Martin Scorsese placed Robert Wise’s legendary 1963 haunted-house chiller The Haunting number one on his list of the scariest movies of all-time. Although I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it is, Scorsese isn’t completely wrong. In the film, which I would consider to be the greatest haunted-house film ever made, not much is shown. It’s a ghost story without ghosts; sexual repression/lesbianism without the sex; and a definitive example of the “less is more” technique where what you don’t see is more horrifying than what you do. It may not keep you up at night, but make no mistake, it is quite the experience.
Buy The HauntingThe film stars Julie Harris as Eleanor, a fragile young woman with severe emotional/mental issues; Claire Bloom as Theodora, a bold psychic; Russ Tamblyn as cynical Luke; and Richard Johnson as Dr. John Markway, an anthropologist with an interest in the supernatural, who brings them all together to explore Hill House, a gargantuan and reportedly haunted mansion with a disturbing past. They immediately experience strange and creepy sounds and events, and Eleanor begins to believe that the house is alive and talking to her. Is this the whole thing just all in her mind or is there actually something sinisterly wrong with Hill House?
Like I said before, the film takes a psychological approach to creep you out. Nothing is spelled out, but you know that whatever is happening (or not), you know that it’s not good. That’s the essence of a classic film like this; it allows you to come up with own answers while continuing to linger in the mind. It may not be the scariest film ever made, but it certainly comes close.
Making its 4K UHD debut this week from Shout/Scream Factory, I’m sure that the scares will be even more heightened with new sound and picture. However, I wouldn’t call it a “collector’s edition.” It doesn’t have that many special features, just two new commentaries: one with actor/writer Tracy Letts and film critic Sean Fennessey, the other with Dr. Karen Stollznow, Matt Baxter, and Blake Smith of Monster Talk. There’s also the original commentary with Wise, screenwriter Nelson Gidding, and actors Harris, Bloom, Tamblyn, and Johnson; and theatrical trailer. But despite that, it should make a worthwhile addition to your collection, assuming if you don’t already own it or you want to upgrade your old copy.
Other notable releases:
Sentimental Value (Criterion): Joachim Trier’s latest Oscar-winning triumph stars Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas as two sisters Nora and Agnes, reuniting with their estranged father (Stellan Skarsgard), a once acclaimed director who offers Nora a role in his comeback film. When she turns him down, she discovers that he’s given her part to a young Hollywood actress (Elle Fanning).
Lenny 4K & Blu-ray (Criterion): Bob Fosse’s striking and bold Oscar-nominated portrait of controversial and groundbreaking stand-up comic Lenny Bruce (Dustin Hoffman) who ruffled many feathers and the public with his anti-establishment politics and his scatological humor. Also starring the late, great Valerie Perrine as his stripper/showgirl wife Honey Bruce.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (A24): Rose Bryne gives an earth shattering, Oscar-nominated performance as a Long Island-based therapist and mother, navigating her way through an emotional minefield while trying to help others with their issues.
Hi, Mom (Radiance Films): The great Robert De Niro in Brian De Palma’s 1970 dark comedy as a Vietnam vet who moves into an apartment and looks into other people’s windows across the street, where he meets one of the women, and discovers black theater.
Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (Cinematographe/Vinegar Syndrome): Robert Altman’s low-key but emotionally riveting filmed stage play about the Disciples of James Dean, a group of multifaceted women (including Sandy Dennis, Cher, and Karen Black) who meet up on the anniversary of his death and deal with the wounds and revealing secrets of their own lives.
