Criterion: The In-Laws (****1/2) life in serpentine
There are plenty of comedies of any era that don’t age well. Try one that work at such a human level, one would be hard pressed to avoid relating to it during any era.
Criterion: Days of Heaven (*****) strikes through regret
I don’t know if I could have enjoyed this film decades ago. And I feel lucky that I haven’t been forced to form an opinion until I had time and the experience to take it all in.
Criterion: Badlands (*****) The view inside the soulless
Nearly as haunting as the real thing.
Criterion: Housekeeping (*****) – Throw something over her…
It’s a remarkable story that presents the facts with no indication of a position being taken. In doing so, Forsyth allows Robinson’s work to forge its own path through our soul.
Criterion: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? – Idols lost to time (****)
This is not a brilliant film. It’s a great film for its time, and it has a sobering message for those wondering how great entertainers have it when the limelight fades and the jealousy has time to grow.
Criterion: The Brood (***) is every mother’s little helper
Overall, this is an effectively creepy story that is more contained than his other stories of horror breaking out everywhere. The explanations behind it all are interesting enough. The gore is grotesque enough. Still, it’s only slightly better than an average film.
Criterion: The Driller Killer (*) is no one you want to know
Absent the reputation this film has acquired, there is little reason for one to watch this film. I may stumble into Bad Lieutenant someday and think, perhaps I misunderstood all along. I won’t hold my breath while I wait to find out.
Criterion: The Long Weekend (*) – Preoccupation Blues
By the time we get to the last act, we are tired of the couple and find sympathy for anything that crosses their path, especially their dog
Criterion: Coma (***1/2) is a compact thriller
Crichton understands well enough how to keep the viewer involved, even if the story is compacted to get the viewer in and out in standard time.
Criterion: Rabid (***) has the makings of stardom
If you want to see the state of low to mid-budget horror in the late 70’s, this is as good a place as any to start.
Criterion: The Hills Have Eyes (**) clunking through legends
The film would be better if there were more characters like the dog The Beast. At least that character knows when to stay quiet and when to sneak up behind an idiot savage and push him off of a high place.
Criterion: Shivers / They Came from Within (**1/2) feels like a bad date
It’s effective, for sure. Not my gig, even slightly, but it is not a bad film. It might even be considered good for the time.
Criterion: Deathdream (*) Should have stayed dead
This is a film for no one. Save your time by staring at the wall. It will feel less awkward than 95% of the dialogue of this film.
Criterion: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (***) is unrelenting horror
As it stands, there is no one that can take it’s cult status away. This will forever be a history making cinematic effort, even if it is almost as annoying as it is scary.
Criterion: Black Christmas (***1/2) coal for everyone
Bob Clark is best known for directing A Christmas Story. This sorority slaughter fest is his 2nd most famous Christmas film.
Criterion: It’s Alive (*) and it’s bad
Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist naturally lead to stuff like this crawling around in the sewer of entertainment. Having Warner produce just brings a nicer sheen to the turd.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 