A Fun Look at Horror Cinema - Part 1
by Sandro Cuccia
Horror Cinema Course Resources
CLASS RESOURCE LINKS LIBRARY
including Video Links
Warning! This film course is not for the faint of heart!!
Are you a big horror movie buff? You can't find anyone to share your passion for the genre? Do you delight in campy horror just for some mindless fun? Are you annoyed at the so-called "movie critics" who just don't get it?
This is the course you've been waiting for! We will scream and laugh with delight as we discuss and watch classic, obscure and sometimes schlocky horror movies, clips and trailers. But be warned, there will be chills, thrills and screams!
This course is designed for horror movie enthusiasts. The curious are welcome, but be advised that if you are easily offended or frightened by horrific monsters, flesh-eating zombies, demonic posessions, Japanese ghosts, blood-sucking vampires, Italian macabre, and nasty aliens; if scary images cause you to have disturbing thoughts and vivid nightmares... this course is NOT for you!
Film Genres and Titles to be Discussed and Screened in Class
[Not necessarily in the order listed. Subject to change.]
(Feb 4) – GOTHIC HORROR: Dracula (1931) starring Bela Lugosi
(Feb 11) – HORROR BY ALFRED HITCHCOCK: Psycho (1960) starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh
(Feb 18) – HAUNTED HOUSES: The Haunting (1963) starring Julie Harris and Claire Bloom. Directed by Robert Wise.
(Feb 25) – ZOMBIES: Night of the Living Dead (1968) written and directed by George A. Romero
(Mar 4) – HORROR BY STEPHEN KING: The Shining (1980) starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall. Directed by Stanley Kubrick
(Mar 11) – HORROR COMEDY: Shaun of the Dead (UK, 2004) starring Simon Pegg
(Mar 18) – ITALIAN HORROR: Suspiria (1977) Directed by Dario Argento, starring Jessica Harper
(Apr 1) – POSSESSION AND EXORCISM: The Exorcist (1973) [25th Anniversary Edition] starring Linda Blair and Max von Sydow
(Apr 8) – ASIAN HORROR: Ringu (Japan, 1998) ["The Ring"] directed by Hideo Nakata
(Apr 22) – GHOST STORIES: Ghost Story (1981) starring Alice Krige, Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and John Houseman
(Apr 29) – HORROR SHORT STORIES – including: The Drop of Water (Italy, 1963) part of the Black Sabbath trilogy by Mario Bava, master of Italian horror
(May 6) – WEREWOLVES: An American Werewolf in London (1981) starring David Naughton and Jenny Agutter
PLUS...SPECIAL FEATURES, TRAILERS and MORE!
About the instructor...
My name is Sandro Cuccia. I have been teaching Photography, Photoshop, Mac and iOS Device Computing at Osher for six years. I am taking a little break from technology instruction and trying something new; something I've been wanting to do for a long time - sharing my passion for the horror film genre. This has been a life-long interest of mine ever since my father would sneak me out of the house on Saturdays to go see creature double-features at local theaters. We even saw the original release of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead in 1968 (I was 15). Sometimes, my mom would find out, and we would both end up in the doghouse!
I have watched thousands of horror, science fiction and cult films since those childhood years. Admitedly, a great number have been pretty bad (some are so bad that they are actually fun), but every so often there have been very brilliant ones released. Currently, over 950 horror DVD and VHS titles grace my video library. Believe me, if I purchase a title for my collection, it's because it's worth watching over and over again! It's that good!
Although I am considered an oddball by many, I am still of sound mind and body, and an all-around nice guy! I have not turned into a murderous maniac, as my mother often accused my father of doing to me by sneaking me out to the movies. I simply love the thrills and chills these movies give me. I love to analyze the scare techniques that horror film directors use. The technology and art behind this genre fascinate me.
I am not interested in the cerebral. I am not interested in films that make me think, reflect and philosophise. I am not interested in mundane romantic comedies, which I call "chick flicks." I want to shut down my brain and have some silly fun. I want to be terrified, shocked, surprised, mesmerized, and visually titillated - all in the comfort of my easy chair at home and in the company of my two wonderful goldfish.
And that last point leads me to my other desire: to share this passion with other like-minded people! Sadly, my dear wife - as well as the few people I can call friends - none enjoy the horror film genre. My goldfish pretend to like the films, but that's because they want to be fed.
My father is long-gone, and now I find myself quite alone at horror movie matinées at the local theaters, or watching rental DVD's late at night, after the clock strikes twelve, and my wife and goldfish are safely tucked in!
Why not join me and other horror movie buffs as we engage in our frightful passion!
If you have any questions about the course, please email me at sandro.cuccia@gmail.com or use the "Contact Sandro" tab in the navigation bar at the top of the page.