'Fear' Presentation

What Theories Surround Horror? Propp's Character Theory and Todorov's Theory Of Narrative

Todorov and Propp's Theories from Precious King

Eden Lake Review

 

‘Eden Lake’ Film Review: Release Date – October 31^st 2008

James Watkins’ Eden Lake is an adrenaline-filled, heart racing horror which had myself and many others covering our eyes and shouting at the television screen. Actress Kelly Reilly, plays primary school teacher Jenny and her boyfriend Steve played by actor Michael Fassbender. 

When the two go on a romantic camping holiday, the romance comes to an abrupt end when the couple’s private get away is invaded by troublesome-youth in the area.  The situation soon escalates into a gruesome series of events where characters are stabbed, beaten and even burnt alive.

What made this film so horrifying is that Watkins took realistic events that we hear on a day-to-day basis such as stabbings and gang violence and was still able to portray it in such a spine-chilling way.  This in my opinion made the film even scarier due to the realness of it unlike many other horror movies which rely on supernatural characters and monsters to frighten their audience.  

‘Eden Lake’ has also caused a lot of controversy due to the negative representation of teenagers and the working-class through out the film. Although in my opinion, I see the negative light being shifted onto the parents rather than the youth themselves. This is because the parents’ absence and neglect caused their children to find hope and security else where – in this case, a violent gang where members are pressurised and forced into committing bloodcurdling acts by gang leader Brett (Jack O'Connell) subliminally making the parents the real villains in the movie.

The film really highlights some of the problems of today’s society such as the clash between adults and teenagers and the effects that parental neglect has on the behaviour and development of children later in life. Throughout the film, I was constantly reminded of the similar themes in Daniel Barber’s ‘Harry Brown’ which is also about the conflict between the younger and older generation. It is clear to see that these issues were a great concern to writer James Watkins as he portrayed this almost perfectly and in so much detail which gives it an element of believability that is difficult to find in current horrors of today. 

We also get an insight on the couple’s relationship allowing the audience to form an emotional attachment with the characters and long for them to survive against the merciless teens. 

The most shocking part for me was the unforgettable, unpredictable and thought-provoking ending that continuously played in my head long after the film was over. I would definitely rank this in my top three favourite horrors along with Carl Ellsworth and Adam Alleca’s ‘Last House On The Left’ and Alexandre Aja’s ‘The Hills Have Eyes’ and would recommend to anyone who loves a good horror!

 

Camera Shots and Angles

I learnt how the camera is used to create meaning in horror films, from my last post I know a few techniques and whey they are used for example:

Crosscutting for suspense sequences
Faster cutting for violent action
Point of view shots for those being watched
Hand held shots for chase scenes

But I have also learnt about high and low angles and their purposes.

High angles in horror movies which are usually used to portray victims as being vulnerable and powerless

(Still taken from 'DEVIL')


Low angles are usually done to make the hero or villain look powerfull and in control of the situation

(Still taken from 'DEVIL')


Here are a few demonstations of other camera shots and angles...

What Is Horror? - The Horror Genre

We had to deconsturct the elemets and conventions of horror films and these were the typical things we found:


Mise-en-scene 
Isolate settings, domestic settings
Dark atmosphere, created by expressionistic lighting, shadowy lighting

Camera Work and Editing
Crosscutting for suspense sequences
Faster cutting for violent action
Point of view shots for those being watched
Hand held shots for chase scenes

Characters
Hedonistic teenagers
Innocent girls
Victims become heroes
Monsters
Final girl
Psychological damaged adults

Narratives
Good triumphing over evil
Conflict played out as battle between good and evil
The supernatural haunting an individual
Unfinished business with a villain coming back for revenge
Confusing with identity
Usolved murders
Unexplained events

Icons
Blood
Gore
Knives
Shadows
Darkness
Masks
Ghosts
Deformities

 

 

Horror Film Posters

Below are some examples of horror film posters that I found particularly striking due to the mise-en-scene and imagery. I hope to implement some of these thought provoking elements within my own product.

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Brief

Today was lesson one of the A2 media course and we were given a short brief on what we are expected to produce by the end of the year for our coursework.

A promotion package for a new film including:
A Film Trailer, Magazie Cover, and Poster

Below are some examples of a Trailers and Posters that I thought were really well done


                   Last House On The Left (2009)

 

 

 

                       Eden Lake (2008)