on the OTT (Over The Top) platforms that stream a rich variety of movies from world cinema apart from their much-publicized web series. There’s a concern no doubt for harming your ear drums with continuous use of the headphones; but one can be judiciously selective about it. During such a restrained and judicious practice of wearing the headphones this writer has come across various movies and web series that really kept alive his cinema-appreciation instincts. One such movie is The Wailing (2016), a South Korean (officially the Republic of Korea) horror film, written and directed by the celebrated award-winning South Korean director Na Hong-jin whose earlier movies like The Chaser (2008) and The Yellow Sea (2010) were screened at the Cannes Film Festival and won various awards in other festivals. The Wailing was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival and got numerous nominations and several awards at various film festivals. The main actors in this movie are Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee and the Japanese star Jun Kunimura.

The Wailing cannot be described as a ‘horror’ film in one breath, because it has a storyline that covers all other genres of mystery, suspense and of course, horror. And the movie boldly defies the implicit ‘rules and regulations’ of a typical horror film: glorifying gore; capturing the most unimaginably ugly faces of ghostly ‘monsters’; the use of the loudest possible sound-track where a simple telephone ring shakes up the whole auditorium; the jump cuts; and figures moving behind your backs. Instead, this movie has a highly intelligent mix of mystery, intriguing dialogues, a normal sound-track, no jump cuts or sudden movements behind your back, no monsters of the typical variety and an entirely different script for a horror flick. Then how it scares, you will definitely ask! Mind you, it still has all the scares of the supernatural, the occult practices, the possessed and the exorcism, the zombies, a lot of gore and violence without glorifying it though and a whole lot of dialogues that you cannot help but listen to attentively.

The movie has a rather intimidating length of over two and half hours, a length that normally is valid for Indian films of any genre, but once you get in there’s not a single moment that’d bore you or make you think of putting off your headphones. It puts you into a persistent dilemma of believing or not believing with the elements of mystery and suspense in full play, and this glorious uncertainty of the plot continues till the very end-frame. And mind you, you may not find the climax as gratifying as the usual horror flicks. The film just flows on with brilliant cinematography and a lilting background music score. The performances are powerful and the storytelling is convincing.

The story begins with a police investigation when in a Korean village people start getting murdered mysteriously. As the investigations proceed we come to know that a peculiar sickness seems to infect the villagers: once someone gets the infection somehow he or she becomes violent and ends up murdering all members of his or her family. All the doubts were cast on a mysterious Japanese stranger who lives in a hut in the mountains and local people are telling frightening stories about him. The police raid his hut several times, but still fail to link him to the horrible goings-on. In the meantime a mysterious lady also moves around in the village, seemingly giving leads to the police. The police sergeant of the village Jong-goo, the hero of the film played by Kwak Do-won, becomes terribly emotional and desperate to solve the mystery when his little daughter Hyo-Jin gets the infection and starts to demonstrate odd behaviour patterns, gradually becoming violent. The policeman’s mother-in-law invites the local shaman or the exorcist, suspecting it to be a case of possession. Well, nothing more can be said about the storyline to avoid a spoiler.

The Wailing is a horror movie with a healthy difference from the genre, and it can more than match the all-time Hollywood horror greats like The Exorcist, The Omen, The Poltergeist, The Conjuring and so on, and can beat the loud and typical horror flicks in popular display both in Hollywood and in Bollywood hands down. This movie is a must-watch for all lovers of mystery, suspense and horror flicks. This writer has discovered this movie quite a bit late, but still holds the view as expressed. The world of cinema has been a territory vastly unexplored by many a viewer due to lack of access or the regional or the language barrier or of the like and if the film buffs keep on trying they’re sure find many more surprises like The Wailing.

According to my note, about 20 or 41% of Indonesian films released in 2007 are horror. The trend was then continuing in 2008 where about 18% (of 77 movies) horror produced. This is a great decrease. But regarding the history, since 1940s, the horror genre prevails in Indonesia. The market has never been really saturated.

 

Indonesian industry of film (and television, actually) until now still considers this genre as super talisman for the selling. The talisman has recently been worth, indeed. Moreover, there was a bonus to dearest filmmaker: making the horrors is always cheaper than, say, the dramas. One of reasons, this genre did not require any big star. Just put the newbie on and amazingly the tickets sold out yet.

 

Moreover, the Department of Culture and Tourism in Indonesia had opened the booth for selling Indonesian movies at international film festivals like Cannes every year since 2007. Some of those movies are horror. Surprisingly, it sold well, including to some distributors in Europe.How come the horror attract the “left brain” people, I don’t know.

 

However, in Indonesia, horror movies are never dies because moviegoers here so enjoyed them. We would love to be scared off. Nothing is wrong with that. A spectator watched action movie for be astonished and felt like gasp, watched comedy for getting huge laugh. And watched horror, what else, for being scared!

 

But excessive things have it own side effect, don’t they? While other people had never problem with walking everywhere s/he likes and works overtime until midnight, we, the Indonesian? Taking one foot step away, we will anxious. Beginning to feel how if in that corner a “thing” could suddenly show up. So many supernatural beings that Indonesian citizen must afraid of!

 

Yes, those supernatural beings do exist, if you ask me. Don’t believe it? Come to Indonesia and ask for it to the natives. Each region and culture has its own supernatural being. Just, I wonder why some Indonesian is willing to waste their time for something not supposed to be human business like that.

 

Take a look closer here, lottery fortune teller is still in demand, we also still believe in tarot, oracle service via Short Message Service, etc. Even some of youngster who represented modern logic generation depends on astrology for living their life. If not, why they keep on expecting horoscope rubric in youth and cosmopolitan media?

 

Some said our society is spiritual, precisely: too much believe. This is a question of culture. So how will Indonesian movies sterile from horror genre?

Veerana is a Hindi horror movie that releases in the eighties. Even after fifty years, the movie is very popular among horror fiction fans. Veerana isn’t just popular, it’s valuable as well. The DVDs for the movie aren’t available as easily as they should be, and you can’t use the Veerana poster under the Creative Commons. The movie’s that valuable today.

In this article, I try to decipher why Veerana is a cult favorite.

• The first Hindi horror movie to have a possessed murderess

Priot to Veerana, women in Bollywood horror movies were supposed to chase around the hero, be chased by the demon. And if she’s not the love interest, she become a statistic when the body count begins. But in Veerana, for one of the first times, the woman was possessed and she starts killing off people, and doing a good job of it. She kills at least two leches in Veerana, before everyone else gets smart about who the murderer is.

• The Cinematography

Gangu Ramsay has done the cinematography for most of the Ramsay movies, and it was his expertise that made the demons look so gory and deadly – though it was all prosthetic and color and darkness. Gangu went awash with colors, smoke and everything else that made the horror sequences a reality. Bollywood audiences hadn’t seen such scenes in a mainstream movie prior to Veerana, and all this stuck with the audience.

• Jasmine

In the book Don’t Disturb the Dead, which talks about the life and times of the Ramsays, they confess that they were not in touch with Jasmine after the movie released. They say that Jasmine might have married and settled in America. Today, she’d be 70+, and there’s absolutely no answer as to what she is up to. The mystique and aura that this has created, interests content creators even today, who make videos trying to explain where Jasmine is. And none of them get the answer right.

• Decent Budget Horror Movie

Whatever the budget of Veerana, all of it I showed up on screen, and that added to creating the weird, colorful yardstick and landmark of Bollywood horror movies, Veerana.Anyone working in the film industry will agree that Veerana was a marvelous job of production values, for that time. This created a colorful, vibrant and unforgettable experience for the audience who wasn’t ready for the kind of experience that Veerana was.