Paranormal Activity

[libby]

I've heard people say that they watch this stuff as a release from real life - that they feel relief, because it's not real.

 but, man.

I won't even go into the ocean at night - sea monsters, you know.

... and I love rollercoasters.

 

[INPEFESS]

WHY do y'all watch horror/ scary movies?

I'm really curious... I've never understood why people willingly watch something that scares them so much.

I don't get it.

 

It stimulates (a) different part[ s ] of the brain (the amygdalae) than other movies and various forms of entertainment, and activates the "sympathetic nervous system" (as opposed to many romance films which typically activate the "parasympathetic").

It's almost the same reason that people ride roller coasters. So many females love the thrill of a roller coaster, but they hate the thrill of a horror movies. There must be an answer somewhere, but I have yet to find it.

Additionally, many (and that is not all) people who like horror movies are not as affected by their imaginations as those who dislike horror movies. While this correlation does not equate causation of those who enjoy horror movies, it is often closely associated with a causation of why those with hypersensitive imaginations do not like horror movies.

Does that at least partially answer your question? Reading about the amygdalae and sympathetic nervous system might help you to understand it a little more.

[StrictCatholicGirl]

My daughter saw Paranormal Activity Friday night. She said it was "pretty scary" but "not scary enough.." Jen loves being scared but has an over-active thrill gene and a very low fear factor - meaning it takes a LOT to scare her. But she loves the adrenaline rush. She's even gone sky-diving. ! 

[INPEFESS]

My daughter saw Paranormal Activity Friday night. She said it was "pretty scary" but "not scary enough.." Jen loves being scared but has an over-active thrill gene and a very low fear factor - meaning it takes a LOT to scare her. But she loves the adrenaline rush. She's even gone sky-diving. ! 

What are her favorite horror movies, the ones she watches when you're not around?

[StrictCatholicGirl]

PS: If my daughter says something is "pretty scary"....... then, trust me, it's REALLY scary!

[libby]

yes, that answers my question!

I really can't fathom why people put themselves in that position... there's enough horror in the world as it is.

I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, either. The few times I've seen them, they scare me to the point where I physically feel bad - not sick, just bad.

I keep waiting for my imagination to calm down - one of these days, I guess.

 

[libby]

PS: If my daughter says something is "pretty scary"....... then, trust me, it's REALLY scary!

Lisa, skydiving?!!!!!!!!

no WAY.

with my luck, if I went skydiving, I'd land in the ocean in the middle of the night straight into the clutches of some multi - tentacled seamonster...

...and some couple would film the whole thing.

[StrictCatholicGirl]

My daughter saw Paranormal Activity Friday night. She said it was "pretty scary" but "not scary enough.." Jen loves being scared but has an over-active thrill gene and a very low fear factor - meaning it takes a LOT to scare her. But she loves the adrenaline rush. She's even gone sky-diving. ! 

What are her favorite horror movies, the ones she watches when you're not around?

She was really spooked at the Exorcist. I still think that's her favorite horror movie to date. Unfortunately, she also likes the slice-and-dice movies - the chainsaw massacres and all that stuff she knows I will not watch. I don't think it's healthy and I told her so. But she seems to be a healthy, well-adjusted person all around. She doesn't have the "hypersensitive imagination" like I do that you referred to in your previous post (which was very interesting and informative, btw!).

So far we've got a few movies lined up for this year's Annual Fright Night. "The Changeling" with George C. Scott, 1980, is one of them. I saw that movie when it first came out and it's a "good-for-a-few-goosebumps" story of the paranormal. As I told you, I have seen Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose but those are really out of my league. The farthest I can push my fear factor (and still be comfortable) is John Carpenter's original "Halloween." The suspense was wonderful .. a truly classic Halloween flick!

- Lisa

[StrictCatholicGirl]

PS: If my daughter says something is "pretty scary"....... then, trust me, it's REALLY scary!

Lisa, skydiving?!!!!!!!!

no WAY.

with my luck, if I went skydiving, I'd land in the ocean in the middle of the night straight into the clutches of some multi - tentacled seamonster...

...and some couple would film the whole thing.

Now THAT'S really scary! I want tickets and a front row seat!   

[StrictCatholicGirl]

I've heard people say that they watch this stuff as a release from real life - that they feel relief, because it's not real.

 but, man.

Yes, it's Escapism - a mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation to release stress or temporarily escape the banality of everyday life. People find escape in fairytales, Harlequin romances, adventure and fantasy movies, and even horror. The human mind is fascinating. I like ghost stories and murder mysteries because I like the unknown (to an extent). I don't like to be surprised out of my wits or scared senseless. That's not entertaining or "escapism" to me. My truly favorite type of escape is getting wrapped up in a historical novel or just plain history. It's real life, but it's not my reality.

- Lisa

[INPEFESS]

My daughter saw Paranormal Activity Friday night. She said it was "pretty scary" but "not scary enough.." Jen loves being scared but has an over-active thrill gene and a very low fear factor - meaning it takes a LOT to scare her. But she loves the adrenaline rush. She's even gone sky-diving. ! 

What are her favorite horror movies, the ones she watches when you're not around?

She was really spooked at the Exorcist. I still think that's her favorite horror movie to date.

I still can't understand why that is considered to be so scary. I've seen it many times, but I never found it very scary. I thought it went over-the-top (the way I said horror movies shouldn't in my last PM to you). She kept spewing this green goo all over the place like water from a hose which was a little dramatic. I think I have the "remastered" version, but it seems that the sound is very 2D as well which doesn't help to make you feel like you're there. To me, it feels like the sound is coming from the 2-dimensional surface in front of me (which it is, but it shouldn't sound like that) and prevents me from actually getting "into" the movie.

Ironically, the part that freaked me out the most was when Fr. Karras sees his deceased mother on the bed in place of the girl. That was just eerie.

Unfortunately, she also likes the slice-and-dice movies - the chainsaw massacres and all that stuff she knows I will not watch. I don't think it's healthy and I told her so. But she seems to be a healthy, well-adjusted person all around.

I've seen a lot of those, but they're probably not spiritually healthy. I don't know. I've seen all the saw films (the gore is extreme, but the story is incredible; it's like a giant jigsaw fitting together, each movie being another part of the same puzzle from the same original story. You find out bit by bit of the same plot that's been going on the entire time, slowly revealing the true motives and intentions of the characters.) I've seen the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes (don't watch that), and lots of macabre zombie movies. I'm not particularly proud of having seen all those, and don't recommend watching them. Many of those I probably would not watch again.

I still like Quarantine, though.

She doesn't have the "hypersensitive imagination" like I do that you referred to in your previous post (which was very interesting and informative, btw!).

Thank you!

So far we've got a few movies lined up for this year's Annual Fright Night. "The Changeling" with George C. Scott, 1980, is one of them. I saw that movie when it first came out and it's a "good-for-a-few-goosebumps" story of the paranormal. As I told you, I have seen Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose but those are really out of my league. The farthest I can push my fear factor is John Carpenter's original "Halloween." The suspense was wonderful .. a truly classic Halloween flick!

- Lisa

I heard of The Changeling, but haven't seen it.

Interestingly, the first time I watched Halloween I didn't really like it. But the more I watch it, the more I'm enjoy it. I don't find it particularly frightening, but that's because I can't feel the psychological pressure that is supposed to be being exerted on the main character.

There's a movie called "Trick 'r Treat" you might be interested in. It is reportedly very good, but features at least one scene of nudity and one of nudity / sexuality so far as I'm aware. It wasn't released in theaters in the United States, but it was just released on DVD last week. Supposedly, it isn't that scary, but it's classic horror that focuses on halloween imagery and atmosphere. I'm going to be watching it very soon - minus the impurity of course.

[StrictCatholicGirl]

Ironically, the part that freaked me out the most was when Fr. Karras sees his deceased mother on the bed in place of the girl. That was just eerie.

Yes! I love eerie and that part was very much so! The levitation scene was also eerie. I also was very spooked by the quick flashes of demon faces you see a few times throughout the film. Director William Friedken was accused of "subliminal messaging" but that's not true. If you can see it, it's not subliminal. But the pea-soup vomiting and head twirling around was a bit over the top. I really think what scares both of us about that movie is something we talked about before. It COULD happen.. and demons are scary business.

Interestingly, the first time I watched Halloween I didn't really like it. But the more I watch it, the more I'm enjoy it. I don't find it particularly frightening, but that's because I can't feel the psychological pressure that is supposed to be being exerted on the main character.

Interesting. As a female, I probably have more sympathy with the main character.. I was around Jamie Lee Curtis' age when that movie first came out. Many young girls feel like they're being stalked. And we've all experienced the prank phone caller - "the breather" and the "hanger-upper" when babysitting in a strange house. So combine those innate fears with the traditional Halloween "boos" and "shadows" and "creaking doors" and it's very powerful. We expect wind rustling through the leaves and the sound of trailing footsteps. It goes with the territory. Then you see a guy behind a tree in a scary mask and wonder if he's an overgrown trick-or-treater. It seems a little strange.... but nobody expects... Michael Myers!  lol

[Arun]

. The only drawback to the movie is the excessiveness with which they take God's name in vain. It has to be close to 100 times. I don't like watching movies where God is offended every time it is played.

every time you hear b;aspheme it is good to say the prayer known as the Golden Arrow:MAY THE MOST HOLY, MOST SACRED, MOST ADORABLE, MOST INCOMPREHENSIBLE AND UNUTTERABLE NAME OF GOD BE ALWAYS PRAISED, BLESSED, LOVED, ADORED AND GLORIFIED, IN HEAVEN, ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH, BY ALL THE CREATURES OF GOD, AND BY THE SACRED HEART OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR. AMEN.

After receiving this prayer, Sister Mary of St. Peter was given a vision in which she saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus delightfully wounded by this "Go/den Arrow" as torrents of graces streamed from It for the conversion of sinners.

[Gman]

After browsing this thread, I went to go see the movie last night. The movie is genuinely creepy and frightening. Someone mentioned something earlier about a roller coaster and I think this movie was very much like that. It was scary to be on/watching it, but in the end it was fun.

. The only drawback to the movie is the excessiveness with which they take God's name in vain. It has to be close to 100 times. I don't like watching movies where God is offended every time it is played.

every time you hear b;aspheme it is good to say the prayer known as the Golden Arrow:MAY THE MOST HOLY, MOST SACRED, MOST ADORABLE, MOST INCOMPREHENSIBLE AND UNUTTERABLE NAME OF GOD BE ALWAYS PRAISED, BLESSED, LOVED, ADORED AND GLORIFIED, IN HEAVEN, ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH, BY ALL THE CREATURES OF GOD, AND BY THE SACRED HEART OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR. AMEN.

After receiving this prayer, Sister Mary of St. Peter was given a vision in which she saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus delightfully wounded by this "Go/den Arrow" as torrents of graces streamed from It for the conversion of sinners.

May I suggest an easier prayer to be said that is designated for this same purpose by the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face? It would be:
SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTUM
VADE RETRO SATANA!

[Credo]

every time you hear b;aspheme it is good to say the prayer known as the Golden Arrow:MAY THE MOST HOLY, MOST SACRED, MOST ADORABLE, MOST INCOMPREHENSIBLE AND UNUTTERABLE NAME OF GOD BE ALWAYS PRAISED, BLESSED, LOVED, ADORED AND GLORIFIED, IN HEAVEN, ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH, BY ALL THE CREATURES OF GOD, AND BY THE SACRED HEART OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR. AMEN.

You have time to say all this every time someone uses God's Name in vein?