OK Harry with the 5 variable * 5 point scoring matrix.
John Travolta is in this? Forgettable. I remember so many of these scenes, it's another indelible one. High school is so primitive, so many authors and filmmakers capture it perfectly. Awesome review dude!
Loved this. I’ve seen Carrie a bunch of times, and I still think De Palma wrings so much out of every ugly, operatic beat in it. You really got at how cruel and sad the movie is before the nightmare fully takes over, and the Piper Laurie stuff especially was dead-on.
Thanks Sean! It's a nasty narrative isn't it. De Palma does miss a few moments I appreciate in the text, but he definitely makes up for it with the way he delivers the story.
I don't know if I have a single favorite moment, it's more the way the entire tapestry of moments are woven together and the most impactful moments are too sad and/or horrifying to be called favorites. Even the bits where she kills her worst and most deserving of death tormentors are so much a part of things going so horribly wrong for her that it's impossible to take much satisfaction.
The moments leading up to the bucket fall are the most ... I dunno what, exactly, but the most something.
Strong answer. I know what you mean. It's a grim tale, is Carrie. Bleak.
Score wise, I just mean what total would you get using the table I use to score films! I recently put out an explanation of how it works - but no pressure to read that.
This is hard. I confess I don't understand "sick" even after the explanation. I mean, I'd just give it a 10/10 and call it a day, but in this system ... I'm going to insist in giving it a 5 for cultural significance even tho only 3 is possible coz I think it goes beyond a normal horror classic in this regard,and it is fun even tho its awful and not trying to be fun a la parts of my namesake's series or those with a comic edge so my 4 there might seem weird and 2 on the sick score so ....hang on let me go back and look again
While I thought it was odd that we didn't get any reaction to Travolta and Allen on the outcome of their awful prank, I think I'm okay with it. The story isn't about vengeance at this point: we're in Old Testament territory. We don't need to hear the dumb villains try and make sense of it or for Carrie to temporarily start talking again in order to give a cheesey one-liner about comeuppance.
Yeah, definitely think it'd cut the tension to have Carrie giving a whole monologue. That said, she does do a little talking in the novel when she finally returns home.
fantastic write up!! I was staring at my Stephen King shelf today thinking about how I should get around to reading Carrie, especially since it's so short. Sounds like there's some fun differences in the movie and novel that I'd enjoy. Do you have any thoughts on the 2013 remake?
Thanks!! It's absolutely worth the read, it bombs along. In terms of the remake, I've not seen it, apart from bits, and while I appreciate the more violent side of Carrie we get to see with Chloe Grace Moritz, I'm not sure we really needed the film. What do you think?
I adore Sissy Spacek...now I absolutely need to go rewatch this! Great analysis! I remember not hating the 2013 remake but I think thats only bc I like Chloe Grace Moretz a lot. I also do not remember John Travolta from this at all lol
An absolutely top tier review, Harry! Carrie has been on my mind a lot lately, and I'm due for a re-watch sometime soon. This write-up has brought that screaming to the forefront of my mind, that's for sure. I actually had forgotten John Travolta was in the movie somehow. O.o And I completely agree that both Spacek and Laurie are just *chef's kiss* perfect casting.
I've never read Carrie, but it's on my list. I think I'll have to bump it to the top.
I still find this film so primally difficult to watch...Carrie's mother is such a traitor to the feminine; it's just a tremendously archetypal film, and I think it's probably the best Stephen King adaptation short of Pet Semetery...Thanks, Harry!
Another gem from you, Harry. I wouldn't say Travolta is unforgettable, but his younger self fused into Billy was one of the reasons people used to call him "John Revolting" at one time long, long ago. True story.
Also, I respect where you're coming from about the ending, but the caveat I always offer is that King wrote it with boulder-sized, hail-fireballs pounding the White house to oblivion and a hell-wrought fury over the town. DePalma simply didn't have the available technology to pull that off back then, even if it may come off as hokey to future audiences. Ditto for the Sue Snell grab, but I can tell you, me, my mom and my stepbrother jumped off the sofa the first time we saw that. Less desensitized times. I'm actually GRATEFUL we bought into it. It remains a family hallmark of horror viewing, lol.
Piper Laurie, 'nuff said. Also, sidebar, I frequently write with Pino Dinaggio's score for this film going. I love every sick lick of it.
Other sidebar, be on the lookout for a new Carrie miniseries coming to Netflix from Mike and Jamie Flanagan!
I do see what you mean about the technological limitations. I think DePalma took it in a pretty great direction! Hallmark horror is definitely the right word for it.
And hell yeah, Piper Laurie is superb.
Thanks so much for your comment! I'm always learning something new from you.
Love this movie and the novel! The pig factory they go to was one that I used to pass in the car quite a bit when I was a kid, so it always was a special one to me. I’ve always felt Sue was innocent in the prom sequence but just in shock at what was happening.
This is excellent, Harry! I wish I could experience Carrie without the foreknowledge of the ending - it would be so shocking. I still remember watching this with my cousins when I was ten or so, and giving my younger cousin shit for being scared - but really I was trying to convince myself I wasn't scared, lol. Such a freaking classic.
This is an embarrassing moment to admit I’ve never seen it 🙈 Any imagery associated with it used to freak me out as a kid…seems like I never quite got past it. Buuuuut, you’ve rated this as “a bit scary” so I have total faith I can get through this absolute classic. Love your passion & enthusiasm for this film - you’ve sold me to give it a try!
Clearly with the opening sequence, DePalma is following the cinematic tradition of Hitchcock: a voyeuristic shower scene. That, or he just likes to have a lot of dirty pillows in his movies.
OK Harry with the 5 variable * 5 point scoring matrix.
John Travolta is in this? Forgettable. I remember so many of these scenes, it's another indelible one. High school is so primitive, so many authors and filmmakers capture it perfectly. Awesome review dude!
Thanks for reading! What's your score 👀
Indelible is the Perfect word here. Nailed it!!!
Since I am a school nerd, I have to say the 17/23 gives this a 74% score and it feels more like B+/A- territory?
So I'd have to give it at least 21 points. I'm not using the matrix, just doing simple math to get it 90% 😂
😂man if I go on math alone it's at least 22. Complete and utter banger movie!
Loved this. I’ve seen Carrie a bunch of times, and I still think De Palma wrings so much out of every ugly, operatic beat in it. You really got at how cruel and sad the movie is before the nightmare fully takes over, and the Piper Laurie stuff especially was dead-on.
Thanks Sean! It's a nasty narrative isn't it. De Palma does miss a few moments I appreciate in the text, but he definitely makes up for it with the way he delivers the story.
Excellent recap of my favorite of all his novels, I think, and all the film adaptions, by far.
I think we're in agreement. Gotta ask, favourite moment, and what's your score?
I don't know if I have a single favorite moment, it's more the way the entire tapestry of moments are woven together and the most impactful moments are too sad and/or horrifying to be called favorites. Even the bits where she kills her worst and most deserving of death tormentors are so much a part of things going so horribly wrong for her that it's impossible to take much satisfaction.
The moments leading up to the bucket fall are the most ... I dunno what, exactly, but the most something.
Score?
Strong answer. I know what you mean. It's a grim tale, is Carrie. Bleak.
Score wise, I just mean what total would you get using the table I use to score films! I recently put out an explanation of how it works - but no pressure to read that.
This is hard. I confess I don't understand "sick" even after the explanation. I mean, I'd just give it a 10/10 and call it a day, but in this system ... I'm going to insist in giving it a 5 for cultural significance even tho only 3 is possible coz I think it goes beyond a normal horror classic in this regard,and it is fun even tho its awful and not trying to be fun a la parts of my namesake's series or those with a comic edge so my 4 there might seem weird and 2 on the sick score so ....hang on let me go back and look again
Sick is, simply, was it good?
Oh. That gets a 5, so, 22
17 not including the sick category coz I'm all confused, could be a 2/3, or a 4/5 depending
Lovely! Thanks for engaging with it Jason, I really appreciate it!
Oh, I missed this. Will go looking.
While I thought it was odd that we didn't get any reaction to Travolta and Allen on the outcome of their awful prank, I think I'm okay with it. The story isn't about vengeance at this point: we're in Old Testament territory. We don't need to hear the dumb villains try and make sense of it or for Carrie to temporarily start talking again in order to give a cheesey one-liner about comeuppance.
Yeah, definitely think it'd cut the tension to have Carrie giving a whole monologue. That said, she does do a little talking in the novel when she finally returns home.
Good old Brian DePalma... king of the 80s!
🤘🏻
fantastic write up!! I was staring at my Stephen King shelf today thinking about how I should get around to reading Carrie, especially since it's so short. Sounds like there's some fun differences in the movie and novel that I'd enjoy. Do you have any thoughts on the 2013 remake?
Thanks!! It's absolutely worth the read, it bombs along. In terms of the remake, I've not seen it, apart from bits, and while I appreciate the more violent side of Carrie we get to see with Chloe Grace Moritz, I'm not sure we really needed the film. What do you think?
I adore Sissy Spacek...now I absolutely need to go rewatch this! Great analysis! I remember not hating the 2013 remake but I think thats only bc I like Chloe Grace Moretz a lot. I also do not remember John Travolta from this at all lol
Thanks Adriane! I was unsure about the remake but I've only seen clips really!
Wow! How did I miss this! Great stuff
An absolutely top tier review, Harry! Carrie has been on my mind a lot lately, and I'm due for a re-watch sometime soon. This write-up has brought that screaming to the forefront of my mind, that's for sure. I actually had forgotten John Travolta was in the movie somehow. O.o And I completely agree that both Spacek and Laurie are just *chef's kiss* perfect casting.
I've never read Carrie, but it's on my list. I think I'll have to bump it to the top.
Oh my god you havveee to read it. I'm glad you enjoyed my review! It's always worth rewatching, I feel. Easy, but never dull.
I still find this film so primally difficult to watch...Carrie's mother is such a traitor to the feminine; it's just a tremendously archetypal film, and I think it's probably the best Stephen King adaptation short of Pet Semetery...Thanks, Harry!
I think it might be one of the strongest adaptations, though I've not seen many. Thanks for reading Tony!
Another gem from you, Harry. I wouldn't say Travolta is unforgettable, but his younger self fused into Billy was one of the reasons people used to call him "John Revolting" at one time long, long ago. True story.
Also, I respect where you're coming from about the ending, but the caveat I always offer is that King wrote it with boulder-sized, hail-fireballs pounding the White house to oblivion and a hell-wrought fury over the town. DePalma simply didn't have the available technology to pull that off back then, even if it may come off as hokey to future audiences. Ditto for the Sue Snell grab, but I can tell you, me, my mom and my stepbrother jumped off the sofa the first time we saw that. Less desensitized times. I'm actually GRATEFUL we bought into it. It remains a family hallmark of horror viewing, lol.
Piper Laurie, 'nuff said. Also, sidebar, I frequently write with Pino Dinaggio's score for this film going. I love every sick lick of it.
Other sidebar, be on the lookout for a new Carrie miniseries coming to Netflix from Mike and Jamie Flanagan!
Thanks Ray! John Revolting eh? Interesting...
I do see what you mean about the technological limitations. I think DePalma took it in a pretty great direction! Hallmark horror is definitely the right word for it.
And hell yeah, Piper Laurie is superb.
Thanks so much for your comment! I'm always learning something new from you.
Love this movie and the novel! The pig factory they go to was one that I used to pass in the car quite a bit when I was a kid, so it always was a special one to me. I’ve always felt Sue was innocent in the prom sequence but just in shock at what was happening.
You're kidding!! That's wild!!
This is excellent, Harry! I wish I could experience Carrie without the foreknowledge of the ending - it would be so shocking. I still remember watching this with my cousins when I was ten or so, and giving my younger cousin shit for being scared - but really I was trying to convince myself I wasn't scared, lol. Such a freaking classic.
A classic indeed! Super glad you enjoyed!!
This is an embarrassing moment to admit I’ve never seen it 🙈 Any imagery associated with it used to freak me out as a kid…seems like I never quite got past it. Buuuuut, you’ve rated this as “a bit scary” so I have total faith I can get through this absolute classic. Love your passion & enthusiasm for this film - you’ve sold me to give it a try!
Can't wait to hear what you think of the film!
Thanks Genevieve! To be fair, I rarely rate things as scary - but this is more emotionally intense than frightening, really.
What about Hereditary? Or The Exorcism? Would you rate those as scary?
Hereditary is definitely scary. Maybe even a 5. Emotionally distressing and legitimately frightening at points
Yep, still a no from me 🤣
Love the call out to House on Haunted Hill and Friday the 13th. I give Carrie the same score as well!
Love to see how many people share the same score as me!
Clearly with the opening sequence, DePalma is following the cinematic tradition of Hitchcock: a voyeuristic shower scene. That, or he just likes to have a lot of dirty pillows in his movies.
It put me in mind of Slumber Party Massacre - though that, of course, is satire.
Awesome review, Harry! I give Carrie the same score as you, 17/23. It's a great King adaptation and the prom scene is legendary!
Love to see it! It really is an iconic story isn't it?
Definitely!
I'm super excited for your review - can't come soon enough
Thanks! I'm working on it right now... well, not *right* right now, but you know what I mean, lol.
Awesome