Before his death in November 2009, director Paul Wendkos put his name on over 180 projects, from the teen surf classic GIDGET to a spate of acclaimed made-for-television movies. His stylish and groundbreaking television movie work from 1967-1977 gave birth to nightmares and a whole generation of young directors. From the off-kilter, Dutch-angled and fish-eyed world he created for THE INVADERS to his DGA-nominated masterpiece THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE BELL, Wendkos is a true craftsman deserving of rediscovery and reevaluation.
Read the full article »
CRIMINALLY UNKNOWN PRESENTS: LARRY FESSENDEN IN PERSON
WENDIGO, 2001, Magnolia Pictures, 91 min. Dir. Larry Fessenden. A blue Volvo makes its way through the fading light this chilly winter evening in Upstate New York. Kim, George (Jake Weber and Patricia Clarkson) and their eight-year old son, Miles (Erik Per Sullivan), are city dwellers stealing a weekend away at a friend’s country farmhouse. But a fluke accident sets off a chain of events that alters their lives forever and conjures up the ferocious spirit of the Wendigo. Smart, genuinely scary, unforgettable. “…as if John Cassavetes had been working for Universal in the early 30′s.” Dave Kehr, New York Times
HABIT, 1996, Glass Eye Pix/Passport Cinema, 112 min. Autumn in New York. Sam (Larry Fessenden) has broken up with his girlfriend and his father has recently died. World-weary and sloppy drunk, he finds temporary solace in the arms of Anna (Meredith Snaider), a mysterious woman who draws him away from his friends and into a web of addiction and madness. A beautiful “downtown” vampire tale. “a sad and haunting film…” Roger Ebert
Discussion in between films with director Larry Fessenden.
Read the full article »
