The Pilgrim's Blog

The Pilgrim's Blog
Fair, Balanced and Lightly Sauteed

3/21/2003

As promised/threatened, here is my report on scary movies and culture.

Please be gentle, it's my first formal report paper in eight years. And yes I know, I did get lazy at the end.

If you don't want to bother with it, click here to go to the next post:

Keeping the Gators Fed: A Critical Examination of Movies and Culture

I can still remember the cold chills of helplessness as I nestled my eight-year old head into the ribcage of my increasingly annoyed grandfather. As terrified as I was however, the experience of my first horror movie unlocked, through a mix of adrenaline and shattered innocence, a fascination with horror movies. To borrow a term from Stephen King, I had dared the nightmare and had come away thirsty for more. The first part of this essay will be an appreciation of an essay written by horror author Stephen King, in where he posits some observations about our cultural attraction to the horror movie. In the second part of the essay, I will give some personal examinations of how movies have influenced me, both positively and negatively.

In his article, King, in an informal manner, posits his reasons as to why we are so fascinated by horror movies. His thesis is that these movies appeal to us in order to satisfy our psychological needs specifically those of bravery, the need for a reinforcement of normative behavior and the necessary release of antisocial emotions.

The first emotional need that King puts forth as needing to be satisfied is that of bravery. The ability to see something through even though it takes an emotional toll on us is something that we crave. King gives one caveat to this proposition in that this particular desire “is the special province of the young” (p. 499) and that as we get older, the need for proving one’s heroic mettle decreases.

The second reason that King proffers is that the horror movie gives us a positive reinforcement of normative behavior. It offers us an opportunity to put away the adult tools of analysis and rationality and allows us, as King says “to become children again, seeing things in pure blacks and whites” (p. 499). We understand that evil is evil, good is good, ugly is ugly and beautiful is beautiful. We are also reminded of what behavior is acceptable in society by showing us the extreme opposite of that behavior. When we are allowed to examine these abhorrent behaviors, we find that our peccadilloes are minor in comparison to those of the true sociopath, and we take comfort in that.

The third and seemingly preeminent reason to King’s thesis is that the horror movie offers us a socially acceptable way to release antisocial emotions and feelings. As a child, we realize that hitting and stealing the other kids’ lunch money will not get us far in life, therefore, we suppress these antisocial behaviors in order to fit into the expected roles of our society. Yet just because we stifle these harmful proclivities does not necessarily mean that they disappear. The release of these emotions is necessary in order to keep them at bay, a process that King, in an amusing fashion, likens to feeding the hungry antisocial alligators under the trapdoor of our civilized mind.

Boiled down to their essence, I would agree with all of King’s premises on why we enjoy a good horror flick. Scary movies test us, do we jump when the killer unexpectedly pops out from behind the door or not? Scary movies take us to a world where absolutes are taken to the extreme. That ugly guy who’s burned to a crisp with the knives for his fingers? Well he just doesn’t seem like a gentle flower under a rough exterior. And of course, scary movies may provide us with an emotional outlet where we vicariously live through both slasher and victim, and emote with all the necessary pathos and fear.

However, I have a quibble with King’s third point and it is indicative of the tone of his entire essay. His third point is summed up in that the exercise of such antisocial emotions is necessary if we are to keep the demons at bay:

The mythic horror movie…has a dirty job to do. It deliberately appeals to all that is worst in us. It is morbidity unchained, our most base instincts let free, our nastiest fantasies realized…Why bother? Because it keeps them from getting out, man. It keeps them down there and me up here. (King, 1998, p. 500)

This “Id run wild” statement may garner much approval to one who buys into a Freudian view of man. But, as an evangelical Christian, I have an ideological problem with that. In my opinion, the exercise of antisocial behavior is not a guilty indulgence to be tolerated and given room to breathe, but a sin to be repented of. This however does not mean that horror movies are wrong or should be “banned”. On the contrary, and more along the lines of King’s second point, they can be used to point out the epistemic problems inherent in today’s climate of moral relativism. Brian Godawa, an evangelical screenwriter, sees the communicative power of horror movies as a vehicle to reinforce the doctrine of man’s sin nature and to expose the consequences of the denial of evil. Such modern day horror movies, such as “Seven” can be used to show both of these concepts in an illuminating, if imperfect way.

When we watch horror movies we must watch discerningly, aware of the worldview that is being presented and the subliminal (and not so subliminal) messages therein implied. This discernment must not be limited to horror movies alone, but also to movie genres across the board. As one who shapes his worldview and way of seeing things from the Bible, I feel that movies do not play a part in molding my opinions or views of reality. Nonetheless, watched critically, movies can be a positive reinforcement of my value system as well as helping me to understand the culture that surrounds me. Using Gerbner’s six categories, I will now turn my focus on how movies have affected my perception of reality

Sex
Taken at face value, the cinematic portrayals of males and females are diverse. In the modern day popular blockbuster, men are portrayed as tough and stoic. They are seen as the ones who take charge and get things done. The woman’s role in the blockbuster is one of either the femme fatale or the damsel in distress. However, we see a different picture in the more reality-oriented format of the independent film. In the independent film, men and women are stripped of their machismo and helplessness and forced to deal with the pathos of real-life crisis. My views of gender roles often take the side of the independent film; both men and women are flawed human beings in need of redemption, whether or not it comes.

Age
I feel that the issue of age has been underrepresented in modern-day films. The Bible tells us that we are to learn from and exalt the role of the elderly, however, the issue of aging is rarely if ever dealt with in movies. One of the movies that I found to be a delightful exception was the David Lynch movie called The Straight Story. In it Richard Farnsworth plays a retiree that discovers that he has a short time to live. Faced with this sad fact, he travels across the country on a tractor seeking to reconcile with his estranged brother. This movie shows the issue of aging and mortality in a sweet and poignant light. I only wish that more people had seen it.

Race
With the rise of both independent features and foreign films, more and more minorities have gained representation in our cultural awareness. Such movies as Barbershop and Mi Familia have in my opinion done much to shed light on the preconceived ideas of what we believe to be true about the African-American and Latino communities. As a Christian, I welcome these advances as I am called to work for reconciliation and peace between the nations according to the gospel of Christ.

Work
According to the Hollywood blockbuster, the lead role often will have a glamorous, high-risk job, whether it is a spy, astronaut, fighter pilot or white-collar like lawyer or doctor. The independent feature, while not afraid to show the blue-collar side of life, often portrays it as mundane and soul-killing, leaving the protagonist in despair. Again it seems that this sheds some sad light on how society views itself in terms of fulfilling their calling in life.

Health
Physical and mental well being seems to be an assumed trait in both mainstream and independent cinema. Those characters with handicaps in heath are painted as either tragic or inspirational figures whether or not they succumb to or overcome their problems. This is one area where we need some work if Hollywood is a barometer of where we are as a society. From my experiences those dealing with health challenges wish to be viewed neither sympathetically or as heroes, but rather as a normal person.

Crime
Crime seems to have dual natures in the movies, that of evil and romance. The traditional way to view the criminal is that of the social pariah, who always receives his just sanctions in the end at the hand of the good guy. In other movies, the bad guy can be portrayed as a modern day antihero, in this case the filmmakers try to swing audience sentiment in favor of the outlaw, who is usually an underdog. In my opinion this latter case is unfortunate and can give a false justification for criminal acts.

In conclusion, it is my feeling that movies are a mirror of the culture of this time: a post-Christian culture. I do not fault Hollywood for perpetuating false or unbiblical ethics, they are, to borrow King’s euphemism, keeping the cultural gators fed; with the exception of the occasional independent film, they are doing it for a profit. As a thinking Christian, I am called to guard my heart with what I know to be true and evaluate the movie’s worldview and message in light of that truth.

posted by Rob | 2:21 PM |

3/20/2003

With Optimus Prime on our side how can we lose?

posted by Rob | 10:37 PM |

3/19/2003

Soooo..what's with the singles/matchmaker's advertisments on the banner ad on my wife's blog?

Does Blogger/Google know something I dont? :-)

posted by Rob | 12:44 PM |

3/18/2003

Well it seems that the debate on PCA News regarding the New Perspective on Paul is starting to pick up steam. Now I don't necessarily have a horse in this race as I'm still studying the issue. From what I have studied so far, I feel that the NPP has some good and thoughtful things to say that we Reformed should not automatically dismiss, but I'm still trying to feel it all out in order to see see how and if the NPP and the traditional Reformed articulation of justification can co-exist.

Frankly I'm a little disappointed in the pro-NPP side. I don't think that they have adequately stood up for themselves and as a result the anti-NPP people are getting away with arguments based on unhelpful partisan chest-beating and guilt-by-association tatics. The fact that careful examination of what Scripture says (we're all about the Sola Scriptura after all aren't we?) is being downplayed in favor of "Thus saith the WCF" or "Y'know those cancerous theonomists are in favor of the NPP" is not a little disheartening.

posted by Rob | 3:50 PM |

I think I found a new favorite sandwich. I ordered the turkey salad at Mimi's Cafe and it came on raisin-cinnamon bread and had diced green onions and water chestnuts in it.

I actually felt a pang of sadness when I came to the last bite...

posted by Rob | 2:59 PM |

3/17/2003

Random blabs

Yes, I know I haven't been blogging much. I've spent this past week putting the polish on a 5 page critique of movies and culture that is due tonight for my pop culture class (I almost wrote "pop culture club", DARN YOU BOY GEORGE, GET OUT OF MY MIND!!). I may post the paper on the blog just for giggles.
I really don't have anything to blog about. My mind is set on "essay mode" so I have to unwind for a little while before I post anything of length. I do want to do a blog on why I am anti-war in Iraq, but have neither the inspiration or the time...mebbe tomorrow.
On Saturday, Kar and I went to a wedding of one of the deacons I serve with at Cornerstone. He's a stand-up guy and his new bride is a real sweetie. It was a wet wedding as it rained cats and dogs for about 18 hours straight. Nonetheless it was a beautiful ceremony and a great reception. Kar and I hooked up with some friends from high school at the wedding and we all went back to our house afterwards to reminensce (sp?), drink Captain Morgan on the rocks and play Cranium which is officially my new favorite game. The night ended at 2:30 A.M., not bad considering church started at 11 A.M.
Can somebody please explain the lack of 24-hour Chinese restaraunts in the never-sleeping metropolis that is Artesia, CA. Sheesh!
Karly picked up a new CD by a band called Evanessence, pretty good stuff. Techno-metal with Tool overtones. The lead singer is a woman with a haunting voice that works well backed up by the metal riffs.

'k gotta go to school now.

posted by Rob | 4:52 PM |