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Reviews
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973)
wow - we could form a club
I thought i would have to resort to the avclub to find this film before i sent my google query of "horror film made for TV woman house small creatures under fireplace". I've been trying for years to remember this film from hazy memories of watching afternoon horror films on the local ABC affiliate's "Dial for Dollars" - "housewives take an afternoon break before the kids get home" programming. I must have been in kindergarten or first grade at the time. This film along with "The Norliss Tapes" seriously screwed me up when I was small. That I could remember so much of it after 30 years ... I'm afraid to go rent it now and have it lose its magic.
The Norliss Tapes (1973)
Those eyes
I saw this when I was maybe 8/9 years old and for YEARS afterward had many problems with closed curtains at night. I was more afraid of the dead artist guy than the devil coming to life part. I was afraid that he'd be standing there like in the film, with his dead, white eyes, ready to jump through the glass.
Great film - haven't seen it in maybe 30 years. If i see it again, I hope it matches up to the original terror. Someone made the comment that the 70's TV horror films were just much scarier than anything new coming out. Maybe it was poor budgeting and cheesy special effects that made them focus on story and atmosphere. In any event, I haven't been scared by anything of the screen since those years. The Norliss Tapes, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark... sigh
The Good Shepherd (2004)
A lazy-afternoon-nothing-else-to-watch type of film
I agree with much of what has been said about Slater's career as of late and also hope that he returns to making interesting films.
This film, however, was not.
Spoilers begin: Red herrings were not: Did the priest do it protect his "other" life? Was it the spooky guy at the gay Catholic support group/mass? Was it the abusive head of the children's shelter? Was it the kids from the shelter pulling a "Primal Fear - Ed Norton" twist? It was none of these and it was the most obvious candidate for anyone who has ever watched one of these formulaic thrillers. There are only two "name" actors in the entire film, and one of the two is cast in an unimportant, unassuming role. Hmmmm. Are we supposed to be shocked when it's this actor? In all, the acting was fine, but there was very little character development and almost no tension.
Watch it on the weekend, after lunch on a cold day with a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Then promptly forget it.