Real World terrors: Adding an Unusual Flavor to the Flicks

I'm not talking about something like war or terrorism being the themes to a film, here. What I mean is, in a film that's based on a "traditional" horror theme, be it supernatural or psycho killer or whatever, the filmmakers throw in an element of something scary from real life to add spice to the mix.

The best examples I can think of are:

The (1st) death of Gage when he's hit by the speeding truck in Pet Sematary. Nothing supernatural about that; it was just an accident. Something any parent can easily se happening to themselves.

The medical testing, particularly the spinal tap, Regan has to undergo in "The Exorcist". I've heard more than one person tell me that this was scarier and more cringe inducing for them than any of the devil related stuff.

And my personal favorite: the scene in the original "Amityville Horror" where the money to pay for George's brother's wedding disappears in the house. For some reason, this scene always gives me the creeps. I'm not sure why, but I just find this terrifying; losing a couple thousand dollars entrusted to you, on a day that can't be postponed, and not having an acceptable form of currency on you to make up for it (the caterere wouldn't take a check), when you already just bought a fixer upper house and probably can't spare a dime to begin with, EVERYONE freaking out and looking at you because you were the last one to see the cash. . . . Brrrrrr!

None of these was the central theme of their respective films, but they definitely add something to them, don't they? Anyone else know of any I missed?

Sorry I bummed you out. I'd never have thought you were old enough to remember that piece of music, Surge. I never liked it much, but old school Genesis with Peter Gabriel is excellent music. the album "Foxtrot" being a particular favorite.

But I digress.

Is ANYONE gonna post a real reply to this? I thought I had such a clever and thought provoking thread goin' on here. . .

I know, I know, but I can't figure out how to edit a thread as opposed to a general reply post (gimme a break I'm old enough to remember when PC's didn't exist). I was just so proud of this "deep thought" I came up with. And BTW, I mis-spelled "Terrors" too. How many witty comments will TWO mis-spelled words get me? :-)

Besides, if I'm to be abused by anyone, I'd want it to be Surge.

I did read that,but I don't recall any discussion about "Amityville". I'll have to peruse that part again.

Thanks, al.

Oh, no offense taken. I meant good natured, all in fun abuse, which is how I took it. I put something up on the comics and anime board last night that met with...shall we say, a less than warm reception. I took offense to some of that. But I know yours was not intended to be an actual insult. I must say that by and large the people who frequent this board are more polite and good natured than those that frequent a lot of the other boards. And there's ALWAYS more people viewing this site. I think that's a credit to how well it's run.

But I digress yet again. "Wind & Wuthering" is another great old Genesis album. And you make an excellent point about real life terror being an effective way to make the horror film hit close to home for the viewer.

As for "The Descent", I haven't seen it yet, but I have done some spelunking, and personally I had a lot of fun. Although there is that moment of terror when you're first entering the cave, and thinking: "Jesus Christ! If I break an ankle or something, there's no easy way to get me out of here!" Once you get over that, unless you really are claustrophobic, it's a rollicking good time for an outdoorsy type person. Lot of physical work, though. And mud. Lots of mud. . . .