Thursday Movie Picks: Period Drama Horror
1) The Witch
In my opinion this is one of the strongest horror films to come out in recent years. Taking place in the 1630's it's a slow burn but it consistently keeps you guessing on whether or not something supernatural is actually going on, or if it's just religious nuts being religious nuts.
2) Crimson Peak
This film takes place in the Victorian era. While it's I didn't love this one, the production design is gorgeous
3) Apostle
This one takes place in 1905 and is about a man who goes to an island to save his sister from a cult. It's pretty fucked up.
Crimson Peak looks so god damn well it's infuriating it's not a better movie. For once it was not Chastain's fault as she was actually pretty cool in this but that script....
ReplyDeleteI know. That movie had so much potential and the writing let everyone down. At least it was pretty lol
DeleteI'm O for 3 this time with these but then this month will probably be a lean one for me not being much of a horror fan.
DeleteThe first of this trio sounds like the one I'd seek out if any of them.
As I said I'm not much for horror, suspense yes but flat out horror no, but I enjoy period pieces so I was able to at least come up with three this week.
The Others (2001)-On the English coast during WWII Grace (Nicole Kidman), a young mother with strong religious beliefs lives mostly in darkness with her two children who suffer from a rare photosensitivity disease hoping to hear word of her husband who is missing in action. A sense of dread permeates the house as the daughter claims to see ghosts and ominous events continue to transpire. I’m not a fan of Kidman but she’s good in this solid creeper.
Interview with the Vampire (1994)-In a San Francisco mansion 200 year old vampire, Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt) tells the story of his transformation at the hands of the seductive Lestat de Lioncourt (Tom Cruise) to reporter Daniel Molloy (Christian Slater). He spins a tale of bloodlust, domination and his attempts to break free only to be further enslaved by Lestat’s conversion of Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) a girl Louis holds dear. Cruise is miscast but not a bad adaptation of the book.
The Haunted Palace (1963)-In the 1760’s condemned warlock Joseph Curwen (Vincent Price) curses a New England village just before being burned alive. Jump forward a century and the kindly Charles Ward (also Price), Curwen's great-great grandson and his wife Ann (Debra Paget) arrive in town to take up residence in Curwen's old mansion assisted by caretaker Simon Orne (Lon Chaney Jr.). But before long the ancient curse overcomes Charles who is driven to evil deeds. Roger Corman directed pastiche of a Poe poem and H. P. Lovecraft novella is a boilerplate 60’s AIP release with Price chewing the scenery most enjoyably.
I haven't seen The Haunted Place but I Like both of your other picks. Cruise is definitely miscast. I'd go as far as saying he's pretty awful in that, despite the movie being very good otherwise.
DeleteI must have missed Apostle when I went on that Dan Stevens spree! Perfect timing, because I'm looking for more horror movies to watch this month :D
ReplyDeleteIt just came out last year, you should definitely see it for him. He's great (and hot) in it.
DeleteI can't believe I still haven't seen The Witch. I'll try to fix it this October :)
ReplyDeleteYes you do!
DeleteWe share a pick with Crimson Peak as that is a film that I fucking love. It's in my opinion one of the best films in the past five years that I've seen so far. I also love The VVitch. I haven't seen The Apostle though I've heard varied opinions on it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you loved Crimson Peak. I wanted to, but I do love how it looks. Apostle was pretty split if I remember right as well, but it's a good watch, IMO. It's pretty short too.
DeleteOh we match with Crimson Peak. Visually it is stunning but we agree about the writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm salty over them not getting an art direction nod at the Oscars. They deserved it.
DeleteI agree with you 100%
DeleteI wanted to watch Apostle, then I saw the trailer, it looks soo scary, I still haven't watch it.
ReplyDeleteIt's not too terrifying, I think you can manage. It's more unsettling than scary.
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