Theatre of Blood (1973)

Being a huge fan of Shakespeare, it was really fun seeing Vincent Price delivering so many great lines and soliloquies in the 1973 horror film, "Theatre of Blood", and is now my favorite Vince Price film. This was one of Vincent Price's favorite movies as well because it gave him the chance to deliver such lines after finding it difficult to be cast in a Shakespearean play or movie since he was typecast to horror films. The film is fun, campy, violent, and very clever in my opinion. It feels very 70's and British, which in this case is a wonderful thing. At times it does feel a bit redundant but overall it's a thrill ride that plays an unique sense of tribute to the Bard.


Edward Lionheart is a passionate Shakespearean actor who has just completed his final season of performances. When it comes time to receive his naturally expected award for the "Critics Circle Award for Best Actor", he is stunned and personally humiliated that he lost unanimously. After grabbing the award that was awarded to him, Lionheart gives an impassioned rendition of Hamlet's third soliloquy before jumping off the edge of the building and into the water below. Years later the critics are being killed off one by one by Lionheart, each in a fashion that resembles a death scene from a Shakespearean play; with each death following the order of the plays that Lionheart appeared in during his final season. Lionheart is able to trick each critic into believing that he's someone else before revealing himself and delivering a delicious quote from Shakespeare as he makes his killing blow. Believing Lionheart to be dead, the prime suspect is Lionheart's daughter. To prove her innocence, Lionheart reveals himself to one of the critics and allows him to live, just so he can tell the police that it is Lionheart who is behind the murders. With just one critic remaining, the police narrow in and trap Lionheart before he can make his escape. Like a true artist, Lionheart knows how to make the ultimate exit.

Favorite moment - I love the scene in which Lionheart is playing Shylock from "The Merchant of Venice", and how he plays with the critic who has been tricked into reading the role of Antonio.

Lionheart as Titus

Lionheart as Shylock

Lionheart receiving his award at last

The Crazies (1973)

"The Crazies", also known as "Code Name: Trixie" is an early film written and directed by George A. Romero that focuses on the military and how they handle a the accidental release dangerous biological weapon. In comparison with movies today, this film feels slow and plodding and awfully low budget. I must admit that it took me two attempts to watch this film in it's entirety but when I finished it, I was happy with the results. The content is dark and terrifying and it paints a grim possibility of how things could have happened back in the 1970's if such an accident did occur.

An untested biological weapon known as Trixie is released into the water supply of a small Pennsylvania town. The weapon is highly contagious and quickly infects most of the residents, making them violent and suicidal. When not trying to kill each other, the residents are busy attacking the military, who have their own orders to kill the residents on sight. The movie focuses on David, a firefighter and his girlfriend Judy as they struggle to escape from the town, and Dr. Watts, a specialist who is working on finding a cure. The military tries it's best to contain the problem but by the end of the film, the effects have spread to larger cities near by.

The Exorcist (1973)

"The Exorcist" is a true horror classic, frightening and disturbing audiences ever since it came out in 1973. My parents first date was seeing a showing of "The Exorcist" the day after Christmas (I wonder if that helps to explain why I love horror so much?). When it was rereleased in theaters in the early 2000's with a few deleted scenes, it continued to scare those who watched it. 

Now I will admit that I was not scared by the movie the first time I saw it. Much like "Halloween", I had seen the first few minutes numerous times before being kicked out of the room. So when I finally saw it, I was a little disappointed because I had such high expectations. The only thing that really gave me the chills was the haunting soundtrack. But then in 9th grade I read the book and after gaining a solid understanding of the story, the movie proved to be chilling the second time I saw it. Lesson of the day is to wait until you're old enough/mature enough to realize that what you're watching is creepy as hell!

It's about Regan, a tween who becomes possessed by a very powerful and diabolical demon and the priest who is losing his faith who must confront the demon and make the ultimate sacrifice in the battle if good versus evil. That's all I'm going to say. If you've seen it, you know what happens. If you haven't seen it, you should!

Favorite moment - when the priest asks the possessed Regan why she doesn't break her bounds if she wants to be loose but had the ability to do so, the demon cooly responds that " it would be a vulgar display of power"