The Basement's primary focus has always been horror, with other genre fair thrown in for good measure. Yes, we've started deviating into more mainstream films, video games and the like, but we're still down for a good horror movie.
Some of the best horror movies are haunted-house movies. When done right, they can be a creepy and satisfying affair. Yes, the subgenera can become predictable and even trite, but, like I said, when done right...
One haunted-house movie that gets it right is Peter Medak's 1980 flick The Changeling. Sure, all the tropes are there, but Medak executes Russell Hunter's screenplay so expertly, and crafts some truly frightening moments, that one doesn't mind.
The story is simple: a composer who's wife and daughter were killed in a car accident moves into a big, creepy old house. His grief draws the attention of a boy who was murdered in the house, and things unravel from there.
This is the kind of movie I could see a pre-Aquaman James Wan making. There's no special effects and everything is done in camera, using editing, sound and some well-placed props to scare the crap out of viewers. Some of the sequences -- including a seance, an apparition appearing through a bedroom floor, and the now famous ball-down-the-stairs gag -- are scenes that will stick with you forever.
Big credit to the cast. George C. Scott, who is always good, brings a certain gravitas to his part. Trish Van Devere is also solid as a woman who helps Scott unravel the mystery. Hell, everyone is great!
The Changeling ranks among the best the horror genre has to offer, and never gets old. I'm equally as entertained with every viewing. A Good through the ages.
Some of the best horror movies are haunted-house movies. When done right, they can be a creepy and satisfying affair. Yes, the subgenera can become predictable and even trite, but, like I said, when done right...
One haunted-house movie that gets it right is Peter Medak's 1980 flick The Changeling. Sure, all the tropes are there, but Medak executes Russell Hunter's screenplay so expertly, and crafts some truly frightening moments, that one doesn't mind.
The story is simple: a composer who's wife and daughter were killed in a car accident moves into a big, creepy old house. His grief draws the attention of a boy who was murdered in the house, and things unravel from there.
This is the kind of movie I could see a pre-Aquaman James Wan making. There's no special effects and everything is done in camera, using editing, sound and some well-placed props to scare the crap out of viewers. Some of the sequences -- including a seance, an apparition appearing through a bedroom floor, and the now famous ball-down-the-stairs gag -- are scenes that will stick with you forever.
Big credit to the cast. George C. Scott, who is always good, brings a certain gravitas to his part. Trish Van Devere is also solid as a woman who helps Scott unravel the mystery. Hell, everyone is great!
The Changeling ranks among the best the horror genre has to offer, and never gets old. I'm equally as entertained with every viewing. A Good through the ages.
This has always been one of my favorite movies ever. So creepy.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy it as well, and thanks for commenting!
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