Went all the way through the archives to mid 2006 and didn't find a thing about CARRIE, definitely a horror masterpiece from the mid 70's! I originally
saw this great movie in November of December of 1976. The house was packed, and when the climactic "bloody hand from the grave" scene unfurled,
everybody exploded in one collective shriek. I could actually feel the energy of it, rocking from row to row. That's potent horror, people!
Since then, I've watched Carrie many times (including last night) and have always been struck by how everything just "works." Sissy Spacek, though looking nothing like Steve King's literary heroine, is beyond startling. She hits all the right notes, and I must say, her transformation at the prom is a sight to behold! You go, girl! Complementing Spacek are Betty Buckley (anybody else wish they had a gym teacher who looked like her? Grrr!), William Katt (great hair), Amy Irving, PJ Soles, and one of the cinema's best "bitches," Nancy Allen as Chris. John Travolta appears as Vinnie Barberino (only here, his name is Billy Nolan), and--last but certainly not least--Piper Laurie as Carrie's religiously twisted mother, Margaret White. Laurie is so completely bombastic, so "spot on," she's downright stunning. Who could forget her speech about "And I liked it! I liked it, all that dirty touchin'!" And Piper's death scene is both horrific and strangely satisfying, orchestrated by director Brian DePalma with a deft hand.
DePalma has never been better, IMO. From the editing, split-screens, effective music score (right up there with The Omen and The Exorcist), Carrie is a feast for the eyes, and one of the best horror films from ANY decade! Need a convincer? Watch the Prom sequence, as Chris is about to pull the rope and drop a bucket of blood on Carrie. Deliciously edited, perfectly scored, it builds to that awful moment so skillfully, the suspense is almost unbearable. Bravo!
There are a few points that have always bothered me, one being the death of the gym teacher. Another was Carrie's long, sensuous shower. Considering she came from a restrictive household where nudity was undoubtedly looked upon as "dirty" (hence the "dirty pillows" comment from Carrie's mom), would a girl like Carrie feel comfortable showering nude in front of others? Though the sequence makes for poetic cinema (and I believe is also in King's book), it seems out of character for Carrie. If anything, I'd think she'd avoid a shower or stay dressed in her underwear.
Let's hear your thoughts on poor, neglected Carrie!
Rod
Since then, I've watched Carrie many times (including last night) and have always been struck by how everything just "works." Sissy Spacek, though looking nothing like Steve King's literary heroine, is beyond startling. She hits all the right notes, and I must say, her transformation at the prom is a sight to behold! You go, girl! Complementing Spacek are Betty Buckley (anybody else wish they had a gym teacher who looked like her? Grrr!), William Katt (great hair), Amy Irving, PJ Soles, and one of the cinema's best "bitches," Nancy Allen as Chris. John Travolta appears as Vinnie Barberino (only here, his name is Billy Nolan), and--last but certainly not least--Piper Laurie as Carrie's religiously twisted mother, Margaret White. Laurie is so completely bombastic, so "spot on," she's downright stunning. Who could forget her speech about "And I liked it! I liked it, all that dirty touchin'!" And Piper's death scene is both horrific and strangely satisfying, orchestrated by director Brian DePalma with a deft hand.
DePalma has never been better, IMO. From the editing, split-screens, effective music score (right up there with The Omen and The Exorcist), Carrie is a feast for the eyes, and one of the best horror films from ANY decade! Need a convincer? Watch the Prom sequence, as Chris is about to pull the rope and drop a bucket of blood on Carrie. Deliciously edited, perfectly scored, it builds to that awful moment so skillfully, the suspense is almost unbearable. Bravo!
There are a few points that have always bothered me, one being the death of the gym teacher. Another was Carrie's long, sensuous shower. Considering she came from a restrictive household where nudity was undoubtedly looked upon as "dirty" (hence the "dirty pillows" comment from Carrie's mom), would a girl like Carrie feel comfortable showering nude in front of others? Though the sequence makes for poetic cinema (and I believe is also in King's book), it seems out of character for Carrie. If anything, I'd think she'd avoid a shower or stay dressed in her underwear.
Let's hear your thoughts on poor, neglected Carrie!
Rod
