The horror movie genre is a genre
that has a certain formula that has been followed for many decades. Where in
the past the genre relied on quick scares and even quicker cuts aimed to
younger teenage audiences. The horror films of today have been going through an
evolution of sorts moving away from the clichés of the past; beginning to be
geared towards older audiences and beginning to incorporate the technology of
today. Such technology that has been essential to the evolution has been the
use of sound to increase the tension of horror films.
One such
film that has some out recently is “Sinister.” Sinister is a film that fits
perfectly in the new evolution of horror films.
What makes this film so unique is that it is an original horror film,
released around Halloween aimed at adults, also accompanying its unique visual
style was its amazing use of sound to create an truly terrifying experience. It
wasn’t just the score that gave the film its atmosphere it was also it's the
droning bits and snips of songs, heard chopped up throughout the films jumpier
moments. The sound was blended perfectly with the tension on the screen, rising
up at the right time and drowning out as well when the tension is meant to be
subdued, the added strength of the score helped as well. Horror films are never
made this good with this much attention to detail. A particular trick that was
utilized in the film was the use of 8mm projectors to show the grizzly murders
and had some of the most state of the art sound effects to go along with
the videos that had no sound attached to them essentially bringing together the
old school and the new school to create a truly chilling undercurrent to the
tone of the film.
Sinister is
a film that horror fans have been waiting for that focuses on character
development and a sense of terror of the unknown. Especially with the terribly
disappointing releases of current genre films that studios have been overusing
the played out 3D role to be able to inhibit slighter more engaging scares and
increasing revenue, this has been a refreshing change of pace from the current
monotony of films being released recently.
