ORIGINALHELL'S PROFILE

author=DorianDawes
I really liked this list, but you're going to have to give better reasons for listing the Matrix as a modern-gothic film. The roles of transformation and character development are themes universal to any great fiction story, regardless of genre. Peter Parker goes from geek to Spiderman, but that doesn't make it gothic. The Matrix is more closely related to dystopian cyberpunk literature than gothic-horror, it also completely lacks the aura and atmosphere of despair that remains the defining backbone of the genre.

Matrix is a Cyberpunk Gothic film, yes. To cite reasons and information; Neo goes from a geek to struggle through to fit the bill of some all-powerful being in the Matrix. When he's able to access anything and everything by the second movie, he starts to struggle and see how hard and monstrous he can seem to others, especially the way Anderson grows and gives him opposition. Anderson could be considered a look at the dark side of having all that power, letting it warp you entirely into that creature.

Spider-Man and most of Marvel is straight up action, rather than trying to psychologically mess with your mind and make you think. There are the odd dark comics that could/do dip into the Gothic, such as John Constantine, Hellblazer; Lucifer, The Crow, V for Vendetta, even Preacher.... It's different on a case-by-case basis. Parker knows without a doubt (most of the time) he is actively doing the right thing and pursues it with a clear conscience. Constantine is always uncertain on if he's going to accidentally kill or send someone to Hell every time he tries to help, and you get to see how it affects him and his choices and relationships. That's one of the differences I've seen.

author=DorianDawes
Concluding, if the Gothic story is a morality-tale, then what pray tell you is the moral behind the Call of Cthulhu?

Mankind's endeavors are fruitless and meaningless and the arbitrary concepts of good and evil don't apply to ancient alien-gods?

H.P. Lovecraft can be considered a Gothic Horror, but the sad truth is that it is a COSMIC HORROR. This means the entire meaning and point and frightening parts behind it are that we, as human beings, have no impact on the universe, the world around us, and no significance. We are just here by random chance and entirely on our own. Nothing in the universe gives a tinker's damn if we live, die or are even present. We are entirely insignificant to anything and anything. This, of course, frightens us because of our ego.

author=OokamiKasumi
I'm glad you like it. I like sharing.

Question, then? XP What is the difference between Gothic Horror and Gothic Romance? Just a love interest?

Ooh, also.... If I remember right, there's a specific cast of characters, like a Byronic Hero and an Innocent Maiden and such that is part of the classic Gothic archetype in storytelling. Any notes or thoughts on this?