Freud vs. Horror Movies

As the (belated) 4th Annual Halloweenie Roast draws near, I feel that it is important that we delve into the list of moviefilms that will be featured this year. The inspiration for this list came from an essay by a dude named Stephen Schneider called Monsters as (Uncanny) Metaphors. In this essay, Schneider has generated a list of "surmounted beliefs" that was set up by Freud and later by Lakoff that have inspired modern movie monsters (alliteration sometimes kicks ass). Here goes:

1. Surmounted beliefs that the dead can return to life (dead bodies and evil spirits)
2. Surmounted beliefs in the omnipotence of thought (that's telekinesis, Kyle)
3. Surmounted beliefs in the existence of a double (robots and schizophrenics)

In order to properly exhibit Freud's observation, the following films will be ingested over a period of twelve hours (if we can make it that long):

1a. DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004)
This was a fairly obvious choice, seeing as how zombies are the ultimate example of the dead returning to life. And for all y'all who are all, "The 1978 one was superior," I beg to differ. Although I liked the original, and I won't say that the remake is better, I will say that the remake is cooler.
I mean, the opening credits alone are freaking amazing.

1b. FALLEN
In addition to dead bodies returning to life, evil spirits and possession fit into this category. Not to mention that this movie is freaking awesome. Whenever you hear "Time Is On My Side" by the Rolling Stones after seeing this movie, you'll be watching your back.

2a. SCANNERS
I haven't seen this movie before, but I hear that it's about folks who make other folks' heads explode with their mind powers. Sounds great.

2b. CARRIE
Here is another film that I haven't gotten around to watching. Again, we have some telekinesis that is applied liberally. And now that I'm writing this, I remember seeing bits and pieces of The Rage: Carrie 2 and wanting to gouge out my eyes with a corkscrew. Hopefully the first one won't inspire a similar reaction.




3a. TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Alex, how does this apply to a fear of doubles?" And here is my reply: "You see, robots that look like people are scary because maybe somewhere out there someone has made a robot copy of you. And let's not forget the T-1000 who can shapeshift and become a copy of you right before he stabs you with a blade." Does that answer your make-believe question? Good.

3b. EVENT HORIZON
Now here you're probably all, "Wait. I now understand the Terminator thing, but this? No way." "Yes way," I reply calmly, "because doubles can also exist inside our own minds. When this happens to a person, it is called schi-zo-phre-ni-a (ski-tso-fre-ni-a). In Event Horizon, some people succumb to this horrifying malady, and are therefore doubles of themselves."
"Interesting..." You say, clearly convinced of the argument's brilliance, "Now, what's to be done about this ski...schi... what was it called again?"
"Schizophrenia."
"Yes. What's to be done, and am I at risk?"
"Luckily, schizophrenia is quite commonly dealt with by professionals on a daily basis, and as for yourself, I would like to reassure you by saying that schizophrenia only happens when someone has been through a large amount of psychological trauma, like having a watermelon dropped on your head or watching The Rage: Carrie 2."
"Whew. Now that is a load off. Praise be unto your mighty genius."
"Why thank you. I...Oh! I seem to have trailed off. I hope that those of you who dare witness the unnatural mutation of Freud, Lakoff, and six horror movies enjoy yourselves. Now, if you'll excuse me..."