Lessons in Horror - Classic Elements the Horror Genre Needs to Remember

With countless slasher remakes and Japanese horror scene rip-offs filling our screens of late there has been a dearth of great horror on contemporary cinema screens. Perhaps if today's film-makers are to create truly great horror films again they need to look to the past for some lessons in creating suspense or sustaining mood. Let's take a look at some truly impressive elements of a few classic horror films that today's creators would do well to take note of.

Sound Design - The Haunting

In this classic 60s horror, nothing is actually seen of the malicious presence which torments the team of volunteers investigating the old house, but everything is heard of them. A cacophonous mix of banged doors, rattling windows, footsteps and whispered voices all contribute to the sense of menace which pervades every second of this movie. You can cover your eyes or cower behind the sofa, but you can't escape the horror.

Cinematography - Cat People

This low budget horror classic marked producer Val Lewton's first film as head of his own horror B-unit at RKO pictures, and it was an effective demonstration of his theory that things were scarier when left to the audience's imagination. The film's killer, a black panther, is only seen once in the film, and the danger is far more effectively conveyed through the flickering shadows and dark shapes that dance around the edge of the frame as the protagonists try to escape a terror they can barely see. Sound design also plays a significant part, and the film's strongest set-piece takes place in a swimming pool as a girl desperately treads water as the refracted light from the water gives glimpses of the silhouette whose growls echo around the pool.

Make-Up - Phantom of the Opera

In this CGI age horror effects are probably less scary than they have ever been, though even the copious amounts of blood and guts in the glorious gore-fests of the video nasty era were a little lacking in the quiet creepiness of earlier horror. Undisputed master of the modestly macabre is silent horror star Lon Chaney, who probably found his finest moment in an early adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera - the reveal of the Phantom's hideous features halfway through the film becoming one of the most iconic moments in horror history, an image burned on the retina of anyone who has ever seen it.

Showmanship - The Tingler

Horror movies are often most effective when they mess with our sense of reality - blurring the boundies between watching and participating in the film, albeit through campy or gimmicky methods. Master of the theatrical gimmick William Castle is perhaps most notorious for the release of this film about a creature which would tingle the bottom of a victim's spine until they died, their only escape being to scream. On the film's roadshow release, Castle would rig up selected chairs in the audience to tingle at the point in the film when the Tingler is set free in a cinema. It's arguable that Castle's techniques have their modern equivalent in the viral marketing of films such as The Blair Witch Project, but none of these provide such a memorable shared horror experience as Castle's screenings used to.

Ideas - The Undead

No one can claim that Roger Corman wasn't ambitious, and this film is perhaps one of his most surprisingly aspirational films. Intended to exploit the public's fascination with past lives in the late 50s, the film starts out as a conventional supernatural thriller with cardboard sets and unconvincing plasticine make-up, but is so earnest in its ideas that the audience is compelled to buy into what eventually ends up feeling like a powerful existential drama. The brutal intercutting between antagonists and protagonist as she realises the sacrifice she is being asked to make lingers in the mind longer than any musical stinger or gore-shot ever could.

You see, it isn't always what is shown onscreen that has the most power. With the right use of atmosphere, camera work, soundtrack, editing and lighting, it is possible to create chilling pieces of cinema without resorting to shallow CG fests. Much is made of onscreen torture and over the top gore these days, and some nods to a more calculated era of filmmaking would do the horror industry a great deal of good.

Hamish Spearson is an expert on classic cinema in many genres, and writes for the movie & pop culture memorabilia site Starstore.com as well as its many blogs. For the latest news on movies, collectibles, TV, comics and geek culture, visit =====> http://www.starstoreblog.com

Classic Horror Films

There is nothing like watching a classic (a classic horror film that is). Horror films have always been intriguing which is why horror is actually an adaptation of a good drama. Whether it is the chills that run up and down our spines as we watch these films or the jolts of energy and suspense that we feel as we watch them, there is nothing that comes close to a good old classic horror film.

The horror films from the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s are extremely different from today's horror flicks. The earlier movies relied more on story, casting and characters to create truly suspenseful and horrific movies whereas after that, movies were basically made to cut up people and show as much gore as possible through special effects. Only a few modern horror films actually take the time to develop and create a worthwhile storyline and plot.

The 1920s "Dracula"

Before vampires sparkled, they were scary. Dracula is the greatest "real" vampire movie of all time, telling the story of Count Dracula as he reunites with his long lost soul mate, Mina. Mina's Fiancé and professor try to save Mina from the evil grasp of Count Dracula who is trying to make her his eternal soul mate by stealing what is left of her life and soul.

The 1940s "The Wolfman"

While wolves often look cute and cuddly, by nature, they are very different. The Wolfman tells the story of Larry Talbot who defeats the beast but is bitten before doing so. The wolf's mother comes to Larry to prepare him for the truth that he too will turn into a savage beast in the moment that there is a full moon.

The 1950s "Vertigo"

This tempting criminal horror film revolves around a trauma that a detective has suffered. As a result he must retire and he finds himself falling for a mystery woman. An old friend hires this detective for some private eye work, but discovers that the wife he is investigating seems to be much more supernatural than he could have ever suspected. Vertigo has a traditional plot but how the movie is delivered with convincing acting, no special effects are needed to prove the horrific nature of the wife's acts. Pay attention to the detail and the cinematographic tricks that are used to create this inspiring horror film.

"The Blob"

Another classic horror film is The Blob. Nowadays it may be reverting more to the cheesy side of horror films, but this flick certainly made its viewers jump back in the day. This story revolves around a shapeless mass that expands as it conquers each victim. The ending is too good to tell and the climax of this movie makes it one of the best classic horror films of all time.

DVD Land is Australia's best online store for DVDs, Blu Rays and games. All 25,000 items are at discounted prices and made for Australian DVD players. Whether you're looking for New DVD Releases, TV on DVD, Horror DVDs, Classic DVDs or Children's DVDs you'll find them here.

Classic Horror Films

There is nothing like watching a classic (a classic horror film that is). Horror films have always been intriguing which is why horror is actually an adaptation of a good drama. Whether it is the chills that run up and down our spines as we watch these films or the jolts of energy and suspense that we feel as we watch them, there is nothing that comes close to a good old classic horror film.

The horror films from the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s are extremely different from today's horror flicks. The earlier movies relied more on story, casting and characters to create truly suspenseful and horrific movies whereas after that, movies were basically made to cut up people and show as much gore as possible through special effects. Only a few modern horror films actually take the time to develop and create a worthwhile storyline and plot.

The 1920s "Dracula"

Before vampires sparkled, they were scary. Dracula is the greatest "real" vampire movie of all time, telling the story of Count Dracula as he reunites with his long lost soul mate, Mina. Mina's Fiancé and professor try to save Mina from the evil grasp of Count Dracula who is trying to make her his eternal soul mate by stealing what is left of her life and soul.

The 1940s "The Wolfman"

While wolves often look cute and cuddly, by nature, they are very different. The Wolfman tells the story of Larry Talbot who defeats the beast but is bitten before doing so. The wolf's mother comes to Larry to prepare him for the truth that he too will turn into a savage beast in the moment that there is a full moon.

The 1950s "Vertigo"

This tempting criminal horror film revolves around a trauma that a detective has suffered. As a result he must retire and he finds himself falling for a mystery woman. An old friend hires this detective for some private eye work, but discovers that the wife he is investigating seems to be much more supernatural than he could have ever suspected. Vertigo has a traditional plot but how the movie is delivered with convincing acting, no special effects are needed to prove the horrific nature of the wife's acts. Pay attention to the detail and the cinematographic tricks that are used to create this inspiring horror film.

"The Blob"

Another classic horror film is The Blob. Nowadays it may be reverting more to the cheesy side of horror films, but this flick certainly made its viewers jump back in the day. This story revolves around a shapeless mass that expands as it conquers each victim. The ending is too good to tell and the climax of this movie makes it one of the best classic horror films of all time.

DVD Land is Australia's best online store for DVDs, Blu Rays and games. All 25,000 items are at discounted prices and made for Australian DVD players. Whether you're looking for New DVD Releases, TV on DVD, Horror DVDs, Classic DVDs or Children's DVDs you'll find them here.

Lessons in Horror - Classic Elements the Horror Genre Needs to Remember

With countless slasher remakes and Japanese horror scene rip-offs filling our screens of late there has been a dearth of great horror on contemporary cinema screens. Perhaps if today's film-makers are to create truly great horror films again they need to look to the past for some lessons in creating suspense or sustaining mood. Let's take a look at some truly impressive elements of a few classic horror films that today's creators would do well to take note of.

Sound Design - The Haunting

In this classic 60s horror, nothing is actually seen of the malicious presence which torments the team of volunteers investigating the old house, but everything is heard of them. A cacophonous mix of banged doors, rattling windows, footsteps and whispered voices all contribute to the sense of menace which pervades every second of this movie. You can cover your eyes or cower behind the sofa, but you can't escape the horror.

Cinematography - Cat People

This low budget horror classic marked producer Val Lewton's first film as head of his own horror B-unit at RKO pictures, and it was an effective demonstration of his theory that things were scarier when left to the audience's imagination. The film's killer, a black panther, is only seen once in the film, and the danger is far more effectively conveyed through the flickering shadows and dark shapes that dance around the edge of the frame as the protagonists try to escape a terror they can barely see. Sound design also plays a significant part, and the film's strongest set-piece takes place in a swimming pool as a girl desperately treads water as the refracted light from the water gives glimpses of the silhouette whose growls echo around the pool.

Make-Up - Phantom of the Opera

In this CGI age horror effects are probably less scary than they have ever been, though even the copious amounts of blood and guts in the glorious gore-fests of the video nasty era were a little lacking in the quiet creepiness of earlier horror. Undisputed master of the modestly macabre is silent horror star Lon Chaney, who probably found his finest moment in an early adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera - the reveal of the Phantom's hideous features halfway through the film becoming one of the most iconic moments in horror history, an image burned on the retina of anyone who has ever seen it.

Showmanship - The Tingler

Horror movies are often most effective when they mess with our sense of reality - blurring the boundies between watching and participating in the film, albeit through campy or gimmicky methods. Master of the theatrical gimmick William Castle is perhaps most notorious for the release of this film about a creature which would tingle the bottom of a victim's spine until they died, their only escape being to scream. On the film's roadshow release, Castle would rig up selected chairs in the audience to tingle at the point in the film when the Tingler is set free in a cinema. It's arguable that Castle's techniques have their modern equivalent in the viral marketing of films such as The Blair Witch Project, but none of these provide such a memorable shared horror experience as Castle's screenings used to.

Ideas - The Undead

No one can claim that Roger Corman wasn't ambitious, and this film is perhaps one of his most surprisingly aspirational films. Intended to exploit the public's fascination with past lives in the late 50s, the film starts out as a conventional supernatural thriller with cardboard sets and unconvincing plasticine make-up, but is so earnest in its ideas that the audience is compelled to buy into what eventually ends up feeling like a powerful existential drama. The brutal intercutting between antagonists and protagonist as she realises the sacrifice she is being asked to make lingers in the mind longer than any musical stinger or gore-shot ever could.

You see, it isn't always what is shown onscreen that has the most power. With the right use of atmosphere, camera work, soundtrack, editing and lighting, it is possible to create chilling pieces of cinema without resorting to shallow CG fests. Much is made of onscreen torture and over the top gore these days, and some nods to a more calculated era of filmmaking would do the horror industry a great deal of good.

Hamish Spearson is an expert on classic cinema in many genres, and writes for the movie & pop culture memorabilia site Starstore.com as well as its many blogs. For the latest news on movies, collectibles, TV, comics and geek culture, visit =====> http://www.starstoreblog.com

New and Classic Horror Movie Costumes For Halloween

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...

Andrew is a widely-read popular culture blogger and music journalist for print media. Are you looking for more horror movie Halloween costumes? Trick or Treat!!!

Classic Horror Movies

What happened to all the classic horror movies that many generations of people knew and loved? Well they are still out there somewhere, hidden in old movie sections of video rental stores, waiting to scare the crap out of people once more. Many original black and white movies have bee restored and digitized to DVD format, some remain in their original black and white form, while others have been colorized.

What was it about the classic horror movies that attracted so many audiences, again and again? It was the state of the art special effects back then, stop motion camera techniques, allowing you to see Lon Chaney Jr. transform from a normal human to the tortured soul of the wolf man. How many people watching this transformation in utter horror, even though they knew they were watching a movie?

When people are watch the horror movies of today, they take for granted that many of the special effects incorporated today were born from the classic horror movies of yesteryear. Stop motion photography, rubber masks and other add ons, make up techniques, were all unheard of before these movies came out. Special effects teams back in the day didn't have all the computer generated graphics back then and had to come up with everything literally from their own imaginations.

It wasn't just the special effects that made classic horror movies something to watch over and over, it was also the characters brought to life by actors who often put their hearts and souls into their works. Although the classic Dracula has been redone many times, just like Frankenstein, and spin offs of the wolf man, many of us will always remember Bella Lugosi, Boris Karloff, and Lon Chaney Jr. in these classic roles. Not only did they brilliantly bring these characters to life, they put heart and soul into these classic monsters.

These actors also told the characters sad story in these classic horror movies, from the problems that Dracula had faced having to live forever, lonely, watching the world evolve around him while he didn't. Or Boris Karloff's portrayal of the innocent Frankenstein Monster, brought to like from pieces stolen from graves. You experienced his child like demeanor and his sad wonderment when he accidentally kills the child. You can almost see the question in his eyes while the villagers are attacking, 'why are you doing this to me?' These are the characters that many loved to hate, but were also the first ones with tears in their eyes when these poor creatures met their demise.

Many of the younger generation today watching scary movies of today are horrified by special effects. An while story lines may have changed, or some that don't even have a very good plot, 'slasher films' as they are often called, they just don't have the same engagement as the classic horror movies many have grown up with. It's all right though, because with modern technologies, these classic movies of yesteryear have been brought back from the dead once more. I guess you just can't keep a good monster down, which is perhaps a good thing in the 'end'.

The Cool Ghoul is a Horror Host in Northeastern Ohio. That's the Cleveland area, to you and me. His show was on the air, on a weekly basis, from 1970 to 1972 and from 1984 to 1986. George Cavender, (AKA The Cool Ghoul) is not only a huge fan of the classic horror movie genre, he is also an authority on the subject.

He has now taken his show to the internet. You can Visit The Cool Ghoul to watch his show in it's entirety with new classic horror movies online. And, of course, the lot's of humor and some very funny bits. http://www.thecoolghoul.com