a look at the film POLTERGEIST
04-16-01, 11:03 AM
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a look back at POLTERGEIST...
Reviewed by HIGHDEF
Written by Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, POLTERGEIST is a contemporary tale of otherworldly
forces invading the peaceful home of a Californian
family. Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of
“Questa Verde,” a fictional California suburb,
the Freeling family are swept into nightmarish chaos,
when their daughter, Carol Ann, is abducted by forces
of supernatural nature.
Directed by Tobe Hooper, best known for his classic
horror shocker THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASACRE, weaves
an intricate and tension riddled environment for
POLTERGEIST. Spielberg has served up a generous
balance of humor in his screenplay to offset the
sometimes ghoulish goings-on in this modern day
classic. The level of comedy is often derived
through common everyday occurrences – slapstick
need not apply here. This is not to say that
Hooper, with a little help from the special
effects wizards at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM),
have not created a frightening canvas, whereby the characters engage themselves upon a roller coaster
ride into utter inequity. Some of the film’s visuals
are downright terrifying. Remember the slab of meat slithering across the kitchen countertop? Or how
about the bathroom sequence, whereby a man completely gouges apart his face? These are all frightening
images that add up to the thrills and chills found in POLTERGEIST. It should be dually noted that special effects makeup wizard Rob Bottin lends his bloody hand
to the mix as well. Bottin won his first Oscar for
John Carpenter’s 1982 version of THE THING. What Bottin conjures up for POLTERGEIST is nothing short of draw dropping! His masterful use of latex and animatronics
are absolutely brilliant. It was not until the
beginning of the 90’s, when CGI effects; computer
generated intervention, became a standard Hollywood
fare. For that reason alone, both ILM and Rob Bottin deserve to be commended for their unparallel efforts
in POLTERGEIST.
The film’s score is simply magical. Oscar-winner
Jerry Goldsmith has beautifully conceived a score
that not only excites the senses, but genuinely
brings us to a level of heartwarming bliss.
The theme from POLTERGEIST has become an indelible
piece of pop culture. The classical score blends
the ferial harmony of an operatic aria, with all
the excitement associated with a supernatural
thriller. This was no easy task for Goldsmith.
Audiences are left with a daunting musical prelude
to a contemporary gothic tale of good, evil and the supernatural. A compilation entitled:
"THE OMEN-ESSENTIAL JERRY GOLDSMITH" is currently
available as a 2-disc cd set and includes the very
best scores from this composers incredible career.
These are just a few points regarding the many glorious sights and sounds of POLTERGEIST. While watching the
film, carefully notice the careful shot compositions for each scene. Nothing within the film frame has been left
to chance. Every shot is a complete and utter work of art. The marriage of Spielberg’s compelling screenplay
and Hooper’s unrelenting direction make POLTERGEIST a crowning achievement of contemporary cinema.
It should be noted that POLTERGEIST is in need of
“special-edition” treatment and that MGM SHOULD
RELEASE THIS DISC IMMEDIATELY ON DVD!
Written by Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, POLTERGEIST is a contemporary tale of otherworldly
forces invading the peaceful home of a Californian
family. Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of
“Questa Verde,” a fictional California suburb,
the Freeling family are swept into nightmarish chaos,
when their daughter, Carol Ann, is abducted by forces
of supernatural nature.
Directed by Tobe Hooper, best known for his classic
horror shocker THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASACRE, weaves
an intricate and tension riddled environment for
POLTERGEIST. Spielberg has served up a generous
balance of humor in his screenplay to offset the
sometimes ghoulish goings-on in this modern day
classic. The level of comedy is often derived
through common everyday occurrences – slapstick
need not apply here. This is not to say that
Hooper, with a little help from the special
effects wizards at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM),
have not created a frightening canvas, whereby the characters engage themselves upon a roller coaster
ride into utter inequity. Some of the film’s visuals
are downright terrifying. Remember the slab of meat slithering across the kitchen countertop? Or how
about the bathroom sequence, whereby a man completely gouges apart his face? These are all frightening
images that add up to the thrills and chills found in POLTERGEIST. It should be dually noted that special effects makeup wizard Rob Bottin lends his bloody hand
to the mix as well. Bottin won his first Oscar for
John Carpenter’s 1982 version of THE THING. What Bottin conjures up for POLTERGEIST is nothing short of draw dropping! His masterful use of latex and animatronics
are absolutely brilliant. It was not until the
beginning of the 90’s, when CGI effects; computer
generated intervention, became a standard Hollywood
fare. For that reason alone, both ILM and Rob Bottin deserve to be commended for their unparallel efforts
in POLTERGEIST.
The film’s score is simply magical. Oscar-winner
Jerry Goldsmith has beautifully conceived a score
that not only excites the senses, but genuinely
brings us to a level of heartwarming bliss.
The theme from POLTERGEIST has become an indelible
piece of pop culture. The classical score blends
the ferial harmony of an operatic aria, with all
the excitement associated with a supernatural
thriller. This was no easy task for Goldsmith.
Audiences are left with a daunting musical prelude
to a contemporary gothic tale of good, evil and the supernatural. A compilation entitled:
"THE OMEN-ESSENTIAL JERRY GOLDSMITH" is currently
available as a 2-disc cd set and includes the very
best scores from this composers incredible career.
These are just a few points regarding the many glorious sights and sounds of POLTERGEIST. While watching the
film, carefully notice the careful shot compositions for each scene. Nothing within the film frame has been left
to chance. Every shot is a complete and utter work of art. The marriage of Spielberg’s compelling screenplay
and Hooper’s unrelenting direction make POLTERGEIST a crowning achievement of contemporary cinema.
It should be noted that POLTERGEIST is in need of
“special-edition” treatment and that MGM SHOULD
RELEASE THIS DISC IMMEDIATELY ON DVD!
04-16-01, 11:16 AM
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People rag on Poltergeist as being cheap teen thrill-fare, but I have a soft spot for it. 
The (bare-bones) DVD holds particular position of esteem on my shelf.
- David Stein
The (bare-bones) DVD holds particular position of esteem on my shelf.- David Stein
04-16-01, 11:24 AM
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Originally posted by sfsdfd
People rag on Poltergeist as being cheap teen thrill-fare, but I have a soft spot for it. The (bare-bones) DVD holds particular position of esteem on my shelf.
- David Stein
People rag on Poltergeist as being cheap teen thrill-fare, but I have a soft spot for it.
The (bare-bones) DVD holds particular position of esteem on my shelf.- David Stein
As it does on my shelf also David....where the hell is Poltergeist II???
