Hey, guys!
Welcome to another entry for Thursday Movie Picks.
It’s a series hosted by Wandering through the Shelves, so if you want to join the party, head over to her blog! It’s pretty easy: check out each week’s topic and come up with 3 to 5 movies that fit the theme.
This week I’ll talk about some horror films featuring rituals!
#1 Rosemary’s Baby
Rosemary’s Baby is one of the most famous and iconic films out there. Did anybody say creepy Satanists?
#2 The Craft
I know that this is a famous flick, but somehow I’ve never seen it so far. Nevertheless, it was the first thing I thought of for this topic!
#3 The Ninth Gate
Another movie, another Satanic cult. It’s not Depp’s best film but it’s a halfway decent horror flick. I heard it’s based on a book, so I’ll make sure to check that out soon.
What’s your favorite horror film featuring rituals? Let me know in the comments!
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The Punk Theory 
I haven’t seen The Ninth Gate. I need to watch re-watch Rosemary’s Baby, I’ve only seen it one time and barely remember it.
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The Ninth Gate isn’t all that fascinating. I still want to check out the book it’s based on, though.
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Hey we match!!! I waited a long time to watch Rosemary’s Baby, too long, because horror isn’t necessarily my cup of tea but after decades of hearing that it really was a top of the line project I made a point to give it a proper watch and was rewarded with a brilliant piece of filmmaking. It’s not something I go back to very often at all but it’s expertly done.
I thought The Craft was dumb as dirt.
I’ve only seen bits of The Ninth Gate, I should sit down and watch it from beginning to end but my tolerance for Johnny Depp is very low these days.
My pick of Rosemary along with all the talk about Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Sharon Tate it lead me to my second and my last was actually the first I thought of, a silent masterpiece that deserves to be discussed more than it is.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)-Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow in full pixie mode) and her struggling actor husband Guy (John Cassavetes) move to a New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and odd neighbors Roman and Minnie Castavet (Sidney Blackmer & Ruth Gordon who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar). When Rosemary discovers she’s pregnant she becomes increasingly isolated, the now successful Guy begins to change in disturbing ways and the diabolical truth is revealed only after Rosemary gives birth. Roman Polanski’s first American film is a classic of sustained dread.
The Eye of the Devil (1966)-French vintner Philippe de Montfaucon (David Niven) returns to Bordeaux with his wife Catherine (Deborah Kerr) when the estate falls on hard times. Upon arrival they are confronted by the beautiful witch Odile de Caray (Sharon Tate in her starring debut), who also lives on the estate with her brother Christian (David Hemmings). As time passes it becomes clear that a ritual sacrifice is expected to return the vineyard to its former glory.
Häxan (1922)-Silent film explores the history of witchcraft, demonology and Satanism. Lacing a narrative of the persecution of a woman accused of witchcraft through its representations of evil in a variety of ancient and medieval artworks and offering vignettes illustrating a number of superstitious practices. The film ends by suggesting that the modern science of psychology offers important insight into the beliefs and practices of the past. Fantastic hybrid of documentary and fiction.
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I need to check out The Eye of the Devil. It sounds fascinating and Sharon Tate is always a wonderful choice!
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Rosemary’s Baby is definitely one of the best films ever though it’s a film my mother doesn’t want to see ever again as it scared the fuck out of her. I liked The Ninth Gate though I think it’s minor Polanski. The Craft is an alright film though it feels very dated for me.
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I prepared this post a while ago and now I finlly got to see The Craft! Lots of potential there but lots of stuff (most of all the special effects) really are dated.
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Rosemary’s Baby is the only I’ve seen and I was not a fan. Too boring and slow for me.
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I can totall understand that, it really is a slowburn.
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I love The Craft! That would be on my list for sure.
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I watched it in the mean time and quite enjoyed it as well. =)
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I am 0 for 3 even though Rosemary’s Baby is a classic. I was always too scared to watch it. I might see The Craft one day even though it looks dumb. Your last pick looks quite good if predictable.
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