Far worse movies than this, I think KIDS need to watch films like this. Before you say anything let me explain.
My first "horror" movie was Nightmare on Elm St 3. I was 7 when it was released Needless to say I was scared out of my mind for the next few nights thinking Freddy was going to get me in my dreams. But i got addicted the scares.
For the last 25 years I have been watching horror films. Its a rush. Getting scared is a great thing, especially when you get older and need a sense of "being alive". Thats what horror movies are supposed to do. give you that rush
Over the last 10 years, maybe 15. Horror has become somewhat of a joke. When you look at the 80s and early 90s they kept the element of fantasy in it. And we ended up with many modern day horror icons. Pinhead included. We had the golden age of movie monsters. Now you look at todays horror, its lazy, its too realistic. Wow a guy in a ghost mask, or hey he has a fish hook for his hand. We got serial killers instead of monsters. TODAYS supposed horror is what i would shelter the kids from. Not movies like Nightmare on Elm St, Childs Play, Hellraiser ect. Kids need to see the creativity that goes into creating these creatures on the screen and give them the chance to appreciate what horror was. If they appreciate it while they are young chances are, as adults, they will appreciate it more. I know I wish Freddy and Jason and Chucky would make they're triumphant returns (proper returns, not the toned down crap thats Micheal Bay had a hand in) thats what kids should see, Not remakes or anything like that.
Being scared is healthy. As long as they can tell reality from fiction and 99% of the population can (i hope so at least) i wouldn't try to shelter them from horror.
Like I said i have been watching horror since I was 7. I turned out 100% fine.
I am not telling you how to raise your kids. So please don't take it that way. But i don't think kids should be sheltered either.
and finally, If you truly look at Hellraiser at its core, It really is a moralistic tale. People fail to realize that sometimes. In all its gore it is a proper telling of life and death, ego, self awareness, the ugliness of mankind and how too much power can ultimately corrupt and this movie effectively shows this.
Let the kids watch it. The worse thing that can happen is they get bored and if they don't scare or two will be a good thing.
reply
share
Surgeon242
11 years ago
Now you look at todays horror, its lazy, its too realistic.
There is a serious drought in quality horror movies nowadays. Every time I watch a new horror release I have very low expectations... I wouldn't even watch these newer releases but it's mainly due to friends or GF wanting to watch. Most of the time the movie is far worse than I anticipated lol... anyway, I think you're on to something with your points. I also believe filmmakers these days have figured out what works for modern day audiences (i.e., younger generation), but it's a very watered down dose of what we're used to (e.g., Nightmare on Elm Street, Hellraiser, as you mentioned). With that being said, I have seen some very good horror movies that were released in the past 10 - 15 years but they are few and far between. The remakes of classic horror movies are really annoying though because they are instilling in younger viewers the idea that gallons of blood and a ton of CGI = good horror movie. If you watch the Evil Dead remake and compare it with the original you'll know what I'm trying to say... so if your going to show you're kids a "scary" movie, show them Hellraiser! At least it digs a bit deeper and tells a more interesting story than the crap that Hollywood is churning out today.
reply
share
belladonna1482
11 years ago
Awesome, I saw Nightmare on Elm Street 3 for the first time when I was 7, too! It was actually the same year I saw Hellraiser 2 as well, both at babysitter's houses. I don't know what that says for the babysitters but I wasn't affected negatively by the early exposure. And I have to say, I agree with your entire statement. And it really depends on the child's maturity level. I have a 12 year old who, like me, has loved horror films from a young age. But my 10 year old has nightmares if she watches a tv Halloween special! So it varies. I don't allow my 10 year old to watch the same films as my 12 year old because I know she isn't as emotionally ready for them. And perhaps she never will be. Many adults I know do not like horror films. To each his or her own. Personally, I love them. It's my favorite genre and always will be. But they don't make them like they used to as you said in your post.
reply
share