METTEL RAY

Thursday Movie Picks: Legend / Mythology

When it comes to legends and mythology, I can’t say I’m an expert. Frankly, the way I approached this week’s theme was simple – Google the shit out of it. Then, as it has been for many weeks now, create a theme within a theme. Therefore, here is my list of three horror movies that are inspired by urban legends.

1. SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999)

When I was a teenager, I thought Johnny Depp could do no wrong and Sleepy Hollow is one of my guilty pleasure favourites. This fantasy horror movie is not as scary but the legend behind it is – apparently there was a huntsman, who hunted criminals. Directed by Tim Burton, the movie is dark but with a twist of humor thrown into the mix. It’s not a horror movie precisely, but there are scary moments and well, the headless huntsman is definitely terrifying.

2. BOOGEYMAN (2005)

This is not a good movie, but I couldn’t help myself. When I saw this weeks theme I thought to the most common legend there is – boogeyman. Terrifying kids since god knows when, the concept is simple, there is a monster in your closet. While this movie is more funny than scary (that’s how I remember it), it also might be the kind of bad entertainment you’re looking for.

3. I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (1997)

Last but not least, the teen horror movie that everyone has seen. Did you know it was also based on an urban legend? I didn’t but Google told me, so I’m throwing it in here. The basics is simple, teenagers accidentally hit a man with their car, and leave him dead. But he doesn’t stay dead, and comes back to kill them. Simple and scary. Bottom line, don’t drink and drive, kids!

 THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES

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11 responses to “Thursday Movie Picks: Legend / Mythology”

  1. Sonia (A Film A Day) Avatar
    Sonia (A Film A Day)

    I too stumbled across I Know What You Did Last Summer while googling for this week’s theme 😂 The only reason I haven’t picked it is that I haven’t seen it.

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      It’s not that good but I mean I was running out of recommendations. 😀

      Reply
  2. thevoid99 Avatar
    thevoid99

    I’ve seen I Know What You Did Last Summer and…. it was lame. The fact that it was based on an urban legend is probably better told as a legend than a film. Sleepy Hollow was alright while I don’t think I ever saw Boogeyman.

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      I do think the idea is there for the film, the execution just should have been better. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Joel Avatar
    Joel

    I thought Sleepy Hollow was a very stylish thriller more than horror with a fantastic look. It’s from the period when Depp was trying and for me its one of Burton’s more accessible films.

    I Know What You Did Last Summer is dumb junk but if you’re looking for something where you can check your brain at the door it would fit the bill.

    I haven’t seen the other.

    Mine all relate to the Trojan War in some aspect.

    Iphigenia (1977)-Michael Cacoyannis’s (Zorba the Greek) intense rendering of the Greek tale of child sacrifice. King Agamemnon kills a deer in the sacred grove of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt which keeps the Greek fleet from sailing off to Troy. Turning to the oracle for a solution the message is handed down that the only way Agamemnon can restore the wind is to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, to the goddess of the hunt. Summoning her under the guise of a betrothal and marriage contract to Achilles he is then faced with the bitter pleas and recriminations of his queen Clytemnestra (Irene Papas) and the defiance of Achilles, who discovers the plot and tries to intervene. Potent film with Papas a FORCE as the embattled queen.

    Troy (2004)-While on an official visit Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) falls for Sparta’s King Menelaus’s (Brendan Gleeson) wife, Helen (Diane Kruger) and she flees with him to Troy. Menelaus’s brother King Agamemnon (Brian Cox) sees his opportunity to declare war in his attempt to extend his control over the Aegean Sea. While stopgaps lead by Achilles (Brad Pitt) and Paris’s brother Hector (Eric Bana) are attempted at the behest of Trojan King Priam (Peter O’Toole) it all escalates into epic tragedy. Monumentally BIG production with an extremely starry cast is involving and compelling if overlong with good performances across the board save Bloom but Eric Bana stand out as Hector.

    The Trojan Women (1971)-After the sacking of Troy Queen Hecuba (Katharine Hepburn) reflects on her ruined kingdom. Her son’s widow, Andromache (Vanessa Redgrave) is raising their son, Astyanax (Alberto Sanz) alone and Hecuba’s daughter, Cassandra (Geneviève Bujold) dreads enslavement by their Greek masters. Meanwhile Helen of Troy (Irene Papas) risks being executed. All the women fear for Astyanax as he is now the focus of the Greeks’ attention as the last male heir of the Trojan royal family. With that powerhouse cast and a dramatic story this should have been a riveting watch but its muddy photography, inert staging and despairing tone make it a slog.

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      Glad you liked Sleepy HolloWw! I thought about including Troy (2004) here but.. I went with another route just because I haven’t seen many mythology movies.

      Reply
  4. Alex Withrow Avatar
    Alex Withrow

    I think Sleepy Hollow is such a good guilty pleasure. I’ll put that one on every now and then, and I always enjoy it’s dark (and occasionally funny) tone. I also love I Know What You Did Last Summer, so I’m glad you included that one as well!

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      It is! It’s eerie and dark and with a twist of humour! And glad to see some love for I Know What You Did Last Summer – I think that movie works best if you don’t take it too seriously. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Becca Avatar
    Becca

    I love Sleepy Hollow! It’s one of my favorite Johnny Depp movies 😀

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      Good to hear! I think it’s definitely up there among my favourites from him s well. 😛

      Reply
  6. Wandering through the Shelves Avatar
    Wandering through the Shelves

    I Know What You Did Last Summer – I didn’t know it was based on an urban legend. I only know it as an adaptation of a Lois Duncan book

    Reply

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