It’s Alive (1974, Larry Cohen)

Oh, man. I was really expecting a classic, great horror film, something at least as awesome as God Told Me To. After all, this had sequels and a remake. That adds up to horror classic, right? But I guess even Maniac Cop had sequels and a (sorta) remake, so no guarantees. Not that It’s Alive sucked – it’s got that 70’s low-budget 16mm look which I always mistake for gritty realism, and an interesting central dilemma: a couple’s child turns out to be a murderous monster, so they help in the manhunt for the creature, but parental emotions win out and they end up trying to protect it.

Glimpse of the creature:
img

Dad: John Ryan of the Wachowskis’ Bound, Class of 1999:
img

Mom: Sharon Farrell of Out of the Blue, The Stunt Man:
img

Ultimately more exciting than the plot were the 70’s fashions on display.
img

This one brings back memories:
img

My favorite shot, by far:
img

Stinger: “Another one’s been born in Seattle.”