What do you find most shocking in Cinema?

Question

Have you watched a film and been shocked by it; either through the use of horror, psychological thriller, comedy or social realism?

Have you ever watched a children's film and been shocked by the contents?

Has a film you wouldn't expect to be shocking actually shocked you?

I don't necessarily mean scare, but that can be included, but shock. For instance, the level of violence in Disney's Bambie or the dying baby in Trainspotting, or the Catholicism in The Excorcist...

Answer 1

On the opening night of Pulp Fiction I watched that and then Reservoir Dogs as a double bill. I had to leave the theatre during the ear cutting off scene as I was very upset. I even knew to expect it as I had heard alot about it. I have since watched it ok I think that first time I had had an overload of violence basically. I also did vomit at Ghost ship, the beginning where the wire slices everyone on deck dancing.

Answer 2

I think it can be a good thing if something like a film still has the ability to shock. We're so decensortised by so many things now that I find that more scary. For example, remember the first year that Big Brther was on tv and we were shocked if a couple had a bit of a kiss? Now we're expecting them to AT LEAST kiss; not that we want to see it neccessarily but we have that expectation because our sense of shock is becoming less and less and therefore we may be developing a more salacious take on life whether we admit it or even know it. So to be shocked is still good. It's making sure that young eyes don't see the wrong thing too soon that's a bigger problem now.

I'm personally quite glad that I was shocked to see a naked Borat's face buried up another man's naked bum in the middle of a nude brawl. I laughed, but there was a definite double take at what I was seeing. It's the day that I look at that and think "yeah, that's nothing." that I'll worry a bit more.

Answer 3

When I was younger I was shocked at films but as I've grown up I've become quite numb to films these days. Nothing shocks me and nothing seems to be pushing the boundaries.

I think that the limits as to what can be shown don't shock a certain generation as they've grown up as the films have moved on and become more graphic. Only the severest, most vile acts that can be thought of will shock in days to come. But these acts, thankfully, will never get past the editing room.

Answer 4

The toilets! Some of them look like they are out of a horror movie!! haha

I have not really been shocked but I did get a fright by some unexpected scenes being thrown at us on big screen.

At the moment I can't remember what was the most shocking thing on screen, maybe its because I don't always get a chance to go to the cinema now days.

Although I am determined to go and see Frank Miller's '300' as its bound to have some real shocking scenes of violence in it. (Sigh....Yes I am a blood thirsty thug!)

Answer 5

I can't really think of anything to add but I can attest that I was very shocked at the baby in Trainspotting, that was screwed up. Also, the beginning of Irreversible, they just have this pulse in the background which is at a frequency that's known to cause nausea and vertigo in humans, coupled with the fire hydrant scene...I had to turn the movie off (I've since finished it)

Answer 6

Unfortunately, it is a long time since I was shocked by a movie...what I came to realise a while ago is that the best time to see horror movies is when you are underage! That's when you get scared by them (when I was a kid it was 'The Omen', 'Jaws', 'The Changeling', 'Salem's Lot', 'The Exorcist', etc.) Let's face it, most of like to feel a chill run through us (otherwise they wouldn't make horor films now, right?). Having said that, I saw Jaws when I was aged 7, and it shocked me so much that I would feel faint whenever I saw blood for a few years afterwards! I still feel uneasy when I go in the sea now, THAT music comes straight into my head.....Dur dum, dur dum, dum dum, dum dum, dum dum!

Answer 7

Yes, Saw. Seriously, I woke up one night frantically searching for my heartbeat, as I thought Jigsaw may have snuck up on me while I was asleep and killed me. I know that sounds incredibly lame, I'm even almost laughing as I write it. Brilliant film but very sinister and sick.

I found A Clockwork Orange pretty shocking as well - I'm surprised no one else has said it yet (I know it's not horror, in a way, but the violence of it could be considered as horror I suppose)

Answer 8

the most shocking thing in cinema's these days is the fact that they show adverts against pirate films and ask why you would want to watch the low quality that they provide. All of this after you've just spent £16 to get your wifey and kiddies in the building and £6 for a drink of pop and £7.50 for a small bag of pic n mix and are looking forward to paying £2.95 for a scoop of ice cream for at least two people and maybe £3.95 for something they're passing off as a hot dog (without onions) for wifey before going home to the moans of 'i couldn't hear half of it because that group of yobos kept shouting and talking on their phones' or ' i couldn't see dad cause that man sat in front of me'
Now - lets look at the pirate copy from the pub : colours slightly duller but it only cost £3, large btl of coke £2, couple bags of Haribos £1.50 and a whole tub of ice cream £1.75. Miss a bit of the film while at the loo ? rewind ! oh ! and a chinese to keep wifey happy £6 - Quids in. when will they learn ?
Now i'm not saying i support pirate copies - but could you blame me if i did ?

Answer 9

i was 7 years old when i saw Jurassic park i was shocked that Jurassic park was a PG.Remember this was before we got all the stupid warnings about a film containing 'one use of strong language' or 'mild peril'.Seeing a guy being eaten by a dinosaur and a bloody severed arm was traumatic for an 7 year old.Same applied with Jaws.This was also a PG and as good as it is,as a kid seeing a white face pop out was horrifying and has probably screwed me up ever since

Answer 10

I tend to be more shocked by the price of the munchies! However, I went to see 7even when it came out and was really disturbed by the scene where "sloth" isn't dead. Disney films always make me cry - it does seem unusual, when you think about it, to put so much death in children's films, but I guess it is part of life. I took my niece and her friends to see "Pocahontas" when it came out (they were about six I think) and when it ended I looked round at them and they were all really upset - they hardly said a word on the way home - they were really bummed!

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