10/12/16 – day twelve of thirty-one days of horror!

1983’s CHRISTINE finds both director John Carpenter and writer Stephen
King in their prime, and while the film doesn’t quite match the heights
of either, it’s still a fun – pardon the pun – ride. It is also the best
deployment of two King staples; a sentient and malicious inanimate
object (in this case a red 1958 Plymouth Fury), and evil greasers,
neither of which are particularly scary if you aren’t a baby boomer.
Regardless, King’s story and Carpenter’s sensibilities are well
matched, with the director giving the classic car a real sense of
menace as it stalks the streets, headlights glaring like malevolent
eyes. Keith Gordon (who has gone on to be a TV director of note) gives a
layered performance as Arnie, the geeky, put-upon high-schooler who is
transformed into a vengeful greaser by the car’s influence. Plus it’s
got a propulsive, thumping Carpenter score that ranks among his best. If
it’s been a while since you’ve taken this classic 80’s supernatural
thriller for a spin, I say throw some pomade in your hair, pop on the
moldy oldies station and start cruisin’ – for vengeance!