I can’t stand horror movies. I actually genuinely dislike being scared. I had to laugh at the shaky cam comment in regards to BWP because I hate those too, I get seasick! I actually hadn’t really thought of the Alien series as horror because I guess I tried to stuff it under the scifi label. Though really if I am covering my eyes or yelping when I am startled or scared then it must be horror

I guess its hard to have a horror movie without all the gore, monsters and death. That’s what scares people. The only other way to scare people is maybe… Have a concept that is terrifying though not necessarily monstrous. Like about being truly alone in the world with nobody left to interact with, not even an insect. Or maybe starving and considering eating your pet dog. Or perhaps living your life as a battery hen or a pig for slaughter. Hmm, maybe I’m not good at this horror thing.

ZombiePirate,
That makes me wonder… do these things just coast on the shock value? I think they probably do, but that’s just a guess.

mbp,
First, yes, I’m limiting myself, but I’m OK with that. I’ve picked up enough from reviews and papers on serious analysis to get what I want.
Second, it sounds like you’re in it for the shock factor. That part doesn’t interest me, but I do understand some of the psychology there. There are some curious effects when you go to a place specifically to be scared… but you know there’s no real danger. That’s where the catharsis and proxy emoting aspects of this come into play.
Third, Alien has been big for as long as I can remember (born in 1976). I grew up with a strong mother (raised my sister and I alone for a decade), and Ripley was established by the time I knew of her. Strong women weren’t an oddity to me… but digging into the history of the film, it really does stand out how strong of an effect Ripley had, largely for the positive.

Oh, and incidentally, tor.com has a good synopsis of Ripley as contrasted with the new Dr. Shaw heroine thisaway:
http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/06/ripley-versus-shaw-the-women-of-the-alien-universe

Robert,
The “gritty”, more “realistic” aspect of the film, as opposed to the fantasy world of Star Wars, definitely has a strong effect. It turns out that I really can’t stand H. R. Giger, but I’ll readily note that the man has a strong style, and it has a way of echoing in the personality of the presentation of the film.

Becca,
*chuckle* Thanks! I really need to finish the books. I do think I’ll avoid the pessimistic, cynical side of things, though. There’s enough of that in the real world. (And did anyone go read that article at the link I noted in the “awful, horrible truths” phrase? Real wars have some crazy terrible things to be recounted. No facehuggers, but in some ways, far worse for knowing that these things *really* happened.)

Syl,
When these things stay on the “suggestion” level, they really do seem to work better in some ways. It’s not the best parallel, perhaps, but while we’re talking about the penumbra of human morality, there are simple psychological reasons that skanky, titillating attire is often *more* tantalizing than full-on nudity. Leaving things to the imagination can be both simpler and more powerful. Leveraging the reader’s imagination can do wonders. (For better or worse, really.)

nugget,
I think that “dark heart” really is indeed the key. That darkness is something we all have to be aware of and beware of.

Thanks for the comments, all!

Disclaimer: While not fond of torture porn horror, nugget is a great lover of all silly supernatural horror movies and books.