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Release Date: December 20, 1974
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Although this Canadian production saw its widest U.S. cable TV distribution in the early '80s (primarily under the title Stranger in the House) to capitalize on the phenomenal success of Halloween and its offspring, this effective suspense-thriller actually predates John Carpenter's film by four years. The story involves a dangerous psychopath hiding out in the attic of a sorority house who torments a small group of pretty young sisters (including Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder) who are staying behind over Christmas break. His tactics range from making obscene phone calls from their house-mother's phone, to stalking the terrified boarders with sharp objects and murderous intent. Director Bob Clark, who mistook dreariness for tension in his previous horror effort Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things! (1972), here demonstrates a tight, aggressive style that generates some very original shocks -- particularly the surprise ending -- which clearly influenced dozens of similarly-themed slasher films to follow.~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Starring:
Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, John Saxon, Marian Waldman, Andrea Martin, James Edmond, Doug McGrath, Art Hindle, Lynne Griffin
Directed by:
Bob Clark
Rating: No Rating
Genre: Suspense/Thriller, Horror
Runtime: 98 min
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Up in the Air
From director Jason Reitman, who has brought us both Juno and Thank You For Not Smoking, an outstanding third outing with a cast that features three actors all Oscar-nominated for their roles here. George Clooney plays a “downsizing expert,” a man who has no real roots as he constantly flys all around the country firing people from their jobs. He meets his match in Vera Famiga, also a downsizing expert. Hot on their heels is the up & coming young Anna Kendrick, who wants to do the same job via video conferencing rather than racking up all of the frequent flier miles. The movie manages to capture perfectly our current economic crisis – a film for our time.
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March 9th, 2010
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Saphire
Two major Academy Awards nominations for the lead actresses here. The film takes an unsparing look at the life of a Harlem teenager, circa 1987, played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe. She’s illiterate, overweight, and pregnant for the second time by her own father. This is tough stuff. Her monster of a mother is played by Mo'Nique in an electrifying, Oscar-winning performance. Also included in the film is Mariah Carey as a social worker and Lenny Kravitz as a male nurse. An interesting variety in the cast and we see the same eclectic variety in the way the story is told. Director Lee Daniels has made a strong film that is at times dramatic, humorous, and warm – a film of many emotions. Nonetheless, a film that, as Oprah Winfrey has said, people might not “enjoy” but would “appreciate this experience.” An Oscar also went to Geoffrey Fletcher for his adapted screenplay.
Old Dogs
John Travolta and Robin Williams star in this tired comedy about two business partners whose lives are turned upside down when one of them discovers they have two 7-year-old twin kids they didn’t know about. Seth Green co-stars in this unfunny comedy.
Planet 51
Light animated fare that is very much in the classic, 1950s Hollywood movie tradition where an alien ship lands on the home planet. However, in this case, the home planet is inhabited by little green men and a human is the invading alien! Dwayne Johnson, Justin Long, and Jessica Biel are among the voice talents.
Capitalism: A Love Affair
Light animated fare that is very much in the classic, 1950s Hollywood movie tradition where an alien ship lands on the home planet. However, in this case, the home planet is inhabited by little green men and a human is the invading alien! Dwayne Johnson, Justin Long, and Jessica Biel are among the voice talents.
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© 2010
