The Scariest Thing I Have Ever Seen
And it's wasn't this.
I went to see the remake of Halloween by Rob Zombie. I've seen a lot of horror movies in my life, but John Carpenter's original Halloween was one of the best-- and I can prove it.
There's an important psychiatric difference between the original and the remake. In the original, you don't know Michael Meyers. At all. We know a little of his background by description only. We don't know why he has to kill everyone ("rage" is the single unsatisfactory answer offered.) He never talks, never runs, never jumps, never emotes, nothing. He doesn't even die, he pauses. He's a robot. You never see his face, either. He wears a mask, but that's basically his real face. He's not a human being, he's a force of evil. There's no person there to rehabilitate. You don't incarcerate him, you set him on fire. (It doesn't work.)
In the remake, however, Michael's childhood is graphically portrayed. Cursing, torturing animals, horrible parents, stripper mom, etc. Now, he's a person. All his future murders are part of that context. Is he responsible? The product of his environment?
Does it matter? You butcher 40 people, and that's pretty much all I need to know. But now I've sat through thirty minutes of his childhood, so it inserts itself in my judgment. To some, that's why you need to know the context. To me, that's the distraction to the truth of the behavior. I don't want to know why he's butchering people. I want to know if fire will stop him. (It doesn't.)
It also makes the movie suck: before, you were terrified of Michael Meyers. Now, you're not as scared, and you hate him. You know why you hate him? Because he's a person.
But that's not the scariest thing I have ever seen.
Let me start by saying the movie is brutally graphic-- torture porn. How this thing didn't get an NC-17 is beyond me. The cursing alone hits you-- it's diarrhea, flowing, disgusting. The violence is beyond overkill, it is relentless. Jesus, we get it, stop killing the dead girl! The movie is also profoundly loud, in the horror movie vein: quiet quiet quiet DEATH!!!!!
Plenty of naked women, very naked, I'm not sure how you can be more naked than naked but somehow they are-- and they get slaughtered. The link between sex and violence is smashed into your skull. I defy anyone to get an erection within a week of this movie.
The movie is draining. By the end of it, you are just exhausted, empty, numb. Nothing you see in the real world has any energy or affect attached to it, because you've been supersaturated by affect. You need a drink. A lot of them. Whisky. And you are completely sickened by all of humanity. The original Michael Meyers made the "right and wrong" distinction so much more visceral. This just makes you want to vomit on everyone you see. You think: every person could be a potential Michael Meyers given the right/wrong family dynamic.
The violence is brutal, long, rageful, it is hate, hate, hate, and the victims aren't killed, they are obliterated, like a jack-o-lantern on a Detroit mischief night.
Which brings me to the scariest thing I have ever seen in my entire life.
So I go to the 1015p showing, along with the usual crowd of degenerates who need to see this kind of movie in the theatre at 1015 pm on a weekday. Not criticizing, just saying.
Midway through this gore fest I need to go to the bathroom. Or maybe I just need a Zyprexa. But as I walk down the steps, I see something that literally makes me freeze: for a second, I actually die.
On the screen is a murder so grisly I cannot actually describe it, but I don't even see it, it doesn't register at all-- I'm looking instead at this. What I see cannot be real.
A second later I breathe, and it's an audible gasp. And what I see, what I see-- is this:
Maybe the picture is too dark. Or maybe it's your unconscious deliberately blocking it out. So I'll tell you: it's a double stroller.
I'll also tell you that after the movie I waited in the lobby to see-- what did I expect? It was a five year old girl and a three year old boy. And an infant. They walked out like it was nothing. A man and woman, in their twenties-- and since you're asking, both white and obese-- pushing two kids, 3 and 4? 4 and 5? They walked out like it was nothing.
The other people now in the lobby were murmuring, whispering, pointing, but not about the movie --? ---!!! ---???? No one could believe it. Even the degenerates were horrified.
By this time it's about 1230 am. The boy yawns.
I found myself inventing the most insane justifications: they slept through the movie. The parents had fortunately given them all a Xanax-- or maybe they're deaf and blind? Maybe they were under a blanket watching Nemo on DVD.
In Lancet there's a study linking ADHD to food additives. Because, you know, that matters.
Addendum: given the controversy this article has generated, I've posted an explanation and apology.
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September 13, 2007 2:18 PM | Posted by : | Reply
That beats the time I saw a couple with two small children and a (crying) infant at "Training Day." And that was in the afternoon. Makes me wish parenting required a license. My kid barely gets to watch nature documentaries.
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 5:38 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Sweet bleeding starlets!!! Some people..how do they not fall down more?
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 6:22 PM | Posted by : | Reply
You set this up admirably. After going through all that distinction between the Rob Zombie and the John Carpenter versions, and going through the "torture porn" description, laying it out how disgusting the remake is, then to bring up that you saw two parents taking their pre-school and toddler kids to see it. At midnight. I can't effing believe it.
Did anyone say anything to these people?
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 6:25 PM | Posted by : | Reply
A few years ago, while in London, I wanted to take my 14 year old daughter to see "The Patriot". (Mel Gison) Both the ticket seller and the manager would not allow me to take her in. "too bloody" they said. "She needs to be 16." So, they saved me from being a bad mother! I saw it later (and so did she) and while bloody and violent, it wasn't "sick". Your scenario is truly shocking
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 6:51 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I know just how you feel. My wife and I saw Natural Born Killers with a man and his wife and their 8 year old son sitting in front of us. The mom left the movie after about an hour. The dad acted like she was stupid for doing so. The son sat there and watched the whole movie without looking away. I guess we should be happy we know better.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 7:02 PM | Posted by : | Reply
You know in centuries past parents used to drag their kids to the local execution blocks to see people getting killed.
It was a whole event. Live and in 3D. Taste and smell and everything.
Oh yeah, those parents also raped their kids. And the kids grew up to become bloody butchers obsessed with wars and revolutions.
Just pointing out what your country is devolving into.
Score: 0 (14 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 7:09 PM | Posted by : | Reply
also, down south and elsewhere before motion pictures, lynchings where family outings. so let's get real here.
Score: 1 (5 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 7:12 PM | Posted by : | Reply
A coworker of mine took his 8-year-old son to Team America: World Police thinking that puppets = kids show. At least HE had a plausible excuse tho.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 8:02 PM | Posted by : | Reply
What do you mean by "degenerates"? Does seeing a movie make me a degenerate? If it does then were all degenerates.
Score: -1 (3 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 8:25 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Pretty ignorant thing to do....
I thought the couple who brought their 7 yr old to see the South Park movie was bad enough..
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 8:46 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Congrats on making it to the front page
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 9:38 PM | Posted by : | Reply
That is some poignant writing. It made me have to stop and salute you.
(franky: get over yourself, I am a degenerate by his definition, so is he, and people who go on saturday afternoons aren't... Quit whining and get the point).
Score: 1 (5 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 10:00 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Did you happen to see this movie in Worcester, MA? I did, at the Showcase North theaters and halfway through the movie someone's kid started to cry. The child was maybe one or two years old.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 10:00 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Funny thing is, I went and saw it this past sunday. We walked out, and two mothers in their late twenties, early thirties brought along what appeared to be matching 8-10 year old daughters. The poor creatures had terror in their eyes, not fear, but real terror. And what do I overhear the mothers saying as I walk out? "Wow, there was a lot more cursing in that than I expected." It is rated R for a reason.
Both obese smoking pigs.
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 10:06 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I remember a high school teacher of mine, many years ago, proposing that if it were possible, humans should have to pass some sort of basic genetic and psychological screening before being allowed to mate and produce offspring.
I suppose he was just trying to make a provocative point, to challenge us... but after reading a story like this, I'm thinking it's not such a bad idea.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 10:09 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Parents just don't care about raising normal human beings anymore. If you're more concerned about what is convenient for you than the psychological well-being of the next generation, DON'T HAVE KIDS.
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 10:18 PM | Posted by : | Reply
While I don't agree with your assessment of the film, I do agree with you about the kids in the audience.
My older daughter is 5, and I don't feel entirely comfortable letting her watch some of the Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks movies that are coming out these days.
I can't even begin to imagine what those parents (and I use the term loosely) were thinking.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 10:30 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Here is an enhanced version of the stroller in all its gory detail. Caution: may be NSFW :oP
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 13, 2007 11:32 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I've been staying up till 2am to watch gruesome horror movies with my dad since I was 5 and I turned out just fine. I'm a pacifist now.
Score: -1 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:07 AM | Posted by : | Reply
"The child was maybe one or two years old."
Little kids like that don't really watch movies. They're too busy sleeping and crying.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:16 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Sadly I had the same experience. The GF and I went to an afternoon show on a Sunday. There was an actual baby crying during the movie and a group of small children ages 3-9 years old over on the aisle. Though I know R-rated means parents can bring their children into a movie it still seems like the movie theater would have refused to allow such young children entrance to this movie regardless of their parental accompaniment. Oh that, and I thought the movie was terrible too.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:36 AM | Posted by : | Reply
What can I say? Some people have taste, some don't. Unfortunately for all of us, you fall in the latter category. I have never seen a point so belabored, or butchered before in a blog post. This is exactly why the average person shouldn't be given a soap box to shout upon. And honestly, who did you pay off to get so highly ranked on digg? You are wrong. Dead wrong. The devil is IN the details, not WITHOUT the details. Michael is made much more frightening by a BACKSTORY! That is the primary flaw of the original. You are fooling yourself, and perhaps others, but if you had any taste for the genre, then you would understand more detail in Michael's psyche only adds to the terror. Congrats! You lose.
Score: -11 (15 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:01 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I'm terribly sorry the movie offended your delicate sensibilities. While I do agree the movie was awful, I don't think this was particularly brutal. Hostel was worse, much worse. This was just poorly made, to the point you no longer feel connection with the people dying because you absolutely can't perceive it as real-- and if you do then you need to study up on your horror.
Score: -4 (6 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:11 AM | Posted by : | Reply
A child between the ages of 1 and 2 is very much watching the screen. My daughter is 3 and half now and recently she's been getting spooked by Disney movies. I don't like taking her to the theater because I think she's too young for sitting around like that for an hour and a half. A movie theater really isn't the best place for young children at all. Reading about this is just very disturbing. I felt bad when my daughter saw a scary part in a G-Rated movie called Mark Twain. Those of us that have children, or work with children are exponentially more bothered by this. Honestly, as much as I dread it I would of called children's services.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:40 AM | Posted by : | Reply
pigs are to noble an animal to be anything like these wasted slobs, they are the literal excriment of humanity.....I too dug the lead in to the point of the real horror of these mindless human beings actually "raising" offspring. The apple does not fall, ya know? So hey! the future looks bright, huh? I have not seen the moive but I can see what you are saying, I have seen other Rob Z movies and was not impressed. There is something to be said for sugestive horror. Allow the viewers imagination to take over and finish the gore rather than having it crammed down your optical nerves, fixated flogging filth. There is such an obvious theme to these flicks it hard to stomach the fact that people eat it up like candy. Taste is something that is in short supply these days. people have come to such a numbed deadend state that this is what it takes to get a rise out of people and that is all many people are after a "rise" what it takes to shock people these days is mind blowing in it self
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 2:19 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I feel fear at this. Mind numbing dread. And I thought the (hispanic) family at a midnight showing (not the first showing--a week later) of the 300 was bad enough. Daddy covered up his daughters' eyes when there was sex or nipples (because she doesn't have nipples??) but was more than happy to let them soak in the blood and carnage.
But that is nothing next to this. For every "pascifist" quality time with dad and 80's horror movies produces, there are thousands of little monsters being completely desensitized to human suffering and coming to view the most conceivably horrific acts as mere entertainment.
That Rob Zombie's films even get made outside of snuff porn (which it is) is mind boggling on a similar level.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 3:19 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Here's an example of what will be the result:
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2007/05/21/unm_criticized_over_use_of_mice_in_study/
Plenty carreer opportunities: CIA torturer, soldier, cop...
The governement needs people like this; that's why they allow so much violence on TV...
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 3:44 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Any suggestion that there be some formal qualification for parenting is sure to get you flamed. Unless, of course, you're talking about adoption. Try to save some kid from the foster-home shuffle, and you get scrutinized as if you were applying to be custodian of the SAC launch codes. Meanwhile, any fifteen-year-old prostitute who forgets her BC pill, gets knocked up, and decides to Keep It will be applauded and subsidized.
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 4:35 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Good blog. I have had similar experiences at far less graphic movies. Very sad.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 5:10 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Should Americans become humanitarians or worse, altruistic, then the killing machine may not be able to mass murder - with or without a conscience. Torture has been noted to be a sign of a very sick mind indeed.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 5:19 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I saw that movie "The Cell" in the theaters when I was about 18 I think and although it was an early evening showing there were two women in there with about 5 kids ages 5-12 probably...I was so disgusted and I walked over to them after the movie and told them what horrible humans they were. To them I was the complete asshole...it's amazing how some people do what they want without actually caring about how it affects their children. And anyone wonders why kids are so neglected they go commit crimes and turn into delinquents.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 5:20 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I really found your style of writing engrossing and deep. I think I might become a regular reader. Good stuff, man.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 5:20 AM | Posted by : | Reply
What's a double stroller, I don't get it?
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 5:27 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Awesome lead-in.
Horrible outcome. I think calling child services would have been in order.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 5:37 AM | Posted by : | Reply
It's weird, I've never understood the rules in the USA.
In the UK, we have the following categories:
U - Universal / For anyone
PG - Parental Guidance neccesary -
12A - Nobody under 12 will be admitted unless with an adult
15 - Nobody under 15 regardless of adult supervision
18 - Nobody under 18 regardless of adult supervision
Halloween is an 18 in the UK, you must be 18 to see it in a cinema, or to rent the DVD. You could take your parent, your teacher, your priest and both sets of grandparents, you're still not getting in if you're under 18.
In the USA however, I've seen loads of R rated movies that contain horrific violence that there's toddlers in arms sitting with there parents.
I just don't understand it. I know parents need to be responsible for their children but surely society must step-in at some point. That's why we don't allow people to beat their children.
Andrew
PS Don't get me started on nudity / sex in American TV/cinema. You can kill someone 15 different ways from sundow, shout and scream vile cuss words, but my god not teh boobies.
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 5:38 AM | Posted by : | Reply
This is crazy. Our film ratings in England are different: U, PG, 12A, 15 and 18.
12A has only recently changed to allow adults to bring children under 12 to the film, which tends to be for things like Spiderman.
Things like this would just not happen in this country.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 5:46 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Of course if it had of been a straight porn movie with no violence then there would be a moral outcry against the parents. I'm not saying that kids should be seeing porn movies, far from it, but the moral disconnect between seeing torture and murder vs sex says a lot about modern society. Personally if I had to choose between my kids seeing someone murdered and seeing two people having sex, well, it's a no-brainer really.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 5:48 AM | Posted by : | Reply
The theater operator should have flagged them or called child services. These poor kids need to be in a decent home. The parents are SICK!And no doubt the kids will grow up thinking it's ok to do as their parents did.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:03 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Interesting incident but I don't get the ADHD comment at the end. As shocking as your movie incident was, shocking incidents happen all the time and people are forever doing stupid things. Perhaps they are an indictment of the human condition but they do not have a single root cause. Even if they do have such a cause, changing it would deprive many of their rights to act freely and put such rights under the eye of an increasingly big brother society.
The poisoning of our children through the use of food additives and other crap put into our foods and medicines, however, is another thing altogether. This is widespread and contributory on a massive scale to societal aggression, ADHD, asthma and quite possibly a whole host of other health related problems. It is only by highlighting the problem that appropriate studies can be done to see how deep the rabbit hole goes but i have little doubt that it is a damn sight more important and, for that matter, a lot more scary than a couple of kids going to see a sick horror movie.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:05 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I remember two five year olds being brought by their grandmother to see Saw 3, and I thought I was bad bringing a girl.
God bless Ireland.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:21 AM | Posted by : | Reply
OK it is one thing to have an opinion about people who would take there small kids to see a movie like this but it is another thing to totally degrade the movie ,, you called it "Horror Porn" which was totally out of context , people like you are the reason that the Horror Movie Scene of today sucks!, cause your all to scared and whimpy for the "Good Stuff" and you want to Censor every effin thing there is out there ,, .... I for one Thought The Remake was Kick A$$!!!! Rob Zombie Did An Excelent Job!!!!
Score: -2 (4 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:22 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Agreed, I had an infant behind me at Transformers. It was an 11:00 showing - and it wasn't a short movie. The lady wonders why the loud violent movie makes the kid cry? Why would you take a young child to go see this?
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:22 AM | Posted by : | Reply
you must be licensed to drive a car. (to get around)
you must be licensed to own a business. (to make a living)
you must be licensed to own a firearm. (to protect yourself and your property)
but any moron with a working set ofer productive organs can go out and have a kid. (to create the future generations of mankind)
we are letting just anyone determine the future of all humankind. does anyone other then myself see a problem with this?
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:26 AM | Posted by : | Reply
i don't understant what it is :(
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:27 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Nice article, quite amusing. But please learn when to use "affect" and when to use "effect".
Score: -1 (5 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:29 AM | Posted by : | Reply
several people have mentioned the need for parental licensing and such. The human race USED to have a weeding-out, if you will, in Natural Selection. With so many freely distributed government aid programs and other resources to help "the little guy," we have completely removed that device from our species.
bring back Natural Selection.
Score: 1 (5 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:35 AM | Posted by : | Reply
So, rather than just blogging about how awful this is, why didn't you call the police?
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:38 AM | Posted by : | Reply
The problem is that evolution does not work any more - you can be fat, neglectful and woefully inadequate in almost all areas of life and still live. It is horrifying that something like this can happen and more horrifying that people don't know how to spell or punctuate the words 'where', 'were' and 'we're' in response to this post. There's a difference between all three of these words. If you don't know the difference between them you are as bad as a fat parent at a horror flick with your terrified toddlers in tow.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:39 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I recently saw Superbad in the theatre, a fairly late showing, and there was a family with 3 kids from probably 3-8 watching. I was surprised by that simply because of the R rating and the crazy swearing. While this does not compare as much to kids seeing the Halloween Remake, it shows that many parents just don't care, I believe, or they are just too stupid to care.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 6:56 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Dude, I don't get why you pointed out the fact that they were obese. Why the hell should that matter? Does being fat make you an even worse parent?
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:00 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Were you and I at the same theater?!?! I went to see this horrible movie and sure enough, a whole family walked out of the movie at the end of it. A baby on the shoulder, a little toddler holding hands with the slightly older sister, and the parents. I wanted to beat the ever loving crap out of both of them. Some people are so worthless.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:02 AM | Posted by : | Reply
double stroller is a rolling chair for 2 children. I dont see anything in the picture that looks like that or anything terrifying... maybe my unconscious is blocking it.
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:03 AM | Posted by : | Reply
For the record, the Carpenter version was made in a time where we thought people who killed people were "bad". Now we come to understand that messing people up does this sort of thing. Zombie's film is the better "HORROR" film because as you said you felt spent, drained and like you needed a shower.
That's what horror is. Startling someone cause a cat jumped through a window won't work after 50,000,000 movies recycle the same idea they started in 1980.
The notion that people like Myers are susceptible people that are going to be helped sometime in the future when we get around to it is all the more horrifying when you think of it.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:06 AM | Posted by : | Reply
What about the brain dead ticket taker? Why didnt he or she say something to management &/ or report these low lifes to the authorities?
One needs a license to get a dog; however, they will let anyone have kids!
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:09 AM | Posted by : | Reply
well now i don't have to waste money on a remake i pretty much thought wouldn't be that good. I mean rob zombie made house of 1000 corpses which is god awful so that just tells me that this was gonna be a bad time as well
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:09 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I went to a 9pm of Fantastic four [the second one]on opening night.
It was so packed the manager tried to seat us personally.. like in a plane.
He tried to put us next to a couple and their 8 month old infant!
I said no way and sat else where thinking to myself.. "oh god that poor kid.. he's gonna be screaming through this whole movie.. ever heard of a babysitter"
To my surprise, the infant slept through the whole film.
Still.. after trying to have kids for 7 years.. all the experts say even loud sound during pregnancy can cause major issues.. same for after.. almost worse during the 1st year of life.
That poor kid, even though he slept, is gonna have hearing problems early on.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:09 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Yeah.. its pretty scary that shit... My friends told me about how they went to see hostel 2 and there were parents with their ~5 yr old kids... It makes you wonder what is wrong with society doesn't it?
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:11 AM | Posted by : | Reply
As a parent I strongly agree that thier behavior was more horrific than the film. But what does thier weight have to do with anything? I am quite large myself but also consider myself a good parent. Does the parents weight somehow make this worse. If they had been two well dressed skinny people would this be any less heinous? Drop the visual judgment and stick to criticizing thier act.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:16 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Unbelieveable. How did the theater owners allow those people to bring their kids inside?
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:16 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Simply brilliantly written. That's all I can really say. So much so, that to comment on the subject matter itself (which is beyond ludicrous) would be to disservices your prose. Excellent work.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:29 AM | Posted by : | Reply
all this talk about having a license to have kids is ridiculous. what we really need is a license to vote. only people who can demonstrate logical thinking, analytical skills, knowledge of US history, and important cultural and current events get a voting license. Then maybe we could avoid fiascos like 2000 and 2004.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:43 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Not sure why you needed to point out that the couple was fat - it really doesn't matter now, does it?
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:46 AM | Posted by : | Reply
IQ tests before breeding! Dammit! I thought that this was just a southern thing, but now I know that stupidity is more rampant than I have feared.
Wasted space
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:47 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I went to see Blackhawk Down one afternoon. Two seats to my left was a five year old girl. I was thinking, ahh crap! I have gone into the wrong theatre! Nope, it was the correct one. How could anyone take a five year girl to a war movie? It is unbelievable.
These same people also voted for Bush.
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:49 AM | Posted by : | Reply
It is frightening that there is even a debate about the link between violent media content and violent behavior. The mere existence of the gargantuan advertising industry should be enough to render any debate about that a pointless waste of time. If TV commercials could not influence behavior, no one would pay to have them shown.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:49 AM | Posted by : | Reply
My wife and I went to see The Chronicles of Riddick, which isn't really that bad, but there was another couple in there and they brought their baby to this movie. And she cried. I, in a moment of stupidity shushed them. Someone else in the theater went out and talked to management, who came in and asked them to leave. On the way out the guy pointed at me and said: "I'll be waiting for you outside you S-O-B"
Totally ruined the rest of the movie for me, as the dread of being beaten up consumed my thoughts (the guy was buff and scary...)
We left the theater from a side door and quickly ran to our car and drove off.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:53 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Who are the people that exist in our society that bring children to this type of movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These "Parents" should be fined brutally
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:56 AM | Posted by : | Reply
i understand the point of everything you wrote except the description of the of the parents as obese. what did that have to do with anything? i'm fat, but i still wouldn't take a five year old to see a horror movie.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 7:58 AM | Posted by : | Reply
A few years back a couple had 3 preschool aged children in the theater when going to see "Night of 1000 Corpses". We asked the theater to make them kick them out and they wouldn't until we told them that the kids we disruptive. I feel for you. Those parents in our experience were furious.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:02 AM | Posted by : | Reply
That reminds me of going to see Jurassic Park (the first one) when first it was released. There were, waiting in the abysmally long lines at the cinema, children as young as three and four waiting to see the movie with dinosaurs with their daft parents. I believe there may have been a stroller or two in attendance. It boggles the mind.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:06 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I rented Pan's Labrynth for my young kids and nieces to watch. I usually watch thewse shows with them, but I was busy with the house that day. Later I sat down to watch it alone and realized my mistake. It's not a kids movie and it says it right on the box. It doesn't say it on the rental box though.
I am a bad parent.
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:08 AM | Posted by : | Reply
What you probably also have to remember is these people probably didn't breed on purpose. Someone that stupid is probably too stupid not to get pregnant.
Also even G or PG rated movies we want to take kids to we review online before taking a chance.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:12 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Good post. I doubt that their obesity lead to their extremely poor judgment about the kids and the movie; bad parenting comes in all body sizes. Fortunately, so does good parenting.
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:14 AM | Posted by : | Reply
People can walk out like it's nothing because it is a movie and it is fantasy. While I agree with your points that films like this are kinda pointless, but you went and saw it didn't you. I will not be spending my money on this film. Horror films suck nowadays. Nightmare on Elm Street 1 was the last horror film I liked.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:21 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I absolutely love the way this is written. Both parts are worth gold separately and priceless together.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:23 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Ya know it is great that we can point out how idiotic these parents were. You know what though these freedoms of parenting are freedoms. While disgusted by the actions of the idiotic parents I am more disturbed by the amount of comments that want them fined, or someone to step in and control how they parent. Why do you people want more government control over your lives?
As a note I am not disagreeing with the fact that they should be smacked with the stupid stick.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:26 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Double Stroller?
Means nothing to me. So I downloaded the completely unreadable photo, ran it through photoshop and... still didn't get it.
After a while - oh, okay. I think (not sure) it's a too-close photo of a double-child-transporter, where you strap very small kids into and push them through the streets.
Even if it wasn't so horribly underlit, the photo itself is too close, not straight, and nearly unreadable.
That's the scariest thing you ever saw?
All I can say about movies like this: it's a movie. You don't take it seriously AT ALL. It's just somebodies crazy (and sick) idea, so what? They are ACTORS. Nobody's getting killed.
Tell your kids that. And don't take them along.
Worse things out there. Like politicians. Any of them. Ugh, bah.
Score: -3 (5 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:30 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I can see calling someone that takes small children to a movie like this dumb, but to say people should of been affect and horrorfied by this movie is just dumb. Its a movie and most people know this, and seriously its a Rob Zombie movie so if you were expecting anything less you had sadly mistaken.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:34 AM | Posted by : | Reply
That is deplorable, but I have a worse one: my husband and I saw Exorcist: The Beginning a few years ago and some lady had a toddler running around the theatre during a midnight show.
We complained to the manager and he was some teenage punk who shrugged. WTF? When I was a kid, you'd get booted just for putting your feet on the seat in front of you!
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:35 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Did anyone, like the psychiatrist, act for the common good and pull these parents aside and talk with them? You all give money to the theaters that bring these movies in and let parents like this bring kids in. You vote for the people that don't legislate against it, or you don't campaign hard enough to keep them out of office. Results matter as much as process. WE, every one of US, are systemically derelict as much as the parents are personally derelict.
But part of leadership is pressing on despite your failings. So, are WE going to do something about it?
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:35 AM | Posted by : | Reply
While I have yet to see something as horrible as this, I have seen my fair share of idiotic parents at theaters. Last year, I went to see the second Pirates movies, about half way through the movie, there was about a three or four year old crying in the isle. The child was crying for around three or four minutes, before any one stood up to help the child. Apparently, the parents were to engrossed in the movie to notice that their three or four your old child was crying, because they could not find them. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that they let them go to the bathroom by themselves.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:36 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Did anyone, like the psychiatrist, act for the common good and pull these parents aside and talk with them? You all give money to the theaters that bring these movies in and let parents like this bring kids in. You vote for the people that don't legislate against it, or you don't campaign hard enough to keep them out of office. Results matter as much as process. WE, every one of US, are systemically derelict as much as the parents are personally derelict.
But part of leadership is pressing on despite your failings. So, are WE going to do something about it?
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:42 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I'm looking at the photo, and... well, I promise I'm not being glib, but what I *see* looks like a hand gripping a penis, in the bottom center of the frame.
Like, this is the most erotic thing the (out of frame) viewer had ever seen.
I suppose your version is about as horrifying.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:50 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I would have called DCF. However, you describe the movie in a negative light yet
it sounds great to me. I guess
even bad reviews can appeal to
people to see a movie. Sex and
violence are connected in life. In almost every way. Like secretly gay rednecks who
beat up gay people.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:52 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Aric, it does not take a fracking village, it just takes a little common sense.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:57 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Sounds like the same family I saw when I went to see the 9:30 showing of "The Departed." WTF are people thinking?
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:57 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Im tired of you conservative Assholes trying to shield children from everything. Thats why most of them are socially inept and unable to cope with life cause you put them in a shut box away from whats out their. It may only be a movie, but complaining that they are watching it makes you all a bunch of conservative pricks.
Score: -1 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:03 AM | Posted by : | Reply
This is frighteningly common. I went to see a midnight screening (that is, the movie STARTED at midnight) once, and there was at least one family with a stroller present.
Come on people, having children is a responsibility you MUST take on, or else DONT HAVE KIDS!
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:09 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Man, I have no idea what those images are. I think I can make out the double stroller... but...?
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:10 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I had a similar experience.
My wife and I went and saw Seven in the theater and there were parents with two young kids there; maybe 7 and 10.
They had to leave when the daughter screamed and kept crying when the Sloth guy who had been tied to the bed woke up.
Way to go, knuckleheads. way to scar 'em mentally.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:10 AM | Posted by : | Reply
when i went to see this movie there was an obese mother with her i'd say around 4 year old daughter with her...i couldn't believe it!
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:13 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I think I may have some of you beat. (not that it's a contest.) I went to see the DOOM movie. Sitting about two seats behind me was a kid, about 12-13 years old. In the scene where the guy is infected and would rather be dead than turn in to a monster, and the only means he has to kill himself is to bash his skull into bulletproof glass until he dies. This kid was laughing hysterically the whole time.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:21 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Dont you have to be over 6 years old to see an R rated film, no matter if you are with a parent or not??
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:23 AM | Posted by : | Reply
The management should have at least tried to warn the parents that the movie was unsuitable for kids. I still remember Freddie Kruger movies from when I was a kid (about 5). I watched one with my older brother who probably didn't realize I shouldn't be watching. I thought Freddie Kruger lived behind the porch swing for the longest time.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:24 AM | Posted by : | Reply
That reminds me of when I saw Silent Hill and saw almost as many small children in the theater as adults. There was a family with multiple adults who all brought their kids...to se a girl get her skin ripped off and a woman raped and torn in half by razor wire. First comment said when everybody left the theater was "Well now we have the next generation of serial killers."
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:25 AM | Posted by : | Reply
As an obese, non-smoking, white parent with a two and fice-year-old, let me state for the record that I would NEVER take my child or anyone else's for that matter to a movie like this. Being FAT has nothing to do with the level of incompetence and stupidty of any person who would take a child to a movie with extreme adult content. Let's just set the record straight on that one, shall we.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:25 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Years ago I went to an XXX-rated drive-in with my then boyfriend. Things were looking good until I heard the 2 kids crying from one car.
Maybe those kids are the ones bringing their kids to the gory Zombie-fest?
Mans stupidiy never fails to amaze me.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:27 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Though I agree with you about the infants and they really shouldn't be portrayed to these types of films, your "review" about the movie is mediocre, boring, and just plain stupid.
You obviously didn't catch the figure of the film. Rob Zombie, as you may or may not know, always puts us behind the "bad guys'" eyes, making us care for them as a character and a person, not just someone to be scared of.
This isn't a remake of the original Holloween, but Rob Zombie's version. What's wrong with us caring for Michael Myers? If you started to care for him, and felt that that is what was supposed to be happening, then Zombie did a good job, and your opinion becomes weaker.
Better luck next time, but Rob Zombie's Holloween was a really great film. Not the best, but it wasn't close to being bad at all. I'm sorry you are easily offended by profanity, naked women, and oh yeah, little kids.
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:28 AM | Posted by : | Reply
So how come the kids were allowed in at all? In my country (Australia), an 'R' rating means nobody under 18 is legally allowed to see it, anywhere, let alone in a public venue.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:30 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I am a Parent of 3 boys and I love the fact that I do have the right as a parent to make my own decision as to what movies I can take my boys to but come on parent’s use some of the common sense god gave you.. Who in there right mind would take there child to a movie like this at any young age and think it would not affect them. Parents like this make it hard on the rest of us; we should have the right to but the sense not to take a child to see such things..
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:30 AM | Posted by : | Reply
"Why do you people want more government control over your lives?"
I'm going out on a limb here and guess that you're a republican, maybe even a conservative. I'll go further out on that branch and guess that the two ignorant breeding slobs are fox news fans as well. So I have a solution to the age old question of where the government should end and personal responsibility begin. At the recruitment center! Sign those poor kids up now and at least they'll be away from their "parents" and can channel their rage thru the barrel of an m16. Now all YOU have to do is get the senate to lower the draft age to 5.
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:34 AM | Posted by : | Reply
What about those that would never let their kids read "Harry Potter", but would absolutely take them to see "The Passion of the Christ"?
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:44 AM | Posted by : | Reply
beats the time i saw 2 ~5 year olds at Superbad the other week. classy parents.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:44 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Sometimes my wife and I will go to out to eat a bit late on a Friday or Saturday night. (We don't have kids.) I am always amazed to see people at a restaurant at 9-10 pm with their young children. I think these people are baffled by their children's bad behavior. It's not that they are bad kids; they are just tired.
The movie thing bugs me also. Even if the movie isn't pure gore. I see people bringing young kids to a later showing of a movie. Then the parents get mad because they have to take their crying kid out of the theater. Come on now how did you expect the kid to act. It's late and they are tired.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:49 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I recall being in the theatre watching 300 and noticed a couple with their two young children watching as well. I couldn't believe it. A young boy and girl watching something like that. They couldn't have been older that 5 or 6 tops...and this was a 9:30pm showing to boot.
I don't have children...but I know I wouldn't take them to see a movie like that. Not sure what the hell is wrong with parents these days (not all, some). How f*cking stupid can you be? The movie theatres really need to step-up and stick to their age policy. I don't care if they are with their parents watching an R movie or not. They should not be in the theatre watching something like that a such a young age.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:52 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I certainly wouldn't take my kids to see such a movie. I don't even watch these types of movies.
But, (playing the devil's advocate) if movies had such a profound effect on kids, then we should simply let kids watch educational movies instead of going to school. If you say the kids won't learn anything that way, then why would watching a horrible movie effect kids so profoundly.
Judging by the comments posted, it seems that many parents take their kids to these creep shows. This is sad and I disagree with their parenting, but at the same time, I don't want to be a part of group that wants to enact laws to take away children from idiot parents.
The last time I checked, Bible stories detailed that Jesus was crucified and you need look no further than any person's neck to see a crucified Jesus out for display to any young child.
To each, his own!
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:54 AM | Posted by : | Reply
@aric
Children watching these kinds of movies has been illegal for quite some time, assuming they are alone. Fortunatley, the government cannot tell us how to raise our children, that is the parents responsibility. I disagree with these parents completely, and believe they need to have DFS come take a look at them, because parents who do stuff like, this, generally are doing numerous other things wrong too. However, you wanting someone to raise your kids for you, so you can set your children in front of a TV and not worry about anything bad comming to them is NOT the answer. Its time for us to take responsiblity for our kids, not ask someone else to raise em for us.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:55 AM | Posted by : | Reply
The reminds me of when my girlfriend and I went to see Knocked Up, which is an extremely mature subject movie, with an ending that even I didn't want to see (think baby coming out of vagina). And to our horror, there were parents (fat ones of course) taking there 7 year old into the theater. It is sick to think that parents don't know any better than to let children see such perverse and graphic movies. This should be considered child abuse.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 9:57 AM | Posted by : | Reply
So did the kids like the movie???
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:00 AM | Posted by : | Reply
why is everyone who comments on this page so judgmental. If all of yall are such better parents then raise your kids the "correct" way and know that in the end you and your kids are better at everything.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:10 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I mean, this is hardly the same same, but when Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back first came out my mom took my brother and I to see it. I was 11. It was a whole different world to me. In her defense, she refuses to read movie reviews saying that they give away too many details.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:10 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Geez! I saw Passion of Christ and was shocked at the 5 and 6 year old kids sitting RIGHT NEXT to me and my fiance. At the end one of the kids were saying "Is he dead yet?" The Passion was small beans compared to this!
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:14 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Simple solution. Find a babysitter. Can't find a babysitter? Don't go to the movie. Wait for it to come out on DVD.
Yes, you'll have to deny yourself the pleasure of paying more for the movie and popcorn and cokes and jujubees than for the DVD itself. Yes, it will require self sacrifice to increase the chances that your children don't grow up to be sociopaths. The shocking thing is that that's what good parents do. That's what it means to be a parent. You have to sacrifice what you want to do for the good of your children.
Geez, this kind of stuff just pisses me off.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:16 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Brought up in gangland, N.Y.; did a one year tour in Nam (in the field) in '69. I literally can not stomach these movies.
There's a big difference between being capable of dealing effectively with the shit in real life vs. dealing with the really sick shit that goes on in some people's heads.
The author of this article was spot on.
Kudos.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:17 AM | Posted by : | Reply
people only think what they have done as wrong, when they face bad result from that.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:18 AM | Posted by : | Reply
people only think what they have done as wrong, when they face bad result from that.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:19 AM | Posted by : | Reply
parents can raise their kids however they damn well please. if they want to let their kids have reoccurring nightmares for a while then so be it. who are all of you to tell them how to raise their kids, you people aren't perfect parents either you know
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:21 AM | Posted by : | Reply
a double stroller is the scariest thing you have ever seen? you need to get out more. we boycotted this movie http://www.scene-stealers.com/blogs/dimension-keeps-halloween-from-us-until-last-minute/
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:23 AM | Posted by : | Reply
The parents of these kids were stupid and did a stupid thing, but I'm not sure what being fat has to do with it. I know many skinny parents who have done this same kind of thing ( several made it a family outing to take the kids to see Halloween ). Does it matter that they are white or not?
For the record, as if it matters, the familys who took their kids to see Halloween who were skinny had incomes ranging from $80k - $200k annually as household income. Does any of that matter of are only fat people capable of being bad parents?
By the way, nice write up and lead in.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:23 AM | Posted by : | Reply
We must have watched two different movies seeing as how you seem to have watched "torture porn" because what I saw, people have sex, then get killed. People aren't getting killed while having sex, nor are people killing other people in the act of sex. The most you see is the chest, and though it was excessive, you can't make a case for NC-17 on the chest alone. If anything this movie would recieve a NC-17 for brutal violence, rather than nudity.
Personally, I liked how the first half of the movie was built around the ultra-realistic, ultra-violent murders including the hillarious death of "Juni" from the Spy-Kids movies. Where-as the second half of the movie devolved (or maybe you would have preferred it to be this way the whole time) into the sexplotation slasher movie that it made homage to (and obviously I'm not talking about the original Halloween).
Yes the first half was excessive and jarring, but it was superbly done. Throughout the whole first half, there was a obvious decline in the gruesomeness in the killings. I believe that it was toned down greatly in order not over alienate the fans. While the second half of the movie was greatly tuned down with the death sequences being as simple as he gets pinned to the wall with a knife, that's it, Michael walks away.
One comment I couldn't believe was, "I didn't know the movie was going to be this violent." Give me a break, it's rated R, Michael kills people, get over it.
If the parent brings their kids to a movie with ultra violence, let them be responsible for the consequences (namely sleepless nights). But don't give me this, "They are horrible parents," bullcrap because they brought their kids to see a movie. It you yourself can't make the distinction between reality and fantasy, maybe you shouldn't see these type of movies either (or maybe no movies at all. Maybe I should gasp or point my finger at you for seeing this movie, but don't give me this "degenerate" crap where you think you are better than everyone else.
People make mistakes, but who are we to point out their errors if there was never an error made on their part?
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:25 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Hmm. Maybe you should see this movie again from the beginning, with your fresh perspective.
I think you might be at least a little more terrified now.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:28 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Stupid people shouldn't breed. Unfortunately, there's no stopping them. I just hope those kids don't grow up to be Michael Myers themselves.
@nicheplayer: The children you've observed late night in restaurants may be tired, but it's kind of a big assumption to make that all kids, especially pre-schoolers, stick to a schedule as we adults do and therefore won't be awake into the late evening. And it's also a big assumption that the parents aren't making a one-off outing as a treat to themselves... You ever tried to stay home in the evenings for 5 years straight? I get what you're saying, cos I see it myself all the time, but if you don't have kids yourself you really shouldn't be preaching.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:29 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Holy christ. Your tale is amazing and written very well. I agree that these people should be smacked.
However, I have to ask...what the hell is with all the comments about "fat people" ??? Did I miss the part where if you are overweight it is assumed you are a bad parent? I mean really, at least three, maybe four posts described the offenders as "obese" or this last one, "fat ones of course". Are you kidding me?
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:31 AM | Posted by : | Reply
wow u people dont even know the begining of {child asbuse} 1st of all have 2 say! Being over weight& smoking is just a way 2 sterotype people. My 10 yr old won tickets 2 see it because she can "sream" on 95xxx. She was so proud. Thank god we didnt make it! what would u all say ? beautiful mom non-smoking what? my daughter as i love scary movies &believe were both ok & normal! Love 2 see ur parenting skills but would bet my bottom $ u dont have any!
Score: -1 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:33 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Sound's like an awesome movie, particularly the more naked than naked. Can't wait to bring a newborn along.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:49 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Great blog entry...
You know, the funny thing about being a parent (and I have been one for over twenty years) is that someone is always sanctimoniously telling you that you are "ruining' your kids by doing this and/or not doing that. I have received a lot of unsolicited advice over the years and withstood a lot of withering glares. For a while mine and my partner's kids were ostracized and our household boycotted by the local Mormon Mom Mafia cuz we were living in sin and who knew what all was going on over here? And indeed we watched some R rated movies now and then, and in our house we talked openly and frankly about things like sex and drugs and how they are portrayed in pop culture. On the other hand I walked out of 'Little Nemo's Adventure in Sleepy Land' because it scared my 6 yr old. The point being that family standards vary. Turns out the most critical issue in any kids life is simply being loved and cared for by a parent figure who is there for them. The kids of strippers, red necks, and lots of fat people turn out OK. Despite the early boycott my kids are now the most popular and sought after babysitters in the neighborhood because they are mature and relaxed. The Mormon Moms are even nice to me now (sort of, so long as I keep my distance).
An aside about the birth scene in 'Knocked Up'. When I watched it with my kids (who have see videos of actual births of actual people we know) we all laughed because we understood the *irony* was that the characters were *ignorant* of normal human anatomy and sexuality thus creating comic tension, blah, blah, blah.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:57 AM | Posted by : | Reply
For the record, my wife and I are kinda fat, and we wouldn't take our 7-year old to see anything over PG-13, or past 8:00PM. We're the ones telling management about crying babies during R movies. WTF does weight have to do with any of this?
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 10:58 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Dude. The film was pretty bad, but not *that* damn bad. "Torture porn"? Give me a f'ing break.
Yeah, it's a horror/slasher film, and yeah taking your kids to see it is pretty dumb. But the way you go on and on about being numb afterwards? FFS guy, grow a pair. Wimp.
Score: -1 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 11:00 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Ok, as disturbed and appalled as I am about ignorant parents bringing their children in to see a movie like this, it also bothers me the amount of people who are fixating on "fat" and "white" people. So only people who are fat, white, or BOTH can be ignorant or incompetent parents? Let's just add a little more bigotry to the world shall we? I happen to be on the heavy side, and I’m white. I also have three boys. I must be raising future sociopaths just because I'm just a fat, white guy according to some of the people here. I would never dream of taking my kids to see a movie of this type, and my wife and I screen TV shows, movies, and books or magazines to make sure there is no inappropriate material in them, much to the chagrin of our 15 year old. I guess we must be the exception rather than the rule.
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 11:09 AM | Posted by : | Reply
some of you shouldnt be parenting. serisously. enough with growing balls for the wimps! NO! dont take your 5 and four year olds to see hacker movies. gee I wonder where all the murderers come from. must be from the families that watch dora the explorer
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 11:17 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I just read Neils Olsen's post a few posts above, and I think it is ridiculous. While I think it is important that we raise awareness about being involved in your government and being involved in the way decisions are made, I think it is completely ridiculous that you passed the blame on to anyone else for this situation but the parents of those children. It is solely their fault and no one else's. Just because the means for them to bring their children to a movie like that exist doesn't make it anyone else's fault that they did so.
The means exist for most everyone to go out, buy a gun and shoot someone, but that doesn't mean that it's the fault of everyone who has never lobbied to ban guns. Issues like these, at least concerning regulation and the law, become such a grey area that it would be near impossible for anyone to regulate it. Just because there's a clear distinction between right and wrong in one situation doesn't mean the entire issue can be successfully and controlled within reason.
All that said, I think the parents were morons and are part of the reason the youth in America today are so darn stupid.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 11:19 AM | Posted by : | Reply
What makes me mad at idiot parents like these are their offspring come to school the next day and talk about the movie they just seen. Then MY son comes home and wants to see it, or quotes from it verbatim. We have 3 kids, if we can't get a babysitter, we don't go. It's just simply rude to take a young child to a movie theater. BTW, My wife and I are considered fat (we don't smoke though), so the fat comments are kind of uncalled for. There are reasons that some people may not know about that cause weight gain.... Your weight has nothing to do with your parenting ability, it may not necessarily be the best influence, but we have great healthy (normal weight) children. So stop judging by appearance as to parenting ability.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 11:24 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Astounding that people allow this, yet women are getting thrown off planes for having too much leg showing...
Don't tell Miss Manners, she'll have a stroke...
Oh...btw... what does the parents being overweight have to do with it? Excess weight does not equal stupidity.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 11:24 AM | Posted by : | Reply
While I don't personally agree with taking young children to see rated R movies, I absolutely 100% agree with a parents right to make that decision for themselves and their children.
Despite my personal preference, my daughter has been watching rated R horror movies with her dad since she was 4 (she's 11 now). She's never had nightmares, she's not violent, she's not aggressive. She's an intelligent, compassionate girl who just happens to really enjoy horror movies (and scary rides at the amusement park)
If your children have a firm grasp on reality versus fantasy, and enjoy scary movies as a form of entertainment, it should be within your right as a parent to determine whether your child is able to handle a particular movie.
Of course, that's probably not what was going on in this case.
As a side note, what's with all the comments (including the article) equating being fat with being a bad parent? Last I checked bad parenting wasn't weight specific.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 11:39 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Dude, show me an actual study that proves horror movies (and all the worries about rock and rap music) actually hurts our kids. Number one, most kids can in fact distinguish between the real world and movies. When you try to mix it up and say it's real; for example wrestling; is when it becomes tricky like the 13 year old kid who accidentally killed his sister with a wrestling move.
That said you'll probably use that to your advantage, but those kids will either get a little desensitized watching gore movies young, or wait until they are "Of age" go out themselves with their friends and become desensitized as teenagers.
Purposely restraining them from seeing these things will make them want to see it more, and grow up to be like my friend who is 21 with three kids, and a second wife. He had to go out and rebel from his parents who were so strict to him throughout his life.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 11:48 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Ignoring a moment the sheer stupidity of these people, I've often wondered at our seeming national obsession with this kind of movie. The success and popularity of this movie and now a series of so-called torture porn movies like "Hostel" and "Saw" makes me wonder if people ever pause for a moment to consider what kind of effect watching this kind of thing has on their minds. The constant exposure to extreme brutality and violence--no matter how artificial or fictional--must have some net effect on the minds of those watching it. I wonder if anyone considers why they may have nightmares, visions, and obsessive thoughts after seeing these kinds of things. I believe it is absorbed into one's consciousness and strongly effects how one perceives the world and humanity in general.
What is most curious to me is that there is clearly a major and I think growing market for horror movies on this level--mind-numbing gore fests that seem to push the limitations of what is acceptable to portray, even in a horror movie. Horror movies have traditionally been on the fringe, more "B" movie category, and I think most afficianadoes liked it that way. Now it's in the mainstream theater multiplexes and people seem to be flocking to get absorbed in these horrific, blood drenched worlds. Because I've never and will never watch movies like this I wonder what value people really gather from it? Is it "fun"? If so, how can it possibly be? Enjoyable? I can't imagine that either. Is it the experience of pushing the mind to its limits, numbing it out--like a drug almost? That seems to be most logical possibility. I have seen the original "Halloween" and it was good because it scared you but didn't really punish your mind with gore. This kind of thing is torture on-screen and off-screen. Are people so numb to violence that they simply walk away from this film blase and not even consider what they just permitted to pass through their minds?
Sorry to sound preachy.
Clearly these parents didn't seem to care what they permit to pass through the minds of the most impressionable. I have two children and believe me children are like sponges. I wouldn't dream of letting them close to this kind of movie.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 11:49 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Personally, I would never expose my children to tasteless horror films, but that doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't want the government telling me how to raise my children either. It's easy to say "they should be brutally fined" or "someone should notify social services" when you disagree with what these parents are doing, but what happens when a group of people doesn't like that a homosexual woman has adopted a child? Or that some parents choose to raise their kids Atheist? Or teach their kids to shoot guns and hunt at a very young age?
It's very different when you're on the receiving end of judgmental blog comments. Parenting is a freedom and I'll be damned if I can be fined for choosing what media I can expose my children to. Or how I choose to raise my kids, in general.
*For the record, the human race has been a violent one for thousands of years. The Greeks, Romans, Persians, Chinese, Indians, Native Americans, all engaged (engaged) in violently glorious acts. How many American wars have been glorified in our public schools and media? WWI, WWII, the Civil War, the Revolution...to say it's a new thing that society is overtly and overly violent is to ignore thousands of years of human history. However, it doesn't mean that we can't change things and work towards peace. Just a side note I guess.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:07 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I don't understand how you can go see a horror movie and say that it is to bloody, that is like saying a hamburger has to much meat on it. It sounds like you need to stick to watching chick flicks those should be tame enough for you. I assume war movies are to violent for you as well.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:14 PM | Posted by : | Reply
wow... I cannot believe how many of you guys think that this is the fault of the movie theater!! The parents of those children had no common sense at all!! Even if they used the excuse that their kids can handle it - doesn't excuse trying to make them grow up faster than they should. Kids should be kids!
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:16 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Honestly, that doesn't surprise me at all. I am a regular horror film attendee (this movie was almost tame compared to other Rob Zombie movies) and people bring their wee ones to horror films all the time. The WORST was at the "discount" movie theater in Albuquerque that I used to go to - it always had tons of youngsters in the horror films. The even more amazing scene was when parents would come in with their 8 year olds and then leave them to watch the movie by themselves (because the kid wants to see the movie but the parent doesn't). What ever happened to parenting?
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:21 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Man, I didn't know you could take babies to the movies. I don't go to movies anymore because of that. Fuck that. I'm taking my toddlers to the next R-rated movie available.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:27 PM | Posted by : | Reply
ha, similar thing happened to me last night at Shoot 'Em Up.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:32 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Dude did you go see condemned. My boyfriend and I did. About half way through that one this woman walks in with her three kids. All old enough to understand what's going on but not old enough to distinguish real from fake. My boyfriend makes a comment to the extent of "Wrong movie to bring your kids too!" then I'm just simmering at this dumb lady and how wrong it is to raise your kids like this. I mean the whole movie was about killing. And then the cop that does the theater duty walks in. I'm thinking great maybe he can talk some sense into her. So I calmly walk up to him and say "Sir um, You might want to get the kids out of here on this one, it's really graphic (there had already been two rape scenes!)" and before He replies The woman says "I know..." and then somethng about being the parents. I don't know if you just caught that last part She said ParentS! He was the father. I'm thinking of all people a cop would understand NOT to bring kids in a movie like this. UGHHH! anyway yall should check out the Alamo drafthouse in Texas. They have kids days and don't allow under 18 at all in R movies. God bless them!
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:36 PM | Posted by : | Reply
i think the inclusion of the period of time skipped by the original Halloween movie makes mike Myers even more scary as a figure. it forces you to realize the depths of inhumanity people are capable of. and if this pops your bubble of security then i am sorry.
now to the gore of movies like saw and hostile these are not horror movies there gore flicks they don't set out to scare you but to gross you out. heck i could not even sit through the saw 3 the rack seen is just to much for me.
i do agree taking young children to these types of movies is not right. and these types of parents should be confronted and asked if they realize the damage any movie like this can have on a young mind. and no making a blog about it on the internet is not confronting them.
though i do find it odd that you guys just had to point out that all the bad parents you encountered were fat. one could take that to mean that you guys automatically equate being fat with being a bad parent. and from first hand experience i know that's not a indicator.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:37 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I find it amazing people can be so desensitized that they think nothing of bringing a child to such a mess of violence and all that terror. But I also find it nearly as amazing that adults even go to this stuff. People, it is not an amusement park! Why would you go to something like this? Yeah, I know "I'm an adult and I can handle it." Yeah, I know....
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:39 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I went to see Black Snake Moan back when it was out. It's the Christina Ricci movie where she's a messed up sex addict who is half naked through at least half of the movie. I was surprised to see how many families and children were in the theatre. There were at least a dozen kids under the age of 10. I think it just goes to show how little parents care these days.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:42 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Hmmmm, funny, we talk about how bad it is to take kids out to see a torture/porn based movies although given a rated R, as if adults are immune.....think about it ...... The two biggest lies ever told a growing child is that when you grow-up you can do "whatever you want to do" and "you can't see this because adults can handle and understand these types of movies". Lol, sorry to say but even in ADULTHOOD there rules which "tell" you you can't do anything you want to do and images of these themes can scar a person in various levels unless you "have" the mental strength to deal with such things and let it leave a sub-conscious imprint, and most people fancy themselves as being able to do so even they are far from being able. Oh yeah, funny how some people like Rob Zombie introduce this crap to the public for mental consumption.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:42 PM | Posted by : | Reply
David Johnson - Is your country filled with people who make broad generalizations based one isolated incident? Did you even read the part where the other people in the theater were shocked someone would do that? I'm tired of all the Anti-American bullshit anytime a small percentage of the population does something wrong. Get off your fucking judgemental high-horse and think once in a while. We aren't all like that...
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:44 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Boethius, what you "believe" and what is truth are two completely different things.
There are people out there who hunt animals and skin the animals themselves. There are people who work in slaughterhouses every day. Farmers killing a chicken, turkey or pig for dinner. These people don't go crazy and kill other people. These people don't end up with a thirst to inflict pain upon others.
There is a huge difference between being a disconnected casual observer of a work of fiction, and real life. People go to these movies for the same reason they go on roller coasters. It's a thrill. On a coaster you can think you might fall off and die. It's thrilling. But you don't see these people then go jump off buildings.
Ever lie in bed and thought you heard an intruder in the house? Scary isn't it? Real life is much scarier than any movie.
The only people who get exposed to killing and gore and get fucked up for real are the soldiers who are forced to kill other live human beings. Forced to see live human beings suffer, get torn apart, and die for real. Those people are affected because somehow our brains, our SOULS can feel real death much differently than fictionalized deaths ever can.
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:49 PM | Posted by : | Reply
...Those who said this movie sucked, are stupid. It does not suck, its a matter of difference of opinion. This movie was remade by ROB ZOMBIE, in context to make it gruesome, more of a psychological thriller and to show what a psychopath truly is and how one is raised to be. If you've seen any Rob Zombie movies, you should have expected this because of his genius imagination and creativity and truly awesomely twisted mind. I truly enjoyed this movie and thought it was about time a horror movie like this was made.. It was not made for children or as "family" movie as you can clearly see. This movie is clearly not made for everyone. If you can't handle brutality then get out of the theater. There are warnings of the violence and nudity. This movie is actually very realistic. It wasn't extremely gory, it wasn't not gory enough. It had motivation explanations of each kill he did and clearly shown. If you were a psychopath, you wouldn't just kill, you'd obliterate as you said. Any parent wanting to bring their child to see this, is stupid. As for hating the person, i didn't hate him. I freaking loved his sense of brutalness and lack of love.
You wanted to see a horror movie, you got it, so quit complaining.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:50 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Everyone chill. My older sister had to drag me along on her dates. It was the best my working/single mother could do to keep her daughter out of trouble during the hippie 70's. On one date, they went to see The Exorcist at the drive in. While they were in the front seat chatting, I was in the back seat, transfixed by the images on the screen. It scared the hell out of me.
I still consider The Exorcist the scariest movie of all time. I love horror movies. I know the difference between movies and reality. I haven't killed anyone. I have raised two children who are simply the best. So I suggest your judgements do not take in the whole story. Chill.
Or don't chill. Go ahead and judge others according to their weight, or what movies they watch, or whether they let their kids listen to rap music or play video games.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 12:51 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Reminds me of my ex-brother-in-law who took his six year old son to see Jackass 2. Idiot.
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September 14, 2007 12:53 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Do you still like my team after they cheated?
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September 14, 2007 12:55 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Againm what does being fat have to do with being an idiot parent? I'm an obese parent and I don't take my children to inappropriate movies, events, whatever. And I don't smell, sweat profusely or sit on the couch and eat bon bons all day. I also am educated and have a well-paying professional job.
Stupid is as stupid does. It has nothing to do with weight.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:01 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I wanted to see it. Maybe not so much after reading this review. I was hoping for a more kinder-gentler remake (ok, bad choice of words). I am the type of person who wants to know "why" he turned out the way he is. I just don't think the amount of violence and gore described ealier is needed to give you the "why".
As for the parenting thing, I control what my child watches. I admit taking my baby (1-9 months old) to some action/comedy movies but she literally slept through it. When she no longer slept through the movies, I stopped taking her. I control what she watches because I want her mind filled with the violence/horror that I grew up with. I was that kid whose parents took him to see Friday the 13th when it came out at our drive-in. I was 5 years old and my parents thought I would go to sleep before the movie started. I didn't. I have become desensatized to violence on TV, movies and video games. I haven't turned out "bad". I haven't killed someone, don't own a gun nor care to. I haven't tortured an animal, etc. Alas, I don't want my children to grow up the way I did because I recognized that my parents didn't do a good job controlling what I watched. I now will see if I go overboard....
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:02 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I choose not to watch this kind of stuff because I find myself 'remembering' the details of the movie and wondering which idiot out there watching is wondering if he/she can get away with that sort of thing. But, that's just me.
My kids are not even allowed to see PG-13 movies anymore unless I see it first (or someone who's opinion I trust). Younger kids do not know how to separate what they see on the screen from what they see in reality and some older kids have trouble with it, too. No, I am not a child psychologist but I am a mother to four children.
As far as “someone saying something” to the bad parents... I do it at least once a week. People need to know that their behavior is appalling and embarrassing. A word of advise to you if you choose to “say something” to anyone, please, be prepared for the remarks you WILL get back. I get a kick out of some of the remarks because I know that they (the bad parents) would not retaliate and say some of the things they do unless they know they are doing wrong and just don't want anyone to point it out to them. For the most part, these are the same people who let the toy section at Wal-Mart baby-sit their kids while they shop.
In a time when selfishness and self indulgence is taught by the parent of the kids that are now growing up and becoming parents themselves… it’s only going to get worse. No one is responsible for what they choose to do anymore and it’s always someone else’s fault. I guess you could it’s our fault that the couple had their three little ones at the movies, late at night, watching a horror film.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:04 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I LOVE this entry because the kids in the inappropriate movie thing is a huge deal to me - and people, especially a lot of younger parents, don't seem to want to suck it up and realize that having a kid means some of their pleasures might be curtailed.
However, the comments I have seen that equate being fat with being a bad parent are, frankly, idiotic and misguided. Does every bit of negative commentary on asshole behavior have to come down to calling people fat pigs?
I'm a night owl and it has always amazed me how many people will haul their toddlers to the store in the middle of the night - it'll be 2am and the kid will be having a tantrum in the parking lot because, geezus, it's 2am and the kid needs to be asleep.
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September 14, 2007 1:04 PM | Posted by : | Reply
There was an hispanic couple that brought their 3 and 4 year old kids to the Passion of the Christ years back. Man, I thought THAT was bad judgment.
I used to see movies all the time.Then I had kids. Now I rent. And watch when the kids are asleep.
And actually, if these terrible parents are taking kids to the theater to watch this garbage, how many kids are seeing this at home when these parents Rent?
great point boethius.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:09 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Next time you see some idiot parents taking their small kids to a movie like that, ask them who they voted for in 2004. If they answer Bush, then that would pretty much sum up that segment of the voting populace: irresponsible parenting and lip service to family values.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:13 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I think I have this beat; two parents, 6 year old-ish and his little sister, 9pm showing of American Psycho. I didn't notice them until the kid started crying at the chainsaw scene.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:15 PM | Posted by : | Reply
DAMMIT!
THIS MAKES ME SO FUCKING ANGRY!! I HAVE TO KILL SOMETHING!! DAMMMIIIIIT!!!!
NOW I"M OUTTA CONTROL!!
LIBERALS! WHITE OBESE DEGENERATES! BUSH! BASTAAAAARDS!!! BUSH! BUSH! BUSH! BELGIUM! BUSH!
AAAAUUUGGGGHH!!!
just kidding.
-omg
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September 14, 2007 1:16 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Have you seen Idiocracy?
See Idiocracy, all will become clear.
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September 14, 2007 1:19 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Brining such small children to Zombie's Halloween is troubling. And your point is . . .?
You also don't know a thing about horror film. Zombie's film does many things (including leaving Carpenter's original untouched), but suck it does not.
It's an important update to the original, one that makes sense in early 21st-century North America which knows about Carpenter's original, the Hannibal Lecter films, and Gacy, Bundy, and Dahmer.
Stick to blogging and consulting patients because you don't know squat about film.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:46 PM | Posted by : | Reply
i dont see what the hubub is. i saw 'the exorcist' with my uncle when i was 5. it didnt [twitch twitch] have any effect [twitch spit scratch] at all......
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:50 PM | Posted by : | Reply
FAGGOT,
HOW ELSE ARE THE KIDS GONNA LIVE IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC WORLD UNLESS THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO HORROR (ALTHOUGH FAKE) AT A VERY EARLY AGE.
ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CHILD SOLDIERS OF ROUMANIA, IRAQ AND SOMALIA HAVE SUCH A GOOD HEAD START.
IT'S NOT ENTERTAINING, IT'S PROGRAMMING, FUCKTARDS.
LOVE, SATAN
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:52 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I had the same thing happen when I saw this movie, only the kids were sitting right behind me. It was a boy and a girl and they were there with several grownups who were eating almost the entire movie, with silverware. At one point the boy got scared and started making whimpering noises and the adults started laughing. There should be some kind of law about letting children see this kind of film, even if they are with a guardian, talk about nightmares.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 1:55 PM | Posted by : | Reply
The remake wasn't a total loss. I agree that they showed too much of the childhood, but that didn't make me think any less of him as a murderous bastard. The story was setup perfectly.. Mike goes to see the only person in his family that didn't dick him over, that's all he thought about. I liked it.
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September 14, 2007 1:55 PM | Posted by : | Reply
To everyone defending the actual film .....
The point is not if the film was good or bad, its that fat people make bad parents...
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 2:00 PM | Posted by : | Reply
OMG LITTLE KIDS WATCHED A HORROR MOVIE AND DIDN'T CARE OH NOES.
I don't think you understand how horror works. If you don't have the context to understand why it's horrible, you just don't see the horror.
There are many many many horrible things in the world that you could watch and just shrug at... until someone told you specifically why it's really so bad.
The kids aren't really watching the movie, they haven't picked up on your "Michael Myers troubled family life makes his killings so much more horrible than if you knew nothing about him" insight.
To them, the violence on screen is about equivalent to you sneaking a look at the original when you were 14. They don't pick up on the subtleties, so they just see gross-out effects.
I admit, it's entirely inappropriate to take young children to see graphic horror movies. But I put it to you that you are looking at the movie from a psychological angle that they are definitely not, and so you are affected much more strongly than they are. You are the target audience of the movie: if you wanted to horrify a child you would need to first have him identify and internalize the concepts from which you would then evoke the horror.
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September 14, 2007 2:06 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I had the exact same experience when I saw The Passion of the Christ (which is brutal, brutal, brutal). The theater was packed with families taking their kids to see this "religious" offering. But unlike your inbreds at least these parents went in oblivious to the brutality they were about to witness.
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September 14, 2007 2:18 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the ridiculous amounts of violence and sex in the Bible and most other religious literature around the world. Some of the acts attributed to King David are simply horrible. Not to mention the way Jesus was killed. 2 billion people of all ages go to church and are surrounded by paintings and sculptures of a crucified Jesus Christ. Violence is everywhere. Not just Hollywood.
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September 14, 2007 2:20 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Some of the people seem to have stopped reading after you throughly slammed the movie and didn't even see the your main point, or perhaps ignored it because you pointed out some major flaws in the movie.
There is a VERY good quote from one of the geniuses of horror and even film in general, Alfred Hitchcock said "There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it"
That Quote sums up the flaw s of this movie and I want to further adapt it to his expanded childhood, knowing every little detail of his childhood removes the terror of your own projections of what it must have been like, as soon as you see it there is no mystery and you are fed someone else's idea a terrible childhood, nothing no matter how well done can ever be as terrifying as your own imagination. I will even go so far as to explain it, everyone has their own ideas as to what is scary and what kind of hell Michael Myers must have lived through as a child, to have it spelled out may satisfy a small number of people's expectations of the horrors of their imagination but for 99% of people it does not line up exactly with what they would consider terrifying.
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September 14, 2007 2:25 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I took my kids to all kind of horror movies and they understand that it is JUST A MOVIE, I have been watching horrors since my parents took me when I was 4 and I turned out fine, I do not want to hurt anyone actually i am a pacifist, since I also grew up in Bosina I was faced with real life issues while dealing with refugees, rape torture etc, and I educated my kids about it. They know that everything portraid in the movie is fake, also the remake is a bomb so I would not take them to see it. Most of the people try to keep their kids from real world and that is why we have all those nutcases running around shooting kids, they hide them from real world pop them with prozac anyways thats another rant
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September 14, 2007 2:32 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Great article! This is horrible, and inspired me to put down my own thoughts at Daily Cents
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September 14, 2007 2:33 PM | Posted by : | Reply
"If your children have a firm grasp on reality versus fantasy, and enjoy scary movies as a form of entertainment, it should be within your right as a parent to determine whether your child is able to handle a particular movie."
That's great, but what if someone's kid DOESN'T have such a grasp and his parents STILL exercise their right to take him to this kind of movie? That kid could be your daughter's classmate. Are you OK with that? I'm not.
I'm also surprised at all the comments faulting the theater owners and ticket takers. Call the police for what? No laws were broken. Most owners volunteer to abide by the MPAA rating system but the MPAA didn't rate this movie NC-17. Why? Because they want more ticket sales! If you want owners to prevent idiotic parents from bringing their kids to movies like Halloween, tell the MPAA (and your Congressman!) that it's not OK for movies like Halloween to be rated R.
Great post, but clearly you should have left out the "fat" and "white" descriptors. They paint a picture, maybe, but they distract from your point.
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September 14, 2007 2:39 PM | Posted by : | Reply
If this scared you that badly, don't ever watch Wolf Creek. It will make you cry.
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September 14, 2007 2:45 PM | Posted by : | Reply
How can you compare the Bible to this? I'm not diagreeing with you that the Bible is chock full of murder and sacrifice. But to compare a crucifix to the imagery on a movie screen of someone brutally murdering and most times fully nude, is just a huge stretch, IMO.
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September 14, 2007 2:46 PM | Posted by : | Reply
why were the parents allowed to bring the kids in, along with why were they bringing the kids anyway?
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September 14, 2007 2:53 PM | Posted by : | Reply
i actually didnt think halloween was that bad. it was a different point of view on the series which i thought was refreshing - most horror movies are totally lame and campy with similar plot lines. bravo to rob zombie, i say.
so what if i (and the rest of the country) are desensitized? whats the big deal? when people were going to horror movies in the 50's, plastic creatures with obvious strings holding them up was enough to freak out an audience. if you were to watch it today, not so scary. its no different now. in another few years, they'll probably have more advanced technology that makes it feel like were IN the movie.
and if parents want to bring their kids in, as long as theyre not crying throughout the entire thing - i dont care what they do. heck, batman scared the crap out of me when i was little, but i got over it. no different.
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September 14, 2007 3:03 PM | Posted by : | Reply
This is nothing new. Violence is part of the American way. A country forged by violence and perpetuated by violence. Why don't you mind your own business and let people raise their own kids. I am so sick everyone living the "right way" and trying to force it on everyone else. And by the way I wouldn't ever let my son see that filthy movie. But, that is my son. Not yours or any of the other soccer mom goody goody agenda pushing hypocrites.
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September 14, 2007 3:04 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Wow. I can't believe someone can liken the sick makeup of a movie to half the worlds religion. i feel to even suggest this is extremely immature and disgustingly unintelligent.
im 17 and probably smarter than you.
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September 14, 2007 3:04 PM | Posted by : | Reply
The article proved a great point.
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September 14, 2007 3:25 PM | Posted by : | Reply
My husband is not fat, yet I am…what kind of parents will we be? How will society see us? I hate this on so many levels! I mean, should I be insulted because I can enjoy a Rob Zombie movie for what it is (fantasy-horror like the slasher films of yore) or because you used the word obese to point out the larger than life size of these “bad” parents for bringing their kids to the film? I watched Poltergeist at 5 yrs old. I loved the Freddy movies back then…my husband’s been watching these horror films since he was 3-4…I don’t see how that and my weight are indicative of my intelligence. I like art films, too. I'm a multi-faceted individual who will make a fantastic parent because I want to be. Not a bad parent because I'm fat/obese! Obviously these kids weren't phased by it, perhaps they really wanted to see it? Is it a prerequisite to discuss a movie right after while still in the theater? And who cares if they were white or whatever?! Grow up and mind your own business!
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September 14, 2007 3:33 PM | Posted by : | Reply
And I thought Blair Witch was scary. Wow. I'm really out of touch with the horror genre since I have kids who dominate the movie selection I watch. If it's not furry or purple animated character, I probably haven't seen it recently.
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September 14, 2007 3:34 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Hmmmm, I imagine the parents, over weight because they're both wacked out on zyprexa for the bipolar they think they have, taking the kids to the pshrink because they don't want to go to bed, not tired because the only exercise they get is watching tv, and scared to close their eyes because they are children who watch nasty sh*t at the movies and on tv too. So the parents tell the phrink, our kids are driving us crazy, sometimes they won't sit still when we're watching tv, sometimes they even make noise, and they never want to go to bed. And the pshrink sez, ohhhh, well, bipolar is genetic, lets dope em up, and then it's a happy phrama family. Now that's scary.
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September 14, 2007 3:43 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I don't know what's so shocking about it. I would take my kids to see whatever! This is so american. "oohh children can't see violence and boobies they'll get traumatized"
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September 14, 2007 3:48 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Rob zombie films are always over the top murder, violence, profanity and sex.. to the point where the distinction of each is blurred so much it's like mursexprovlence. I'm no prude by any means but good horror is not flooding the senses with every depravity known to man.
there is something to be said about john carpenter's halloween.. and I think you nailed it.. having someone who's motivation we cannot fathom makes the character that much more obtuse and thus scary.
Rob zombie movies are like a buffet of violence and sex, where they force feed you with a firehose until you explode.
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September 14, 2007 3:51 PM | Posted by : | Reply
People like that should just stop having kids.
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September 14, 2007 4:33 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I had pre-screening tickets to Borat and sat behind a five year old. The father tried to block the kids vision at first, but thought it was over and stopped right before the fat man 69.
That kid showed real terror.
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September 14, 2007 4:37 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Rob Zombie should not be allowed to make movies.
I watched House of 1000 Corpses with some friends one Halloween, near the end of a horror movie marathon we ran with the Evil Dead series and 28 Days, that sort of thing. The Rob Zombie movie was sickening. Not a horror film at all, just a long, LONG, snuff film. Horror does not work that way. Rob Zombie uses the conventions of horror, but he doesn't seem to understand them.
But, as to your real point in the article, I disagree. I don't think anyone will be changed, towards or away from sociopathy, by a Rob Zombie movie. It's like this: When I was a kid, I'd watch lots of different kinds of things, vampire movies and the idiotic werewolf movies and stuff, and they never had any sort of effect on me, fear-related or otherwise, because they just seemed so mechanical. "Oh, the skin gets cut up when razor-sharp objects become embedded in it. Okay." No meaning or spirit to the action, just some fake Hollywood meat or blood. But I would get terrified of Disney cartoons. Disney managed to convey to my child-brain a sense of the reality of Bad People and Bad Things. Seeing the mechanics of violence without real meaning inherent in it had no impact on me, emotional or otherwise, and I don't suppose it would on too many other kids. Nor do I believe that Rob Zombie is capable of convincing anyone that the people who get killed in his movies are "real" or lifelike in any sense--it takes a lot of actual talent to convince the audience of that, there's even a series of awards called "the Oscars" that are meant to be given to the people who come closest.
I don't think Rob Zombie should be let behind a camera, but I don't particularly think it's done much lasting harm to the kids, provided they are exposed to some sense of morality that should be made to feel like it isn't just "what some people arbitrarily said we can and can't do, presumably in order to further their own personal interests."
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September 14, 2007 4:39 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Points:
- It's not illegal take a small child to an adult-themed film.
- It's unlikely to even be quantified as abusive or neglectful, and an overworked and horribly inefficient and ineffective child protection service should not be called in such an instance. (I also wonder why people would be in favor of ripping a family apart and subjecting children to the very real, lifechanging horrors of foster care over a movie.)
- Not all families keep a typical schedule do to shift work, homeschooling, sleep disorders and so on. When you see someone out late with kids it doesn't mean that the children are up inappropriately late for their schedule. Don't assume.
- Body size and race is about as meaningful in a discussion of behavior as favorite color or make of car. In other words, it's not. Obese or thin, tall or short, white, black or latino. It's just not germane.
- How great an effect seeing a horror film will have on a child will vary from child to child and the younger the child, the less the effect. (Simply because they have limited cognitive ability to understand it and limited memory to retain it.) There will always be children exposed to things that others deem "inappropriate" and that's something which must simply be absorbed and dealt with by society. Government solutions aren't the answer, nor are harebrained "parental licensing" schemes. This is a question of culture and education.
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September 14, 2007 4:39 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Wow. Child rearing. Questionable parenting. Obesity. Insidious influence of the media. Critique of Mr. Zombie's filmic art. Vapid conflation of the lot in several posts. Until recently, I had naively assumed that children living in countries with routine access to indoor sanitation and nutritious food would not, without question, be permitted to access public entertainment designed to induce revulsion. Seeing this not to be the case in America has been surprisingly shocking. I love horror films, always have. Part of their appeal when I was a child was that they were an adult diversion, one that I would become able to access as I grew, like being able to vote, run with scissors and clean my ears with matchsticks. Denying me this during my tender years lent the horror genre its delicious appeal. The paradox of America to many Europeans is its embodiment of liberty combined with a perverse interest in the private lives of its citizens. To see that this does not extend to a simple limitation on what they can see in public cinemas is honestly, honestly appalling. The assumed liberty to raise one's children as one sees fit is not one that is shared here. Letting children view graphic images of sex and horror is something that, on the whole, I am rather pleased our government has an interest in. Parents may, in the comfort of their own homes, let the kids settle down to a quiet night of blood spattered breasts and spilled viscera. I'm sure that some kids will love it, that some parents will be able to put it in context for them, and that, importantly, the kids can go to their rooms and do something else instead. How about letting them watch some hardcore too? The boundary somehow becomes easier to discern. Kids, as they mature, will either want to see this stuff, or they won't, that's their choice. To put them in a situation where they have no choice seems wrong.
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September 14, 2007 4:52 PM | Posted by : | Reply
This is exactly what the experience was like for me and my boyfriend when we went to see this. It was opening night, the 7:00 show, and the theater was PACKED. There was not an empty seat to be had. Directly in front of us was a family of four: Mom, Dad, 8-10-year-old son, and 5-6 year-old son. The youngest had his head buried in his mother's arm throughout the entire movie. The old never moved. I don't think he even blinked. Mom and Dad acted like it was no big deal to have their impressionable children at a movie like this.
By the way, there were no fewer than 3 infants and 15 kids under the age of 12 at that showing.
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September 14, 2007 4:57 PM | Posted by : | Reply
To some of the posts addressing me.
*Not a conservative
*Believe in personal responsibility. Hence no government involvement except when absolutely necessary, and no matter if I don't agree with their parenting this isn't a necessary time for involvement.
*Hate "titles" conservative, liberal, I don't mark myself down as any. I have my own beliefs and they can fall on whatever side of the fence.
*It is not illegal for a child to see an R movie it is not even illegal for a theater to let a child alone see an R rated movie. The movie rating system is voluntary. See http://www.mpaa.org/FilmRatings.asp Just like the ESRB ratings on games it is up to the retailer/cinema company to enforce the ratings at their discretion.
Also
"Ya know it is great that we can point out how idiotic these parents were. You know what though these freedoms of parenting are freedoms. While disgusted by the actions of the idiotic parents I am more disturbed by the amount of comments that want them fined, or someone to step in and control how they parent. Why do you people want more government control over your lives?
As a note I am not disagreeing with the fact that they should be smacked with the stupid stick."
is the only thing I posted.
Here is what it comes down to, they aren't my children they aren't abusing them and who knows how well adjusted their children are. If they are being loud and annoying take it up with the management. It is their choice to bring their children to the movie. Personally I would like to keep the civil liberties we have.
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September 14, 2007 5:01 PM | Posted by : | Reply
This was an excellent blog.
Very intriguing.
And I must say that I am shocked at some of these posts. This IS a big deal. Those who say it isn't do not have their own kids or do not realize the damage that can be done at such a young age. There is a difference between shielding them from everything which I agree may not be the best for them, and stuffing their throat with disgusting images that hardly a regular adult can stomach.
I remember watching movies at a very young age, and being traumatized by them. And none of them were close to this level. children really cannot distinguish reality and what is shown by hollywood. It may be as similar as putting the real thing in their face.
It is somewhat easy for adults to over look the whole thing and brush it off. We know better. They don't.
Also the comments on how they probably didn't mean to have a child, are completely off the subject and pointless and wrong. I have given birth to an accident, am just as capable as anyone else, and I would NEVER do something like this. Do not put these two together. You ass.
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September 14, 2007 6:41 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I love how you point out that they are fat and smokers.. That puts them right up there with the nazis and commies.
Sure, that was a case of bad parenting, but get over it.
The whole emotionally crippled by TV/movies/videogames is getting pretty old too. When will people realise that no movie creates a Columbine, and start dealing with the actual problem.
Smokers.
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September 14, 2007 6:59 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Oh Noes! Don't put the killing in context or it'll make me hate him. Damn it! I loved micheal mayers before this movie, I found him to be the strong silent type IMO.
Tool..
Damn it I got sucked into his garbage internet hate machine.
/wrists
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September 14, 2007 7:51 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I too went to see this movie. I am into criminal psychology so I really liked the movie. I ALWAYS want to know why. It is just how I am. That being said...when I went to see it I was sitting next to a fifty something year old woman who brought what must have been their grandkids with them. One was around 10 and the other was small enough to sit on her lap. I think making them sit through that is border line child abuse. I mean the third word in the movie was C*nt, for Christ sake. The 10 year old was so scared that my husband had to tell her to stop grabbing his arm. The 2/3 year old was mesmerized the whole time. As we were leaving I said (out loud) I bet she's glad she brought a fucking kid to THIS movie. I was waiting for her to say something about MY language but she didn't. Oh also as we walked out there was a 20 something guy carrying his infant out as well. Did I mention it was the 9pm show.
Disgusting.
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
September 14, 2007 8:06 PM | Posted by : | Reply
To Flave:
Their is a difference between seeing an impression of the crucifixtion of Christ and watching someone hammer in the nails with all the gory details presented in wide screen colour. We keep pigs and this november will be gutting and bleeding them. Should I take my kids, nephews and young cousins to participate or watch. F**k no. It is something that adults do to put food on the table. THere is no need to present it to children until their minds are able to comprhend WHY we are doing it. Taking a child to a horror movie is simply sick and their parents should be a least cautioned.
I congratulate you America, you allow children to witness rape and murder while at the same time worry about the odd nipple showing on screen. Your priorities are out the window and being buggered by rabid dogs. Much the same in the UK though.... damn, I hate the World I am trying to raise my kids in....
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September 14, 2007 9:03 PM | Posted by : | Reply
"Interesting incident but I don't get the ADHD comment at the end."-said a commenter. --Because taking children to the movie is far worse than worrying about ADHD and red or blue dye in food or drink being the cause of ADHD, which in the USA is quite a problem, thus leading into a discussion on parenting, ability to parent, nutrition and mental health. There is a point here, and it's not really about the movie, or is it? Kids are being misdiagnosed with ADHD, Bipolar, etc. and maybe, just maybe, they needed to sleep longer, have a calm upbringing, eat well, do well, be well? No doubt these kids could end up writing stories that get them scrutinized by public health officials? based on a vivid imagination? or movie influence? or mental illness? what causes mental illness? Parents? society? culture? food?[as in poor nutrition] this is such an important discussion, don't miss the point.
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September 14, 2007 10:08 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Tremendous writing here. Nicely done.
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September 14, 2007 10:19 PM | Posted by : | Reply
that is truly disgusting on so many levels. I completely concur with the poster above, sex has become so taboo that we've channeled all that energy into the most disgusting violence available. Furthermore, that's now become so commonplace that the event that generated this blog post is not so terribly out of the ordinary...
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September 14, 2007 10:24 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I read a story very similar to this a few months ago at filmwad.
apparently this is more common than i thought. freakin' disgusting behaiviour
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September 15, 2007 12:27 AM | Posted by : | Reply
incredible writing indeed. full of energy.
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September 15, 2007 10:51 AM | Posted by : | Reply
"Im tired of you conservative Assholes trying to shield children from everything. Thats why most of them are socially inept and unable to cope with life cause you put them in a shut box away from whats out their. It may only be a movie, but complaining that they are watching it makes you all a bunch of conservative pricks."
followed by:
"I'm going out on a limb here and guess that you're a republican, maybe even a conservative. I'll go further out on that branch and guess that the two ignorant breeding slobs are fox news fans as well. So I have a solution to the age old question of where the government should end and personal responsibility begin. At the recruitment center! Sign those poor kids up now and at least they'll be away from their "parents" and can channel their rage thru the barrel of an m16. Now all YOU have to do is get the senate to lower the draft age to 5."
I love the juxtaposition of these quotes. One of them blames Conservatives for wanting to take away freedoms. The other blames Conservatives for not wanting to take away freedoms. Michael Myers might not be the only invented boogeyman.
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September 15, 2007 6:24 PM | Posted by : | Reply
That is disgusting but sadly enough I've seen it happen on multiple occasions. I went to see Saw in theaters when it came out and I too went to a fairly late show but it was a Friday or Saturday night. And there was a woman there with her baby. The kid was around 3 and screamed and cried the entire time. It was disgusting. People who don't know how to parent make me sick.
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September 15, 2007 7:27 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Although we mightn't always agree with their judgment, censors put ratings on films for a reason, and their judgment is enforceable by law. Whether its the responsibility of the theatre and/or the parents, I am going to find out tomorrow!
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September 15, 2007 7:54 PM | Posted by : | Reply
as a young kid my parents let me watch any movie they were and just told me the truth about what a movie is and how the real world works , it is that truth of the world around me that my parents gave me that give one common sense and politicaly correct people lack that common sense . hey its just a movie and it ant real hahahahahaha
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September 16, 2007 5:46 AM | Posted by : | Reply
1. Rob Zombie is a shit movie maker. He couldn't make decent music and he can't make decent films. He relies on gore and horror in order to come across as a storyteller and fails miserably.
2. Taking your kids to the cinema to see anything other than Disney is fucked. Rent the fkkn DVD and keep your shitty kids out of my beautiful cinema.
3. If you really think films like "Halloween" are such a turn-on then your sexuality is in BIG fkkn trouble. Off yourself now.
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September 16, 2007 7:17 AM | Posted by : | Reply
My mother took us to see The Exorcist when I was 6 and my sister was 7. Messed my sister up for years. I'm fine though 30 years later, I just need another drink.
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September 16, 2007 6:04 PM | Posted by : | Reply
OK. Let's pretend this was actually a screening of the movie "Tin Men." It's pretty much benign and very much only for adults. It's still a late night screening.
1) Attending movies is a trivial activity we do for entertainment. They in no way HAD to be there.
2) The kids should of been in bed getting a good nights sleep.
3) Young children, and long sits just don't mix. You're torturing a child when you take them to your adult kidless friends house and expect them to sit quietly for two hours while you gab over tea. It's also torture to put them in front of a movie for two hours and sit quietly.
4) The parents put the health and welfare of their children behind their trivial need for entertainment. Are the kids not getting fed so they can make payments on a big screen TV as well?
There's a reason parents let their kids shout out at children's movies. There is a reason they're constantly going in and out to the bathroom. There is a reason children's movies are short.
Now let's throw in the fact that it's a movie with a continuity of horrid graphic violence. Horror Porn (cause "porn" doesn't just mean tits, ass, and penetration). This isn't a movie with one frightening scene. This isn't a movie with one sex scene, or a scary suspenseful scene at the end. Really, the best way to describe these parents is "bad bad bad bad."
Parental Guidance requires a lot more than just parental attendance or screening.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 16, 2007 7:48 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I've been watching violent movies and playing violent video games since they even started being considered 'violent'. I even saw real life videos of people being beheaded and such when I was in my early teens, I've turned out just fine. I'm not saying I'd let my kids do the same, but if they did see it, it wouldn't be as horrible as everyone is making it out to be.
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September 16, 2007 11:30 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Wow. Hey you, thelast, you've hit some buttons here and almost everyone seems to be offended by something that was said. You did a great job...
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September 17, 2007 2:49 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Seems to me this is just an asinine way for you to vent your dislike for people you perceive as being "white trash".
Way to go fucktard.
I think if you try to put a limit on anything a child may want to see, then they will definitely find away to see it. I remember when I was growing up, my parents didn't want me to see the Friday the 13th movies, or the Nightmare in Elm Street movies. That's all I needed to decide that I WAS going to see those movies, however I could, and lo and behold, I've turned out to be a normal member of society *gasp*
I think ultimately, each individual parent should know what their child can or cannot handle. I have a 10 year old son, and I've let him watch movies that are rated PG-13, and some that are even rated R. I know my child well enough to know that something like this isn't going to scare him for life.
To the writer of this article...Do you have children?
Next time maybe you should be the one who sits at home and waits for the dvd release. Then you won't have to fear the overweight, smoking white trash parents of dewm.
Asshole.
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September 17, 2007 2:18 PM | Posted by : | Reply
come on, you are such a dip shit... i watched "violent" movies when i was a kid and it didn't fuck me up or make me a killer. if the parents want to take their kids to see a "R" rated movie then its up to them. where were your kids the whole time you were watching the movie? oh yeah, you probably don't have any.... stop being a controlling, judgmental asshole; the law says that a legal guardian can bring their children to see a "R" rated movie, if you don't agree with it write your senator.
the only crime i see here is the family paid to see that horrible (story-wise) movie.
and whats with the "obese" and "white" comments? because someone is white or fat they are held to different standards? your a racist fucking bigot.
maybe those movies DID effect me as a kid because i wanna smash your "holier-then-thou" face in with a shovel right about now.
fuck you, i hope your mother gets raped by a wild boar, asshole.
Alone's response: excellent points, all. Fortunately, I addressed them in the next post.
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September 18, 2007 2:48 PM | Posted by : | Reply
Wow....
Although - I can not tell you how many times I've seen this happen at the theatres - of course we should blame the parental units - but what about the staff at the theatres? (Hell what am I suggesting they are just kids themselves).
The worst transgression I ever saw was during the movie 'Last of the Mohicans' where the Indian cut the heart out of one of his prisoners...there was a 5 yr-old kid sitting in the seat beside me and I wanted to cover his eyes and poke out his parents' eyes with a hot poker.
While I can certainly identify with those angry readers here who seem to think you were pointing out the 'trashiness' of the parents involved - I totally disagree with their ignorant objections - first of all one of my main thrusts as a parent was NOT to censor my children's reading and listening habits (I read 'The Exorcist' at the tender age of 11 yrs old - talk aobut being a scared shitless Catholic chick) - anyhow my mom tired her best to censor everything I read and listened to - until I informed her I'd go to the public library and read and listen to my heart's content - but as a parent myself I drew the line at what my children WATCHED - why? Not because I wanted to censor them - but because I really did not need my 5 yr old having nightmares due to my own inability to parent. Time enough for th ehorror of real life to descend on them - why shove it down their throats?
But I digress...
(BTW love your writing)
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September 19, 2007 3:44 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I am a fan of Rob Zombie, the person who directed the remake of Halloween.
I am not sure if you've seen his previous films, House of 1,000 Corpses and Devil's Rejects. Devil's Rejects was a very hard movie to watch, but it was to make the point that where in House of 1,000 Corpses you are seeing people who admire killers. Devil's Rejects is the cold hard reality of what these killers are really like, and it's hardly something to admire.
I think Rob might have been trying to attempt the same idea with this film. Alot of horror film fans have idealized Michael Myers. Not in a, they'd go out and commit crimes like him, but in a he's kind of cool sort of way. What Rob was doing with the remake, was saying "Look you all think this kid is cool, badass. Look at what REALLY makes a sicko like him. Do you think he's so cool now, do you think he's something to idealize?"
Rob Zombie has watched horror films, since was young. Hence the last name, which is a reference to b-horror films. I think he's trying to turn the horror genre on it's head. He's making horror fans re-examine their admiration of the main characters in these films. So they realize, there is nothing to be admired about them.
Most horror film directors have said they make films where they feel more empathy with the victims than the killer. Maybe the new Halloween is a response to the frustration these directors must feel, when instead of the victims are admired for their courage the killers are admired instead.
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
September 19, 2007 3:50 AM | Posted by : | Reply
After I re-read your article after my previous post. I noticed you made a point to mention the parents who brought the children to the movie were obese.
Sizeism is a real form of prejudice. Assuming that because these parents were ignorant because they were obese is rediculous. Please visit:
www.bigfatfacts.com
I am a person of size, and I'm not an idiot. I know other people of size who also don't fit the stereotype.
When you face adversity most of your life, you're not wasting your time with social persuits as often as others. You have more time to educate yourself, get informed.
There is more to be said for the ignorance of the pretty people, who spent all their school years gossiping and cutting classes with their friends. Please if you are trying to make a point about the ignorance of people, don't ruin it in your further posts by mentioning their size. You wouldn't be able to get by if you mentioned their skin color.
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September 19, 2007 5:34 PM | Posted by : | Reply
"What Rob was doing with the remake, was saying "Look you all think this kid is cool, badass. Look at what REALLY makes a sicko like him. Do you think he's so cool now, do you think he's something to idealize?"
Yeah I saw house of 1000 corpses and my reactions ranged from laughing at how stupid somthing was to feeling a bit sick and grossed out. I thought oh he is doing a parody of campy horror or making a statment through satire about overuse of mindless ultra grotesque violence (like the kid who gets cought smoking a cigarette so his parents say ok you like cigarettes your gonna smoke this whole carton right now and see if you ever want one again.) I thought mabey he is actually being clever. Then I saw an interview with him talking about the 1000 corpses movie and no he thought the really dumb, stupid and totally unbelieveable parts were dramatic over the top story telling and the mindless gore was chilling , terror inducing masterfully crafted horror. It was just horrible , maybe horrifying like in the way a snuff film would horrify most people. The Shock effect wares off though and after seeing two of his movies I don't feel I need to see any more I get the gist. The story in his first 2 movies is not even worth wiping your A$$ with and with out buckets of gore and the graphic visualy illustrated perverson though out his flat cardboard charactors and shallow disjionted plots would not be able to keep your attention/interest for more than 15 minutes. Of course I'm guessing if he did not write the script for Holloween it could be somewhat be better than his others.
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October 2, 2007 8:26 AM | Posted by : | Reply
That's crazy. Those parents have no idea of their responsibilities. Some people should have to take a course before having children.
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October 24, 2007 4:18 PM | Posted by : | Reply
For the love of humanity, STOP BLAMING THE THEATER WORKERS! It's not their fault that they are doing their job. They can't deny a family of services becuase of something that ISN'T EVEN ILLEGAL! Just because they were doing their job does not make them a bad person. I agree that the parents should have exercised moral judgement, but it is wrong to blame the theater workers.
Grow up, people.
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May 9, 2008 9:03 AM | Posted by : | Reply
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July 11, 2008 3:12 AM | Posted by : | Reply
I work with children as a counsellor. Children are profoundly affected by horror movies and the effects can be wide ranging.
An eight year old came to see me because a class mate told him a horror story. She went into vivid detai and kept scaring him over a period of days. She told him that if he did not believe the story, then the monster would really go after him and his family.
When I first heard that a little boy had been told a scarey story, I thought it was not big deal. Well it was a very big deal. I asked him how things had changed for him in the last week. He looked at me and said,"My life has changed completely". He could not sleep or eat and was afraid to go to the bathroom His parents were really unnerved by the sudden change in him.
Now the kid who told him the story watched violent, scary movies with her dad who watched them a lot. I asked her if the movies scared her and she said that they did not. The father thought it was his right to watch whatever he wanted and to watch this stuff with his child. His child was torturing this other kid with frightening stories. She would say suddenly,"Oh I saw a severed foot behind the door". She did not let up.
The boy who was afraid could have been damaged FOR LIFE by this event. The little girl who told the story is so dissociated and cruel that I doubt she will be miraculously helped. She is thoroughly disliked by her peers. Her parent says she has lots of friends ( She does not).
I think this story illustrates, maybe better than statistics or scientific research, that it is a really bad idea to watch horror movies with your kids. Also, if you can watch this terror porn, then take a really good look at yourself and why you are doing it.
It tends to leak out all over the place and some of these places really dont deserve it.
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
July 21, 2008 10:51 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I would really love to find out the title of this movie that is so "horrible" and "scary." From the description, it doesn't even sound as bad as some of the films I've seen. Anyone know where I can find it?
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
July 21, 2008 10:51 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I would really love to find out the title of this movie that is so "horrible" and "scary." From the description, it doesn't even sound as bad as some of the films I've seen. Anyone know where I can find it?
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
August 3, 2008 1:45 PM | Posted by : | Reply
the scriest thing i eer seen is xresies
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
August 23, 2008 4:20 PM | Posted by : | Reply
ya soo scary im looking for the type of scary that will make you piss your self
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
January 10, 2009 11:38 PM | Posted, in reply to , by : | Reply
Dumbass. you act as if America is any worse off than you. It's what the worlds coming too, not just america.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
June 15, 2009 4:25 PM | Posted, in reply to , by : | Reply
you suck hairy picles on a corndog stick so u are a asswhole for righting this shitload of fucking comments u hore.motherfucking bullfuck.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
October 15, 2009 1:56 PM | Posted by : | Reply
I don't understand why you wrote an apologetic follow-up post to this one. You saw something shocking and horrible and you told the story. I think you did the right thing by sharing it and I see no harm in describing the parents as they are: white and obese. It's not like you said they were honkey fat-ass pigs or something. That *might* have called for an apology but a valid description is nothing to be sorry about.
Frankly, I'm disgusted by how many ignorant comments this post received and I'm truly astounded that there that many people out there who are more concerned that you said someone was obese or white than they are about the fact that three very small children were exposed to something that will, without question, warp them for life.
That some of these moronic commenters DEFENDED the parents actually makes me feel ill—I don't want to imagine that such people exist, nor do I want to believe that their kids could be sitting right next to my kids at school. Is that an asshole thing to think? Perhaps. I really don't care, though, because my kids well-being will always be my first priority, unlike a lot of the morons this post ushered out from their proverbial rocks.
Anyway, I applaud you for writing this and I wish you would delete the other post. There is no need to defend yourself in the face of such extreme stupidity.
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
January 1, 2010 1:11 PM | Posted by : | Reply
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Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 1, 2010 1:33 AM | Posted, in reply to , by : | Reply
I stumbled on this article way late at random, but that's good f-in writing, first off. Best review I've ever read, and right on about the original Michael.
As for the story...
fuck...
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
September 19, 2010 2:20 AM | Posted by : | Reply
Good grief it's sounds like he (the author of the article) almost sht, puked and had a heart attack, Dude if you can't handle the movie don't try to write about it, It was a very graphic movie, but I have not been scared or horrified by movies since Nightmare on elm st. and before that the EXORSIST now thats a movie to scare the sht out of ya, I saw it at a midnight showing in Alanta Georgia when I was 17 it scared the krap out of me that I had every light in my house on for days, those were the good old days when a movie could still scare or horrify you. And as far as the kids The sooner they are desensitized and realize the movies aren't real and the world around us is a whole lot scarier than any movie and the boogyman is on the street of any city and it's easy to find him. I didn't read the appoligy because I thought it was a pretty good rant I can picture him about to hurl all over that double stroller and he's probly seeing a shrink because he was tramatyzed and filed workmans comp. HaHa all in jest
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
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