House of Wax Review

For today’s horror movie, we are going back to 1953. A remake, but something that has been heralded as a classic by many people. Fans of Vincent Price are immediately going to perk up, because today we are going to be looking at “House of Wax”. The first ever 3D movie to come through in color, and something that has to be considered with the way the movie plays out. You’re going to notice the call outs to 3D in some of the film, and while I don’t have a 3D television or anything, it’s still somewhat noticeable. 

The plot of the film starts out fast, with a wax artist that learns his business partner plots to burn down the place to collect insurance money. As that goes down, the two fight, and things go horribly awry, with an explosive end to this plot starting line. Following that up, there are bodies disappearing from the morgue, and they start popping up in a new wax gallery, alongside a phantom looking dude stalking victims to murder and stock his new wax museum. This leads to quite the reveal in the third act, and of course a final confrontation as is the case for horror movies in general. 

The movie shows its age with a lack of gore, and a lack of horror elements that you get with modern movies. That is not to say that it’s bad, but you really have to set yourself up for something a bit more mild than you would today. That’s not to say that there aren’t horror themes in “House of Wax”,  but it definitely feels aged. To enjoy this movie, you have to set yourself up for the past, and set your expectations back some. If you approach this movie with the same kind of expectations that you would a modern horror movie, you’re going to be disappointed with the pacing, the features and the reveals that the movie has for you. 

While “House of Wax” has a good share of story telling, it definitely feels a bit slow at times. I didn’t like the pacing, but by the time I was getting tired of build, there would be a shocker, or a poignant effect to break up the slow and steady pacing. The final reveals are good, and you really get some shocking revelations with the course of the movie, even if they are predictable to modern audiences. Vincent Price shines in this movie, and definitely makes it a strong contender for a horror movie of the past. 

“House of Wax” shows its age in a lot of regards. However, you’re going to find that there are moments that are often used in modern movies too. The 3D is dated, but it’s cool to see a bit of history on the screen, and it’s definitely not a bad movie. In fact, I recommend it, horror buffs are going to want to see their roots, and Vincent Price is a classical actor in the horror genre and things of the macabre. 

Carrie (1976) Review

Carrie is one of those movies that people claim is a classic. Recently, I purchased it on Blu Ray, and wanted to watch it again. The previous time I saw it was when I was a teenager. I picked this up and watched it with fresh eyes, and realized that there are some very interesting ideas pushed forward. Brian De Palma directs this movie, and while it definitely does well to introduce the world of Stephen King to the masses, it doesn’t hold up the way I thought it would. De Palma’s direction is on point, but other than that, I found myself reconsidering some of the ideas pushed in the movie.

There is no real reason why people hate Carrie. Maybe in the book they explore it a bit more, but in the movie, things are just no good for 17-year old Carrie. People seem to hate her, her mother is bad, and she is just trying to navigate high school like anyone else. It’s very odd to me, but you get through the movie with the set up that no one likes her.

Sissy Spacek is a lovely girl, but when watching the opening for this movie, I found De Palma over sexualizing things. The camera goes through like a porno movie from that era. If you have seen any adult cinema from the 1970s you immediately get notes from the many movies that were of the era. What I didn’t like here is that the viewer is looking into a teenage locker room, with full nudity. You’re supposed to be seeing underage girls naked? I found the notion a bit odd. Yes, it’s a movie, and all the actresses are over 18, but they are playing underage, it’s a bit unnerving.

Aside from the sexual tones of the movie, there is a quality revenge coming through. Just when you start to like Carrie, she breaks because of the swerve that happens to her. The blood, her telekinetic powers, and the ultra-revenge comes through. Not as bad as “They Call Her One Eye”, but nothing can be so graphic. Carrie gets her revenge, the movie goes into disaster, her mom gets it too, and then it just ends. I didn’t like the sudden ending and nothing else.

Overall, the movie is stated to be a Stephen King classic. Carrie from 1976 isn’t half bad. I don’t think it’s as amazing as some people say. I don’t think it’s as grand, but Spacek’s acting, and the over sexual tones make this a nice glimpse of the 1970s and how many changes have come to movie making. De Palma’s work is good here, even though it’s far from his best movie. If you’re going to pick this one up, get the Carrie Limited Edition Blu Ray, otherwise, meh, I can go without seeing it again for a long time.

Pick up Carrie on Blu Ray Here, for fans of Stephen King and classic 1970s cinema.