Mein Spiegelbild 2: Beyond Blood, Guts, and Gore

I am a huge fan of horror movies.

No worries, the last time I checked, I am still clinically sane and I am still able to normally interact with the members of the social domain. It's just that there is something about horror movies that automatically glues my butt to the chair and have my eyes fixated on the TV for at least an hour and a half. I don't know if it's the fright element, the showcase of fear, the shock moments, the kill scenes, or the dark and claustrophobic visuals. Whatever it is, that "X-factor" allowed me to expand my movie library into something other people may be squeamish about.

Just a quick "disclaimer", this is not about bashing other movie genres nor bragging about my horror knowledge (believe me, what I currently know about horror movies cannot even match an inch of a real horror movie buff). Like any other note, this is plainly sharing what my talkative mind has to say.

Last November, Saw 3D (or Saw VII) was released here in the Philippines. The movie, according to it's creators, will be the last installment of the franchise. For me, having 7 movies with interweaving plots (with the awesome use of flashbacks) is an awesome feat. Not only that, the franchise was considered (or is still) the record holder as the highest grossing horror franchise ever (even though Saw is sometimes considered as a crime/suspense film).

When my friends and I saw it, I avidly took down some notes about what I consider as the "gem" of the movie; the series of traps that has victims directly related to the main character. What caught my attention was that in every trap, a reminder is painted at the door and in the middle of it, I started to notice that it was an acronym from the fictitious book that the main character wrote claiming that he was a Jigsaw survivor. The book, aptly titled "S.U.R.V.I.V.E", is supposed to be a self-help book that describes how one twisted, demented, and near death experience can turn into a tool of salvation, invoke a feeling of rebirth, and provide a new outlook in the survivor's life.

So for those who just saw the movie for an I-want-to-scream fix or the "hug me, it's a scary movie" date, I don't blame you but here's a more meaningful juice from the film:

S.U.R.V.I.V.E. by Bobby Dagen

Start Your Life Anew

Understand Your Problems

Redefine Your Priorities

Verify Your Strengths

Ignore Your Detractors

Value Your Loved Ones

Embrace Everyday as if it is Your Last

We don't need to be subjected in one of Jigsaw's traps in order to appreciate life as we live it (the trap called "daily routine" is enough for us to survive through). The movie obviously portrayed this valuable principles in a demented way but nonetheless, it should be enough to push us back and hopefully see the bigger picture of how we live our lives.

Now, whoever said that horror movies are only about blood, guts, gore, and the supernatural may have to think twice before judging it (same goes with all other movie genres). Look beyond the scary visuals, witness the frailty of man, and stare into his deepest and darkest fears; for once we understand the darker side of life, it is only then that we can appreciate and value the brighter side of it.