UTW Spotlight: Spooky Movie Revue (part 2)
As the cavalcade of horror that is October 2020 wraps up, we continue to watch more spooky movies. Without further ado, here are some more films we’ve been watching that are sure to scare, shock, and disturb.
The Exorcist (1973)
At this point, The Exorcist is probably most famous for being an example of how horror can age poorly: a film that was so shocking in 1973 that it caused audiences around the world to experience violent physical reactions but seems relatively tame by modern standards. While many of the special effects used to create some of The Exorcist’s biggest moments indeed feel dated and no longer carry their original visceral impact, it’s still a damn good movie. The excellent performances and director William Friedkin‘s obsession with cinematic realism still shine through and with the supernatural elements of the film less resonant than in the past, The Exorcist now reads as a dark parable about mental illness, guilt, family, faith, aging, and death, whose sentiments are perhaps more honest and disturbing than any mystical narrative could be. While not as outright scary as some modern horror fare, The Exorcist is still an extremely intense and unsettling drama, not to mention a skillfully constructed technical filmmaking showcase.
Where to watch: Amazon
Verdict: Witness
Blue Velvet (1986)
While not strictly speaking a horror movie, David Lynch‘s nightmarish crime film is disturbing enough that audiences and critics couldn’t stomach it during its release. Blue Velvet is the story of a man who returns home from college and becomes embroiled in a mystery that lays bare the seedy underbelly of his small town while also revealing the darkness within himself. The movie is a surrealist noir that examines the evil that lies beneath the surface of everyday American life. At turns comedic, dreamlike, and horrifying, Blue Velvet is something of a minor masterpiece. I wasn’t a fan when I first saw it, but revisiting it again recently I’m better able to appreciate the strange magic that it has. Unlike many other horror movies that are driven by special effects, Blue Velvet relies purely on standard filmmaking techniques and committed performances to create its unsettling atmosphere and shocking content, so it’s safe to say that the movie is just as effective today as it was 34 years ago. While not for everyone, Blue Velvet is an eye-opening nightmare well worth experiencing at least once.
Where to watch: Amazon
Verdict: Shiny and Chrome
Color Out of Space (2019)
Richard Stanley ended his long film-making hiatus with this Lovecraft adaptation, adapting the original story into a modern context as well as moving away from the more Victorian style and structure of the original story in favor of more modern tropes, like a family setting with smart kids and absent-minded parents for example. While the horror elements are often hit-or-miss, the film does a good job of capturing the spirit of the original Lovecraft story. It suffers from some iffy special effects, but is helped by some great camerawork, moody atmosphere, and an awesome Nicolas Cage performance. Fans of Lovecraft or Nic Cage should definitely give this one a watch.
Where to watch: Amazon, Shudder
Verdict: Witness
