PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1987)
I didn't intend on curating a John Carpenter-themed month, but if it was going to happen, I couldn't pick a month more apropos than October. Prince of Darkness is an outlander among the auteur's classic 80's masterstrokes. It doesn't get much prattle from horror hamlets. It's held in high regard, sure, but where is all of the merchandise at conventions? I haven't seen one person cosplay as Priest, nor have I heard a quip lifted from the film's quotable dialogue. Like...um, that famous line. I don't know, something about being shot six times? Regardless, Prince is a creative, highbrow cut of religious frights.
You know the part in the Bible (the King Booker version) where Jesus shouts "BOO!" at his disciples? If you thought that was scary, just you wait. Okey-dokey, I'll try to be cold sober for this paragraph. A priest (literally credited as Priest) solicits the opinion of a science professor at the local university. It's revealed that a cylinder containing neon green fluid (no, it's not the reagent serum) has been concealed beneath a church for years. It might be Satan. In vapor form, I mean. And that's approximately 12% of the synopsis. The script is talky, but the subject matter is honestly fascinating. I enjoyed the exposition. It goes without saying that the cast is illustrious, from the marquee players (Donald Pleasance, Lisa Blount) to Alice Cooper. Everyone is game.
Prince of Darkness burns slow (a little too slow at times), so demonstrate poise. Your patience will be rewarded with a cool, creepy chiller to freeze your blood.
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