Halloween 1978 -- My thoughts
Well, I did something I thought I would never do. I deliberately watched a horror film. Now, I'm not one who generally likes horror films because even though I know none of it's real, my subconscious does not (yes, my subconscious. That's what it is. *eye shift*).
But, given the time of year, the TV is full of horror films and after a little research, I decided on the original Halloween. Now, this was a deliberate choice on my part, because after looking at the the information from Wikipedia and IMDb. Mostly because there was no graphic violence and gore in it. Granted I did watch the AMC showing (complete with annoying commercials and edits. Not that there was a lot they edited. A curse word here, a boob shot there. If I watch this again, I'm getting the full DVD version), so it was a wee condensed. Still, the menace was emphasized by lighting and camera shots, not by graphic amounts of blood or gore. It also helps I watched it during the day because I'm a big fat wuss.
I for one, prefer suspense and thrills to Gorn and Body Horror (like The Thing. LOADED with Body Horror. Just a few clips were enough to give me the heebs).
Also, with this movie, there were only four on screen deaths. Two stabbings and two strangulations. Most of which happen near the end of the movie and with hardly any blood. THAT is the sign of a master filmmaker. There is no real need to show the graphic details. The audience will fill in what happens with their imaginations. Hitchcock was a master at this. There is a reason Psycho is still considered a suspense classic.
I'm not even going to bother with the sequels (which, like many sequels, got more and more absurd) or the remake made in 2007. Not only did they get more and more graphic, but the plots got worse and worse. However, I may tackle the original The Fog next...
One thing I did find surprising was that they unmasked Michael in the end. Surprisingly handsome, I must say.
Tony Moran ladieeeeess!!