Recently while watching a crime/mystery show on tv I realized that there was no audio or visual build-up. You know those things which precede a high impact moment and let the viewer know that something which couldn't be good is about to happen. Movies years ago always had a build-up to the more suspenseful parts of a movie, whether it was a close-up or music. Several movies which employed these tactics and quickly come to mind are Psycho and Jaws.
In the suspense/horror flick Psycho, starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, when the camera focused on the shower curtain, you just knew something bad was going to happen. What about all those times when the camera panned the window where you could see Norman Bate's wheelchair ridden mother, be it day or night. You definitely got the sense something wasn't right but couldn't quite place your finger on it.
How about in the movie Jaws, which starred 2 of my favorite actors: Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss. Remember how the music led up to the high points of the movie. How about when they were on the boat drinking and telling stories and you could see the subtle shift in Quinn's ( the skipper of the boat) eyes. Just that little nuance let you know all hell was going to break loose.
These little things, like a close up or a change in facial expression are what made these movies great. They invited the audience to draw their own conclusions about what might or might not happen. Movies nowadays are lacking this quality. Everything in today's movies are spelled out for the viewer. They leave little to the imagination. We are not being allowed the opportunity to think for ourselves or even be surprised at what happens at one of the high points in the movie.
I don't know if most people like this kind of "in your face" telling of a movie or whether they prefer as do I a movie which invites the viewer to listen to and observe all the nuances and draw their own conclusions about whats going to take place. It's also great to have the bejeekers scared out of you every once in a while when you're watching a movie and I think this can only be achieved with a suspenseful build up.
