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GSiessel
Reviews
House on Haunted Hill (1959)
Much Better Than The Remake, This One Is Eerie
This is a very creepy film that employs all of the Haunted House tricks seen in various other movies but there is a difference. As a kid I saw this film and was terrified by two scenes in particular, the old woman in the basement and the hanging woman outside the window with the snake like hanging rope. Both of these scenes terrified me for years later.
It is probably a good thing I didn't see this movie with William Castle's special Emergo effect (a skeleton would descend into the theater during an appropriate black-out section in the movie) because I would have created a new exit at the movie house.
The basic plot of the movie is about a very rich man inviting several strangers to his wife's birthday party at a haunted house. Soon people start to disappear and die. Vincent Price as the host is exquisitely sinister and Elisha Cook Jr. plays his part with the utmost feeling which helps the atmosphere along.
Watch this one with the lights out and get goose-pimples and shudders from a well made spooky movie.
Lady in the Water (2006)
This is NOT a Horror Movie
Most people were disappointed because this movie was more of a Fairy Tale than a Horror Movie, the trailers making the film portrayed as such. That may have been the fault of the studio/advertsers. I don't believe M.Night wanted this to be a horror flick. Basically he has created a Fairy Tale with his classic twist.
The story deals with an apartment super discovering a mysterious woman in the complex's swimming pool. She turns out to be a creature from the "Blue World" (listen carefully to the prologue to understand this). She needs to contact special humans in order to return to her world. Other creatures wish for her NOT to return and will try to stop her at all costs.
M.Night weaves a new approach to a scenario where the humans in the apartment complex learn to become their true potential in solving this "otherworld" mystery. Don't be put off by this being a Fairy Tale (it might be too scary to young kids) and look at HOW the story unfolds.
Heroes (2006)
The Second Show Shows The Potential Of This Series
This is an episodic series very similar to the "Lost" format when dealing with characters and their history. Like "Lost" they also have a habit of bringing up questions without giving you answers but hopefully that will change as the series goes along. The actors/actresses are very good at what roles they have and I for one am already hooked.
The main characters are individuals that are just discovering their super-human abilities and as the show progresses you are given the feeling that these individuals will be coming together and assisting one another to prevent major catastrophes from occurring. A scientist's son is picking up where his father's research left off and knows these folks are out there and are important to the world.
The second show has some gruesome spots (not a spoiler) so this may not be one for the "kiddies". It does have a great deal of intrigue and hopefully won't leave you with a feeling of being left out on a limb. I am interested in how the sub-plots will all come together.
Heart of Stone (2001)
OK But Predictable Co-Ed Murder Flick
This is the type of film that one would experience in a Grade C movie. There are many twists and turns but you will see through to the conclusion long before it arrives. The basic premise, used several times before in other movies, is "Is he guilty or isn't he?". The problem I had was that too many clues were given in this movie instead of trying to be suspenseful.There are some erotic moments but these are overshadowed with a "rape scene in the shower" and with the males trying to be in control.
Similar in vein to David DeCoteau's sexy/horror films with the acting on the same level. Most of the acting is mediocre, EXCEPT James Wilder who delivers a really convincing stalker performance. It seems he was the only one that cared about their performance in this film. You know who the victims are going to be so there is no guesswork there. Do not rent this for an intellectual thriller, you will be disappointed. Even so, this is a good popcorn movie for an afternoon's entertainment.
Jack the Giant Killer (1962)
Fast Moving Family Fantasy for Children of All Ages
I saw this as a kid and it left such an impression on me that for years I sought it out on video (which it was finally released on). I also picked up the DVD version which has a better sound quality, better color tones and sharper images. Although the effects seem dated by today's CGI effects this movie needs to be seen to realize what a great fantasy film it is. This movie has a princess, a "knight in shinning armor" hero, an evil sorcerer and his twisted assistant, a slew of demonic creatures, giants, possessed humans, a viking and boy side kicks, a passionate king and a darling leprechaun. It moves faster than the "7th Voyage of Sinbad" although both films share many of the same actors (see other reviews). Enjoy this one with the kids or just the two of you for a great "popcorn movie".