Movies
The Wicker Man
“Yes, this film does seem like a creepy musical, but the last twenty minutes more than makes up for it. When I finally met “The Wicker Man,” I was left with a chill that has never gone away.”
I have never been much for musicals, but The Wicker Man is probably the closest I’ve ever come to a musical that I can watch again and again. This film, based off of the novel “Ritual” by David Pinner, chronicles the investigations of a missing girl by a morally incorruptible Christian detective named Sergeant Howie (played by Edward Woodard).
The detective enters a pagan island, called Summerisle, that is a polar opposite from his straight laced Christian way of life. Howie is always dressed in a police uniform or a suit. His mannerisms are rigid, and even his way of speaking is precise. This is completely opposite from his surroundings. The inhabitants speak an informal Scottish brogue, laugh, dance, sing, and (in one very interesting scene) conduct an orgy out in the nearby graveyard (you will probably want to get the uncut dvd to enjoy a few extra seconds of this scene).
Horror legend Ingrid Pitt and Britt Ekland add even more beauty to the screen. Their roles add to the carefree and laid back way of life for the rural community. Also, in several cases, it is easy to see that they are hiding a secret about the disappearance of Rowan Morrison.
Christopher Lee’s role as Lord Summerisle is brief, but electrifying. His booming voice at the chilling conclusion of the film is quite commanding. He was at his Hammer horror film best with his debates with the detective about religion.
For the horror fan, this film does not begin in a traditional horror film sense. Some may argue that it is slow. However, the eerie mood and (for this reviewer) all too cheery demeanor, belies a very sinister plot. Woodward’s powerful performance at the end of the film is haunting and adds to Lee’s power as well.
Yes, this film does seem like a creepy musical, but the last twenty minutes more than makes up for it. When I finally met “The Wicker Man,” I was left with a chill that has never gone away.
Maika Monroe (Longlegs) and director David Robert Mitchell are reuniting for It Follows sequel They Follow, and Deadline brings us the latest casting news this week.
Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children, A Nightmare on Elm Street), Justine Lupe (Succession), Anna Mirodin (Ivan), Jayne Taini (Unbelievable), Michael Gandolfini (Daredevil: Born Again), Tom Pecinka (Stereophonic), Melora Walters (Magnolia), Ben Krieger (Song Sung Blue), Natalie Shinnick (The Brutalist) and Jan Hoag (The Fabelmans) have joined the cast this week.
Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice) has also been confirmed to join They Follow.
Deadline notes in their report this afternoon, “Plot details for the long-anticipated sequel are under wraps, other than it taking place a decade after the events of the original film.”
They Follow is expected to enter production this Summer. Stay tuned for updates.
In the first movie, Maika Monroe’s Jay Height is a young woman followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter. In the sequel, the threat is now EVERYWHERE.
“It’s very dark,” Monroe recently teased. “We’re pushing the boundaries on this one for sure.”
“It’s very different from the original,” Monroe told Discussing Film. “The original is a little more heightened and dramatic, and this is really quite grounded and follows the story of these two women that are mentally dealing with a lot. I thought it was really an interesting take on it.”
NEON and Good Fear Content are producing They Follow.
They Follow will feature a new score from Disasterpeace.
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