Celebrating 50 Years of THE OMEN (1976): “It's All for You, Damien!”

THE OMEN (1976) d. Richard Donner (USA)
DAMIEN: OMEN II (1978) d. Don Taylor (USA)
THE FINAL CONFLICT (1981) d. Graham Baker (USA)
OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING (1991) d. Jorge Montesi/Dominique Othenin-Girard (USA)
THE OMEN (2006) d. John Moore (USA)
THE FIRST OMEN (2024) d. Arkasha Stevenson (USA)

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The success of William Friedkin’s The Exorcist in 1973 sparked any number of cheapie imitations, spawning an entire subgenre of occult and possession-themed features. What sets The Omen apart from these is screenwriter David Seltzer and director Richard Donner’s thoughtful adherence to a rigid universe of logic and plausibility; all of the bizarre tragedies surrounding the Thorns could be justified as pure coincidence and/or freak accidents, without any supernatural leanings. This grounding in reality, further anchored by Peck’s stolid presence, turned what could have been a schlocky exercise in exploitation into a prestige picture that demanded attention and (occasionally grudging) respect.

IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS (1995) Blu-ray Review

SCARE-A-THON Totals to Date:

Total Movies Watched: 11
Total First Time Views: 6
Amount raised for BOXVILLE: $735.02 

In the Mouth of Madness (1995) d. John Carpenter (USA) (95 min) (3rd viewing)

“Do you read Sutter Cane?”

Called in to investigate the disappearance of popular horror writer Sutter Cane (Jürgen Prochnow), insurance investigator John Trent (Sam Neill) attempts to determine whether or not the whole thing is a huge publicity stunt. Meanwhile, the release of Cane’s latest novel coincides with outbreaks of violence and maniacal behavior among the reading populace.

THE OMEN (1976) Blu-ray Review

Scare-A-Thon Totals to Date:

Total Movies Watched: 24
Total First Time Views: 11
Amount raised for AMAZON WATCH: $1,986.48

The Omen (1976) d. Richard Donner (111 min) (5th viewing)

While stationed in Italy, influential American diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) receives the tragic news that the child born to his wife Katherine (Lee Remick) has died during childbirth. However, the kindly Father Spilletto (Martin Benson) suggests that the grieving father secretly adopt another baby – born the same night – and raise it up as his own. Five years later, Robert has been appointed U.S. Ambassador to England, he and Katherine are happy, and their son Damien (Harvey Stephens) is healthy and thriving. But following a series of strange, fatal accidents, Robert is compelled to investigate the circumstances surrounding Damien’s birth and, with the help of independent photojournalist Keith Jennings (David Warner), comes to believe that his son may in fact be the offspring of the Devil Himself.

IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS (1994) movie review

In the Mouth of Madness (1994) d. Carpenter, John (USA)

“Have you read Sutter Cane?” With echoes of Lovecraft’s mythology and blatant parallels to bestselling author Stephen King’s career, this represents one of Carpenter’s most intelligent and daring efforts. Called in to investigate the disappearance of popular horror writer Sutter Cane, insurance investigator Sam Neill attempts to determine whether or not the whole thing is a huge publicity stunt. Meanwhile, the release of Cane’s latest novel coincides with outbreaks of violence and maniacal behavior among the reading populace.