What creeps you out?

[The Curmudgeon]

In (almost) time for Halloween, I thought we'd look beyond the ghosts and devils and horror movies and everything else, and concentrate on something far more frightening; the thoughts and images that play inside your head and creep you out when you least expect them.

It was this Charlie Brooker article that got me thinking about this sort of stuff.

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/may/12/comment.charliebrooker

I too suffer from "Man at the Window" syndrome. My bed is right next to the window, and we often leave the window lying open so the cats can get in and out without bugging us. And every so often I'll lie there and look out, and the thought of a FACE just appearing there, looking in on me... yeesh. Instant goosebumps. And I don't worry about a face appearing in the mirror to drag me into hell or whatever, but I do often imagine looking up from washing my face or brushing my teeth or whatever and there being .... someone... standing behind me.

I don't get it now, but when I lived with my parents I used to hate using the shower. Not cause of a fear of attack from some Norman Bates wannabe, but the shower doors were made of that thick bubbly plastic, the kind you can't see out of. And I used to imagine stepping out of the shower, barely able to see.. and something was waiting on me.

Ditto sitting in the bath sometimes, when I put my head under water and close my eyes (to wash off the shampoo) I often think I'm going to feel a hand pressing down on my chest keeping me underwater. And don't get me started on the idea of someone standing at the foot of the bed..

Yeah, OK. I'm nuts. But surely I'm not the only one?

[trashcanman]

I actually touched on this topic in my song of the week review on Lunch.

www.lunch.com/reviews/UserReview-Fear_of_the_Dark-1429128-14353-Song_of_the_Week_pre_Halloween_edition.html

There's a sasquatch horror film called "Abominable" that does an AMAZING job of playing to the face in the window fear. I was genuinely terrified while watching that movie until they actually showed the monster. Holy fuck did that kill my horror buzz. Turned the film into a comedy just like that. I've never seen anything that good crash and burn like that over bad special effects. What a shame. Check it out, though. Oh, and the face I always picture in the window is this one:

[The Curmudgeon]

Notice you mentioned "Paranormal Activity", Trash. It's not over here in the UK just yet (I'm pretty sure there was a perfect date for it to come out but.. no, it's gone), but I've read a bit about it. Is it as good as everyone makes out?

[trashcanman]

Yes. But only if you enjoy movies like Blair Witch. I know you dig the haunted house docs and ghost stories so I think you'll love it. Take a listen to the way the film has been received over here:

[The Curmudgeon]

Although, to be honest, aren't ALL American cinema's like that? Not trying to lump everyone together or anything, but it just seems every film in America gets that reaction?

[trashcanman]

Nope. Not in my experience at least. They say that theaters in predominantly black neighborhoods are practically audience participation performance art for every screening. It's just a very exuberant culture there. But that's not most theaters. They say that people are panicking and running out of the theaters during screenings of PA to the point where the ushers are pointing out the exits ahead of time to diminish the chaos. I wish I hadn't been the only one in the theater when I saw it.

[Ben]

Paranormal Activity was great, though the last 20 seconds were a bit lame for me, especially the blurb after the screen went dark. I heard about a sweet alternate ending I'm just dying to see.

Trashcanman- I wish I HAD been the only one in the theater. People were screaming and talking and being generally retarded ("Oh no! This is scary! This is scary!") when I went. One lady's cell went off and even though everyone could see that it was her she ignored it until it went quiet 40 seconds later. Of course, that happened right during one of the suspenseful parts of the film too.

I had gone alone (because the movie poster told me not to), but everyone was so obnoxious I wasn't as satisfied as I could have been. I did enjoy seeing a dozen people run out of the theater, though.

Curmudgeon- I get creeped out big time by large, empty spaces, especially at night. Empty parking lots and empty office buildings are the worst to be walking around in when the sun goes down.

I also hate hearing noises outside or in my own home when I'm trying to sleep.

[The Curmudgeon]

Ben, why you're not locked up in prison for murder at this point right now amazes me. That's one of the main reasons I don't really go to the cinema a lot - other people. It seems that 90% of the world can't keep their fucking stupid mouths shut for 90 minutes anymore. Gaaah.

I've read that Paranormal Activity is now the most successful film ever made, costing about six grand to make and making stupid money afterwards. Hopefully this sends a message to idiot film companies - we don't want remakes. We don't want stories we've already heard. We want NEW movies, new stars, new characters. Fingers crossed.