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SteveSWohlgemuth
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Reviews
The Village (2004)
So much promise, but not totally fulfilled
I was so excited when I saw the trailer and couldn't wait to see this. I loved "Signs" and this looked even better, but sadly I was disappointed. It had a cool look and ultimately a decent twist, but it was the beginning of Shamyalan's slow downward spiral. It's one of his better films, but not a work of genius... he had a moment when he was capable of that.
Signs (2002)
The best of Shamyalan
This is one of those films that you never forget. The creep factor is just right... until the end, but that is somewhat inevitable. I believe that the best horror has to touch something deeper in us rather than just providing cheap thrills, and "Signs" does that nearly to perfection. We grow to love these characters and to sympathize with them. Child actors are always tough, but these kids put in nuanced and believable performances. It's also a film with a deeper message, that nothing is ever by chance and everything in our lives, even the smallest quirks, has a purpose. That's probably why some people don't like it. They prefer that their horror doesn't have an uplifting ending.
Sadly, I don't think Shamyalan ever made anything better. His recent films disappointed me because I keep hoping for another "Signs."
They Live (1988)
Even more relevant today
This film seems a little campy now, but boy does it have a relevant message. This was the best acting Piper ever did. I believe that the best horror touches our real fears, and "They Live" does that in a big way.
Kecksburg (2019)
Indie film, but with a message
Saw this at the first showing in Uniontown, PA. This film should have had a 10 million dollar budget and it clearly didn't, but they made things work on the budget they had. There were some really cool shots which you don't often see in low budget films like this. The two stars, Murphy and Rosa, are strong actors and look very cinematic, while the girl in the radio station was cute and funny. The LBJ actor dominated every scene he was in. The sound was rough, though. Lots of dialog was sort of distorted or way too loud. I was pretty far up in the theater, so maybe it sounded better closer. I am a UFO buff and have read about what happened in real life. They took a few liberties, but they also incorporated lots of details from the historical event. It's a fun film, but it also has a serious message about the government and who we can trust.
Vampire Guitar: A High Vaultage Adventure (2013)
Memorable
Saw this film years ago and it has stuck with me! This is a clever concept, wittily carried out.
Suspiria (1977)
Groundbreaking
So wildly beautiful, so sensual sounding. This is a masterpiece. Yes, the blood looks a little campy to modern eyes, but the world Argento creates is just astonishing. Every little detail... the lighting, the set design, the music... is classic.
Suspiria (2018)
Why a remake?
The original film was so groundbreaking both visually and musically. This is a wildly different story. There were moments that I found interesting, like the grotesque death dance, but I couldn't think of this as the same story. I tried to watch it with an open mind, but was ultimately just disappointed.
The Babadook (2014)
Taps into our most personal fears... and isn't that what good horror should do?
I'm not a parent, but I can imagine that this would hit me even harder if I were. This is one film that fully deserves the acclaim it received. Like all great horror, it touches us where it hurts the most deeply. Yes, it is an independent film and that shows in spots, but the emotional impact makes up for that.
It Follows (2014)
Just don't get it...
Everybody said this is so good. I love horror, so I couldn't wait to see it, but I was so disappointed. There are things that make absolutely no sense, like the compact. There are clearly attempts to fix a very flawed film. They had a great marketing team and they got lots of people to watch it, so in that sense it was a success, but not with me.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Ages surprisingly well
Have watched it annually for most of my life. Amazing how fresh it still feels. The inadvertent racial subtext elevates it from simply a great horror film to a significant social commentary.
The VVitch: A New-England Folktale (2015)
Good, but a bit overhyped
Sure, it's pretty. Sure, it's clever. But the ending was a disappointment and seemed contrived. In ten years, it will be remembered, if it is remembered, for launching a few careers.