Sunday, September 12, 2010

Horror's Sentimental Journey

In the world of horror, there isn't much tenderness or expression of feeling. Why not? Because it's a damn HORROR movie, that's why.

But there are some instances of actual emotion and warmth.
Behold, my favorite sentimental scenes in horror:



Frankenstein (1931)
Never mind that he's going to throw her in the water five seconds from this moment.
Frankie met a friend, and couldn't we all use one of those?



The Village (2004)
My favorite romantic scene in a horror movie comes at this moment of quietness on a porch.
Not a lot of dialogue, but a boatload of emotion. Well played, and yes, I did tear up during this scene.



Pumpkinhead (1988)
Aww, this scene is so poignant. Poor little Billy Harley. As his daddy holds him one last time, it's hard not to choke up a bit. And wish for vile vengeance against those a-hole teenagers.



The Others (2001)
Grace's husband comes back from the war - or does he? The two share a long overdue reunion, only to discover he may have never been there in the first place. A sorrowful bit of film that always gets to me.



The Sixth Sense (2001)
I still get a lump in my throat when Cole finally tells his mom about his ability - and then proceeds to mention something that was said by Lynn's (dead) mother that only she would know. A powerful, yet tearful few minutes in film.



The Evil Dead (1981)
Who else thinks it's hokey yet sweet when Ash gives his beloved the necklace? Try to forget you've seen the rest of the film, in which Ash has to kill Deadite Linda when she succumbs to Kandarian demons. Yeah, makes that necklace seem all the more important.



Let the Right One In (2008)
When you love someone, age isn't usually a barrier. But being alive usually helps. In Eli and Oskar's case, however, love knows no bounds. This scene above is proof, even though the entire movie is a love letter to sentiment - you just have to know where to look.



The Shining (1980)
In a rare moment of tenderness, Jack Torrance (already under the influence of the Overlook) gives Danny a loving hug. Danny, however, does not seem to reciprocate. Hmm....



I Am Legend (2007)
Because I couldn't put a pic of the moment when Sam died - because it gets me right in the gut - I instead chose this pic of the two friends bedding down for the night, to the sound of the roaring Darkseeker crowd outside.



Stephen King's IT (1990)
"Your hair is winter fire. January embers. My heart burns there, too."
Enough said.



Ghost Story (1981)
After a lovely sundae for two and a stroll in the rain, Alma and Don come back to her place for a little rendezvous. Too bad she is a vengeful ghost. Always spoils the fun.



From Hell (2001)
In a movie as dark as this one, it's really hard to see anything even remotely affectionate, but Johnny Depp and Heather Graham manage one steamy moment in a grungy alley, and it's the only true emotional moment in the film.



Friday the 13th (1980)
Steve likes Alice. See the way he touches her face when he says 'thanks, Alice'. What a tender moment... Too bad Alice has the hots for Bill instead. Too bad both Steve and Bill end up dead anyway.



Carrie (1976)
Didn't you just for a minute....think things might work out okay? That Carrie and Tommy might just fall in love and everything will be coming up roses? When they stand on stage, holding hands and accepting the king and queen crowns... And then all hell breaks loose.



Dawn of the Dead (2004)
One of the calmest moments in the thrill ride that is DOTD is Frank, accepting his imminent death and saying good bye to his daughter. Touching, depressing, intense, and hard to watch.



Psycho II (1983)
My favorite moment in one of my favorite movies is when Norman, realizing he is slipping into insanity again, turns to Mary for comfort. He relays a story about his mother making him toasted cheese sandwiches, which sounds ridiculous, but it works. Cue the violins.



Jaws (1975)
Winner of my Most Sentimental Moment in a Horror Movie award, this scene from Jaws is what got me thinking about this post to begin with. It's such a touching segment in the film, when father and son do their little copycat routine, and end with Brody asking for a kiss, to which his son asks why? He responds with "cause I need it". And he does. After all, he's got one big mother of a shark to hunt.

10 comments:

Andre Dumas said...

Good one Chris! I can't even begin to tell you how much I love that scene in the Sixth Sense. I even have it recorded and on my Itunes. I honestly believe it's one of the most beautiful and touching scenes I've ever seen. Gaaah I love Toni Collette so freaking much.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that you included the scene from Pumpkinhead here. I've always thought that the loving father-son relationship depicted in this movie was probably one of the most believable ever set on film, in this or any other genre.

--J/Metro

Christine Hadden said...

Andre: That scene in The Sixth Sense never fails to hit me hard. The more I see it, the bigger the lump in my throat gets. I love it.

Jonny: I love the relationship between Ed & Billy too! I love the part where Billy tells his dad he doesn't have to wear his homemade necklace all the time, "just when it strikes ya"...his death is a kick in the gut.

Franco Macabro said...

I love those scenes in EVIL DEAD when Ash is playing around with his girlfriend, the interplay with the eyes, the playfullness between the characters.

That scene in JAWS with the kid imitating the dad, tender in deed!

Nice list!

kindertrauma said...

Great list all around and super props for including Psycho II's grilled cheese sandwiches! I think I'm going to have to make one now and slice it in half with my c-c-c-cutlery!-Unk

Michele (TheGirlWhoLovesHorror) said...

Great topic! Agree with the one from Sixth Sense. Toni Collette is so good in that whole movie.
Forgot about the Jaws one, good pick!

Pax Romano said...

Excellent choices.

As for Carrie - I sometimes wish the film would end after Carrie and Tommy have their dizzying dance and fall in love. Sigh, I am such a hopeless romantic.

cynniegurl said...

I nearly teared up just reading and remembering these moments. love it!

Will Errickson said...

These are great! Although the whole time I was reading it I was thinking of that JAWS scene.

Christine Hadden said...

TFC: I love that whole segment in The Evil Dead, too - it's so great, isn't it? Bruce Campbell is perfect.

Unk: I'm a huge fan of Psycho II and think that scene is so touching. But hey, I thought when you moved in you FORGOT to bring any c-c-c-cutlery!

TGWLH (and Andre) - I agree, Toni Collette is awesome in that film and anything else she's in quite frankly. Just thinking of that scene even now it brings a tear to my eye.

Pax: Aww, I know you're actually thinking more of that happily ever after with Tommy....but really, that blue polyester suit? Could you ever forgive him for that?

Cynthia: Thanks for reading, and yeah, they are some sappy moments, eh?

Will: And I knew it would be you that appreciated the Jaws reference the most. There's really no denying it is a PERFECT film :)