AsMoral Wrote:Burnt Offerings is a slow building film that is richly layered and doesn't go for quick cheap scares. It works well because it is subtle and creepy and the house isn't overtly haunted, no slamming doors or windows, no moving objects, I like the way it just feeds on negativity and manipulates the inhabitants, slowly driving them mad.
This is a "living house" movie, not a "haunted house". They never get into the why, it just is. I think the lack of explanation is off-putting for some. Is it ghosts of previous occupants? Is it the devil? Who knows.
All I know is I was terrified of the chauffeur, creepy Sardonicus smile.
I liked all that about the movie and I like when a movie plays more to the intelligent, storyline and character driven stuff rather than the cheap ass, gore/boo/scare factor stuff. I really thought Oliver Reed was good in this and Karen Black played her part very well.
I liked the lack of overly explaining everything as well and yes the chauffeur was a creepy looking buggger, reminded me of the kid collector from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (not a horror movie but that guy was a creepy bugger as well).
But in saying I liked this movie, I need to let it percolate a bit before I can say I loved it.
"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." D.O. McKay
"Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected."
~ Red Buttons
Too literal? I'm sorry you feel I have a Literal Agenda!