B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - DEAD END (2003)

Made for less than a million dollars, the slightly obscure Dead End is a chilling little indie you don't want to miss. It might just be the best Christmas horror movie no one ever heard of and every dollar is up there on the screen. It's quirky, weird, funny, bizarre, and scary all at once. Black comedy for sure but much more, this would make a nice double feature with The Perfect Host, another movie we're big on around here. So, grab some eggnog and a snack or two and check out the inimitable Ray Wise with legendary Lin Shaye as they take their family down a wrong turn, what's up with this road? Why doesn't it end? After all, they're just trying to make it to Christmas Eve dessert at Frank's mother's house. Tubi, Plex, Freevee, enjoy! 2.75 stars/2.75

Thursday, February 3, 2022

JODIE FOSTER IS "THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE" (1976) - AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL HORROR MYSTERY SUSPENSE GENRE BENDING CLASSIC

 

A Canadian & French co-production, Jodie Foster absolutely kills it (ha ha) as a very independent 13-year-old living alone in a big house. No one in the quaint little Maine town can quite figure out what her trip is and why her dad is never home. She forms an alliance with another kid who is a magician (Scott Jacoby) and this becomes a romance. Meanwhile, the landlord's creepy son (Martin Sheen in scene-stealing form) thinks he's figured it all out and keeps coming around. 

Is it a teenage love story or horror, suspense, murder mystery, even a children's rights movie, what is it? The mashup of genres is a large part of what makes the brilliance of this low-budget gem. The movie caused a little controversy and Foster almost walked off set due to a nude scene (really more of a shot than scene) which was eventually performed by her older sister as body double. 

Brilliantly directed and the classical score by Christian Gaubert just totally makes the film. Available on a variety of streaming platforms and currently on sale for five bucks HD on Amazon. Trust me, you don't wanna miss this one.  2.75 stars/2.75

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