The world is an unfair place, my friends. I had a list about thirty strong compiled, when I accidentally deleted it all and it was lost forever. Yeah, I am a little bitter. So, with that being said, here goes my slightly shorter less in-depth list of movies. This list is in no particular order and is compiled because I am a film-enthusiast, not necessarily because I am any expert on the Occult and religion aint my thang. I'm the wrong one to ask on accuracy for any of the rituals or concepts, and I assume there are holes and misrepresentations in the majority of these films. But anywho, as requested, and without further adieu, I present to you...
I remember my initial list having a bit of a Polanski theme going; Polanski probably has the worst luck in all of Holly Wood. Polanski was a man who seemed to draw inspiration from the Devil, so it became appealing fodder for the media when a ritualistic slaying befell his wife. Tabloids circulated rumors that perhaps Polanski's relationship with the Devil existed not only on film. I do not think Polanski was at all in league with the Devil, but art unfortunately imitated life. Following the murder of his wife Sharon Tate, a certain darkness seemed to follow him. The many emotional scars of his life cast a shadow over his work. My first film is Rosemary's Baby. This is a movie that my mother used to watch religiously throughout her pregnancy with me; this raises a few suspicions as to what she was anticipating from me! Released in 1968, Rosemary's Baby focuses on a young expecting couple who move into a new apartment filled with some very peculiar neighbors. Seems benign enough, but there is of course a lot of supernatural corruption pulling the strings of Rosemary's pregnancy. There is a rumored cameo by Anton LaVey, making the movie even more appropriate!
In 1976 Richard Donner released a similarly chilling film about cinema's most unnerving villains: children. The Omen is essentially the story of how an unsuspecting family adopts the Antichrist. What do we learn from this? Abort, abort, abort.
Wes Craven has had a somewhat spotty track record lately, but he remains a favorite of mine none the less. The Serpent and the Rainbow is his go at voodoo, ritual, and zombies. It's quite exciting if that sort of business tickles your fancy any.
Another Polanski film, yeah, I have a theme going as it seems. This was not exactly his most popular film, but The Ninth Gate is a favorite of mine. My mother is a connoisseur of horror, and I fully credit her for introducing me to this film when I was a kid. It's slow to unravel, but it is beautiful and brooding the whole while. Johnny Depp plays a collector of rare books on the hunt for a book rumored to be penned by the Devil. As he travels Europe in pursuit of the elusive book, he begins to discover that evil follows him as well.
Ken Russel's 1971's classic The Devils is about a (conspiracy to convince the towns people that a) demonic possession has befallen a nunnery. Loosely based on factual events. As much about the Occult as it is about corruption.
I really do credit The Manson Family murders for issuing forth a new era, especially for Holly Wood. The sixties were over, and suddenly Los Angeleans had reason to lock their doors at night and be wary of strangers. I think trends in cinema can be a very good allegory for the fears and concerns of society at the time, and in the late sixties and early seventies, the Devil was Holly Wood's leading man. Evil was an exciting anomaly for movie-goers, and thank goodness for it because it led to the creation to some of the best horror movies. One of which is 1973's The Exorcist. This is the quintessential horror movie that continues to make movie-goers today a little uncomfortable. This series has had quite the legacy, spawning dozens of (bad) sequels and prequels. It's got to be commended when a film comes along with as much lasting power as The Exorcist.
Haxan is a silent pseudo-documentary with dramatic reenactments of certain events pertaining to the business of witchcraft in Europe. It is an interesting addition to anyone's collection whether you are a movie-buff or an aficionado of the Occult. Just be advised, despite my love affair with William Burroughs, the original silent version is far superior to the version he narrated.
Lucifer Rising is an obscure little entity. A little creepy, and very much 1960's New Age kitsch. The film has an eccentric cast including Marianne Faithful, Kenneth Anger, and Bobby Beusoleil of Manson Family fame. Beusoleil made most of the music in the film while in prison; he was arrested for the murder of his music teacher Mr. Hinman. Hinman was the first victim of the Manson Family.
MOVIES ABOUT THE OCCULT
I remember my initial list having a bit of a Polanski theme going; Polanski probably has the worst luck in all of Holly Wood. Polanski was a man who seemed to draw inspiration from the Devil, so it became appealing fodder for the media when a ritualistic slaying befell his wife. Tabloids circulated rumors that perhaps Polanski's relationship with the Devil existed not only on film. I do not think Polanski was at all in league with the Devil, but art unfortunately imitated life. Following the murder of his wife Sharon Tate, a certain darkness seemed to follow him. The many emotional scars of his life cast a shadow over his work. My first film is Rosemary's Baby. This is a movie that my mother used to watch religiously throughout her pregnancy with me; this raises a few suspicions as to what she was anticipating from me! Released in 1968, Rosemary's Baby focuses on a young expecting couple who move into a new apartment filled with some very peculiar neighbors. Seems benign enough, but there is of course a lot of supernatural corruption pulling the strings of Rosemary's pregnancy. There is a rumored cameo by Anton LaVey, making the movie even more appropriate!
In 1976 Richard Donner released a similarly chilling film about cinema's most unnerving villains: children. The Omen is essentially the story of how an unsuspecting family adopts the Antichrist. What do we learn from this? Abort, abort, abort.
Wes Craven has had a somewhat spotty track record lately, but he remains a favorite of mine none the less. The Serpent and the Rainbow is his go at voodoo, ritual, and zombies. It's quite exciting if that sort of business tickles your fancy any.
Another Polanski film, yeah, I have a theme going as it seems. This was not exactly his most popular film, but The Ninth Gate is a favorite of mine. My mother is a connoisseur of horror, and I fully credit her for introducing me to this film when I was a kid. It's slow to unravel, but it is beautiful and brooding the whole while. Johnny Depp plays a collector of rare books on the hunt for a book rumored to be penned by the Devil. As he travels Europe in pursuit of the elusive book, he begins to discover that evil follows him as well.
Ken Russel's 1971's classic The Devils is about a (conspiracy to convince the towns people that a) demonic possession has befallen a nunnery. Loosely based on factual events. As much about the Occult as it is about corruption.
I really do credit The Manson Family murders for issuing forth a new era, especially for Holly Wood. The sixties were over, and suddenly Los Angeleans had reason to lock their doors at night and be wary of strangers. I think trends in cinema can be a very good allegory for the fears and concerns of society at the time, and in the late sixties and early seventies, the Devil was Holly Wood's leading man. Evil was an exciting anomaly for movie-goers, and thank goodness for it because it led to the creation to some of the best horror movies. One of which is 1973's The Exorcist. This is the quintessential horror movie that continues to make movie-goers today a little uncomfortable. This series has had quite the legacy, spawning dozens of (bad) sequels and prequels. It's got to be commended when a film comes along with as much lasting power as The Exorcist.
Haxan is a silent pseudo-documentary with dramatic reenactments of certain events pertaining to the business of witchcraft in Europe. It is an interesting addition to anyone's collection whether you are a movie-buff or an aficionado of the Occult. Just be advised, despite my love affair with William Burroughs, the original silent version is far superior to the version he narrated.
Lucifer Rising is an obscure little entity. A little creepy, and very much 1960's New Age kitsch. The film has an eccentric cast including Marianne Faithful, Kenneth Anger, and Bobby Beusoleil of Manson Family fame. Beusoleil made most of the music in the film while in prison; he was arrested for the murder of his music teacher Mr. Hinman. Hinman was the first victim of the Manson Family.
Just choosing to forget the dismal remake, the 1973 The Wicker Man is definitely a worthy addition for its depiction of Pagan Rites. A classic, the film follows a police officer as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of a little girl in a very strange town.
Above video is proof of how ridiculous the remake is. For your laughing pleasure only.
Polanksi makes another appearance on the list in his 1970's adaptation of Macbeth. This was Polanksi's first film following the traumatic Manson murders.
Eyes Wide Shut was Kubrick's final film and I thought it was so close to being a perfect film; if you can ignore its minor flaws and Tom Cruise's crazy scientologist eyes, it is a beautiful film so thickly drenched in symbolism. The pace is slow, but all the better to absorb the images
House of the Devil is a more recent addition to Horror movie history. It is made in the tradition of the scary movies of yester-year, and culminates in gloriously campy style.
(the following scene is a potential major spoiler)
House of the Devil is a more recent addition to Horror movie history. It is made in the tradition of the scary movies of yester-year, and culminates in gloriously campy style.
Fuck you, Hocus Pocus is a good movie. An accurate fair portrayal of Witches that does not pawn them off as one-dimensioal villains? Of course not. But they do ride flying vacuums through the night sky. I watched it all year round as a kid, and twice as often around Halloween. Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker (and that other woman, but she doesn't matter) as witches scouring the town for kiddies to eat? Sounds like a plan to me!
I'll add more as I recall them. I'm uh a little short on my list of thirty :|
2 comments:
no The Craft?
No Craft; the person who requested the list included The Craft as one of their examples, so I didn't think to include it. I thought about the witches of eastwick, practical magic, and even pi for the kabalah, but meh I decided otherwise. The Craft just seemed kinda flaccid when compared to the other movies, and most people have seen it. nice demonstration of the rule of three, but way too clueless meets crowley for my taste to get an honorable nod for accuracy. Just personal opinion, and I'm saving Pi for another list.
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