Remembering Wes Craven, the man behind my nightmares

Some utterly gut-wrenching news hit me hard last night.  Wes Craven, the man behind so many horror classics like LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and SCREAM, has passed away at the age of 76 from a battle with brain cancer on August 30, 2015.

Just typing those words feels so surreal.  I know I'm not alone when I say that Craven made the largest impact on me than any other person in the horror genre.  I remember Freddy Krueger being one of the first horror images to frighten me as a child.  And although I was familiar with the genre, it wasn't until 1996 when I first saw SCREAM that I became completely infatuated with scary movies.

Wes Craven.  His name is synonymous with horror.  The man changed the game not once, but multiple times over multiple decades.  His passing is truly a shockwave through the community.

Hell, before I was even a fan of horror movies, I loved SWAMP THING as a kid, and it wasn't until years later that I realized it was directed by none other than Wes Craven.  The man touched on every subgenre of horror.  Whether we're talking about hillbilly cannibals, home invasion rape-revenge, a dream slasher with knives for fingers, an inmate's vengeful spirit, a psychotic movie buff in a ghost mask or terror at a mile high, Wes Craven was a staple in the industry -- a man whose work will live on forever and ever.

SCREAM changed my life.  Gave me a new-found appreciation for horror movies, both past and present.

I can honestly say that Craven is the sole reason for my love of the genre.  The inspiration for me to want to make movies myself.  To tell stories.  To be a storyteller.  And Wes, you were the master.

If I could only say one more thing to Mr. Craven, it'd be, "Thank you."  Thanks for everything.  Thanks for kicking ass.  Thanks for giving me nightmares.  Thanks for being you.

That's a wrap, Wes.  Sweet dreams.

EDIT:

The date in the post header image has been fixed.