Year: 2022

31 Scary Movies that are 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon: ‘Cat People’

Jeff Mitchell

“Cat People” (1982) – Director Paul Schrader (“Hardcore” (1979), “American Gigolo” (1980), “First Reformed” (2017)) isn’t one to shy away from cutting edge material, and here, he cuts his teeth into “Cat People”.   Cats may have nine lives, and Schrader resurrects the 1942 thriller for a second act, one that reflects 80s horror with graphic violence and sexual encounters. Irena (Nastassja Kinski), in her early 20s, travels to New Orleans.  Her brother Paul (Malcolm McDowell) meets her at the airport, and they haven’t seen each other in years, and he…

Movie of the Week: ‘Aguirre, the Wrath of God’

Jeff Mitchell

“Aguirre, the Wrath of God” (1972) – Director/writer Werner Herzog travels to the Amazon to tell the tale of Don Lope de Aguirre (Klaus Kinski) and his quest to find the Lost City of Gold.  Set in the 16th century, Aguirre and his Spanish contingent mire in the muck, rain and unforgiving wilderness on their foolish errand. As prospects grow dim, Aguirre becomes increasingly irrational, and Kinski – with his infamously unpredictable persona – might be the perfect actor to play this outrageous explorer. This is a purposely-troubling picture that…

31 Scary Movies that are 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon: ‘The Hand that Rocks the Cradle’

Jeff Mitchell

“The Hand That Rocks The Cradle” (1992) – Director Curtis Hanson’s thriller features an unusual antagonist: a nanny.  This particular sitter, Peyton Flanders (Rebecca De Mornay) – hired by Claire and Michael Bartel (Annabella Sciorra and Matt McCoy) to help watch their two small children – is, unbeknownst to them, horribly cruel. There’s a method to Peyton’s madness and for targeting the Bartels.  With her seemingly sweet demeanor and good looks, she’s fooled them quite well. Perfecting the art of manipulation, Peyton makes small maneuvers to cause havoc at the…