The Haunting of Hill House

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Well, by now the popular Netflix series is trending and everyone who is anyone has already posted in depth reviews on the show…so now its my turn!

But guess what? I have no intention of giving a review – just my thoughts on a show I enjoyed watching. So enjoy the ramble.

I was already primed and ready to watch this show because I am a fan of the horror genre but my husband is not, so it is a real treat when I find a show that both of us willingly want to watch…not just me strong-arming him into watching a bad show with me.

It just so happened that this show was based on the novel The Haunting by Shirley Jackson and that the 1963 film adaptation of the book was my husband’s all time favorite horror movie and the 1999 film adaptation was …well it existed and I watched it.

He had introduced me to the 1963 movie on one of our date nights and I loved it as well though probably not as much as he did. He would constantly quote from the 1963 movie whereas my only contribution was  “Catherine Zeta Jones played Theo in the new one…I remember that”

So there we were,  two fans – one of general horror (good and bad ) and one a fan of that specific horror.  Prepared to watch episode 1 and maybe enjoy it. Fast forward to us finishing Episode 10.

Blown away.

Just figuratively blown away.

You know, I love and hate jump scares because I am easily startled and I grew up loving the Freddy Krueger franchise but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy more subtle horror and this certainly delivers on all fronts.

It gets under your skin, wraps around you like a warm , comforting blanket that slowly suffocates you as you delve deeper and deeper into the haunting of family.

I loved that it was a very intimate look into a family – instantly relatable. Families can bring you both pain and happiness and I am always drawn to shows or stories that honestly reflect this. This show does not shy away from the anger, fear, disgust or frustration one can feel but neither does it push away the love and bonds that are forged between family members.  We will always love our families but no one ever said that we have to like them.

The other aspect I really enjoyed in this series was the technical side of it. The use of the camera, the casting and the general tone that was established and then lovingly enforced. The director knew what he wanted and was confident in following it through. I love to re-watch shows and movies and this one encourages my habit and rewards it.

It also got me to read the original novel. Its a short novel so I would encourage anyone to pick it up and give it a read. It’s atmospheric and chilling. I love Shirley Jackson’s attitude – she felt no reason to talk about herself in depth, about her motivations and inspiration, rather she felt that her work would speak for itself and that was  all that was needed. Sassy. I like it.

The show reminded me why I loved the horror genre, opened up another avenue of discussion between my husband and I and got me back into blogging so I would call that a personal success for this captain!

P.S.  Theo rocks in all versions.

 

Infinity War

Let’s be real, by now you have scoured the internet looking for answers and consolation after the latest Marvel cinematic adventure…drama..saga?

You are going to find none of that in here.

Just my random thoughts.

Brace yourself. Spoilers…well vague references that possibly are spoilers. GO WATCH THE MOVIE!

I loved it and I would love it even more if it continues in the same vein. Don’t get me wrong. I cried buckets of tears throughout the movie. I sobbed my eyes out and when it was finally over, I cried just a little more.

But how amazing would this be if the stakes mattered?  As the credits rolled, I watched my SO barely blink. He stared intently at the screen as he was certain that it was not yet over. There had to be more.

In fact, as we left and I continued to mourn, he brightened up even more as he confidently said that they would all be back. There was no way Disney would let go of their cash cows.

I agree with him on that begrudgingly because for the first time ever, I truly understand what “pay off” and “stakes” mean in a movie. I have always been the kind of audience who is in for the ride, be it good or bad, be there a pay off or not. If  I enjoyed it, I accepted it.My friends on the other hand, constantly talk about the stakes involved and how death in a movie has no meaning and this usually ends with them being ultimately disappointed in it. I was always happy that X was back! Yay!

This time as I watched beloved characters fade into ash, it felt heavy and real and meaningful. There were no last goodbyes (apart from one cheap move – I’m judging you Marvel). If the next installment reverses this…then what was the point?

I want to see the effect this devastating event has on the remaining characters. I want to see new characters take up the good fight and I want to see a completely different universe flourish from the ashes.

This was a huge undertaking that started 10 years ago and will continue it seems as there are 20 or so Marvel movies lined up after Infinity War so there is a grand plan at hand but I hope it is a daring one and not a safe one.

BREAK THE WHEEL.