(I say part 1 because I'm definitely planning on watching more Hitchcock movies later this month, so there might be a part 2 by November.)
Hotel Transylvania. This one was just okay. I liked seeing the spoofs of classic monsters, but honestly, Pixar makes such amazing films that they've ruined most other animated films for me. They just never measure up!
Dracula. I love old movies, but I feel like I'm lacking in the area of classic horror films. I watched the 1931 Frankenstein (and the Bride of Frankenstein) a couple of years ago and I caught The Blob last year on TCM, but that's about it. So a couple of weeks ago I watched the 1931 Dracula, and wow. It was entertaining and hilarious, but not the least bit creepy. (I guess I shouldn't have expected it to be. I'm a scaredy cat and don't watch truly scary movies. But I can't see how anyone could ever watch this, even back in the 30s, and be scared by it.) Bela Lugosi was so dramatic and over-the-top that it cracked me up. My favorite part was how they shined light on his face to give the appearance of his eyes glowing when he was mind-controlling people. At least I think that's what they were going for.
The Addams Family. This one probably isn't very good, but I love it because I grew up watching it and it makes me feel nostalgic. And honestly, I much prefer it to the TV show. The humor and kookiness of it always makes me smile.
The 39 Steps. I watched the newer Persuasion again recently (it didn't make this list because I'm rereading the book and planning a post about both), which stars Rupert Penry-Jones. That reminded me that I wanted to see him again in The 39 Steps, which reminded me that I wanted to watch the Alfred Hitchcock film before watching the remake. The 1935 version was pretty good. It was intriguing and I wasn't sure what was happening (I haven't seen the remake since it came on PBS, so I couldn't really remember the plot). But as far as Hitchcock films go, it wasn't particularly memorable or one of my favorites.
The Age of Adaline. This movie doesn't really fit in with the fall or Halloween theme, but I was reminded recently (by Rissi) that I had wanted to see it when it released on DVD. I enjoyed it more than I expected to! It was a very quiet film, and much sadder than I expected. (Particularly the whole aspect of Adaline being "younger" than her elderly daughter. And the dog part, because why is it impossible to even have a dog in a movie without it ending in heartbreak??) The whole basis of the plot was interesting (definitely reminiscent of Tuck Everlasting, one of my favorite books), and despite the annoying narrator, I really liked it.
What are your favorite films to watch this time of year?
I'm watching The Addams Family on Netflix right now. It's a great movie that I've seen many times and is a better representation of Charles Addams' humor style than the TV show (which I also like).
ReplyDeleteThis time of year always makes me want to watch some of the old Hammer horror movies with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.
I like the humor in the film a lot better. The TV is just too cheesy for me...it feels like it's trying too hard. (Sort of like Gilligan's Island.) I used to be able to handle that kind of humor but now I don't really like it! :) I've never seen any of those films.
DeleteYep, I saw the 1931 Dracula recently, and pretty much giggled the whole time. ;) It was hilariously weird, I'm not sure what the director had in mind...
ReplyDeleteIn the fall, I like to watch the old Disney animated "Legend of Sleepy Hollow," kinda cheesy but a nostalgia trip. And a couple of years ago, my family and I watched Vincent Price's "Twice-Told Tales," which was really weird but interesting.
I'm not sure either, ha! I mean, classic movies can be scary (Psycho and The Birds come to mind), but there's really nothing creepy about the classic Dracula.
DeleteI've only seen the Disney Legend of Sleepy Hollow once, a year or two ago.
Fun list, Kristin. I love the newer version of The 39 Steps. It's such a fun little "cozy" mystery, and far more comedic than I anticipated. Yay for "Adaline." That's a beautiful movie albeit a mistake was made where the narrator was concerned. Who thought it was a good idea to have a staid scientific voice overpowering a fairytale esque movie!? ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the mention. :)
I'm looking forward to watching the newer adaptation again! Yes...the narrator felt so awkward and out of place. I think we had a pretty good idea of what was happening without the voiceover, ha.
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