It’s only been very recently that I’ve been able to watch that movie and then sleep with the lights off. It just hit at that right time when I was in middle school that it cemented in my mind for life.
I feel like the practical effects still hold up, and the acting definitely holds up from the entire family. Just seeing a mom that freaked out onscreen messed with me as a child.
Also, anyone who watches that now needs to understand the social and cultural context of the 70s and 80s. We had this new technology that could allow recording and sharing of video, but it was slow and low resolution. There was nothing like ubiquitous cell phone cameras of today. So there was this constant sense that maybe mysterious things were happening just beyond your ability to see and document them. Like having bad glasses in a foggy room.
The advent of cell phone cameras really washed away that sense, and made the world feel much more concrete and exposed. But back then, there was still a sense that something like Poltergeist might really be out there happening.
Saw it in the theater the night before 5th grade started. Jesus. Didn’t sleep (for 2-weeks!), didn’t eat the crappy cafeteria food, passed out in the 105° heat with no classroom AC. Yeah, I remember Poltergeist.
Watched it not long ago, and so much hold up like you said. That scene where she turns around and the kitchen stairs are stacked perfectly. Fuck. Me. Got goosebumps typing that.
This was gonna be my answer. Watched it as a kid when my parents weren’t around. Finally got up the courage watch it as an adult. Yep, holds up really well.
Poltergeist.
It’s only been very recently that I’ve been able to watch that movie and then sleep with the lights off. It just hit at that right time when I was in middle school that it cemented in my mind for life.
I feel like the practical effects still hold up, and the acting definitely holds up from the entire family. Just seeing a mom that freaked out onscreen messed with me as a child.
Also, anyone who watches that now needs to understand the social and cultural context of the 70s and 80s. We had this new technology that could allow recording and sharing of video, but it was slow and low resolution. There was nothing like ubiquitous cell phone cameras of today. So there was this constant sense that maybe mysterious things were happening just beyond your ability to see and document them. Like having bad glasses in a foggy room.
The advent of cell phone cameras really washed away that sense, and made the world feel much more concrete and exposed. But back then, there was still a sense that something like Poltergeist might really be out there happening.
Poltergeist is a masterpiece of horror because of how well it’s filmed, acted, and how good the special effects are.
It’s one of my favorites and it still holds up as being scarier than 90% of what comes out these days.
Saw it in the theater the night before 5th grade started. Jesus. Didn’t sleep (for 2-weeks!), didn’t eat the crappy cafeteria food, passed out in the 105° heat with no classroom AC. Yeah, I remember Poltergeist.
Watched it not long ago, and so much hold up like you said. That scene where she turns around and the kitchen stairs are stacked perfectly. Fuck. Me. Got goosebumps typing that.
I had a nightmare about that damn tree. Which made the Family Guy parody many years late somewhat cathartic. “You shall not pass!”
This was gonna be my answer. Watched it as a kid when my parents weren’t around. Finally got up the courage watch it as an adult. Yep, holds up really well.