In grade school, every Halloween was marked by a showing of Abbott and Costello Meet the Wolfman (and then playing it in reverse, to the tune of “The Monster Mash”). Now I just do horror films, trying to snatch up recent or older releases for the weeks leading up to 10/31. So…
I started with Lucky McKee’s The Woods, an ultimately-too-predictable take on the gothic: schoolgirls, families both redemptive and corrupted, the dangers of nature, and hints and allegations of sexualities outside of respectable range. Set in 1965, it follows a young, psychically-gifted rapscallion (Agnes Bruckner), sent away for pyromania to the strangely tree-infested academy run by Patricia Clarkson and a bevy of odd-bird women. What’s good about it: McKee has a gorgeous eye (and ear) for the spooky, and the film works despite itself in many instances. The cast is keen, especially Clarkson (and even has a very restrained Bruce Campbell), and there are touches of adolescent sarcasm and sexual agency that were smarter than your average bear. Continue reading Halloween