3/8/07
In the latest issue of Fangoria, in their Contributor's Crypt, writer Scooter McCrae's bio blurb reads: "Scooter McCrae is not looking forward to a single genre release in 2007." And it made me wonder: "is now a good time to be a horror fan?". Looking back on the first two months of 2007, it's hard to answer in the affirmative. After all, we've already had The Hitcher, Primeval, The Number 23, Blood & Chocolate, Ghost Rider, The Messengers, The Abandoned and Hannibal Rising. Not such a stellar line-up - although I have to say I found Hannibal Rising to be an enjoyably pulpy revenge flick, if taken on its own terms. And while David Fincher's Zodiac is flat-out genius, it's a docu-drama that happens to be about a chilling subject, rather than a straight horror film or thriller. So we're seeing a lot of high profile horror releases lately - I remember times in the late '80s and early '90s where seven theatrical releases over the span of an entire year seemed like a boon - but few of any quality. But still, to not be looking forward to any genre releases this year? Even though I'm sure McCrae's blurb is meant to be taken lightly - is this seriously a bad time for horror? After all, most fans might look at the films slated for this year and think that it's the most promising line-up yet in what's already been a busy decade for the genre. Even taking into account that as a journalist, McCrae has likely already seen some of the indies that are due to get wider exposure this year, like The Host, Behind the Mask: the Rise of Leslie Vernon, and Hatchet, we've still got Grindhouse, 1408, Halloween (sure, it could be terrible but I'm excited to see how Zombie handles it, at least), 30 Days of Night, Trick R' Treat, and The Mist to consider - along with a sizable group of titles like Disturbia and Vacancy that just look like promising little thrillers. So is this a good year to bail on the genre? Eh...not for me. If I could make through 1989 with Jason Takes Manhattan and Nightmare on Elm Street V: The Dream Child, I'm ok with whatever 2007 has to offer. Having said that, I have to admit it always seems like a great year is finally at hand but yet by the time December has rolled around, it's turned out to be mediocre at best. All the films I've mentioned above could well turn out to be frustrating failures - or at the very least, mixed bags. Yet even as I say that, I'm already looking forward to some of the big releases scheduled for 2008 - like the Wolf Man remake and M. Night Shyamalan's just-announced project The Happening. To be a fan is to always be in that perpetual cycle of anticipation - no matter how many films might fail to live up to those expectations. And there's been too many lean years for horror to not be glad that the genre is enjoying a popular resurgence. Fifteen years ago, for instance, I would've never never thought that horror would be this big again. When Francis Coppola's Dracula remake was due to be released in '92, it was a real point of concern that this film needed to do well in order for studios to want to continue backing horror projects. There was a lot riding on that one film. The genre had hit a fallow period in the early '90s, falling far out of favor, and although Silence of the Lambs had been a big hit the previous year, the word 'horror' bore such a stigma from the slasher franchises of the '80s that very few people wanted to call Silence a horror film. So at the time, the future of the genre appeared to be very touch and go. The whole reason I started a fanzine (Gravedigger's Union, in '93) was, in my own small way, to beat the drum for horror and say that it was still a force to be reckoned with. In fact, my first 'zine article ("The Big Scare") concerned the rise of major Hollywood films like SOTL, Cape Fear, Dracula and Jurassic Park - films whose blatant horror pedigree was purposely shunned by the mainstream press and studio publicists. Now, of course, horror is more respected and its fanbase openly courted (no one connected with The Mist, for instance, is likely to argue that they're not making a horror film), a process that began with the success of Scream in '96. So while there's still some dismal films being made, at least horror isn't as endangered or disrespected as it once was. So is it a good time to be a horror fan? To that, I have to say "of course." Isn't it always? And on that positive note, I have to say I will be suspending regular updates on the Lounge for the immediate future. I'm not closing the site, and I invite anyone whose not already doing so to visit our My Space page where I'll be posting new blogs as often as time permits. So, really, you may not notice much difference. But of late, I've reached a point where I wonder - frankly - why I'm here. I'm at a juncture in the Lounge where I wonder if it has to change to be something else. Even though I continue to get positive feedback, I just wonder if this site should be something different than what it currently is. And at the moment, I'm not sure what that new direction should be. From the first day of the Lounge, I said that we wouldn't be breaking any news, we'd just be commenting on happenings in the genre but after seven years (!), I wonder if that's a proper use of my time, as well as your time as a reader. I started the Lounge with the same intention that I started Gravedigger's Union - to share my enthusiasm for horror. But now, I feel like I need to re-think this site, why it's here, and what it needs to be. I feel that too much time has gone by with too little to show for it. I'm grateful for the feedback I've received over the years but lately I'm much more aware of the passing of time (having a child will do that to you) and how important it is to make the most of it. So...this isn't a goodbye. I'm still around. And as I said, I'll be updating the My Space blog and be looking to interact there. But...the main site will have to take an indefinite respite. But there's enough material archived here to make it worth a visit for both new and old readers, I hope. This is a decision that's been hard to make - just because there's a small but loyal following that has kept me here. But if I'm going to get anything else done, to quote the Beastie Boys "something's got to give." My heartfelt thanks for all your support. Best, Jeff
3/7/07
M. Night Shyamalan has his share of detractors but for the most part, I'm down with the guy. I think The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable are fantastic and I liked The Village, a lot too. I can see why people hated The Village - its ad campaign did it a huge disservice, priming audiences to expect a full-on monster movie. But taken on its own merits, I think it works. Its twist is awfully easy to spot and its moral message borders on the smug but the film is beautifully put together, several sequences raise real goosebumps and the performances are all strong. However, I wasn't with M. Night on Lady in the Water. I think that's an instance where his reach proved to outdistance his ability. On the other hand, it may prove to be a cult classic. I doubt it - but you just never know. I do know that it'll be more likely to be reassessed if M. Night can prove that he still has the skills to make a film with popular appeal. If that happens, then Lady will probably emerge as a dark horse favorite among Shyamalan's hardcore fans. You know, if you're a real fan, you'll dig what he was trying to do here. And based on early reaction to his latest script, The Happening, it looks like M. Night could be making his way back to public favor. An end of the world story, Shyamalan plans for The Happening (originally titled The Green Effect) to be his first R-rated movie. As the director told Variety, "We talked about trying to get the kind of intensity that is present in Silence of the Lambs, and the kind that Guillermo del Toro got in Pan's Labyrinth...the impact of the beautiful things in that movie wouldn't have landed as strongly if the film had not been R-rated." Here's hoping that Shyamalan can really bring it with this film. With the genre so mired in remakes and sequels, it'd be a shame to see someone so dedicated to original work be sidelined. Thanks to Variety for the info. |
