A fellow 1L submitted this article to me to give in response to an “interview” from December. They wanted to know if you would place it in the paper? Thanks! PLEASE DO NOT use my name as the author since I am not the one who wrote it. The author wants to remain nameless.

Like Aretha Said: Just a Little Respect

Did it happen that fast?  Did we all forget that first week here?  Orientation: it seems like yesterday, and yet it seems so many of us have forgotten the principles that we learned in that first week.  I myself have to admit, I thought Dean Adams was crazy, and I remember thinking that if he mentioned professionalism one more time I might be compelled to knock him upside the head.  But as with many things law school; the logic of why we do what we do, did not reveal itself until much later.  I can now see why Dean Adams chose to drive that point home…over….and over…and over again.

Because it’s important, because it matters, and probably because he knew we’d forget.

That first week in school we talked about professionalism and how important it is to carry yourself in a way that you would want people to remember you.  We talked about how important it is to treat your fellow classmates with respect because not only are these the people that you will have to spend the next three years of your life with but these are the people who you will meet over and over again in the work place.  These are the people who you are going to work with, work for, work around.  As a group of intelligent twenty-somethings we all shook our heads and said, “yeah, that makes sense, we get it.”  And then we talked about it some more, and some more, and some more, ad nauseam.  And yet somehow it has happened that we have forgotten these principles in a matter of only four months.  To me, that is disappointing.  I’m disappointed in myself, and I’m disappointed in my fellow 1L classmates.

I’m not so naïve as to think that as an entire 1 L class we should be one great big happy family.  I realize that with people from all over the country, all over the world actually, we all hold different values, different beliefs, and different opinions.  Of course, at times those beliefs and opinions are going to clash but I do think that what we can ALWAYS do is respect one another’s ideas, beliefs, and opinions.  The way we hold ourselves is not only a reflection of our individual self but also a representation of our class as a whole.  Recently one of our 1L classmates was interviewed for a student profile in the newspaper and upon reading the interview with some classmates we were all shocked and embarrassed.  Shocked, that it was printed and embarrassed that one of our fellow classmates didn’t pause for a moment to think how making offensive jokes about Helen Keller (arguably one of the greatest examples of what it means to triumph over adversity) and using profanity that degrades women would make our entire class look.  No one is going to stop anyone from holding whatever beliefs they may but I think as a class we need to be more careful about how we broadcast ourselves.  As Dean Adam’s  pointed out, these three years are like one long interview, because these people aren’t just what you’re up against, they’re what you have to work with too.

Let’s not be the 1L class who cannot and will not broaden their minds enough to focus on the issues that really matter but instead sits idly in the atrium tearing one another down.  Let’s focus on being the 1L class that builds one another up, or at the very least respects one another’s ideas and belief systems.  As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”  Enough with the hurtful gossip 1Ls, let’s be better than that, let’s not be the class of 1Ls that some of us are beginning to be ashamed to be a part of.  Let’s be the 1L class of great minds.   I believe we have the potential, it’s a new year, let’s get back to professionalism, like Aretha said, “just a little respect.”

This Thanksgiving break, I, like many of you, flew home to spend time with family and friends. After being bombarded by the endless media uproar and hype regarding the TSA’s new body imaging scanners and pat-down procedures, I half-expected to witness abuses of power, Big Brother, and the rise of a police state in front of my very eyes. I went through the scanner, posed with my arms above the head, and waited for the image to be processed by a TSA officer in a walled-off location not visible to my fellow passengers. And that was it. Would I prefer to have not had some unknown TSA worker see a creepy, plasma-like image of my body? Sure. But is it a reason to revolt? Far from it.

The metal detectors we are all accustomed to in airports were cutting-edge technology…in the 1960’s. Times have changed in the 50-or-so years since they were invented, as have the threats against this country, and our technological capabilities must change to meet those threats. The Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines being placed in airports around the country represent the latest advance in security technology by being able to detect metallic items as well as non-metallic substances, including liquids, powders, and gels like those used in the attempted Christmas Day bombing last year. Is this technology perfect? Of course not, no technology is. But it drastically increases the probability of detecting dangerous materials and substantially reduces the remaining options for terrorists. By limiting those options, it forces those who wish to harm us to resort to less reliable methods or give up downing planes all together.

Further, there are some privacy safeguards to minimize the intrusion. Contrary to popular belief, the imaging technology used cannot save or transmit the images. A rumor began online claiming that images that had been saved by the TSA had been posted online, but some fact-checking proved that the images were actually from a different technology used by the U.S. Marshalls, who do save images. The images are also not visible by the public, nor seen by any officer who sees you in person. And while there have been some abuses and embarrassments, the answer is better training and personnel, not scrapping new technological advances.

Some believe that we can avoid the use of these new technologies by adopting the Israeli-method of profiling. Moral issues aside, that simply will not work in our situation. Bin-Laden has recruited terrorists from over 20 different countries, including non-Arab states like Nigeria and Thailand, making such a “profile” hopelessly overbroad. Further, problems of scale exist: Israel has 7 airports servicing 9 million travelers annually, compared to America’s more than 400 airports and 800 million travelers annually.

Think of it this way: what would the public response be if a terrorist smuggled non-metallic bomb-making materials onto a plane and successfully detonated a makeshift device, killing everyone on board? And how would we feel if we learned that the body imaging scanners could have detected the explosive materials and prevented an atrocity from occurring? The new TSA policies are not perfect. They are more intrusive. But they are a single, yet vital, component of a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy and, given the alternatives, the best option we currently have.

Bayard’s Bon Appetite
Don Quijote
John Bayard
Food Critic
Given the historical and cultural background of the Iberian continent, it is somewhat difficult to describe the cuisine of Spain.  This month’s restaurant review of Don Quijote may help readers understand the unique flavors of that country.  Since Don Qujote is the only true Spanish restaurant in Indiana, most people might not even realize the culinary offerings provided.
Don Quijote, located at 119 E. Lincolnway in downtown Valparaiso, provides a variety of distinctive blends for all types of plates.  The chiefs Carlos Rivero and Elena Jambrina, who are both natives of Spain, offer an extensive menu, which includes grilled shellfish, swordfish steaks, skewered pork, Castilian style roasted lamb, and paella, a Valencian rice dish which is the national dish of Spain.  The atmosphere of their location is very busy, but homely and welcoming.  The addition of live music improves the dining experience.  The price varies from lunch to dinner, but most lunches are around$10 and dinners are around $20.  Don Quijote also provides specials such as two for one entrees every Tuesday and it is also part of the Valparaiso Dine In/Wine Down program that offers $5 drinks and appetizers every first Thursday of the month. Carry out is also available for most menu items.
One of the nice things about Don Quijote is its variety of seafood dishes.  Don’t worry, for those of you who don’t enjoy fish or shellfish, there are plenty of other dishes available.  However, as a person trying to sample a variety of different tastes, finding good seafood can be difficult when you live in Northwest Indiana.  “Emperador” is swordfish (either grilled or blackened) that comes with potatoes and vegetables. The grilled swordfish has a strong taste which is sometimes difficult to find depending on the fish.  While the fish is of the slightly dry variety, the addition of sauce helps turn the dish into a truly excellent meal.  Another great thing about Don Quijote is that they offer large portions. This is a plus considering that for some of the more expensive dishes, you want to get your money’s worth.
For people who are unsure about what to order, the “House” combination platter, at around $20, is a good selection. It includes “empanadas” (pastry stuffed with either chicken or beef), “torillla a la Espanola,” “croquetas,” “chorizo” (sausage wth garlic and potatoes), and “albondigas” (meatball dish of Berber and Arab origin).  These various dishes go great with a nice glass of “sangria,” a wine punch with various fruits and honey.  Don Quijote also offers a wide variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
For dessert, I recommend the lime cake, which is made of frozen whip cream with a light taste of lime.  The “peras al vino,” or poached pear in red wine sauce, is also a delight.  If you are unsure about where to dine next time, come to Don Quijote for a pleasant atmosphere and a great cuisine selection.
John Bayard is a 3L and can be reached at forum@valpo.edu

They called us ‘lucky.’  Staring right into your eyes with a half-cocked grin, the 2L’s would repeat that phrase often in the days leading up to Professor Carter’s test.  There was always this maniacal twinkle in their eyes as they mouthed platitudes. But no reassurance could ever prepare us for the sheer terror that sank into my guts as I walked into Benson and realized I might have just blanked on the definition of “desuetude.”

Needless to say, that was not the absolute worst moment.  My worst moment didn’t come with a hard question or being flummoxed, for want of a better word.  Rather, the single worst moment came at exactly 2:00 p.m.  I was on question #25 and had nearly 18 questions left, including the longest question of the test.  I had 40 minutes left and I just about died.  What happened next was a feat of writing prowess that I will probably never achieve again.  I take little pride in pulling myself together and actually finishing with time to spare.  But in that one terrifying moment, I was sick to my stomach and convinced my law school dreams were ticking away like the second hand on the clock.

Walking out two hours later, I felt that my brain was a sponge that had been rung dry.  I could barely string two words together and I had an over welheming urge to punch the first person who asked how it went.  I walked straight out of the law school, past the grinning 2L’s, and back home.  There in my own quiet world, I laid down on my couch and watched enough cartoons the rest of the afternoon to feel like a normal human being again.

I am told I will be grateful in December when exams come around, and maybe my opinion will change.  I hope those long hours spent in the back of the library with my cold fingers flipping flashcards frantically as I try to memorize causation elements will pay off.   But even now, I do not feel calmer about the coming finals. I still do not know what will be on the Civ. Pro. exam or even what a law school multiple-choice exam looks like.  So, even though I am labeled ‘lucky’ by the 2L’s, I am still feeling like a nervous puppy waiting for the newspaper to swat my nose.

But enough about exams and the feverous finals fright I am feeling.  My non-law school thought now is focused on how much I am looking forward to Thanksgiving.  Mainly, I am excited to have somebody else cook for me. I think the old adage is that true cooking for one is a drag.  I have now grown sick of both chicken and pasta.  But as they are both quick and easy, I continue to eat variations of the both. I just hope it isn’t possible to get sick of peanut butter and jelly because then I’ll be really in lots of trouble.

Courtesy of FOX

The 2010 Fall television season is off to a brutal start.  There are no new big hits, several shows have been cancelled, and reliable audience favorites continue to dominate the charts.  There are several reasons for this.  On one hand, network shows blend together easily as there are way too many cop, detective, and doctor shows that make it hard for anything to stand out.  None of the originality and risk-taking that exists on cable shows such as Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, and Sons of Anarchy can be found on the basic networks and it is even worse now with the departure of Lost.  Basic networks simply continue to go back to the well and create spinoffs on stuff that is already working (i.e. ABC’s Private Practice and NBC’s new office comedy Outsourced) without trying anything new or inspiring.  It ’s no wonder then that people continue to watch their favorites because sticking with characters and stories you know beats new characters in a similar settings doing similar things.

Fox, however, with television’s #1 show American Idol, took a huge risk last year when it launched Glee right after the Idol finale in May 2009 and created the hybrid musical/comedy-drama genre.  The network hyped the heck out of the show through the internet, television, billboards, the radio, and music on Itunes to make sure everyone heard about it.  With Nip/Tuck’s Ryan Murphy at the helm and an outstanding ensemble with acting, theater, and tremendous musical talent, Glee was the breakout hit of the Fall, blending serial elements and Broadway in ways people had never seen.  In this show, cops, detectives, and doctors do not exist and what is left is one of the only original shows on network television right now that captivates millions of people every week.  The albums and songs released each time a new episode airs have landed on the Billboard charts more time than the Beatles, breaking their group record for number of appearances on the charts.

The show picked up more steam in the Spring when Fox paired it with Idol to the point that it anchors Tuesdays this Fall and delivers the highest 18-49 demographic rating, the most coveted by advertisers.  A sold-out “thank-you-to-fans” U.S. concert tour was a classy move by Fox to keep up the exposure while new episodes weren’t airing.  Having attended one of the shows, each cast member truly appears to be having the time of his or her lives with Chris Colfer and Lea Michele as standouts and a top-notch band supplying the music.

Due to the popularity of the Glee brand, stars all over the globe want their music and talents featured.  The show has already paid homage to Britney Spears and Madonna with tribute episodes.  Gwyneth Paltrow guest stars this Fall in a mini arc as an ex-friend of Mr. Schuester (the tremendous Matthew Morrison).  John Stamos has earned a spot in the show as a dentist and is expected to sing and dance soon enough.  Several other Broadway and television stars such as Neil Patrick Harris, Kristin Chenowith, and Idina Menzel have been great in guest spots and are returning to the show.  Fox has so much faith in the show, as evidenced by its renewal for a third season and its occupancy of the coveted post-Super Bowl slot.

Glee is popular to viewers of all ages because it covers a plethora of topics including theology, sexuality, personal identity, relationships, and family.  There are so many different personalities in the cast, which gives fans around the world different favorites and characters to root for.  You would think the other networks would have looked at Glee’s success and tried to deliver the next original hit this Fall, but all four (FOX, ABC, NBC, and CBS) have failed to develop the next cultural phenomenon and instead created stale retreads, creating no new big hits.  It is time that network executives open up their eyes because as cable television continues to steal more eyeballs from networks and people continue to have more entertainment options, the window closes just a little more for networks to remain the biggest players in the television wars.

LORD OF THE NO RINGS: COACH LEROY MAXWELL & OFFICIAL VALPO LAW FLAG FOOTBALL SQUAD FAILS TO REACH CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

Fall of 2010 was supposed to be a season to remember for the law school’s intramural flag football team. Unfortunately, Coach Leroy Maxwell and his troops were unable to win the big game for a second consecutive year. In what could have been one of the most athletic teams the school has fielded in decades, Coach Maxwell left countless fans befuddled and upset with his misallocation of talent, stubborn defensive play calling and lack of installing an offensive playbook. Maxwell also drew criticism from supporters for his inability to attend several Thursday afternoon games.

General Manager and quarterback Josh Reece was especially vocal about Maxwell’s performance, “Leroy never had what it took to be a successful coach, but he was my roommate and wasn’t athletic enough to make the team so I thought we could give him an honorary position. He was supposed to be a team mascot, similar to the Disney movie Radio. I never thought he would actually believe he was the coach. “ Reece hit the free agency market hard during the off season and successfully landed school bad boy Daniel Ford and multi-purpose athlete Gregory Sylvestor to what was already a championship ready roster. Sylvestor was an instant hit with fans. His cherub like smile teamed with returning wide receiver Alexis Figueroa’s olive skin tone left female fans swooning and facilitated a record capacity crowd against the team’s interschool battle with the 1L team. Estimations set the crowd at almost 9 fans. Reese was also able to re-sign several key veterans including Arie Lipinski, Ryan Anderson, George Catanzarite, Hunter Noble, and Travis Stegemoller. Speaking about intramural athletic journeyman Hunter Noble, an emotional Reece was quoted saying “Everyone played a huge part in our success, but Noble really was the glue that held us together. He’s one of the best locker room guys I’ve ever played with during my intramural career. Hunter has all the intangibles. I wish we could have won a championship for him, but Leroy screwed it up for us.”

While Maxwell’s bad play calling and absences from games were always a concern, it was his inability to control his players that proved to be the dagger in the team’s heart. Safety Arie “the beast” Lipinski set an intramural record 785 yards of combined penalties throughout the season. With all of these setbacks, the team still managed to win the regular season crown. However, this achievement should be credited to Reece’s roster management and Noble’s leadership skills more so than Maxwell’s coaching abilities. After two consecutive personal fouls on Lipinski during the team’s playoff loss, Maxwell decided not to pull his star safety. Instead, he ignited the already fueled Lipinski into an uncontrollable state by yelling “beast” and beating his chest. Their opponents scored the go ahead touchdown on the following play and Team Valpo Law’s season came to a halt.

This team will always be remembered as the loveable losers. Valpo law will likely never see another team with so much charisma and personality. Several 2L players who still have another year of eligibility left were visibly shaken after the loss. Wide receiver Alexis Figueroa said, “If we couldn’t win it this year, I don’t think I’ll ever get a championship. I’m going to focus all my attention on tanning and working on my complexion next fall. I’m really going to miss these guys.” Other players seemed less upset about the loss. Center and bad boy Daniel Ford was one such player. “I just wanted to come out here and work on my calf strength. I’m glad the season is over so I can do more plyometrics and make my calves more defined.”

The 1L team would eventually become league champions after Team Valpo Law’s second round exit in the playoffs. Team Valpo Law won the regular season matchup between the two teams. Leroy Maxwell was unable to be reached for comment before press release.

Legal Rebels

By:  Kim Kass, Associate Director of Career Advising

Are you a legal rebel that wants to utilize your law degree in a field other than the traditional practice of law?  The number of legal rebels has gradually increased over the last decade according to national statistics collected by the National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP).  If we rewind the clock a decade to the Class of 2000, NALP reports that nationally 10.6% of graduates accepted jobs not directly related to the practice of law.  National statistics for the Class of 2009 indicate that nearly 14.6% of graduates accepted employment in JD preferred or other professional fields.

Although the 4.0% increase in graduates accepting employment in JD preferred or other professional fields over the last ten years has been gradual, the increase should be noted.   The article, CEO, Esq., by Mark Curriden, featured in the May 2010 issue of the ABA journal explained that there is a new trend in the nation’s largest corporations to select lawyers to lead their conglomerates.   The article noted that nine of the Fortune 50 companies now have a lawyer as chief executives.  Lawyers serving as chief executive officers in Fortune 50 companies have tripled from a decade ago.  Being the chief executive officer of a Fortune 50 company is a hefty career goal.  However, the reality is that the skills learned in law school and developed in the legal practice can be applied to almost any profession or industry.

Students often stop in at the Career Planning Center and inquire about JD careers beyond the law firm and government.  The Career Planning Center is hosting events throughout the month of November geared to those of you that are interested in thinking outside of the box and exploring the legal rebel inside of you.   Be sure to take advantage of these informative events during the month of November:

Legal Rebel Panel Discussion and Networking Reception

Tuesday, November 9, 5:30pm—Harre Union Ballroom C

Topics that will be covered during the discussion include JD careers beyond the law firm and the versatility of a juris doctor degree.  The panelists include:

Allen Fore ’91, Director of Community Relations, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

Bill Trowbridge ’99, Chief Executive Officer, Opportunity Enterprises

Robyn Rucker, Director of Career Planning and former Coordinator of the Indiana CLEO Program

Presentation by Joyce Thompson

Friday, November 12, 11:00am- Ulbricht

Joyce Thompson ’99, Associate Director of Enforcement, NCAA

Ms. Thompson will share her experiences working at the NCAA as the Associate Director of Enforcement.  If you have ever seen the award winning move, The Blind Side, you may recognize Ms. Thompson as the investigator who questions Michael Oher.  Ms. Thompson will also explain the behind-the-scenes activities of each of the different departments at the NCAA.

Distinguished Alumnus Lunch

Friday, November 12, 11:45am-Brassfield Conference Room

Following her presentation, Ms. Thompson, will join a small group of students for lunch to discuss her work at the NCAA, background prior to the NCAA, and address any specific questions presented by students.

Presentation:  Alternative Careers: Getting to There

Monday, November 15, 5:30pm-Ulbricht Classroom

Susan Gainen, Pass the Baton, LLC

Susan Gainen’s presentation will discuss JD careers beyond the law firm, marketing your transferable skill set, and overcoming career roadblocks.  A networking reception will follow her presentation.

Please RSVP for these informative events through Strategy.   If you have any questions, please contact kim.kass@valpo.edu.

Grinding My Gears

Hello again Valparaiso Law students.  Happy spring all! Wait, is it still summer? Last week I could’ve sworn it was winter. I just can’t tell anymore. You know why, my fellow legal practitioners? What’s grinding my gears this month are the wild, unpredictable weather fluctuations hitting this town. Seriously. It’s fall; well, it’s suppose to be at least.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve dealt with near eighty-degree days and then highs in the lower forties. Oh, how I yearn for gradual changes instead of this forty plus degree shifts going on overnight that I’ve been compelled to endure. This problem only gets compounded by the utter inaccuracy Chicago’s Weathermen have become legendary for. Normally, I like the fact I can roll out of bed, put on a hoody, and be fine for the day. Ideally, this works for any day within the month of October. Yet, after trying my normal pattern this season, I’ve nearly died from both frost bite and heatstroke. Multiple times. Often in the same week.

Frankly, I don’t think I’m out of line when I say that Mother Nature has been a negligent parent this fall. If there was some kind of government agency I could call to get this fixed, I’d appreciate being informed of it. Someone email me if they know the relevant number.  I’ve been calling Al Gore, but he filed a restraining order on me early last week. Plus, the Secret Service is all up in my business for “harassing” a former Vice President. Now they’re saying I’m on some kind of list, blah blah blah. I just want fall to be fall, not some kind of hybrid season called sprummerallter. And Al Gore owes me a refund for his book.

Forum Flashback: November

By Dan D. Hallberg

This month, your host on the flashback express sends you back down video game memory lane.  It’s June 1986 and Americans are already about a year into their love affair with the Nintendo Entertainment System.  However, this month offered a small distraction as a young up-and-coming video game company was entering the ring.

The Sega Master System came on the scene quietly, and then continued quietly until finally it was replaced by its bigger, badder, radder, brother: Genesis.  But as far as machines went during the 8-bit era, it was actually (with the exception of sound quality) technically superior to the NES with brighter colors and better looking gameplay.  If video game success were based completely on the power of the machine then the Master System would’ve been King of the 80’s.

Games were the system’s problem.  While some games came out on both the NES and the Master System, for the most part NES had the better 3rd party support and therefore had more games.  About 800 Nintendo games were released in North America alone, as opposed to 318 games total released for the Master System in all markets.  Additionally, the console-specific games for the NES were significantly better than those for the Master System, and it wasn’t until our favorite blue hedgehog came along that Sega had something to compete with Mario.  It didn’t matter that side-by-side, Nintendo’s version of Paperboy looked worse than Sega’s– you were going to have much more fun with many more games if you got the NES, unless you were in Europe or Brazil at least, because there the Master System dominated NES.

So the Master System met its demise, but its hardware lived on for a little while.  If you were one of the 10 people that owned a Sega Game Gear, then you owned a Master System.  The hardware is exactly the same, and you can even buy an adapter to play all those Master System games you collected on the go.  You could load up on AA batteries and go to town!

And now to completely change the subject, let’s talk about an 80’s pop-culture icon.  In 1986, Michael Jackson was beginning to transform into the weirdo that we all knew and loved in the 90’s.  His skin was starting to change color and he was getting skinnier.  Soon the Bad album came out and the pseudo-music video film tie-in, Moonwalker.  With Michael Jackson’s release came lucrative tie-ins, and Michael turned to Sega to make his film into a video game.  So,  in 1990, Sega released Moonwalker for both the Master System and the Genesis.  These games are now rare, hard to find, and expensive.  However, if you camp the UK eBay for a while and wait until you find some Scottish guy who had a copy of the Master System version in their basement and didn’t know it was valuable, then you can get it for decently cheap.

The game play is simple.  All you do is walk around kicking people and finding kids in doors, car trunks, and behind windows.  Sometimes you find an item that lets you throw your hat, boomerang-style, at the bad guys.  All the while, 8-bit renditions of the Michael Jackson songs play in the background.  It’s pretty mind-numbing and not too difficult.  That is, until you get to the last two levels.  For the second to last level you turn into a Michael Jackson robot that has to kill 50 henchmen within a certain time limit.  No, I’m not on drugs.  That’s what you do, and it’s hard, because they’re shooting at you too, and you can’t get hit.  And once you get through that, you have to do a weird flight sim level as a Michael Jackson plane (still not on drugs) and not get hit by missiles and still shoot down the turrets.  It’s one of the hardest things I’ve succeeded at in video games.

So, if you’re a Michael Jackson fan and have some time and money to waste tracking down all the gear necessary to play it, give Moonwalker a try.  Then, while you’re at it, pick up some of the really great Master System titles and give them a go.  It’s at least a good way to put off doing outlining.

Forum Flashback
John Bayard
Executive Editor

A ghoulish greeting from the past in this month’s Forum Flashback. One way you might enjoy this Halloween season is by terrifying yourself with a great horror film. But what kind of horror film do I want to see? Scary has changed throughout the years and movies best represent those different forms of fear.
Fear and disgust are often the backbone of many of today’s horror flicks. The fear of the unknown combined with the revulsion of meeting that unknown face to face is the basis of many a film.
Horror films today however tend to focus more on the revulsion and grossing out instead of fear. This is perhaps best seen in films such as the “Wrong Turn”, “Cabin Fever”, and the numerous remakes of the last few years. The result is predictable plot lines. By now we know you don’t go in that dark room, don’t go swimming in that lake where those teenagers died ten years ago this night, and don’t bury anything in those Indian burial grounds. What’s that? You and your group of friends are going to be spending the night in that old haunted house and there are two attractive blonds in your grou?. We already know one won’t be surviving the night.
The classic horror films of old tended to be great because you don’t know what is going to happen next. That’s true terror! As Steve King notes in Danse Macabre, “I recognize terror as the finest emotion and so I will try to terrorize the reader. But if I find that I cannot terrify, I will try to horrify, and if I find that I cannot horrify, I’ll go for the gross-out. I’m not proud.”
Another great aspect of the unknown in horror films is the fact that they represent our own fears. Each period of movie history saw horror films that directly or subconsciously dealt with problems viewers faced themselves.
For instance the great German Expressionist horror films of the 1920’s “The Golem”, “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”, and F.W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” dealt with the dark and surreal nature of what many people felt like after the Great War. Later on in the 50’s and 60’s the unknown terror was driven by the cold war and fear of social alienation in the modern world. Films such as “The Incredible Shrinking Men” represented symbolically what people actually feared.
However the 50’s monster movies and the end of the Production Code of America brought negative aspects to the horror genre. Now horror became the “Attack of the fifty foot this or that” or “how many people can be killed in a two hour movie?”
This is not to say in the age of the slasher and exploitation horror that terror can’t exist. Film makers started to revert to the supernatural elements of past horror films to terrify people with the unknown. Psychological and spiritual aspects of fear were portrayed in films such as “The Exorcist”, “Rosemary’s Baby”, and “The Sentinel”. Even today we see (rarely) horror films that rely on that fear of the unknown.
As I watch a commercial for the next installment of a seemingly endless line of “Saw” films, I feel sad, not terrified at what has happen to the horror industry. Real fear is not what is behind the next door. Instead it is what lurks within the deepest corners of your mind.

John is a 3L and can be reached at forum@valpo.edu