While most people were celebrating with parties and costumes, I had myself a mini movie marathon. That's really the only way to spend the coolest holiday period. The movies were varied enough I think. Suspiria, The Monster Squad, and Eyes Without a Face all in a row. Had I started earlier I would've gotten in another movie, but oh well. So enjoy a little review of each movie in the four and half hour session.
Suspiria (1977) was my first foray into Italian horror. It was a long time coming I know. Suspiria is often considered as a requirement for any horror fanatics. Felt good to finally watch it. I have to say though, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It was a good film, but I guess I hyped it up too much before watching it. Visually the film was remarkable. There's a lot of peculiar bright lighting in the dance school where this story takes place. Any normally dark scene would have either some red or blue highlighting the characters. Just as unique are the elaborate death scenes. I think I can detail one murder that happens in the first twenty minutes or so. A girl has her face shoved against a window until it finally breaks and then is stabbed multiple times in the heart. A noose is set up around her neck and she's thrown through a plane of glass above a large room. The debris kills another woman below. A bit overboard but different.
Nostalgia can trick anyone. I for one love Heavyweights but only for some sentimental reasons. I can get that it's not a highly regarded work of film. I was recommended to watch The Monster Squad (1987) by a good friend who liked it growing up. However while he might have some feelings for this film, I don't. So instead of going on about, ahem, the plot and character development, I'll just write about things I learned from this movie, a la Bad Movies, a dandy site you should all check out.
- Germans can always find an occasion for pie
- Dork can be used as a verb and have a completely different meaning
- Dracula is a pyro
- Archery equipment isn't guarded very well in public schools
- Wolf Man can't turn his head without moving his huge frame
- Wolf Man has nards
- Always make sure your virgins are the real deal
- Dracula uses force lightning
- Dracula won't hesitate to call you a bitch
But onto the best film out of the bunch, Eyes Without a Face (1960). This one was quite a surprise. I was enthusiastic going into the film and even more so after I finished it. Part art house, part horror, as Robert Osborn described, this was a captivating story on a professor obsessed with reconstructing his daughter's face. Any other girls disfigured or killed in his cause aren't an issue. Both beautiful and eerie at the same time, Eyes Without a Face is a new favorite for me.
1 comment:
I remember my brother talking about the monster squad. I guess it all depends on when you grew up and what you find fond. I know those movie review I watched the guy covered it and said it was horribly tacky, but brought back all your classic monsters. They also couldn't decide what age group to aim for. Most 80s movies geared towards your G and PG crowds are pretty tacky. Look at "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure". I still love that movie even though it's immensely corny.
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