October Thrillers Challenge: Frankenstein

Frankenstein (James Whale, 1931)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Classic, Thriller, Suspense, Based on Book

It was fun to watch Frankenstein in its entirety, since there are so many classic scenes and lines. I especially found it fun to compare it to the many, many other versions of the tale that I have seen over the years (a personal favorite will always be Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein).

From this little challenge, I've discovered that my new favorite classic actor is Dwight Frye. I'll be investigating more from this exceptional character actor soon!

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Ladybird

Ladybird (Greta Gerwig, 2017)

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Rating: Q=7, P=4 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Coming of Age, Complex Relationships, Mother-Daughter

This film feels so real. Senior year of high school is a meaningful, crazy, exhausting, and difficult year. For me, it was a roller-coaster of emotion, much of it negative and awful. But it was also rewarding. I love that this film shows us how strong the bond between mother and daughter can be. Even when it looks ugly. And it can look brutally ugly. Ladybird also shows us that first loves can be fleeting and disappointing, that friendship is confusing, that it is difficult to prove yourself when you don't even know yourself...and then comes those first few weeks of college. So dramatically different from everything before. And then you realize what you had. A truly wonderful film.

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October Thrillers Challenge: Dirty Harry

Dirty Harry (Don Siegel, 1971)

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Rating: Q=4, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=1

Thriller, Crime, Action

As I expected, this film just wasn't for me. Clint Eastwood is certainly a legendary actor but his style has never been my favorite. I suppose that makes sense because he is more of a physical actor, not a talker. This movie is all about the chase and doesn't give much depth of characters, which is fine but I always like to know more about the "why." Scorpio is one of the creepiest villains I've seen in film, so that doesn't help my personal score for the film. I do, however, appreciate the action shots and suspense throughout.

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October Thrillers Challenge: Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Don Siegel, 1956)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Thriller, Aliens, Action, Horror

A true classic thriller that still has terrifying moments, but I'm sure they were much more effective back in 1956. The many remakes of this film are certainly scarier, if that's your thing (it isn't mine!). I can imagine the timeliness this film had during the age of McCarthy. Most of this film is running away and trying to stay awake. Humanity is to valuable to lose.

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October Thrillers Challenge: Dracula

Dracula (Tod Browning, 1931)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Thriller, Vampires, Horror

It was fun to watch this classic, especially after having seen other versions of the story and reading the book (one I read and studied in graduate school). Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula is iconic, strange, almost comical. Dwight Frye as Renfield is even creepier: "He came and stood below my window in the moonlight. And he promised me things, not in words, but by doing them."

It's interesting to think about how much influence this film has had on multiple film genres--especially vampire films. While I liked this classic, I still prefer Coppola's 1992 version of the book. It's more detailed and complex. Plus Gary Oldman is fantastic.

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I, Tonya

I, Tonya (Craig Gillespie, 2017)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Biopic, Drama, Crime, Comedy

Wow. Just wow. The acting in this film is unbelievable. It's hard to believe that the events depicted in this film all really happened. I remember them happening but it's still so entirely surreal. And the interviews in the film were based on real interviews. Crazy. This film is a ridiculous, insightful, disturbing, and hilarious romp that sheds light (kinda) on a scandal that gripped our nation for a few months. It's also a very telling story about circumstance. And systemic flaws. And stereotypes. When it was over, my head was still spinning like Tonya on the ice.

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October Thrillers Challenge: King Kong

King Kong (Merian C. Cooper & Ernest B. Schoedsack, 1933)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Classics, Thriller, Adventure

The original thriller, some critics have written, was a fun escape for me. The thrills are still there even after 85 years, though certainly not to the same extent as in the 1930s. I can imagine that this film, back then, would have been miraculous and even terrifying. Certainly awe-inspiring on a big screen. The brutal and violent moments surprised me--even made me gasp. And the Empire state building ending scene is still one of the best in film.

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