American Gothic

2/17/2017

In "American Gothic", the story revolves around Cynthia, a young woman mourning the death of her baby daughter, for which blames herself (and she really should!). Following her psychiatrist's advice, Cynthia and her husband, Jeff, go on a trip with some friends, but their trip is cut short when they find themselves stranded in a deserted island. During a walk around the woods, the group finds a wooden cottage and they decide to break in (of course they do!). While the guys and girls are snooping around the place, going through the drawers and even dancing the Charleston like complete imbeciles, the owners of the house arrive. The householders are an elderly couple who call themselves "Ma" and "Pa". Jeff apologizes for the intrusion, but Ma tells him not to worry and invites them to stay fo

2/18/2017

3 couples fly away for a holiday but encounter engine trouble and are marooned on an island with a dysfunctional and deadly family. There are some stupid decisions made including one which almost pulls you out of the film but it's all so crazy and is played straight enough to elevate this far above what it could've been. I'd say it feels a bit like a feature length Tales from the Crypt episode, with a slightly more serious tone and strong Wes Craven feels. Well worth watching for the brilliant performances of the island family and many bizarre and amusing scenarios.

4/3/2023

**_Young castaways encounter a strange family on a remote island in the Great Northwest_** Three couples from Seattle take a small plane trip to celebrate the anniversary of the pilot & his wife. Unfortunately, mechanical problems force them to land at an isolated isle in Puget Sound where they meet some backwoods kinfolk (with Rod Steiger playing the patriarch). Will any of them make it back alive? “American Gothic” (1987) combines the odd yokels of “Deliverance” (1972) with the basic set-up of “Humongous” (1982) and the religious legalism of “Carrie” (1976). The first act suggests an adventure in the manner of “Out of Control” (1984), but the second act takes a horror turn, although it’s sort of atypical of 80’s slasher. Yet there are similarities to “April Fool’s Day” (1986).