PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Recently, I am a pretty emotional guy given the right situation. There are still some movies I cannot face the death scene in. I guess it’s more than a horror list; it’s a trauma piece. Sure, we will run with that. Let’s get into the list of moments that broke my heart. A lot of this list is moments that shaped the empathetic person. I will not add the actual scenes so this list doesn’t ruin your day.
Potential spoilers ahead!
10: Suburbia Baby Attack
We all know that one moment is going to bring tears. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most traumatizing things I have ever seen in my life, and I have seen a lot of films. Though the movie has an insane following, I refuse to watch it anymore; that two-second scene still haunts me to think about how I could not imagine this as a panicky dad who freaks out over a lollipop choking hazard. To me, the scene was nothing but shock value on a pretty lame story. I have been into punk rock for 30 years and never acted that rowdy.
9: Clerks 3: The Dante Effect
I have been a devoted fan of the entire Kevin Smith universe, so when the movie aired on streaming networks, did i Realze I cried for 10 minutes straight because it hit that hard. I felt lost after watching this film. It tore at my heart sink, knowing that a legendary trilogy is going to end on such a tragic moment. If you can make it through this experience can break anyone down, even the toughest biker in the bar. It’s a heartbreaking scene for all of us.
8: Pet Sematary: Gage
I think the most tragic part of this scene isn’t Gage getting hit. It was the memories that flashed through the aftermath of the incident, like a collage of lost love. Once again, I am a dad, and this is another issue I worry about because of scenes such as this. Even though you know what is going on, it still tugs on my darkest images and situations. The raw emotion of a child who passed on through no fault of their own, the feelings, the arguments, even that sucker punch made me feel even more in pain.
7: Return Of The Living Dead: Frank on Fire
These aren’t in any order, but this would be my number 1. I have been in love with this movie since I first saw it when I was five, and even in those glory days, this scene still hit me with a gut punch. Imagine being that loving of a person to toast yourself. It isn’t a laughing matter. To me, it’s a sign of memories I long to remember. When that happens, I sit with this film a lot to revisit the best of times in my life. Lost friends, lost loves, I am pretty sure every one of my childhood memories is about how this movie feels. I don’t have this list in any type of order. Even today, when he kisses that ring in his final moments, knowing he won’t be coming home for the pot roast. I am tearing up already to be that person who would do anything they could not to hurt anyone.
6: Terrifier 3: Santa Art is bringing his best toys for his mission
However, I have to sit through the first few minutes. I honestly felt for the family, but the mom’s death scene was incredibly sad, even though the trilogy is the love of my life. I hoot and cheer over the other death scenes, not because of the over-the-top gore, but because I didn’t like the person who was about to get it. This was the art of the moments in the film, not the Santa bombing or the murdered son that was turned into mushy limbs and intestines. It can be heartbreaking, even though Art the Clown is an icon in my life
5: SLC Punk: the Bob scene.
I have lost a lot of friends throughout my life, whom I would have to watch die in violent ways. However, SLC Punk had one of the most tragic moments I have ever seen. It was real, there wasn’t any blood, or some serial killer, all he wanted was aspirin, and he lost his life due to pills. The one thing that scared Bob the most was that his reason to die was so messed up; what a typical scene. There will never be another emotional moment for a 43-year-old dude into punk rock. This scene made me feel like a little kid who didn’t get that toy from the store.
4: Pet Semetary 2: The Family Pet.
Another moment up pretty high was the scene of the young man carrying his beloved dog. Of course, he did the simple thing, which was to make his dog back. You know the rest of the story already. It was another hurtful scene. I lost my best friend in the world after his life was tragically cut short. I lived through the pain; I felt it. I cry every time I think about it, like right now. Never knowing what your pet’s last moments were like.
3: Boyz n The Hood: RICKY!!!
I guess this could be something common that tears at anyone with a conscience. It’s traumatic to see someone die due to violence, but it was in real time, moment by moment, that it happened. All the screaming and crying almost scare you, never wanting this to end. Gang violence is pretty stupid because someone can get killed because they are on the wrong sidewalk. This isn’t an amped up film; it’s moving and sobering. You always hear about how many people have died protecting something that doesn’t belong to them.
2: Bomb City: Brian gets what He doesn’t deserve.
I have watched this movie close to 500 times. The reality is that this is a true story. The chaos in the courtroom cried out when the boy who ended Brian’s life got off with probation. The moment I saw it was the same way I felt when I heard he had died, just for being different and defending his friend.
The scene shows us the emotion behind the murder with little regret from the driver. Years later, the case was reopened, and the killer was found guilty of murder. Justice had finally been served for this nonsensical act. I remember when this happened, I was revelling in dyed hair and skateboards, maybe that’s why it hit me more than most.
1: Devil’s Rejects: Final Ride.
I think what makes the scene so memorable is that it hits so perfectly: the music, the slow ride, the bullets that hit. Though the story itself is far-fetched to a point, let’s not say this stuff doesn’t happen in real life. Come to California, where high-speed chases get aired 5 times a day. The hardest part is seeing a legend die in a movie before his actual death. No matter how sick he was, he still got to finish the film. I think knowing he passed on soon after is a pretty powerful realization.
There’s my list. I don’t remember any sad scenes while watching cartoons like most people. My memories stay safely between horror and pop culture, and to me, these films fit right into both. It’s pretty scary, even knowing it’s a film, you find a relationship with these characters, knowing that they make me blubber like a baby, even the ones I can’t watch and remain a bad memory. However, I was desensitized a long, long time ago. I know what to expect, but I never expect how hard it is to watch.
