Writer: Lawrence D. Cohen
Starring: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, John Travolta
Available On Video: VHS, Pan-and-Scan and Widescreen ($14.95) and DVD ($24.98), MGM HOME VIDEO
Body Count: 8 (this is the number of main characters that are known to have died, but the actual total body count, as documented in The Rage: Carrie 2, is 73)
Review: Although Carrie is not really a slasher movie, it did pave the way for what became the slasher genre, and it still stands today as probably the best high school horror film ever made, which is reason enough to dedicate a portion of this site to the film.
Carrie is a high school misfit, the daughter of a religiously crazed mother, who just doesn't get along with anyone at school. Everyone wants to play pranks on Carrie. So, when the hottest guy in school asks her to go to the prom, it's no surprise that Carrie is skeptical. Still, Carrie goes, defying her mother and setting into motion one terrible night. The kids play one last prank on Carrie, and it's a prank that costs them their lives.
Carrie is one kick-ass movie. Some of it is a bit dated in the 70s (though there's really no problem with that, seeing as how the 70s were the golden age of American cinema), but there's also some great high school horror that just never loses its impact.
If you're having trouble getting along with your peers at school, there's no better movie to watch than Carrie. It's both empowering and terrifying, and very, very honest.
In addition, Carrie is the film that perfected the "final jolt" scare technique at the end of slasher movies--so when you reach the end of the movie, get ready for one hell of a shock--one of the most-remembered scenes in horror movie history.
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