Movie Review: ****Carrie (1976)

I avoid writing about "R" rated movies.  This is an exception because there are TV versions available which have been toned down.  Carrie (Sissie Spacek) is a girl with a special power, she can move things with her mind.  Her mother (Piper Laurie) has something wrong with her mentally, and she is a religious fanatic, and repressive of her daughter, even her new power.  Carrie is a loner at school, but very beautiful.  She is discovered by a boy at school, Tommy (William Katt) and he invites her to the prom.  Of course Tommy's old girlfriend is upset.  She and a few girls plan their revenge.  First they make sure Carrie is voted prom queen, and then the prank, a bucket of blood from the butcher is spilled over her.  You don't want to mess with someone with kinetic powers. 
I like Sissy Spacek as an actress.  I always have.  Although the blood is a bit much, and then aided with lighting, the TV movies tell this story well without going overboard. 

Musical Movie Review: ****Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)

Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones star as husband and wife in this look at the life of Loretta Lynn, famed country singer, based on the autobiography written by Lynn.  It tells the story of Loretta's early life, and her marriage when she was 14 to  Doolittle Lynn.  She started having babies soon after, and was thrust into the role of wife and mother.
This movie is interesting as it explains Loretta's rise in the music business.  Doolittle bought Loretta a guitar, because he liked to hear her sing.  It was him who pushed her into singing in front of people.  Doolittle was asking people, and figuring out how to manage his wife's career, mostly by the seat of his pants.  They cut a record.  From there they started touring at radio stations promoting its play.  With that, the song hit #14.  After the death and funeral of her father, Doolittle drove Loretta to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry.  She quickly became a regular and befriended Patsy Cline.  She was devastated when Patsy died in a plane crash, and has sung songs and recorded an album in her memory.
From there Loretta's career took off, but that of Doolittle faded.  He felt less than and turned to drink.  Some of Loretta's songs were about their struggles in marriage such as "Don't Come Home A' Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)."  However they stuck together until Doolittle's death.  He became more involved by managing their horse ranch.  This film concludes with the song "Coal Miner's Daughter."
Great fun and great music.  Sissy Spacek won the Oscar and Golden Globe for best actress, and the movie won Golden Globe for best film.