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The Wicker Man, a review by goodguy

The Wicker Man (UK 1973) Written by: Anthony Shaffer Directed by: Robin Hardy Starring: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland DVD: R2-UK Optimum (3-Disc CE, 2006) My rating: -

Cover blurb: Since its release in 1973, The Wicker Man has held an enduring fascination for audiences, commanding a devotion that most films can only dream of. A unique and bona fide horror masterpiece, the film can now be seen in its original theatrical version and Director's Cut including 15 minutes of footage that was thought lost for decades!
When a young girl mysteriously disappears, Police Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But this pastoral community, led by the strange Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) is not what it seems as the devoutly religious detective soon uncovers a secret society of wanton lust and pagan blasphemy.
Brilliantly scripted by Anthony Shaffer (Sleuth, Frenzy) and featuring an astounding performance by the legendary Christopher Lee, director Robin Hardy's atmospheric use of location, unsettling imagery and haunting soundtrack gradually builds to one of the most terrifying and iconic climaxes in modern cinema.

This is the second time this year that a much-hailed masterpiece of British '70s cinema falls a little flat for me. A few months ago, I watched "O Lucky Man!" (also made in 1973) for the first time and was similarly underwhelmed. But I digress.

All my warning bells should have gone off as Jon called this the "Citizen Kane of horror movies" in his recent LTROI review. They didn't, because Jon turned that phrase into praise for LTROI, and I happen to agree with him on that.

First of all, The Wicker Man isn't really a horror movie. It's a thriller that goes a bit on the weird side, but isn't overly imaginative. A bit folk-singing, lyrics with corny sexual subtext, a bit nude dancing - those wacky pagans! The main problem: all of this is more funny than poetic and remains so as the creepiness is supposed to slowly increase. Still, Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee give mostly solid performances and I suppose I shouldn't complain about Britt Ekland being naked (although there is a body double involved in addition to her being dubbed).

Anyway, I was amused for about the first half of the movie and I got a bit bored during the second half as it became pretty clear where this would all end. As for the ending itself, I didn't found it terrifying as so many have claimed, just again a bit silly.

I'm not sure why this movie is regarded so special. It lacks the haunted and poetic atmosphere that, for example, Picnic at Hanging Rock has. It lacks the true weirdness and beauty that you can find in Czech surrealist movies of that time, for example Valerie and Her Week of Wonders. It might be an improvement over the usual Hammer horror stuff Christopher Lee was doing at the time, but seriously, that's not a big achievement.

DVD Notes

I watched the two documentaries included in this release (The Wicker Man Enigma and Burnt Offering) and found the production history more interesting than the movie itself. I didn't bother with the Lee/Hardy interview or the commentary.


(From goodguy's Watch Log on October 27th, 2009)

Cornered, a review by Antares

Cornered (1945) 84/100 - This turned out to be the hidden jewel in the Film Noir Classic Collection: Volume Five. After watching the other seven films in the set, I was kind of glad that I hadn't plunked down the money for the collection, with The Phenix City Story being the only true classic of the seven. But now, I have to rethink the possibility of purchasing it, because this was one well crafted suspense/thriller from RKO Pictures and Edward Dmytryk. Lots of twists and turns and of course, multiple double crosses happening every few moments in the story. Dick Powell, who I thought looked kind of lost in Murder, My Sweet, is spot on this time as the Canadian war veteran, obviously suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, topped with a healthy dollop of revenge, who is looking for the Vichy scum who had his French resistance wife murdered during the war. The action and the story move at breakneck speed to a very suspenseful and satisfactory conclusion. I also have to give credit to Walter Slezak, who plays the slimy Argentinian tour guide, with such a delicious amount of sleaze and loathsomeness. If I could make one change to the film, it would have been to give Nina Vale a bigger and juicier part in the story. She reminded me a lot of a younger Bette Davis, and I could definitely see traits of the greater star, in what little screen time Vale has in the picture. For my money, which I'm now probably going to spend for the boxset, this film should be better known and remembered.

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on November 29th, 2014)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

UGLY BETTY - SERIES ONE - PILOT



First aired: 9/28/2006
Betty has always dreamed of working in the publishing world, but it seems as though there's no place for the non-thin and non-beautiful in the business. People already have their minds set in the idea that beautiful women are only the thin and perfect! Betty really wants a job in that wonderful, yet cruel, world. But can she really find a place in it?

Ok I had female company when we watched this, so thats my excuse for putting this pilot in to the player.
However, I must admit I did find it ok and a few belly laughs were had along the way with this 'devil wears prada'/'ugly duckling' sister series.
The show wasn't what I was expecting, in a good colourful way.
America Ferrera as Betty totally steals the show, how crap do you feel for her during that photoshoot?
This series is still more designed for the female viewer, but I will now not be adverse to sitting down and watching a show or two.










(From My PILOT Marathon on May 18th, 2008)