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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Poltergeist (1982) in Movies
Oct 25, 2019
The TV People!
When the Freeling family moved into their suburban California home, little did they know what they were getting themselves into! Minor oddities began showing themselves like chairs stacking in the kitchen lights flashing or even being pulled across the kitchen floor. It felt like a "tickle". The situation quickly grows more severe as a tree outside the children's room plunges inside and tries to ingest son, Robbie. Simultaneously, a gateway of sorts opens in the children's room eventually pulling the entire contents into its closet vortex including youngest daughter, Carol Anne.
Parents Steve and Diane have little option but to accept "professional" help. The Ghostbusters were not available since that film was not released until 2 years later. Instead, they convince a doctor and paranormal scientists to enter there home to record some of these events and provide some answers if they can. Eventually, the Dr. summons a spiritual medium who says someone must enter the void and rescue Carol Anne from the evil which surrounds her. After apparent success, the house is considered "clean".
I wonder if it will stay that way?
Over the years lots of interesting facts about the film and production have emerged including the Poltergeist "curse" since a prominent cast member passed away after each film was completed. Tragically, oldest daughter, Dana, played by actress Dominique Dunne, was strangled by her boyfriend and pronounced brain dead a few days later.
Spielberg was hot off Raiders of the Lost Ark at the time so was busy with one production after another. Immediately following the wrap of filming of Poltergeist he filmed E. T. The Extra Terrestrial, but was still heavily involved in post production. It has been widely speculated Spielberg even directed some of Poltergieist due to having control issues or maybe not liking what credited director Tobe Hooper was doing.
Drew Barrymore auditioned for Carol Ann, but didn't get the role. Obviously, she was remembered and given her breakout role in E.T. when it was also released in 1982.
So much of the movie is still remembered including the menacing tree, the clown scene with Robbie and a rich, interesting screenplay Spielberg himself wrote. The line "They're Here" is listed on the AFI's 100 YEARS...100 MOVIE QUOTES list at #69. As with a lot of Spielberg's early work, the affect of slowing building tension and the starting out "normal" and moving toward higher tension gradually is a staple and works amazingly well here.
I will admit some of the optical effects used now look a bit dated by today's standards of film perfection; however, does not diminish the scares, creeps or overall feel of this horror classic one bit. The score by Jerry Goldsmith is haunting, foreboding and captures the magic of the Freeling household perfectly.
I love the production design in the house especially the children's bedroom. There must have been some inside joke between Spielberg and George Lucas who had just collaborated on Raiders of the Lost Ark as their room is filled with Star Wars licensing of every type (so was mine as a kid) including action figures, bedding, movie posters and even clothing. I do draw the line at the Alien poster on the wall, through, as I don't think a 5 and 8 year old would have seen that film so young.
One other funny thing which us older folk take for granted is a network actually going off the air and showing just snow. This fact happened every day before the days of the 24 television cycle and would be completely foreign to the younger generation. Oh how things have changed.
I revisit this film often and is one of my Halloween traditions every few years. I should probably upgrade my 20 years old DVD copy for a fresh Blu Ray. Add it to the list! 😜
Parents Steve and Diane have little option but to accept "professional" help. The Ghostbusters were not available since that film was not released until 2 years later. Instead, they convince a doctor and paranormal scientists to enter there home to record some of these events and provide some answers if they can. Eventually, the Dr. summons a spiritual medium who says someone must enter the void and rescue Carol Anne from the evil which surrounds her. After apparent success, the house is considered "clean".
I wonder if it will stay that way?
Over the years lots of interesting facts about the film and production have emerged including the Poltergeist "curse" since a prominent cast member passed away after each film was completed. Tragically, oldest daughter, Dana, played by actress Dominique Dunne, was strangled by her boyfriend and pronounced brain dead a few days later.
Spielberg was hot off Raiders of the Lost Ark at the time so was busy with one production after another. Immediately following the wrap of filming of Poltergeist he filmed E. T. The Extra Terrestrial, but was still heavily involved in post production. It has been widely speculated Spielberg even directed some of Poltergieist due to having control issues or maybe not liking what credited director Tobe Hooper was doing.
Drew Barrymore auditioned for Carol Ann, but didn't get the role. Obviously, she was remembered and given her breakout role in E.T. when it was also released in 1982.
So much of the movie is still remembered including the menacing tree, the clown scene with Robbie and a rich, interesting screenplay Spielberg himself wrote. The line "They're Here" is listed on the AFI's 100 YEARS...100 MOVIE QUOTES list at #69. As with a lot of Spielberg's early work, the affect of slowing building tension and the starting out "normal" and moving toward higher tension gradually is a staple and works amazingly well here.
I will admit some of the optical effects used now look a bit dated by today's standards of film perfection; however, does not diminish the scares, creeps or overall feel of this horror classic one bit. The score by Jerry Goldsmith is haunting, foreboding and captures the magic of the Freeling household perfectly.
I love the production design in the house especially the children's bedroom. There must have been some inside joke between Spielberg and George Lucas who had just collaborated on Raiders of the Lost Ark as their room is filled with Star Wars licensing of every type (so was mine as a kid) including action figures, bedding, movie posters and even clothing. I do draw the line at the Alien poster on the wall, through, as I don't think a 5 and 8 year old would have seen that film so young.
One other funny thing which us older folk take for granted is a network actually going off the air and showing just snow. This fact happened every day before the days of the 24 television cycle and would be completely foreign to the younger generation. Oh how things have changed.
I revisit this film often and is one of my Halloween traditions every few years. I should probably upgrade my 20 years old DVD copy for a fresh Blu Ray. Add it to the list! 😜
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Saw II (2005) in Movies
Mar 18, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
At first glance, Saw 2 is, like most sequels, more of the same but bigger. We have the police looking for Jigsaw's latest victims and we have the victims themselves playing the games. This time, however the scope is much bigger. The victims are not just chained in one room, they have a whole house to explore and the whole game is much more personal for one of the detectives.
The thing is, Saw 2 manages to add to the law put down in the first film. It expands on Jigsaw's motivation, expands his plans and uses two characters from the first film, Amanda and the 'Pig' and reveals that they were/are the same person. It is these additions to the law that help make the Saw franchise stand out from some others. Other franchises have the slashers going around killing their victims and repeating the same few bits of information unless it is important to that film. Of course, a big part of saw 2 are the kills but it does work on furthering the story and laying the ground work for more films.
It goes with out saying that there is blood and gore in this film but it suites the tone and isn't as over the top or as unrealistic as some other films.
The thing is, Saw 2 manages to add to the law put down in the first film. It expands on Jigsaw's motivation, expands his plans and uses two characters from the first film, Amanda and the 'Pig' and reveals that they were/are the same person. It is these additions to the law that help make the Saw franchise stand out from some others. Other franchises have the slashers going around killing their victims and repeating the same few bits of information unless it is important to that film. Of course, a big part of saw 2 are the kills but it does work on furthering the story and laying the ground work for more films.
It goes with out saying that there is blood and gore in this film but it suites the tone and isn't as over the top or as unrealistic as some other films.
In Line to the Throne: Prince Charles and the Other 29 in Waiting
Jeremy Cassar, Tobias Anthony and Oslo Davis
Book
We all know who's next in the line to the British throne: Charles, William, George, Charlotte,...
Fatal First Edition
8.0
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Book
People are dying to get their hands on a rare, valuable book in the newest Library Lover’s Mystery...
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Trees in Books
Mar 15, 2018
<i><b>There is no warning. No chance to prepare. The trees arrive in the night: thundering up through the ground, transforming streets and towns into shadowy forest.</b></i>
When Adrien wakes to the thundering of trees coming up from the earth and destroying his home, he has no idea what happening, but neither does anybody else. Confused, scared and afraid, Adrien sets out to find some answers, primarily <i>is his wife, in Ireland, still alive?</i> On his journey he comes across nature lover Hannah and her teenage son Seb who group together to tackle what the forest holds.
The reviews plastered all over this book are what got me really excited about picking this up, talking about Hitchcock, Tarantino and McCarthy’s book <i>The Road</i> (which I haven’t read yet but am really looking forward to picking up), all appealed to me so much that I put Room down and bought this one instead (or, rather, my boyfriend bought it)...
Read my full review here: https://bookbumzuky.wordpress.com/2017/01/16/the-trees-by-ali-shaw/
When Adrien wakes to the thundering of trees coming up from the earth and destroying his home, he has no idea what happening, but neither does anybody else. Confused, scared and afraid, Adrien sets out to find some answers, primarily <i>is his wife, in Ireland, still alive?</i> On his journey he comes across nature lover Hannah and her teenage son Seb who group together to tackle what the forest holds.
The reviews plastered all over this book are what got me really excited about picking this up, talking about Hitchcock, Tarantino and McCarthy’s book <i>The Road</i> (which I haven’t read yet but am really looking forward to picking up), all appealed to me so much that I put Room down and bought this one instead (or, rather, my boyfriend bought it)...
Read my full review here: https://bookbumzuky.wordpress.com/2017/01/16/the-trees-by-ali-shaw/
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Terror On Kamikaze Run (Accidental Detectives, #10) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Ricky and his friends are offered a week at a ski resort in Colorado, it seems too good to pass up. They are supposed to be watching out for something odd that might be happening in the lodge, but they don’t know what might be wrong. Their first night there, a fire breaks out in the room where they are staying. Then they see the ghost of a woman who died in the area years ago. What is going on?
As readers, we get to strap in for another fun mystery. The plot is strong again, giving us twists and good clues before we reach the logical ending. The characters are so much fun and better than many we see in middle grade novels. Plus the humor sprinkled throughout adds a nice touch. There are some Christian themes woven into the novel as well, but all without preaching at us once.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-terror-on-kamikaze-run-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As readers, we get to strap in for another fun mystery. The plot is strong again, giving us twists and good clues before we reach the logical ending. The characters are so much fun and better than many we see in middle grade novels. Plus the humor sprinkled throughout adds a nice touch. There are some Christian themes woven into the novel as well, but all without preaching at us once.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-terror-on-kamikaze-run-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The Proper Charlie: The Autobiography
Charlie Miller and Alice McDermott
Book
Charlie Miller was the best young Scottish footballer of his generation. He made his Rangers debut...
His Own Executioner: The Life of Nigel Balchin
Book
Hailed by John Betjeman as 'one of our dozen readable living writers of genius', Nigel Balchin was...
Bookshop At Water's End
8.0
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Book
Bonny Blankenship’s most treasured memories are of idyllic summers spent in Watersend, South...