MOTM: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

[HNT]

This was Leatherface's pick for September. Have at it, guys.

[GL]

Had this been a poll, I'd have abstained from voting.

I have never seen this one, nor do I have any interest in doing so. This is something that I find violates many feelings I personally have towards these kinds of films (knowing about the killer removes their fear and scare factor, so we're not supposed to sympathize with them in any regard and only supposed to know their name and motive, if that) while everything I've read about this one praises it for issues that turn me off of films completely.

Do not recommend this film to me, I have no interest in this and will gracefully let you guys have at it.

And with that, I shall check out of the thread for the month until the next time.

[Clathian Salvator]

Well, you are missing one of the greatest horror films made in the last 3 decades. One of the few truly scary films.

[HNT]

I certainly agree with that. This is a great movie, and it definitely has some parts that get under my skin even now that I've seen it several times. It is a truly uncomfortable watch, but that's why its so damn good.

[stinger]

I found Otis more creepy than Henry. Out of curiousity, would you guys have preferred them to show Beckys' death at the end or not?

[The Walking Dude]

Sept 18, 2012 10:11:23 GMT -5 GL said:

(knowing about the killer removes their fear and scare factor, so we're not supposed to sympathize with them in any regard and only supposed to know their name and motive, if that)

Problem here GL is that when it comes to killer's like this, motive is usually very difficult to ascertain.It's not as simple as a formula slasher film. It's a compulsion more than a motive.

But yeah this is a brilliant film,but one that is difficult to watch because it is so powerful and achieves what it sets out to do with aplomb.

[Jen]

One of the most disturbing films I have ever seen, very powerful stuff. I am not rushing to see it again, even though I think it is a fantastic film. Honestly, it was a very hard watch for me.

When it comes to most horror films, I would agree with GL, I don't want to know too much about the killer, but I think this is a different kind of experience altogether. What makes it disturbing is it's believability. I would give it a 5.

[stinger]

Did you guys know that Ottis Toole was the likely killer of Adam Walsh? He was the son of the host of America's Most Wanted.

I was browsing on imdb and somebody said the camera moves in towards the case, revealing blood stains, during which we hear sounds of struggle and screaming; presumably Becky's dying moments."

Is that the truth, because I didn't hear anything in the version I watched?

[Leatherface]

I never heard screaming, but it's heavily implied that Henry killed and dismembered Becky and put her remains in the suitcase.

[stinger]

My thoughts exactly. I'll give this movie a 4.5 out of five.

Sept 29, 2012 23:34:44 GMT -5 Leatherface said:

I never heard screaming, but it's heavily implied that Henry killed and dismembered Becky and put her remains in the suitcase.

[HNT]

Sept 29, 2012 12:03:54 GMT -5 stinger said:

Did you guys know that Ottis Toole was the likely killer of Adam Walsh? He was the son of the host of America's Most Wanted.

I was browsing on imdb and somebody said the camera moves in towards the case, revealing blood stains, during which we hear sounds of struggle and screaming; presumably Becky's dying moments."

Is that the truth, because I didn't hear anything in the version I watched?

Yes, I believe that was present in the version that I saw. It doesn't actually make it any more clear that Becky is in the suitcase, though. I don't think its possible to watch the movie and not realize that. I think it was more of a stylistic choice in that it brought the film full circle to the beginning where the audio was played over the still shots of women's corpses. The movie ended largely as it started, implying at least to me that Henry was nowhere near stopping or getting caught. We just saw a small slice of his life.