Cinema goes in and out of trends throughout it’s history; more so than any other form of media. With this we see how some trends last and how some go without a hitch. One trend in Hollywood that stuck and only advanced with technology is the usage of violence. With the advancement of CGI and makeup techniques directors and crew have been able to create intense images on screen that seem almost to real to be fiction. This has worked to help promote films in a new way; you are now watching a film that took place in the past or you are now watching our future.
Violence in movies isn’t new with this advancement in the late 70’s early 80’s. We see with “Psycho” and “Bonnie and Clyde” that violence has been used for decades to get a point across. Some films use these advancements for improvement to the plot while others use it instead to simply shock the audience. Two films that I studied recently use the concept of violence in different ways but still use it as the main draw. With advancement in makeup and filming style came a film called “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre“; I’ll abbreviate it to TCM for the duration of this essay. Directed by Tobe Hooper in 1974, TCM started a craze in horror. Not only will it be considered the father of the slasher flick, it used the idea of horror in an authentic way. Hooper created and promoted the film to be based on a factual event (in reality he based in on multiple events and multiple people), but at the time the idea that we were viewing the demise of people’s lives was horrific in itself; “…after its matinee premiere at a tiny movie house in Austin, Texas, word-of-mouth hype surrounding the “true story” pushed the film into theater chains, only to be banned a couple of weeks later thanks to conservative parents who didn’t appreciate the brutality. Yet, like anything banned for being too controversial, it only sparked more intrigue.” informs film connoisseur Olivia Armstrong.
The idea of using reality to work with new advancements didn’t just affect the horror genre. “The Terminator“, directed by James Cameron, came out a decade later and used the idea of time with violence to create a sci-fi action flick that used people’s emotions with the violence to create a new feel. Cameron created a villain based on technology, and though it’s been done before, he thought up a character that is technology hiding in human flesh. The movie is heavy in machine violence and has a complicated story that uses the violence to enhance the point. “The story’s resulting plot is therefore relatively complicated with lots of critical details about its world…” stated an article from Cinephilia and Beyond. The movie could be made without it, but, it’s the action with the sci-fi that boost this new way of tackling the subject. The movies plot is a little beyond reality but not implausible to actually occur in the future. “The real star here, however, is the story – written by director James Cameron with Gale Anne Hurd. It’s so good, in fact, you almost forget the film’s flaws – like the cartoony look of the war-ravaged future. Here, the most absurd excursion is believable and we go along willingly – stopping now and then for a breath or a laugh.” states film critic Henry Gallo.
Both films had an affect on society and future film making due to their techniques with story telling and directorial ways. Terminator advanced the way we look at technology not only in films but in our everyday lives. This had a social impact and had people asking questions about how much technology is too much; a question still being asked today. TCM affected our way at looking at real violence. It broaden our conversations about true horrors and boasted the start of urban legends in film and everyday life. The films hit very close to home for many Americans, as the characters are every day people, thus making the viewer feel the realness of their situations.
Each film was very successful in their own right. Both TCM and Terminator spawned multiple sequels to continue the stories that engrossed America. They did this by being wise with their use of story telling. The violence in TCM is strictly violence; the gore is their to be what it is; shocking. But, this doesn’t mean the film isn’t smart in it’s own bizarre way. The plot is not complex but our villain is, like most serial killers. Our protagonist aren’t heroes, they are me and you. Terminator too is a film that looks unintelligent to the outsider but on the inside as a complicated villain attacking our everyday heroine. They take the viewer by surprise and hit them full force unto something new and fresh.
Hey. I liked your section on Texas Chainsaw Massacre a lot, i also did part of my post with this movie. Its interesting to see what someone else comes up with through the same movie. In future post i think i will start to do what you do and compare my movies not only to the other film i’m doing but relatable films in the same era. One thing that I learned from the Terminator is the question about technology. When the movie came out society could see (fictional) huge advancements in technology and wonder when it will become to much, just like the movie. Good job!
Hi Katherine,
I really liked your post. It is very easy to read the opening paragraph drew me in. I do like the fact that you talk about the trends in Hollywood and the use of violence and how this trend stuck. I like that you reference other films of the same genre that have influenced the theme. I will try to do this in my future posts, how do these movies compare and what the affect does that play on the movies that we are watching today. I was unaware of the movie being banned but I can see why, I can also see banning it making it more intriguing, people always want what they cant have.