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Scenes that make the movies
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When films talk to one another
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Author Archives: Ross Birks
Halloween (1978)
I watch this every year without fail because it is One of The Greatest Movies Ever Made. I still manage to see new things in it. Carpenter’s economical style becomes more and more minimalist the more I see it, almost … Continue reading
Posted in Favourite Movies, Reviews, Rewatch
Tagged 1978, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Carpenter
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Hellraiser: Deader (2005)
Even the words “A Stan Winston Production” at the top of this movie didn’t do much to brighten my spirits as I waded into the seventh instalment of the Hellraiser franchise. Deader is the third consecutive entry that originated from … Continue reading
Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
A crackpot horror that only gets weirder the more you will it to normalise. Just think that this was probably considered one of Warner’s prestige pictures of 1977 and try not to go crosseyed. You can see the logic behind … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged 1980, James Earl Jones, John Boorman, Linda Blair, Louise Fletcher, Max Von Sydow, Richard Burton
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Ben (1972)
That pesky rat Ben is back for another nibble! A pretty lackluster and needless Willard sequel that is worth the time if only for the bit where the lead kid sits at a piano and comes up with the title … Continue reading
Blood Simple (1984)
Blood Simple is the closest the Coens have ever come to making a straight-up horror flick, which is no doubt why I hold it in such high regard. The inventive gore is exceptional. So many wince-inducing moments. The Coens have … Continue reading
Posted in Favourite Movies, Reviews, Rewatch
Tagged 1984, coen brothers, Dan Hedaya, Frances McDormand, John getz, M. Emmett Walsh
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Orgy of the Dead (1965)
I came to the new Vinegar Syndrome blu-ray of Orgy of the Dead on the strength of a few things: that title, the fact Ed Wood wrote the screenplay and the promise that, no matter what, no movie called Orgy … Continue reading
Willard (1971)
What an odd film. Anchored by a nutty, jittery and sympathetic performance by Bruce Davison, this diminutive creature feature gets a lot of mileage out of its central hook. Rats, baby! And lots of ’em. More of a deranged character study … Continue reading
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
A prototypical sequel that not only expands on the original film but heightens it. It’s one of the few Universal horror sequels to actually adhere to the continuity – and casting – of the original film making it an essential … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Rewatch
Tagged 1935, Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Elsa Lanchester, James Whale
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Ingrid Goes West (2017)
As entertaining as it is acidic. Perfectly cast, funny and uncomfortable. A King of Comedy for the millennial age. Sure, its targets are obvious and it isn’t saying anything particularly new but it is rendered with so many appealing components … Continue reading
"This Film Should Be Played Loud" 