Last Seen 70s/80s Movie

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by FryeDwight

I saw this some time back; should give it a re-watch.

DON'T LOOK NOW (1973). >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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After the loss of their daughter, a grieving couple go to Venice (which looks crumbly and deserted) where He is helping with a church restoration. His wife (well played by lovely Julie Christie) meets a pair of women, one who has second sight and gives her some hope, but will it matter if the husband is kind of dick-ish.
This film looks absolutely fantastic (very much an art film) and a excellent score by Donnagio. However, I found DLN meanders and hard to understand at time (also the fact that Criterion never has subtitles certainly didn't help), but it has aged well and worth seeing.
The controversial "Sex scene" really goes by so quick that it may have been people thinking what they THOUGHT they saw that caused the fuss. Also, why Julie would actually "do it" with Donald Sutherland (who usually doesn't inspire kind feelings in anything) when dating Warren Beatty at the time doesn't mesh. ***

I've never seen this, mostly because I think I'm going to have to be in good mood to get through it. It's not easy to watch films that "meanders", especially if they are essentially maudlin, morose or even nihilistic. So, is this a horror film?

[FryeDwight]

CONRACK (1974). THE WATER IS WIDE by Pat Conroy has been a favorite book for almost 50 years. Conroy went to Yamacraw Island (when I went there, it was called Dafuskie) near Hilton Head SC to teach at an all Black school where all the children were seriously lacking in any educational skills. He eventually got through to them by an unorthodox method of teaching, all but ditching the syllabus and angering his principal and the Board of Education.

This tries very hard, but I find Jon Voight extremely bland and several events in the film did not happen in the book as well as the timeline out of sync. You truly learn to appreciate what Conroy tried do, but read the book instead. **

[Tommy Jarvis]

History of the World: Part I 1981 ★★★★★

- (pouring wine) Say when
- 8:30

If this type of silliness is not for you, then it's better to give this one a skip. For the rest of you, get rest to cackle your ass off at the rapid fire on Comicus, Ceasar's Palace,...

- (Checks pants) Jewish, ey?
- He was nervous!

Mel Brooks did not bother too much with things like political correctness, so some fragments will not go over well with the current generation. Though some of them will on the other hand get a kick out of the Bea Arthur cameo.

The Wicker Man 1973 ★★★★½

From the golden age of horror. Undeservedly underrated at times, but more and more recognised as the masterpiece that it is.

While at first, this seems like a classical police investigation, this devolves into a psychedelic nightmare-like scenario as Sergeant Howie becomes more and more baffled at the behaviour and the habits these people display. From the dirty songs over the bar fights to them being... let's just call it very sex positive. Not to mention the self evidentness with which they dicuss these topics.

Why of course. Why not? What else? What of it?

In my opinion, the horror is in the isolation. First from the rest of the island, then from the rest of the world as someone clearly tampered with his plain. Throughout the film, he becomes more and more frustrated and frightened, with the culmination being the May fest where the “giant” reveal takes place. The terror on Woodward's face as he realises that there is no way out. Or his desperate pleas for his Christian god. All to no avail. Not in the least because of the matter of fact-ish delivery by Christopher Lee. This genre icon perfectly cast as Lord Sommerisle.

Thanks to the people behind Midsommar for (inadvertently) bringing this gem back to attention. It deserves the attention and praise it gets now. And then some.

[FryeDwight]

Originally Posted by Tommy Jarvis

History of the World: Part I 1981 ★★★★★

- (pouring wine) Say when
- 8:30

If this type of silliness is not for you, then it's better to give this one a skip. For the rest of you, get rest to cackle your ass off at the rapid fire on Comicus, Ceasar's Palace,...

- (Checks pants) Jewish, ey?
- He was nervous!

Mel Brooks did not bother too much with things like political correctness, so some fragments will not go over well with the current generation. Though some of them will on the other hand get a kick out of the Bea Arthur cameo.

The Wicker Man 1973 ★★★★½

From the golden age of horror. Undeservedly underrated at times, but more and more recognised as the masterpiece that it is.

While at first, this seems like a classical police investigation, this devolves into a psychedelic nightmare-like scenario as Sergeant Howie becomes more and more baffled at the behaviour and the habits these people display. From the dirty songs over the bar fights to them being... let's just call it very sex positive. Not to mention the self evidentness with which they dicuss these topics.

Why of course. Why not? What else? What of it?

In my opinion, the horror is in the isolation. First from the rest of the island, then from the rest of the world as someone clearly tampered with his plain. Throughout the film, he becomes more and more frustrated and frightened, with the culmination being the May fest where the “giant” reveal takes place. The terror on Woodward's face as he realises that there is no way out. Or his desperate pleas for his Christian god. All to no avail. Not in the least because of the matter of fact-ish delivery by Christopher Lee. This genre icon perfectly cast as Lord Sommerisle.

Thanks to the people behind Midsommar for (inadvertently) bringing this gem back to attention. It deserves the attention and praise it gets now. And then some.

I find Mel Brooks kind of an acquired taste, but give him credit for a long career though.

Re, THE WICKER MAN-absolutely correct on all counts. It really is a slow burn and it is extremely frightening at the climax when Howie realizes what's in store for Him. Also, Ingrid Pitt and Britt Eklund

EYE OF THE NEEDLE (1981). Decent WW2 espionage film involving a German Spy (Donald Sutherland; better than usual) who ends up stranded on an island and getting involved with the wife (Lovely and vulnerable Kate Nelligan) of an embittered and hateful husband, injured in an accident. A true connection, but will it survive War time realities? ***

[FryeDwight]

ALONE IN THE DARK (1982). This doesn't hit all the high notes, but has a lot of great moments that will keep You watching. An asylum run by Donald Pleasance (a decent turn by DP, although some of his methods are a little out there) suffers a power failure enabling three psychotics to escape and target a new psychiatrist they feel murdered a past therapist. Two of the escapees are future Oscar winners, Jack Palance (kind of deadpan, but he has some great moments towards the end) and a scenery chewing performance by Martin Landau; he's awesome!
One of New Lines first movies, there is a touch of serendipity involving a disguise worn by one of the escapees that will remind You of a franchise from another studio, although said franchise ended up on New Line. I'm surprised Paramount didn't squawk over that. ***

[Tommy Jarvis]

Garfield’s Thanksgiving 1989 ★★★★

Only a good 20+ minutes, but very enjoyable for what it was. A bit of innocent, wholesome family friendly fun with my favorite fat cat. I have always had a place in my heart for Garfield, so seeing the specials pop up on Letterboxd gave me enough of an incentive to start (re)watching them.

The story is pretty much what you expect. A lot of the typical jokes about food, diet and dating that the comics give you. I like the comics, so I quite enjoyed this special. The only new thing that I can add is that you can now watch it for free on the joetoebz. Enjoy!

Halloween 1978 ★★★★★

Annie: Now, you are seeing men behind bushes.

So Laurie was chased by Moe Szyslak. Who knew?

Halloween... it's totally a five star classic.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Stage Fright 1987 ★★★½

What struck me on this rewatch?

As much as it is classified as a giallo, this movie does tread its fair share of slasher territory. Even if just for the lack of mystery surrounding the killer. It's clear fairly early on who it is.

Nonetheless it's a pretty entertaning Italian slasher. Michael Soavi delivers a solid plot with a good flow of action and some pretty good kills. Not to mention a nice looking killer with the owl mask, a good mask and some good tense moments like the one with the key.

The characters are written well enough to keep you invested, the acting is okay and the dubbing is not that bad either. The movie does not overstay its welcome and the ending is well delivered and executed.

Nice little addition to your slasher collection.

[FryeDwight]

MISCHEIF (1985). While this follows the basic tenet of "Teen Movies" (AKA getting Nookie), it actually has more heart than most of them. Granted, all the characters do dumb things here and there, but no real malice and I enjoyed the Friendship angle between the two guys, although initially, there isn't much in common. While it's most known for Kelly Preston's nude scene (very spicy, I must say), her performance is pretty good, as is the ones by Catherine Mary Stewart and Jami Gertz. ***

[FryeDwight]

ANGEL (1984). Grimy story focusing on a High school Honors student who is a Street walker to afford the tuition to her upperclass school. Along with the unpleasant people She encounters (and thankfully, We don't see much of that), there is also a deranged killer stalking her and her friends.

Donna Wilkes is pretty good as the title character and does look very much like a young teen, although she was in her 20's when this was made. Some good support by Dick Shawn and Rory Calhoun.

And when the killer is in the porno theater, it is an actual XXX playing called SWEET ALICE that came out shortly before this. **1/2

[DeadbeatAtDawn]

Burnt Offerings, 1976. 8/10

Director: Dan Curtis