why the twlight zone is timeless.

why the twlight zone is timeless.

It was back to the original twilight zone. When Rod Serling wrote “The Time Element” in 1958, he was frustrated by the way network executives as the way network executives, driven almost solely by sponsor needs, were controlling his visions. Despite being an Emmy winner, and already well-recognized voice in television, “The Time Element,” about a man trying to stop Pearl Harbor that never got picked up as sold cheaply to Desi Arnaz’s company and aired as a part of “Desilu Playhouse show” It was a hit, allowing the production of “The Twilight Zone” to commence with one of the most resonant pilots to this day, the phenomenal “Where is everybody? About a man who wakes to find himself alone in the world. How the stories told about the human condition and the monsters inside us all. It’s our fears and what injustices and racism and other issues. It was a bold show ahead of its time in story-telling. What would rod stirring do? is asked now by everyone that does shows like it. I feel today talk about the classic power of this wonderful show.

why the twlight zone is timeless.

Rod Serling wasn’t just the narrator, he was the creator and head writer. Other writers of note included Charles Beaumont, and the late sci-fi novelist Richard Matheson among other great writers. Having dealt with TV censorship early in his career, he decided he could sneak in social commentary through sci-fi and fantasy. Racism, conformity, the folly of war, all were explored, but not in such an overt away as to reach public outcry as he managed make stories to address such isuses that was smart and clever and enraging. While the short story with a twist ending has always been a staple of storytelling, it was Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone that refined it to an art-form that was able tell us stories that was such classics.

Watching The Twilight Zone today, it’s striking how complex, satirical and thought-provoking it all is. You can watch the twilight zone now you would be shocked to see how these tales have not aged at all.

Watching The Twilight Zone today it’s striking how complex satirical and thought-provoking it all is. While the tales include such fantastical imagery as a stopwatch that can stop time, department store mannequins coming to life, or a child whose dreams take corporeal form, you can clearly see that they’re really about the early-60s as its addressing the issues of its time period as it was an era of race riots, assassinations, crooked politicians and the Vietnam war, when communism and nuclear bombs were palpable fears. People were confused, scared and paranoid yet so little of the TV of its time reflected that mood.  Sponsors, executives, salesmen and producers were in charge of the networks and they didn’t want viewers distracted by big issues when they should have been thinking about what products to buy. It was in this climate that 34-year-old writer-producer Rod Serling devised The Twilight Zone. It was noticeable at time that this show was bold and enraging. Our world is just as chaotic as the 1960s with the rise again of hate crimes and other things as the times are ready for a modern day twilight zone which is why the remake is working so dam good and a dam good show in own regard. The Twilight zone is always prime for any era of time as you can watch it anytime.

The best stories of twlight zone. 

“Eye of the Beholder”

“Eye of the Beholder” contains a poignant commentary on the cruel, ineffective methods utilized by the state when dealing with “undesirables” who, having been arbitrarily classified as such, are often relocated to artificially erected communities to avoid interfering with the lives of so-called ordinary people its The quintessential episode of The Twilight Zone, “Eye of the Beholder” suggests that the value of a human being can never be assessed by superficial measures alone. Also commendable is Janet’s reveal in the final sequence which is one of the greatest reveals in tv show history. which, though somewhat predictable in retrospect, demonstrates a meticulous attention to detail that will appeal to both casual viewers and diehard Serling fans that you will always make you think.

The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street,” Rod Serling wrote a suburban Lord of the Flies, a parable about the fragility of civilization, paranoia and the susceptibility of nice folks to manipulation as we can be played upon fears of the other as we always fear that fear even now. a moral object lesson that plays as freshly today as it did during its post-McCarthy Era debut. The “twist” that aliens have been lazily tinkering with the lights and cars, and that they’ve concluded that the easiest way to destroy mankind is to let us destroy ourselves by our own fears. Its simply an amazing story.

 A Game of Pool

A tour-de-force of acting prowess as comedian Jonathan Winters spreads his dramatic chops alongside Jack Klugman in an episode that both rewards and questions dedicating your life to perfectionism as no man can be perfect it’s a powerful story that shows you why such things can be not very useful in the end as you miss out on the finer things in life.

“The Invaders”

An absolutely gorgeous in every aspect, this episode is a near-wordless masterwork of fear about tiny intruders who terrorize an elderly wife (Agnes Moorehead). Despite being the size of mice, they torment and injure her until she fights back, killing one and following the other to the flying saucer that landed on her roof. Since we never hear her speak, it’s a shock when we hear the tiny alien as its twist is simply amazing work. It’s simply a powerful story that plays upon our fears.

Deaths-Head Revisited”

This Dachau-set episode aired after the Adolf Eichmann trial started and a month before the guilty verdict was delivered, proclaiming that the SS leaders weren’t merely just following orders.” Serling’s searing story really shows you the horrors of what they did to people. A former SS captain who visits Dachau in 1961 only to find one of his victims is now caretaker of the prison camp. Realizing he’d murdered the man years before, the Nazi loses his mind in series of delusions wherein he’s placed on trial and deemed guilty. Serling closes the episode proclaiming that Dachau and other concentration camps must stay standing as monuments to horror so that it may never happen again as simply something we should never forget. I hope you enjoyed some of the best stories as so many stories i choose four that showed its range of story-telling powerful nature form powerful acting stories to the enraging social stories it always made you think.

Rod Serling did it with 156 episodes of the ground-breaking anthology series The Twilight Zone, thanks to his commitment to enhancing the twists by showing humanity in both its angelic and monstrous forms that was such bold commentaries upon our world. It always was about talking our world and its raw nature i hope you enjoyed my talk today on it.

The charm of Rosalind Russell

The charm of Rosalind Russell

Rosalind Russell always been a favorite of mine as always been one of my favorite actresses. In her early days at MGM in the mid 1930s, Russell tended to play prim and proper women the hero jilts for someone more exciting, say, Jean Harlow as simply was her big debut in her more comic roles such as his girl Friday she would truly find her voice on screen as she had such a powerful timing and wit that was able make her something special on screen as i think she was truly one of the finest actresses ever as she was a comic that was such a wonderfully powerful actress to give class to roles that seemed lesser. I talk about her today for THE SECOND MARATHON STARS BLOGATHON as today i talk this wonderful legend.

The Marathon Stars Blogathon

 

The charm of Rosalind Russell

I recall when I first saw her upon my screen watching His girl Friday. I was truly amazed to see this woman that was matching wits with Cary grant on his same level and just not holding back upon her comebacks to him but sadly in truth the casting of her was last on lists of Howard hawks but we can’t think of anyone playing the role but she was below others at time as Jean Arthur was the first choice, followed by Katharine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, Claudette Colbert, Irene Dunne and Ginger Rogers. Rosalind Russell would have been well at the bottom of the list as he was fool not see what we would see this charming actress would come out on screen with Cary grant that would test his wits unlike any woman ever did on the screen. I would say that she was not taking as much of actress by time of his girl Friday due to her roles she played before it.

It was another role about same time that would bring her to bigger ideals as it was one year before his girl Friday which I still feel is her true debut as her own voice as actress. It was her role in the women would take this proper actress into a new level of legend as she is truly amazing in her role in the women with her sharp wit and charm she works greatly with the other women as she brings the trouble to the screen. It’s truly fun see her play this fun gem of a role. It would be her next roles after His girl Friday that was some funny roles that I feel showcase the amazing comic charm of this actress along with her powerful acting skills as an actress.

Rosalind Russell shows her Broadway acting skills as she plays in the wonderful no time for comedy which she plays a wonderful character that may show off her truly best of her timing and mannerism.  Melvyn Douglas and especially Rosalind Russell are magnificent with what little they are given. The material wasn’t much more then an idea and some scenarios, so the laughs came mainly from actors delivery in this thing called love as Rosalind Russell shows again her truly wonderful timing as an actress.

The Feminine Touch shows off another layer of the magical charm of Rosalind Russell as the movie showcases her skills as an actress. what a cast! Don Ameche, who I have adored since first seeing him in Midnight with Claudette Colbert as i would say he simply is delightful here too. This is a lightweight comedy, with a top-notch cast, particularly Rosalind Russell and Kay Francis, who ultimately engage in a classic cat fight over their men as truly it is Rosalind Russell who more feels like she is a natural born comic as Kay Francis gives her best comedy charms but doesnt match it. Its a fun little gme you can enjoy.

Design for Scandal (1941) is another charming comedy classic that has such a wonderful cast as Walter Pidgeon is delightful in his role alongside with  Rosalind Russell as the girl too smart to fall for his courtship as she is really charming as hell and delightful as she give such wit and charm for her role as she is so good in this this movie. Its a fun comedy that you will enjoy.

Rosalind Russell is an ad exec who has made it up from the bottom in a male dominated world in Take a Letter, Darling as she is such a powerful role here as her best role for that time to what she did to that point. Fred MacMurray does what he always does, gives his lead actress room to breathe as he simply is amazing in his role on the screen. the idea of combining a successful business career with being a 40s woman is very good touch for this movie it brings it up to a very wonderfully modern feel for a classic gem that is such fun to watch.

Roughly Speaking is a wonderful family melodrama. Russell should strength as staunch matron, guiding family through hard times, always finding a new way to go on.  Jack Carson stays affable second husband, though you can see fear and pain underneath as both give out such wonderful performances on screen as this is simply a joy to watch upon the screen.

The Velvet Touch has Rosalind Russell killing her killing her long time director/producer/lover as she plays the lady that tries get away with murder by her charm as she can likely pull it off as she is that dam charming. Rosalind Russell gives a good performance in her role as Valerie Stanton. It has wonderful performances by its cast as its a fun little thriller that you will enjoy to watch. A Woman of Distinction is highlighted by three delightful performances by Rosalind Russell , Ray Milland  that all give this flim such powerful fun to watch.

Auntie Mame has reprising her Broadway role, Rosalind Russell’s uproarious high-wire performance that truly shows off her range as an actress. Rosalind Russell gives an excellent performance one of her best hours upon the screen as she really lights up the screen with this role. The rest of cast give wonderful performances in their roles. untie Mame is an excellent adaptation of the novel and play, thanks to the excellent performances in particular from Rosalind Russell and Peggy Cass, along with the direction, script, some humor and brilliant technical aspects making it a classic.

Today i talked about Rosalind Russell always been a favorite of mine as always been one of my favorite actresses as no one can really charm us like she can upon the screen. I always find her roles to be so delightful to watch upon the screen form frist time saw her with cary grant to her later works its always such fun to watch this wonderful legend upon the screen. I adore her simply so much to watch in her wonderful range as an actress I hope you enjoyed my tribute to her today.

Hitchcock should have won an Oscar.

Hitchcock should have won an Oscar(https://www.facebook.com/Wolffianclassicmoviesdigest)

It has been well documented but it still astonishes that Hitchcock never won an Academy Award. Anointed as “the master of suspense”, that acclaim didn’t translate to statuettes on Hitch’s mantelpiece. it seems unfair to say that Hitchcock never won an Oscar. Amazingly, of 52 Hitchcock movies, only five won Oscars of any kind. Rebecca was the only one to win Best Film, but David O Selznick as producer claimed that one, and only one actor, Joan Fontaine for 1941’s Suspicion, lifted an acting Oscar yet he never won one for directing in any of his flims. I would say his flims are often considered the crown jewels of movies so i say today why he should have won one for his works as i talk it today for 31 Days of Oscar Blogathon. so i hope you enjoy my talk on it today.

Hitchcock should have won an Oscar

Alfred Hitchcock is arguably one of the most well-known directors in the last century. Born Aug. 13, 1899, the English film director created more than 50 movies before he passed away in 1980. He changed the way flims were made forever as he demanded specific start times for “Psycho,and audiences were asked to not give away the end of the movie. its always been something special his works to my heart but him never winning an oscar seems odd for such a wonderful director that changed the game and inspired many future flim-makers whom would win Oscars.Hitchcock may have never won an Oscar for best director but he should have won it many times.

spellbound(1945)

This psychological thriller opens with an intriguing Shakespeare quote: “The Fault … is Not in Our Stars, But in Ourselves  which may be one of the most interesting ways to begin a story that takes place (by and large) in a mental asylum as its one of the best movies of the year of 1945 as going my way was not as good as spellbound as what was Oscars thinking when they choose that movie over spellbound.

Spellbound is one of the many Hitchcock movies every film fan should see.  It was one of the first films to deal with psychoanalysis a theme he would often revisit but this flim is very much in his later flims.

Spellbound is Cleverly directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the film is full of twists & turns throughout its runtime and repeatedly plays a dream sequence that toys with viewers’ mind like a strong puzzle asking to be solved. Cinematography is a stunning work of film-noir that should been enough earn hitchcock an oscar for this outstanding flim that really has such wonderful acting with such wonderful Cinematography.  Its brilliant performances from Gregory Peck, Michael Chekov & the immensely beautiful Ingrid Bergman amongst whom Bergman impressed me the most for I was completely in awe of her. On an overall scale, Spellbound is a spellbinding tale by the master of suspense that never lets out the entertainment factor it is a shame that never got the Oscar chance at all for  many things as its wonderful and its simply an overlooked classic.

rear window 

The year of 1954 had director Alfred Hitchcock in sublime form as he delivered not one but two back-to-back genre masterpieces to cement his status as the pre-eminent filmmaker of thrillers & suspense. While one of the two was Dial M for Murder which even today remains one of his most enjoyable & entertaining works that you could enjoy to watch for fun. Rear Window is a wonderfully simple thriller that also flirts with comedy and drama. With the always active photographer, L.B. ‘Jeff’ Jefferies, confined to a wheelchair he is left with little to do but spy on his fellow neighbors across the courtyard. Jeff becomes a voyeur in the same way we do when we watch movies upon the screen.

Rear Window is an undisputed masterpiece with such tight editing, terrific performances from James Stewart, Grace Kelly & others plus clever use of music, the tension & excitement never leaves the film for one instant ands its wonderful direction by hitchcock that is shameful it never won an oscar  for him for best direction because this movie is simply amazing to watch form begining to end. Rear Window is a masterpiece of suspense & mystery you will watch again and again.

Vertigo” (1958)

There can be no last word on Vertigo. In 2012, it usurped Citizen Kane as Sight and Sound’s “greatest film of all time”, but with this superlative label comes an expectation for absolute meaning. Since its release 60 years ago, academics and critics have tried (and failed) to dissect the plot its simply one of those classics that keeps becoming better loved with age. Its pinnacle of movie-making. Its powerful and affecting story is concise, clever and unpredictable. Hitchcock is playing at the peak of his game, with great depth of character and storytelling, and his actors do not let him as its simply a marvel of flim-making. The film is shot beautifully in color, on location in San Francisco (with some shots on a sound-stage), by longtime collaborator Robert Burks  Cinematography is simply the best ever shot to flim as its such lovely shots of the city that you almost feel like you are in the city with the characters.James Stewart delivers a career-best performance as Scottie, an acrophobic detective that truly is him at his finest ever as you truly believe he is losing his mind sometimes.A masterpiece of dizzying psychological depths that one should watch that should earned him directing Oscar for it. 

Notorious’ (1946)

Notorious is a deliciously smart and electrifying spy flick mixed with a venomous love story. Possibly the most suspenseful spy movie I’ve ever seen, Hitchcock knew exactly what buttons to push to create something that at times takes your breath away. An absolute Gothic masterpiece with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman they’re excellent as give out such amazing acting performances. Hitchcock’s films are often psychologically complex and mordantly funny, but they’re rarely deeply romantic as this spy thriller with masterful direction and acting that is a wonderful jewel of a film that should have been more beloved in its day as it’s simply a classic that everyone would adore to watch.

“Strangers on a Train” (1951)

A bonafide suspense classic concerning an up-and-coming tennis player (Farley Granger) who meets a psychopath (Robert Walker) on a train by chance, and how the troubled man thinks he strikes a deal with the athlete on him murdering his girlfriend if he murders his father. Only, that’s not the case at all. Another successful Hitchcock noir isn’t as good as some of his best work that is case at all as its very much equal to his greater works but very overlooked by people with the marvelous acting of Robert Walker that makes this movie shine. its simply a marvelous thriller with such marvelous direction that you will enjoy to watch anytime.

Psycho” (1960)

Psycho is Immortal for its contribution to cinema, notorious for pushing the boundary of what’s accepted in mainstream movies & setting an extremely high benchmark for horror films to follow, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho remains the most influential, successful & famous work of his legendary career and is rightfully hailed as one of the greatest achievements in the history of film-making for many good reasons as it’s a marvelous movie with great direction and acting by its cast. Psycho is a breathtaking work of perfection that marks the creative height of Alfred Hitchcock’s glorious film career that is truly a wonderful gem to watch.

Alfred Hitchcock the greatest flim  director all time

Hitchcock’s films seem to cross all boundaries in terms of audience.  A screening of one of his more popular titles from his mid period such as the aforementioned Vertigo or Rear Window (1954) will bring an equal flock of casual cinema goers to the birds to his later works his earlier works.  Underneath the exciting visuals and story, often lies an analysis of ideas and beliefs, often taken down Freudian, perhaps even Jungian routes of psychoanalytical territories that have such marvelous acting with marvelous direction in so many of his movies form his start to his end he was a man that had clear way of telling such marvelous stories upon the screen. I would say he is the greatest flim-maker ever in history of the medium. I am sad he never won an Oscar because so many of his works are such marvels of flim that each of his flims showcase the marvelous growth of a man in directing form his more simple begining to his end he managed to make flims that grew with the times but also were ahead of their times. I adore him so much so i hoped you see why he should have won an Oscar for directing.

The Curse of the Cat People A HAUNTING FABLE FOR CHRISTMAS

The Curse of the Cat People- A HAUNTING FABLE FOR CHRISTMAS

Today I talk about  The Curse of the Cat People. In the early 1940’s rko was suffering a big failure following citizen Kane and other movies leaving the studio in ruins. it turned to its low budget b pictures . Val Lewton was the man put in charge of producing these flims with titles given to him by the studio so came up with movies ideas as he found ways to make these movies into horror classics as he started with Cat People as today I review The Curse of the Cat People which is a perfect holiday horror classic which i review today. The Curse of the Cat People review 

The Curse of the Cat People remains among the strangest Hollywood sequels ever made. Following Cat People, RKO’s 1942 horror masterwork of shadow and atmosphere that also helped delay the studio’s financial ruin, the sequel resolves to occupy another genre entirely. I would call it one of my favorite movies all time as its story is quite lovely. Director Robert Wise, winner of Oscars for the musicals West Side Story and The Sound of Music among several other classic films directs this classic gem that is so strange and different form other horror classics.

The Curse of the Cat People certainly is full of terror and Lewton’s signature dark, foreboding atmosphere and noirish cinematography. Instead, the film evokes the dark fairy tales of Guillermo Del Toro and the deep understanding of childhood fears as it feels like a fairy-tale.  

The film is set in Tarrytown, also known as Sleepy Hollow, and while it was shot in California, the realistic sets, cinematography, and atmosphere perfectly evoke the dreamy, haunted mood of small-town upstate New York. The authentic feel of the film is no doubt due to the fact that Lewton based much of the details of Amy’s world on his own childhood, growing up near Tarrytown. Like Amy, he was fascinated and terrified of the legend of the Headless Horseman. The classic folktale of Sleepy Hollow is discovered by Amy during the film.

Ann Carter is astounding in the role of Amy, taking another otherworldly turn after playing Veronica Lake’s enchantress daughter in I Married a Witch as she gives out such a wonderful performance in her role. Simone Simon who literally plays the role of a good fairy/fairy princess as Irena She’s an angelic presence that, again, could be perceived as evil because she is so ethereal. It also has wonderful acting by its entire cast.

By the nature of the movie’s story you are really in a fairy-tale that feels dreamlike and echoes many other childhood fairy-tale classics with its even Gothic touches that feel right out of a fairy-tale. I used adore to read old fairy-tales as a boy as had book collecting them this movie really captures that feeling of those classic tales form grim tales to the legends of folk tales that evoke such a dreamlike fairy-tale feeling. 

The film tracks a period of time from late autumn through Christmas and ends on a snowy Twelfth Night. Each sequence is steeped in rich seasonal atmosphere, and the hauntingly beautiful Christmas sequences make The Curse of the Cat People a perfect pick for any spooky flavored holiday season. In one of the film’s most famous scenes, Amy’s family has invited carolers into their home on Christmas Eve. While the merry group gathers around the piano to sing “Shepherds Shake off Your Drowsy Sleep,” Amy remains separated from the group. She hears another soft, distant singing. Gazing out the window, she sees Irena standing in the snowy garden, under a tree frosted with ice. She is singing a different carol — “Il Est Né, Le Divin Enfant” — just for Amy. It’s one of the most gorgeous, magical scenes ever put to film.

The Curse of the Cat People is rather a fairy tale in a way it’s very much a movie that feels more dreamlike like the classic fairy-tale classics form The magical tone of the movie is reminiscent of Rene Clair or similar fantastic directors of the era that feels so much more fun to watch unfold on the screen as it captures the childhood feel so great. The Curse of the Cat People is hardly a horror story at all as its more a Gothic fairy-tale which really makes it one of a kind for movies of its time. This is a lovely, haunting film that you will simply enjoy to watch anytime.

Halloween classics reviews:the devil rides,The chilling adventures of Sabrina double feature

Today I talk about the devil rides and the chilling adventures of Sabrina as review both of them today for a double feature. Hammer horror movies are some of my favorite horror movies all time as today I review them both today. The devil rides is another example of a great hammer horror classic movie it was released in same year as Rosemary’s Baby, The Devil Rides Out” is yet another movie dealing with a satanic cult. I review also today season one of and the chilling adventures of Sabrina which talks about, Sabrina must choose between the witch world of her family and the human world of her friends; based on the “Archie” comic of Sabrina.  It deals with witchcraft and Satan as both themes are in both of my reviewed features today. I am huge fan of horror movies which deals with these darker elements of the occult and its darker world. So today’s review begins now of The Devil Rides Out and the chilling adventures of Sabrina now for my second and third review of Halloween classics as both reviews are rides of horror and fun you will enjoy.

The devil rides out review((https://www.facebook.com/Wolffianclassicmoviesdigest/) 

 

.The Devil Rides Out, known as The Devil’s Bride in the United States, is a 1968 British horror film, based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Dennis Wheatley. It was written by Richard Matheson and directed by Terence Fisher. The film stars Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Niké Arrighi and Leon Greene. The Devil Rides Out is possibly is one of my truly favorite horror movies all time.

The Devil Rides Out is one of those classics in the horror cannon where everything just works in spite of how incredibly silly and hammy it could all be for its subject matter. The Legendary Hammer Horror directors Terrence Fisher’s adaption of Dennis Wheatley’s devil rides out novel of the same name. The script was written by equally legendary writer/screenwriter Richard Matheson and is a much more subdued and serious horror film compared to Fisher’s other works for the studio. It’s much of a psychological horror then a full out horror movie.

The devil rides is a splendid example of Hammer Films operating at the height of their powers, The Devil Rides Out released as The Devil’s Bride in the U.S. to avoid being confused for a western is pure classic horror as its come.  Christopher Lee, in a role he has long claimed as a personal favorite. The Devil Rides Out wasn’t a big hit at the box office and isn’t nearly as well known as it should be, but it regularly appears near the top of most fan polls of Hammer’s best movies all time.

It was Christopher Lee, himself an avid collector of works on the occult and a fan and friend of Wheatley’s, who spurred Hammer on to make a film based on his works as he truly plays out of one of the finest roles he played upon the screen. The Devil Rides Out also stands apart in its supporting cast, eschewing the regular Hammer stock company as that cast is simply marvelous to watch upon the screen play out their respective roles with such amazing charm and acting skills in their roles they play on the screen. I would this is a fun thriller to watch form start to finish.

The Devil Rides Out is perhaps unlikely to be particularly scary for anyone that loves horror movies as but its such a wonderfully crafted out thriller that is as well as a fascinating oddity in Hammer’s horror catalog as it stands out among them as so diffrent form so many of its counterparts done by hammer horror with wonderful acting that makes its such a wonderful thriller you will adore to watch again and again.

The Ruth rating:

The chilling adventures of Sabrina review 

As her 16th birthday nears, Sabrina must choose between the witch world of her family and the human world of her friends; based on the “Archie” comic.

I would forget everything you know about the wholesome teen witch from the original Archie comics and the ‘90s sitcom, this dark version of Sabrina Spellman (played by Kiernan Shipka) and her world bears a much closer resemblance to the likes of Rosemary’s Baby than Bewitched.

Sabrina’s beloved familiar, Salem, is introduced very early on and has a completely different origin and personality than his previous iterations as he simply is perfection anytime he is on the screen. Its visual standpoint is a horror fans wild dreams come to life form  Suspiria to Hellraiser to hammer horror classics.

Kiernan Shipka who plays the inquisitive witch with a strong moral compass, is instantly charming.  Davis and Otto are bewitching as Sabrina’s Satan-worshipping guardians, and Michelle Gomez exudes bewitching confidence as Madam Satan. But the biggest surprise, though, is that of cast member Tati Gabrielle as Prudence, the leader of the Weird Sisters. Prudence is a fearsome witch with a grudge against Sabrina, but Gabrielle imbues her with enough magnetism and vulnerability that you can’t wait to see more of her story unfold. The inaugural season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a wonderful ride to watch upon the screen at any moment.  You will enjoy watching it anytime.

The Ruth rating:

rear window

Today I talk about rear window which i review for The Second Annual Alfred Hitchcock Blogathon hosted by Maddy Loves Her Classic Films.  Rear window is one amazing thriller that is one of the best thrillers ever made. Hitchcock always crafts wonders so i will talk about another wonder done by Hitchcock today. I would also love to thank host and ask you check out other posts from this wonderful event as now to review this classic gem.

rear window review(https://www.facebook.com/Wolffianclassicmoviesdigest/) 

Hitchcock isn’t the master of tension without good reason as his direction in rear window of how Rear Window is one of the best instances of how Hitchcock builds tension as he manages to slowly over each scene build tension throughout the film.

Rear window is is one of Hitchcock’s finest tales which is an tale of voyeurism in miniature as every open window in the blistering apartment complex that Hitchcock’s camera resides in leads to another character, another emotion, another scene, and another mystery that you are set upon to figure out.

James Stewart’s performance on the screen as Jeff is one of the finest acted on the screen. He emotes with such detailed movements that shows each of his expressions with his eyes and detailed movements that makes his  performance truly special to watch unfold on the screen. James Stewart delivers possibly a career best performance as the stir crazy invalid. Restricted to only minimal body movement as its truly one amazing performance you watch unfold on the screen.

Thelma Ritter plays such a fine role upon the screen. Grace Kelly gives out such an amazing performance on the screen.  Beautiful Grace Kelly is outstanding as the lovely girlfriend who turns into an adventurous spy as she gets interested in his boyfriend’s new hobby as she gets into the troubles of the mystery with her boyfriend. She is so charming to watch unfold on the screen.

You get the impression Hitchcock was a director that liked to be pushed and tested to his limits. From the early days of the cramped Lifeboat to the cleverly edited one-shot Rope, Hitchcock has enjoyed being technically restricted and challenged. Rear Window may have been filmed on the largest indoor soundstage at the time but he forced himself to remain tightly focused on the important elements of the story which was cleverly written by John Michael Hayes.

Rear window is superbly directed by Hitchcock with great use of suspense, the film presents the director in complete control of his film-making wizardry that is so smartly crafted out with wonderful Cinematography by Robert barks and a wonderful musical score by Franz Waxman that all make this movie truly come to life upon the screen.

Rear Window is a wonderfully simple thriller that also flirts with comedy and drama. With the always active photographer, L.B. ‘Jeff’ Jefferies, confined to a wheelchair he is left with little to do but spy on his fellow neighbours across the courtyard. Jeff becomes a voyeur in the same way we do when we watch movies upon the screen. Rear Window is an undisputed masterpiece that you simply will adore to watch anytime.

The Ruth rating:

Val Lewton:Shadows And Suspense

Today I talk about In the early 1940’s rko was suffering a big failure following citizen Kane and other movies leaving the studio in ruins. it turned to its low budget b pictures . Val Lewton was the man put in charge of producing these flims with titles given to him by the studio. He found ways to make these movies into horror classics. Cat people was a huge hit so he was given free rein to do whatever he felt about for his movies. He came up idea of i walked with a zombie. Its his third The Leopard Man where he finally hit his mark fully in his ideas.  Val Lewton was a man that was able created many classic movies that do not follow the trends of its genre as his horror films are different then many horror films of its time. Val Lewton crafted out a group of movies that i call the Val Lewton touched classics that truly shine in their own right as they show ideas that was different and takes the movies to a different level. So today i talk about these classic movies now.

 Val Lewton:Shadows And Suspense(https://www.facebook.com/Wolffianclassicmoviesdigest/)Cat People (1942) reviewCat People is a movie less about real horror but subjective horrors such as fear of what you don’t see unfolding around you. Our male lead fears that he is losing his wife before he even really got her in the first place. Our female lead fears that her husband is falling in love with someone else. She fears a history that she can’t seem to escape it’s all really subjective as you don’t see any of these horrors unfold on the screen which by its nature is even scarier as it’s playing with your mind which is something truly real and true to life. You often hear noises at night but you don’t see anything unfold as you wonder what the noise was you heard unfold at night.

Simone Simon has the perfect mix of coiled power and haunted vulnerability to lodge us completely in her corner, Tourneur’s mise-en-scene is bursting with clever detail and Nicholas Musuraca’s shadowy cinematography that brings us into the story unfolding upon the screen.

Its use of footsteps as sounds to scare you and shadows makes you feel chills for things you dont see on the screen as is the horror real or its all in our minds it plays a trick upon you to bring fear into your life. I would say the human nature of fearing what we dont see is more scary then what we see unfold upon the screen.

Cat People is the strongest example of atmospheric film-making from the Golden Age of horror cinema that didn’t have the names James Whale or Tod Browning attached to it as a it’s such a wonderfully layered film that uses your real fears of what you don’t see to scare you. The black-and-white cinematography is wonderful. I would simply suggest you watch Cat People today.

I Walked with a Zombie review

I Walked With A Zombie is Based somewhat on the classic story of “Jane Eyre. It takes to Caribbean island mansion to explore the traditions of zombie culture of the Caribbean which is an interesting subject to apply his subjective horror ideals to it as he takes us upon one of the best takes of zombies on the screen.

 I Walked with a Zombie has the feel of a b movie its so much richer then its subject matter of island voodoo. The narrative weaves in some intense social issues, including the legacy of suffering left in the wake of slavery upon the islands.  A township marked by colonialism and a culture struggling to survive beneath it. It plays more like Gothic literature then anything else.the Canadian nurse’s (Frances Dee) visions of tropical enchantment are curtly dismissed by the death-scented plantation owner (Tom Conway) whom both lead this movie as i would say its acting is very good but its much more richer to watch what unfolds on the screen.

 Jacques Tourneur helms the picture with a style that i truly adore even more in this movie then i do for cat people as its use of the subjective horror of what you dont see unfold upon the screen as the fears of what unfolds really does make you fear what is happening upon the screen. The black-and-white cinematography  of  I Walked with a Zombie makes use of shadows in a rich way that feels richer then many noir classics.

I am sure some overlook I Walked with a Zombie because it seems like a low rent b movie at first glace but you shouldn’t do that at all as its a rich movie that really is something truly amazing to watch unfold on the screen.

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The Seventh Victim review

The Seventh Victim illustrates better than any other film the amount of creative freedom Val Lewton’s B-picture department was given by the bosses at RKO. The Seventh Victim has a good cast of talents all giving out good performances. I adore all of Val Lewton’s B-picture’s my favorite would be curse of cat people.

It’s a very effective thriller that deals with themes of the occult and Satanism as the movie explores these themes in very detail with its plot that really is very dark for its time. The film also appeared to influence Rosemary’s Baby, in that the cultists are not depicted as ghouls in hooded robes, but as normal people, old and slightly shabby. Screenwriter Charles O’Neil said he researched the story by visiting a cult headquarters in New York. The people, he said, were surprisingly normal. Some of the older ladies knitted as they chanted to cast a spell on Adolph Hitler. It’s one of those weird stories where the writers find more then hoped in the story to find out about their movie.

It was shot on a studio back-lot. The Greenwich Village created for The Seventh Victim feels realistic. It’s a bleak nightscape of failed poets, Italian restaurants, beauty salons and dark alleys, shady private eyes, psychiatrists who harbor secrets, theatrical troops, lesbians, and devil cults. It was into this odd world that Jacqueline disappeared really feels like the real place.

A number of scenes stand out in this classic movie that you will love to see happen upon the screen. The Seventh Victim also boasts one of the best ‘Lewton walks.’ When Jacqueline tries to walk home alone after being allowed to leave the Palladists’ meeting, she is stalked by a hit man who emerges from the darkness of a doorway she passes on an eerily deserted street. This scene echoes earlier Lewton walks such as when Irena stalks Alice through Central Park in Cat People or the some of the scenes of I walked with a zombie. It really stands out as it shows up on the screen.

The Seventh Victim is a very wonderfully acted thriller that inspired later classics that will stay with you for years to come that you should see today.

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The Curse of the Cat People review 

The Curse of the Cat People remains among the strangest Hollywood sequels ever made. Following Cat People, RKO’s 1942 horror masterwork of shadow and atmosphere that also helped delay the studio’s financial ruin, the sequel resolves to occupy another genre entirely. I would call it one of my favorite movies all time as its story is quite lovely. Director Robert Wise, winner of Oscars for the musicals West Side Story and The Sound of Music among several other classic films directs this classic gem that I adore so much.

The Curse of the Cat People is rather a fairy tale in a way its very much a movie that feels more dreamlike like the classic fairy-tale classics. The magical tone of the movie is reminiscent of Rene Clair or similar fantastic directors of the era that feels so much more fun to watch unfold on the screen as it captures the childhood feel so great.

Ann Carter is astounding in the role of Amy, taking another otherworldly turn after playing Veronica Lake’s enchantress daughter in I Married a Witch as she gives out such a wonderful performance in her role. Simone Simon who literally plays the role of a good fairy/fairy princess as Irena She’s an angelic presence that, again, could be perceived as evil because she is so ethereal.

By the nature of the movie’s story you are really in a fairy-tale that feels dreamlike and echoes many other childhood fairy-tale classics with its even Gothic touches that feel right out of a fairy-tale. I used adore to read old fairy-tales as a boy as had book collecting them this movie really captures that feeling of those classic tales upon the screen.

The Curse of the Cat People is hardly a horror story at all as its more a Gothic fairy-tale which really makes it one of a kind for movies of its time. This is a lovely, haunting film that you will simply enjoy to watch anytime.

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 Val Lewton:Shadows And Suspense thoughts

The early 1940’s rko was suffering a big failure following citizen Kane and other movies leaving the studio in ruins. It turned to its low budget b pictures. Val Lewton was the man put in charge of producing these films with titles given to him by the studio that each of them stands out in their own as today i talked about some of his movies that really stands out that you will adore to see as each of them are different types of movies that all offer different types of tales. I hope you enjoyed my talk today about his movies i hope you join me again for another in the future

night of living dead:Night of Anubis

night of living dead:Night of Anubis(orginal title)

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Today I review the cult classic night of living dead. The original title was Night of Anubis as the original work print had that title on its reels. The lost work-print was cut and removed from screens before even released on screens. The new Criterion Collection version that is the closest we get to a director’s cut of night of the living dead contains the original work-print among many other wonderful extras about this marvelous classic. Night of the living dead is one of the finest horror movies ever made. I review night of living dead now for my blog.

night of living dead review

Night of the Living Dead, was directed by George A. Romero is a horror masterpiece and a cult classic that still gets such high praise even today for its many wonderful traits. George A. Romero’s Night of the Living was released in 1968 as it turns 50 years old this year finally got its true directors cut this year under a release form Criterion this year which is the closest to recapturing the magic of the original classic movie screening of this magical gem.

The story of this movie is very basic, a group of random individuals happen to meet up at house to hide from flesh-eating entranced humans aka zombies. Bruce Capristo, the head of the makeup department did a great job at making the zombies look like normal people as they all look like such real people makes you feel for them even if they are flesh eating monsters about to eat people alive.

Duane Jones as Ben leads the pack with his remarkable role that really showcases such raw talent. Judith O’Dea as Barbra is marvelous she really is such a wonderful actress as who would forget the line they are coming to get you Barbara. Karl Hardman as Harry Cooper really shines in his role. Marilyn Eastman as Helen Cooper gives us a marvelous performance. I would say that the entire cast even supporting cast even bit players all give out marvelous acting performances that all do shine truly to bring to life this classic.

The wonderful directing by George A. Romero along with the marvelous screenplay by  John A. Russo  and George A. Romero that does such wonders to bring to bring to life a tale that is truly marvelous to watch unfold on the screen.

This movie showed something that could have only occurred pre-Watergate. At one point, the people trapped in the farmhouse discover a television and turn it on in search of news of what is going on. Something almost as remarkable to today’s audiences as the dead rising from their graves is seen to occur. In Washington, reporters confront a government official about the situation, the government official tells the reporters the truth, and everyone believes what the government has told them. All of this would be truly remarkable in today’s environment of mutual mistrust between citizens as we would doubt such things today but it does still feel so raw and real even now.

The sense of dread and bleak horror that seems comes off watching night of the living dead with moments that bring you hope to only to take it away from you. The movie makes most of the group of people that all have their own agenda that makes it feel so much more real and gripping and raw to watch unfold on the screen. We have war, pollution and division between the rich and the poor that always seems to be traits we have as a society through our values, culture and norms we create division among ourselves yet if we unite we can overtime such moments we can overcome anything. I feel it raises such a question, so in a way the movie is questioning our values as a society about race and other moral questions of our society. Night of the living is a classic movie that you simply should see today.

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I walked with a zombie

I walked with a zombie(https://www.facebook.com/Wolffianclassicmoviesdigest)

It’s undoubtedly the most atmospheric of the Lawton/Tourneur film collaborations as its told in flashbacks by y nurse Betsy Connell, Frances Dee. The horror aspects of I walked with a zombie is very minor in regard to its overall story. I walked with a zombie takes a different way of horror then most of the horror of universal horror of its day as it more what you don’t see that scares you in this film then what is seen by you. It doe harkens back to classic universal horror of the 1930’s its dreamlike approach to cinematic storytelling. This movie has Lyrical and atmospheric story-telling as this film uses very heavy use of that classic trait of story-telling trait.

This movie is a rehash of the Charlotte Bronte classic Jean Eyre in a classic sense. The supernatural and unknown is shown in the form of the Island’s native’s belief in Voodoo was shown in a way as how one can be put under its spell as its the original sense of zombies on the screen. This movie is an Eerie, poetic horror film with such rich black and white camera work that captures it in a richly psychological way. This movie is more about what the eyes do not see to scare you on screen. The acting performance of everyone shines in this movie as you watch it unfold on the screen.

Director Jacques Tourneur is perfectly in tune with his producer to unhinge the audience by way of an approaching dread we can’t see on the screen. The movie has haunting elegiac sequences linger long in the memory after you see this movie. This is a marvelous classic that was written by Curt Siodmak, the concept for the piece came about by way of a number of newspaper articles that were telling of voodoo and witchcraft in Haiti as this is simply a marvelous classic you should see today.

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Keeper of the Flame

I review this classic movie starring Spencer Tracy today for my friends crystal kalyana’s  BLOGATHON today.   I would advise you to check out others form THE SPENCER TRACY AND KATHARINE HEPBURN BLOGATHON  today which is hosted by a dear friend today on her blog.  I review this classic movie now for my blog.

Keeper of the Flame review

Keeper of the Flame is the second film starring the duo of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn on the screen. The first movie starring them both was woman of the year which was one amazing comedy classic. I would say many overlook keeper of the flame. Keeper of the Flame is a proto-film noir mixed gothic melodramas that foreshadowed the political paranoia genre to come on screens in years to come. Spencer Tracy’s reporter character gathers with other members of the press in a small rural inn, there to report on a vaguely described “American hero’s” funeral that has many dark seeds in this classic tale unfolds on the screen.

Kate Hepburn and Spencer Tracy make this thriller with their wonderful acting together on the screen. . The wonderful acting of Spencer Tracy and Kate Hepburn really makes this movie stand out among their movies. The supporting cast all give out wonderful performances.

This is the quintessential Spencer Tracy role for the screen. This movie is one of the best Spencer Tracy roles he ever did for the screen. George Cukor directs this classic that mixes noir elements with proto elements of political paranoia to craft a true masterpiece that you should see today.

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