Obscure Horror Movie Review – “The Sentinel”

If you fell in love with horror during the 70s, there was a steady and promising banquet to feed upon. If you enjoyed the feel of “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Burnt Offerings,” “Watcher in the Woods,” and “The Reincarnation of Peter Proud,” this 1977 film will satisfy.

“The Sentinel” stars some big-time names like Chris Sarandon, John Carradine, Ava Gardner, Martin Balsam, Burgess Meredith, and Beverly DeAngelo (yeah, as in National Lampoon Vacation movies). With this cast, it has a decidedly “Ghost Story” feel to it. This one isn’t for kids, as there is admittedly some nude shots involving Beverly DeAngelo (which I suppose for some male fans of the Vacation series this might be a selling point).

A model finds a room in an odd boarding house. The people living there are quirky and her encounters with them mystifying. The plot keeps you wondering and the house is so creepy and the occupants so fascinating, that you wonder where this movie is going. It does have a twist ending that creeps you out. Totally. Warning: You’ll probably want to see it a second time soon after just to watch for clues…

I liked this film a lot and keep it in my collection. I keep notes about what mood I might be in and what movie would satisfy that craving. This movie is kept under the categories of “70s feel,” “good acting,” “insanity,” and “twist ending.” This one is a real classic with mood and pacing, acting and dialogue, and was really well plotted out. Definitely worth a look-see and perhaps even a purchase, as it is worth seeing many times.

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