My Top 5 Final Girls

There is a lot to be said for the 'Final Girl', they are heroic, inspirational, kick-ass and respected. They go through the worst that human nature can throw at them. Often victims of circumstance and wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time, they prevail, beat the bad guy and come out with some minor injuries and whole new look on life. The 'Final Girl' is one of my favourite type of characters in any genre of film, I love to see the good guy win, or in this case the good gal. 

A writer call Carol J. Clover first coined the term 'Final Girl' in her 1992 book 'Men, Women, and Chainsaws : Gender in the Modern Horror Film'. She suggests that the viewer begins by sharing the perspective of the killer, but experiences a shift in identification to the final girl partway through the film. What I get from this is that people go into horror films to see death, we want to see the most brutal murder and be shocked by the amazing way they are done, but after a few deaths we want the bad guy to get what is coming for him. We want the woman to kick the crap out of him basically. The many theories that she has do ring true, the final girl is rarely seen in a sexual way (often a virgin), the final girl can also become masculinized and no longer the stereotypical damsel in distress anymore and also they seem to have quite a gender neutral name like Sidney or Billie. 

The whole theory really interests me. The feminist portion of my brain loves it. The woman is no longer a victim, they should be feared and never crossed. They shouldn't be treated any different to any man in any given situation. Horror films can often be seen as misogynistic, the sexually adventurous women, the drug taking women and the sexy women will die, often punished in a way that reflects their vices. However in the 80's it took a turn, yes we still have these characters been punished but so are the male equivalent. Also now it is rare for a male character to last to the end, the final girl is the only one standing covered in blood, weapon in hand and no one by her side. People can argue till they are blue in the face that the film industry is sexist but horror has taken a huge leap in recent decades - no longer is a knight on a white horse required.

So in the style of this blog I have of course created a list of my favourite final girls. I haven't picked based on anything more than that I enjoyed their performances and stories. There is no equation to which women made the list - purely my favourites.

5. Erin Harson (Sharni Vinson) in You're Next.
This one slasher horror you need to see. In recent years the slasher horror genre is complicating things, they think we need a complex storyline and a big reason why, but we don't. For fans of the genre we want to see a well played out story with a lot of effective effects. This film did just that, it has a simple storyline of two brothers who want to kill their entire family for the inheritance. One mistake one of the brothers made was bringing his girlfriend, his girlfriend who was raised on an Australian survivalist compound. She sets up traps and manages to kill everybody who wants to kill her - even one point using a blender. Erin is a great, realistic character who is genius when it comes to looking out for number one.

4. Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) in I Know What You Did Last Summer and I Still Know What You Did Las Summer
Okay it could be argued that she got what was coming to her, at the end of the day she was part of a group of teenagers that knocked over a man and then threw his body in to the water. The film could have been a very moral story of 4 teenagers who made a mistake and owned up to it, but how boring would that have been. So one year after the incident they all start getting hunted by the guy they knocked over (he didn't die dun dun dunnn). Julie wants nothing more than to make it right, however the killer doesn't care. She witnesses everyone involved die plus some people who got in the way. Mad props go out to her as she managed to survive in a world that Buffy couldn't. 

3. Marybeth (Tamara Feldman and Danielle Harris) in Hatchet, Hatchet II and Hatchet III
These are some great 80's throwback monster/psycho killer movies. Basically a boy (Victor Crowley) with horrible disfigurements is killed, however his ghost lives on. Although the word 'ghost' doesn't really fit, he is a physical being that can be hurt, dismembered and shot. Marybeth is the daughter of the man who is responsible for the boy's death. Her father is killed by a now grown up Victor years later and Marybeth feels that the best thing to do is to go find her father's body. She comes face to face with Victor on many occasions. She puts up one hell of a fight, eventually walking away with his scalp in her hand but of course that wasn't the end. However she did end the curse in the 3rd one so all is good in the world again. She is definitely an over looked character, she is brilliant, ballsy and force to be reckoned with.

2. Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) in The Halloween Franchise
Arguably the original final girl and scream queen. She set the standard. Her brother is the infamous child killer, he butchered his entire family before been put in an insane asylum. She however wasn't killed and was free to live her life - or so she thought. Her brother of course escapes the asylum to finish the job. She sees all the her friends aswell as innocent bystanders get killed. She manages to escape once again after a brother/sister fight to rival anything you see on a reality TV show. Of course this been the horror genre, no one evil really dies (a sequel is always required). She meets him again on multiple occasions. What I wasn't happy about with this character is her ultimate demise. She throws her self off the roof of an asylum, no longer able to cope with her life. I would have loved to of seen some epic battle - but that might just be me.

1. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) in the Scream Franchise
For me she is the ultimate character in any horror film I have ever seen. She is the quintessential victim, she literally didn't do anything, yet her boyfriend, her boyfriend's friend, her boyfriend's mother, a classmate, her half brother, her cousin and her cousin's friend all feel she deserves to die. Except not today - today they all die. You don't up against Sidney and expect to walk away. This girl is a fighter. This girl will power walk away from all of these situations with her head held high. She has had to witness everyone she is close to be murdered or at the very least stabbed. And it was all because of her mother's past. Sidney I tip my feathered hat to you and I hope to see you again in Scream 5.

What am I doing?

My blog is called 'What Craig Did', and yet I rarely mention what I am doing right now. Probably because I don't have a whole lot going on. Sadly I don't do much at all. I have become that person I never wanted to be - I have a full time job! And even worse I have become one of those people that automatically wakes up at 6am on the weekend because I am used to it in the week (don't get me wrong - I quickly roll over and go back to sleep when I realise). This blog post is going to be all about me - my favourite subject. As always I have made a list of things so lets get underway.

Job

I am currently working as a Visual Merchandiser for a major British department store chain. Basically the job requires me to make the store look pretty. I dress the mannequins, create the displays, hang the wall posters, set up all advertising and all general upkeep. I am liking the job, it is definitely a lot more physical than I am used to, fingers crossed for some upper arm muscles out of this. Having religiously never lifted anything heavier than 5lbs in my entire life it has been a struggle. 

Home Life

Home life is good. I may be a bit behind my peers. I moved back home a couple of years ago now, it just made sense. Whilst I get on my feet and find my path I don't want to have to worry about bills and been alone all the time. My parents and sister are amazing, it feels like more like roommates than the house having any type of hierarchy. It works for us as we are four very individual, opinionated people. I will be looking to move on within the next year or so but I am happy where I am right now.

Friends

I have an amazing group of friends. As time goes by some friendships diminish and some grow. I am lucky as I always have someone I can go to. I do wish I could hang out with some of them more than what I do, but I understand that sometimes life doesn't allow for that. I won't name a certain friend but I want to thank them individually - they allow me to say whatever drivel pops in to my head, they talk to me all the time, I feel like they get me on a bigger level than most and I never feel judgement from them - so thank you.

Love Life

Not applicable. Nothing new to write. Seems singledom is a way of life for me. 

Plans

I don't have a lot of plans as of now, I just got my first full time job so that is taking a lot of time up in my life. However I am going to do something soon, quite scary for someone like me - I am going to go to another country alone. I haven't decided which one yet, I have limited it down to Europe. France seems to be the front runner right now. It won't be for long, maybe even just for a week, but it has been something I have been thinking about for a while now and I am in a good enough place where I can do it, Mainly I want to see how I cope, I am very used to my own company so that won't be an issue and another major reason is that I don't know if anybody will be free or willing to go with me.

Emotions

I have been a mix of emotions lately. My life has completely changed in the last few months. I have always been in education and now it suddenly stopped. I feel more responsible for my life than I have ever before. Every choice from here on out means something. I have my down times sometimes, frustration with myself, disappointment with myself - always feel like I should be doing more than what I am doing. However, with the down times I do get happy times aswell, I am forever grateful for what I do have. Mostly I am scared if I am completely honest, I don't know whats happening a lot of the time.

Interests

Nothing really new to report here, if there is one thing I do talk about a lot on here it is my interests. TV shows I am currently watching are The Big Bang Theory, Parks and Recreation, Inkmaster, Scandal, Veep and I have become obsessed with Big Brother Canada. My days Big Brother Canada and US have a completely different set up than we do over in Blighty - and it is insanely better, research it and you will see what I mean.

Music I am currently listening to a lot is a mix as always. I am re-listening to Miranda Lambert's 'Four The Record' a lot and starting to love the songs I never gave a chance to before. Favourite song right now is probably 'Look at Miss Ohio'. Also really liking Iggy Azalea's new album, Christina Perri's new album and American Author's new album. I try to listen to a lot of new music, mainly recommended to me by my friend who always has a list of new stuff I might like.

When it comes to movies I keep finding myself trying to seek out slasher horror's I haven't seen yet. Watching a lot of badly made sequels, and some good ones sometimes. Really want to dedicate more time and money to my DVD collection.

So I think that is us all caught up now. I will be honest I am struggling to come up with ideas for this blog. I have posted 118 times and it is hard to keep my ideas fresh, so any thoughts or links would be amazing. Peace.

Death Becomes Her

I love horror movies. I really really do. I'm not 100% sure I have let people know this about me yet. My name is Craig and I am addicted to horror movies. The main reason is the death scenes. Its hard not to sound morbid, but I really enjoy them. I like the gore, the violence, the fighting, everything. Ironically I can't watch real life hospital shows - I'll watch a fake stabbing but I don't want to see a real one. The more interesting the death the better for me. I thought I would share 5 death scenes that really got my attention.

Psycho
Norman kills Marion
This is the death scene other death scenes are often compared to. For its time it was gory as hell. Blood was rarely seen in film, never mind a naked woman in a shower. The thing with this scene is that you don't see anything. You don't see the knife cut the skin and you don't see any body parts that should be kept private. Really you are as grossed out as much as your imagination will allow you. Shocking thing about this scene is that it was almost cut - because they did not allow a toilet to be shown on film back in the day, nothing to do with the brutal murder.

Scream
Ghostface kills Tatum
Out of the 40 odd death scenes in the franchise this will no doubt be one that people remember. Tatum first of all doesn't even believe Ghostface is Ghostface, then he cuts her arm and she then quickly realises. So she makes her escape - the only way out that she can find is the doggy door. So off she goes - obviously not the brightest crayon in the box, she is not the size of a dog. She of course gets stuck, Ghostface decides to lift the door, death quickly follows. This was a very imaginative way to kill someone and I am sure started out as some sick joke in a production meeting.

American Psycho
Patrick kills the prostitute
This movie is brilliant. A great portrayal of someone who just snaps, and no one even notices. There are quite a few great scenes but for me one sticks out. The prostitute manages to escape the evil grasp of Patrick Bateman, and runs away and down some stairs. I don't know if we were supposed to believe it to be some great mathematical skill or just plain luck, but Patrick drops a chainsaw down the stairwell and it meets the prostitute at the bottom. Amazing death scene.

Final Destination
Death kills Ashley and Ashlyn
Not the best film from the franchise but definitely the best death scene - as in it has stuck with me ever since. Basically they get killed by the sunbeds. It scares me because I have a small phobia of small confined places, so to imagine being trapped in one whilst it slowly burns your skin is a hell I don't want to experience. (I once did go to a sunbed place but used the standing one - I didn't tan but I was itchy for a week after, I think I'm pale for life) This scene is brilliant, its so horrible to watch and you know what is going to happen but you can't not watch. I wouldn't be surprised if some tanning salons lost some business for a while after that.

Saw
All the deaths
Saw is the King of death scenes. They have every type imaginable. You got a phobia, they will show you how it can kill you. Its hard to pick one or even a top 10, I tried and I just kept remembering more and more. The deaths get more and more extreme as the movies go on. The worst ones for me are ones that show skin being stretched, either by hooks or being glued to a car seat. Also watching people dismember themselves gets me feeling a bit weird.

They'll see and they'll know, and they'll say, "Why, she wouldn't even harm a fly..."

Reading my blog I may have mentioned that I am a huge fan of horror movies, my favourite type are slasher films. I enjoy the horror of watching a serial killer; and then the demise of the serial killer. So at the suggestion of a friend I thought I would write about my top 7, was going to be a top 5 but lets think outside the box.

7. John Kramer/Jigsaw
Victims - 86
Movies - 7
These films were obviously from the mind of a sick and twisted genius. The deaths were imaginative and gruesome - what else would you expect? The beauty of this serial killer is that he never actually killed anyone; it was the choice of the victim.

6. Freddy Krueger
Victims - 62
Movies - 8
I find this villain more comical then serious which kind of ruins the aesthetic of the films for me; I can understand why people love him though. I felt the best representation of this character was in the 2010 remake of A Nightmare On Elm Street. He became much more sinister and scary and a hell of a lot less funny.

5. Jason Voorhees
Victims - 300+ (including Freddy Krueger)
Movies - 13
We all know that it was his mother who was the killer in the original Friday The 13th (Drew Barrymore's character learnt that the hard way in Scream). However Jason quickly took the lead. My favourite type of movie killers are the ones that don't speak or show emotion - they are a hell of a lot more scary to me and his size doesn't help; utterly terrifying.

4. Michael Myers
Victims - 111
Movies - 10
Another emotionless and mute villain. I heard a rumour that the mask he has is actually a melted William Shatner mask. Never fully understood his motives and his vendetta against Jamie Lee Curtis, but these are some of my favourite horror movies. The remakes were really good as well and made Michael seem more monstrous than human.

3. Norman Bates
Victims - I have no clue
Movies - 6 (Plus a TV show)
Considered to be the original serial killer by most; he is definitely the most intriguing to me. The true horror lies in the fact that he could be any Tom, Dick or Harry. He is so normal looking and non threatening. He has a split personality and half the time lives as his Mother - technically she is the more villainous one.

2. Leatherface
Victims - 31
Movies - 7
He is huge, he is an expert Butcher and he has a mask made of human skin - that's a pretty scary dude. Another emotionless and mute character; what worries me the most is that I felt sorry for him in the latest film in the franchise - Texas Chainsaw 3D. At the end of the day he was protecting what he thought needed protecting, been taught by his family what they thought was right and wrong.

1. Ghostface
Victims - 41
Movies - 4
Ghostface may not be the scariest villain and also may not be the most talented, but there is something about Ghostface that I love. Once again it could be anyone who you meet on the street. My favourite Ghostface is from Scream - Stu and Billy. One of my favourite scenes in a film ever is when Stu and Billy are unmasked and they fight with Sidney. I secretly hope for a 5th and 6th in the franchise just so Scream get up there in highest money making franchises ever and gets the respect it deserves.