You know...I have to say, I refuse to watch The Exorcist just because of my dad. He is one of those hardcore Mexicans whose machismo ways aren't scared of much. But he told me, straight out, "I'm not scared of a lot of things, but I am scared of that movie...because I know it is real." I refuse to watch it...

I remember being scared of Gremlins for some reason (born 1980). I was also scarred by Pet Sematary. That kid's laugh...just has always stuck with me.

Yeah, Gremlins used to scare the bejeezers out of me as a kid. Arachnophobia as a kid as well.

Has a few nightmares over Ghostbusters II as a kid.

Gremlins, Ghostbusters, Arachnophobia?

Let me know your addresses and I'll send you a copy of Last House on the Left, I Spit on your grave and Driller Killer to get you going

Just kidding - it's strange how we react as kids.

My (mature full of attitude) 9 year old son has been endlessly pestering me to see Dark Knight

I finally caved and sat down with him to see it. All went well until Harvey became two face.

Film stopped. PG 13 correct!

Rob

My parents saw the movie when it came out to the theaters in 1973. They watched in this really old, dodgy theater, which just added to the whole experience. To this day my mom refuses to watch it. That's how you know a movie's scary: when you can't watch it again for over 35 years!

Speaking of movies such as Gremlins that can scare you when they shouldn't: Snakes on a Plane freaked me out. I have phobias for both snakes and airplanes, and I watched the movie in the theater a few months before my wife and I were going to Hawaii. And part of the plane ride back was going to be at night, just like in the movie. About ten minutes before the movie started my hands began to shake and sweat. I turned to my wife and said "I don't think this was a good idea." And I was right.

You see Robert...you make me think. "When can I expose my kids to that sort of thing?" My parents just let me watch whatever they were watching...if it was a scary movie, I would watch it...it would affect me, but I feel I would get over it. I remember my dad telling me, "There is always an explanation for anything."

Anyways...going on with the movies...I remember feeling really gross after Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Audition. I still think about the crap in those flicks...

Also, I have this great story with Ringu. I was watching it with my good buddy from Japan. First time the both of us were watching it. He came to California to visit and was staying with us for the weekend. Well...my wife was working the night shift nursing at the hospital, so my buddy and I decide to rent it and watch it that night. We start the movie at about 11 at night. After about an hour, my friend says he can't watch this anymore...he's too freaked out. And I agree with him. So we turn it off, turn off the lights and go to bed. Not two minutes after the lights go out does the phone ring.......

Ram1312

As a dad I think about this alot. I was allowed to see endless horror movies from an early age and i'm convinced it was the primary reason for me being so screwed up today.

My nine year old son, Luc (named after Besson) has been continually pestering me to let him see Dark Knight on my 120" screen in 1080P Blu Ray. I mention the equipment because it does effect the intensity. I discussed it with my ex wife and we agreed to give him his wish. All went well for 105 minutes and then we shut down. Harvey showed his second face....

Immediate switch to kids Tv to take his mind off that and all seems well an hour later.

He'll be writing on forums in ten years bout horror movies...
Rob

It is a great story and a very good film!

Did you ever finish it?

Rob

It's not a movie but has anyone seen Metallica's latest music video for "All Nightmare Long". It pretty much puts 80% of zombie movies to shame in instilling fear.

PS: We might need a music forum.

Whoa, that's the best zombie movie in years -- too bad it's only nine minutes long!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7o716 ... long_music

Speaking of Zombie movies, Dead Set creeped the hell out of me. It was a 5 part mini-series that ran in the UK a few months ago about a zombie invasion from the Big Brother set. The world is being massacred outside while the "housemates" party the night away. It's downright hilarious in spots, and there's a scene in the last episode that turned my stomach. I recommend it to everyone.

I've heard all kinds of great things about it, but it's not been released in the US in any form (that I'm aware of, at least).

It has been released on the Internet. The Internet is available in the United States.

You know.. I have heard that said re: The Exorcist many times, and for me it was my great scare film for that reason. If anyone who hasn't seen it isn't sure it's scary...I watched the EDITED tv version as a 9 year old and it scared me so bad it took till the movie was re-released into theaters to watch it unedited. And that was the last time I likely will watch it. I saw Nightmare on Elm Street as a kid and thought it was not that bad and it is a lot more violent.

I have found over the years that the films that scare people the most are the ones that seem most likely to occur. I have a friend that will not watch zombie movies, not even funny ones like Fido and Shaun of the Dead. Some won't watch demons, or spirit films. My wife won't watch things like...The Seventh Seal due to her faith. So it makes perfect sense to me what your dad said.

Two others that scared me: Lawnmower Man and Trilogy of Terror...the last story. How did that shit get on TV? Damn little doll running around...screw that! As for Lawnmower Man, I really think if you had full use of your brain and full understanding...that would occur.

A good buddy of mine told me after he saw The Grudge, "Eff that movie, man. It attacks you in places that you're supposed to feel safe in." In other words, you're supposed to be safe in bed, you're supposed to be safe in the shower...plus he had an attic space just like in the movie.

My wife gets really affected by movies where kids are put in danger. I mean, we have a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old. She'll kick my ass if I ever talk about Trainspotting again.

My take on that as an aspiring parent...depends on the kid in my opinion and less on the age.

I was watching horror from 9 on...and used to watch A Nightmare on Elm Street so much that my dad's dub he did for me was out of sync. I was a kid that didn't seem afraid of much and my grip on what was real and what was fantasy was quite firm. I will say this, at age 3 I watched Star Wars with my parents in a drive in, and I still remember Walrus Man getting amputated by Obi Wan. I know it isn't a false memory because my mom mentioned that I would play act it with my figures. So I guess you have to account for that. I am not saying you should allow your kids to sit through say Cannibal Holocaust or Irreversible...I think Rob you did it right, see what they can handle and then end it if you think they are too freaked. You'd be surprised sometimes at what doesn't bother kids. I had an ex gf that her nephew was freaked out by the moon...she says we should take him and his 5 yr old sister to Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship. I was like no, because they couldn't even sit through Godzilla 2000 quietly and it was 90 minutes of wreckage.

Also the fear factor...Ringwraiths and cave trolls and a beheaded Urukai...not great for 5 and 7 year old's. But hey what do I know, so we go. Not a peep out of them for three hours. And not one nightmare. But wow after we left they went off!! lol 'Those kids were getting chased by the horse guys...' etc. I thought it was fun that they thought Hobbits were kids!

Every kids is different and at least you guys exercise parental discretion, real or wondered and don't just expect someone else to do it for you.

As a film fan it's a tough call being a parent. I watched horror movies from about 10 years old (my friends reckon it contributed to the mess that exists today) and know that each person / kid will react differently.

My parental point of view is to sit with my sons and watch stuff with them, talk about it and be there to turn it off if things go too far. Dark Knight was fine until Harvey showed his second face,

Luc is fine and is already wanting a second go at Dark Knight. We'll leave it a while

Rob

My parents were pretty lenient with my movie watching when I was a kid, especially with regard to horror films. As I've mentioned, I was about 5 years old when I watched part of Fright Night. I watched the entire thing just a few years later, probably around age 9. Even a funny horror movie like House (starring the great William Katt) I was allowed to watch at an early age. I saw The Exorcist when I was about 13 after having read the book (which my parents bought for me). Soon afterward I watched The Exorcist III, again after having read the book. I think it depends on the maturity of the child. If I think that my children can watch a scary movie and it won't scar them for life, I'll probably let them watch it. If I don't think they can handle it, then I won't.

I think every child should see Jaws when they're five. Just saying.

heh, the first time I saw Jaws I was thirteen or fourteen.

speaking of terrifying movies, I saw The Ruins yesterday. really shocking film. it makes use of gore, but never abuses it, and maybe it wasn't the shocks themselves but its pessimistic, dark tone that terrified me. creepy movie, I tell you, no wonder James gave it a positive review. (at least compared to the rest of the critics.)

I saw A Nightmare on Elm Street when I was 3. I repeat: 3 years old when I saw Freddy Krueger. My mom's horror movie rules: if you want to sit here with the grown ups and watch this movie, you are gonna be quiet, you're gonna cover your eyes whenever you see some boobies, and if you have one nightmare... no more.

Well, I've never had a nightmare because of Freddy. As a matter of fact, I fell in love with him as a child and had a life-size poster of him in my room shortly after.

Yeah, really depends on the kid. And boobies at the age of 3 were only interesting because I wasn't allowed to see them yet.