Hacktober #19 (Scanned On Parchment, Snuck Into Your Pocket)

One of the best supernatural movies ever made, based on M.R. James "Casting The Runes". I haven't seen the British "Night of the Demon" cut -- which I believe is also now a restored release for the American-released  "Curse" as well now. I need to rectify that, more footage would be welcome because the character interplay and the story are the main draw here, not the monster. Not knocking the titular Demon, I like the big beastie. Some folks don't like the rubbery monster but I think it's a really nifty creature design and don't mind how it appears in the film. I can understand proponents of the "don't show it" camp, but I'm fine with going full-demon. While the full-sized creature moves a bit awkwardly, the appearance is brief and effective, and the claws look like something that really could tear a person to shreds. it's, well...demonic.  Supposedly stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen was approached to create the demon. That would have been wild to see, but stop motion is expensive, which is why most of Harryhausen's films are done on the cheap otherwise.  

Irish actor Niall MacGinnis' portrayal as Dr. Julian Karswell is one of the great horror villain turns. He hits all the right spots of imperiousness, pettiness, cowardice and savagery. His eventual comeuppance is a golden "fuck around and find out" moment. 

I haven't seen Sam Raimi's "Drag Me To Hell" but apparently it bites a big chunk off of the original James' story as well as this movie. I'm not as sold on Raimi as a genius as some folks are, but I do want to see that one, it looks like it's pretty functional for a guy who imho has gone over the bloated big-budget cliff. But who knows, like I said, I haven't seen it.  Although It would be nice if the inspiration for the plot was acknowledged, the original story is public domain and it's not like anyone's less of a "visionary" if they admit their inspiration. 

Man, I hate the use of the word "visionary" for 99.9% of filmmakers. I'd like to produce something visionary with a crew of hundreds , based on a book or comic.. You know who were visionaries? Ray Harryhausen. Willis H. O'Brien. Władysław Starewicz. Pioneer stop motion animators had more dreams in their heads which they translated to film footage than most of the filmmakers people call "visionary".  In my humble, unimportant opinion.