That's Science Fiction!
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The Changeling (1980)
2/7/12 event recap by Ann-Marie
February's theme is vanishings, disappearances and kidnappings.
That's Science Fiction! offered the creepy and Gothic-feeling The
Changeling (1980). The mysterious disappearance of a young boy,
that no one noticed, has one ghost a little more than mad.....and out
for vengeance.
The Changeling, starring George C. Scott, tells a good ghost story.
Chris described it as an "intelligent ghost story". The film uses the
setting to its full advantage - derelict mansion set waaaay back from
the main road, isolated but certainly not empty. It uses a slow build
rather than cheap, expected tactics.
George C. Scott plays John Russell, a composer living in New York City
with his wife and daughter. The family is on a vacation in upstate New
York when tragedy strikes. Their car breaks down and while Russell
goes to call for roadside assistance, his wife and daughter are struck
and killed by a truck. Russell packs up his NY apartment, takes a
new job teaching music at university in Seattle. He rents a large, old,
eerie Victorian-era mansion and begins piecing his life back together.
Russell soon learns he is not alone in the mansion. Doors open and
close on their own. Strange noises echo throughout the house.
Windows shatter. Russell then finds a room in the attic that had been
boarded up and hidden. Once the door is opened the manifestations
get stronger and more frequent. He begins asking questions and
wants answers.
Russell has a medium come to the house and a seance is held. The
scene is tense as the door in the attic slowly opens and you get the
point-of-view of the ghost as he travels down the stairs. As the
medium asks questions, Russell records the event. Things begin to
escalate and a glass is thrown across the room. Later, Russell listens
to the tape and discovers the ghost has been recorded and tells his
sad and horrifying tale. A terrible murder, a body in a well, an
increasingly angry ghost all lead to a terrifying climax that involves a
murder and cover-up that lead to a powerful and wealthy Senator.
The film was enjoyed by all. It had some genuinely scary moments
and kept the creep factor going. We all kept telling George C. Scott
to not go there, not do that - did he listen - no. It was decided we
would've done things differently....like run out of the house and not
look back at the first sign of ghostly company!! I made no pretenses
that I probably would not have gone in that creepy mansion in the
first place. No way. If it looked that creepy from the outside, of
course there would be something even creepier inside. Scary movie
rule!
Newcomer Eric enjoyed the feel of the film and was shocked at how
little reaction George C. Scott's character seemed to have to the
antics of the ghost. Todd explained that Scott was Paton and
therefore immune to fear.
Jared wants a creepy wheelchair to growl at him and chase him. Most
hysterical moment of the night - had to be there. I think Jared may
still be laughing and looking for a little, old, rickety wheelchair.
Todd can't believe George C. Scott did not heed his multiple warnings!
We all agreed the red-striped ball was menacing.
Well done and enjoyable film. We all had a good time and most of
the group continued the night at the diner.
2/7/12 event recap by Ann-Marie
February's theme is vanishings, disappearances and kidnappings.
That's Science Fiction! offered the creepy and Gothic-feeling The
Changeling (1980). The mysterious disappearance of a young boy,
that no one noticed, has one ghost a little more than mad.....and out
for vengeance.
The Changeling, starring George C. Scott, tells a good ghost story.
Chris described it as an "intelligent ghost story". The film uses the
setting to its full advantage - derelict mansion set waaaay back from
the main road, isolated but certainly not empty. It uses a slow build
rather than cheap, expected tactics.
George C. Scott plays John Russell, a composer living in New York City
with his wife and daughter. The family is on a vacation in upstate New
York when tragedy strikes. Their car breaks down and while Russell
goes to call for roadside assistance, his wife and daughter are struck
and killed by a truck. Russell packs up his NY apartment, takes a
new job teaching music at university in Seattle. He rents a large, old,
eerie Victorian-era mansion and begins piecing his life back together.
Russell soon learns he is not alone in the mansion. Doors open and
close on their own. Strange noises echo throughout the house.
Windows shatter. Russell then finds a room in the attic that had been
boarded up and hidden. Once the door is opened the manifestations
get stronger and more frequent. He begins asking questions and
wants answers.
Russell has a medium come to the house and a seance is held. The
scene is tense as the door in the attic slowly opens and you get the
point-of-view of the ghost as he travels down the stairs. As the
medium asks questions, Russell records the event. Things begin to
escalate and a glass is thrown across the room. Later, Russell listens
to the tape and discovers the ghost has been recorded and tells his
sad and horrifying tale. A terrible murder, a body in a well, an
increasingly angry ghost all lead to a terrifying climax that involves a
murder and cover-up that lead to a powerful and wealthy Senator.
The film was enjoyed by all. It had some genuinely scary moments
and kept the creep factor going. We all kept telling George C. Scott
to not go there, not do that - did he listen - no. It was decided we
would've done things differently....like run out of the house and not
look back at the first sign of ghostly company!! I made no pretenses
that I probably would not have gone in that creepy mansion in the
first place. No way. If it looked that creepy from the outside, of
course there would be something even creepier inside. Scary movie
rule!
Newcomer Eric enjoyed the feel of the film and was shocked at how
little reaction George C. Scott's character seemed to have to the
antics of the ghost. Todd explained that Scott was Paton and
therefore immune to fear.
Jared wants a creepy wheelchair to growl at him and chase him. Most
hysterical moment of the night - had to be there. I think Jared may
still be laughing and looking for a little, old, rickety wheelchair.
Todd can't believe George C. Scott did not heed his multiple warnings!
We all agreed the red-striped ball was menacing.
Well done and enjoyable film. We all had a good time and most of
the group continued the night at the diner.
Coming soon...
Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - 7p
Hillsdale Public Library
509 Hillsdale Avenue
Hillsdale, NJ 07642
201-358-5072
This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month to view
SF and other genre related films.
*For the complete line-up of films for 2012 scroll down below
trailer and event recap.
This month we give a nod to all things Eirinn.
A tale about a wily Irishman and his battle of wits with
leprechauns. Darby spends most of his time in the town
pub, regaling his friends with tales of his attempts to catch
the leprechauns, in particular, their king, Brian Connors. His
boasting gets the wee folk angry.
This delightful film features many faery creature of Celtic
folklore - pooka, banshee and the little people.
Dining follows the movie.
Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - 7p
Hillsdale Public Library
509 Hillsdale Avenue
Hillsdale, NJ 07642
201-358-5072
This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month to view
SF and other genre related films.
*For the complete line-up of films for 2012 scroll down below
trailer and event recap.
This month we give a nod to all things Eirinn.
A tale about a wily Irishman and his battle of wits with
leprechauns. Darby spends most of his time in the town
pub, regaling his friends with tales of his attempts to catch
the leprechauns, in particular, their king, Brian Connors. His
boasting gets the wee folk angry.
This delightful film features many faery creature of Celtic
folklore - pooka, banshee and the little people.
Dining follows the movie.
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| Click on each month for a description of each film with ratings, actors, directors and more as listed on IMDb. |
