Poltergeist (1982) (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

[happydood]

Originally Posted by MJD64

As someone who loves Spielberg and is very familiar with Hopper's work I've always maintained that Spielberg essentially made this movie. His sensibilities and technique are all over it. Just the way the suburban-dwelling Freeling's are seen as the 80's family-ideal is pure Spielberg from that period ( I'm still convinced that Hopper would have blackly satirized that Reagan-ideal vision; and the movie might have been more interesting in that respect as a result of it).

Hopper's Texas Chain Saw is certainly his one masterpiece but I still like Salem's Lot, most of The Funhouse ( a shame that some great build-up is dissipated once the ludicrous looking monster is revealed) and the genuinely bonkers Lifeforce is still quite a guilty pleasure of mine.

I've always maintained that Poltergeist is more Spielberg than Hooper, but just saw The Fun house last year. Not a good movie, but it's clear some of his fingerprints made it onto Poltergeist.

[postmodel]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Yeah I'd add The Funhouse to that list, but I agree.

How did that slip my mind! Yep...definitely have to include The Funhouse.

And Body Bags. I did enjoy that one. More for Carpenter, but Hooper, too!

[Nicolawicz]

Hooper was great. I don't know what happened after Chainsaw 2.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by TheBoss062

I have a sneaking feeling that Warner Bros. will wait until the 30 year anniversary in 2022 to release a UHD of the film.

Jeez, who wants to wait that long for anything?

[rroeder]

Originally Posted by MJD64

...... Just the way the suburban-dwelling Freeling's are seen as the 80's family-ideal is pure Spielberg from that period

Completely agree, ET has the same feel. To me tho this is a better movie I have this bluray and will definitely upgrade when/if there's a remaster done

[Donl1282]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

2022 would be the 40th anniversary. The 30th anniversary was in 2012.

Don't say 2022, I'll be 40 as well that year, I don't want to think that far ahead when I'll be really old.

[rroeder]

Originally Posted by happydood

I've always maintained that Poltergeist is more Spielberg than Hooper, but just saw The Fun house last year. Not a good movie, but it's clear some of his fingerprints made it onto Poltergeist.

Maybe Hooper was high and did the editing on the kitchen to neighbors house scenes

[klauswhereareyou]

Actually I must've had a brain fart because after thinking about it the last act of Spielberg's 1941 (1979) is as chaotic as anything in the finale to Poltergeist.

[klauswhereareyou]

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

Hooper was great. I don't know what happened after Chainsaw 2.

He did that awful Weird Al episode of Amazing Stories.

[MJD64]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Actually I must've had a brain fart because after thinking about it the last act of Spielberg's 1941 (1979) is as chaotic as anything in the finale to Poltergeist.

I find almost all of 1941 to be chaotic, and that's no slam; I absolutely love the infectious madcap lunacy of that film. Along with Temple of Doom and Munich, I think it's one of Spielberg's most underrated movies.

[klauswhereareyou]

Originally Posted by MJD64

I find almost all of 1941 to be chaotic, and that's no slam; I absolutely love the infectious madcap lunacy of that film. Along with Temple of Doom and Munich, I think it's one of Spielberg's most underrated movies.

I'm also a fan of 1941.

[Hedji]

Helloooo? Salem's Lot anyone? That movie was absolutely chilling for its time, and in some cases, still is today. I tire of hearing the complete dismissal of Hooper. Inconsistent? Yes. One hit wonder? Not by a long shot.

You can watch Invaders from Mars, and there are some scenes that are VERY reminiscent of parts of Poltergeist in their tone, look, and texture. We will never know the truth of how much Hooper did on Poltergeist, but I suspect it's more than is popular to credit him with.

[klauswhereareyou]

Originally Posted by Hedji

Helloooo? Salem's Lot anyone? That movie was absolutely chilling for its time, and in some cases, still is today. I tire of hearing the complete dismissal of Hooper. Inconsistent? Yes. One hit wonder? Not by a long shot.

You can watch Invaders from Mars, and there are some scenes that are VERY reminiscent of parts of Poltergeist in their tone, look, and texture. We will never know the truth of how much Hooper did on Poltergeist, but I suspect it's more than is popular to credit him with.

Yeah Salem's Lot is one I'd add to the list too (sometimes have to be reminded he directed it).

[klauswhereareyou]

My 2 cents, whatever happened on that set is the reason we do not have a special edition disc of this film. I mean come on, pt.II and even pt.III have bonus packed discs, there's no reason this one wouldn't or shouldn't other than whatever happened during the shooting of this film.

[happydood]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Yeah Salem's Lot is one I'd add to the list too (sometimes have to be reminded he directed it).

Yeah, I feel like the same director made TCM and Salem's Lot which are both great. And then he became something different. I know TCM 2 has its fans- I'm not one- but there IS a crazy sense of style to it. Likewise the actual Funhouse scenes in The Funhouse which are wh are I'd call a link to Poltergeist.

[Nicolawicz]

Has anyone seen that movie Night Terrors? I remember it being kind of good, but I definitely need to see it again.

[MJD64]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

My 2 cents, whatever happened on that set is the reason we do not have a special edition disc of this film. I mean come on, pt.II and even pt.III have bonus packed discs, there's no reason this one wouldn't or shouldn't other than whatever happened during the shooting of this film.

Absolutely. That such a major cult horror film and popular seller on home video has never gotten a special edition with the retrospectives and interviews it deserves has always been the final proof for me that something major happened on that set its makers don't want fans and the public to know about.

[Hedji]

Well that and the Variety ad Spielberg took out, yeah. Also the fact that 2 of the 3 child actors died untimely and tragic deaths may account for the fact that there is limited behind the scenes material released for Poltergeist.

Did Richard Marquand direct Return of the Jedi? Yes he did. Was George Lucas a VERY involved Producer on the set? Yes he was. I believe Poltergeist to be a similar situation. I think these things are difficult to quantify, and we will never know the truth, as there are three sides to every story.

[MJD64]

Originally Posted by Hedji

Well that and the Variety ad Spielberg took out, yeah. Also the fact that 2 of the 3 child actors died untimely and tragic deaths may account for the fact that there is limited behind the scenes material released for Poltergeist.

Did Richard Marquand direct Return of the Jedi? Yes he did. Was George Lucas a VERY involved Producer on the set? Yes he was. I believe Poltergeist to be a similar situation. I think these things are difficult to quantify, and we will never know the truth, as there are three sides to every story.

There are plenty of people associated with Poltergeist, both in front of and behind the cameras, who are still with us.The deaths you're referring to in no way hampered the extras-laden special editions of the sequels that were recently released, and, while tragic, are certainly not the reason why there is no special edition of Poltergeist.

[SeanJoyce]

By and large I've always considered Poltergeist a Spielberg film, just like I consider The Thing from Another World a Hawks one.