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Reviews
The Haunting (1963)
Terrifying!
This has to be one of the most frightening movies ever made. There are no "monsters", no blood, no special effects (except the door), but in your mind you conjure up even more horrific things than could ever be shown on film. The tension just keeps building. This film scared the bejeebers out of me. This is a classic horror film--one that should be watched with the lights off and a big bowl of popcorn, if you don't mind the bowl to go flying across the room when you go flying out of your chair. The remake was hollow and trite; it did not even come close to the original, regardless of special effects--it didn't even seem like the same story.
The House in the Square (1951)
Great film!
I, too, saw this film when I was young; it is a wonderful fantasy of a man getting transported back to the 18th century. Tyrone is extremely handsome and dashing, as always. The sets and costumes are lovely. I was enchanted by the pretext of the film, as time travel is a favorite film theme of mine. It fulfilled my young girl's fantasy of romance. I watched the "Eddy Duchin Story" tonight and was reminded of this film, but I couldn't come up with the name...of course it was listed on IMDb! I am disappointed, however, to see that it is not available for purchase. I hope in the future that this under-seen film can be enjoyed again! Maybe TCM will play it soon...
The Book of Daniel (2006)
Finally, a refreshing and humorous look at religion...
Finally, a refreshing and humorous look at religion and the realistic view of a priest and his foibles--including his flawed family...and it bites the dust! (Aiden Quinn was outstanding!) Of course the religious right had to stand up and scream and yell at how blasphemous it is....OH YEAH, like any Church is saintly! (Ha!) This was a well acted ensemble piece that was wry and fresh. I can't stand the reality shows...give me some interesting scripted TV any day. Too bad that some stone-throwing Neanderthals in the Bible Belt took offense. If they didn't care for it--THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST CHANGED THE CHANNEL! That is called "CHOICE"...something that we are supposed to have in this country. Apparently, the fundamentalist wackos want to take over the communications in this country--if they had their way, we would only be allowed to watch 'Leave It to Beaver' re-runs!
The Beast (1996)
Cheesy, but a hoot
Yeah, it's Jaws on a budget, but just pop the corn, sit back, and have a little fun. I have sat through some atrocious horror movies (some of those in the 1950's and 60's are just awful), but this one is quite good for it's genre. Go ahead and root for the calamari, if you must! But she is protecting herself and her child as any mother would do in the same situation. The scenery is gorgeous, too--all shot in Australia, I think. I am not big on his love interest...she is a bit bland, but I do like Dana, his character's daughter. She was very believable and quite sweet. (Has she been in anything else?) Whip Dalton is my kind of guy: earthy, but charming...besides, anything with Billy Petersen in it is worth watching.