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Nov 4, 2011

Hellish Pain and Pleasure

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“The term sadomasochism finds its roots in the words sadism, meaning to enjoy inflicting pain, and masochism, meaning to enjoy pain being inflicted on oneself.”

The Cenobites in Barker’s story The Hellbound Heart are referred to as sadomasochistic beings.  Frank bought the metaphysical puzzle solely believing it would bring him pleasure.  He did not expect a journey through pleasure with an end in hell for all eternity.   His first encounter with the puzzle box brought him pleasure beyond his belief possible.  He could not pass up the opportunity to masturbate, possibly not realizing the pain and torture that would soon follow.

Julia carried such a lustful passion for Frank that she was willing to do anything.  Her one sexual experience with Frank impacted her so much she was willing to kill other people to bring Frank back from the dead.  He told her his ideas of them spending the rest of their lives together after she made him whole.  Julia thrived on the thought of bringing Frank
back and having him take her sexually.

When Frank is taken back to Hell by the Order of Gash, he takes pleasure in the tearing of his flesh.  Kirsty watched as his body began to tear apart and was disgusted by Frank’s crude sexual enjoyment.  She ran out of the room while he wagged his tongue at her.

While this was all shocking in the mid 1980’s, the art of body modification, piercing, tattoos, scars and branding has come a long way.  While not necessarily part of sexual gratification, it does have it place in the pain and pleasure realm.

Kaptive8

Kaptive8 Halloween performance on 10-29-11.

10 point modified coma.  Randomly cut 1 hook out at a time until we got to a 4 point
resurrection.

In air total time was 30 min.

 

Body Modification Ezine. http://www.bme.com/ 1994. 11/04/2011

I’ll stick to fishing,

~P.

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Nov 4, 2011

Caesarean born Hellraiser

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Clive Barker’s fascination with blood and terror all began at his childbirth.
He was a Caesarean birth and became stuck, upside down, nearly killing
his mother and self.  On October 5, 1952, Mrs. Joan Barker gave birth to a healthy baby boy, not far from Penny Lane in Liverpool, England.

Young Barker began his story-telling abilities at the age of two.  His father, Len Barker, and mother doted on their son and at the age of eight, encouraged him to perform
marionette puppet shows in their backyard. (Winter, p.10-13)

Early to recognize Barker’s exceptional talent was Norman Russell.  Russell was the assistant master of the English Department and Barker’s instructor and mentor in Quarry
Bank English.  Russell recalled saying “I can’t mark this paper” to Barker, who was fourteen at that time.  “You’ve moved into a realm where your writing
is a personal statement.” (Winter, p. 43-44)

Barker was an outgoing, student with an amazing following on campus.  His
art and theater productions pushed him into the spotlight, where he thrived.  By the time of his graduation, Barker had come “out of the closet” with his close friends.  In 1977, he and his boyfriend, John Gregson moved to London and Barker told his parents he was gay.  His parents were disappointed, but his mother said, “As long as Clive is all right, that’s all that matters.” (J. Barker, Winter, p.91)

Clive Barker, as a writer and a director, has the important key elements that lead to
success.  His sense of composition and pacing are not influenced by any one writer or director.  He describes his success with these words, “I enjoy the company of creative people (during filming).  It’s a different buzz from when you get to the end of the day and you’ve got 15 good pages (written).  That’s a private victory.  In films, the victory should be shared.” (Wooley, p. 41)  Clive’s success has been achieved slowly, gaining the respect of novelists and film producers.

Barker gained instant notoriety when Stephen King said, “I have seen the future of horror and its name is Clive Barker.”  This quote is published on the cover of Barker’s books and makes a connection to King fans.   (Winters, p. 153)  “The Hellbound Heart was not conceived as a template for a film.  It was an exorcism of his failed relationship
with Gregson.”  Their relationship ended in 1986.  In 1987, New World Pictures
committed 4.2 million dollars for the filming budget and The Hellbound Heart novella transforms into the film Clive Barker’s Hellraiser. (Winter, p.255-56)

Pattie Crider

Literature of Terror

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Sep 1, 2011

The Hellbound Heart

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I just received my reading/movie assignment for Literature of Terror class.  The list to pick from was huge so I decided to pick an author I recognized, other than Stephen King.  King is the most popular pick in this class and only one student could choose a King novel.  I didn’t want to be that person.

I recognized the name Clive Barker from my highschool years reading “Fangoria” and “Gorezone” magazines with Brian Brillhart and Scott Rouscher.  Horror movies appealed to me back in my teens, now they just give me nightmares.

 

I did some research on Clive Barker and his novel “The Hellbound Heart” to find out what movie would tie in.  I’m not sure why I chose this title out of all Barker’s books other than it seemed to ring a bell in my life. 

To my surprise it was a movie I saw back in highschool, at a marching band party.  I had only watched it with one eye open and ran out when things became very bloody.  The movie I’ll be watching again, 24 years later, writing a report and giving an oral presentation…

Now all I have to do is find it on DVD and keep both my eyes open!

Nightmare prone,

~P.

 

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Aug 18, 2011

Interesting Mix

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  Checking out my schedule for fall at York College of PA, I am amazed at the choices I have in my education.  Being an English major I just love anything that requires reading and writing.  Most students hate the reading and writing required during college.  To me, the English language is fascinating.  It has rules concerning how words are formed and used, yet contradicts itself over and over.

   You remember the i before e except after c rule right?  Also, how words become plural and really don’t follow any set rule.  House become houses, yet mouse become mice.  Many words are spelled the same but have different meanings or sound the same but are spelled different.  English is just a confusing mess and I believe considered the hardest language to learn.  I feel fortunate to know and understand English.

   My upcoming classes are Spanish I, Literature of Terror, Cults: New Religious Movements, Writing in Professional Cultures, Art in Sculpture and finally, Square Dancing.  Spanish is a repeat of the summer class I took and passed with a C.  I don’t feel prepared for Spanish II so I chose to repeat Spanish I.  Square Dancing is a gym credit and will wrap up the required 2 credits I need for physical education.  I hope square dancing is as much fun as recreational shooting.

   My meaty classes are Literature, Religion and Writing.  Scary books are my favorite so I determined Literature of Terror should be an awesome class.  I am very interested in religion and just couldn’t pass up the new class Professor Christa Shusko was offering.  A class about new religious movements and with the year 2012 approaching, the timing couldn’t be better!  Finally, my writing class covers writing on the internet, web design etc.

  I am pumped up and can’t wait for classes to start.  My thoughts and energy is being wasted on stressful things like court, divorce and future ex-husbands.  I’d much rather read and think about scary stories and religion!  Keep an eye out for my articles in The Spartan!

Ready to hit the books,

~P.

Filed Under: College, Divorce, Religion, York College Spartan · Tagged: , , , , ,
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