BLU-RAY REVIEW: The Sentinel (1977)

  The 1970’s is the best era for the Horror genre. Many timeless motion pictures have come from that decade, including The Omen, Jaws, The Exorcist, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween. It’s sad, but true that 1977’s The Sentinel directed by Michael Winner is considered more of a cult film than a classic. Perhaps, unfortunately, that’s why this Blu-ray release by Scream Factory isn’t one of their more showy Collector’s Editions with an artful cover and a plethora of extras.

The plot is one of originality: Young model Alison Parker, (Christina Raines) moves into a quaint brownstone apartment that’s full of elderly and perverted neighbors who turn out to be ghosts. The journey Alison goes through to find this truth causes everyone around her to believe she’s losing her mind due to trauma in her past and two suicide attempts. Add to that, her fiancé, Michael Lerman (Chris Sarandon), discovers that the creepy old priest that resides on the fifth floor in Alison’s building is guarding the gate to hell…which just happens to be the actual apartment building itself. He realizes Alison is being set up to replace Father Halliran (John Carradine) as the next Sentinel. Not everyone brings their A game to acting in this, just look to Sarandon for an easy example. However, a big positive for The Sentinel is its all-star cast including Ava Gardner, Burgess Meredith and, Beverly D’ Angelo in her big screen debut in which she double clicks her mouse for your viewing pleasure!

The Guardian (Book 1979)

After reading The Sentinel there was absolutely no choice but to read The Guardian. I had heard great things about this book from my dad, he had read it when he was a teenager. So I impatiently awaited my book to arrive from Amazon, and when it did I read it in only a few days. From the start I knew I was in for a good story.

Upon opening the book I see an illustration of men and women with white eyes and it says:
You are about to experience the most paralyzing terror ever unleashed...the final hour of evil. One step beyond the very boundaries of belief...it has already begun.

This book was amazing. It is without a doubt one of the greatest horror fiction books I have ever read, even beating alot of Stephen King books. This book is severely underrated and forgotten, people don't know what they're missing.

The story centers around Ben and Faye Burdett and their life together. When they move into an apartment and start to witness weird things it becomes apparent that they're going through what Alison Parker went through. And when Ben finds out his wife is picked as the new Sentinel/ Guardian to guard the gates of hell from hell leaking onto earth. What will Ben do to save his beloved wife?

This story was particularly better than its predecessor The Sentinel because this one was higher stakes and more on the line. Satan is on earth and waiting his time to take over. It's up to Ben and the help of Father McQuire along with the Catholic church to stop Satan from claiming the thrown. But how can they do that when Ben is protecting they're chosen Guardian, Faye, from being picked as the new Sentinel? He must find another way. But is there one? Or is he fighting a hopeless battle?

This book is filled with non stop suspense and twists. It leads you in one direction and then bangs a sharp right and switches on you with jaw dropping turns of events.

The Characters were well written and genuine, alot of character development as well. It's heart racing speed and adrenaline makes you feel in the moment and you're scared for the characters.

The ending of this book is absolutely amazing. One of the best endings ever written. I won't give it away but lets just say that so far this gets my Book Of  The Year Award. I wish I was into this book sooner. My heart dropped to my feet when the ending unraveled.

Now as I mentioned in last months The Sentinel review, The Guardian was never made into a movie for whatever reason. I think this would make a great movie and would love to see it happen. I'd go opening weekend for this one. It deserves the movie treatment as much as The Sentinel did, and if The Sentinel did as well as it did then the fanbase for The Guardian has got to be there as well.

If they do do the movie at some point in the movie I can only hope that they do it as close to the book as The Sentinel. If they do it'll make a fantastic horror film.

I would prefer to have the movie made as a direct sequel to The Sentinel and I'd like it authentic, really looking old and in the same fashion as it's predecessor. One thing I can't stand is when a movie is a sequel or prequel to an old movie and they don't try to keep it true to the other film, they don't pay attention to detail and it always ends up looking more modern. And so it doesn't fit with the other, just like with Prometheus and Alien. The ship in Prometheus was way more high tech and definitely didn't look older than the ship in Alien which is was supposed to be. I'd want this movie to fit right in with the other.

But on the other hand, if a remake of The Sentinel is what it takes to make The Guardian an authentic film to The Sentinel then bring it on. I'll be iffy of a Sentinel remake but I'm a supporter if it'll get The Guardian made.

Read this book if you want a good horror read that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. It's highly recommended.

THIS BOOK GETS 4 REAPERS OUT OF 4

The Sentinel (Book 1974)

In 1974 author Jeffry Konvitz made a landmark novel in the horror genre that was passionate, enthralling, compelling, gracefully written and brilliant. It was chilling to the core and it was one of the greatest books I've ever read. It keeps you guessing and doesn't let up on plot twists and shockers. It's a book any fan of horror fiction can easily fall in love with. It's smoothly written and paints the picture perfectly.

I actually was introduced to the movie adaptation (1977) of the book starring Chris Sarandon and Burgess Meredith years and years ago when I was a young kid. I remember the movie scaring the hell out of me but it left such an impression on me that I became obsessed and it remains my favorite Haunting movie to date. It wasn't until years later that I realized the movie was based on a novel, so I bought the book and just read it. I don't know if I was happier that the movie was identical to the book or vise versa. There are a few minor differences but at their core they're one in the same.

The Sentinel is about a young and gorgeous model Alison Parker, who is still overcoming her emotional situation after her father passes. She decides to pick up her life by moving out of her boyfriends apartment and into a New York Brownstone building that's just what Alison needs to get away from her issues and clear her head. But things as usual, are too good to be true as Alison starts to realize how weird her neighbors are, an old man named Charles Chazen and a lesbian couple living below her. She also starts to get woken up in the middle of the night by heavy footsteps in the apartment above her.

After complaining to the landlord she comes to discover that there is no one else in the apartment building but her. But she refuses to believe the people she met are mere figments of her imagination and decides to investigate what's going on. But as she does she starts to get splitting migraines that eventually start making her immobile. Is she crazy and haunted by the guilt she has over her fathers death? Or is she being toyed with by greater forces involving heaven and hell, good and evil?

I suggest you watch the movie if you haven't seen it and if you haven't read the book I highly recommend it. This book is a 1 million copy bestseller and is a staple in horror literature.

It starts slow, steady, and builds up gradually and takes you through every cloudy thought and illusion Alison has, eventually leaving you with no option but to not put the book down and keep reading. The suspense is fantastic and the chills and creeps are good, they keep you scared of what's to come next and yet you're excited to get there and find out anyway.

As the story unwinds and it all adds up I was also very impressed with the characters and how well written they were as well as their character development.

So do me a favor, if you're in the mood for a good book and don't have one yet picked out to read, pick this one. You won't be let down.

After reading The Sentinel I jumped right into The Guardian (1979) which is the sequel to The Sentinel, and I was shocked to see that it was even better than it's predecessor. Why it was never made into a movie I have not idea but I consider it one long over do. But more on that next month when I review it...

THIS BOOK GETS 3 1/2 REAPERS OUT OF 4