Review of The Sentinel (1977) by Brian M — 12 Mar 2008

ROSEMARY'S BABY meets FREAKS and a very confusing plot. The scene with the father's ghost will definitely make you jump (or scream "holy shit!" in my case). The story behind why she's in the apartment, Chris Sarandon's character and the battle between good and evil totally lost me.

There are definitely some disturbing scenes in this movie, i.e. an orgy with an old man, two fat ladies and cake. Oh, and how can I forget the birthday party for a cat?! Or even when Beverly D'Angelo starts masturbating.

Then, of course, there's the ending. This movie will definitely leave you with a WTF feeling. However, you get early glimpses of Christopher Walken (I think he had one line), Jeff Goldblum (whose lines are dubbed), Tom Berenger and D'Angelo.

But there's also Ava Gardner, Burgess Meredith, Jerry Orbach, Martin Balsam, Eli Wallach, John Carradine, Sarandon, William Hickey (Uncle Lewis from CHRISTMAS VACATION) and an uncredited Charles Kimbrough (Jim of "Murphy Brown").

Although I didn't really like the movie, it's worth it just to see this cast. There was one line I loved -- Sarandon's character calls a guy on the phone and says, "Hey, Jim. It's me," as soon as the other guy picks up.