Your Favourite Horror Film from 1988

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

Spoorloos is one of the scariest films I've ever seen due to the obsessive nature of both the protagonist and antagonist and the ending is probably the most frightening ending of any film ever made.

The problem i have with films like The Vanishing, once you have seen them and been stunned by the ending, you are expecting it to happen in the second viewing and therefore the films impact is heavily diluted.

They are watch once films. The Sixth Sense is another one.

[Baseball Fury]

I disagree about The Sixth Sense, I enjoyed it a second time as you can spot all the times that the ending is hinted at.

But yeah, Spoorloos' ending is incredible. The remake was the most disappointing cop-out crap I'd ever seen.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Baseball Fury

I disagree about The Sixth Sense, I enjoyed it a second time as you can spot all the times that the ending is hinted at.

I understand, but you aren't watching the film as was intended, you are looking for clues as you know what happens.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike

I understand, but you aren't watching the film as was intended, you are looking for clues as you know what happens.

Isn't that the same with every film post-Psycho which contains a surprise element or twist ending? You watch it once, perhaps figuring out the ending and perhaps not and then watch it again (and again and again) to see the way the director/writer developed the plot, leaving visual clues and sometimes just to watch the film for the sheer majesty of it.

I've seen The Sixth Sense about half a dozen times and think it is a supremely crafted piece of work and, probably because I know the ending, appreciate the performances even more.

[Baseball Fury]

I was just about to write that surely you could say the same about Psycho, The Game, Oldboy (a twist then an untwist? Bonkers), Les Diaboliques.... there's loads of great films that are just as great after the ending is revealed.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

Isn't that the same with every film post-Psycho which contains a surprise element or twist ending? You watch it once, perhaps figuring out the ending and perhaps not and then watch it again (and again and again) to see the way the director/writer developed the plot, leaving visual clues and sometimes just to watch the film for the sheer majesty of it.

I've seen The Sixth Sense about half a dozen times and think it is a supremely crafted piece of work and, probably because I know the ending, appreciate the performances even more.

Originally Posted by Baseball Fury

I was just about to write that surely you could say the same about Psycho, The Game, Oldboy (a twist then an untwist? Bonkers), Les Diaboliques.... there's loads of great films that are just as great after the ending is revealed.

You win, i can't really argue with those view points.

The Game is poor imo. What if Douglas had jumped off another part of the roof.?

[Baseball Fury]

Originally Posted by Demdike

The Game is poor imo. What if Douglas had jumped off another part of the roof.?

That bit has always made me laugh, I have to admit. I think the film's great, but what if he hit one of the many steel bars holding up that roof? What if he jumped off the other side? Haha

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

How many of his actions were 'designed' and how many were definitively 100% free will? It's one of those imponderables which you can debate for hours, and I really should dig out the DVD and watch it again!

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Also, there may have been a similar 'safety measure' on the other side of the building, waiting to be moved into place should he have decided to jump from there.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

Also, there may have been a similar 'safety measure' on the other side of the building, waiting to be moved into place should he have decided to jump from there.

Or possibly Superman?

Don't try and defend the indefensible Nos.