MovieChat Forums > The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007) Discussion > Gave me a panic attack!

Gave me a panic attack!

posted 15 years ago by folieadeux8381
26 replies | jump to latest

I understand how people are saying the FBI and whatnot looked like idiots (and they did) but I can admit that I'm a huge true crime buff, and though I think it's far fetched, the actual story line is incredibly disturbing. It literally gave me a panic attack after I finished watching it, and when I realized there was a little bit more footage at the end, I told my husband I didn't think I could watch it, but I'm so glad I did! I think that you have to keep an open mind on this one. If you don't pick at every little thing, it's actually a really good film with twist on top of twist that completely mind fuc... well you get the idea.

[–] xdaysx 15 years ago

Wow get over it, I watched this movie with my fiance' and we both thought it was completely lame and boring.

[–] Stella_Gibson 15 years ago

Wow, have a little sympathy.
Some people are more sensitive than others.

[–] xdaysx 15 years ago

Sensitive people bother me. It's a fake movie.

[–] Stella_Gibson 15 years ago

So is "The Exorcist", but it's still disturbing.

[–] xdaysx 15 years ago

Not to me.

[–] Stella_Gibson 15 years ago

I knew you were going to say that.

[–] peru_ 15 years ago

Oh woow, how do you manage to be that cool? Can you show me?
You suck …

[–] dcheeseninja 15 years ago

I agree with Peru....

[–] TheHorrorofitAll 14 years ago

You gotta love the "nothing shocks or disturbs me" guys. They can't let go of reality for an hour and a half and try to really put themselves into a film. It shows there is no imagination to them and in turn they tend to be dull and bland. Drop dead.

[–] insanerequest 14 years ago

This film had a couple of really disturbing scenes , but not enough

so it was a little boring at times.

[–] emilygracey 14 years ago

You gotta love the "nothing shocks or disturbs me" guys. They can't let go of reality for an hour and a half and try to really put themselves into a film.

I agree SO much.

What I don't understand is that the "nothing shocks me" people look at this and say, "That's unrealistic."

Really?

Watch Discovery or CNN for a day. This kind of thing happens more frequently than you'd imagine. This isn't a made up scare. The killer in this isn't some supernatural figure like Jason, Freddy or Michael Myers. This is John Wayne Gacy, BTK, and Henry Lee Lucas. There is nothing fake about this movie. The acting certainly leaves something to be desired, but this is the furthest thing from unrealistic. Makes me wonder what these people think about 'Henry: Portrait of A Serial Killer.' Then again, what do I know? It's unrealistic, after all

[–] laeyisoracle 14 years ago

The thing is, if nothing shocks you or you are too quick to say, "That's unrealistic", maybe the horror genre isn't for you. Y'know, I think those who get the MOST out of the horror genre, and enjoy it the most, are those who are actually able to open their minds, let go of reality, and allow themselves to be scared. Or, better way of saying it is, those who "aren't afraid to be afraid". Fear is a rush, and like many of the masters say, it's a safe rush for the fact that we can experience fear without really being in danger. I never saw any point in sitting through a horror movie and pointing out every flaw and how unrealistic it is. It's like being an active viewer of comedies, but pointing out how every one is unfunny and that nothing makes you laugh. Seriously, if you lack the ability to suspend disbelief, maybe works of fiction(in general) are not for you. Stick to documentaries or the news.

[–] dxben99 (63) 7 years ago

Basically, I totally agree with you. When watching a horror film, the goal for me is to be scared, which is why I only watch them at night, preferrably alone. And most times, I have no problem getting into the movie, but still, most movies just do not really frighten me. (Having you on edge for a couple of seconds due to anticipation is not the same as truly frightening you)

The problem with this movie is not that the premise is unrealistic (as you say, stuff like this does happen), just that the acting and some of the shots are just too unrealistic to be a real documentary and remind you that you are watching a movie.

An example for fake-documentary done right would be Lake Mungo. Of course I knew beforehand that it isn't real but it sucked me in right away and I could totally suspend disbelief and watched it as a real documentary. It scared the sh-t out of me.

With "Poughkeepsie Tapes", I was looking forward for such an experience, but no, just didn't work out for me.

The only really creepy scene to me was right at the end, the interview with Cheryl.

[–] aeternus_proeliator 14 years ago

Because that's the same ridiculous excuse people give for those criticising terrible movies like The Happening.

[–] bentleytheyeti 12 years ago

Horrorofitall- what it means is that these machismo meatheads are really afraid. They know if they get involved, get invested in a movie, they'll be scared shetliss. Not being disturbed =/= not even really watching the film (which is what they're doing if they're not getting into the story by constantly reminding themselves that it's only a fake movie.)

I knew it was fake, but for me I was still able to get into the right mindset to enjoy a taut piece of entertainment. I know I wasn't going to enjoy it if I didn't mentally invest in the victims, and this movie made it easy for me to do that. (For frame of reference, some movies that made it difficult to sympathize with the victims, and therefore actually fail as horror or suspense are One Missed Call, Mirrors, The Collector, and the latest Final Destination movies.) In the end, who DOESN'T want to enjoy a movie??

I know why God gave women mouths, Mr. Peepers, but I'm not sure why they also got vocal chords.

[–] iamtay 12 years ago

The HorrorofitAll hit the nail on the head.

Some movies are crap. Some movies are good.

But anyone who sits through this movie and says "I thought this was lame and boring" has no imagination. Period.

[–] StaunchWoman 8 years ago

That's exactly the problem. Those who have an imagination and let themselves get involved are not weak by comparison. The fact you can't let go and get into fiction is what makes you weak.

We've met before, haven't we?

[–] WileyDairyGnome 14 years ago

You sound like a 12 year old. I'm sure "nothing scares you"....not even the dark!

-- I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been

[–] deepcovergecko 14 years ago

this movie was a Lame version of august underground

Snootchie Bootchie

[–] stellar_child 14 years ago

August underground scared me so much I refused to sleep without a light on for a month.

This movie was interesting, and I definately was interested in the profiling part--see how murderers tick, and why they choose their motives. This movie was a little disturbing, and it did send shivers down my spine, but after watching august, it's hard to be scared--not that I wasn't mind you.

Also, equally creepy it was set around places my boyfriend and I have been. -shudder-

[–] LVriot13 13 years ago

You mean empathetic people bother you right? Because sensitive people are easily effected by external sources. Anyone can be sensitive. It takes an empathetic person to connect with others, even characters. You know. It's called "humanity" you should try it some time. Meanwhile, may I suggest a free online assessment of your sociopath-ic tendencies. Just to be safe.

[–] shred-com 13 years ago

I noticed when someone says that a horror film was "only a movie" or "unrealistic" they are trying to tell themselves it wasn't scary or disturbing. So in reality those people were scared/disturbed but don't want to believe it so they finds ways to make it not scary/disturbing.

[–] seanspike 12 years ago

Not true. I'm a aspiring filmmaker, so when I watched I kept seeing little things both from a story view and technical view.
I saw the story as far fetched and hammy.
From a tech side, the acting took me out of the experience.
Yes, the shocking moments are disturbing but again there little things about them like the green/purple hue and the camera constantly staring into darkness. And moments like music hidden under scary scenes. It helps the scenes but also ruin them.

[–] tourmaline_asna 11 years ago

Very late reply but ummm when last checked, movies weren't real.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinions.
[newbie]

[–] StaunchWoman 8 years ago

Seriously, why can't people all have the exact same reaction, right?

We've met before, haven't we?

[–] DeclanCochran 11 years ago

Didn't quite give me a panic attack, but you're right in that this was one overwhelming experience. As with a lot of horror films I admire, it went in, did its job, but somewhere along the line it turned into something pretty special... I was reminded of the Blair Witch Project (which I also love) in a good way. I guess I'm a sucker for serial killers, but this was great. Really wish it had a DVD release but it's looking more and more unlikely...

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My list of films I consider good; http://www.imdb.com/list/HhtSboRgtg0/