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The Horror of It All: One Moviegoer’s Love Affair with Masked Maniacs, Frightened Virgins, and the Living Dead...
Pop culture history meets blood-soaked memoir as a horror film aficionado and screenwriter recalls a life spent watching blockbuster slasher films, cult classics, and everything in between.
Horror films have simultaneously captivated and terrified audiences for generations, racking up billions of dollars at the box office and infusing our nightmares with unrelenting zombies, chainsaw-wielding madmen, and myriad incarnations of ghosts, ghouls, and the devil himself. Despite evolving modes of storytelling and the fluctuating popularity of other genres, horror endures. The Horror of It All is a memoir from the front lines of the industry that dissects (and occasionally defends) the hugely popular phenomenon of scary movies.
Author Adam Rockoff traces the highs and lows of the horror genre through the lens of his own obsessive fandom, born in the aisles of his local video store and nurtured with a steady diet of cable trash. From Siskel and Ebert’s crusade against slasher films to horror’s Renaissance in the wake of Scream, Rockoff mines the rich history of the genre, braiding critical analysis with his own firsthand experiences. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Horror films have simultaneously captivated and terrified audiences for generations, racking up billions of dollars at the box office and infusing our nightmares with unrelenting zombies, chainsaw-wielding madmen, and myriad incarnations of ghosts, ghouls, and the devil himself. Despite evolving modes of storytelling and the fluctuating popularity of other genres, horror endures. The Horror of It All is a memoir from the front lines of the industry that dissects (and occasionally defends) the hugely popular phenomenon of scary movies.
Author Adam Rockoff traces the highs and lows of the horror genre through the lens of his own obsessive fandom, born in the aisles of his local video store and nurtured with a steady diet of cable trash. From Siskel and Ebert’s crusade against slasher films to horror’s Renaissance in the wake of Scream, Rockoff mines the rich history of the genre, braiding critical analysis with his own firsthand experiences. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
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First published May 19, 2015
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December 29, 2014
I always feel guilty when I snag a book from NetGalley and don't love it. But hey -- impartial reviewing and honest reader response is what we all crave, right? So I get over that guilt pretty quickly.
Adam Rockoff has a great idea here. While my real passion is to watch horror movies (not read about them) every once in a while a book like this sneaks past my defenses with a come hither look I can't resist. That's what this book did with its great cover and catchy (if wordy) title.
Essentially what Rockoff is attempting to do here (and largely fails) is what Stephen King accomplished decades ago with flair and brilliance in his nonfiction study of the horror genre Danse Macabre. What did I want this Christmas season? What do I long for keenly every year that passes? A goddamn, updated sequel! Get on that Uncle Stevie, before it's too late!
King's masterpiece covers horror in all its manifestations in print, and on the big and small screens. Rockoff narrows his focus to just the movies, and that would be enough if it had been a wide view of horror on the big screen, but Rockoff's kink is the slasher / exploitation films (the subtitle for this book should have been my first clue).
Rockoff has already written a book about the rise of the slasher film called Going to Pieces -- heh, cute title -- and without having read it, I'm left with a sneaking suspicion that this follow-up book treads a lot of the same ground. In The Horror of it All Rockoff has a major rant against Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel for a special edition episode of their show Sneak Previews aired in 1980 in which the film critics lambast these "slasher" flicks as a dangerous and despicable trend in film both demeaning and dangerous to women (these men are so high up on their high horse here I can't imagine they can still see the ground). Don't get me wrong -- I love Roger Ebert, he remains one of my favorite film critics -- but boy, was he mostly a fuss bucket when it came to horror movies in general. It wasn't his genre of choice and it showed in many of his prejudicial (and often undeserved) negative reviews of some great movies.
Rockoff is justified in tearing a strip off these two men in an instance where they show complete ignorance about a genre and its fans. Neither Siskel or Ebert appear to have actually sat through any of these movies they are so quick to dismiss as sleazy and misogynist. They show no awareness of "the Final Girl" who often survives to slay the "monster" herself, as well as suffering from the common misconception that it's only women killed in slasher films. Quite the contrary; studies show men are just as likely to die violent deaths on screen in horror movies as their female counterparts.
But I get it. As a fan of the genre since before I could tie my own shoes, I've come up against that kind of prejudice many, many times. Horror is a genre where the consumer is attacked as often as the content itself. Understanding the appeal factor of horror is difficult for some people to accept, people who will look at you with a wary expression as they ask "how can you read/watch that stuff"? As if we should be ashamed, as if we are somehow mentally warped or our moral compass dangerously askew. Don't worry, it isn't. Horror appeals to many of us for very solid, rational, non-psychopathic reasons, I swear. And it appeals just as equally to men as it does women. And that doesn't make the men misogynists, or the women failed feminists.
But I digress. Back to Rockoff. His goal here is to really champion for the slasher films and the deranged and disturbing pushing all the boundaries it can possibly think of exploitation films. And I wouldn't have had a problem with that. But it gets a bit repetitive and tiresome and a lot of the movies he winds up talking about are pretty obscure if you're not a complete and utter fanatic for everything underground and out of print (I'm not).
In his introduction, Rockoff promises to approach horror in a very personal essay, knitting together his experiences of the genre using memoir as a lens. I love that idea. I love hearing about people's personal reactions to movies or what was going on in their lives when. One of my favorites of these sorts of anecdotes came from my own mother. She was dating my father at the time of the theatrical release of The Exorcist.
It was a date movie for them (these are my genes). They had to park the car at the very back of the mall parking lot. When the movie let out after 11pm the mall was closed and the parking lot was almost empty. They walked to the dark, abandoned hinterland of the lot to their car. When my mother went to open the passenger door (this was 1970's Newfoundland - people rarely locked their car doors) a giant looming shadow of a man sat up in the back seat and groaned. My mother screamed. My father cursed (and probably shit himself). Turns out that while they were watching the movie, this guy stumbled out of the bar drunk and crawled into my parents car to pass out mistaking the car as belonging to his friend.
Rockoff has a few personal stories like this, humorous and charming, but not nearly enough of them. He can't help but slip into the film school analysis voice, reviewing and critiquing. Too much of the book's contents feel like grad school essays, a little pompous and righteous. In an effort to "legitimize" horror and testify to its importance and validity, Rockoff comes off sounding like a bit of a haughty dick.
Then there's some sections that just don't work at all, and their inclusion confounds me. Case in point -- in Chapter 5 "Sounds of the Devil" Rockoff talks about the (un)natural marriage of heavy metal music to horror movies. The two go together like PB&J in some ways, in other ways it's a misfit experiment gone awry. He raises a few interesting points and then inexplicably goes right off the reservation with a blow-by-blow account of the time in 1985 Tipper Gore helped found the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) and brought the fight to Washington in the hopes of compelling the music industry to adopt a voluntary rating system warning of the explicit lyrics destined to corrupt and warp innocent children.
Halfway through this chapter I felt like I was reading a completely different book that didn't have anything to do with horror movies at all. It just seemed really out of context and ultimately onerous. I remember when this bullshit was going on at the time -- even at 11 years old I scoffed then, I scoff now. Plus, it's not nearly as interesting a story as the Comics Code Authority and the war against horror comics of the 1950's (check out The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How it Changed America and Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America). And I'm really looking forward to checking out this 2014 documentary Diagram for Delinquents.
If you've made it to the end of this lengthy, rambling review I thank you. You are a good sport and too kind. I didn't hate this book but it failed to really engage me or entertain. I don't recommend it; instead, pop some popcorn, turn out the lights and cue up your favorite scary movie.
**This review is also posted to Busty Book Bimbo
October 22, 2016
The Horror of it All by Adam Rockoff is a 2015 Scribner publication.
I confess I chose this book looking for something related to the horror genre to share on my blog for Halloween.
Sadly, this book is just not all that great, although that could just be me. I’m pretty picky when it comes to the horror genre, and the exploitation films are really, really, really not my cup of tea. I also fell out love with the slasher film many years ago, preferring the understated, and under appreciated chiller.
I do believe there are some hidden gems in this book and horror enthusiast may want to give this book a try, for no other reason than sharing a great appreciation for films that fall into this category with someone who enjoys the genre as much as they do.
The author is obviously offended by some remarks made by movie critics and goes on a diatribe to prove the critics wrong. This shows passion for the genre and I appreciate the enthusiasm, but for a more comprehensive listing, one that is more organized, and perhaps devoid of personal remarks that go off topic for extended periods, there are other choices available that will give you a more thorough commentary and a more professional one.
However, for those who might enjoy a more casual approach, one that isn’t too dry, or falls into the ‘list’ category and is obviously written by a huge fan, then this book might be one you wish to add to your collection.
For me, the search is still on for something to showcase on my blog, but I am positive, despite the lateness of the hour, I will find something that works. Wish me luck.
In the meantime, this one gets 2.5 stars
I confess I chose this book looking for something related to the horror genre to share on my blog for Halloween.
Sadly, this book is just not all that great, although that could just be me. I’m pretty picky when it comes to the horror genre, and the exploitation films are really, really, really not my cup of tea. I also fell out love with the slasher film many years ago, preferring the understated, and under appreciated chiller.
I do believe there are some hidden gems in this book and horror enthusiast may want to give this book a try, for no other reason than sharing a great appreciation for films that fall into this category with someone who enjoys the genre as much as they do.
The author is obviously offended by some remarks made by movie critics and goes on a diatribe to prove the critics wrong. This shows passion for the genre and I appreciate the enthusiasm, but for a more comprehensive listing, one that is more organized, and perhaps devoid of personal remarks that go off topic for extended periods, there are other choices available that will give you a more thorough commentary and a more professional one.
However, for those who might enjoy a more casual approach, one that isn’t too dry, or falls into the ‘list’ category and is obviously written by a huge fan, then this book might be one you wish to add to your collection.
For me, the search is still on for something to showcase on my blog, but I am positive, despite the lateness of the hour, I will find something that works. Wish me luck.
In the meantime, this one gets 2.5 stars
August 1, 2018
The best part of this book is the mentioning of titles that I may not have thought about in quite some time. And there were times where I enjoyed hearing the author's take on some of my favorite movies and killers. What I didn't like? Oh, Lord... so much.
First, the writing about heavy metal music (really? I could care less about that when reading a book about a moviegoer's writing on horror). I understand how there is heavy metal in some horror movies, but let's get back to the topic at hand, please.
He spends way too much time tearing down and deconstructing classic horror films and basically calling them all overrated trash (without saying those words) for titles such as The Exorcist, Psycho, Suspiria, etc. Alien is a boring movie? He even calls Wes Craven's Scream a fraud... like... okay... let's see what would have happened to the slasher genre had that series NOT been so famous and awesome. It would probably still be buried in the 80s. I am all about other people having different opinions, but how can you write a book on horror and hate on every single staple horror film and think you will come off as valid and reliable?
And why do I care about an entire chapter dedicated to Charlie Sheen and a snuff film? I dunno, this book was just a jumbled mess to me overall. The second half of the book goes right off a cliff quicker than Thelma and Louise. What started out as interesting, charming stories from Rockoff's experiences turns into just a roast fest of negativity and boredom. At the end of the day, I feel no better and no worse for finishing this book. I have left and feel zero impact. And that is just not how I want to feel when I finish a book.
It seems that excruciatingly difficult work in writing a screenplay/remaking a CLASSIC AND AWESOME horror movie (I Spit On Your Grave) gave him some license of entitlement? His real masterpiece was naming a book "The Horror Of It All" when that's exactly how I feel after finishing. Next. 1.5 stars out of 5 for me. I had hoped to really love this because, before finishing, I was also interested in Rockoff's first book Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, 1978-1986. But maybe he was less pompous and entitled 10+ years before writing this book.
First, the writing about heavy metal music (really? I could care less about that when reading a book about a moviegoer's writing on horror). I understand how there is heavy metal in some horror movies, but let's get back to the topic at hand, please.
He spends way too much time tearing down and deconstructing classic horror films and basically calling them all overrated trash (without saying those words) for titles such as The Exorcist, Psycho, Suspiria, etc. Alien is a boring movie? He even calls Wes Craven's Scream a fraud... like... okay... let's see what would have happened to the slasher genre had that series NOT been so famous and awesome. It would probably still be buried in the 80s. I am all about other people having different opinions, but how can you write a book on horror and hate on every single staple horror film and think you will come off as valid and reliable?
And why do I care about an entire chapter dedicated to Charlie Sheen and a snuff film? I dunno, this book was just a jumbled mess to me overall. The second half of the book goes right off a cliff quicker than Thelma and Louise. What started out as interesting, charming stories from Rockoff's experiences turns into just a roast fest of negativity and boredom. At the end of the day, I feel no better and no worse for finishing this book. I have left and feel zero impact. And that is just not how I want to feel when I finish a book.
It seems that excruciatingly difficult work in writing a screenplay/remaking a CLASSIC AND AWESOME horror movie (I Spit On Your Grave) gave him some license of entitlement? His real masterpiece was naming a book "The Horror Of It All" when that's exactly how I feel after finishing. Next. 1.5 stars out of 5 for me. I had hoped to really love this because, before finishing, I was also interested in Rockoff's first book Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, 1978-1986. But maybe he was less pompous and entitled 10+ years before writing this book.
May 29, 2015
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - if you're a fan of horror, you're most likely a friend of mine. I think this is generally true of most within the horror fandom community. Wear a t-shirt with your favorite horror icon or movie to any horror convention, and chances are you won't have any problem making a host of new friends. It doesn't even matter if they don't agree with me on particular movies - part of the fun of horror-based friendships is the heated debates, after all. So I just want to clarify it's not because I disagree with a lot of what Rockoff says in this book that I disliked it, nor does my feeling about the book mean that I probably wouldn't enjoy getting a chance to sit down with Rockoff himself and BS about the genre for hours. Different opinions aside, I bet I could get along with the guy.
The problem with Rockoff's new book, however, is how unfortunately pointless it ends up feeling. Rockoff admits at the beginning that he was having a hard time even thinking of an idea for a second book (after his seminal slasher history book, "Going to Pieces"), and, quite frankly, it shows. He has settled for a Klosterman-inspired series of essays covering some of his personal views and memories of the horror genre, but other than seemingly wanting the opportunity to publicly share some of his more controversial views (like that Hitchcock's Psycho is overrated because we never see the knife actually pierce Marion's flesh), it doesn't really seem like Rockoff has anything of deep interest to say in these pages. He keeps admitting that there are far better and more researched books about the genre (even going so far as to often tell his readers to check those books out instead), and even often simply spends large chunks of text simply summarizing what THOSE authors had to say. Left to his own devices, meanwhile, Rockoff just sort of rambles on with surface-level observations about the genre and its recent history. What kills the book, I think, is that he isn't really saying ANYTHING that his target audience won't already know. "Going to Pieces" was a cool book, but it's not like it made Rockoff a star that transcends the horror genre. So I think it's safe to say that the only people who would be interested enough in reading this guy's random thoughts about the genre are huge horror-nerds themselves...but they are also exactly who will already be 100% familiar with nearly every film and genre history anecdote he brings up. This is a weird disconnect that the book can't quite conquer. I didn't feel like I was learning anything new except for Rockoff's own personal thoughts on some topics, and even there things get dicey. Rockoff spends some time complaining about how horror fans can sometimes be contrarian just for the hell of it, but he also has an entire chapter just devoted to more of his own "controversial" views ("The Exorcist isn't scary! Red Dragon is better than Manhunter!). There's nothing wrong with anyone thinking Alien and Scream are overrated movies, or that Friday the 13th is as good as Halloween (I don't agree with any of this, but the dude is entitled to his opinion). But I don't really get why Rockoff thinks these views are interesting enough to justify sections in this book, especially since he doesn't really go into deep analysis about any of it (if he REALLY dove into his conflicting views with the majority, that might make this an actually interesting read...but, instead, he sticks to just quickly and easily summarizing his points). Honestly, this often just comes across as a big horror fan sitting at a table with non-horror fans and lecturing them about things like "what is torture porn" and "who is H.G. Lewis?" Except nobody at that table even asked. And neither did anyone who will probably bother to read this book, since they will already know the answers. Here's hoping next time Rockoff really can't think of a book idea, he spends a bit more time wrestling with it before just plowing ahead anyway.
The problem with Rockoff's new book, however, is how unfortunately pointless it ends up feeling. Rockoff admits at the beginning that he was having a hard time even thinking of an idea for a second book (after his seminal slasher history book, "Going to Pieces"), and, quite frankly, it shows. He has settled for a Klosterman-inspired series of essays covering some of his personal views and memories of the horror genre, but other than seemingly wanting the opportunity to publicly share some of his more controversial views (like that Hitchcock's Psycho is overrated because we never see the knife actually pierce Marion's flesh), it doesn't really seem like Rockoff has anything of deep interest to say in these pages. He keeps admitting that there are far better and more researched books about the genre (even going so far as to often tell his readers to check those books out instead), and even often simply spends large chunks of text simply summarizing what THOSE authors had to say. Left to his own devices, meanwhile, Rockoff just sort of rambles on with surface-level observations about the genre and its recent history. What kills the book, I think, is that he isn't really saying ANYTHING that his target audience won't already know. "Going to Pieces" was a cool book, but it's not like it made Rockoff a star that transcends the horror genre. So I think it's safe to say that the only people who would be interested enough in reading this guy's random thoughts about the genre are huge horror-nerds themselves...but they are also exactly who will already be 100% familiar with nearly every film and genre history anecdote he brings up. This is a weird disconnect that the book can't quite conquer. I didn't feel like I was learning anything new except for Rockoff's own personal thoughts on some topics, and even there things get dicey. Rockoff spends some time complaining about how horror fans can sometimes be contrarian just for the hell of it, but he also has an entire chapter just devoted to more of his own "controversial" views ("The Exorcist isn't scary! Red Dragon is better than Manhunter!). There's nothing wrong with anyone thinking Alien and Scream are overrated movies, or that Friday the 13th is as good as Halloween (I don't agree with any of this, but the dude is entitled to his opinion). But I don't really get why Rockoff thinks these views are interesting enough to justify sections in this book, especially since he doesn't really go into deep analysis about any of it (if he REALLY dove into his conflicting views with the majority, that might make this an actually interesting read...but, instead, he sticks to just quickly and easily summarizing his points). Honestly, this often just comes across as a big horror fan sitting at a table with non-horror fans and lecturing them about things like "what is torture porn" and "who is H.G. Lewis?" Except nobody at that table even asked. And neither did anyone who will probably bother to read this book, since they will already know the answers. Here's hoping next time Rockoff really can't think of a book idea, he spends a bit more time wrestling with it before just plowing ahead anyway.
December 14, 2024
I really really really wanted to like this. I'm a fledgling horror fan and a fledgeling academic, and so finding any book on the history of or dissecting the fan culture of horror I want to buy with no regard for my bank account. However, I just did not connect with this book for most of it. For a personal essay of sorts about Rockoff's connection with horror, my least favorite parts were when he would get personal. When talking about the horror fan community, he mentions that "horror fans seem to be one of the most defensive and thin skinned groups around" (183), which rings true especially for him. I found him to be annoying and dismissive of anything that is considered classic. I mean Alien? Boring? Did we see the same movie? Plus he said Hostel started the torture porn trend when Saw is right there. C'mon. On top of that, he mentioned porn a weird amount, on top of off colored comments about Bob Larson's "drop-dead-gorgeous nineteen year old daughter...a self-described virgin," (119) Sram 3's Catholic Schoolgirl's (217), and how his 2013 I Spit on Your Grave remake had "upped the rape and torture further" (228) Perhaps I am being too sensitive about those things, but I feel like they were weird.
When Rockoff does explore the history and effect horror has on pop culture and moviegoing without his (to me) annoying personal bias, I really enjoyed the book. Towards the end he explores the future of horror, and drops the names of plenty of directors I want to check out.
If you're going to read this book, do it for the book and movie recommendations, because this man is a wealth of horror knowledge. Perhaps I would be more open to his opinions if I found him less annoying.
When Rockoff does explore the history and effect horror has on pop culture and moviegoing without his (to me) annoying personal bias, I really enjoyed the book. Towards the end he explores the future of horror, and drops the names of plenty of directors I want to check out.
If you're going to read this book, do it for the book and movie recommendations, because this man is a wealth of horror knowledge. Perhaps I would be more open to his opinions if I found him less annoying.
November 25, 2015
I tried. I tried so hard to finish this book. Fifty pages left, but then the final straw came when the author deemed Wes Craven's Scream as a fraud. Don't get me wrong. Assholes are like opinions; everybody has one. But I really should have set this book aside nearly 150 pages earlier when Mr Ruckoff states that the shower scene in Hitchcock's Psycho was "overrated". Seriously?? Who does this? Oh yes, someone without an original idea who felt the need to remake the exploitation classic I Spit On Your Grave. There's a few more of Mr Ruckoff's observations that landed me on the fence, but enough was enough. The only reason I gave this book two stars instead of one was because of his information on Siskel & Ebert's two man tirade again horror in general. I understand this book is supposed to fall somewhere between film study and memoir, or at least that's what I gather the author's intention to be. But he fell way short. It almost felt like padding before he came to the actual point of the story. Way too self indulgent for my tastes. I've not read his previous book, Going to Pieces, which details the many films in the slasher genre. However, I did enjoy the documentary that came from its existence. But this book...not so much.
March 15, 2015
Horror film aficionados will find some enjoyment in this book. There are many obscure horror movies listed here that you will want to look up. The horror movie industry thrived because of VHS. The author raves about Eli Roth as a horror movie director because of Hostel, and thinks Friday the 13th is one of the best horror movies ever. He doesn't have a high opinion of Wes Craven's Scream.
The author spends too much time talking about himself, which is boring and tedious. I wanted more facts about the horror movie industry and which movies are recommended to watch. I was surprised to find out that Faces of Death and Hannibal Holocaust have each made over $60 million since their releases.
Horror movie buffs may want to check The Horror of It All out, but there are more superior books on the market I would recommend you read.
The author spends too much time talking about himself, which is boring and tedious. I wanted more facts about the horror movie industry and which movies are recommended to watch. I was surprised to find out that Faces of Death and Hannibal Holocaust have each made over $60 million since their releases.
Horror movie buffs may want to check The Horror of It All out, but there are more superior books on the market I would recommend you read.
June 25, 2015
A funny and nostalgic look back at horror for anyone who slipped on over to the dark side in the 80s. Reading it also provided a list of flix I have to watch again.
November 10, 2017
3.5 Stars
This book reads like a collection of love letters to horror film buffs. Part memoir, part history, this book offers a colorful commentary of horror pop culture. Filled with personal anecdotes, the author analyzes the popularity of genre over the decades, addressing how horror enthusiasts are frequently shamed by mainstream society. Two of the chapters (heavy metal and the legal case) felt out of place in the context of this book. However, all the other chapters were on topic and highly entertaining. This book does not provide the most in-depth overview of the horror film industry. Instead, the narrative is more conversational than critical, with the author reflecting on his love of the genre.
This book is clearly written for avid fans of horror films with the assumption that the readers have already watched the famous horror movies. Be warned that the author openly talks about the endings of cult classics, like Halloween, without giving any spoiler warnings.
By reading this, I have found so many new films that I know need to watch. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves horror movies.
This book reads like a collection of love letters to horror film buffs. Part memoir, part history, this book offers a colorful commentary of horror pop culture. Filled with personal anecdotes, the author analyzes the popularity of genre over the decades, addressing how horror enthusiasts are frequently shamed by mainstream society. Two of the chapters (heavy metal and the legal case) felt out of place in the context of this book. However, all the other chapters were on topic and highly entertaining. This book does not provide the most in-depth overview of the horror film industry. Instead, the narrative is more conversational than critical, with the author reflecting on his love of the genre.
This book is clearly written for avid fans of horror films with the assumption that the readers have already watched the famous horror movies. Be warned that the author openly talks about the endings of cult classics, like Halloween, without giving any spoiler warnings.
By reading this, I have found so many new films that I know need to watch. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves horror movies.
December 7, 2014
I received a digital ARC of this book from Netgalley.
I understand the impulse of the Geek(tm) to be protective of their chosen obsession. I find few things as annoying as a lit fic writer who writes something obviously genre and then denying that their masterpiece could be anything so gauche as science fiction of fantasy. So, I understand where Rockoff is coming from. But I still think he comes off as kind of a contrarian jerk-wad. Okay, you don't think the fact that women are most often menaced in horror movies has anything to do with misogyny, but plenty of other people do, and they often have good reasons for their assertions. American Werewolf in London wasn't scary enough. Scream was a ripoff. I get that these are just one guy's opinion, but the way he expresses them rubs me the wrong way. It's like he's looking down on anyone who disagrees with him.
There are a few funny moments in this book, and I've found a couple of other books I want to read based on it, but it just wasn't for me. Maybe more hard-core horror fans will enjoy.
I understand the impulse of the Geek(tm) to be protective of their chosen obsession. I find few things as annoying as a lit fic writer who writes something obviously genre and then denying that their masterpiece could be anything so gauche as science fiction of fantasy. So, I understand where Rockoff is coming from. But I still think he comes off as kind of a contrarian jerk-wad. Okay, you don't think the fact that women are most often menaced in horror movies has anything to do with misogyny, but plenty of other people do, and they often have good reasons for their assertions. American Werewolf in London wasn't scary enough. Scream was a ripoff. I get that these are just one guy's opinion, but the way he expresses them rubs me the wrong way. It's like he's looking down on anyone who disagrees with him.
There are a few funny moments in this book, and I've found a couple of other books I want to read based on it, but it just wasn't for me. Maybe more hard-core horror fans will enjoy.
April 9, 2017
I tend to be a fan of film critic memoirs mostly because they provide me with insight into the mind of the critic about key moments in their cinematic-taste development. I always appreciate when a film critic can crystallize their viewing experience and that's what Rockoff does a lot of in this book, mixing his life with a great deal of horror films--some good, some bad, and some we should probably not talk about. Sprinkled among his films and reflections are sometimes political or theoretical views that I personally disagree with but can see how and why he has inserted them. But the main reason I enjoyed this book is to see the great many horror films that I may know nothing about and wish to learn. Indeed, a book like this makes me go and add a bajillion (yes, that's an accurate count) new titles to my Netflix que. Horror fans may not agree with every choice or film that Rockoff brings up, but there is plenty of great content to sift through here.
September 3, 2017
I lovelovelove horror movies & I lovelovelove reading about horror movies, but I gave up on this book not even 1/4 of the way in. Rockoff thinks he's way more funny & witty than he actually is & reading this is like watching someone laugh at their own jokes & congratulate themselves over & over for being so fricking hysterical when they really really aren't. He also has an enormous chip on his shoulder about Siskel & Ebert's opinions of horror movies & in the process of arguing about how stubbornly & unwaveringly opinionated they are & how unwilling they are to consider an opposing view, he comes across JUST AS stubbornly opinionated and unwilling to consider an opposing view. And when he tries to argue a point, he sounds like someone who never took a basic composition 101 class on how to develop a solid argument. The book also meanders a ton & is unfocused, and while HE seems to be charmed by his incessant asides, I definitely was not.
June 3, 2015
What a steaming pile of shit.
August 19, 2023
There’s one thing more annoying than anti-horror snobs: other horror fans (I would specify this more to slasher fans specifically, but that makes me the annoying other horror fan. But look, I just can’t with gore. Or jumpscares. I’m a creeping dread and historical, supernatural terrors sort of girl. I want atmosphere and isolation and failure to reckon with the embodied horrors of the past, which have very sharp teeth. Or model trains and lobsters waggled in front of the camera). So this is all to say that I don’t like this dude’s preferred kind of horror and I doubt he likes mine. But more importantly, I fucking hated the author. He came off as an egotistical and bigoted prick who gets very defensive about the idea that horror miiiiiiiight have a wee little misogyny problem because something something final girls. As a feminist and a fan of horror, sir, you are incorrect. Also your taste sucks and you don’t understand Mapplethorpe or Lolita.
November 6, 2019
3.45 stars
While the author is an interesting person who had some interesting stories to tell about Horror movies and their history, etc., he drove me nuts with his constant asides into his teen years and just how, erm, desirous he was of female attention to certain body parts. It was annoying to being TMI. I really do not want to know about your lusts dude.
I was hoping for more really and this didn't quite deliver. sigh.
While the author is an interesting person who had some interesting stories to tell about Horror movies and their history, etc., he drove me nuts with his constant asides into his teen years and just how, erm, desirous he was of female attention to certain body parts. It was annoying to being TMI. I really do not want to know about your lusts dude.
I was hoping for more really and this didn't quite deliver. sigh.
July 1, 2021
Disappointing overall. Basically a book lamenting the decline in good horror films and wondering where the next good ones will come from. A few too many childhood anecdotes about watching horror films which all seemed to revolve around trying to get into someone's pants. I mean it's honest but wasn't really adding anything to the book. There felt like a few bits where it was just padding to get the page number up. Having said that, still got some new recommendations for horror films that I've missed over the years... Maybe I'm a little bitter because at film school I was that student poo-pooing anyone trying to make anything halfway commercial whilst secretly loving horror films.
June 8, 2015
The Horror of It All: One Moviegoer’s Love Affair with Masked Maniacs, Frightened Virgins, and the Living Dead… is the follow up non-fiction work to Adam Rockoff’s successful Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, 1978-1986. Going to Pieces was an insightful read and was later made into a documentary. With this book Rockoff widens the focus from slasher films to cover more of the genre.
The Horror of It All is personal, charming, and funny. Rockoff is a horror fan, just like the rest of us, and this book envelops you in a history of shared excitement about films and experiences. It’s obvious that he’s one of us and not just passing down a critique from on high. The personal perspective makes this very different from the usual horror movie non-fiction. It’s part biography and part horror history, which is really how we all experience horror, since we grow up during times of different sub-genres and movements. He has some great and often very funny stories related to horror movies. In addition to his own experiences, he also discusses the views of critics, the general public, and politicians’ reactions to the genre.
I can totally relate to many of the things he talks about from the standpoint of a horror fan, and I’m sure you will too. He talks about becoming a fear addict, with each new horror film being a test. This was exactly how I felt as I became interested in horror movies – at first terrified by the VHS covers in the video store, to finally being able to watch them.
The book is split into chapters, with each one covering a different topic. The chapters are inventive and I especially enjoyed his novel way of presenting a “best of” list, the slasher yearbook chapter. Entries included Most Annoying Character, Most Likely To Succeed (But Didn’t), and Most Sequel-Worthy Killer. You get the idea. Another chapter reviewed heavy metal’s ties to horror and the political witch-hunt of how this music corrupted society. There are so many movies and themes discussed in the book. It’s a wealth of interesting content, from torture porn and J-horror to zombie-mania.
The colorful mix of personal anecdotes, in-depth detail on horror, and Rockoff’s conversational writing style is a successful cocktail. This might be the least dry discussion of horror movies you’ll find – not that there is anything wrong with academic discussion of our genre – but Rockoff makes it fun without sacrificing depth. I highly recommend this entertaining and informative read.
The Horror of It All is personal, charming, and funny. Rockoff is a horror fan, just like the rest of us, and this book envelops you in a history of shared excitement about films and experiences. It’s obvious that he’s one of us and not just passing down a critique from on high. The personal perspective makes this very different from the usual horror movie non-fiction. It’s part biography and part horror history, which is really how we all experience horror, since we grow up during times of different sub-genres and movements. He has some great and often very funny stories related to horror movies. In addition to his own experiences, he also discusses the views of critics, the general public, and politicians’ reactions to the genre.
I can totally relate to many of the things he talks about from the standpoint of a horror fan, and I’m sure you will too. He talks about becoming a fear addict, with each new horror film being a test. This was exactly how I felt as I became interested in horror movies – at first terrified by the VHS covers in the video store, to finally being able to watch them.
The book is split into chapters, with each one covering a different topic. The chapters are inventive and I especially enjoyed his novel way of presenting a “best of” list, the slasher yearbook chapter. Entries included Most Annoying Character, Most Likely To Succeed (But Didn’t), and Most Sequel-Worthy Killer. You get the idea. Another chapter reviewed heavy metal’s ties to horror and the political witch-hunt of how this music corrupted society. There are so many movies and themes discussed in the book. It’s a wealth of interesting content, from torture porn and J-horror to zombie-mania.
The colorful mix of personal anecdotes, in-depth detail on horror, and Rockoff’s conversational writing style is a successful cocktail. This might be the least dry discussion of horror movies you’ll find – not that there is anything wrong with academic discussion of our genre – but Rockoff makes it fun without sacrificing depth. I highly recommend this entertaining and informative read.
October 30, 2016
Some people you just can't help but like from their own self-revelation in their writing. Although ever horror film fan has their own list of favorites, Rockoff's personal recollections show a keen imagination and perhaps a too true recollection about what horror films often mean to little boys. They could mean the same thing to little girls, but I can't speak to that point. Clearly Rockoff has a fondness for slashers that I don't really share, but still, he has great insight into the sub-genre. Arguing throughout that horror films ought to be respected as more than genre products, this book will likely introduce you to some movies that are new as well as reacquaint you with some old favorites.
Not intended to be profound, this is a fun book that kept me interested throughout. The essays aren't entirely even, but the overall quality is high. It doesn't take long to get through and it's a cheap thrill of a ride.
For those who'd like to see more, please note my blog post on it: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.
Not intended to be profound, this is a fun book that kept me interested throughout. The essays aren't entirely even, but the overall quality is high. It doesn't take long to get through and it's a cheap thrill of a ride.
For those who'd like to see more, please note my blog post on it: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.
July 3, 2019
This was a disappointment for me. I was hoping for a rather scholarly treatise on the appeal of horror movies, but got more of an autobiography in which the author wrote about his experiences watching horror movies.
Couple that with some truly perplexing pronouncements about how moms don't listen to Black Sabbath, "Psycho" and "Alien" were both incredibly boring, and the author's inexplicable dumbfoundedness that any woman actually uses a diaphragm, or that anyone even knows a woman who uses a diaphragm. What the hell...? Then there was the chapter about the use of heavy metal music in horror movies which turned into a long discussion about Tipper Gore and the PMRC. Gee, how timely.
I finished it, but it was a slog. It was somewhat redeemed by a nice chapter about zombies.
A far superior book that really goes in-depth about horror fiction is Stephen King's Danse Macabre. Perhaps I'll read that again as a palate cleanser.
Couple that with some truly perplexing pronouncements about how moms don't listen to Black Sabbath, "Psycho" and "Alien" were both incredibly boring, and the author's inexplicable dumbfoundedness that any woman actually uses a diaphragm, or that anyone even knows a woman who uses a diaphragm. What the hell...? Then there was the chapter about the use of heavy metal music in horror movies which turned into a long discussion about Tipper Gore and the PMRC. Gee, how timely.
I finished it, but it was a slog. It was somewhat redeemed by a nice chapter about zombies.
A far superior book that really goes in-depth about horror fiction is Stephen King's Danse Macabre. Perhaps I'll read that again as a palate cleanser.
September 4, 2018
The writing of this book was alright. It didn't really fit with a non-fiction book in my opinion.
It was easy to read, so that should at least count for something I suppose.
I mostly felt like the book did not know where it was going. Based on the title and the description of the book I expected a somewhat one-sided book about why the author likes this genre so much and maybe a bit of a history of this book. It wasn't that.
It was mostly him criticising people for having a different opinion than he does and just making fun of them for not understanding. His arguments where therefore pretty weak and mostly based upon the fact that a certain person doesn't understand the genre or goes into it with intentions different from him.
The last chapter pulled everything a bit together, but it still wasn't really good. It still made me want the time back that I spend reading this book.
It was easy to read, so that should at least count for something I suppose.
I mostly felt like the book did not know where it was going. Based on the title and the description of the book I expected a somewhat one-sided book about why the author likes this genre so much and maybe a bit of a history of this book. It wasn't that.
It was mostly him criticising people for having a different opinion than he does and just making fun of them for not understanding. His arguments where therefore pretty weak and mostly based upon the fact that a certain person doesn't understand the genre or goes into it with intentions different from him.
The last chapter pulled everything a bit together, but it still wasn't really good. It still made me want the time back that I spend reading this book.
September 29, 2017
To say this book meanders all over the map would be an understatement. The dude takes a whole chapter to dissect, moment by moment, the hearings about warning labels for records (why?? Nor does he tie it back to horror in any way), adding in what I guess he thinks is colour commentary. Really, you’re just waiting for him to make a point, or for it all to be over.
It’s not terrible, really, but there’s not much substance to it either. Who wants a chapter-long story that is nothing more than an anecdote (that he once turned down a hand job to watch a horror film)? & his love for Howard Stern (I’m guessing) is not much of a joy to read.
He does think Paranormal Activity & its row of sequels are the pinnacle of modern horror, so I guess that says it all.
Oh, and hokiest ending ever.
It’s not terrible, really, but there’s not much substance to it either. Who wants a chapter-long story that is nothing more than an anecdote (that he once turned down a hand job to watch a horror film)? & his love for Howard Stern (I’m guessing) is not much of a joy to read.
He does think Paranormal Activity & its row of sequels are the pinnacle of modern horror, so I guess that says it all.
Oh, and hokiest ending ever.
July 3, 2017
Right at the outset, the author admits that this is his attempt to write a Fargo Rock City for the horror genre. I think he succeeds to some extent - unfortunately, he doesn't have Klosterman's ability to find entertainment in the mundane details of his life and the decision to discuss "horror" broadly kind of weakens the impact (basically, it would be like if Fargo Rock City wasn't about '80s hair metal and instead attempted to discuss all of rock 'n roll).
That being said, as a horror fan, it was definitely a fun read and I walked away with some movie ideas just based on the way that the author gushed over them, so obviously the effort worked to some extent.
That being said, as a horror fan, it was definitely a fun read and I walked away with some movie ideas just based on the way that the author gushed over them, so obviously the effort worked to some extent.
March 27, 2015
A fun, easy read for horror movie fans. It initially felt like Rockoff was going for a version of Stephen King's Danse Macabre, but for movies. The problem is that it didn't offer much in the way of analysis (either of Rockoff's personal life or the horror movie genre), and so can't get anywhere near the intellectual or personal insight of Danse Macabre. That said, if you're after a light read, there were some interesting tidbits for the casual fan.
However, the bizarre anti-French rant near the end came across as racist, and if it was meant to be funny – well, it wasn't.
However, the bizarre anti-French rant near the end came across as racist, and if it was meant to be funny – well, it wasn't.
August 2, 2022
This represents so much of what is wrong with modern discourse surrounding horror films. A complete rejection of analytical criticism and self-reflection supplanted with a juvenile defiance acting as authority based on pure love of the genre and little else.
Not only should any serious thought that had been put into Rockoff’s work be revoked, but so should any other work that has cited his previous thesis on the slasher film Going to Pieces.
Not only should any serious thought that had been put into Rockoff’s work be revoked, but so should any other work that has cited his previous thesis on the slasher film Going to Pieces.
September 23, 2019
Blah Blah Blah Blah! This book has a pretentious air about it as the author spouts out facts that only he knows or cares about! I was so bored not even halfway through! It’s dense and all over the place! And even though some of the writing about his life was kind of funny... but let’s face it... we don’t care!
June 23, 2017
2.5 stars. Rockoff is a funny writer and this is an easy, enjoyable read, but he's also a smug, douchebag who often got on my nerves with his self-satisfied, contrarian, opinions. So, a mixed bag.
February 22, 2019
Rockoff strives for edge and humor with his blunt and contrarian views but he doesn't achieve it. A jumbled mess of horror observations, anecdotes, and opinions.
July 1, 2025
Did not finish, which is a shame cause I love slashers! Made it about 100 pages in and decided it wasn’t worth it. Just didn’t vibe with the author, he was pretty cringe lol
October 5, 2021
I'll preface my review by saying that the author states in the title "One Moviegoer's..." Because of that statement, I upped my rating from 1 star to 2. Hey, it's this guy's opinion. We're all allowed to have an opinion. That being said, I struggled to finish this book. Yes, he scoffs at the importance of movies like "Psycho" and "The Exorcist" and "Alien." He doesn't say they are bad. That's absolutely fine. This book should have been a series of podcasts and saved some trees for Jason to slam horny teenagers encased in sleeping bags against.
My issue is that he just does not come across as a person I'd want to ever spend time with. You know that friend who doesn't like anything popular? That guy who if critics say something is good, he has to praise something so obscure only he and 6 other people have seen it? This is that guy. You know that guy who will take the opposing view to any stance you may have just to have cause for a disagreement. Like if you said, "You know, spousal abuse is bad." This guy would chime in with, "Well, sometimes a spouse just has it coming." That is this guy. He comes across as a snobbish elitist who rather than welcoming people to the horror genre, he makes horror fans feel unworthy of the title of "horror fan." It's weird. It's like this book was written for those alpha fans who would have a fight for power to the death if they were all in a room together. "I know more than you! I like that iconic film even less than you do!!"
So aside from his elitist style of presenting himself, my biggest issue was the hypocrisy and underlying racism. He talks about how slasher movies aren't about hurting women--how slasher movie fans respect women and so forth. Then he waxes poetic about how he "felt up" a girl and put her hand on his cock while watching a scary movie. Oh, and he dedicates a long diatribe to bashing Charlie Sheen for his treatment of women and makes a comment about James Woods. HOWEVER--I lost count of how much he praises the Weinsteins. Haha! Yes, the book probably came out before the revelations, but seriously, he talks about how brave the Weinstein company and Dimension films were and they were so great.
I kept a list of countries he belittles. He talks about how the culture in Japan is all about violence and obscene death. He says how all men in Saudi Arabia treat women like crap. He makes a joke about Sub-Saharan Africa. He then goes on to explain how French people are awful and smell. BUT--critics are bad for making "sweeping generalizations" about horror fans or slasher films. SHAME on them for making sweeping generalizations about a group of fans or films. They should have taken the higher road and made insulting generalizations about entire countries and cultures. It was infuriating reading this thing.
But hey, it's his opinion. So be it. I read it. I finished it. He made a sweet comment about his children at the end. That was nice. I just hope neither of them grow up to marry someone from Japan, Saudi Arabia, or France. Dad might boycott the wedding to watch a film that has enough blood and nudity to hold his attention.
My issue is that he just does not come across as a person I'd want to ever spend time with. You know that friend who doesn't like anything popular? That guy who if critics say something is good, he has to praise something so obscure only he and 6 other people have seen it? This is that guy. You know that guy who will take the opposing view to any stance you may have just to have cause for a disagreement. Like if you said, "You know, spousal abuse is bad." This guy would chime in with, "Well, sometimes a spouse just has it coming." That is this guy. He comes across as a snobbish elitist who rather than welcoming people to the horror genre, he makes horror fans feel unworthy of the title of "horror fan." It's weird. It's like this book was written for those alpha fans who would have a fight for power to the death if they were all in a room together. "I know more than you! I like that iconic film even less than you do!!"
So aside from his elitist style of presenting himself, my biggest issue was the hypocrisy and underlying racism. He talks about how slasher movies aren't about hurting women--how slasher movie fans respect women and so forth. Then he waxes poetic about how he "felt up" a girl and put her hand on his cock while watching a scary movie. Oh, and he dedicates a long diatribe to bashing Charlie Sheen for his treatment of women and makes a comment about James Woods. HOWEVER--I lost count of how much he praises the Weinsteins. Haha! Yes, the book probably came out before the revelations, but seriously, he talks about how brave the Weinstein company and Dimension films were and they were so great.
I kept a list of countries he belittles. He talks about how the culture in Japan is all about violence and obscene death. He says how all men in Saudi Arabia treat women like crap. He makes a joke about Sub-Saharan Africa. He then goes on to explain how French people are awful and smell. BUT--critics are bad for making "sweeping generalizations" about horror fans or slasher films. SHAME on them for making sweeping generalizations about a group of fans or films. They should have taken the higher road and made insulting generalizations about entire countries and cultures. It was infuriating reading this thing.
But hey, it's his opinion. So be it. I read it. I finished it. He made a sweet comment about his children at the end. That was nice. I just hope neither of them grow up to marry someone from Japan, Saudi Arabia, or France. Dad might boycott the wedding to watch a film that has enough blood and nudity to hold his attention.
October 28, 2022
At turns disappointing, frustrating, disjointed, and (only occasionally) worthwhile. I'll be the first to admit that I'm new to horror movies, and I hoped Rockoff's memoir would be instructive and add context to my growing interest in the genre - at the very least, I was excited for some film recommendations and a discussion of how/why horror films connect so much to viewers.
Rockoff gives some context about his life, and we learn about the dynamics and details of his childhood. There was an excessive amount of "I was a horny teen" unfunny jokes, but these are the parts of the book that felt the most honest and interesting. I enjoyed hearing about the video stores and the VHS blackmarket and the over-the-top movie posters.
Unfortunately that's very little of the supposed-memoir. Instead there are a range of off-topic rants and rambles - sometimes going for pages and pages - about topics with a variety of relevancy. Rockoff also spent ample time trying to defend horror from its greatest detractors - especially acccusations like "slashers are misogynistic because of their portrayal of violence against women." He takes this claim, and others like it, and refutes it with the most sophomoric, obtuse defensiveness ("well, actually, men who love horror are some of the nicest guys I know" or "everyone in the theater laughed at a woman being hit on screen because they would never actually hit a woman").
There is so much valuable criticism about horror films - and pretending the critiques are baseless (with a lot of "nice guy" bs) undermines the complexity so many of these movies contain.
Worst of all is Rockoff's anti-intellectual rants. He simultaneously rails against critics for misunderstanding horror (and he's right, they often do!), not by advocating for more nuanced readings - but by insisting that an academic or intellectual analysis of horror is mere pretention and absurdity. As if horror can't or shouldn't be enjoyed on a deeper level. Then, at the same time, he seems bitter about the fact that horror is more popular and mainstreamed today - nostalgic for when loving horror indicated an outsider-status.
Overall, I do not recommend. This man desperately needed a more vigilant editor - with better cohesion, structure, and less rambling, this book could have been fine. No such luck.
Rockoff gives some context about his life, and we learn about the dynamics and details of his childhood. There was an excessive amount of "I was a horny teen" unfunny jokes, but these are the parts of the book that felt the most honest and interesting. I enjoyed hearing about the video stores and the VHS blackmarket and the over-the-top movie posters.
Unfortunately that's very little of the supposed-memoir. Instead there are a range of off-topic rants and rambles - sometimes going for pages and pages - about topics with a variety of relevancy. Rockoff also spent ample time trying to defend horror from its greatest detractors - especially acccusations like "slashers are misogynistic because of their portrayal of violence against women." He takes this claim, and others like it, and refutes it with the most sophomoric, obtuse defensiveness ("well, actually, men who love horror are some of the nicest guys I know" or "everyone in the theater laughed at a woman being hit on screen because they would never actually hit a woman").
There is so much valuable criticism about horror films - and pretending the critiques are baseless (with a lot of "nice guy" bs) undermines the complexity so many of these movies contain.
Worst of all is Rockoff's anti-intellectual rants. He simultaneously rails against critics for misunderstanding horror (and he's right, they often do!), not by advocating for more nuanced readings - but by insisting that an academic or intellectual analysis of horror is mere pretention and absurdity. As if horror can't or shouldn't be enjoyed on a deeper level. Then, at the same time, he seems bitter about the fact that horror is more popular and mainstreamed today - nostalgic for when loving horror indicated an outsider-status.
Overall, I do not recommend. This man desperately needed a more vigilant editor - with better cohesion, structure, and less rambling, this book could have been fine. No such luck.
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