Before I begin, let’s a take a moment a watch a preview for “Hostel 2″.

Click for Hostel 2 Trailer.

I have three words to say after we have taken in this trailer for a film that will be released widespread as mainstream entertainment, aimed at America’s young men.

What. The. Hell.

Actually, I have been saying what the hell for a long time now as horror movies continue to be released depicting the most graphic torture and violent death as modern special effects can produce. And even that’s not enough - moviemakers now feel that they have to add on top of the gore just flat out grossness that makes you want to throw up. Liquified rotting pig corpses? Why? And of course the entire feel of the Texas Chainsaw Masscre movies leaves you feeling dirty.

Hostel sits on top of this mountain of filth, king of the new depths of depraved “entertainment”, but it has plenty of underlings, and plenty more being made. To name a few: Texas Chansaw Masscre: The Beginning. The Hills Have Eyes. Saw III. And not to forget, we have the upcoming seuqel to Hostel, and a charming film called “Touristas”.

Anyone remember the good ole days when “Scream” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer” were the generally accepted model for slasher flicks? How about “Halloween”, “Hellraiser”, and “Nightmare on Elm St”?

As audiences grow more and more desensitized and jaded when it comes to horror movies, it seems filmmakers go further and further to shock. After all, it sells. Did you know that in 2005 “Hostel” made $47,326,473 in box office revenue domestically, and another $32,975,701 in foreign revenue?

That’s $80,302,174 for a movie that should have been spat on when it was released.

I firmly believe that there is something seriously wrong when we live in a society that considers movies like Hostel acceptable entertainment. I’m not kidding. I went to the theater to see Hostel, unfortuntately contributing to that box office revenue and giving the filmmakers more money, there were several people who were laughing throughout the movie. I’ve had aquaintences tell me how great and funny the movie is. My good friend Bob told me that he’s been told the same thing. Just so we’re clear about what we’re talking about, Hostel contained some of the most realistic depictions of torture that I have ever seen, and this is constant almost from beginning to end. There is no comic relief. There are no funny lines. Explain to me how this film could possibly be considered funny. It just made me feel physically sick. I’m still kicking myself for not walking out of that theater in the first half an hour.

So. Here is what our society considers not only acceptable, but amusing. And yet we’re shocked when we find out about American soldiers torturing Iraqi prisoners.

I believe in holding each individual accountable for the things that they do, and I hesitate to blame media entertainment, whether it be books, music, film, or video games, for crime. After all, I watch violent movies, play violent video games, listen to metal, etc, and I’m not about to go kill or torture someone. But as media entertainment gets worse and worse, more and more graphic, desensitizing people to the point where they can laugh at it…. There’s something very, very, seriously wrong here.

I guess I’ll be done for now - after seeing Saw III last night I guess I just needed to vent. I am now thoroughly disillusioned with the new horror movie. It’s too bad that this is the way horror movies are going. Hell, at least ghost movies aren’t anywhere near as bad. Did Kayako (The Grudge movies) every torture anyone? N0 - she just killed them. Quickly and cleanly, I might add. Yeah, I think I’ll stick with vengeful ghost movies and leave the gore and the torture to people who laugh at it.

Maybe I’ll gather some friends, make signs that say something like ”Don’t Pay to see Filth”, “End Torture In Cinema”, “What The Hell Is Wrong With You Crazy People Who Want To See This Movie”, etc. etc., and sit outside the theater when Hostel 2 comes out. Anyone want to protest with me?