I got plenty of flack for my admiration for Eli Roth's "Hostel", which was probably a good thing--but nonetheless, I couldn't help but think that the criticism was more about not wanting to like a film like that, than being surprised that you might like a film like that.
Sex and violence--probably the two most cinematic events in film. They translate very well on film, practically jumping off the screen. Sex is almost always voyeuristic on screen, which is part of the thrill. It seems only natural that violence could lend so well in this regard, notably in Hostel, and most certainly criticized in Michael Haneke's "Funny Games," a film that through its violence reminds us of our voyeurism throughout--which could be much like being caught with pornography. It's not bad until you get caught with it.
Rob Zombie's "Halloween," which I did not see, had great success that reminded us that the public really likes dead teenagers...the prettier, the better. I suppose it's a sadistic geek fantasy that everyone finds so endearing. It's only when we admit it that it becomes a problem.
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