Carrie: Classic King!

Based on the best-selling novel by master of horror Stephen King, who also wrote "The Shining" and "Christine," and from director Brian De Palma, director of "Dressed To Kill" and "The Black Dahlia," "Carrie" is a brilliant horror movie, but it is also a lot more than that. It's a very moving movie.

Carrie White is the outcast at Bates High. She is tormented excessively by her peers and her religious psycho mother. But one day, Carrie is given hope when Tommy Ross, the most popular boy in school, asks her to join him to the senior prom. They are even crowned king and queen. It is supposed to be a dream come true, until another prank is pulled, a terrible prank, and everybody begins to laugh, just like always. Tonight, Carrie has had enough. They don't know that she has a special power to make things move with her mind, and she's more than happy to use it tonight. Carrie will have her revenge, and they will all pay for what they did to her.

Most of "Carrie" is a disturbing drama. Carrie is a character you can relate to. You feel her pain, and how long she's suffered. And when prom night turns into a nightmare, you gladly cheer her on. Also, the material going on between her and her mother is extremely powerful stuff. But once "Carrie" turns into a horror film, you are on the edge of your seat, waiting for more.

The cast is flawless. Sissy Spacek gives a perfect performance in the role that made her a star. Piper Laurie has said that she performed Margaret White as a satirical approach. What her performance comes off as is definitely not satirical. The other kids are also very believable, including Nancy Allen and a young John Travolta as the main bad-asses of the movie.

Brian De Palma shows a ton of skill in "Carrie," including the split-screen moments at the prom. He loved the book, and he makes this movie as believable as possible.

"Carrie" is one of Stephen King's favorite movie adaptations, and it is also a favorite of mine. It stays relatively close to the book, and makes you feel for the characters. With a great atmosphere, and a blood-curdling third act, "Carrie" is recommended not just for Stephen King fans, but for everybody.