Sunday, October 6, 2013

31 Days of Horror Movie 06

Carrie
1976
MGM Special Edition DVD

I first saw this film when  I was about 5 or 6. Before seeing it I didn't know who Stephen King was. But after watching this film I knew I wanted to read some of his books. Thankfully one of my older cousins had most of them and loaned them to me. And Carrie is still one of the best adaptations of a King novel to film so far.

Carrie White is a very sheltered young lady. Her mother is ultra religious and do all she can to keep Carrie from the outside world. The film starts off with Carrie in the showers after gym class. Her period starts and she has no idea what is going on. The other girls start throwing tampons at her. The gym teacher comes in and stops this. But Carrie is devastated by the events. The school lets her go home early. Carrie tells her mother about what happens. And the mom blames all of this on Carrie being full of sin.

One of the girls that was tormenting Carrie hatches a plan. She finds out that the BMOC has asked Carrie to the prom. So she lays a trap for Carrie. But the trap backfires and Carrie finally gets her revenge on all the people that have been mean to her.

I really enjoy this movie. Sissy Spacek is great as Carrie. And looks the part. Carrie is described in the book as being a strange looking young lady. And Sissy is strange looking. The rest of the cast are all pretty decent. The FX work is well done.  And I love some of the angles and camera tricks Brian Deplama does.

The DVD has two documentaries on it. Plus a featurette  on the musical based on the film. I wish it had a commentary. But I only paid $5 for it. Now since this came out over 30 years ago there has been a sequel. Which was decent. A made for TV remake. That remake kind of sucked. Angela Bettis was good as Carrie but the story was changed and watered down since it was made for TV. And in a week or so a second remake will be hitting theaters. With Chloe Moretz as Carrie White. No idea how it will be. But I think I am waiting for it to hit DVD before I see it.

Carrie gets a B+.