Tag: horror

Rosemary’s Baby

Rosemary’s Baby is a 1968 movie directed by Roman Polanski.

WHAT HAPPENS?

A young couple move into a new apartment and befriend their older neighbors, the Castevet’s. Rosemary becomes pregnant and grows suspicious of those around her – eventually realizing she and her unborn baby are the targets of an occult group.

ONE LINE REVIEW

Rosemary’s Baby is a well-crafted, exceptional piece of horror.

THE ACTORS

Mia Farrow plays the demure title character and gives the movie its moral core. Her most memorable moments come as she physically and emotionally loses touch with her body. It’s a delicate, but profound performance – highlighted by the ritual dream sequences in which she becomes an unwitting participant in the Castevet’s occult practices. Farrow immerses herself in the physical traits of the role – her vibrant Rosemary grows ashen and sickly as the movie progresses towards its shocking end.

Ruth Gordon and Sidney Blackmer are phenomenal as Minnie and Roman Castevet. Gordon is a scene stealer as the whirlwind, aloof Minnie. Her character dominates the screen – fluidly manipulating Rosemary throughout her pregnancy. Blackmer plays Roman with a genteel varnish and feigned confusion. It’s a unique performance that presents his character as both mysterious and innocuous.

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Devil Times Five

Devil Times Five is a 1974 movie directed by Sean MacGregor and David Sheldon.

Devil Times Five tells the story of five kids who escape from a mental institution and terrorize a ski resort. Three vacationing couples each meet a brutal end.

If Oscars were awarded for Best Horror Movie Child Actor, Devil Times Five would boast some favorites.

Leif Garrett, Gail Smale and Tierre Turner are each brilliant in their respective roles.

Garrett is a scene stealer as David, the mercurial know-it-all pseudo prodigy. He inhabits the frustrations of a kid wanting to be taken seriously by adults, yet his vicious temper arises when he’s not. His exchanges with Sorrell Booke’s Harvey Beckman are cruel and hilarious.

After correcting Beckman’s calling him “a little guy”, he states: “We will be friends, Harvey Beckman.” David loses a game of chess to Beckman, then furiously throws the pieces. He begins to unravel. He dresses in drag – an homage to Beckman’s alcoholic wife – and smears on lipstick. “You’re all mine, Harvey Beckman.”

Smale is terrific as Sister Hannah, the pint-sized pretend nun who serves as the unofficial leader of the group. Her appearance is bleached out, resembling an albino and she features a penetrating, unsettling glare. The clueless adults at the resort take her seriously, despite her odd attempts at conversation. “I was noticing your hair. It’s very healthy.”

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Suspiria

Suspiria is a 1977 movie directed by Dario Argento.

Suspiria tells the story of Suzy Bannion, an American who travels to Germany to attend a famous dance academy. An odd series of occult events leads her to discover that the academy is actually a witches’ coven.

Here’s my one-line review of Suspiria: Dario Argento is a master of style and mood…and everything else is secondary.

In other words, there’s a lot about Suspiria that doesn’t make sense. But that’s also not the point.

From its opening seconds, Suspiria is enveloped in a haunting, pulsing – sometimes howling swirl of electronic sounds. The Italian band Goblin create an extraordinary soundtrack that instantly creates tension. The sinister tone carries into the Tanz Academy, which is a brilliant visual creation.

Argento’s vision is a symmetry of terror featuring direct homages to the occult. The patterns create an uneasy feeling – a sort of epileptic response. It’s a direct assault on our senses and a stunning visceral achievement.

The opening scenes involving departed student Pat Hingle are exceptional. There is gore, carefully paced suspense and brilliant imagery couched in an ample supply of campiness.

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