Harold & Maude (1971)

Harold is obsessed with death, which might explain why he's attracted to someone so close to it. He stages suicide attempts, drives a hearse and goes to funerals for fun, which is where he meets the fun loving, freewheelin' octogenarian Maude, who shows him how to have a good time in life by not giving any fucks. It's the ultimate May-December romance, but it's actually the classic Cat Stevens soundtrack that first made me fall in love with this film.

R.I.P. Bud Cort (for real), 1948-2026.

4 sunflowers out of 5

Look What's Happened to Rosemary's Baby (1976)

AKA: Rosemary's Baby Part II

Owing more to The Omen than Rosemary's Baby, Patty Duke inherits the role from Mia Farrow, while Ruth Gordon reprises her role as Mrs. Castevet. Adrian/Andrew, the former titular baby, is now a young boy. Rosemary has been plotting her escape for years when she finally seizes on an opportunity; meanwhile, the coven sets out in pursuit and closes in on them. 

I know it's a movie about Satan, but this movie was God awful. It has "made for television" written all over it. Bad acting, melodramatic score, shoddy special effects and poor writing/plotting. The story is told in three parts, separated by time period, as we follow Adrian as a young man and finally an adult (oddly enough, this outline would also mirror The Omen series of films).

1 Damien rip-off out of 5

ROSEMARY'S BABY [1968]

The best types of horror films are the ones that truly allow the viewer the enter into the world that is created. It takes patience, careful attention and emotional investment. Only then does it really terrify. Sadly most horror films these just rely on cheap scare tactics and CGI knives.
Rosemary's Baby is the definitive smart horror film that begs the viewer to really use their brain or what's left of it. It's perfect in nearly every way. Mia Farrow's amazing performance is heart-breaking and distressing to behold and study. While Ruth Gordon is an absolute treat to watch as the nosy old New York neighbor. Roman Polanski knew exactly what he was doing with this beautifully shot film and perfects it with a genuinely icky creep factor that lines the heart of the story.
With it's twisted sense of humor, amazing build up of dread and sense of paranoia waiting around every corner, Rosemary's Baby deserves the attention and acclaim it constantly receives.

5 Für Elise's out of 5