Definition of a Slasher?

[J Harker]

The first two i think have to be considered slashers, they are perfect examples of the genre. The later ones I've not seen but i gather they offer up a more blatant supernatural explanation for Michael Myers seeming invincibility? I suppose that's why it's difficult to offer exact rules as to what is and isn't a slasher. Something like Alien i would definately rule out as although it follows the mechanics of a slasher film the killer is basically an animal driven by instinct and for me that doesn't cut it.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

The Halloween sequels parts 4 - 8 are all definitely slasher films.

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Originally Posted by fuzzymctiger

Gutterballs has seriously caught my interest, with it's homage posters and it's interesting sounding elements, but the idea of the rape scene has put me off as bit, as has seeing a scene where two people are suffocated using the others genitals. (Impressive suffocation make up though, very realistic.

The rape scene is indeed unpleasant but the death by 69 is a hoot. It is a great film, wilfully offence on pretty much every level that scores more often than it misses with it's humour.

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by Make Them Die Slowly

The rape scene is indeed unpleasant but the death by 69 is a hoot. It is a great film, wilfully offence on pretty much every level that scores more often than it misses with it's humour.

Ok you've convinced me, I will admit it was rather amusing whilst it was disturbing. Guess I'll just fast forward the rape scene and add it to the watchlist

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Originally Posted by fuzzymctiger

Ok you've convinced me, I will admit it was rather amusing whilst it was disturbing. Guess I'll just fast forward the rape scene and add it to the watchlist

Fast forward the rape scene...you will make it look like a Benny Hill sketch!

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Make Them Die Slowly

Fast forward the rape scene...you will make it look like a Benny Hill sketch!

If he needs to fast forward scenes in horror films then perhaps a thread on Jennifer Aniston films would be a better bet for Fuzzy.

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

If he needs to fast forward scenes in horror films then perhaps a thread on Jennifer Aniston films would be a better bet for Fuzzy.

She was almost as terrifying in Just Go With It

But in all seriousness, I wouldn't have a problem with it, I've just heard it's a particularly nasty lengthy one a few times, and that's not exactly what I'm watching these slashers for. I'm watching these because for the most part slashers are fun

Edit: Just looked it up, 8 minutes in fact. Seems excessive, but otherwise the movie sounds great

[BAKA]

There's a brilliant book by Justin Kerswell called Teenage Wasteland (The Slasher Movie Book in the US) which traces the foundations of slasher films from the German Krimi to the Giallo and proto-slashers, looks at the history of the subgenre, covering the golden age in great detail. I consider it essential.

It's not wise to discount supernatural elements, because when the bubble was deflating in the mid-eighties supernatural slashers like A Nightmare On Elm Street revitalised the flagging subgenre.

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by BAKA

There's a brilliant book by Justin Kerswell called Teenage Wasteland (The Slasher Movie Book in the US) which traces the foundations of slasher films from the German Krimi to the Giallo and proto-slashers, looks at the history of the subgenre, covering the golden age in great detail. I consider it essential.

It's not wise to discount supernatural elements, because when the bubble was deflating in the mid-eighties supernatural slashers like A Nightmare On Elm Street revitalised the flagging subgenre.

That's been on my wish list for a fair while that book, I hope to get it some day, as well as Nightmare USA.

As for supernatural elements, I was intending to include the first ANOES, but not the sequels.

[Buboven]

Originally Posted by J Harker

For me a slasher generally avoids outright supernatural, certainly avoids monsters or aliens. Slashers involve human monsters, monsters with the intelligence to realize that killing is wrong but simply not care. Or at least not care enough to stop.

The only exception to that is Leatherface. He is simply a big baby who doesn't know any better. In the first film he is, in the end, simply protecting his home (just look at the scene where he looks out the window and is visibly distressed at people invading his space and put his hand in his face) and is abused and bullied by his family into killing due to, lets say, his lesser mental abilities. Hooper has always said he is simply a big baby.

And I don't think Jason is the brightest guy in the world either. Michael Myers, now that is different, he is a pure evil psychopath.