Sunshine Blogger Award…Thank You!

Maniacs and Monsters (here) has nominated my for a Sunshine Blogger Award. Thank you so much. For this round though, I’m going to be taken out of my comfort zone. Because, Maniacs and Monsters, I’m such a scaredy-cat when it comes to Horror. Yet, somehow this genre is coming to haunt me these days…recently I entered the Gothic Horror Blogathon where the banner tempted me to watch Crimson Peak (but am totally too scared to start it), I’ve had 28 Days Later on my To Watch list for ages (but am totally too scared to start it) and now, because things come in threes, you’ve given me some horror related questions. I think I need to stop being such a wuss and tackle a genre that, believe it or not, as a teen I had no problem watching (or reading).  (And I’ve just checked my watch list and seen that I’ve watched almost 40 horror movies in my time…so maybe it is simply a matter of getting back into it).

Here goes…

…starting with those rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
2. Answer the eleven questions from the blogger who nominated you.
3. Nominate eleven bloggers.
4. Create eleven new questions for your nominees to answer.

…and here we go:

Thanks Maniacs and Monsters. I appreciate the nomination but also for giving me a push to the horror genre. Here are the questions of yours:

1. Do you consider yourself a fan of horror, adverse to horror, or a patron of any genre including horror if it is entertaining? Well, when I first started writing this post I was a “oh, I can’t watch horror these days. I won’t sleep at night” person, probably the “any genre…if it is entertaining” approach. But, the more I think back and see what I used to watch…I’m actually probably a fan. I just need to get back into it. To stop being scared. To just watch this stuff and enjoy like I used to! But, I just can’t watch those gruesome, blood and guts torture horror movies. That for me, is just sick.
   
   
2. What is the first horror film you remember watching and what was your reaction? This is going to be a very strange answer…because I actually don’t know what it was and I’ve been trying to find recently (another sign that maybe I’m ready for horror again). So…let me explain: my parents had Super 8 movies salvaged back when Video came out. Amongst them was some black and white horror movie with, I think, a vampire. All I can remember is something moving under a floor of straw (later to have may parents say they must have pulled something underneath it to give the effect). Oh, and I’m sure there was a barn of sorts. Someone screaming? What can I say? A black and white movie that has the reels whirring in the background and creepy vampires biting people, that’s got to be scary. But, strangely enough, I’d watch it over and over.
   Then came Candyman…I remember being so damn scared and to this day won’t whisper the name five times while looking into a mirror (that was the summoning, wasn’t it? Or did I remember it incorrectly?). But as a teen, it was awesome!
3. What is your opinion of real world paranormal activities such as ghosts, spiritualism, UFOs, cryptozoology, or extrasensory perception? I definitely think there is something out there, something we can’t explain, something that doesn’t necessarily conform to the “normal” world as science might try explain. I do also think that many stories and myths had some form of explanation behind them. Possibly many were not as outrageous as we think but there were probably some truths to them. As for spiritualism…yes, there are signs we get that can’t be logically explained and that come with a purpose. I’m not making any sense here…
4. Have you ever had what you believe to be a paranormal experience or at least an experience you could not explain? As per point 3 above, I have experienced signs or happenings I couldn’t explain, well, the only thing it could possibly have been is something present that I couldn’t see that did whatever it was. Once again, I’m not making sense…but I can’t explain…
   
5. If you were cast in a horror movie, which of the following roles would you want and why:
   – last girl/guy
   – killer/monster
   – fodder for the slaughter
   – evil genius/mad scientist/cult leader
   – tortured soul
   – kick-ass hero/military leader
   – creepy caretaker/gas station attendant/neighbour/sea captain
   – member of the faceless zombie/demon/alien horde
   – wise stranger that warned those reckless kids 

   Oh gosh, my imagination is running wild here. I’m going to be cheeky and do a few:
   I’d be the (supposed) last woman, doing my utmost to stay alive, to remain undetected, living mostly on the move while killing off those damn, un-killable monsters. But, I’d find an abandoned (off-course) gas station where I’d make my base. When a group of know-it-all kids (and supposed last people alive) come my way I’ve got to get rid of them, they need to move on, so I’m going to be creepy. But as they finally leave, I’ll whisper a wise warning…because where they are headed, they are doomed. But…I told them so…njahahahahaaaa….
   

6. Horror films, much like comedies, have been historically ignored by the Oscars. What horror film or horror performance do you feel deserved, but did not receive, recognition by the Academy? Strangely enough, all the horror I was going to suggest actually did win Oscars (not for performances though) – Sleepy Hollow (1999) and  Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992). The Others received a Golden Globe nomination for Nicole Kidman so that was probably overlooked. Sorry, I’m no help here but yes, performances should get more attention and not only effects, music etc.
7. Which subgenre of horror is most appealing to you (noting that these subgenres often overlap):
   • action horror
   • ‘B’ movies/camp
   • body horror
   • comedy horror
   • disaster/natural horror
   • giallo – what is this? I’m so green when it comes to horror…
   • gothic horror – after the recent Gothic Horror Blogathon, I’m tempted by this.
   • horror thriller – sounds good but not sure my nerves will handle it…
     
   • kaiju
   • psychological horror – this was the last type of horror I watched because it usually all had some explanation to it. And with that, I could cope.
   • science fiction horror
   • slasher
   • splatter
   • supernatural horror

8. Assuming you observe Halloween, describe a favourite costume (scary or otherwise) that you have worn. Oh, without a doubt my lovely Red Riding Hood Cape that I’ve made from a nice heavy material. It has a hood that covers the face so nicely:
   
9. What is your greatest fear/phobia? That our future is going to be like all these dystopian movies (another genre I can’t watch).
10. You die only to awaken as a ghost, vampire, or zombie. What do you do? I go feed…I’m a vampire after all…but a romantic gritty type take on the vampire. Like Lena in Wir Sind die Nacht (We are the night).
    
11. Darkness falls across the land. The alien invasion has begun.  Civilization is collapsing.  The dead are returning from the grave.  Cthulhu is rising from his eternal slumber.  The Horsemen of the Apocalypse are on the ride.  It’s the end of the world.  You are among a small group boarding an experimental starship to escape to another galaxy.  You are allowed to bring any three items of your choosing.  What do you bring (and no fair bringing something ‘useful’)? You said Items…so I’ll stick with that…but hang on…everything cool is useful…that samurai sword, or the kick-butt knife I can gouge an alien’s eye out and watch it oozing gloop. Or that camera with flash that can take photos (and blind the invading alien that is about to bite my head off). I’m going to have to think this one over…

Now to the next bit…the following bloggers (not sure I’ll get 11) get my nomination. I wanted to nominate a few more but you already have the honours from Maniacs and Monsters:

Dubsism

Sam Simon of vengonofuoridallefottutepareti

Jay of Assholes Watching Movies

The Craggus

The Stop Button

The Ü

Caftan Woman

Phyllis Loves Classic Movies

sevendoorsofcinema

Book Beach Bunny

Wolfmans Cult Film

Here are my 11 questions:

1. The number of Western movies in my DVD collection far outnumber any other genre. What genre do you have most of in your collection and, well, why?
2. Where movies are based on books, what is it for you: book before movie, only movie, only book or each is its own medium and not compare?
3. You have to create a story using a mish-mash of your favourite existing book or movie characters – a good character (your protagonist), a villain, a superhero and a fantastical being, who would you bring together?
4. Now, which actors would you cast in your story in 3 above?
5. As this is a Sunshine Award, what is the movie or book that brings most Sunshine into your life?
6. I’ve recently watched Rear Window and now have a different take on my neighbours. I’m sure you’ve all observed your own neighbours. What is the strangest or most interesting thing you have witnessed?
7. Is there an actor or actress who’s movies you will watch regardless of the story, genre, content, reviews etc. and why?
8. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
9. Favourite movie from your childhood? Does it still appeal today?
10. Who is the most interesting villain (movie or book) you’ve encountered?
11. It is a rainy, cold day (as today is)…what do you do…read or watch a movie?