Film Fest: Halloween 3
Happy Halloween! I wanted to treat (scare) myself with some of the most respected scary movies, all of which I have seen before. The Exorcist (1973), The Shining (1980), Poltergeist (1982), and The Silence of the Lambs (1991). Like my last Halloween film fest, these do not specifically reference the day of Halloween but they all have their creepy moments. They inspired sequels (all except for The Shining), have aged well (except for some minor ghostly special effects), and all 4 stand out in comparison to the lesser rated fright films I have watched lately. The first note is how they all take the time to develop the characters before diving into the big scares. Viewers gets a good feel for who these folks are first, whether they care or not about them, they understand (and relate?) what kind of person they are prior to being possessed, pursued, or punished. They also have memorable images, lines, and scares that have and will continue to frighten generations.
The Exorcist
1973, R, 2h 2m
Distributor – Warner Bros.
Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $12 / $441
IMDB – 8.0
The Exorcist is a horror film about a woman (Ellen Burstyn) who tries to help her possessed young daughter (Linda Blair) with the help of two priests (Max von Sydow and Jason Miller). It explores faith, good vs evil, and was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning 2 for Writing (William Peter Blatty who adapted his own novel) and for Sound. I watched the extended director’s cut on Blu-ray which adds about 10 minutes not seen in the original theatrical release, one scene of which may be my favorite. That moment and many others in this film give a chill down the spine of the viewer, not shying away from being graphic (imagery and dialogue), and includes pauses in the pacing of the film to really let the moment sink into the viewer. There are long zoom ins that pull the audience in, staying far enough to allow the actors to live in the world and the sounds, words, and music in the film help pierce the nerves. Filmed primarily in Georgetown, Washington and New York City, there are also pieces shot in Iraq, and some of the sets were refrigerated to have authentic breath visible by the cameras. Director William Friedkin previously made The French Connection (1971 crime action starring Gene Hackman, which won 5 Oscars including Best Director), and he followed up with Sorcerer (1977 adventure thriller with Roy Scheider about a group transporting dangerous goods across the South American jungle). Ellen Burstyn was previously in The King of Marvin Gardens (1972 drama with Jack Nicholson about a get rich scheme) and was next in Harry and Tonto (1974 adventure comedy with Art Carney who goes on a cross country journey with his cat). The film also stars Max von Sydow (Steppenwolf, 1974 drama), Jason Miller (The Nickel Ride, 1974 crime drama), and Linda Blair (Airport 1975, 1974 action thriller).
The Shining
1980, R, 2h 26m
Distributor – Warner Bros.
Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $19 / $44
IMDB – 8.4
The Shining is a dramatic horror film about a husband (Jack Nicholson), wife (Shelley Duvall), and their son (Danny Lloyd) who look after a large, abandoned hotel for the winter. While his intentions are to write, Nicholson’s character begins to change as a presence in the hotel (which is noticed by his son) influences him to take a dark path. While based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King, director Stanley Kubrick made multiple choices to deviate from the source material, the events at the ending, and also cast the film against the advice from the author. At nearly 2.5 hours, the film takes many opportunities to explore much of the large hotel, slowly advance the plot in each scene, and allow for the actors to explore their roles. Nicholson built a career on characters not entirely sane, Duvall appeared as a nervous wreck throughout most of the film (in character and for real during the filming of this film), and Lloyd invoked sympathy from the viewer while delivering a performance beyond his years (7 when the film premiered). Overhead shots of Montana are gorgeous on Blu-ray, the film was shot primarily in England, and it included a hotel and outdoor maze that are wonderful backdrops. Director Stanley Kubrick previously made Barry Lyndon (1975 drama with Ryan O’Neal that was nominated for 7 Oscars, including for Directing) and would next make Full Metal Jacket (1987 war with Matthew Modine that got Kubrick nominated for Writing). Jack Nicholson was previously in Goin’ South (1978 rom-com with Mary Steenburgen set during the American Civil War) and was next in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981 crime drama with Jessica Lange involving an affair and a conspiracy to commit murder). Shelley Duvall was previously in 3 Women (1977 mystery thriller with Sissy Spacek set at a spa in the California desert) and was next in Popeye (1980 adventure comedy with Robin Williams based on the cartoon character of the same name).
Poltergeist
1982, 14A, 1h 54m
Distributor – MGM
Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $10 / $76
IMDB – 7.4
Poltergeist is a thrilling horror film about a family’s home that is suddenly haunted by ghosts. The parents (Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams) in fear of their family’s lives, especially their daughter’s (Heather O’Rourke), resorts to the help of a doctor (Beatrice Straight) and someone with experience with ghosts (Zelda Rubinstein). This film was recognized with 3 Oscar nominations (Visual Effects, Sound Effects, and Music), inspired real life interest in the field of paranormal activity (check out the documentary on the subject on the DVD), and was largely influenced by Steven Spielberg who co-wrote the screenplay and was un-credited as the director (instead focussing on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial released in the same year). The scares include second look inspiring practical effects in addition to some red herrings, multiple characters had expertly timed humorous lines of dialogue, and the movie was filmed entirely in California. Director Tobe Hooper (who turned down the script for E.T. from Spielberg before making this) previously made The Funhouse (1981 horror set in a carnival funhouse) and would next make Lifeforce (1985 action horror about space vampires in London). Craig T. Nelson was previously in Stir Crazy (1980 crime comedy with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor) and was next in Man, Woman and Child (1983 drama with Martin Sheen who learns he has a son). JoBeth Williams was previously in The Dogs of War (1980 action adventure with Christopher Walken as a mercenary in Africa) and was next in Endangered Species (1982 mystery with Robert Urich about a series of cattle killings).
The Silence of the Lambs
1991, R, 1h 58m
Distributor – Orion Pictures
Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $19 / $272
IMDB – 8.6
The Silence of the Lambs is a crime thriller about a young F.B.I. agent (Jodie Foster) who tries to get help from one serial killer (Anthony Hopkins) in order to catch another (Ted Levine). The film was nominated for 7 Oscars, winning 5 of them for Best Picture, Lead Actor (Hopkins), Lead Actress (Foster), Director (Jonathan Demme), and Writing (Ted Tally who adapted a novel by Thomas Harris). While Hopkins stole scenes with his calculating and intuitive killer (creepy even standing in the light, take note of his eyes), Foster made the film work as an agent who was given a tough assignment, in a man dominated environment (and film), while also trying to graduate from her class. Not shy to show and discuss vicious crimes, the film shines balancing multiple character’s journeys and arcs. It was filmed primarily in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and contains many shots of the characters looking directly into the camera (although not intending to break the fourth wall). Director Jonathan Demme previously made Married to the Mob (1988 crime comedy with Michelle Pfeiffer about an F.B.I. agent falling in love with a widowed mafia wife) and would next make Philadelphia (1993 drama with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington about a recently fired man with HIV). Jodie Foster was previously in Catchfire (1990 action crime with Dennis Hopper about a witness to a mob hit) and was next in Little Man Tate (1991 drama with Dianne Wiest about a single mother trying to raise her son). Anthony Hopkins was previously in Desperate Hours (1990 crime drama with Mickey Rourke about an escaped con who is on the run) and would next be in Freejack (1992 sci-fi action with Emilio Estevez about a race car driver transported to the future). The film also stars Scott Glenn (Backdraft, 1991 drama) and Ted Levine (Nowhere to Run, 1993 action). The Special Edition DVD includes 2 documentaries, deleted scenes, outtakes, and a photo gallery.
Links
The Exorcist
The Shining
Poltergeist
The Silence of the Lambs