Post by doomedbloodwork on Oct 21, 2004 8:35:06 GMT -5
I have recently been trying to fit in viewing some older movies which I am not as familiar with. One such example is THE LAST CANNIBAL WORLD, Ruggero Deodato's predecessor to CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, which I am halfway through and will hopefully provide a review in due course.
Another film I did manage to watch all the way through was Robin Hardy's THE WICKER MAN, which is more of a psychological mystery than a horror film per se. If you are familiar with a lot of classic British TV like THE AVENGERS (the TV show, not the ill-fated Thurman movie), CHILDREN OF THE STONES (the scariest thing I ever remember as a child and which I have never brought myself to see as an adult as of yet, although it is on DVD in the UK) and US classics like THE TWILIGHT ZONE, this is more in keeping with that.
Edward Woodward is a police investigator called to assess the disappearance of a girl on a Scottish island. Nothing at first seems to be suggesting that this is anymore than your everyday disappearance. However, the bizarre behaviour of adults - and children - in the community, notably the leader (played by Christopher Lee) begins to lend itself to something altogether more sinister.....
I have to admit that this is one of those movies like THE SIXTH SENSE and SEVEN that waits until the very last reel to reveal the nature of it's intent. This can either be a revelation and truly scary or, in my case regarding THE SIXTH SENSE - an irritating let-down (I know, I hear people say, 'but didn't you think it was such a great ending?' - to which I reply, well, it would have been if it had been as shocking as the first 90 minutes...)
THE WICKER MAN falls somewhere between this. The atmosphere of the film and the performances go a long way towards creating a suitable sense of suspense and drama, which does have the style of STRAW DOGS in certain sequences photography rather than content-wise. Woodward and Lee are first-rate, as is Britt Ekland who tries to seduce Woodward in one key moment.
Another film I did manage to watch all the way through was Robin Hardy's THE WICKER MAN, which is more of a psychological mystery than a horror film per se. If you are familiar with a lot of classic British TV like THE AVENGERS (the TV show, not the ill-fated Thurman movie), CHILDREN OF THE STONES (the scariest thing I ever remember as a child and which I have never brought myself to see as an adult as of yet, although it is on DVD in the UK) and US classics like THE TWILIGHT ZONE, this is more in keeping with that.
Edward Woodward is a police investigator called to assess the disappearance of a girl on a Scottish island. Nothing at first seems to be suggesting that this is anymore than your everyday disappearance. However, the bizarre behaviour of adults - and children - in the community, notably the leader (played by Christopher Lee) begins to lend itself to something altogether more sinister.....
I have to admit that this is one of those movies like THE SIXTH SENSE and SEVEN that waits until the very last reel to reveal the nature of it's intent. This can either be a revelation and truly scary or, in my case regarding THE SIXTH SENSE - an irritating let-down (I know, I hear people say, 'but didn't you think it was such a great ending?' - to which I reply, well, it would have been if it had been as shocking as the first 90 minutes...)
THE WICKER MAN falls somewhere between this. The atmosphere of the film and the performances go a long way towards creating a suitable sense of suspense and drama, which does have the style of STRAW DOGS in certain sequences photography rather than content-wise. Woodward and Lee are first-rate, as is Britt Ekland who tries to seduce Woodward in one key moment.
