{"id":69336,"date":"2021-02-13T14:35:25","date_gmt":"2021-02-13T21:35:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=69336"},"modified":"2021-02-13T14:39:59","modified_gmt":"2021-02-13T21:39:59","slug":"poltergeist-1982","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=69336","title":{"rendered":"Poltergeist (1982)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;It knows what scares you. It has from the very beginning.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Poster-194x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-69337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Poster-194x300.png 194w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Poster-662x1024.png 662w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Poster-83x128.png 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Poster-174x270.png 174w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Poster.png 741w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA suburban mom (JoBeth Williams) and dad (Craig T. Nelson) try to protect their kids Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins), and Carol Anne (Heather O&#8217;Rourke) from malevelent forces in their house, eventually drawing on the help of a team of paranormal experts (Beatrice Straight, Richard Lawson, and Martin Casella) and a medium (Zelda Rubenstein).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ghosts<\/li>\n<li>Horror Films<\/li>\n<li>Kidnapping<\/li>\n<li>Steven Spielberg Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary writes that this &#8220;thrill-a-second horror movie&#8221; &#8212; directed &#8220;by Tobe Hooper under the close supervision of Steven Spielberg&#8221; &#8212; is &#8220;suspenseful, scary, witty, [and] imaginative&#8221;. He points out that Richard Edlund&#8217;s special effects are dazzling, especially the parade of the &#8216;lost&#8217; ghosts down the staircase and the startling appearance of the giant demon head&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Demon-Head.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Demon-Head-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Demon-Head-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Demon-Head-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Demon-Head-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Demon-Head-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Demon-Head-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Demon-Head.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But he argues that &#8220;what makes [the] film really nerve-wracking &#8212; especially if you&#8217;re a young viewer &#8212; is that every thing (trees, dolls, toys, records, furniture) comes to life and becomes hostile.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Chairs.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Chairs-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Chairs-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Chairs-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Chairs-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Chairs-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Chairs-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Chairs.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tree-Swallowing.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tree-Swallowing-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tree-Swallowing-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tree-Swallowing-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tree-Swallowing-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tree-Swallowing-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tree-Swallowing-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tree-Swallowing.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Doll2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Doll2-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Doll2-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Doll2-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Doll2-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Doll2-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Doll2-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Doll2.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>He adds that the &#8220;characters are appealing&#8221; (though he complains that &#8220;Dunne&#8217;s character has <em>nothing<\/em> to do&#8221;): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Dunne.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Dunne-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Dunne-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Dunne-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Dunne-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Dunne-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Dunne-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Dunne.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and posits that the &#8220;finale, which is too much like the end of <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=37148\"><em>The Amityville Horror<\/em><\/a>, is anticlimactic &#8212; all the skeletons, the mud, and the loud screaming are annoying.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Skeletons.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Skeletons-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Skeletons-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Skeletons-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Skeletons-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Skeletons-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Skeletons-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Skeletons.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m of two minds about <em>Poltergeist<\/em>, which I never saw as a kid or teen (I was horror-averse until my adulthood, when I could finally approach the genre from a sufficiently analytical lens and avoid sensory overload). While I recognize its innovation in terms of special effects and numerous thrilling moments, I find the storyline and characters frustratingly inconsistent. (To name just two glaring errors, Nelson has purportedly missed days of work while his younger daughter is missing &#8212; without the police being notified? And distraught Williams apologizes to Straight for inconveniencing her?!) Some have argued for &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/2bXwHQsvWww\">hidden depths<\/a>&#8221; in the film, finding meaning and nuance in each narrative or visual twist, while others have semi-jokingly pointed out <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/n0Qh52XIdvs\">&#8220;everything wrong&#8221;<\/a> with the movie. Ultimately, film fanatics will need to decide for themselves whether this becomes a beloved favorite or a once-and-done cult flick with historical significance. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fine central and supporting performances<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Williams2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Williams2-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Williams2-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Williams2-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Williams2-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Williams2-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Williams2-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Williams2.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Nelson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Nelson-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Nelson-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Nelson-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Nelson-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Nelson-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Nelson-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Nelson.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke2-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke2-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke2-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke2-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke2-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke2-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-ORourke2.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Straight.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Straight-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Straight-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Straight-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Straight-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Straight-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Straight-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Straight.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tangina.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tangina-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tangina-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tangina-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tangina-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tangina-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tangina-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Tangina.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Nicely done special effects<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects2-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects2-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects2-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects2-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects2-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects2-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Special-Effects2.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography2-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography2-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography2-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography2-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography2-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography2-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Poltergeist-Cinematography2.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, simply for its cultural relevance and cult status. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cult Movie<\/li>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0084516\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/poltergeist\/review\/2000106221\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/poltergeist-1982\">Roger Ebert Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/horror\/poltergeist-1982.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.combustiblecelluloid.com\/classic\/poltergeist.shtml\">Combustible Celluloid Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;It knows what scares you. It has from the very beginning.&#8221; Synopsis: A suburban mom (JoBeth Williams) and dad (Craig T. Nelson) try to protect their kids Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins), and Carol Anne (Heather O&#8217;Rourke) from malevelent forces in their house, eventually drawing on the help of a team of paranormal experts (Beatrice Straight, Richard Lawson, and Martin Casella) and a medium (Zelda Rubenstein). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Ghosts Horror Films Kidnapping Steven Spielberg Films Response&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=69336\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"&quot;It knows what scares you. 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