Wes Craven, the man who made all of our nightmares come true, has created a few classic films that have forever changed the shape of horror today. But before I can go any farther, I must state that “Scream and Scream 2 are not horror films!!!!!” Rather these films are thrillers that mock the genre we love. And although many so-called horror fans (mainly 12 and 13-year-olds who think Scream is the greatest movie ever) cite their importance to the resurgence of the genre, I look upon them as furthering the digression of it. Can we blame Wes for that??? Maybe…. but I try to overlook these failings because he has done so much for the genre.
About Wes Craven’s Life
Well, with all that off my chest, let’s talk about the genius that is Wes Craven. Thereee are three films Wes Craven made that, in my mind, helped revolutionized horror as we know today. They were: “Last House on the Left“, “The Hills Have Eyes”, and “A Nightmare on Elm Street“. I am also a fan of his films “The Serpent and the Rainbow” and “People Under the Stairs”.
From “Last House” to “Nightmare“, Wes Craven helped to drive up the exploitation value of horror films. Whether it was with the sexual-deviant “Krug”, cannibalistic “Pluto”, or the supernatural “Freddy Kreuger”, Craven’s films always focus on a strong manifestation of evil. These methodical madmen would torture their victims in an unmerciful “game of death”. Their unholiness was often counter-balanced by strong female heroine (well at least after “Last House”) who when pushed to the brink of desperation finally struck back with an equally violent tenacity.
His “in your face” imagery has been very effective in causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up more than a few times (especially the scrotum scene in “The Serpent and the Rainbow”…ooch!!!!). This realism is based on “philosophical” foundation of terror propelled his own vision of horror.
Exclusive Interview with Wes Craven
Tomorrow brings the release of SCREAM 4 on Blu-ray and DVD and director Wes Craven has been making the press rounds to help get the word out.
My good buddy and sometime contributor Patrick Desmond was kind enough to pick up the reins and talk with Mr. Craven when I was unable to handle it myself and I’ve gotta say, he’s hit it out of the park.
Patrick asks some great questions and gets some really interesting responses from Mr. Craven and I’m thinking you’re going to want to hear my the horror legend has to say.
CLICK HERE and check out the interview.
Don’t forget to head out and pick up SCREAM 4 tomorrow. I watched it the other night and I’ve gotta say, it was damn good. I was really surprised how edgy and violent Craven went on this one. My full review of the disc is coming shortly but needless to say, I think you’re gonna like what they have come up with.
