I frequently question my adoration for horror movies from
’78 to ’88 as being legitimate or simply clouded by my age. When you talk to
many people they will refer to how music and film are not great like it was
when they were younger. Most of the time, with each different generation, it is
not the actual art from that time but rather where these people were in life.
Music or movies at that formative age are much more important in the
experiences than they are in your later years.
HOWEVER…..
Horror movies really were in fact better during these times
as the three of us were born and grew up in. Sure, it began a few years before
I was born and it was towards the end of this period when I actually began
consuming much of it, but my fascination began long before that. Before I was
even in grade school I was spending time sneaking in viewings from horror
encyclopedias, Fangoria magazine, Stephen King cover art, and so on.
It was a special time for the Horror genre that most likely
will never be duplicated. Innovation in the film industry, the punk attitude of
the youth, the freedom of what was permitted on the screen, the political
climate, the advent of the home video; it was just the perfect cocktail for a
horror boom. It may be rivaled again someday but it is terribly difficult to
see how. It was a lucky time for my generation and we had it EVERYWHERE. I will
forever be stuck in these years of horror and maybe it is because of my
age. But I will point out that at
conventions I do not see many young fans wearing shirts of The Ring or Grave
Encounters. I see the movies from my childhood.
For this period of film I am not only thankful as it is a
large part of why I love horror so much but furthermore is also why I most
likely am here podcasting. In many ways
this is directly because of this discussed period. I am curious of your age and
relation to this period? Do you romanticize these films also?
Write in and let us know on any of our platforms! Until next
time….
Beware of the moon
The Professor
