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PG-13 HORROR

Joel and I were talking about this the other day, we discussed a current epidemic that we are all by now all-too familiar with, PG-13 Horror. The reason behind this topic was that I was talking to one of my movie-loving friends today about Clive Barker on the Hellraiser and Candyman remakes, at one point he addressed that they will not be PG-13, and quoted Horror maestro Wes Craven of our beloved A Nightmare On Elm Street. The quote I don't have at hand, but it went along the lines of when viewing a Horror film, the audience should feel that the film is the product of the disordered mind of a madman; Barker stated that he doubted that a madman would shoot a kid-appropriate pg-13 film. As an avid fan of Horror, I feel that for in a successful entry of the genre I must get the feeling that anything could happen-and in a pg-13 film this is virtually imposble. No gore, watered-down dialogue, teeny-bop characters.(The last of which almost always hand-in-hand with the all-too-terrible lack of suspense most pg-13 Horror has.)

It is not the lack of gore/boobies that fuels my hate for the rating though, it is the fact that these films were once full-blooded R-rated products watered-down just to add that extra kick at the Box-Office. These edits, or as I call them "Puss-Outs" include obvious voice-overs of the "F-word" (See Live Free or Die Hard Theatrical Cut ),and quick cuts before the death-scenes, in my opinion, they come off just as painfully obvious as sex-jokes watered down to be told to a 6 year old. A recent example of this would be the Mark Wahlberg-starring Max Payne.

One may respond that there is more to a film than gore, which I agree with, the story is a great ingredient, no, the main ingredient in all great films. One of my all-time favorite Horror films was Jaws, which was rated PG-it was written PG, and when paper turns to celluloid the kid-friendliness came off casual; I normally forget half-way through that it's the same rating as Daddy Day Camp!! Monster House was another genre offering (This one not quite so heavy on the scares, but still) that I found to be quite entertaining. My point is, I have no problem with PG Horror, and my beef with pg-13 Horror is that it acts like its the king of scare, or in most recent pg-13 Comedies the word "Outrageous" has been tossed around quite frequently. How can something edited for a thirteen-year old audience be outrageous in the least?

So to cut this thing short, how do all you hBidders feel about pg-13 Horror? Love it, hate it, or does it just not matter to you all?

The last time I lived in the states was when pg-13 just came out. Some made for tv movies can be really scary even without gore and profanity. Not a horror movie but when Raiders of the lost ark hit the theatres it was amazing that the movie wasn't an R rating from the violence and gore. Imo ,Halloween would not have been an R if it were not for the boob flashing.

Back on topic, I agree a good horror can still be made no matter what the rating is as long as the director is very good at creating a great horror atmosphere

I feel the same way on this.

When I'm getting ready to watch a horror movie, I just don't have the same level of excitement if it's rated PG-13.

Like you said, I look forward to the

posbility of seeing the unthinkable atrocities unfold on screen, not the PG-13 cut aways.

However, even more than that, I hate going to see a horror movie and being surrounded by mobs of ignorant junior high school kids who are more interested in socializing than actually watching the movie.

Not saying that there aren't inconderate people of all ages out there, but the early teen group seems to be the very worst when it comes to this.

I guess I'm just getting old.

I really hate this trend too, they intentionally dumb down a script or change scenes mply to sell it to as many people as posble.

It's not about making a good movie or doing what you want as a filmmaker anymore, it's all about the bottom line.I just get tired of the tweeny bopper actors and actresses, the cut aways, the "hip" soundtracks, mucians as actors in the film, and lly dialog that comes along with that.

If it was something like Jaws, I can understand the rating.

They didn't make it for that rating, it was just rated that way.But with the crap ones...you can tell the difference immediately, and it seems to be getting worse.

I think it is very posble to make a good PG-13 horror movie and When A Stranger Calls is a great example of that but like you guys said it's not about what the filmmaker wants, it's about selling it to an audience.

I really hate this trend too, they intentionally dumb down a script or change scenes mply to sell it to as many people as posble.

It's not about making a good movie or doing what you want as a filmmaker anymore, it's all about the bottom line.I just get tired of the tweeny bopper actors and actresses, the cut aways, the "hip" soundtracks, mucians as actors in the film, and lly dialog that comes along with that.

If it was something like Jaws, I can understand the rating.

They didn't make it for that rating, it was just rated that way.But with the crap ones...you can tell the difference immediately, and it seems to be getting worse.

I totally agree with you Josh. It's the age old issue of filmmaker (artist) vs studio (buness). The studios are bunesses and (especially when it comes to horror) they don't give a damn about the quality of the product being churned out as long as it makes money, which means making it accesble to as many people as posble.

My own opinion (and it's nothing more than that) is that many filmmakers have forgotten how to make a good horror movie. Most of the horror directors of today cite their influences as poorly written, poorly acted, effects driven films. Visual effects should be used to enhance a storyline, not replace it. Unfortunately, in the 80s as visual effects got more elaborate (and moviegoers lapped them up), filmmakers began to rely heavier upon them at the expense of other apparently unimportant elements like plot and acting. Before the gore effects craze took over and moviegoers were only interested in the kills in a horror movie, we had lots of excellent horror films that didn't need to be rated R. At some point, horror became about grosng people out instead of scaring them. When you take those movies and remove the gore, there's nothing left.

I don't know...I never really paid attention to the rating part although if I did happen to notice it was an R rated movie I expected more. I wasn't even aware Jaws technically was PG13...lol some movies I wasn't aware of the rating until afterwards. Like Jaws sure there can be awesome PG13 horror movies and shit I've seen some R rated horror that sucked horribly. I guess to me it all depends on the movie and the people making/acting in it. I'm all about trial and error though...I shop for horror movies on impulse and when you do that instead of renting first your bound to come accross some duds...I've never attributed the rating as to why it was a dud.

Its hard to make a good PG 13 horror film. The arguement has been made about HALLOWEEN but if you really break it down I cant see a way it WOULDNT get an R nowadays. Take away the boobs....its still a VERY adult theme oriented film....a kid slaying his ster. The premise and the eerie way carpenter went about the opening sequence is enough i think to earn an R. There are too many films that rely on gore for gore's sake and if you remove the gore scenes you're left with shit. But think of it on these terms: take NMOES; F13; TCM; Prowler; Phantasm...you get the idea....ok now make them pg 13.

Eeeek. your left with watered down crap "horror" films.

I think it is very posble to make a good PG-13 horror movie and When A Stranger Calls is a great example of that but like you guys said it's not about what the filmmaker wants, it's about selling it to an audience. I think that it can work, but ade from When A Stranger Call, they usually don't work.

Like Prom Night was OK but One Missed Call SUCKED!

The fact is that is almost imposble make a great horror movie without the freakin kills and gore. And we can't blame the filmmakers at all. They NEED to do it, or the movie won't sell. Althought I thought this shit of PG13 was bullshit, I understand that could be necessary. But when the things starts to have many labels, then comes the control about we can or cannot watch, all is fucked up. Rating movies is bullshit. See, PG 13 means PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED. So, if you have a kid and think he could get a machete and break some heads, don't alow him to see it. mply like this. But, again, if kids under 13 couldn't go to watch a horror movie, it's not up to be made 'cos money talks....

The original "When A Stranger Calls" is not a Pg 13 film imo......PG 13 is good for the "Revenge of the th"....maybe the last and upcoming HARRY POTTER; films that normaly would be ok for kids but some theme or scene is there that is adult oriented-be it visual or social. I really cant see enjoying a slasher; cannibal; zombie or serial killer flick that wasn't R....a ghost movie? if done well sure.