Hi friends! I hope you are doing well. I know I have basically been abandoning written reviews lately because of my work on KSL Movie Show but I am still reviewing movies. Make sure you check out the show each Friday as it has really been a dream come true for me. I don’t know how much longer it will last but I’m going to enjoy it for as long as I can. I am still writing reviews for theatre so you will want to be sure and follow me on my theatre site.

One of the fun parts of working at the show is it has forced me out of my comfort zone to watch films I might not have normally seen. This has been a net positive and I’ve discovered really good films like the first 2 Conjuring movies and a neat little horror movie from this year called Bone Lake.

With Halloween coming up Manda and I decided to continue this embrace of horror for our Blind Spot entry in October, and we watched the classic Poltergeist for the first time. I think this might be our best episode that we’ve recorded together yet because not only did we both really enjoy the film, but we had a lot of fun talking about the production controversy- mainly did Steven Spielberg actually direct the movie or was it the credited Tobe Hooper. It’s a good listen I would love if you check it out.

As far as the movie, Poltergeist is a horror I would recommend watching as an approachable gateway to the genre. It builds tension well with creepy scenes like when the chairs are all levitating or the silverware is bending. That’s effective and fun. Plus, it does creepy kid better than almost any other horror film I’ve seen. It involves supernatural elements but nothing too upsetting or disturbing and features a kick-butt mother in Diane who will literally dive into an abyss for her daughter so that’s cool.

If you can handle something like The Sixth Sense you can handle Poltergeist. It’s a ton of fun and we had a great time watching and talking about it.

Let me know what you have been watching lately and again sorry for skipping written reviews. Make sure you are checking out Hallmarkies Podcast as we are diving into the Christmas movie season already and everything else I have going on. Happy Halloween!

My patrons keep me honest and able to see and review as much as I do. Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. If you value honest criticism check it out. Find out more here.

Another month has come and gone and that means another blind spot. I’m super sorry I’ve been so neglectful of my written reviews but it’s just been the result of being so busy with my podcasts and KSL Movie Show. The support I have received on the show has been amazing and I’m beyond grateful for it. I am still writing my regular theatre reviews so make sure to take a look at that site.

This month the blind spot was the 1939 classic adaptation of Wuthering Heights. I have seen other adaptations but as I’m not the biggest fan of the book I hadn’t seen this one, and I’m glad I checked it off of my blind spot list. It’s still not my favorite story because Catherine and Heatcliff are both so unlikable but I do appreciate the melodrama in the script as well as the clear animosity between the actors.

This is certainly a beautifully made movie with one of the most memorable scores in a drama in film. Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier evidently hated each other which is just the dynamic you need for Catherine and Heathcliff. The more hate the better! It’s going to be interesting to see how Emerald Fennell’s version turns out next year. It looks like it is going to be a lose adaptation (unlike this one aside from the ending) but will a new interpretation work?

It was interesting to learn in preparation for the podcast about director William Wyler and what he put the actors through. One scene he asked Olivier for 72 takes with little to no feedback of what he needed to do differently. I can’t imagine what that would have been like but that exasperated emotion probably helped Olivier capture Heathcliff’s frustrations and anger so well in the film.

I personally prefer Olivier in Pride and Prejudice the next year but that comes down to story preference more than anything else. What about you? What do you think of Wuthering Heights and this version from 1939? Check out the podcast! I think you’ll really enjoy it.

My patrons keep me honest and able to see and review as much as I do. Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. If you value honest criticism check it out. Find out more here.