Paraskavedekatriaphobia

Today marks one of our culture's most superstitious days -- a day when bad luck is lurking in the corners just waiting to pounce on the first victim to walk under a ladder or perpendicular in the path of a black cat. This day has such a stigmatism surrounding it that an entire movie franchise was developed highlighting just how bad one's luck could be. If one decided to be friends with a group of happy-go-lucky partying teenagers who drag said person out camping at Camp Crystal Lake.

But maybe, just maybe, this isn't a movie about bad luck or a play on superstitious ways. Maybe this is actually a social commentary, a warning if you will or a PSA about what happens to kids who mess with drugs and underage drinking (not to mention pre-marital sex!!). What if, during the era of excess known as the 80s, kids were watching videos of rock stars on the new awesome MTV and wanted to emulate these celebrities and their wild ways? What if, the old Reefer Madness wasn't sending the right message to a jaded, materialistic youth who believed Reefer Madness was even funnier when one was high? What can our culture do? Who are we going to call?? Ghostbusters?? No.

Enter Jason Voorhees -- the new, faceless, drugs-are-bad serial killer.

Horror movies have rules which, thankfully, Wes Craven explained to us in Scream:

1.You can never have sex.
2.You can never drink or do drugs.
3.Never, ever, EVER, under any circumstances say "I'll be right back", 'cause you won't be back.

There are other rules if there are sequels of course, but let's stick with the original rules and ask why. The answer is pretty simple -- get across the message to teenagers that these things can lead to you losing your life and society once again gains control of the rebels who will make up our future. And what better way to say that drugs, drinking and pre-marital sex may cost you your future than by having images of a teenager's peer on the big screen be chopped apart in the most gruesome ways possible?

It's something to ponder while watching horror flicks that seem to all have the same recipe for success.

Or maybe the creators of the horror movie franchises just knew their audience was most likely drunk and high on dates that might lead to something more sinister than hand holding. When you know your audience, you know what to put on the screen to scare the living daylights out of them.....

Anyway, a toast to my favorite goalie (who I have never seen play a game) on his day --maybe all he needed was a hug and there would have been less blood on the ice.

Happy Friday the 13th :)