Bad movies I love: Julie Christie carries the ‘Demon Seed’

DEMON SEED (1977)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

Aside from “Alien” in 1979 and its first sequel “Aliens” in 1986, the science fiction-horror genre has never produced many memorable box-office hit films – especially during the 1970s.

“Alien” itself was a huge gamble for 20th Century Fox. The film was, essentially, a haunted house film set in deep space featuring a man in a monster suit hunting and killing the crew of a spaceship.

As conventional as the plot was, “Alien” worked magnificently thanks to taut direction, a brilliant production design and one of best horror film scores ever composed.

In an odd way, the same can be said of the little-seen, 1977 sci-fi horror film “Demon Seed.” This strange film, based on the novel of the same name by Dean Koontz, is one of the most bizarre horror films ever made. An artificial intelligence named Proteus IV overtakes the computerized home of its inventor, Dr. Alex Harris, and holds his estranged wife, Susan, captive.

Blatty’s classic ‘The Exorcist’ raised the bar for screen horror

THE EXORCIST (1973)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

Rarely does a major motion picture succeed in frightening you while also challenging your core beliefs.

William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist” does just that. It’s an extremely effective and frightening film. It’s well directed by a film maker at the top of his game. And it’s a classic motion picture that has never been topped.

“The Exorcist” also is one of the most intently personal and religious stories ever put to film. This film firmly believes in the existence of good and evil, of God and Satan, and it dares you to do the same.

William Friedkin was fresh off directing the award-winning “The French Connection” when he took on Blatty’s best-selling novel. Blatty produced the film and wrote the script – which was based on the true story of the exorcism of a young boy.

As the “The Exorcist” opens, a little girl and her mom are living in a rental home in Georgetown when strange things begin to happen. Eventually, Chris MacNeil begins to believe her daughter, Reagan, is possessed by a demon. Beds levitate, bodies fling, heads spin 360 degrees. And you believe it all.

Top Five Week at Sneak Prevue continues. Today’s edition: The Top Five Horror Films.

Sneak Prevue Mailbag: Confessions of a movie junkie

By TERRY R.CASSREINO

It’s Wednesday, Middle of the week. And it’s time to introduce a new mid-week feature here at our fast-growing blog: The Sneak Prevue Mail Bag.

Every Wednesday starting today, I will dig deep into the overflowing Sneak Prevue mailbag (yes, in the two weeks we have been publishing we have received a slew of e-mails with questions from readers). And I will try to answer some of the more interesting queries.

So, here goes. And remember, if you have a question for me on anything related to film, both classic and contemporary, feel free to drop us a line at editor@sneakprevue.info. We’ll answer them as soon as possible.

Mr. Cassreino: You mentioned in your Sneak Prevue Web site biography that you worked at the Plaza Cinema 4 in New Orleans East while you were in high school. Did you really? I went there once a long, long time ago with my girlfriend, I think it was back in 1979. We tried one busy Saturday night to enter a sold-out showing of “The Main Event” with Barbra Streisand. And when the usher refused to let me in the sold-out auditorium, I purposely threw a full glass of Coke and popcorn all over him. Was that you? If so, I’m sorry. – J.P. from New Orleans