Day 191: Magic

Magic

What beautiful, unblinking, uncaring, unloving blue eyes

Ventriloquism, with the exception of “comedian” Jeff Dunham, has not been popular in mainstream culture since the 1950's and 1960's. Despite it's fade from the spotlight, ventriloquism and ventriloquist dummies have managed to find a place in horror movies. We've seen them used in movies such as Dead Silence, The Great Gabbo, and The Dummy episode from The Twilight Zone. Maybe it's the emotionless faces or the child-like bodies, but these dummies has an unmistakable creepiness to them making them perfect villains for horror. They are a relatively cheap to make and effective in making audiences uneasy. What makes these movies work, though, is a solid story and a good cast and who is a better than Sir Anthony Hopkins?

Magic is a 1978 psychological horror movie starring Anthony Hopkins (Silence Of The Lambs, Amistad) as Charles “Corky” Withers, based on the novel of the same name by William Goldman. Corky is a magician's apprentice who bombs in his first attempt performing in front of a live audience. His mentor tells him that he lacks personality and needs to gain one in order to succeed. Flash forward a year and Corky's act is a smash hit, thanks to the inclusion of a foul-mouthed ventriloquist dummy named Fats. His act has gained the attention of powerful agent Ben Green (Burgess Meredith, Rocky, The Twilight Zone). Ben is on the verge of procuring Corky a television show when he informs Corky that he must take a medical exam before the television company agrees to the deal. Corky refuses, basing his decision on principal, and flees to the Catskills in upstate New York. He reunites with his high school crush, Peggy Ann Snow (Ann-Margaret, Bye, Bye, Birdie, Tommy). Corky and Fats charm Peggy, who is unhappy with her marriage to her husband, Duke (Ed Lauter, Cujo, Youngblood). He even performs a card trick that leads Peggy to believe that they have a psychic and spiritual connection. They consummate their reconnection that sparks jealousy in Fats when Corky is alone with him. Ben is able to track down Corky and finds him arguing with Fats. He asks Corky if he can go five minutes without speaking as Fats. He is unable and Ben leaves, vowing to get Corky help for his mental problems. In a fit of rage, Fats convinces Corky to kill Ben. Corky smashes him in the head with Fats and swims out to the middle of a lake to hide the body. The next morning, Fats's jealousy grows even larger when Corky mentions running away with Peggy. Duke arrives back home and suspects that Peggy has slept with Corky. He takes Corky out on a boat to question him when they discover Ben's body on shore. With help from Corky, Fats stabs Duke to death. With “Fats” now calling the shots, what will happen to Corky and Peggy?

"I can't believe that guy is wearing the same sweater!"

Most horror movies involving ventriloquist dummies focus on supernatural elements to turn the dolls into killers. Magic goes the psychological route, with Corky being “controlled” by his Fats personality. Modern audiences would recognize the arguments between Corky and Fats in scenes involving Gollum's inner turmoil from The Lord of the Rings. The move itself is not scary in the sense that you will jump out of your seat or hide under the covers. The movie has an underlying creepiness the grows as Corky's mind begins to fall apart while Fats takes over. The story is pretty straight-forward, but still intriguing, sucking the audience into a movie where a dummy is a main character. The ending is particularly heart-breaking, but fits in well with the movie's overall sadness.

The movie is effective because of the strong performances of Anthony Hopkins and Ann-Margaret. Their relationship on screen is very believable which makes the rest of the movie believable. Burgess Meredith is great as Agent Ben Greene and is most identifiable with the audience. Along with Ben, we see Corky's potential and then discover his scary mental state. Hopkins's Corky is stiff and nervous which plays well against the loose and dirty Corky. It's also nice to see a younger Hopkins at work. His split-personality is the real villain of the movie and his interaction with Fats provides more cerebral action than most horror movies. Those who want lots of action and blood will have to find it elsewhere, because Magic just isn't that type of movie.

Three is the "Magic" number

Doll and dummy horror movies are nothing new. While most focus on killer dolls stabbing and tripping human victims, Magic is a psychological trip into a fragile and broken mind. We feel for Corky and want him to succeed, but we know that he cannot. Performances by Anthony Hopkins and Ann-Margaret really make the movie work and bring an emotional authenticity not seen in a lot of horror. The movie lacks in action and violence, but it is thrilling and creepy nonetheless. If you like your horror movies smart and cerebral, you'll enjoy Magic.

7/10

Day 168: The Rite

The Rite

Give me a 'T'!

Quick, think of a movie where the Devil possesses someone and it's up to 2 priests, one suffering from a crisis of faith, to exorcise it. You're probably thinking The Exorcist, right? That's the problem with just about every possession/exorcism horror movie; they all sound like The Exorcist. It's almost unfair to compare anything that came after The Exorcist because they're just not going to come close. People were convinced that Satan was actually imprinted onto the film and people legitimately fled theaters in horror. You can't beat press like that. It's up to newer movies to set themselves apart and be special, not just rehash the same old thing. It helps to have Anthony Hopkins.

The Rite is a 2011 horror movie starring Colin O'Donoghue (The Tudors, Proof) as Michael Kovak and Anthony Hopkins (Silence Of The Lambs, Thor) as Father Lucas Trevant. Michael is disillusioned as a mortician, following in his father's (Rutger Hauer, Blade Runner, Hobo With A Shotgun) footsteps and decides to go to seminary school. He does not feel a true connection with God and even questions his existence. After being ordained, Michael writes a letter of resignation that is rejected by his superior. He is warned that his scholarship would be revoked and he would owe $100,000 in loans. After giving last rites to a woman dying after an accident, Michael is sent to Rome to study exorcisms in exchange for loan payments. In class, he meets a reporter named Angelina (Alice Braga, City of God, Predators) who is writing about exorcisms. Still an unbeliever, Michael is sent to see Father Lucas, a Welsh priest experienced in exorcisms. They meet with a young pregnant girl named Rosaria who appears to be possessed. Despite witnessing strange events, like Rosaria coughing up nails, Michael remains skeptical. A possessed Rosaria beings to address Michael and ask him very specific questions about his father and his faith. Her condition worsens and she is committed to a hospital where she eventually dies. Father Lucas is distraught and begins to act strangely. Michael learns that his father has had a stroke. He speaks to his father on the phone, but it interrupted by a doctor saying his father died earlier in the day. Michael begins to hear various voices torturing and testing him. Along with Angelina, Michael goes to Father Lucas only to find that he himself has become possessed. Will Michael be able to save Father Lucas and himself?

"Made in China"? What the Hell?!

The Rite is based on “actual events” from the book The Making of a Modern Exorcist. I'm not really sure what their definition of actual events are, but it gives an interesting perspective to the movie. Like I said, it's hard to not compare The Rite to The Exorcist. Both movies are very similar with the main difference being which character has a crisis of faith. This is your standard exorcism movie with very little in the way of actual horror. The spiritual journey of the characters is fine, if not a tad bit predictable. Sure, there's a few jolts here and there, but nothing particularly scary. If you're the religious type, you may find yourself frightened and affected with all the demon talk, but your average horror fan won't find much terror. The cinematography is very eerie and the shots of Rome give the movie an air of authenticity not seen in some other religious-heavy horror movies.

Anthony Hopkins really carries the movie. He can't act in a McDonald's commercial and make it compelling. He essentially plays two roles in the movie, one as Father Lucas and one as a demonic possession. He does both well, but some of the lines he is given as the demon are unintentionally hilarious. I almost feel bad that Sir Anthony had to say some of these ridiculous things. It's not the content that's bad, it just sounds like a 15 year old wrote them. Colin O'Donoghue gives a tepid performance, almost unsure of what he should be doing or feeling. Rutger Hauer is only briefly in the movie, which is a shame, but he does well enough. Despite some very good acting, the movie is way too long at almost 2 hours and the pace is far too slow. There's some action, but it's not enough for such a long movie. The effects and makeup are good, but I could have used more.

Does this collar make me look fat?

Based on the story, The Rite is very similar to The Exorcist. The Rite tries to become it's own movie with a more polished Hollywoodification of the whole exorcism genre. It's stylish and looks pretty, but lacks any real action or horror. Anthony Hopkins is great, but can only carry a movie so far. It's too long and the pacing is off, muting any real sense of dread. The Rite is by no means a bad movie, it's just OK and could have been much better. If you want to see a good acting performance, The Rite worth your time. Otherwise, no need to rush out and see it.

5.5/10

Day 140: The Wolfman

The Wolfman

Na na na na na na na na, Wolfman!

I remember seeing previews for The Wolfman remake and thinking that it looked pretty cool. They had a good mixture of horror, action, and excitement. It didn't hurt that the cast included Anthony Hopkins, Benicio del Toro, and Hugo Weaving. When the movie came out, though, the reviews were not good and I decided not to see it in theaters. It was time to see if the reviews were right.

The Wolfman is a 2010 loose remake of the 1941 horror classic, The Wolf Man, starring Benicio del Toro (Sin City, Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas) as Lawrence Talbot. In the late 1800's, Lawrence has received a letter from Gwen Coliffe (Emily Blunt, Wind Chill, The Adjustment Bureau), his brother Ben's fiancee, stating that Ben had been killed. Lawrence returns to his family's estate, which he hasn't seen in many years. He is also reunited with his estranged father, Sir John (Anthony Hopkins, Silence of the Lambs, Amistad). Lawrence views Ben's body which has been horribly mutilated by some sort of beast. Among his personal items, Lawrence finds a medallion with three wolves on it, apparently purchased from gypsies that camp near the town. During a full moon, Lawrence speaks with a gypsy named Maleva to gain answers for his brother's death. At the same time, local townspeople come into the gypsy camp to claim their dancing bear, whom they believe is the cause for various animal attacks. A werewolf tears through the encampment, brutally killing people and biting Lawrence. Gwen cares for him and he makes a miraculous recovery. Inspector Abeline (Hugo Weaving, The Matrix, Lord of the Rings) visits the manor and implies that Lawrence is behind recent murders in the area. That night he turns, and kills local villagers trying to capture him. Lawrence is committed to the same asylum he was in when he was younger, due to seeing his mother's suicide. The doctor's believe his lycanthropy is psychological, but are proven very wrong when he turns into a werewolf and goes on a killing spree. It is revealed that Sir John is also a werewolf and had in fact, killed Lawrence's mother. Lawrence and his father have an all-out werewolf throw-down with Lawrence killing his father. Will Gwen be able to set Lawrence free from this horrible curse before it's too late?

This is my war face!

I have seen the original Wolf Man, but it has been so long that I really shouldn't try to compare the two that much. Why some say that there was no need to remake the original, I don't really have a problem with it. The remake certainly has of elements of the original, but goes off into it's own territory about halfway through. That's fine with me because the story needed an update in terms of today's audience which needs more action and sleeker production. I'm happy that the kept the general look of the original Wolf Man and didn't go for a straight werewolf look used in more recent werewolf-based movies like Underworld. They also keep the basic werewolf rules, following the full moon, silver bullets, and being released from the curse by a loved one. I'm not sure why they changed the name from The Wolf Man to the Wolfman. Maybe they made him Jewish. L'Chaim!

The story itself is decent, but it suffers from being uneven. One example of this is the character of Gwen. It felt like she was missing for about half the movie and her romance with Lawrence came out of nowhere. The movie also tries explain Lawrence's relationship with his father, but it barely scratches the surface and comes off more as filler. It's not particularly clear why Inspector Abeline suspects Lawrence of the murders, which comes off as convenient to the story and not logic or reason. There are some moments of horror and a few jolting moments of surprise, but nothing particularly scary. The movie makes up for the lack of horror with lots and lots of bloody action. There is a large amount of blood and gore for a mainstream movie. The Wolfman enough blood and guts for me to think they knocked over a butcher shop before filming certain scenes.

"Oh shit, I left the oven on!"

The acting throughout the movie is pretty good, but that's no surprise with this cast. Anthony Hopkins is pretty great in his domineering, sinister role as Sir John. We know we should be fearful of him, even if he's not a werewolf. Benicio del Toro does well as Lawrence, creating a sympathetic character for the audience to both root and mourn for. I could have used a bit more Hugo Weaving, who's mustache makes him look like a more dapper Lemmy from Motorhead. As I've said before, Emily Blunt's Gwen isn't in as much of the movie as you'd expect, but she is fine in her role. I'm still a bit annoyed from that terrible movie Wind Chill she was in, but she didn't annoy me here. The other big star in the movie is special effects. The transformation scenes look great and the makeup artists won a well-deserved Academy Award. Unfortunately, the movie relies too heavily on other computerized and blue-screen effects, making it look particularly fake in certain scenes. It would have been better to use the real night sky instead of a clearly fake moon. 

 

The Ace of Spades!

Despite a good amount of bad reviews, I didn't find The Wolfman to be particularly bad. It's not as good as the original, but it wasn't an abomination unworthy of the name. There are plenty of differences, but they do keep some of the heart from the original. The acting is very good and there is plenty of blood and violence. The story is uneven and could have gone much smoother for my liking. Overall, The Wolfman was an OK monster movie with some fun scenes. Is it worthy of the Wolf Man legacy? Maybe, maybe not, but it's still a decent watch.

6.5/10