MovieChat Forums > Neighborhood Watch (2005) Discussion > Not enough gore to satisfy a true horror...

Not enough gore to satisfy a true horror fan...

posted 16 years ago by lisaplus1
7 replies | jump to latest

Don't be fooled (like I was) by the reviews, which hinted at something along the lines of "torture porn". I am now learning that you can't trust the reviews or ratings on IMDB (too many people with a stake in the movie try to "sell" you or trick you into watching).

Don't get me wrong, this was a good movie for a low budget with unknown actors, but not anywhere near the high rating it received.

For horror fans who like gore or shock/scares, this will be a big disappointment. If you're into dark comedies with little-to-no gore, you might like it. Even the so-called "gross" parts aren't really scary-gross, just kind of made me say "oh [yawn] ew". But unless you consider diarreah or vomitting really scary...nah, don't bother...

[–] TheHorrorofitAll 16 years ago

What I found to be the most disturbing part of this was not necessarily the gore but the bleak and grimy tone to the entire film. It made me want to take a shower after viewing it. The setting was awesome and the character of Adrien was much more disturbing than anything you see in any of the Saw, Hostel, or various "torture porn" (I hate that term) films. And even though it's hard to do anything nowadays considered "shocking", the gore and special FX in my opinion were still pretty top notch and gruesome. I really enjoyed this one.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] coflorida 16 years ago

this movie made Saw and Hostel look like Sesame Street

[–] smerd_70 16 years ago

A "true horror fan" wouldn't use the term 'torture porn'.

I don't exactly call a disappearing raw chicken a murder attempt.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] halofox 15 years ago

I totally agree with that. Gore to me isn't actually scary or horrorifying, as it's just body parts, like any other body part. I've never been scared by a finger, face, eye, or toes, so I don't know why I would be scared of the stuff on the inside.

[–] cryocore 15 years ago

As a "true horror fan" I am offended by your apparent ignorance of the horror genre.

Most of the great horror films, loved by those of us who adore the genre are not gore laden films. sure i enjoy a good gore filled blood bath, but it isnt a requirement for a horror film to be good.

Texas Chain Saw Massacre show very little violence on screen at all. Neither do Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm street or even Friday the 13th. All are classics in the slasher sub genre of horror films. All have violent scenes, but not an excessive amount of gore. Apart from blood, and stabbing, and the occasional slice n dice there is a distict lack of viscera.

Add to this;

Misery
The Shining
Psycho
The Exorcist
Poltergiest
Alien
Saw (which unlike the sequels shows VERY little)
Phenomina
Rosemarys Baby
The Birds
The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari
The Fly
Jaws
100 Feet
1408
A Tale of Two Sisters
Session 9
American Werewolf in London
Suspiria
In the Mouth of Madness
The Lost Boys
Carrie
The Hitcher (original)
Frailty
Nosferatu
The Ring (original)
The Grudge (original)

I could go on and on but I dont need to. Most of these films have very violent scenes, and some quite graphic, but by todays standards are not "gorey".

I love gore films too, infact I love a good visceral offering (Haute Tension, Dawn of the Dead, Hellraiser, The Descent, Braindead, Inside, Frountiers, Splinter, Hatchet, Dellamorte Dellamore, Zombi, The Hills have Eyes remake), but dont confuse gore with horror.

For every film that shows off the talents of the practical effect gore merchants (ala Rick Baker, Tom Savini, Greg Nicotero, Screaming Mad George, or Rob Bottin) there are many more that take a different approach to scaring the audience. Be it through suspense, music, or use of colour.

I would think in this day and age when you look at the scope of the genre you would see that gore is only one of the tool used by film makers in horror, and its not always required, and in some cases is better without.

I would also suggest that you take some time to fully explore the genre and seek out some of the films I mentioned if you havnt seen them. by my estimation you are not a "true horror fan", but a gorehound. There is a huge difference. I am both. As a life long fan of horror I hope you take the time to fully explore as many of the wonderful and diverse films that occupy one of the oldest, and most enduring movie genres.

We have such sights to show you.