MUTANTVILLE PRODUCTIONS

Are Horror Films Supposed To Be Scary Or Fun?

From Fangoria.com:  After watching hundreds (or thousands?) of horror movies over the course of decades, how many horror fans still get scared after watching a horror movie? I’m not talking about merely feeling tension because a character is in danger, but actually feeling frightened by a film.

All too often, it seems that people complain that a horror film was “bad” because it wasn’t “scary”. Without any context, this is essentially meaningless. For example, when was the last time a movie scared them, and what was it?

I feel that this “problem” has less to do with the quality of a film than it does with someone’s having built up a tolerance. Besides being a horror fan, I’m also a fan of very spicy food, and I have an assortment of hot sauces made from habanero and scotch bonnet peppers in my refrigerator at all times. My tolerance of spicy food is significantly higher than average, but my fiancee would argue that just because I don’t feel a dish is spicy, this doesn’t necessarily make it so.

Curiously, when horror films aren’t being accused of being bad because they’re not scary, it’s because they’re “not fun”. This seems to be a by-product of the ’80s, when so many horror films were glutting the market that the genre largely descended from “fright films” into horror-comedies – intentional or not.

I’m not talking about films that use comic relief to briefly release tension, I’m talking about films where you’re laughing at the film more than you’re laughing with the film – or are scared of the film.

With that, if a horror film isn’t “fun” is it a bad horror film? I don’t remember Tobe Hooper’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre being a particularly fun film, but does this make it a bad horror film?

I also find it puzzling when people suggest that I’m “immature” when I don’t find a film that emphasizes shadows, noises and even action from off-camera “scary”. It may simply be a by-product of getting older, but I stopped being afraid of the dark – and creaky houses – decades ago, though I hardly feel that this is a sign of my immaturity.

So have at it – are horror films supposed to be scary or fun? Both? Neither?

via Are Horror Films Supposed To Be Scary Or Fun?.

G.H.O.S.T. Casting News!

Mutantville Productions is proud to announce that our lengthy casting process for G.H.O.S.T. has come to an end.  We are extremely pleased to introduce you to our amazing and talented cast for G.H.O.S.T.

Kathy Sandvoss has officially signed on for the role of Maya.  The star of C for Chaos returns as Scott Thomas accepts the role of the ghost – Johnny Reb.  Kayli Tolleson has signed to play the role of Young Maya.  Clint Jones has agreed to play the part of Seth the resident skeptic.  Dave Tunik has signed to play the horror fan prankster – G.B.  Jack Stecher has signed on to play the role of the caretaker – Maximilian.  John Sexton has accepted the part of Maya’s Grandfather.  Returning from his challenging stint on Devil Comes Down – Jason Wheeley has signed to play the part of Byron the producer.

MVP is proud to welcome you all into the Mutantville fold.  Next stop – horror movie history.

Prep for Halloween 2 by Watching Halloween Interviews!

The Mutantville Players snagged these interviews for you back in August 2007 – just weeks prior to the release of Rob Zombie’s Halloween. Unfortunately, Scout Taylor Compton, Danielle Harris, and Lew Temple were under contract not to disclose the details of the film before the premiere. Fortunately for us – Lew Temple is a die-hard horror fan and was able to give us a bit of insight into the Rob Zombie’s Halloween as well as touch on John Carpenter’s masterpiece.

Scout Taylor Compton – Laurie Strode from Rob Zombie’s Halloween.

Danielle Harris – Annie Brackett from Rob Zombie’s Halloween.

Lew Temple – as Noel Kluggs from the director’s cut of Rob Zombie’s Halloween.