February 2021 Review: The Best Movies I Saw Last Month
Originally published March 4, 2021
Okay, I don’t really want to talk much about last month because as someone living in Texas, it was rough. The movies I watched were also largely disappointing. Despite that I was able to watch 38 movies.
BEST #3) Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979); Director: Werner Herzog; West Germany, France
A remake of the classic 1922 film, Nosferatu the Vampyre is a faithful retelling of the acclaimed Bram Stoker novel “Dracula”. Jonathan Harker makes the month-long journey to Transylvania in hopes of selling a house in Wismar to rich shut in Count Dracula. Upon arrival Harker is met with distrust from the locals and strange behavior from his host. After some deception, Harker is left locked in the castle and besieged with a mysterious ailment while Count Dracula steals away in the night to Wismar, bringing pestilence and death in his wake. This chilling and contemplative late 70s film is incredibly tense and unwavering in its vision. With strong characterization and dark imagery, this iteration of the archetypal Eastern European vampire story is an uncomfortable experience. Overflowing with folklore, melancholy, and rats, this tale stays true to the roots of the story of Dracula and the mythology behind vampires before they were popularized by modern media. Another strong positive to this film is its fantastic cast. Klaus Kinski’s performance of Count Dracula, in particular, is inspired and draws on fewer antisemitic tropes than earlier adaptations and the source material do. For fans of spellbinding folk horror and genre enthusiasts, look no further than this must-watch standard.
Overall Score? 8/10
BEST #2) From Beyond (1986); Director: Stuart Gordon; United States
Full disclosure before I start with this review, I may or may not have seen this film before this month. There were some discrepancies with my watchlist and I had recorded it somewhere but not elsewhere. Regardless, the film felt familiar but I could only recall seeing one scene, which could have been from a trailer. I decided to treat it as a new watch because my original score was incredibly off.
An adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft short story, From Beyond starts off with two scientists from Miskatronic University developing a machine, the Resonator, to interact with other realities. After a disastrous experiment claims the life of the lead researcher, a psychiatrist takes the institutionalized physician back to the house where the horror started to recreate the experiment in an effort to free him from his confinement and gain notoriety in her field. Once they set up camp and repair the Resonator, things begin slipping back into the chaos. From Beyond is a bonkers science fiction horror film that throws a lot at the viewers. Bizarre creatures, specters made of malleable flesh, and a world parallel to our own threaten the safety and sanity of the group tasked with performing this experiment. While the effects are a little dated, they are incredibly well-done for their time, they create some pretty grotesque and imaginative creatures. Bright lights and beautiful cinematography help elevate the film to something beautifully macabre. Solid performances, strong characters, and a great script make for an overall invigorating and creepy viewing experience. You don’t have to look too far to find something wickedly fun in From Beyond.
Overall Score? 8/10
BEST #1) The Haunting (1963); Director: Robert Wise; United Kingdom
Based on the Shirley Jackson novel, “The Haunting of Hill House”, The Haunting tells the fascinating story of a house that consumes all those who inhabit its dark walls. Dr. John Markway has assembled a team of psychics and the descendant of the house’s current owner to perform a series of experiments in its supposedly haunted halls. Among these guests is Eleanor, an insecure and troubled woman with a sad past and a remarkable sense of closeness to the spirits that live in Hill House. An absolute classic, The Haunting is still an incredibly affecting film. Tense, uncomfortable, and overall seeping with dread, director Robert Wise masterfully crafts an atmosphere that stays with the viewer long after watching. We are treated to fantastic world-building as we learn of the fates of those who reside in the infamous Hill House and the true nature of why those gifted with psychic abilities are asked to journey to its perilous wonders. Julie Harris gives an excellent performance as the tortured Eleanor, vacillating between madness and extreme self-consciousness. She operates as both unlikable in her actions yet incredibly familiar and sympathetic in her situation and fear. She’s a great, memorable character along with the bold and charming Theodora, played by Claire Bloom, whose character is known for her lesbian undertones. Fans of classic horror theater will find comfort and joy in this solid supernatural horror story.
Overall Score? 9/10
