televison ratings.

After watching this film, it made me think of all the shows we see on television. Some of these films that were reated "NC-17" remind me of a show that is broadcast on national television, Nip Tuck. I am personally not a fan, but I've seen a couple of episodes here and there. I was pretty shocked to see some pretty hardcore sex scenes. Nothing I haven't seen before, but on TV? Parents are so worried about films, and not wanting children to see them, but yet these type of shows on TV are not blocked. Anyone can turn on the TV and start watching these shows, versus seeing something in the theater. How did a show like Nip Tuck slip through the raters fingers? They may not show nudity, but it's still pretty 'raunchy' so to speak. I feel if anything the films should be given a chance to be on the big screen. We have to pay, and be adults (or at least over 17) to see them in the theater. Where as anyone with cable can watch these types of shows. What are your thoughts?

Cause this is Thriller, Thriller night.

So personally, I hate horror movies. It's mainly the jumping out that scares me, and I'm a huge baby. I end up sitting there covering my eyes and ears the entire time. So you would assume that I wouldn't like any type of scary movie, including Thrillers...you would be wrong my friend! I love the type of movies that have a twist ending, and seem scary throughout, but in the end you find things arent what they seem. Lets see, movies like "Hide and Seek" or "Godsend", and even "The Sixth sense". I feel like M. Night Shyamalan does a great jobs at this genre. Throughout the movie, youre scared, and you have no idea whats really going on and there is always some sort of twist ending.

So the real question here is what seperates a "Thriller" from a "Horror" film? They have some of the same elements, gore, killing,suspense, scary music, yet they arent quite the same. Maybe it's how "jumpy" the movie is. In horror films it's all about making the audience scream..a lot. Perhaps in Thrillers it's more about trying to figure out what's going on in the film while being scared. What really separates the two?

Lets take "The sixth sense" (assuming most everyone has seen it). It has gore, (the boys head who is shot open), suspense throughout the movie, creepy music, and even death. I jumped so many times watching this film, and I still do! ..yet it isn't considered a horror film. If you think about it, its scarier than the original Psycho, and that's in the Horror genre. What are your thoughts?

chili today, hot tamale!

I wanted to touch upon Mark's topic of Advertising but in a different light. How many of us have seen a terrible commercial, or ad, but it sticks with us? I bet most of know the "180064GIANT" jingle, or have seen the horrendous Bob's furniture ads. As terrible as they may be, we remember them. There are many ways of going about advertising like being funny, or straight to the point, and yes even being just plain terrible.

A great example of this is South of the Border. If any of you adventurous kids have taken the long drive from here to Florida, you will eventually have to pass...South of the Border. It is a terrible Mexican themed rest stop built in the 70's (and still looks exactly the same as the day it was built) and it should be torn down. On the drive, you will first see a sign with some lame catch phrase on it. Then will you see another 10 miles after, it will soon turn into every 5, 3, 1, 1/2 and 1/4 mile until you reach the final destination. The signs are just dreadful, and are rather annoying seeing them every 1/2 mile but-they work. People stop off at this tacky location if only to see what all the hype is about seen on the ads. (You are sure to be disappointed) None the less, they work! I can still even remember some of the signs, because they are that bad.

~~ take a look at one of the ads.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/South_of_the_Border_sign_23_-_Pedros_Weather_Report_Chilli_Today_Hot_Tamale.JPG

The point of all this is, bad advertising works, because we remember just how awful it is. We may make fun of it, but in the end the advertisers win. We are talking about it, spreading the word, and thats the point of their whole scheme. Can you think of any other ads that drive you crazy, but stick?