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Reviews
Candy (2006)
Down and Out in Oz
A random pick and a winner. I was "hooked" on this film from the get go. To see the lost and shattered characters of Dan and Candy metamorphise before my very eyes was mesmerizing to say the least.
The withdrawal scenes prior to Candy miscarrying the baby are particularly heartwrending to watch. Ledger and Cornish are fabulous in their roles. I actually wondered at one point if she might harm the baby, which she ultimately did through the miscarriage.
I found Rush's character, Casper, to be refreshing and central to the film. Not only was he a drug supplier to the couple, but he was a source of moral support and wisdom as well.
This film depicts the evil slide down into drug addiction, as well as the corrosive nature of mental breakdowns. It gives us a first hand look at how a family can be ripped apart by drug abuse, as we witness in the kitchen scene, where Candy's parents come for "Sunday Lunch" and a verbally abusive confrontation takes place between Candy and her mother.
Overall, I think that this is an amazing film. As I mentioned when I set out, I picked it at random. I'm glad I did. I highly recommend it.
First Born (2007)
She was battling herself...
I think that overall this movie was quite well done. Unfortunately for some women, after the birth of their baby they slip into post partum depression, which is not the typical "baby blues".
The scene in the doctor's office was so unsettling, as one could tell that Shue's character wanted to tell the doctor more, but the doctor was scurrying along and didn't give her the time, instead just shoved a prescription into her face. Perhaps if she had been given the time to explain herself more thoroughly, the ending would have been different.
I know it's just a movie, but psychosis is a serious issue and must be dealt with seriously. This woman needed professional help and the doctor turned a blind eye to her dilemma. She told him point blank that she was suffering from anxiety and he didn't do anything about it. Any professional worth their degree would have pointed her in the direction of qualified counselors instantaneously. That's what was unbelievable to me within the scope of the movie.
The acting was phenomenal. Shue was spot on.
Black Christmas (1974)
Black Christmas
This film came out when I was eleven years old and I remember sneaking into the local theatre to see it, as it was rated restricted at the time. I didn't sleep for days afterward! I now own the collectors edition of film and watch it at least once a year. My 19 year old son is somewhat of a film buff himself and I had him watch it with me a few years back for the first time. He was very impressed with it as well.
Margot Kidder puts in a winning performance as Barb, the lonely attractive, abusive and constantly drunk sorority sister who flirts with anything in pants. Olivia Hussey is convincing as Jess, the lead female, who has to deal with a pregnancy, a highly strung piano playing boyfriend, and a weirdo who calls on the phone.
One thing that really bothered me in this film - I wish Peter would have gotten rid of that coat. Fashion statement, NOT! ;o) I highly recommend this film.
The Amityville Horror (1979)
Amityville Horror
I first saw this film when I was sixteen years old and it scared me to death. Now that I'm in my early forties, it doesn't scare me as much, but there are still parts of the movie that are frightening to me, such as the red eyes in the window. That makes me jump EVERY TIME! Out of curiosity sake, I did watch the remake of the movie when it came out a few years back and was very disappointed. In my opinion the directors really backed away from the central character in the movie, that being the house, whereas the director in the original film concentrated solely on the house in the original film and that's what made the original film so spooky.
As for Brolin, Kidder and Steiger, in the original film they may have been overly campy, but the more I watch the film the more brilliant their acting becomes to me. My god Margot Kidder was gorgeous when she was younger. One poster commented that all she could say in the movies was "kryptonite" but that is totally wrong. Margot Kidder is/was Canadian (is she still alive, I'm not sure). Ever heard of the famous Canadian movie "Black Christmas"? It was her one of her first movies, if not her breakthrough movie, directed by Bob Clarke. You might want to check that film out too for creepiness.
So, I rate this film very highly and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a classic haunted house film.