I was thinking about my dad last night. And i remembered something he'd say when watching a monster movie. The women would come face to face with the monster/killer, whatever, and start screaming, and dad would sigh and say, in effect, "Thats it. Scream,why don't ya'." Maby its a guy thing, i donno, but does anyone else get annoyed at people who scream? Its useualy women, and it bugs me! I know, i know, it's understandable, given the background of some characters, that might be the first reaction. But, if you remember, Lt. Ripley had a strong mind, and she controled her fear, as we all must, and she delt with the problim. Diden't just sit and mope, and be eatin' but she kicked ass. Am i makeing my idea clear? What do you think is the reason for this sex related behavioral differential? Cultural? Likely. How has this changed over the decades, and is it less prevelant these days? I think my dad was just annoyed at what he precieved as the pointlessness of screaming, as compared to the virtue of "Run away, run away!" I was watching "Legend of Dinosaurs" last night, and when the girl screamed agine, Tom Servo said "All the women in this picture have the exact same scream". All too true. Abby, any of the laides who viset the site, what do you think about this film standard?
It may be due to some sexism on the part of the directors/producers/writers of these films that they think it's natural and believable for the wimminfolk to go all screwy when something nasty pops up. I'd like to see just one guy scream at the monster. Hell, if some nasty zombie or something attacked me, you'd hear about it in Dallas!
if there was some creepy blood suckin' un-dead freak after me all you would hear would be something like" OH s**t!" and then i would be LONG gone! i would run my ass off, watch where i was going, and get the hell outta there...
but i have also thought a couple times while watching a movie... "damnit people you KNOW you are gonna die, why even try?" i would just think it would be funny to see that kind of senario once. the victim just being all monotone "well kill me then damnit"
ha! my overactive imagination is having a field day with this one!
i go to laugh at my brain now.
I don't mind the screaming. But for gods sake do it WHILE running away. DOn't just stand there like monster fodder. Start running! I'd rather die trying to live than just letting the thing turn me into monter chow.
-Dan
Men scream too, it's just not shown as much in most films because it is considered less macho and weak. Though I must I admit whenever the actor who played screamed in "Space Mutiny", I laughed. Granted it had less to do with his gender and more to do with the sheer goofiness of that laugh.
-Heather
I'd say it's for dramatic reasons. A really good, shrill scream can give the audience a jolt if it's used right. I suppose it might also stretch out the scene a little if the victim screams for a couple of seconds before the monster gets her. I think it's been said before, if people always do the smart thing, there wouldn't be much of a movie.
Not sure about the gender aspect. I mean, guys in horror movies have their own stupid reactions to a monster, including standing there like an idiot and, in many cases, trying to pick a fight with it. I do notice that when female characters do choose to stand and fight, they tend to be less inept.
What? I've heard guys scream in movies. Hell, look at Ash in the Evil Dead movies! He screams more than the girls do!
I think it's been said before, if people always do the smart thing, there wouldn't be much of a movie.I always thought it be interesting to have a monster or sci-fi movie that works well without the characters doing stupid things.
Also it'd be cool to see a movie where the bad guys follow the
Evil Overlord List
Ah,yesssssss! A list that all aspireing screenwriters should memorise. Man, it would be neat if someone used even half these gems. Talk about a plesent suprise.
I've gotten unforgiving of movies that have plot points relying on the characters doing something completly idiotic (and often out of character)
that guy in Alien Resurection screams just before the dude rolls the grenade into the space pod, you know, when hes trying to escape, he screams like a little girl.
but i guess that doesnt count cause he was getting ripped to pieces hahahhha