Tuesday, September 03, 2024
Halloween
- Commentary: Under construction.
So, here's the thing: I was born on Halloween. My parents even took a picture of my eldest sister dolled up for trick-or-treating on the evening of the morning I was born. I, of course, was comfortably in hospital with my mother.
Because I was born on that day, I've always had a curiosity about Halloween. I have not, however, particularly enjoyed Halloween, including the act of trick-or-treating. I never understood the connection between Halloween and trick-or-treating and fun when I was a child. I didn't mind receiving candy, of course, but threatening people in order to receive candy, well, that made me uncomfortable. For that matter, even before I was of age for trick-or-treating, I thought it was a mean act to which to pledge oneself. I went, of course. Being the second oldest of four girls, I was, with my older sister, part of the corraling section of the four of us. When I was close to hitting 10 years of age, though, I initiated a discussion with my mother about Halloween, in general, and trick-or-treating, in particular. I was very uncomfortable about all of it and needed to work through my misgivings.
We had a set of encyclopedias at home and I remember my mother and I indulging in an enlightening afternoon searching for everything we could find in those pages regarding Halloween, trick-or-treating and anything else related. That, of course, gave me a completely different perspective on the celebration. From that point on through my childhood I had even more difficulty with trick-or-treating, wondering if, somehow, even though I had never been taught to believe in ghosts and spirits, if they did exist and descended upon the home, so to speak, they'd abandoned at their death, what could it possibly mean to them that I was born on their day? Would these spectres think that I existed as an offering to them?
That mystery, as you can imagine, was never solved. However, when I meet people who were also born on Halloween, I feel a special kinship with them, knowing that they also exist with that mystery inside them.
And, yes, because of my birthday and my mother's and my investigation of the holiday, I have always understood and enjoyed the Peter, Paul and Mary version of "The Souling Song" (which is very old, by the way).
So, you see, I have a special reason for being curious about this film, even though I suspect that it has nothing to do with the traditions of Halloween as I understand them. Doesn't really matter. I'm looking forward to the debut of The Ultimate Scream Queen and the horror, and all. And Donald Pleasence. Can't wait (although I'll have to) to see him perform in yet another role.
More later, I'm sure.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Donald Pleasence Dr. Samuel Loomis Jamie Lee Curtis Laurie Strode Nick Castle The Shape Tony Moran Michael Myers age 21 Will Sandin Michael Myers age 6 Nancy Kyes Annie Brackett P. J. Soles Lynda Van Der Klok Charles Cyphers Sheriff Leigh Brackett Kyle Richards Lindsey Wallace Brian Andrews Tommy Doyle John Michael Graham Bob Simms Nancy Stephens Marion Chambers Arthur Malet Angus Taylor Mickey Yablans Richie Castle Brent Le Page Lonnie Elam Adam Hollander Keith Robert Phalen Dr. Wynn Sandy Johnson Judith Myers Peter Griffith Morgan Strode David Kyle Foster Judith's boyfriend
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1978
Directed by John Carpenter.
Labels: horror3
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
She Will
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Alice Krige Veronica Ghent Layla Burns Young Veronica Kota Eberhardt Desi Hatoum Malcolm McDowell Hathbourne John McCrea Ansel Rupert Everett Tirador Amy Manson Lois Jonathan Aris Podrick Lochran Jack Greenlees Owen Daniel Lapaine Keith Olwen Fouéré Jean Joanna Bacon Audrey
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2021
Directed by Charlotte Colbert.
Labels: alice-krige, horror3, malcolm-mcdowell, psychological3, reflective, survival
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Laya DeLeon Hayes Vicaria Denzel Whitaker Kango Chad L. Coleman Donald Reilly Brooke Stith Aisha Keith Holliday Jamaal Amani Summer Jada Edem Atsu-Swanzy Chris/The Creature Beth Felice Mrs. Kemp Dale Cordice Jr. Freeman Jeremy DeCarlos Curtis Dilon Ballard Police Ofc. #3 Tim Perez-Ross Police Ofc. #4
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2023
Directed by Bomani J. Story.
Labels: horror3, science-fiction2, social-commentary
Relic
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robyn Nevin Edna Emily Mortimer Kay Bella Heathcote Sam Steve Rodgers Constable Mike Adler Chris Bunton Jamie Robin Northover Elderly Man Catherine Glavicic Doctor Stanley Christina O'Neill Grace
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2020
Directed by Natalie Erika James.
Labels: emily-mortimer, horror3
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Carrie
- Commentary: Under construction.
Can you believe I have never seen this movie all the way through, of a piece? I've watched scenes from it here and there, usually in a program about movies and/or horror movies, but I've never seen "the whole thing". I can't even remember why I thought of it this morning when I was doing some clean-up of many of my recent entries in this journal.
You don't have to look far, as it turns out, to find a very cheap, unused copy of it. It doesn't seem to be very popular, at the moment. So, I purchased it to add to my "horror" collection, on which I've been concentrating, lately. And, of course, now that I've been reminded of it, I'm very curious about it.
So far, all I've learned about it is that it isn't considered "folk-horror". In addition, I've learned more than a little about what distinguishes "folk-horror" (which I've added as a subject label over there to the left) from just plain "horror". It seems, unless I'm misunderstanding everything I've read this morning, the main differences between the two categories is that folk-horror seems to require a rural setting and attributes "evil" to the setting, rather than to people. "Carrie", of course, does not take place in a rural setting and, if I'm recalling correctly, the "evil" resides within a person, although from what little I know about the movie, it seems to me that an argument can be made for Piper Laurie, who plays Carrie's mother, being the source of the "evil" and Carrie merely being in possession of a neutral talent and a victim of domestic abuse.
I'll clean up this post, add links and think and write more (about lots of things regarding horror/folk-horror) when I've watched the film, of course, and satisfied myself, as well, that nobody considers this movie an example of folk-horror.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sissy Spacek Carrie White Amy Irving Sue Snell William Katt Tommy Ross Nancy Allen Chris Hargensen John Travolta Billy Nolan Betty Buckley Miss Collins P. J. Soles Norma Sydney Lassick Mr. Fromm Stefan Gierasch Mr. Morton Priscilla Pointer Mrs. Snell Piper Laurie Margaret White Edie McClurg Helen Shyres
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1976
Directed by Brian de Palma.
Labels: brian-de-palma, horror3, john-travolta, nancy-allen, piper-laurie, sissy-spacek
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Deep Red
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role David Hemmings Marcus Daly Daria Nicolodi Gianna Brezzi Gabriele Lavia Carlo Manganiello Jacopo Mariani Young Carlo Macha Méril Helga Ulmann Eros Pagni Police Supt. Calcabrini Giuliana Calandra Amanda Righetti Clara Calamai Martha Manganiello Piero Mazzinghi Bardi Glauco Mauri Professor Giordani Liana Del Balzo Elvira Geraldine Hooper Massimo Ricci
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1975
Directed by Dario Argento.
Labels: horror3
