Classics: A Review of Shadow of the Vampire By Lauren Ennis

 Since the advent of cinema there have always been monster movies. These films allow filmmakers to explore dark, complex, and socially sensitive topics while still keeping audiences entertained. But what if the monster wasn't just a performance? What would happen if a movie monster became real? 2000's horror satire Shadow of the Vampire asks those very questions. At once a Valentine to classic horror and a scathing critique of the entertainment industry Shadow of the Vampire is truly a viewing experience to die for.

Dead and loving it

The story begins in Weimar-era Berlin as director F. W. Murnau sets out to film his masterpiece, Nosferatu. Filming starts well enough, minus the occasional spats between the director and his tempestuous ex-lover turned leading lady, Greta. What begins as a backstage drama quickly takes a dark turn when Murnau moves filming to a remote location in Romania. While he insists that the location shooting is essential to maintain the film's authenticity, the cast and crew remain unconvinced. The eerie atmosphere is exacerbated by the arrival of the film's main monster, the mysterious Max Schreck. Murnau introduces Schreck as a dedicated method actor and instructs the cast and crew to leave him to his craft. As mysterious and terrifying events begin to occur Schreck's identity is called into question. Over the course of filming the cast and crew realize that the film, their careers, and their very lives are at stake. What ensues is a true production from hell that requires all of the cast and crew's blood, sweat, and tears, especially their blood.

Shadow of the Vampire pumps fresh blood into a tired genre. Rather than bringing viewers into the mysterious and monstrous world of vampires the film instead brings the legend into our world. In this way, the film offers a uniquely terrifying twist on the genre as it asks what would happen if we actually were confronted with the undead in our midst. This unique take lends itself to deadpan humor as the cast and crew react to their costar's increasingly bizarre behavior. Rather than relating a simple fish out of water story, however, the film uses its premise to explore the all too real blood suckers in the arts and entertainment industries. Over the course of the film, Murnau sacrifices the safety of his cast and crew in an effort to realize his artistic vision. This exaggerated depiction aptly highlights the extent to which many artists will go to fulfill their creative pursuits. In its depiction of Murnau's deal with the devilish Schreck the film offers a scathing critique of an industry willing to sacrifice anything and anyone for a chance at immortality. For a bloody good time spend your Halloween in the Shadow of the Vampire.

Just another day at work...

The film transports viewers to the hedonism of Weimar-era Berlin and the eerie beauty of the Romanian countryside thanks to the work of its cast. Eddie Izzard is endearing as Nosferatu's naive leading man, Gustav. Cary Elwes infuses matinee idol charm into his turn as cinematographer, Fritz. Ronan Vibert lends pathos to his role as the crew's doomed voice of reason, Wolgang. Catherine McCormack is electric as Nosferatu's by turns seductive and shrill leading lady, Greta. Even in the midst of superb supporting performances the film belongs to John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe as Murnau and Schreck. Malkovich utilizes his unique blend of charisma and calculation to the fullest, portraying Murnau as at once monstrous and uncomfortably relatable in his single-minded pursuit of his artistic vision. Dafoe immerses himself so fully into his role that he nearly disappears into the equal parts grotesque and tragic Schreck.

At once an homage to the classic monster movie and a biting industry satire, Shadow of the Vampire proves that there's still fresh blood in the old vampire legend. The script scathingly sends up the callousness of the entertainment industry while still offering an array of classic thrills and chills. The cast perfectly balance between deadpan humor and deadly terror. For Halloween viewing with plenty of bite tune in to Shadow of the Vampire.

Happy Halloween!

Today is the day!

My debut novel A Boy's Best Comrade, is now available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.com! This novel is for the young and young at heart and dog lovers everywhere. The novel will also be available at Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Apple Books on Monday, October 13. Check out the summary and a sneak peak at the first chapter below! 

Moscow, 1938: Sasha has a family, an apartment, and even the occasional bit of bread and peace. She has everything that a dog in the Soviet Union could want. All of that changes in one fateful night when the secret police knock at her apartment door. They arrest her owners, leaving Sasha and her owners’ young son, Yuri, to fend for themselves. She makes it her mission to follow her owners’ last instructions; “take care of Yuri”. But Moscow is a dangerous city for a dog and her boy. Together, they struggle to start a new life on the city’s streets, making friends and facing enemies along the way.

Chapter 1:

“It’s alright, Sasha, it’s only me” Sofia’s voice called out from the hallway.

Sasha stopped barking and watched in confused excitement as the door burst open. Suddenly a green mass landed on the floor in front of her with a thud. Sasha hid under the table. She looked at Sofia proudly standing over the heap of blue-green needles sprawled across the floor. She narrowed her eyes as she slowly realized that it was not a defeated monster in front of her but a tree.

Sasha peered out from underneath the table, wondering how a spruce tree had come to appear in their apartment in the heart of Moscow. She slowly crawled out from underneath the table and nervously approached the tree. She leaned forward, her snout grazing its needles as she strained to sniff the branches. The needles scratched her nose, and she leaped back with a whimper. Sofia bent down and affectionately scratched Sasha’s large, pointed, ears.

“Now, now, there will be no whimpers or tears tonight” she insisted.

Sasha leaned her head into Sofia’s hand, enjoying the comfort of a good pet.

“Do you know what tonight is?” Sofia asked in an excited whisper.

Sasha wagged her bushy tail, eagerly awaiting Sofia’s explanation.

“It’s New Year’s Eve. Novym Godom, Sasha!” she exclaimed.

Sasha pawed at the floor, her tail swishing through the tree’s branches as she wagged it. She paused and looked down at the tree.

“What’s New Year’s Eve?” she wondered.

“It will be a new year and a new start for all of us, I just know it” Sofia wistfully explained. 

Sasha sat back, wondering what Sofia meant when she said, ‘a new start’ and why there was a slight throb in her voice when she said it. She was only a puppy after all. She had no way of knowing that it had been nearly twenty years since the Russian people were permitted to celebrate New Year’s or any other holiday. Now, after decades of war, famine, and strife, the Soviet Union had finally decided that there was something to celebrate.

Sofia walked to the opposite end of the tree and bent down next to it. She reached underneath the tree’s top and started to lift, but the tree refused to budge. Sasha followed her and bent down, placing her head underneath the tree’s branches. She slowly stood, lifting the tree just above the floor. Sofia grabbed the branches and pulled them off Sasha.

“Sasha what are you doing?” she asked.

Sasha stood up straight, her chest puffed out with pride at her physical prowess.

“Are you helping me put up the New Year’s Tree?” Sofia asked. 

“It’s called a New Year’s Tree?” Sasha asked herself, in bewilderment. “I mean, of course that’s what I’m doing, isn’t it obvious?” she corrected with a yelp.

“You’re right, we need to get moving if we’re going to have this place ready for when Mikhail comes home” Sofia noted.

Sofia propped the tree up in the corner of the room while Sasha stood staring in astonishment. Sasha wondered how one tree had managed to swallow up the entire one-room apartment, the spaciousness of which was the envy of every man, woman, cat, and dog, in the building. 

Sofia clapped her hands together, “Come on” she called to Sasha.

Sasha eagerly rushed to her mistress’ side, “We need to be ready. It’s new year’s ever, after all; anything can happen!” Sofia exclaimed.

***

In a matter of mere hours, the apartment was transformed from the simple home of two Soviet workers to a winter fairyland. Sofia sat down on the bed in the far corner of the room and admired her handiwork.

“Well, what do you think?” Sofia asked, her eyes shining with pride.

Sasha looked around the room, her eyes darting from the paper snowflakes hanging down from the ceiling to the bright red Soviet star resting atop the tree. She wagged her tail in appreciation.

“Thank you, I didn’t think it was half bad myself” Sofia agreed with a laugh.

They both turned at the familiar sound of a key turning in the door. Sofia hid behind the tree and gestured to Sasha to follow her.

“Come on, Sasha” Sofia instructed in an urgent whisper. Sasha reluctantly followed the command and took up a post underneath the tree.

The door opened with a creak and Mikhail entered the apartment with a weary sigh, his shoulders stooped. He glanced up, his eyes widening in disbelief. Sasha raced out from under the tree, leaving a trail of needles on the floor behind her. She leaped up onto him, nearly knocking him over. Sofia ran out from behind the tree.

“Sasha, no!” she shouted.

He took Sasha’s paws in his hands and bent down so that his face was level with hers. 

“It’s alright, Sofia” he assured Sofia.

Sasha set to work licking his face in an affectionate, if wet, greeting.

“She’s just wishing me a happy new year. Aren’t you, girl?” he added before letting go of Sasha’s paws.

He stood and looked around the apartment, mesmerized.

“And it looks like she’s not the only one” he added with appreciation as he wrapped his arm around Sofia’s waist.

“Do you like it?” Sofia hesitantly asked.

Mikhail gazed at the glow of the candles scattered around the apartment, his eyes glistening.

“I know that it’s not the same as before…” Sofia quietly admitted.

“No, it isn’t” he agreed in a strained voice.

He nodded to himself, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. He squeezed her waist and kissed her cheek.

“It’s better” he assured her.

Sofia rested her head on his shoulder, “Do you remember the last time that we celebrated New Year’s Eve?” she asked.

“How could I forget? It was at the Lipnitskys’ party” he replied.

He released her waist and turned to face her. 

“It was the first time that I saw you” he said and leaned forward to kiss her.

Before their lips could touch, however, they both turned at the sound of Sasha barking at the window.

“Yes, that was a long time ago. Long before we got you, Sasha” he noted. 

Sofia walked to the table and sat down.

“So much has happened since then” she noted with regret.

Mikhail sat down at the table across from her.

“I know but remember how far we’ve come since then” he reminded her, taking her hands in his.

She affectionately squeezed his hands, “I know, but—” she began.

“But think of how far Russia’s come” he interrupted.

She stared down at the table, “Has it?” she asked.

“Of course it has! Just think of where we were only last year. We—” he began.

Sasha started barking even louder.

“We didn’t have a dog” Sofia offered with a weak smile.

“Or a New Year’s Eve to celebrate” he added before raising one of her hands to his lips.

He let go of her hands and stood, “Which reminds me…” he began.

She watched as he crossed the room to their one dresser. Sasha stared out the window, her breath fogging up the glass as she let out a low growl. Mikhail opened one of the dresser’s drawers and retrieved a bottle of champagne.

“How did you—” Sofia began, her eyes wide with shock.

“I have my ways” he assured her with a wink.

Sasha suddenly turned away from the window and raced across the apartment to the door. She stood crouched by the door, her hackles raised and her ears lying flat against her head. Sofia stood and retrieved two cups from a shelf at the opposite corner of the room.

Mikhail proudly held up the bottle, “A toast, to—” he began in a bellowing voice.

He was interrupted by a knock at the door. Sasha growled while Mikhail and Sofia exchanged anxious glances. They stared at the door, frozen in place as the knocking grew louder.

“Open up!” a gruff voice demanded from the hallway.

Sofia swallowed hard and clasped her hands to keep them from shaking.

“Open up!” the voice persisted.

Mikhail looked helplessly from his wife to the door and back again.

“NKVD” the voice announced, uttering the four most feared letters in the entire Russian language, the acronym for the secret police.

Classics: A Review of Courage the Cowardly Dog By Lauren Ennis

 Aliens, monsters, ghosts, and all things creepy and crawly make for just another day in Nowhere, Kansas. From 1999 to 2002 viewers tuned in each week for a trip to the mysterious Nowhere with hapless canine hero Courage, the cowardly dog. Blending the surreal, slapstick, and unnerving, the show offered young audiences an out of this world viewing experience that has yet to be replicated. Scream with laughter and terror along with Courage the Cowardly Dog...if you dare.

The story follows Courage as he faces a series of weird, wacky, and terrifying foes. Despite his open cowardice, he overcomes his fears each week in order to protect his beloved owner, Muriel. The by turns hilarious, heartfelt, and horrifying series turned a generation of young viewers on to the horror genre, and maybe traumatized a few along the way.

In the twenty-six years since its release there has never been a series quite like Courage the Cowardly Dog. The series blended existential unease worthy of The Twilight Zone with Looney Tunes slapstick to equal parts horrifying and hilarious effect. It showcased a series of weekly monsters that would leave Scooby Doo heading straight for the Mystery Machine. Rather than merely offering cheap chills, however, the series used its monster mash to explore an array of weighty topics ranging from animal experimentation, to domestic violence, to mental illness. Even as it delved into these dark topics, the series utilized humor and heart to inspire its young viewers to face the monsters under their own beds. In this way, the series provided its young viewers with a safe and entertaining medium through which to confront life's darker realities. Start your spooky season with Courage the Cowardly Dog.

The series transports viewers to the weird world of Nowhere thanks to the uproarious work of its cast. Thea White is a delight as Courage's nurturing, optimistic, but ultimately oblivious owner, Muriel. Lionel Wilson is the portrait of a curmudgeon as Muriel's selfish, stubborn, and crotchety husband, Eustace. Even in the midst of an array of vicious villains and colorful creatures the series belongs to Marty Grabstein as the most unlikely and endearing of heroes, Courage.

Unsettling, outrageous, and entirely unique, Courage the Cowardly Dog set a new standard in animated television. Through its weekly supply of monsters the series introduced a generation to the thrills and chills of horror. In its depiction of its unlikely hero's efforts to combat these villains the series encouraged young viewers to face their own fears and find the humor in life's uncertainties. Face your fears with a little bit of Courage the Cowardly Dog.

For more tales of the bond between dogs and their people be sure to check out my debut novel, A Boy's Best Comrade now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo.

An Exciting Announcement!

Dear readers,

Thank you for all of your continued support! I'm thrilled to share my latest project with you; my first novel A Boy's Best Comrade. This novel is for the young and young at heart and dog lovers everywhere. The novel will be available in both ebook and paperback on Amazon on Friday, October 10 and Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Apple Books on Monday, October 13. See the summary and a sneak peak at the first chapter below. 

Moscow, 1938: Sasha has a family, an apartment, and even the occasional bit of bread and peace. She has everything that a dog in the Soviet Union could want. All of that changes in one fateful night when the secret police knock at her apartment door. They arrest her owners, leaving Sasha and her owners’ young son, Yuri, to fend for themselves. She makes it her mission to follow her owners’ last instructions; “take care of Yuri”. But Moscow is a dangerous city for a dog and her boy. Together, they struggle to start a new life on the city’s streets, making friends and facing enemies along the way.

Chapter 1:

“It’s alright, Sasha, it’s only me” Sofia’s voice called out from the hallway.

Sasha stopped barking and watched in confused excitement as the door burst open. Suddenly a green mass landed on the floor in front of her with a thud. Sasha hid under the table. She looked at Sofia proudly standing over the heap of blue-green needles sprawled across the floor. She narrowed her eyes as she slowly realized that it was not a defeated monster in front of her but a tree.

Sasha peered out from underneath the table, wondering how a spruce tree had come to appear in their apartment in the heart of Moscow. She slowly crawled out from underneath the table and nervously approached the tree. She leaned forward, her snout grazing its needles as she strained to sniff the branches. The needles scratched her nose, and she leaped back with a whimper. Sofia bent down and affectionately scratched Sasha’s large, pointed, ears.

“Now, now, there will be no whimpers or tears tonight” she insisted.

Sasha leaned her head into Sofia’s hand, enjoying the comfort of a good pet.

“Do you know what tonight is?” Sofia asked in an excited whisper.

Sasha wagged her bushy tail, eagerly awaiting Sofia’s explanation.

“It’s New Year’s Eve. Novym Godom, Sasha!” she exclaimed.

Sasha pawed at the floor, her tail swishing through the tree’s branches as she wagged it. She paused and looked down at the tree.

“What’s New Year’s Eve?” she wondered.

“It will be a new year and a new start for all of us, I just know it” Sofia wistfully explained. 

Sasha sat back, wondering what Sofia meant when she said, ‘a new start’ and why there was a slight throb in her voice when she said it. She was only a puppy after all. She had no way of knowing that it had been nearly twenty years since the Russian people were permitted to celebrate New Year’s or any other holiday. Now, after decades of war, famine, and strife, the Soviet Union had finally decided that there was something to celebrate.

Sofia walked to the opposite end of the tree and bent down next to it. She reached underneath the tree’s top and started to lift, but the tree refused to budge. Sasha followed her and bent down, placing her head underneath the tree’s branches. She slowly stood, lifting the tree just above the floor. Sofia grabbed the branches and pulled them off Sasha.

“Sasha what are you doing?” she asked.

Sasha stood up straight, her chest puffed out with pride at her physical prowess.

“Are you helping me put up the New Year’s Tree?” Sofia asked. 

“It’s called a New Year’s Tree?” Sasha asked herself, in bewilderment. “I mean, of course that’s what I’m doing, isn’t it obvious?” she corrected with a yelp.

“You’re right, we need to get moving if we’re going to have this place ready for when Mikhail comes home” Sofia noted.

Sofia propped the tree up in the corner of the room while Sasha stood staring in astonishment. Sasha wondered how one tree had managed to swallow up the entire one-room apartment, the spaciousness of which was the envy of every man, woman, cat, and dog, in the building. 

Sofia clapped her hands together, “Come on” she called to Sasha.

Sasha eagerly rushed to her mistress’ side, “We need to be ready. It’s new year’s ever, after all; anything can happen!” Sofia exclaimed.

***

In a matter of mere hours, the apartment was transformed from the simple home of two Soviet workers to a winter fairyland. Sofia sat down on the bed in the far corner of the room and admired her handiwork.

“Well, what do you think?” Sofia asked, her eyes shining with pride.

Sasha looked around the room, her eyes darting from the paper snowflakes hanging down from the ceiling to the bright red Soviet star resting atop the tree. She wagged her tail in appreciation.

“Thank you, I didn’t think it was half bad myself” Sofia agreed with a laugh.

They both turned at the familiar sound of a key turning in the door. Sofia hid behind the tree and gestured to Sasha to follow her.

“Come on, Sasha” Sofia instructed in an urgent whisper. Sasha reluctantly followed the command and took up a post underneath the tree.

The door opened with a creak and Mikhail entered the apartment with a weary sigh, his shoulders stooped. He glanced up, his eyes widening in disbelief. Sasha raced out from under the tree, leaving a trail of needles on the floor behind her. She leaped up onto him, nearly knocking him over. Sofia ran out from behind the tree.

“Sasha, no!” she shouted.

He took Sasha’s paws in his hands and bent down so that his face was level with hers. 

“It’s alright, Sofia” he assured Sofia.

Sasha set to work licking his face in an affectionate, if wet, greeting.

“She’s just wishing me a happy new year. Aren’t you, girl?” he added before letting go of Sasha’s paws.

He stood and looked around the apartment, mesmerized.

“And it looks like she’s not the only one” he added with appreciation as he wrapped his arm around Sofia’s waist.

“Do you like it?” Sofia hesitantly asked.

Mikhail gazed at the glow of the candles scattered around the apartment, his eyes glistening.

“I know that it’s not the same as before…” Sofia quietly admitted.

“No, it isn’t” he agreed in a strained voice.

He nodded to himself, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. He squeezed her waist and kissed her cheek.

“It’s better” he assured her.

Sofia rested her head on his shoulder, “Do you remember the last time that we celebrated New Year’s Eve?” she asked.

“How could I forget? It was at the Lipnitskys’ party” he replied.

He released her waist and turned to face her. 

“It was the first time that I saw you” he said and leaned forward to kiss her.

Before their lips could touch, however, they both turned at the sound of Sasha barking at the window.

“Yes, that was a long time ago. Long before we got you, Sasha” he noted. 

Sofia walked to the table and sat down.

“So much has happened since then” she noted with regret.

Mikhail sat down at the table across from her.

“I know but remember how far we’ve come since then” he reminded her, taking her hands in his.

She affectionately squeezed his hands, “I know, but—” she began.

“But think of how far Russia’s come” he interrupted.

She stared down at the table, “Has it?” she asked.

“Of course it has! Just think of where we were only last year. We—” he began.

Sasha started barking even louder.

“We didn’t have a dog” Sofia offered with a weak smile.

“Or a New Year’s Eve to celebrate” he added before raising one of her hands to his lips.

He let go of her hands and stood, “Which reminds me…” he began.

She watched as he crossed the room to their one dresser. Sasha stared out the window, her breath fogging up the glass as she let out a low growl. Mikhail opened one of the dresser’s drawers and retrieved a bottle of champagne.

“How did you—” Sofia began, her eyes wide with shock.

“I have my ways” he assured her with a wink.

Sasha suddenly turned away from the window and raced across the apartment to the door. She stood crouched by the door, her hackles raised and her ears lying flat against her head. Sofia stood and retrieved two cups from a shelf at the opposite corner of the room.

Mikhail proudly held up the bottle, “A toast, to—” he began in a bellowing voice.

He was interrupted by a knock at the door. Sasha growled while Mikhail and Sofia exchanged anxious glances. They stared at the door, frozen in place as the knocking grew louder.

“Open up!” a gruff voice demanded from the hallway.

Sofia swallowed hard and clasped her hands to keep them from shaking.

“Open up!” the voice persisted.

Mikhail looked helplessly from his wife to the door and back again.

“NKVD” the voice announced, uttering the four most feared letters in the entire Russian language, the acronym for the secret police.

Classics: A Review of Indecent Proposal By Lauren Ennis

 What would you do for a million dollars? Is there any prize worth the cost of your integrity? These are the questions that lie at the heart of the 1993 romantic drama Indecent Proposal. Over thirty years after its release this parable of love, lust, and greed continues to spark debate and discussion. Rate the odds with Robert Redford at his most suave in Indecent Proposal.

The film begins with happily married David and Diana Murphy chasing the American Dream. David pursues a career as an architect while Diana enjoys success as a real estate agent. Their idyllic existence grinds to a halt when David is laid off and they lose the funds for their dream home. Desperate, they resolve to travel to Vegas and win enough money to rescue themselves from ruin. Predictably, this plan quickly goes awry. What neither David nor Diana can predict, however, is the intercession of billionaire John Gage. After witnessing the couple lose at the roulette table he makes them an offer for one million dollars in exchange for a night with Diana. The couple hesitantly agree and the next morning Gage pays them the million dollars. In their moment of triumph, however, the pair realize that they have struck a Faustian bargain the likes of which calls their marriage, morals, and future into question.

What easily could have devolved into a tawdry, forgettable, effort instead makes for surprisingly thought provoking viewing. The film transcends its sordid premise by following that premise to its devastating conclusion. While filmgoers still ponder the question of whether they would accept Gage's offer the film truly hits its stride after the fateful deal has already been struck. Through its depiction of the personal hell of resentment, distrust, and bitterness that the Murphys condemn themselves to, the film acts as a mature exploration of the cost of compromising oneself. In this way, the film places viewers in the Murphys' shoes and forces us to consider not just its titular proposal but also the less than ideal proposals that we've accepted in our own lives. As a result, the film raises vital questions for viewers to grapple with long after its final credits fade. Along with its philosophical musings the film also offers up plenty of drama as it follows each point of its central love triangle in their ill-advised quest to have it all. Take a chance with David, Diana, and John in Indecent Proposal.

An offer she couldn't refuse

The film brings its Faustian tale to scintillating life thanks to its star-studded cast. Woody Harrelson is haplessness personified as David, yet still imbues his role with an earnestness that is sure to leave viewers rooting for him. Demi Moore blends sensuality with vulnerability to expert effect as Diana. Robert Redford is at his most tempting as the film's devil in disguise, John Gage. Moore and Redford showcase a chemistry that will leave viewers questioning what they would do when presented with such an indecent proposal.

At once a romantic drama and a moral parable, Indecent Proposal continues to raise vital questions about love, lust, and greed over thirty years after its release. Its thought provoking script makes the most of its central premise. The stellar cast brings each of the characters to vivid, and surprisingly relatable, life. For smoldering viewing with a side of the cerebral take a gamble on an Indecent Proposal.

Second chances are priceless

Classics: A Review of The Outsiders by Lauren Ennis

 "They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight; they were looking to belong" reads the tagline for the 1983 drama The Outsiders. With this, the film perfectly sums up the dilemma of its teen protagonists. Adapted from S.E. Hinton's 1967 novel of the same name, the film follows its outcast heroes as  they struggle with neglect at home, ostracism at school, and violence on the street. This coming of age drama captures the pain of growing up with a power and poignancy that few films can match. Stay gold with The Outsiders.

The story begins in 1965 Tulsa, Oklahoma with Ponyboy Curtis and his brothers Darryl and Sodapop coping with the recent deaths of their parents. Like their friends Johnny and Dallas, Ponyboy and his brothers are working class teens from the "wrong side of town" mockingly known as Greasers. Camaraderie and solace that he finds in the Greasers is threatened by their constant clashes with the upper class rival gang known as the Socs. Ponyboy and Johnny are attacked by a group of Socs ultimately resulting in Johnny killing one of the Socs in self-defense. Certain that the authorities will not believe them they go on the run, setting off a chain of events that will change their lives forever. 

Over forty years after its release The Outsiders continues to resonate with audiences across generations. Through its depiction of the plight of the impoverished, ostracized, Greasers the film aptly captures the bitter reality of class and social division. This theme has only become more pertinent in an era in which Americans have become divided across class, racial, and political lines, amongst others. The bitter struggle between the Greasers and Socs, based in tribalism and group-think, in many ways mirrors the current fraught political climate. Even as it brilliantly portrays the brutality of gang warfare, however, the film maintains a decisively hopeful message of understanding and redemption the likes of which our current society sorely needs. Find common ground with The Outsiders.

The film brings S. E. Hinton's acclaimed novel to brilliant life thanks to the work of its star-studded cast. Dianne Lane balances sweetness and sass as Soc beauty Cherry. Matt Dillon brings bravado and charisma to his turn as bad boy Dallas. Patrick Swayze aptly capture's Darryl's struggle to be both brother and parent to his orphaned siblings. Rob Lowe infuses Sodapop with boy next door charm. Leif Garret makes for a menacing villain as vicious Soc, Bob. Ralph Macchio turns in one of the best performances of his career as balances Johnny's scrappy exterior and inner decency. C. Thomas Howell makes for an ideal everyman as he conveys Ponyboy's yearning for a better life.

While the world has drastically changed since Ponyboy stepped out into the bright sunlight his experiences as an outsider remain startlingly relevant. Few films capture the gold time of youth and the bittersweetness of growing up with the power of The Outsiders. The film's script brings the classic novel to visceral, aching, life. The superb work of the cast transports viewers to the gritty streets of 1960's Tulsa. Find your place with The Outsiders.

Classics: A Review of Scarlet Street By Lauren Ennis

 How far would you go to be somebody? That is the question that lies at the heart of Fritz Lang's 1945 drama Scarlet Street. The film follows three misfits on a doomed quest to become big shots in a portrait of the American Dream gone horribly wrong. Take a walk on the dark side down Scarlet Street.

The story begins at a party marking clerk Chris Cross' twenty-five years of service at a local bank. While Chris should be the center of attention his colleagues are more interested in ogling his boss' young mistress. He fares little better upon returning home to his nagging wife, Adele. When he tries to unwind with his one passion, painting, Adele informs him that he is only allowed to paint in their apartment's bathroom. His dull, repressed, life takes a dramatic turn when he stumbles upon a woman being attacked in the street. He attacks the assailant and the woman introduces herself as Kitty. Flattered by the young and attractive woman's seeming gratitude he takes Kitty out to dinner and tells her about his passion for art. When she assumes that he is a successful artist he fails to correct her. Similarly, when he assumes that she is a model she does not correct him. Eager for a piece of Chris' supposed fortune she embarks upon an affair with him. In order to fund her desired lifestyle he begins stealing from his wife and his employer. Unbeknownst to Chris, however, Kitty is not actually a model but instead a prostitute and her pimp is none other than the man who was attacking her in the street, Johnny. Desperate to pay off his debts, Johnny steaks several of Chris' paintings and sells them under Kitty's name. Chris agrees to go along with the scheme under the assumption that Kitty will marry him and the pair will share the proceeds. What follows is a nightmarish journey to rock bottom in an American Dream gone irreparably awry.

Scarlet Street stands as one of the bleakest and most haunting films in all of noir. The film is so unflinching in its portrayal of its characters' descent into despair that it was actually banned in several cities upon initial release. The film particularly stands out for its portrayal of milquetoast dreamer turned anti-hero, Chris. Chris could not be farther removed from the world weary, cynical, and resourceful heroes that populate noir. He is instead unassuming, repressed, and yet somehow remains optimistic; in short he is not so different from us. In its depiction of his willing descent into a hell of his own making the film serves as an apt reminder of how easily any of us could be similarly led astray. The film also proves to be surprisingly modern in its blunt portrayal of the world of vice, violence, and desperation that its deeply flawed cast inhabit. Perhaps its greatest strength lies in its gut-wrenching ending in which Chris thinks that he has escaped punishment only to find himself trapped within a prison built by his own conscience. At once a gritty crime drama and a nuanced character study Scarlet Street remains as harrowing and resonant now as it was upon its initially release eighty years ago.

It's hard out here for a pimp

The film comes to haunting life thanks to the work of its star-studded cast. Rosalind Ivan is one of the shrillest shrews ever put to celluloid as Chris' abrasive wife, Adele. Dan Duryea is sleaze personified as callous pimp Johnny. Joan Bennett makes for one of the most fatale femmes in all of noir as the conniving, crass, and charming Kitty. Edward. G Robinson turns in one of the most complex performances of his career in his haunting turn as Chris. As the unassuming clerk he captures a vulnerability, desperation, and anxiety that mark a stark contrast from the cocky heavies he built his career playing. 

Scarlet Street is a criminally underrated noir. The twisting plot and razor-sharp dialogue place the script at the top of the genre. The performances bring each of the characters to visceral life in all of their amoral, desperate, glory. Take a walk on the wild side down Scarlet Street.