I’ve spent the past couple of days watching older movies I just haven’t had the chance to watch yet. Out of complete interest. Besides, as a blogger for a movie website, I felt it appropriate to watch all the classics that have supposedly shaped how films are made now.
And you know, I think I’ve picked the better of all the movies I should see. Not all of the best ones, but the majority of the ones that demand a viewing. The ones I’ve picked are as follows:
-Psycho (1960)
-Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
-The Exorcist (1973)
-Children Of The Corn (1984)
And there’s a few others, but these are just the ones I’ve watched so far. So let’s touch a little on these, shall we?
Psycho (1960):
First off, if you’re comparing this movie to the remake, get the hell out. Remaking a movie like this is just blasphemy…well, correction: Remaking any Alfred Hitchcock movie is flat out disrespectful. It’s been done before and I’m not against all of them. Disturbia did a pretty great job at their own teen take at the Rear Window. But honestly, that’s where I draw the line. Psycho could have the potential to be a pretty great adaptation for our time.
And I’m not so angry that they remade Psycho in 1995 more than the fact that the “remake” is shot for shot, line for line like the original. Almost like feeding people the story with color and better film quality so they don’t have to be “annoyed” by the lack of color and sound quality. Great idea, let’s breastfeed audiences and train them to hate anything with no color, less-than-impressive-quality or subtitles.
Side-rant: I hate when people refuse to watch movies because they are subtitled. Really? You’re going to skip out on Pan’s Labyrinth, Let The Right One In, The Host and Oldboy because you would have to read for 2 hours? Brings tears to my eyes.
So, back in. Psycho was pretty great. I had to first bring myself to the realization that it would not have the production value as the movies I am used to. Already making this realization is impressive for someone of my time. Not to say I’m the only one to do it, just to say it’s a step up from watching the next Epic Movie. The storytelling is great, the acting is…good, and the dialogue is phenomenal. Honestly, I get a Tarantino boner whenever I hear incredible dialogue. It’s so hard to come by! Watch Inglorious Bastards, Road To Perdition or Revolutionary Road: All of them flow so smoothly due to the script. How hard it is to find these moments in half the movies released now-a-days.
I wasn’t half as terrified as I expected with Psycho, but the true terror is found with the last 5 minutes. Not where the true killer is identified, but where Norman’s mother gives a final speech and the shot of our heroine’s car is found. I’d explain more, but please just watch it. Original only. NO VINCE VAUGHN’S ALLOWED.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968):
Terrifying. Disturbing. Kinda boring? Don’t get me wrong, I loved it. Really, it’s one of the better horror movies made to date.* But I found myself looking at my watch about an hour in, asking myself “…Wait, is she even pregnant yet?”. I’m all about setting up a story, but an hour? Hmm..
I’m prepared to be proven wrong with that, by the way.
I was afraid to sleep at night. That never happens anymore. I mean, Paranormal Activity caused me some sleep deprivation, but that’s different. Rosemary’s Baby is so darkly set up. Not only is it a story of satanic worship, but how easily souls are willing to destroy others for their own happiness. Awesome. Just…God damn awesome.
The most shocking part of Rosemary’s Baby? No one ever told me Mia Farrow used to be hot as all get out. Go watch Be Kind, Rewind and shiver that you saw her naked at one point.
The Exorcist (1973):
…Really? You haven’t seen this yet? I was just lying about this one to see if other people would admit they haven’t seen it yet. Come on, now..
Children Of The Corn (1984):
*sigh*
I….
Just…
Bad…
Just…
Well look, older movies are what have us comparing good to bad. Classics are still with us throughout all the bad times and shitty hollywood remakes. Do yourself and the movie industry a favor, throw your prejudices aside, pick up a classic or a foreign film and enjoy what movies are made for.