As I anxiously await all the little "beggars" (doesn't anyone actually trick-or-treat on Halloween anymore), I am sad that October is coming to an end. I have enjoyed sharing, and debating, my horror picks with you all this month. This week includes my favorites that haven't had a place elsewhere this month. Enjoy and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
Television: American Gothic
How many of you actually watched this show? More importantly, how many of you have actually heard of this show? I can think of only a couple, if that. I loved this series, short-lived though it was. The show aired in 1995-96 for a whopping 22 episodes and starred Gary Cole as Lucas Buck and Sarah Paulson (who went on to do Deadwood and Studio 60) as Merlyn. Think of them as the devil and an angel, quite literally. Lucas runs the small town of Trinity, NC and kills Merlyn in the very first episode. Merlyn's brother, Caleb (Lucas Black), who is also Lucas's son, brings her back to the town. It's very complex but quite engaging. It should be considering Sam Raimi was an exec producer. I had completely forgotten about how much I liked this show until the Chill channel ran an all-day marathon last Sunday. I sat and watched for six hours straight. If it runs again, catch it. It's everything good that gothic should be.
Film: Thirteen Ghosts
There are few horror films that I love to watch over and over and over again. This is one of them. Released in 2001, this film had some acting chops - Tony Shalhoub and Matthew Lillard (who always looks like he's having a blast) - at least for a horror film. What I like about it, however, is the effects. Somehow, Director Steve Beck manages to make some super-creepy ghosts. Normally I agree with Stephen King who believes that horror works only until we see the monster and, subsequently, the zipper running up the monster's back. In Thirteen Ghosts, that zipper does not exists. Some of the ghosts still make me shudder. If you're looking for a good, solid, scary movie for Halloween night, go with this one. You'll have a good time.
Literature: The Haunting of Hill House
Shirley Jackson's work has influenced some of the most prolific, contemporary writers and well it should. This is her masterpiece. It is one woman's slow slide into paranoid schizophrenia. The problem is, she may just have been pushed by a truly villainous being: a house. Jackson showed the world the potential in an evil object. There are no real ghosts in Hill House, just an inexplicable bad place. As you read, you will certainly see parallels between it and King's The Shining. He makes no bones about the fact that Jackson is one of his biggest influences and even refers to the novel towards the end of his own. I would not suggest reading this book alone at night. Even though it was published in 1959, the tale still has a bite. Just remember, whatever walks in Hill House walks alone.
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2 comments:
Oh dear, here we go yet again...
Thirteen Ghosts was a lot of fun. I know I have said this before, but if the SciFi channel was actually watchable again (though I see signs of hope recently) this is the kind of movie that should be in its hot rotation. Its a fun film, great premice and its visually interesting throughout, with a slight twinge of originality (which is weird to say because its a remake). However, there are some serious flaws in the film that I just can't get past to fully enjoy it. The plot is ultimately uneven, and I can't help but think that at some point when they were editing the film they realized that they needed to cut about 20 minutes from somewhere.
The other thing that I can't get past is the flat characters that inhabit the film. In particular Rah Digga's portrayal of Maggie Bess who as a character, as her name suggests, rests more on racial stereotypes than any sense of emotional or intellectual depth. I know its just a horror movie, and at that it is still somewhat fulfilling cinematic junk food, but still I feel really ambivalent about this film. I liked the film, and I have watched it more than once, but I cannot help but think that somehow it could have been done better each time I finish watching it. Since the original came out in 1960 and the remake was in 2001 I hope live long enough to see the next remake in 2042, maybe that one will get it right.
yes, you can blame Penn State's loss on my hubby (he'll tell you I blame global warming on him, too!).
XOXO
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