“Leonora” by Everil Worrell (1927)
“It was not curiosity that drove me, but some deeper urge, some urge I know no name for.”
It’s the kind of classic spooky story you’ve seen dozens of times, dating back to the earliest opportunities for meeting a dark and attractive stranger in the night. Worrell does well with this take from the early days of cars intruding upon an idyllic life in the country. We can never shake the appeal of the dangerous invitation.
***
Smile dir. Parker Finn (2022)
“You have it? You’re trying to pass it onto me?”
I’m seeing that the movie had a great opening weekend and I’m glad for the cast and crew, but… hoo boy. It’s not a strong one. I yawned more than once and I’m not one to do that when I’m watching movies, especially in a theater setting. The pace just drags and the performances were weak at various critical points when the characters needed to really convey the horror of the situation. Bonus points for a strong final confrontation with the thing but then negative points for the weak denouement that is there purely for the sake of a now guaranteed sequel.
