This is it! I have been working up to this post quicker than I thought I would have. Even though the last week slowed things down for me, I made it all the same. If you are wondering what I am rambling on about, this post makes number 400 for me. As regular readers have figured out by now, every 50 posts I will pull out an old favorite to watch. Instead of giving it a review like I normally do, I just like to talk about it instead. For this post, I decided to revisit The Amityville Horror (1979). I decided on this one because I haven't watched it in a really long time. Since I always watch the film before doing one of these write ups, it was nice to have watched it again, and to have some old memories come back.My story about my first time watching this film goes back about eight years, or so, ago. During Halloween night, there was to be a run of The Amityville Horror films on TV. The channel was going to run the first three, along with a film called The Entity. While I had heard about The Amityville Horror films, might have even watched one of the sequels by then, the other film was a new one to me. I had talked my dad into watching the films with me. I don't think that is how he really wanted to spend his night, but he did it for me. Since this was a time I was still fairly new to horror films, it didn't take a lot to creep me out. The first film aired and it scared me, along with the second film. The third film, second sequel, was a little silly to me from what I remember. The third film came out in theaters in 3D, so as I recall, it looked a little silly to me not being in 3D. The last film was also a creepy film. By the end of the second film, I knew there was no way I was sleeping alone that night. Dad pulled out the hide-a-bed and that is where we slept after the last film was over. Such fun memories.
So what was it that made The Amityville Horror so scary to me? It was a few different factors actually. Possibly the most important factor was that I was still fairly new to enjoying horror films. I was still scared by them, but I could now enjoy being scared. As time goes on, you start to figure out that a lot of the stories are done over again, and they become less scary. Also, one starts to figure out the whens and hows of the jump scares. Another factor was that I believed in what I was seeing. It was based on a true story after all. I had heard other people talking about it now and then. And there was even a book out there, which I have yet to read. I don't want to make myself seem too naive here, so I will say that I didn't believe everything in the film. I could see it, and its sequel (since we know the murders happened) to be more real than other horror films. I can't say that I have ever seen a ghost, but I am pretty sure I have felt one. That is a story for another day though. Back when I watched this film for the first time, I wanted to believe that ghosts and other such things, could be real. Here is a movie that claims to be based on actual events, which made me want to believe all the more.
Having watched The Amityville Horror again, I noticed that it didn't have the same affect on me. To be honest, I didn't really expect it to. It did make me smile though, since it brought back memories of that night long ago. There were things I didn't remember from watching it before. I have watched it since then, but only in sections. I would turn it on late or not finish it once it started. The things I have forgotten were minor things really. Watching the whole film now, I realize that some things come across as kind of silly. Giant pig anyone? It is still a good film though. I like that they didn't really try and over sell it, until the end of the film. Everything else were small things happening. Added all together though, I can see how it could run a person down. I really liked the casting choice of James Brolin. The way he looks in the film, it isn't much of a stretch to me that he turns slightly crazy. Just the way he looks through the whole film. The turn to being slightly crazy matches the wild looks he has about him.
The cool thing about watching the DVD was the single extra it had on it. The documentary features both James Brolin and Margot Kidder. I'm not sure when it was filmed, but it does look fairly recent. It was cool to see what they look like now. Each talked a little about their career, as well as the movie itself. They gave some interesting insights into how they got involved with the film. I learned that they didn't get along really well during the making of the film. It was an interesting documentary. If you enjoyed the film, then you should give it a watch. After watching the DVD, I got on YouTube and checked out some of the old TV shows that are listed there, that carried stories about the murders and haunting. I'm not sure I believe the real story. Drop me a comment and let me know what you thought of The Amityville Horror and the actual story it was based on.
3 comments:
Well first, a standing ovation for my favorite sick puppette, on your 400th post Miss Heather. Given all the demands of college, swimming, and trying to have a life too (lol), it truly is amazing to me that you have been able to be so prolific in your horror posts.
Especially since it is so obvious that you never rush a post - each one is taken seriously by you. Reading your comments, it is clear that you have put some thought into what you are saying - whether they are positive or negative comments related to the flick. So congrats Miss Heather, and please keep up the great work sweet lady. Shucks at this rate, you will be up to post number 800 in no time, hehehe.
As far as the original Amityville Horror and its sequels, like you pretty lady, I tend to enjoy part 1 of most serious the most. That would be true with this series as well. I watched this one in the movies when it first came out, with my wife. One of the reasons I remember that one so clearly is it was the first time we got a babysitter so we could go out.
I think I have mentioned in other comments that I grew up watching horror movies, mostly Shock Theatre, with my grandmother and other brothers sitting in the dark, in her living room, eating popcorn. I was probably something like 5 or so, the first time I can remember doing that, lmao. So by the time 79 rolled around, I was an old pro with horror movies, trust me sweet lady, hehehe.
As you noted, the more you watch them, the less impact they basically have on you. Or put it another way I reckon - the harder it is for one to ever scare you, lol. Now that part truly sucks for me, big time.
But I was aware that the movie was allegedly based on actual events. Well at least to the extent that the oldest son was arrested and convicted for killing his entire family in that house. Of course, his defense was that he did not do it - an evil presence did. Or maybe he claimed an evil presence forced him to do it. It has been so long now, I can not recall what his actual defense was at trial, but I do recall that he had one. At the point I first watched this one, I remembered the details of his murder trial much more clearly too. Btw Miss Heather, just so you will not be so totally shocked by it maam - in about 30 or 35 years, you are going to discover that it sucks to get old, lmao.
But yes maam, the fact it was at least based in true events to some degree, made it more enjoyable for me. My wife was not nearly the horror fan that I was, but she enjoyed them more in one important way. She did enjoy watching them with me - but she would not watch one alone. See they still managed to scare her - big time, hehehe, lucky lady. So as I recall, she nearly broke my left arm, clinging to it while the movie progressed. I am grinning as I type this one now too maam. I just remembered that her large soda ended up in my lap when she made a major jump on one of the jump scares, hehehe. Dang it was cold and wet, lmao.
So yes maam, I do agree, that watching some of these older horror can often bring back some great memories. I really enjoyed you sharing your memories on this one, and hope I did not get too personal in sharing mine with you and your fans.
I know there are some books out there written on the murders, but like you, I have never read one of them. I have watched several documentaries on these murders. Depending on the series the documentary appeared in, there was a definite slant to that show at times. In fact you have made me realize that I have probably two or three documentaries on these murders burned to dvds now in my collection. Maybe I will have to dig them all out one day and give them all a watch back to back. That might be interesting. I do recall the doc that I watched the most recently took the position that his defense was absurd. Its view was that he was clearly a murderer, and was grasping for any straw he could find to use in his defense. If I recall correctly most of the others either take no firm stance, or at least say they do not know what really happened.
Btw, I realize that your 400th is on The Amityville Horror, Miss Heather. But, what did you think about The Entity - as it was based on actual events as well maam. Like you, I share a strong interest in the paranormal. I think The Entity had more of an impact on me when I first watch these two flicks way back then, and would still have more of an impact on me if I watched the two back to back today.
But don't take that to mean I did not like The Amityville Horror maam. It is in my collection, and was one of the first movies I bought on dvd, when I decided collecting dvds would take up less space than vhs tapes would, lmao. But that said, I also have The Entity in my collection as well.
Congrats on such a great write up sharing your thoughts and memories on this flick Miss Heather, and on your 400th post as well maam. But you do have me curious now too, since I think you noted that The Entity was a creepy movie for you as well that night. So now I am wondering - which movie, The Amityville Horror or The Entity, creeped you out the most then, and which would now?
Hey, why are you wasting your valuable time reading this rambling comment, hehehe. Shouldn't you be working on post 401 instead, grinning. Sorry but my teast Miss Heather low light is driving me nuts right now sweet lady. I am already looking forward to your next post, and have not even finished typing my comment on this one. But shucks sweet lady, I reckon there is nothing new and exciting about that, lol. It happens all the time to me too. So when you can make the time Miss Heather (smiling, tips my hat - along with one final standing ovation maam).
Please forgive me for being late, but happy 400th post! Right on, Mere-miss! You are a one-woman army of blogging awesomeness!
Congratulations on your 400th post, Heather!
I saw this film for the first time in the last year. Strange film.
I thought it was interesting that it was directed by Stuart Rosenberg, who also directed the classic COOL HAND LUKE with Paul Newman.
I thought the film to be curious.
Primarily, you'd see this scene where it seemed overtly paranormal, like when the nun is overwhelmed by nausea simply by being in the house, or the sequence with the priest, played by Rod Steiger, and his younger asst(?) and the crazy way his car behaved on the way to the house.
But then you'd see another scene with these same characters, and they seemed unaffected by the previous experience. Like the nun doesn't refer to nausea at all. Rod Steiger's character is impressed by his experiences enough to believe that something strange is going on, but the younger priest seems unimpressed, or ambivalent at best.
This inconsistency kind of drove me crazy.
But then I wondered if it was intentional, as if the director ws saying, you decide if the house is haunted or not.
Giant purple pig or not!
I remember seeing parts of the second film, and I think that was an Italian production. I thinnk that was done more as an outright horror film, so I wonder how much "fact" was incorporated into the story, or if they just decided to embellish on the story and create a ghost story.
I haven't seen the 3-D version or the recent remake.
Outside of the movie, I don't know much about the actual story.
I wasn't too affected by this movie, to be honest. I found it more interesting than scary, and occasionally curious.
But, having said that, it's neat knowing what movies affected you, especially in your formative horror watching years.
Again, congratulations on your persistent longevity!
And best wishes returning to school, too! It's gotta be soon, I'm figuring...
Post a Comment