The Sentinel

12-27-2002, 04:36 AM

This is yet another of my true favorites that is underrated as all hell, and this masterpiece is actually one of my top 20 favorite films of all time! It freaked the shit out of me at a few parts when I first saw it and it has a very interesting storyline. Reminiscent of THE BEYOND in some ways, but much better than that overrated (but still great) Fulci film!

The acting is excellent and there is tons of great atmosphere. Cristina Raines is utterly stellar here, not to mention gorgeous as can be, Burgess Meredith is wonderfully deceptive and vile, and its always nice to see Chris Sarandon in a film. Several nice cameos in this too. Love the scene at the end with all of the freaks of hell! Its even more disturbing when you know that some of them are real freaks. This film is very underrated and I rarely see anyone talking about it anywhere. It is an undiscovered classic in my opinion! What do you all think?

*Edited for mispelled word*

mcchrist · 12-27-2002, 04:57 AM

The Sentinel is a great flick, I haven't seen it in a while though.

Hellbilly · 12-27-2002, 05:31 PM

The Sentinel rocks!
I love that scene were Christina Raines stabs her (undead) father, scared the shit outta me!
Beverly D'Angelo also had a neat scene there

I wish Universal would give us a 16:9 Widescreen DVD someday.

Paff · 12-27-2002, 06:35 PM

You know, I'm gonna have to see this movie sometime. I remember a bunch of my friends calling it "the scariest movie ever" when it first came out, but that means were were all around 9 or 10 years old, so that statement might not mean as much today.

Still, I'm always up for a good creep-out

KillerCannabis · 12-27-2002, 09:35 PM

I love The Sentinel. It was creepy as hell AND it has a great cast. Too bad the current disc out now isnt 16X9. I REALLY hope Uni gets on the ball and delivers us the goods next Halloween.

12-27-2002, 09:47 PM

I saw this at the store the other day, but I could not remember ever seeing it before. By the sound of the positive reviews here, I should be sure and check it out the next time I get a chance.

12-27-2002, 11:32 PM

Just so you guys know, if you are holding off on buying the DVD because it is 1.33:1, go and buy it, because I 100% guarantee you that THE SENTINEL was shot that way, and is indeed in its OAR. I never buy pan and scan discs, and I own this classic on DVD, as it is the correct aspect ratio, so a widescreen transfer is not needed.

I would kill for a SE of this gem though!

12-28-2002, 12:47 AM

This is a very creepy movie and yes it does deserve special treatment. If you can still find it thn get it you won't be disappointed.

Paff · 12-28-2002, 02:45 AM

Well, all y'all better be right, 'cause I rented it tonight

12-28-2002, 03:58 AM

Just like another thread stated... If you don't like it you are the biggest moron cause I like it and you will probably come up with stupid reasons why you don't like it. You dumb dumb

Paff · 12-28-2002, 09:22 AM

You won't have to call me a moron. I watched it tonight and sure did like it a lot.

It's a bit slow in a few parts, but for the most part it's freaky as hell (no pun intended). I like this style of film, where they take a while to answer things, keeping the audience in the dark for most of the time.

Cujo is sort of right about the aspect ratio of the transfer. It doesn't look like anything was cut from the sides to make a 1.33:1 transfer. I have some hard mattes that turned it into a 1.78:1 ratio, and it looked real nice that way. You don't lose anything with the full-frame.
So, a 16x9 anamorphic version could still be done, 'cause it looks like this was shown 1.85:1 in the theaters. Also, the sound on the disc was REALLY bad, so it's definitely up for a re-vamp.

But movies like this are far and few between. One of the better religious-themed films from the 70s

12-28-2002, 04:49 PM

I'm glad you liked it I knew you were not a dumb dumb

slinker · 12-28-2002, 07:37 PM

I just got this as a double pack with `The Funhouse`(Tobe Hooper) from Goodtimes DVD, hope to be watching it real soon!...the trailer looked kinda good

12-29-2002, 12:24 AM

The Funhouse is another fave of mine and it needs a nice animorphic transfer. The transfer on the Goodtimes disc is pretty good though. I love the sound on that disc and a 5.1 remix would be even better. Can't beat the carnival for a sleazy terrifying setup.

There is no escape from The Funhouse

12-30-2002, 03:03 PM

you can get both The Sentinal & The Funhouse in a double pack for $12 or each disc separate for $6 - great friggin' deal!

12-27-2002, 04:36 AM	#1
Cujo108 Guest Posts: n/a	The Sentinel This is yet another of my true favorites that is underrated as all hell, and this masterpiece is actually one of my top 20 favorite films of all time! It freaked the shit out of me at a few parts when I first saw it and it has a very interesting storyline. Reminiscent of THE BEYOND in some ways, but much better than that overrated (but still great) Fulci film! The acting is excellent and there is tons of great atmosphere. Cristina Raines is utterly stellar here, not to mention gorgeous as can be, Burgess Meredith is wonderfully deceptive and vile, and its always nice to see Chris Sarandon in a film. Several nice cameos in this too. Love the scene at the end with all of the freaks of hell! Its even more disturbing when you know that some of them are real freaks. This film is very underrated and I rarely see anyone talking about it anywhere. It is an undiscovered classic in my opinion! What do you all think? Edited for mispelled word Last edited by Cujo108; 06-10-2003 at 05:40 AM.

12-27-2002, 04:57 AM	#2
mcchrist A new breed of pervert! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Keepin' the dogs away... Posts: 7,984	The Sentinel is a great flick, I haven't seen it in a while though. __________________ McChrist's MySpace Cult-Stitch on MySpace

12-27-2002, 05:31 PM	#3
Hellbilly Water-squirting greatness Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Franconia Posts: 13,665	The Sentinel rocks! I love that scene were Christina Raines stabs her (undead) father, scared the shit outta me! Beverly D'Angelo also had a neat scene there I wish Universal would give us a 16:9 Widescreen DVD someday. __________________ "Common sense turns me on"

12-27-2002, 06:35 PM	#4
Paff Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,538	You know, I'm gonna have to see this movie sometime. I remember a bunch of my friends calling it "the scariest movie ever" when it first came out, but that means were were all around 9 or 10 years old, so that statement might not mean as much today. Still, I'm always up for a good creep-out __________________ CINEMA PAFF - Your BB-Movie Showcase * * - The extra B is for BYOBB Paff's Laserdiscs

12-28-2002, 02:45 AM	#9
Paff Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,538	Well, all y'all better be right, 'cause I rented it tonight __________________ CINEMA PAFF - Your BB-Movie Showcase * * - The extra B is for BYOBB Paff's Laserdiscs

12-27-2002, 09:35 PM	#5
KillerCannabis Slow, Deep & Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: So Cal Posts: 5,606	I love The Sentinel. It was creepy as hell AND it has a great cast. Too bad the current disc out now isnt 16X9. I REALLY hope Uni gets on the ball and delivers us the goods next Halloween.

12-27-2002, 09:47 PM	#6
Zodiac-Mindwarp Guest Posts: n/a	I saw this at the store the other day, but I could not remember ever seeing it before. By the sound of the positive reviews here, I should be sure and check it out the next time I get a chance.

12-27-2002, 11:32 PM	#7
Cujo108 Guest Posts: n/a	Just so you guys know, if you are holding off on buying the DVD because it is 1.33:1, go and buy it, because I 100% guarantee you that THE SENTINEL was shot that way, and is indeed in its OAR. I never buy pan and scan discs, and I own this classic on DVD, as it is the correct aspect ratio, so a widescreen transfer is not needed. I would kill for a SE of this gem though!

12-28-2002, 12:47 AM	#8
betterdan Guest Posts: n/a	This is a very creepy movie and yes it does deserve special treatment. If you can still find it thn get it you won't be disappointed.

12-28-2002, 03:58 AM	#10
betterdan Guest Posts: n/a	Just like another thread stated... If you don't like it you are the biggest moron cause I like it and you will probably come up with stupid reasons why you don't like it. You dumb dumb

12-28-2002, 09:22 AM	#11
Paff Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,538	You won't have to call me a moron. I watched it tonight and sure did like it a lot. It's a bit slow in a few parts, but for the most part it's freaky as hell (no pun intended). I like this style of film, where they take a while to answer things, keeping the audience in the dark for most of the time. Cujo is sort of right about the aspect ratio of the transfer. It doesn't look like anything was cut from the sides to make a 1.33:1 transfer. I have some hard mattes that turned it into a 1.78:1 ratio, and it looked real nice that way. You don't lose anything with the full-frame. So, a 16x9 anamorphic version could still be done, 'cause it looks like this was shown 1.85:1 in the theaters. Also, the sound on the disc was REALLY bad, so it's definitely up for a re-vamp. But movies like this are far and few between. One of the better religious-themed films from the 70s __________________ CINEMA PAFF - Your BB-Movie Showcase * * - The extra B is for BYOBB Paff's Laserdiscs

12-28-2002, 04:49 PM	#12
betterdan Guest Posts: n/a	I'm glad you liked it I knew you were not a dumb dumb

12-28-2002, 07:37 PM	#13
slinker Un-Holy Force. Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: London Posts: 914	I just got this as a double pack with `The Funhouse`(Tobe Hooper) from Goodtimes DVD, hope to be watching it real soon!...the trailer looked kinda good __________________ My DVD Collection

12-29-2002, 12:24 AM	#14
betterdan Guest Posts: n/a	The Funhouse is another fave of mine and it needs a nice animorphic transfer. The transfer on the Goodtimes disc is pretty good though. I love the sound on that disc and a 5.1 remix would be even better. Can't beat the carnival for a sleazy terrifying setup. There is no escape from The Funhouse

12-30-2002, 03:03 PM	#15
bloodthirsty Guest Posts: n/a	you can get both The Sentinal & The Funhouse in a double pack for $12 or each disc separate for $6 - great friggin' deal!

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