I have been an atheist for over 30 years. I recall when I was younger, really liking horror movies. Halloween, Freddy, Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Dr J and Mr H, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Franky.... and more.
As I have gotten older or grown in my debunking of supernatural claims, I now find horror movies about spirits, ghosts, beings from hell, gods or angels, witches, curses, magic, extremely boring. (I did enjoy 6th Sense) But mostly I no longer feel that these movies are worth the time or effort to watch. Am I alone on this? Is it age and life experience? Is it that atheism has led me to debunking so many mystical claims that any such claims, even in the movies, now bore the hell out of me?
What do you think? Has becoming an atheist affected your movie life?
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@Cog
Hmmm... Now that you mention it, I suppose there has been a change in my watching of supernatural/religious themed movies. For the most part, I would say I probably enjoy them a bit more now compared to before the time I broke free. In the past, even if I thought such a movie was interesting/entertaining, they almost always left me feeling "uncomfortable" in some form or fashion.
Now, however, I have discovered I can thoroughly enjoy such movies/shows simply for the entertainment value, without all the residual guilt and discomfort. Plus, the whole "humor factor" has skyrocketed in many cases... *chuckle*...
Oh, and "Sixth Sense" is definitely excellent.
The last supernatural film I really enjoyed was Ghostbusters II.
I just can't suspend disbelief far enough to get any thrill our of "serious" ghost movies.
When I was younger I did not have enough knowledge to understand all aspects of what it took to make a film or show. I was the ideal subject for the director, I was easily led through the movie and reacted as they hoped. Not thinking is what they expect of the viewer. As I grew older I accumulated more knowledge, my appreciation on how movies were made grew, and my perception changed. For example, when I witness an actor doing a full six minute dialogue without a break, to me that is like watching an athlete breaking a world record.
I stated the above paragraph to illustrate that it is not just one factor that influences my reaction and opinion on movies. Along with age came my discarding the supernatural, thus I no longer fear ghosts and goblins.
When I watched Frankenstein as a youth, I was terrified and jumped at every scary scene. Now, I do not jump and instead marvel at Mary Shelley's brilliant message on machine turning on it's creator.
Maybe I am still somewhat binded to religion, but I do enjoy supernatural movies when they are not full of clichés, like 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 % of them.
@Talyyn: That sounds like a more realistic position. Add to that list. at least for my own opinion, unnecessary blood. gore, death, and bullshit in every scene without a decent plot (Walking Dead, and Blade) fall into that category for me. I tend to get the giggles in the middle of the movie and have to go outside so others can enjoy it.
I think of the director as if he is a preacher trying to put something over on me. Everything is done to get a reaction and I can not relax from being overly critical.
@Cog Re: "Everything is done to get a reaction and I can not relax from being overly critical."
Ahhhh.... Yes. I know what you mean about that. The wife and I do the same thing quite often. Very difficult for either of us to watch a movie/show nowadays without dissecting it to determine the often agenda/message being put forth by the directors/producers. A vast majority of the public is likely never even aware of the subtle (and often not-so-subtle) form of "mass societal brainwashing", but she and I seem to be highly attuned to it, whether the movies are of a supernatural theme or otherwise. Yeah, that does tend to put a bit of a shadow across my overall enjoyment of a show sometimes.
Tin-Man, my wife has one PhD and two Masters in psychology. I am very observant, and having absorbed her lessons in psychology over 30+ years, our conversations on such matters and hidden messages makes a very spirited conversation when we watch a TV show or movie together.
@David
Yeah, sometimes our conversations after a movie are actually more entertaining than the movie itself... lol...
Your wives sound a lot like my wife...I better check she isn't moonlighting!
RE: You guys can talk to your wives? I can't recall ever having an hour long philosophical discussion with a girlfriend. With the exception of those who believed in ghosts or Jesus and I was debunking their claims. Obviously I am looking for girlfriends in all the wrong places.
Hey.
I'm only 17 so I can't really say any thing for life experience but my dad is atheist and he really loves haunted house movies. He was way in to haunting of hill house. I guess every one is just different!