Ed Naha – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: David Irving

Written By: Ed Naha

Cinematography: Arnie Sirlin

Editor: Barbara Pokras

Cast: Gerrit Graham, Brian Robbins, Tricia Leigh Fisher, Robert Vaughn, Norman Fell, Jack Riley, Bill Calvert, Larry Linville, Sandra Kerns, June Lockhart, Rich Hall, Bianca Jagger, Larry Cedar

A couple of teenagers break into a secret government science lab and steal a frozen corpse for a high school prank and accidentally awaken the corpse which turns out to be a CHUD named Bud, who goes on a killing spree and making his victims also cannibalistic CHUD’s and its up to the teens to stop him.

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The film as strange as it’s rated R, but there is nothing that bad, except for the implied violence in a little blood, but really as it’s so comedic and camp he could easily be more for kids as a starter, horror, film, or at least young teens, as there is nothing really that objectionable in the film

This song is one of those hidden in plain sight as this hits the right spot and happy to discover it late to truly appreciate it rather than just dismiss it as a product of the time which I’m sure many did. Now can watch it as a time capsule as they don’t make them even close to like this anymore.

The film is not scaring the least, as it goes more for comedy, which might have upset many fans of the original Chud film as this is nothing like the original, The film doesn’t even follow in the creature designs of the first CHUD film instead this is a straight-up undead or zombie film. Should know that it’s an in name sequel. Which should have known by its subtitle of blood the Chad

The only way it’s Really connected to the original Is serving as a monster movie of sorts when an actuality, this was originally written to be a sequel to RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, and stay in that realm of comedy-Horror.

The film has a cast recognizable character actors in various roles. That feels like they are more guest starring. As The film feels like one of those TV movies from the 1980s at usually start actors on the network shows of the past and of the current shows that they had on and just like them. This is more of a teen film.

actor Garrett Graham is kind of the star of the film here as he plays Bud, the Chad, and truly steals the show and saves the phone. He showcases his talents that people slept on in various other roles in different movies. Here he does it all, though it’s more a physical comedic performance, especially his facial expressions. As the character doesn’t really talk.

Actress, Tricia Leigh Fisher Costars in this film and she’s an actress that one is always a fan of, but seems to have done so few films and television that when you do see her on screen, you can’t help but put a smile on your face as she has the talent and looks to do so much more in the film industry. And she comes across as a bombshell with a middle town, America appeal, and who can actually act

This isn’t a good film, but it’s a fun film of chess for Gerritt Graham’sphysical performance above all else. Especially, How he goes from awkward zombie to a more suave Casanova look. not to mention seeing the cast of recognizable actors, feels a bit heartwarming. No, it stays comedic throughout.

It ends up feeling So bad it’s good but seems to be designed that way so it’s not bad Chessmore silly plus the film has the creepiest cameo by Robert England.

The humor of the film make it makes it feel like it’s a film full of dad jokes. Which one can appreciate this film for because it seems more and more these days like all her films even if they’re comedic, they’re more focused on exploitation of nudity and violence and can’t just be in the genre of horror and be fun and kind of clean.

Even if not scary, the film does offer good practical effects and make up FX, which seems to be a kind of a lost cause or getting diminishing returns these days

The film was filmed in 1987, but wasn’t released until 1989 the Director even made three cuts one emphasizing her, the other more emphasizing comedy in the third Edited to play on television one wonders if the cut we see now

Is the purely comedic one and the television one has one can only imagine what the scary version looks like. Even though this film seems . more made for television, and the humor seems more for a juvenile crowd.

Grade: C+

A group of people stop by a mansion during a storm and discover two magical toy makers and their haunted collection of dolls.

Directed By: Stuart Gordon
Written By: Ed Naha
Cinematography By: Mac Ahlberg
Editor: Lee Percy

Cast: Ian Patrick Williams, Stephen Lee, Guy Rolfe

This is a sick film. That keeps a creepy tone by showing disgusting graphic violence but keeping a child-like mood and innocence while it is happening. From the score to the colors of the background it is an achievement and scary at the same time. Which is why I openly admire this film.

I remember first hearing about this movie on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT at 10 years old. They showed an infamous scene, Where a character who is dead with no eyeballs holds up doll’s eyes as they’re own. A true show stopper in the film. It was shown on E.T. as a story about over the top violence in films. Which made me want to see it in the first place. I got my wish 5 years later when I first saw this film at first on television in a censored version and became so fascinated by it I hunted it down to see the full Uncut theatrical version. Watching it I was horrified but happy

It’s a very macabre film but for horror aficionados definitely a must-see.

The film Stars the very likable Stephen Lee. The film is about a little girl and her abominable Father and stepmother who get stranded on a trip and end up staying overnight at a bed & Breakfast until they can get they’re car fixed in the morning, As the night goes on another driver and two punk-rock British hitchhikers end up stranded there too. The elderly couple who run the place have a collection of antique dolls that the little girl adores, But the doll creeps everyone else out as do the elderly couple and as the night goes on, They’re fears come true as not everyone survives the night.

The film was actually filmed after RE-ANIMATOR but before FROM BEYOND and used the same sets but it came out one year after FROM BEYOND because the Doll Special Effects took so long to master that once it was done it was decided to keep it on the shelf for another year. The producers wanted more gore in the film and were actually filmed but the footage was thrown out once all agreed that it really didn’t fit the tone of the film. At one point Stuart Gordon considered making a sequel but unfortunately abandoned that idea as he thought this film spoke well enough for itself. Though he did really like the characters and felt a need to see what they were up to after all these years.

I find it funny that the films Screenwriter wrote not only other horror films such as C.H.U.D. II and TROLL but then went on to write Disney Films Such as HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KID and now writes biblical films. He did at least stay within that fantasy and Fairly tale world.

One of the reasons this film is enjoyable is it feels like a dark fairy tale. It takes a premise you have seen before and injects it with some originality. This is for the most part an unpredictable film. It’s not like similar films that followed in it’s wake such as CHILD’S PLAY and PUPPET MASTER. Both of these are fine films but in a totally different way as those films are more literally one line movie plots Killer toys. Whereas this film takes you into an otherworldly universe.

This is a film that deserves to be part of your film library.

GRADE: B+

Tag: Ed Naha

C.H.U.D. II: BUD THE CHUD (1989)

DOLLS (1987)