Horror Movies of the Decade

I never got to watch R-rated films when I was a youngster so I have been trying to make up for it in the last few years. Something I have realized in my cinematic trek through time is how much this decade has not only pushed the envelope in terms of content and gore, it has also evolved the genre to some degree, challenging old architects that had once seemed permanently cemented into the formula.

In terms of sheer amount of Gore we see in today's cinema's, look no farther than the Saw series to stretch the envelop with each new entry. Sure, in the eighties we had a few decapitations here and there, but nothing to the degree of cutting off limbs or having a shut gun type collar go off. From what I have seen in my extensive "research", is that in terms of going for more intense gore on the big screen, it was the seventies that came closest to what we've seen today, the biggest difference being the quality of effect, as now most(effects) from the 70s seem outdated.

On aspect of a horror movie that will always be present, is that "he/she who has sex must die!" We have seen this element in cinema going all the way back to the original Halloween and see it today in its remake as well; almost a golden rule if you will, or the best way to get abstinence out to teens. Something that has changed however, seems to be he profile of your horror movies typical hero/survivor. As of late, women seem to be filling the role of last one standing, something that really began with Jamie Lee Curtis in the 1978 Halloween, as well as Heather Langenkamp caring the torch of strong female lead in 1984's Nightmare on Elm street, but took a back seat in the 90's for male protagonist. The 2000's, especially the late 2000's have seen a return of the Female lead as they no longer are the damsels in distress(examples being;Jeepers Creepers, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Grudge).

One last trait of Horror movies of the last ten years seem to be remakes, ass we have seen a return of Dawn of the Dead, Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th, The Omen and many more. One positive is that with every remake you at least get something different, look at Rob Zombies' Halloween for example. While I do believe some movies should never be touched due to their sheer perfectness, I can at least appreciate this for this genre, I find this a better approach than making four or five sequels, the likes of which the eighties were plagued with. Hang on though, hasn't there been Six Saw's already? Hm, well, the more things change, the more they stay the same...

-Austin Conway