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chuckthomas69
Reviews
Horror High (1973)
Twisted Brainiacs Unite!
Wow... Reading through these comments is giving me goose bumps! For years, no one I asked had ever seen (or heard of) this nasty little movie, but now I see that I am not alone after all!
My experience of Twisted Brain is nearly identical to many others here: I was 11 years old when my best friend and I saw this movie on Pittsburgh, PA's Chiller Theater. Ever since that night, I have never looked at a paper-cutter or a pair of cleats the same way.
As many of you have said, there is something about this gritty, low-budget shocker that just sticks with you. It's not that this is a good movie, but obviously it had a lasting impression on a whole generation of us. Even now, I can remember the grainy film and cheesetastic music, the vat of acid, the brutal murders. I will never forget that first viewing of this film.
I can't say that I recommend it, exactly. It may be a you-had-to-be-there kind of experience for those of us who saw it back in the day, and I'm sure Twisted Brain may not hold up well after all these years. I'm just really glad to read that so many others had the same experience of it that I did.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
One of the most seamless blends of Comedy and Horror ever!
I know, I know... I've barely started this review and I already fear it smacks of hyperbole, but I can't help myself... I have such love for this film, I can hardly contain my geeky joy.
I am a lifelong fan of the Horror movie in all of its forms; from atmospheric and creepy classics to the most exploitative and gory grind-house flicks. My second favorite type of films are Comedies, from cheap scatological humor to the driest British wit. I only mention my tastes here to point out that this movie satisfied me on pretty much every level.
Horror and Comedy are like two sides of the same coin, and yet very few films have really blended them masterfully. I would say that the short list of those which have includes An American Werewolf in London, the Evil Dead trilogy, Dead Alive (Braindead)... and now, Shaun of the Dead.
I found the horrific aspects of this film wonderfully executed and effective. The scares run the gamut, from quick-cut BOO! shots to subtle, ominous dark shadows to full-out, body-rending gore. And the humorous aspects were likewise varied, from crude bathroom humor to clever puns and pop-cultural references.
Not only does Shaun of the Dead juggle laughs and scares with surprising skill, but this film turns out to have a heart, too. Billed as a Rom-Zom-Com, the fantastic elements of this film are kept in check by the affection of the characters for each other.
The underpinning of this tale of Zombie madness is the everyday life of working-class schlub Shaun, his long-suffering girlfriend Liz and useless slacker buddy Ed. The relationship between these and other characters is really the main story, with the undead plague providing a backdrop for much better dialog than I've come to expect from a Zombie movie. By creating characters that the viewer can care about, SOTD achieves an emotional depth between the gags and the gristle. The last frame of the film is truly a moment that made me laugh and cry at the same time.
Obviously I have nothing but praise for Shaun of the Dead. For me, it was an instant addition to my Top Ten list. I highly recommend that you see it, often.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Lives up to its reputation; not as a gore or "splatter" movie, but as pure horror.
Gritty, grim, gruesome ...and brilliant. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a nearly perfect horror film. The greatest strength of TCM is not the plot, script, or acting, but the atmosphere of sheer, nightmarish dread that seeps from the grainy film and gets under your skin... this is why it has stood the test of time and why it is considered a horror classic.
Perhaps some viewers have been too jaded by the countless imitations of this movie to understand its original impact, but make no mistake... this is the real deal, the one that started it all. With an obviously limited budget, Tobe Hooper and his cast and crew took what could have been a forgettable drive-in flick and produced a minor masterpiece.
Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
Yes, it really is THAT bad!!!
This is one of the few movies I have ever seen which actually made me angry... not just disappointed, mind you, but downright furious! No one expected this film to live up to the classic original, but for a sequel to fall this far short of the mark is just plain insulting. This cinematic ipecac fails on just about every possible level; the worst failure being that is just no fun to watch! Instead, it made me uncomfortable and a little embarrassed for the people on the screen.
And for those who are confused by the fact that some people have rated this movie very highly, notice that the majority of positive reviews focus on the music. Yes, I love the Blues, and this movie features some good numbers, but GOOD MUSIC DOES NOT MAKE A GOOD MOVIE!! If you want to hear the tunes, by all means get the soundtrack CD. Or simply fast-forward through the lame dialog, wooden acting, and ridiculous plot to watch the music scenes. But I highly discourage anyone who liked the original Blues Brothers from wasting their time on this crassly commercial, soulless, and painfully unfunny movie. ...But that's just my opinion.