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A&E
August 30, 2017
“It”: a spook with substance Ben Capuano staff writer
I’ve seen many movies this year, but “It” stands out in my mind because after I had the overwhelming impression that in this movie, they cared about every aspect of production. And that’s truly surprising. Because to break even in the current movie industry, “It” only had to be passable. But this movie won’t leave you with the bland taste in your mouth that you had after “Robocop”. Nor does it follow a stale horror formula like “The Blair Witch Project”. For better or worse, “It” is the epitome of modern Hollywood blockbusters. Even before the movie’s release, its ingenious marketing campaign showcased an enormous attention to detail. During production, pictures slowly but strategically trickled out of the set showcasing a unique behind the scenes look into the world of horror films. Compared to the marketing for “After Earth”, which actively obscured information about the movie as basic as the director, “It”’s open approach attracted a more sizeable, dedicated following that stayed with the film until opening night. Modern advances in effects technology make the 2017 adaption of Stephen King’s novel seem like a far cry from the low budgeted
miniseries of the 90s. Pennywise’s supernatural powers have never felt so real. Considering how far out there they get, this is really saying something. But in this modern remake, something was lost. The look of low quality physical film the miniseries was shot on was highly effective in conveying “It”’s New England setting. It was as if the audience was viewing the whole affair on the kind of cheap cameras they might use, which created an intimate setting that made viewers feel as if they were really there. Although not realistic in any sense, the fog that blanketed the depths of the sewers only added to certain scenes’ suspense. Now the ultra high definition cameras the movie is shot on constantly remind the audience that they are only watching a movie. While the CGI of Pennywise’s lair makes more sense within the world of the film, the artificiality of the elements of the locale don’t have the same charm as seen in the miniseries. But perhaps the best part of this latest adaptation is the cast. Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise steals nearly every scene he is in with his downright uncanny interpretation of the character. His dedication to the role sells the supernatural being as something real, Skarsgård never pauses to wipe
the water from his mouth, I don’t remem-ber seeing him blink, andt h a t s m i l e that he does will be enough to scare you regardless of his special-effects makeup. The child actors in this movie are not overshadowed by their adult counterparts. There’s no weak link in the whole Loser’s Club, but Richie shines especially. Finn Wolfhard, of “Stranger Things” fame, turns the somewhat quirky character in the miniseries into a constantly cussing powerhouse right out of “The Goonies”. These kids feel authentic because they act like real kids, and share a natural chemistry with one another. “It” somehow manages to juggle the comedic tone spearheaded by Richie with the gang and the dark brooding mood that Pennywise’s presence evokes in a way that feels natural. The 2017 film “Get Out” manages to strike a similar chord of fun and fright. One thing that “It” did not inherit from the miniseries was subtlety. If the movie “It” was playing poker and was dealt a good hand, it would run around the table and show it to everybody. You might be surprised by the scares at the beginning, but by the credits anybody will be able to read “It”’s hand and predict frightening moments a mile away. It doesn’t help that nearly every jump scare is
Photo courtesy Dread Central
A preview for the Museum of Pop Culture’s exhibit about the history and psychology behind the horror film genre.
The Museum of Pop Culture at a glance Annie Poole staff writer
The Museum of Pop Culture, known as the MoPOP, has evolved since the days when it was known as the Experience Music Project. Since the opening of the museum in 2000, the museum’s content concentrated on music. Over the past few years, the museum has expanded their focus to a
diverse range of topics, including science fiction, music, fashion, fantasy, sports, film, and video games. The name finally shifted to MoPOP in November of 2016 to represent the changing content. Pop culture icons such as David Bowie, the Muppets, “Star Trek,” and the Seahawks have also been featured throughout the years. “Over a span of several years during this evolution
we have seen growth in attendance as well as a more diverse audience of fans,” said Senior Manager and Media and Communications director Anita Woo. The switch allowed the museum to accurately achieve their goal of inviting multi-generational audiences to discover and explore with different themes. “The EMP (or Experience Music Project) no longer accurately represented
Promotional poster for the 2017 film verson of the movie “It”.
Photo courtesy Entertainment Weekly
accompanied by a jarringly loud noise. That’s not to say that “It” relies on jump scares exclusively, unlike the horror schlock of today (cough cough “Ouija”), the movie devotes time and energy into establishing
atmosphere that is creepy enough to scare the audience on its own. When it uses jump scares however, the movie falls prey to predictable trappings of the horror genre. But if you’re looking for a movie to watch on Hallow-
een, or anytime you’re in the mood for some spooks with substance, I can’t recommend “It” enough. It is a bold step in a new direction for Hollywood horror and I’m already counting the days until part 2.
the broader scope of content the museum presents,” said Woo. As popular culture dominates social media feeds and teens’ conversations, the MoPOP is giving fans an inside look to some of their favorite icons throughout the years. “MoPOP is special because of how it’s expanded from a focus on music into a more inclusive pop culture approach. I love the Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix exhibits because they are so connected to home [in Seattle], and everything there is interesting and interactive,” said MoPOP Youth Advisory Board member and MIHS senior Sophie Feldman. Fitting timely with Halloween, the newest exhibit, Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film, explores 100 years of horror film and society’s obsession with it. “It examines why audiences are drawn to horror even if it scares us, and also explores how society and cultural shifts inspire themes in horror movies over time,” said Woo. The creepy gallery in-
cludes corpses hanging from the ceiling, dripping blood, and original objects and costumes from “The Walking Dead”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, “Friday the 13th”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and more. A featured costume from “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, includes Freddy Krueger’s iconic red and green striped sweater. The exhibit explains how director Wes Craven chose the colors after learning the eye has trouble recognizing red and green directly next to each other, creating an intentionally disturbing costume for viewers. More secrets about the art of horror films are hidden within the exhibit, evoking unsettling sensations that film-goers seek. The exhibit is also a way to immerse oneself in the Halloween spirit and learn more about the psychology behind spooky films. Other exhibits include We Are 12 -- a tribute to the Seattle Seahawks and their fans, Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad -- an exhibition about the travels of Jimi Hendrix at the height
of his fame, Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds, and Sound Lab, a permanent fixture at MoPOP, allows museum-goers to play and rehearse on electric guitars, drums, and mixing consoles. Many of these current exhibits do not directly correspond to the music industry, but help to paint a more complete picture of pop culture phenomenons in recent times. MoPOP also offers teens opportunities to get involved with the museum and the pop culture scene around Seattle. The Youth Advisory Board, known as the YAB, is the youth voice at the museum and directs teen programming at the MoPOP. They collaborate with local artists, musicians, and organizations, create content for social media, assist with exhibits’ openings, and promote Sound Off! -- a competition for emerging musicians 21 and under. Volunteer opportunities for the youth are always encouraged at the MoPOP, visit MoPop.org under Join the Team to get involved.