Movies I Watched Over the Weekend

     Old-school horror and new-modern thriller were the name of the game.

1. Carrie (1976)

       I can't believe I had never seen this film before.  Holy crap it scared me.  I hadn't been that creeped out since seeing The Exorcist or The Descent.  Sissy Spacek as the lead protagonist of poor, abused, mistreated Carrie White was brilliant.  Supporting roles from Amy Irving, Piper Laurie, and John Travolta were just as engaging.  There are certain famous scenes in movies that are described to you your whole life - when Orson Welles drops the snow globe in Citizen Kane and whispers, "Rosebud"; when Al Pacino is shot up at the end of Scarface; when Janet Leigh is stabbed in the shower scene of Psycho.  Carrie had several such iconic scenes, most notably the havoc she releases onto her school when she is humiliated at prom.  That scene was under-described to me my whole life.  Sometimes darkly comical, but nothing ever less than dark, this movie was one of the better adaptations of Stephen King, and makes me wish for the days of true horror films. And shame on you Patricia Clarkson for participating the TV remake!  Geez-us, is nothing sacred to you people anymore?!?
2. Marathon Man (1976)

      Nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1977 (Laurence Olivier), Marathon Man is a thriller following the story of a man's murdered government-agent brother and the Nazi psychopath that comes looking for him.  This particular Nazi has an affinity for diamonds and amateur dentistry, so I wouldn't recommend anyone watch this movie if they have a weak stomach when it comes to dental drills and scalers as torture devices.  The soundtrack is as jarring as any 1970s film, building tension in every scene.  Dustin Hoffman was stellar as usual; this film was post-All the President's Men, Midnight Cowboy and Straw Dogs, but pre-Rain Man, Tootsie, and Kramer vs. Kramer.  Between playing a woman, a handicapped man, a male prostitute, and a marathon runner-wannabe being chased by Nazi war criminals, I'd say Hoffman's career warrants the phrase "eclectic".
3. The Perfect Host (2010)

      The Perfect Host is not the perfect movie, but it proves itself to be entertaining, cunning, and full of bewildering twists, headlined by two fantastic leads nonetheless.  Like many reviews you're bound to find on this film, it's better if you just watch it on your own, instead of having it described to you.  That way nothing is given away.  It's actually kind of like Last House on the Left meets The Dinner Game (French film).  And by that I mean, a "slick criminal" meets an "absolute psycho" and realizes he is way in over his head at probably the sickest dinner party you'll ever be invited to.

*All recommendations are available to watch instantly on Netflix*

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