This movie wasn't too scary, but overall, it rocked. The opening scene was awesome. I absolutely loved the dog running around the house, eating chips, and checking on the family, and then ending with "Carol-Anne" talking to the TV. I want that dog. The movie had some great visuals, set-ups, and pay-offs (for example the clown he kept covering up, which later attacks him).
The biggest take-away for me was that the movie was about a kidnapping, almost more so than a ghost story. That was a brilliant twist to the status-quo spook show.
The movie had the normal Spielberg charm and after the opening scene, which hooked the viewer and created suspense, we saw a glimpse of their normal life. And in that glimpse of "normal-ness" were set-ups...burying a dead thing in the yard (Tweety), the ugly tree, digging up the pool, the clown (as mentioned earlier), and the storm coming.
Did I say that this movie made me miss the 80s? Well, it did. It's funny how things come full circle, as in the Star Wars room decorations, which are popular again for kids. I love that the Rams are back in L.A., the Rubix Cube is still cool, and the game Clue is still holding strong...maybe it's still the 80s. Oh wait, with the 24 hour news media, the TV wouldn't turn to fuzz at night any longer...so Poltergeists have been destroyed by technology. Finally, back to the 80s stuff in the movie, I loved the product placement throughout the scenes...Cheetos, Ritz, Budweiser, Clorox, etc.
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
"They're here." What a great line.
I loved the little woman who played the "medium." She was perfect for the role. I laughed out loud when she said, "You're right....you go," to the mom.
Was there a love interest (just a little) between the psychologist and the mom? Drinking together, hugging, and maybe it was me, but when "Coach" kissed the mother in front of the trans-dimensional portal, the old psychologist seemed a little jealous.
"Now lets go get your daughter." That line rivals...."I'll be back." Okay, maybe not, but it was a fantastic line. I wanted to jump through a portal and save me some kids.
The music was awesome. Sounded like tuning forks, but done so well.
I was somewhat attracted to the old lady psychologist...although her bottom teeth needed some work. I think it's a sign that I'm getting old.
The clown was a cheap shot. Everyone's scared of clowns. I loved watching the kid rip the stuffing out of that S.O.B.
Overall, great movie and it did well for a reason. I give it an A.
Great write up Mark it's hard not to like poltergeist, its such a classic hit. If you can write a feel good horror film this would be it. It has a hint of humor, magic, and this thread of a family staying together through a battle with the unknown. It's totally a Spielberg film.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... now I kind of want to watch this movie as a kidnapping thriller. Essentially, I think you're right. Even though the content of the movie is paranormal, the emotional core is akin to a thriller where the protagonists just want to get their daughter back. I think that goes to show that subject matter and the core story need not always match up in traditional ways.
ReplyDelete