DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '24 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '03 I => Topic started by: Darren Gross on March 30, 2003, 04:24:10 AM
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Here's the news in case you missed it at the tail end of another post or don't receive the NODS website e-mail newsletter.
In February, I moderated a commentary with Dan Curtis, Karen Black and co-screenwriter William F. Nolan for the upcoming DVD release of BURNT OFFERINGS. This MGM disc will be released in August in a gorgeous 16x9/anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 widescreen transfer and will include the theatrical trailer and commentary. Unfortunately, the disc producer did not want an audible (nor credited) moderator, so my voice will not be heard on the disc, but I prompted plenty of questions and made sure all of the salient points were covered. The recording session yielded many uproarious stories and some great discussions of Dan Curtis' technical approach to direction, that all should be well worth hearing. There have been rumblings that a few juicier comments will be edited out...we'll have to wait until August to find out.
It's going to be a nice disc- the best video transfer of the film yet- the VHS and the PAL DVD are both unmatted, revealing too much head and foot room that was never meant to be seen. Definitely worth a blind purchase.
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This is great news...Thanks for the info
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I haven't ever seen this one, is it worth adding to my collection? I'm mainly asking because I'm more of a DS cast fan than I am a DC fan....
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Thanks for the info!
I cannot wait to get a copy of this disc. I first saw this film when I was going through a major Karen Black period. I haven't seen it in a while, but I remember it as being a lot of fun and fairly creepy, too. Bette Davis is in it, and I always enjoy the way she recites the line, "My! God! You're! Hurting! Him!" in that classic clipped speech style of hers.
Speaking of Bette Davis, I've heard stories that she feuded with Karen Black, in the same way she reportedly feuded with Faye Dunaway during the filming of THE DISAPPEARANCE OF AIMEE (which I've been dying to see but haven't as yet). Perhaps some juicy Bette anecdotes will be included on the commentary track... ::)
"Mrs. Allardyce!...Mrs. Allardyce!"
Regards,
John
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It's going to be a nice disc- the best video transfer of the film yet- the VHS and the PAL DVD are both unmatted, revealing too much head and foot room that was never meant to be seen. Definitely worth a blind purchase.
I have the VHS version of Burnt Offerings which plays very nicely on my VCR. However, I'm curious about what you mean when you say "revealing too much head and foot room that was never meant to be seen". ???
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Each frame of film is a rectangle- each frame is 1/3 wider than it is tall...It's the same shape as your computer monitor or standard TV. (This is referred to as a 1.33:1 'aspect ratio'- since it's the ratio of the width to the height.)
Standard theatrical motin pictures have a wider image- it's nearly 2 times wider than it is tall. (This is the 1.85:1 aspect ratio.)
In order to obtain the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the entire 1.33 film frame is exposed, but in projection a small area of the top and bottom of the frame is masked off by the projector.
Because the top and bottom are supposed to be masked off in projection, the camera's viewfinders have markings so that the cameraman can compose the image accurately. The very top and bottom of the frame are not supposed to be seen and if you were to see the entire film frame, you'd notice tape marks on the floor, camera tracks and occasional boom mike shadows. These aren't mistakes- the cameraman is well aware of them, but they wouldn't appear when projected...Unless your theater's projectionist has it misframed.
The VHS release of BURNT OFFERINGS was transferred showing the entire frame- the very bottom and top of the image was not meant to be shown to audiences. Right near the end of the film there's a wide shot of the family walking to and getting into the car. If you watch the bottom of the frame, you'll notice a shadow from a boom mike which moves to follow the actors. This isn't supposed to be seen.
You'll notice similar issues with many VHS tapes- the older release of PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE had the worst examples of this. The HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS and NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS were filmed in the same format and the VHS releases have similar framing issues, but they're a crane can be seen. Again, these are not not as bad. They don't show the entire frame, it's kind of a compromise. This is why a floor mike, a boom mike and the edge of a crane are visible in NODS. These are not goofs, just improperly framed video transfers.
There are many other aspect ratios, filming approaches and ways of projection, but I'll leave those out of here for the sake of clarity.
D
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Thanks for the info!
Speaking of Bette Davis, I've heard stories that she feuded with Karen Black, in the same way she reportedly feuded with Faye Dunaway during the filming of THE DISAPPEARANCE OF AIMEE (which I've been dying to see but haven't as yet). Perhaps some juicy Bette anecdotes will be included on the commentary track... ::)
Bette Davis feuding with co-stars on a movie set? Now, John, where would you ever get such an idea!
Regarding "The Disappearance of Aimee" (which I thought was so-so), how ironic if it is true that Miss Davis had a few rows with Miss Dunaway; if Miss Davis had only known that her co-star would, just a few years later, play her hated archrival in one of the greatest trashiest movies of all time, she probably would've given Miss Dunaway a gold wire hanger.
Gerard (But'chya ah, Blanche! Ya ah!)
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What's it about? I've never seen Burnt Offerings before.
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Hi Luciaphil,
I saw it on tape a year or two ago. I thought it was OK but don't know that I would ever want to sit through it again. It's a twisted variant on the old house-is-the-monster tale. It's well mounted and far more polished than DC's DS features. Bette is a lot of fun in it, and Reed and Black both do well, as does the child actor (in what I think of as "the David Henesy role"), plus Burgess Meredith has a lovely little cameo in it. But the actor who really steals the show is this guy whose name completely eludes me, who plays a MEGA creepy chauffeur in certain sequences. He has no lines and there are no special FX, yet he practically made me jumping out of my skin with fright. And it takes a lot to scare an old buzzard like yours truly.
Maybe you'll have the chance to rent the DVD so you can enjoy the commentary Darren masterminded. That sounds like it would add a fun, fascinating element. I personally still do not own a DVD player, though I have come to the regretful conclusion that I do need to get one eventually. I shudder to think of the acrobatics actually setting it up will require.
A Matriarch in Waiting,
Gothick
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Karen Black discussed Bette Davis on the commentary track but had nothing but nice things to say about her, so I think the rumors of them feuding are entirely false. Black talked about how in awe she was of Davis and how shw found it hard to concentrate in one scene because she was so enthralled watching Davis perform. I believe Black was totally sincere.
Gothick, a DVD player is the easiest thing to set up. It's exactly like setting up a VCR- you just plug it into the same connection, only you don't have to set the time, the channels or any of that.
My only advice for those of you planning on buying a DVD player is don't go for the junky $79 players you'll find at your supermarket or Rite Aid. Mintek, Apex, Lasonic and Sampo players will do the job but not of very high quality and will have problematic playback on the occasional disc.
Of the 200 or so different makes and models of players we utilize at the company I work for, the top tier of reliable, high quality players are SONY, PANASONIC, and TOSHIBA. PHILIPS do have nice players but I've found very variable playback depending on the disc. You can get one of these better players in the $100-$300 range.
PANASONIC had a player out last summer for only $179 and it was supposed to be their best player yet. Of course, they decided to pull it from distribution a few months ago before I could snap one up...
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Hi Darren, that's very sweet of you to be so encouraging about DVD players. I have a friend who is even less technically minded than I am, and he had to get some guy from his cable co. to connect his DVD player for him. The problem was that he was then unable to use the VCR. I am afraid that arrangement would be a real nuisance to me, since I tape things constantly.
I will bear in mind what you say about brands. I am really keen on staying away from Sony products due to bad experiences over the years, so I'll keep an eye out for a decent Toshiba or Panasonic model. I have actually pondered getting APEX for a few UK titles that have yet to be released in the US.
Best wishes,
Gothick
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Thanks for the summing up.
I don't have a DVD player yet, but I'm looking into them. My big concern is that I have a VCR, which I'm not getting rid of. Like Gothick, I tape far too much for that and I'm still unclear as to how you connect the VCR and the TV and the DVD player. I know it can be done. I just don't know how.
BTW, Consumer Reports looks at DVD players in their March 2003 issue.
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I am really keen on staying away from Sony products due to bad experiences over the years, so I'll keep an eye out for a decent Toshiba or Panasonic model.
You are the only other person I've found who has had the same bad experience with Sony products as I have. Everyone is always so worshipful of anything Sony it makes me sick [vryangy]
I have had problems with every Sony product I've ever owned --boom box, answering machine, TV, and VCR. Both my TV and VCR had to be brought in for more than $100 worth of "repairs" shortly after the one-year warranty expired. I will never buy another Sony electronics product as long as I live.
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Regarding "Burnt Offerings," I salute Darren for his work on this. I was thinking that I saw this on TV back in the late 1970s, anxiously anticipating a sure-fire combination since I loved Bette Davis and loved anything scary (this was before the advent of the slasher/splatter pics that were about to "revolutionize" the horror movie market) ... and my memory is that I was disappointed. But wait -- maybe I'm thinking of "Harvest Home", which I believe was Bette Davis in a Thomas Tryon work (which I had high hopes for after Tryon's "The Other" with Uta Hagen and Diana Mauldar).
Could anyone set me right about this by providing some information on Burnt Offerings (i.e., what was it about, was it made-for-TV, etc.)? Was it anything like "Harvest Home"?
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I don't have a DVD player yet, but I'm looking into them. My big concern is that I have a VCR, which I'm not getting rid of. Like Gothick, I tape far too much for that and I'm still unclear as to how you connect the VCR and the TV and the DVD player. I know it can be done. I just don't know how.
BTW, Consumer Reports looks at DVD players in their March 2003 issue.
I have been advised to hold off on purchasing a DVD player until they put out the versions that you'll be able to use for recording (on disc). Who knows how long that will be, though -- and I suppose the price will be a least double, and then take 3 to 4 more years before becoming affordable ... at which time some other technological advancement will be on the horizon, promising to make DVD players as antiquated as manual typewriters ...
[tongue]
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I've never actually seen the movie version of "Harvest Home"....despite the fact that I re-read my 30-year-old copy of the book once a year, ritually.
On the other hand, I thought the movie version of "The Other" was excellent....but I've never read the book..... ???
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I've never actually seen the movie version of "Harvest Home"....despite the fact that I re-read my 30-year-old copy of the book once a year, ritually.
On the other hand, I thought the movie version of "The Other" was excellent....but I've never read the book..... ???
I've mentioned "The Other" on this board on a number of occasions, and you are the first to ever acknowledge it, so I can only assume that you and I are the only two people here ever to have seen the movie, Raineypark!
I read the book in junior high, and as I remember the movie was nearly as good. I mean, the movie is very good, having seen it for the first time in 20 years on AMC a couple of years ago. (Do not pay attention to imdb posters who refer to "The Other" as having been a made-for-TV movie; it wasn't -- nor was my other favorite chiller (filmed near my home growing up) "You'll Like My Mother", despite ill-informed posters on imdb. You'd think they'd be able to tell the difference or at least double-check their "facts." [rleyeg] Seems odd that the same designation is accorded to two very well-made suspense thrillers. Not to mention the clueless wonders who think that "The Other" is supernatural ::) [8311])
"Harvest Home," on the other hand, was a made-for-TV movie. Was "Burnt Offerings"? :)
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Karen Black discussed Bette Davis on the commentary track but had nothing but nice things to say about her, so I think the rumors of them feuding are entirely false. Black talked about how in awe she was of Davis and how shw found it hard to concentrate in one scene because she was so enthralled watching Davis perform. I believe Black was totally sincere.
I'm sure Karen Black, of whom I am a fan, was being sincere. I suspect that Bette Davis' "feuds" were probably one-sided. She seemed to have a fondness for trashing her young female co-stars on talk shows.
Karen Black appears in a making-of documentary on the DVD of FAMILY PLOT, and her interview segments are very entertaining. I'm sure that her contributions to the commentary track on BURNT OFFERINGS will be just as enjoyable!
Regards,
John
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Gothick;
You're friend is right- having a DVD player connected to your TV is an either/or position. You'd have to switch the cables each time to use the DVD player or simply buy a switcher which would allow you to just hit a switch and watch either, depending on your preference. I'm assuming your TV is a fairly basic set.
As for DVD recorders, they are already out- there's about a dozen different ones in the $599-$1000 range, but even so, you wouldn't want to use them as your regular player...that's not their specialty.
As for multi region discs, the Apex has been eclipsed in quality, first by the Malata and now the Cyberhome 500. The Apex has problems in playback with certain UK discs. Everyone seems to like the Cyberhome, as do I. It's cheap and does the job but it should in no way be your main player though. I got mine for $69 at best buy during the holidays, but you have to get them direct from the company now.
The Others scared the hell out of me as a kid- gave me unsettling nightmares while staying at my Aunt's house for the summer...I wouldn't dismiss comments about it being supernatural- that's one of the ambiguities built into the film, posing the question s it psychological or supernatural? It's open to debate, and that's the way they want it.
DARK SECRET OF HARVEST HOME was a 4hr miniseries about a family that moves into a town of pagan types. BURNT OFFERINGS is about a family staying at an evil summer house that absorbs the life from them in order to rejuvenate itself. It was a theatrical feature, not a TV movie.
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Gothick;
DARK SECRET OF HARVEST HOME was a 4hr miniseries about a family that moves into a town of devil worshipping pagan types.
I dont' know what was portrayed in Dark Secret of Harvest Home as I have never seen it. But the book "Harvest Home" portrayed Goddess worshipping women who engaged in ancient rituals to guarantee the Eternal Return.
The rituals would certainly be considered horrific by any measure, and the Goddess a particularly dark and dangerous one...but they were absolutely NOT engaging in "Devil worship" as pagans do not believe in the Judeo-Christian concept of a Devil.
Say what you think of the film, by all means, Mr. Gross.....but please, be careful that you have your facts straight when you're talking about religious practices.
Raineypark
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I almost wrote pagan as there is a distinctly Wicker Man feel to it and I believe the dark deeds are done to ensure crops and such, which would imply paganism, but I'm not 100%.
I was merely trying to give the equivalent of a TV Guide 1-sentence description in the hopes that it might instill a more distinctive memory of the miniseries in the poster above who asked.
No offense meant- I'm going by very vague memories and that's how it seemed to me, through the clouds of time.
I must say though that if I misremembered the pagans as devil worshippers than its because the film portrays them in a dark light, like the wicker man, as a bunch of manipulative, evil people who use human sacrifice to ensure their corn will grow...It doesn't match any pagans I know and if that's how they appeared to me than perhaps the film is to blame.
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I'm sorry that I can't remember more about the DSHH miniseries, but the IMDb lists this at http://us.imdb.com/Title?0077399 --
Plot Outline: A young couple moves to a quiet New England village, only to soon find themselves mixed up in devil worship, satanism and human sacrifice.
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What a shame that the book was so perverted.
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I wouldn't be surprised to find that the film wasn't perverted at all.....but rather that the plot outline as written is simply completely incorrect.
rainey
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Hi Raineypark, this is so weird... on another of my lists, we are currently discussing Harvest Home as well, as someone had a dream of the enactment of the Dionysiac Sacrifice last night--the beautiful young God torn into pieces by a horde of ecstatic women, then borne in solemn funeral procession through the fields and sown amongst the crops to revivify the Land.
Bear in mind that any time any mundane person sees an image of a Horned God, they think "Satan." It does not matter that for thousands of years before mediaeval Christianity, horns represented authority and wisdom.
I also do not think that people who do not at least have some sort of basic emotional or psychic attunement to the Old Religion understand about the harvest sacrifices and the turning of the wheel of the year through ritual acts. For instance, in the Wicker Man (I am finally supposed to see the restored version of that this weekend), according to what I recall of the film, the islanders did not feel they were being evil or manipulative. They were doing what was necessary to ensure the survival of their own community and the fruitfulness of their Land.
I really pray that none of us has to experience the harsh realities of life in a subsistence society, but I wonder whether our continued trashing of the environment may not result in a time when we go to the supermarket and find the shelves bare.
Thoughtfully, Gothick
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Very thoughtful indeed, Steve.
I never expect people who aren't Pagan to understand the concepts of Immanence as opposed to Transcendence, the Wheel of the Year as opposed to Linear time, or even the very simple Mother/Father nature of the dieties. I don't expect it, don't lecture them about it....don't even bring it up most times.
But I NEVER, EVER allow the perverse Christian calumny of "devil worship" to pass. It was the "justification" of the torture and murder of too many people to go unchallenged.
As for the sacrificing of human life in order to propitiate the gods.....well.....I think we've already soaked Mother Gaia with enough blood to satisfy THAT thirst for all eternity.
rainey
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For instance, in the Wicker Man (I am finally supposed to see the restored version of that this weekend), according to what I recall of the film, the islanders did not feel they were being evil or manipulative. They were doing what was necessary to ensure the survival of their own community and the fruitfulness of their Land.
Speaking of the Wicker Man, did you all hear? There's some sort of remake in the works. Not looking like a good thing. I heard something about Nicholas Cage being cast. Apparently because of that, in response, some of the people involved in the original production (Christopher Lee to name one) are going to make a sequel called "Riding the Laddie" starring Lee and Vanessa Redgrave.
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Hi Luciaphil,
Yes, I heard about a proposed US remake of The Wicker Man starring Nicolas Cage. It sounded like a revolting idea. Hopefully, nothing ever came of it.
Plans were for Riding of the Laddie to be filmed last Autumn in the UK. I do not know whether this happened or not. It's been a year since the IMDB page on the film was last updated, but the concept sounded fabulous, and the idea of Lee and Redgrave chewing scenery in tandem is the sort of stuff of which my dreams are made.
Thanks for your great comments on Joan's dress today!
Gothick
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This thread has gotten way off topic. How about starting a new thread for any further Dark Secret of Harvest Home comments.
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I've never actually seen the movie version of "Harvest Home"....despite the fact that I re-read my 30-year-old copy of the book once a year, ritually.
On the other hand, I thought the movie version of "The Other" was excellent....but I've never read the book..... ???
I highly recommend Burnt Offerings. True it seems a little tame by today's standards but believe me, the acting is better and the filming is exquisite. I wish we could have more movies with Karen Black. She's great as the wife who slowly turns into something awful. There are numerous sexual themes running through the entire movie.
Love the scenes with the chauffeur too! They were certainly spooky and you could feel the terror of the young boy during them. There is a particular scene of Oliver Reed and his young son in the swimming pool that is riveting!
As far as 'The Other'....I recommmend the one from around 1980(?) It's about two twin boys. There is a scene involving a baby that will leave you gasping.
'The Others' with Nicole Kidman was very good also but 'The Other' is better in my opinion.
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I wish we could have more movies with Karen Black.
I'm definitely in agreement with you. Ms. Black is a very busy actress these days but, unfortunately, she's been relegated to low-budget/direct-to-video productions that tend to be of the horror/suspense genre. It's interesting to think that, back in the 1970s, she was one of the bigger stars in Hollywood. She gave an Oscar-worthy performance in FIVE EASY PIECES, and was memorable in FAMILY PLOT, DAY OF THE LOCUST, and especially NASHVILLE (as country-western vixen Connie White). I'm always hoping that she'll make a full-fledged comeback and be returned to her former A-list status.
Regards,
John
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I highly recommend Burnt Offerings. True it seems a little tame by today's standards but believe me, the acting is better and the filming is exquisite. I wish we could have more movies with Karen Black. She's great as the wife who slowly turns into something awful. There are numerous sexual themes running through the entire movie.
Thanks for giving your recommendation and rundown on "Burnt Offerings." You've nearly convinced me to buy the DVD (and hopefully someday I'll buy a DVD player)!
There is a particular scene of Oliver Reed and his young son in the swimming pool that is riveting!
Sounds like a great cast! I remember Oliver Reed going back to his performance as Bill Sikes in "Oliver!" (Not that I knew who he was back then.)
As far as 'The Other'....I recommmend the one from around 1980(?) It's about two twin boys. There is a scene involving a baby that will leave you gasping
Yes, that's "The Other" I'm talking about. The "twin boys" you mention were actually played by brothers (rather than having one child play both roles, a la Haley Mills in "The Parent Trap," Bette Davis in "Dead Ringer," etc.). The casting of this movie overall was excellent, and the choice of using boys who looked like real boys and not Hollywood children (i.e., the monstrosities a la Spielberg or Stephen King TV movie adaptations), brought a grounding and realism to movie, along with its plain, country setting.
I do disagree with comments that the supernatural element was left ambiguous. There may have been a hint of a possible supernatural element early on in the book/movie, but other than the grandmother's Old World beliefs, the crux of the story is psychological/thriller, not horror/supernatural.
Sorry for going off-topic.
My curiosity is up regarding "Burnt Offerings"!