It's been a long time since I've seen a real good haunted house film. The recent ones have been flawed (some more than others) and wannabe hip remakes. Luckily, The Changeling has finally satisfied my spook house wood. I remember when this damn movie came out. I didn't get to see it in the theatre. Years later, I kept missing it on video and over the years found this film hard to come by for some reason. Well, this x-mas, my ass was in luck as I got my greedy claws on a nice new tape. This flick was well worth the wait as it works on every and so many levels. It's not an over-done special FX bonanza, but relies on a strong story, chilling atmosphere, and some very subtle touches of terror. Something as simple as a ball becomes very frightening in The Changeling's scariest scene to me. You know that ball is coming back after it's thrown out and it's still scary. This movie combines the best elements of a murder mystery and a haunted house story. I hope I'm not the only lame-ass that has waited so long to see this. You all seen it, right? George C. Scott should have got an Oscar for this shit. The opening scene, though not bloody, is a real gut punch and adds an element of tragedy from there on. As bad as that seemed, the story behind what happened in this eerie looking house our main character ends up renting is even worse. I won't give no details, but it is fucked up. Looking for a great movie to watch in the dark night? Well, The Changeling might make you have to perform a change of your own.
It's been a long time since I've seen a real good haunted house film. The recent ones have been flawed (some more than others) and wannabe hip remakes. Luckily, The Changeling has finally satisfied my spook house wood. I remember when this damn movie came out. I didn't get to see it in the theatre. Years later, I kept missing it on video and over the years found this film hard to come by for some reason. Well, this x-mas, my ass was in luck as I got my greedy claws on a nice new tape. This flick was well worth the wait as it works on every and so many levels. It's not an over-done special FX bonanza, but relies on a strong story, chilling atmosphere, and some very subtle touches of terror. Something as simple as a ball becomes very frightening in The Changeling's scariest scene to me. You know that ball is coming back after it's thrown out and it's still scary. This movie combines the best elements of a murder mystery and a haunted house story. I hope I'm not the only lame-ass that has waited so long to see this. You all seen it, right? George C. Scott should have got an Oscar for this shit. The opening scene, though not bloody, is a real gut punch and adds an element of tragedy from there on. As bad as that seemed, the story behind what happened in this eerie looking house our main character ends up renting is even worse. I won't give no details, but it is fucked up. Looking for a great movie to watch in the dark night? Well, The Changeling might make you have to perform a change of your own.
