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nedra
Reviews
'night, Mother (1986)
I felt every emotion
'Night Mother left me dumbfounded, angry, and with the feeling that I was helpless to the fate of Spacek's character, Jessie. Of course, with any movie, I don't control how it goes, or how it ends, but in this one, I was so sure Jessie's mother was going to win. I just knew there was no way the suicide plan could be carried through. I was teased with happiness (definitely not engulfed) when it seemed that Mama was going to try to make up for all the time Jessie needed with a cup of cocoa...but teased mind you. For every glimmer of hope for Jessie to live (there weren't many), there was a slap of determinedness (if that's a word) for Jessie to make her own decision. Although, I do not advocate suicide, or any act that does not glorify God, I feel glad to have watched this movie. It teaches you that not every story has a happy ending, and that you'd better work out your own soul salvation, because life WILL go on without you.
American Gothic (1987)
It could happen to me ... or you!!!
I couldn't sleep the night I watched "American Gothic" for the first time. (I've seen it twice more since.) Unlike "Nightmare on Elm Street" which could only happen in a nightmare, this movie was so real...highly unusual, but real.
It's possible to be stranded on an island and meet strange seemingly "backwards" people who seem innocent enough, but have a twisted view of what's right and wrong, and an insane idea that they are in charge of other people's actions. I've known people like Ma and Pa, who you wouldn't want to mess with if you pulled off the faux sheep cover.
Every inch of this movie could have happened to any one of us, the insanity, the self-righteousness, the hideousness, the out-of-this world notions--well maybe not every piece. I mean, what parents would allow their adult children to behave that way?
The most amazing way that this movie affected me, was that I cheered Cynthia on in the end---and that scares me, because, like I said-- "It could have happened to me....or you!!"
If you want to be baffled and scared to death, watch "American Gothic". It will make you think twice about the people you come in contact with.