Movie Minutiae - When Suggesting a Horror Movie...
By Johnny Betts, Moviegoer Advocate
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...make sure you suggest one that you've seen within the last few years and not something you just remember scaring
you when you were 6. Believe it or not, our opinions about movies typically change over the years. I'm one of the 7
people who actually saw Howard the Duck at the theater. I thought it was pretty good at the time,
but I'm pretty sure that had a little something to do with the fact that I was 11 years old. I wouldn't even try
sitting through it now, nor would I ever recommend it to someone looking for a good comedy.
I got burned a couple of years back when I asked Mr. Shade if he had any suggestions for a good horror movie. I love
scary movies, but unfortunately, it's getting harder and harder to find something that truly creeps me out. So what
did Mr. Shade recommend? Phantasm. That's right, a horror movie where a sphere flies around and kills people.
I rented it and it was, shall we say, not too good. I laughed at the cheesiness of it all, and there
were some "so bad it's good" moments, but I've had post-Taco Bell bathroom brawls that were scarier.
The next day I informed Mr. Shade that he owed me $4 in rental money. He apologized and responded, "Well, it was
scary when I saw it." "When exactly did you see it?" I inquired. His response? "I guess I was about 10." That's
information that would've been a little more useful YESTERDAY!
But alas, we had a good laugh and I shall hold it over his head from now until eternity. Some people might not be
so willing to laugh off something like that though, so if somebody asks you to suggest a really scary movie then just
remember - just because Attack of the Killer Refridgerator (hey, that's how it's spelled) made you too scared
to go in the kitchen when you were 5 doesn't mean it'll have the same effect 15 or 20 years later, so please make
recommendations wisely.
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