Papers on "The Realist Horror Film" and similar term paper topics

Paper #067674 :: The Realist Horror Film
Buy and instantly download this paper now

This paper examines the horror film genre, also known as realist horror, while focusing on two specific films, "The Blair Witch Project" and "Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer."

Written in 2006; 2,818 words; 10 sources; MLA; $ 83.95

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the realist horror genre in film. The realist horror genre was spearheaded by Alfred Hitchcock in his 1960 film "Psycho." Horror films proliferated throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in Hollywood. Most of these films used comedy to portray killings, veering away from realism. The writer of this paper contends that the realist aspect of actual human killers is enough to leave lingering fears long after the viewing has ended. This paper focuses on this particular style of filmmaking, in which the approach is to focus on the killer rather than victim, resulting in terrifying the viewing audience. This well-researched paper notes the similarities and differences in "The Blair Witch Project" and "Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer." This paper describes how both films leave the viewer with a lingering thought and fear of the real world. Specifically, fear of the horrific possibilities. "Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer" is based on real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. The movie follows the daily life of Henry, beginning with aftermath shots of freshly murdered victims juxtaposed with images of Henry. This illustrates to the audience that Henry is indeed a bona-fide serial killer. "The Blair Witch Project" is a far cry from the typical slasher film. It uses an entirely different approach to realist horror. The film is shown as a documentary and the actors are not actors at all, but real victims captured on video.

From the Paper:

"The presentation style changes only during the murder scenes. The pictures are graphic and almost too gory to be real. One woman is seen with a bottle shoved into her throat and the electronics salesman's head goes through a television picture tube - just before the television is plugged in - electrocuting him. Background electric guitar is also present mostly during the build up to a murder. It is not overdone and avoids appearing out of place. Rather, it helps the viewer realize something important in happening. Overall the film does achieve a realism most slasher films cannot approach. This purposeful use of a home-movie style subtly reminds the viewer that the onscreen events are based in truth. Blair Witch takes the realist style one step further by using the camera as a prop in the film. The viewer is constantly reminded that an off-screen character is behind the lens."

Tags: film industry analysis slasher horror genre alfred hitchcock

More papers on "The Realist Horror Film"

1. Paper #046619 :: Horror Films ( 2,804 words; 4 sources; MLA )
2. Paper #073379 :: The Quintessential Horror Film: "King Kong" ( 900 words; 1 source; MLA )
3. Paper #048493 :: Horror Films ( 1,575 words; 4 sources; )
4. Paper #035486 :: Film Noir and Horror ( 2,400 words; 12 sources; )
5. Paper #031781 :: Fiction and Film: A Comprehensive Comparison ( 2,650 words; 6 sources; )

About AcaDemon

We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper, you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.

Look for more research papers, essays and book reports on The Realist Horror Film

This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library. Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "The Realist Horror Film", Essays on "The Realist Horror Film", Research papers on "The Realist Horror Film", Student papers on "The Realist Horror Film", Book reports on "The Realist Horror Film", Dissertation on "The Realist Horror Film", Thesis on "The Realist Horror Film", Summary of paper on "The Realist Horror Film", Articles written on "The Realist Horror Film".