I'd give Poltergeist a 9.5/10, and instead of citing all that's great about it, I'll mention the two negatives. Firstly, it's excessively expository. The family members are all shallow (not worthless) characters that don't require much exposition to fully understand. Secondly, the film panders to the audience by creating too many cute moments. For example, the sliding of the girl in the kitchen would have been more effectively "cute" if it hadn't been preceded by numerous other oh-so precious moments.

Regarding the upcoming sequel (apparently, it's not a remake), I am looking forward to seeing Sam Rockwell in father role.

Makes me giggle every. single. time. ::stick out tongue::::big grin::

Oh, Man - Poltergeist has always been one of my favorite horror movies - Thanks for letting me know that it's on Netflix. I'll have to rewatch it some time between my Frankenstein viewings.

It's been a while since I've seen the movie, but the scene that absolutely sticks in my mind is when one of the guys looks in the mirror and his face starts melting off - I've had nightmares like that and sometimes when I look at mirrors in the dark I have a flash of fear that it's going to happen to me too...

Also, the clown, of course. Because, clowns. ::EEK!::

I haven't seen either of the sequels, so I'm interested to hear what you guys think. I'm under the impression that they're not that great so I've avoided them.

Well, wait a minute...nope, still irritating! ::wink::

Well, my brother from another mother::wink::, I found the chair scene a little lame and the mother's reaction a bit too "mystical" and "accepting". I would have had myself and my child on the next bus to anywhere.

I know what you mean and agree about too many "cute moments". But the same thing was done in "E.T." and I think its basically to soften the blows and make both subjects a bit more mainstream and family-friendly.

(Shoot, so sorry V, I've done it again with back-to-backs)

Hard to argue with that. Most people would be out the door, not sending their precious six-year-old daughter to take a ride on the other-world kinesis train with a helmet.

But like with the story troupes of people playfully messing with ouija boards and getting an evil guest, they take the slip-n-slide.

On a related note, the correct response isn't fear, but discernment.

Speilberg did it to obtain a PG rating. It hurts the flow of the film.

Poltergeist 2
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3gmg9ndf.jpg

Though not as good as its predecessor and nowhere near as iconic, its not a bad follow up. The original cast is back sans Dominique Dunne (Dana Freeling) who was strangled to death by her boyfriend around the time the original came out.

The movie isn't as creepy and has too many silly moments, it even ends on one, but it manages to deliver an interesting story and I respect that they tried to change it up instead of just redoing the same thing over again.

It answers some questions posed by the original one as well but one could argue that no one was really asking those questions.

One highlight was Julian Beck who played the sinister Reverend Kane. I don't think this series really needed to humanize the villain or bind it in one singular entity but he was a great villain. Sadly Julian Beck died during the filming of this movie.

Overall its got its pros and cons but its enjoyable.

6/10

Gah! Poltergeist should hopefully be coming in the mail for me tomorrow or Thursday. I need to rewatch it and THEN watch Part II before reading your review!

Well hurry up! ::wink::

Gonna try and watch Bride of Frankenstein soon so I can share my thoughts on your thread