Lauren’s Blog

Perhaps it is because I am more in tune with plot devices, plot HOLES, and the general patterns that involve a good story…. but lately I’ve noticed a serious issue concerning horror movies. More specifically, the lack of - shall I call it… HORROR.

My definition of horror must not be the same as the movie industry’s definition. Horror requires suspense, tension, build up out the wazoo, and a dramatic climax (that might involve a death or six) before the falling action and the ending. My issue is the lack of emotional investment in characters.  The movies I have seen lately start out with the “horror” by filling as much space with gore and guts as they possibly can in the first 30 seconds to satisfy our morbidity.

The entire time I watched this particular movie I wondered to myself, “Why on earth should I care that these people are getting killed off?” Isn’t that one of the major points of literature and movies to begin with? No one would want to read any of these things if they weren’t somehow emotionally invested in the character.

The House of Wax is a good example of this. Watch the old version, and then watch the new version. With Paris Hilton. Do you care if she dies? I know I didn’t! That’s the thing with me and movies though. I guess the ending halfway through and spend the rest of the time coming up with alternatives in my head while ignoring what’s going on, on the screen.

Point me to a movie that I can’t guess the ending too and I’ll give you $10. Or candy or something.

Because I want to graduate by May 2009.

I must be nuts.

Here’s what I have to do before May to graduate:

1.) Complete my internship and residency for my secondary certification to teach English.  (Internship is Fall 08 and Residency is Spring 09)

2.) Complete approximately 20 or so more hours of Education coursework.

3.) Honors Credit Contract 5 more hours worth of credit.

4.) Sign up for an Independent Study course this Fall with my mentor for my Honors Thesis.

4.) Complete an Honors Thesis by May 2009.

Yep that’s what I have to do. Why am I so eager to get it all done now? I could just be relaxed and try not to rush things, but I’m getting married on November 20, 2009. I am not going to still be in school when I get married, dammit.

And so in order to achieve this goal, I have officially sacrificed the first half of my summer to the angry college tuition gods. Life’s gonna be sort of crazy and busy this next year. Because! On top of all of this….

My best friend is getting married in November of this year, and my fiance’s brother is going to get married this October. No big deal, right? So my best friend is in Washington state and my fiance’s brother is getting married in Arkansas because her family lives in Missouri and his lives in North Texas, and they wanted to meet somewhere in the middle. That one won’t be so bad, but going all the way to Washington is going to hurt me…. financially I mean.

Anyway that’s about it. Class starts in 15 minutes. *sigh*

/test