Poltergiest (1982) - 8 out of 10
Just the thought of this film sends shivers down my spine. I don’t know whether it’s because I watched it when I was younger and it’s haunted me ever since, if its because the concept truly scares me, or whether it is just a genuinely good scary movie. However this film has stuck in my mind ever since I watched it and if you enjoy scary films this is really worth a watch.
It was directed by none other than Steven Spielberg in 1982 (don’t be put off by the date in which it was filmed, older films are usually the best). It’s about a suburban American family whose home becomes terrorized by a set of un-rested spirits. Without giving too much away the spirits seem to be able to connect to the family’s youngest daughter Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) easier than anyone else in the household. They talk to Carol Anne through a dead channel on family’s TV set. At first the contact seems harmless enough, however things take a horrifying turn as the spirits move closer into the real world through Carol Anne’s closet, which has become a gateway into the afterlife.
With he combination of thunderstorms, murderous toy clowns, personified villainous trees, Indian burial grounds, un-rested spirits, a normal suburban family and Zelda Rubinstein I believe this film has everything it needs to be a classic horror movie. One thing I can criticize about the film is the CGI, however I think you have to appreciate that the film is nearly thirty years old now and I firmly believe films can still be scary without all the special effects we use today.
If you would like to see a trailer for the film then click here. But whatever you do don’t judge the film on this, as like I said before the film is nearly thirty years old and we have to remember they didn’t have the technology we have now, back then.
Drag Me to Hell (2009) - 7 out of 10
I know from speaking to friends that there are mixed opinions on this film - some said they found it gross, un-tasteful and said the humor in it made it less scary. However Drag Me To Hell is one of my favourite horror films and I could watch it over and over again. I loved that director Sam Raimi and writer Ivan Raimi added humor and shockingly gross scenes into the film to ease the mood. It had me on the edge of my seat throughout and I loved the clever twist at the end, even though I did see it coming.
The film is based around Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) who is a loan officer trying to impress her boss to get a promotion. In a desperate attempt to impress she refuses to extend a loan to Mrs Ganush (Lorna Raver), an elderly gypsy woman. However Christine is later to learn that Mrs Ganush is not a woman to be messed with as she places a deadly curse on the protagonist. This supernatural curse results in Christine being tormented for three days by an evil spirit named the Lamia and legend says that on the third day the Lamia will come for her and in a sense ‘drag her to hell’ in which she will stay for eternity.
Director Sam Raimi says that he ‘listens to a lot very creative people and recgonises good talent that he surrounds himself in to make the picture better’. It’s clear to me that a lot of thought and ideas have gone into this film to make it the best it can be and I believe that the mixture of horror and humor go really well together. Some of the scenes will make you jump, some will make you laugh and others will make you squirm, cringe and even make you feel sick. Raimi also says that he has focused very much on character development and I feel like you really do feel involved with the characters and their emotions. In all, this film is definitely one to watch!
Click here for the trailer.
