Welcome to ‘Review Rewind’, where I review older films (at least 10 years older than the year we are in) that I have either seen before or watching for the first time.
For October/31 Days Of Horror I will be doing relaxed reviews/mini reviews for the films I’ll be watching and the theme for the month with ‘Review Rewind’ is 90s horror!
90s Horror Review Movie 06
The The Resurrected (1991)
In preparation of watching 90’s horror films throughout October, I looked at a bunch of lists for obscure or hidden gems from the era and despite a bunch of films listed being ones I had seen there did pop up a few that I haven’t seen and in the case of The Resurrected (1991) I had not even heard of this film. I saw the film starred Chris Sarandon, an actor with performances I adore (Jerry in Fright Night) and it was based on works H.P. Lovecraft, how did this completely miss me? Do me a favour, if there is a lesser known film you like share that on the socials, get the word out so films like this don’t go right under the radar. With that said I am extremely glad I have now discovered this film, a slow burn, a noir, embracing the Lovecraft aspect with a memorable performance by Chris Sarandon.
The film was based on the story The Case Of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft, a story that Lovecraft himself did not bother to publish when he was alive and it was released after his death. This is one Lovecraft story I haven’t read but have been aware of, after watching the film I am more curious to seek it out. Charles Dexter Ward (Chris Sarandon) has started acting a little strangely and spending all his time hidden in a laboratory. His wife Claire (Jane Sibbett) enlists the help of private investigator John March (John Terry) to see of he can help uncover the truth behind Charles’ weird behaviour. As John and Claire uncover more about what Charles is doing including receiving animal meat, animal blood and finding old relics from his family’s past they begin to suspect something sinister is happening.
The Resurrected first plays out like a classic noir detective story, worried wife seeks out the help of an investigator to find out secrets about her husband with horror elements blended in. There is a mystery to solve and there are clues as to what could be happening but whatever you think it may be the film makes sure you don’t have the entire picture until the third act, which for me felt extremely refreshing. I liked the mystery, Chris Sarandon was perfectly cast as Charles, each time he’s on screen the performance changes in just the right way to keep the character’s mystery at the forefront. I also quite liked Jane Sibbett and John Terry, their paring caught me off guard as the trope would be a romance to form between them but it does not happen and Claire’s motivation is to help her husband. Despite having not read the source material the film had a Lovecraft vibe, it leaned into it just enough to balance the rest out. Please seek this one out if you haven’t seen it, it is another example of why 90’s horror is worth discussing.
RATING
90s Horror Review Movie 07
Mirror Mirror (1990)
Where was this film when I was growing up? Not sure how this film avoided my radar until I went looking for 90’s horror films I hadn’t seen, if I had discovered it growing up, Mirror Mirror (1990) would have been on rotation along with films like Heathers (1988). Despite the title, the film isn’t about the evil queen’s magical mirror, there is no who’s the fairest of them all, however this is not ordinary mirror either, in fact there are evil forces that lurk there. After the dead of her husband, Susan (Karen Black) moves herself and her daughter Megan (Rainbow Harvest) away from the fancy life and to a quieter one in a house that has quite the reputation around town as its former occupant apparently murdered her sister. Once in the house Megan begins to get attached to a big mirror left behind, she demands to have it even though Susan doesn’t like it. Megan begins school and is automatically targeted by the popular bully students as she clearly has a far superior fashion sense channeling Lydia played by Winona Ryder from Beetlejuice (1988). She does make one friend in fellow student with Nikki (Kristin Dattilo), but that friendship gets tested as the mirror has a strong hold on Megan who calls upon her inner Carrie White to punish those who cross her.
Mirror Mirror does have a lot in common with other films mentioned, it is a high school/teen centered horror film, bullying, being an outsider, finding solace in the wrong place are generally parts of these types of films and when done right it works and here it really works well. Megan is the outsider, apparently her goth look is too much for this town, being the outsider is relatable and Rainbow Harvest brings this out well as Megan. The strained mother/daughter relationship is also part of the story, Karen Black is great as Susan and her weird awkwardness made their scenes together memorable. The visual aspect of the film is fantastic, there are some amazing shots in the film, smart use of lighting and framing, and as bizarre as the scene where Megan really gets to know the mirror it’s brilliantly executed. The high school experience is not one I personally look back on fondly and a film like this takes that time during life and amps it up with the stakes – what if you were bullied? Would you use something powerful to get your way and get revenge? In Megan’s case she is influenced by it, she doesn’t quite have a choice in the matter, but can she avoid the fate that befell the last person who the mirror influenced?
As I am sure my younger self would have gotten a lot out of this film, my present self did also but in a different way as I am older with more life experience. I am glad this is one I have discovered, it deserves to be seen and discovered. Mirror Mirror is another film that I highly recommend checking out, it is a true joy to find these hidden gems and then tell others about it.
RATING
Review written by Marcella Papandrea (Super Marcey)
The Super Network 