I neglected to mention a couple of the more modern horror movies I liked, one great the other pretty good but has one of my favorite "old queen" moments in a movie that isn't "The Birdcage."So, the photo above. You recall "Rosemary's Baby", right? Mia Farrow moves into the creepy Dakota hotel off Central Park and Satanic hijinks and hilarity ensue. The end of the movie is great, all these old codgers gathered around the newly-born baby who "has his father's eyes." Then the gentleman on the far left of this picture exclaims, in the QUEENIE-EST voice possible "Hail, Satan!" It's great, made me laugh. He sounded like Charlie-in-the Box from the Island of Misfit Toys.
My worst OMISSION was perhaps the best horror movie ever made, Stanley Kubrick's version of "The Shining." It was a simple little ghost story that, through it's transition from book to film, was a masterpiece of the genre. Yeah, I think Alien is good for some scares, too. Let me say this: the Stephen King novel was far superior to this movie. I think I know why King hated this version of his book......the movie has suspense, chills, and alot of creepy moments, but it lacks the heart and emotional moments King infuses in his book. From what one hears about Kubrick, this shouldn't be surprising, as he was apparently known to be a cold and clinical guy. In novel form, The Shining tells a family's story that ends with the father's redemption, fighting off the evil spirits' possession:
"But suddenly his daddy was there, looking at him in mortal agony, and a sorrow so great that Danny's heart flamed within his chest."
Kubrick's movie ignores the heart that King put in his book. I think, to King, this was an unforgiveable sin against his creation. Still, what the movie lacks in human drama it makes up for in cold terror. Great movie.
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Uh-oh, the line means I'm switching gears. I hit 39 on the odometer this morning and my family remembered and made me breakfast and one of my daughters wrote me an acrostic. So far, feels alot like 38. One of the dopey things I happen to like about Facebook is how everyone you're "friends" with sends birthday wishes. I know, it's Facebook and silly but it's not like these folks HAVE to send me anything at all - so the fact that they take a quick moment on my account is nice. Thanks, all.
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45-42 thus far this season, here comes another week of picks:
Miami at Cincinnati: Dolphins, until Bengals right the ship, I think it's sinking.....
Jacksonville at Dallas: gotta go (reluctantly) with Dallas, at home this week.
Washington at Detroit: Detroit is a better team than their record, but I'm banking on McNabb rebounding from a lousy Sunday in Chicago. I've been wrong alot, but Redskins.
Buffalo at KC: Chiefs at home.
Carolina at St. Louis: Long season in Carolina, heh, Rams.
Green Bay at NY Jets: why isn't THIS on Sunday or Monday Night? Jets.
Denver at San Francisco: in London, where both teams are considered "bloody good." 49ers.
Tennessee at San Diego: inconsistent Chargers gotta check their guts to see if they have 4 quarters in them. But I'll take them to upset the Titans. Chargers.
Tampa at Arizona: Cardinals.
Minnesota at New England: Brett Favre blah blah blah. Why send photos to someone who doesn't want them? That is the very creepiest part of his saga. Patriots.
Seattle at Oakland: to old AFC West rivalry, both teams a little up-and-down. Raiders.
Pittsburgh at New Orleans: didn't this game look great a month ago? Uh-oh, I think The Rapist will have a good game and take advantage (ha ha) of the lousy Saints d-backs. Steelers.
Houston at Indy: Colts at home.
SEE? Every time I get over the .500 mark I start picking crazy upsets. The safe bet is to take the Lions and Titans this week, and to perhaps discount the Raiders domination of the Broncos last week. I'm playing with house money, so no worries.
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