Based On The Short Story “The Thing On The Doorstep” By H.P. Lovecraft
Cinematography: David Matthews
Editor: Jack N. Gracie
Cast: Heather Graham, Jonathan Schaech, Barbara Crampton, Bruce Davison, Judah Lewis
A psychiatrist becomes obsessed with one of her young patients, who she later discovers is linked to an ancient curse.
This film has that 1990s straight-to-video feel. That felt like Russian roulette between what the poster and back art promised and what you actually got. You tried to look on the back of the video for pictures from the film to hedge your bets and guide your decision before you took it home crossed your fingers and hoped for the best.
It feels like setting that error too just going by the cell phones used throughout the film.
What you get is an erotic thriller that has all the elements and the score of one that works as a horror, or thriller with a sense of humor about itself. That has loads of sex though isn’t particularly sexy even though lead Heather Graham usually is. You can also tell she is having fun in the role and fully letting loose.
As here she is sexy in offers glimpses of nudity, but never quite full, but it is in full control of her own sexuality throughout.
The film is filled with practical effects, and Gore that are impressive, even if the red when it comes to the blood is not quite right. so it feels like a Hammer or Giallo film where the blood never quite feels real, which also helps to make the film feel exactly like it is more of a fantasy rather than any kind of reality
Watching it with its fast paste, nutty and horny humor. It kept reminding me of the television show Chucky maybe as they both seem to be over the top and dark-humored and seem to pack themselves on the back for humor, which some might see as wrong. Who would be the totally wrong audience for this film? This one seems to revel in trouble.
Hate to reference another thing, but this also feels like a tale from the Crypt episode and long luckily, one of the good ones. Not as over-the-top as I was expecting. It still is quite the wild ride.
Throughout the film, there’s obviously a threat that literally will not die but as you watch the film, you’re not necessarily worried you’re kind of rooting for both sides in their own way as you just want this story to keep going into see where it’s gonna go.
Watching the film you do they have saved themselves of trouble by just cutting off the tongue of the villain which would’ve made things a lot more easier I believe but then again, there’d be no fail either and that would be a shame.
This is a film for those who, like to take risks with what they watch never quite knowing what they’re going to get but now it’s going to be something different in a bit down and dirty.
As though the film surroundings always try to look glitzy and high-end at heart is the trashy little film.
Directed By: Frank Oz Written By: Steve Martin Cinematography: Ueli Steiger Editor: Richard Pearson
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Robert Downey Jr., Heather Graham, Christine Baranski, Jamie Kennedy, Terence Stamp, Claude Brooks, Marisol Nichols, Phill Lewis, John Cho
When a desperate movie producer fails to get a major star for his bargain basement film, he decides to shoot the film secretly around him.
This might be a letdown considering the two comedic stars at its center finally teaming up to make a film together you would expect something funnier and better.
Though pretty much the film has a good premise a terrible follow-through and jokes. As it tries to be a Hollywood satire. Where it seems too hard to be wacky above all else. Even though it seems a little more personal for Steve Martin who wrote the script and also takes aim at satirizing Scientology and also having some humor over it seems a past relationship.
Now the film wasn’t written originally for Eddie Murphy to co-star. As it was written for a big-name star. It was never intended to be a big-name comedic star. Eddie Murphy walks away with the film in a dual role that obviously he had to have input in because he creates a memorable comedic character as the Hollywood Star he also plays look-alike Jiff and kind of stunt double. as well as spoofing Hollywood’s spoiled paranoid star as Kit Ramsey but that role feels a bit more familiar.
Eddie Murphy does manage to create two totally different comedic characters and make them believable.
Truthfully this movie felt crushing to me when I first watched it. As it stars two of my favorite living stand-Up comedians written by one of them and the film still falls apart.
This film is a satire on Hollywood. Though It’s not as sharp as Martin’s precious satire on Los Angeles L.A. STORY. Though that felt like a romance and love letter compared to this film which seems more to make fun of everything and everybody. As this is more silly than witty.
Though the film is certainly ahead of Its time with some of its ideas especially when it comes to the aspect of improv. Though after a while the film feels too silly for Its Own Good.
If this film was made in the 1980’s it would be just ok and meant more like a classic. Getting a pass just for who starred in it. But made in the Savvy 1990s. It almost plays like a throwback.
There are moments that are original and funny but they are too few and far in between. If this movie had starred anyone else it would be forgettable and much easier for me to let go of it, but coming from such great talents. It was such a huge letdown.
Heather Graham is unresistable as the sexy actress co-star who Steve martin’s director character is also sleeping with and he is disturbed to find he might not be the only one. Based on her ambition and knowledge of his ex-girlfriends this seems his attempt to trivialize that relationship and maybe that person.
Robert Downey Jr. is in the movie he plays a small but pivotal role that really has no meat to it, but this was one of his first jobs post-rehab.
What is also a letdown is the movie within the movie they seem to be filming is so terrible. Even with a star, it looks like it would be bad, but again that might be the film making fun of not only itself but all-star-driven vehicles. Where no matter how bad it might be they will be funded and there will be an audience for them.
I didn’t see the movie in theaters but I did buy the DVD without seeing it first. Because I was so sure it was going to be a knockout. It is one of my least-watched purchases.
Though strangely over the years I have warmed a little bit to it. It’s still bad, but at least it is watchable more to me now. Hopefully, you feel the same way.
Directed By: LP Written By: Ellen Rapoport Cinematography: Tim Orr Editor: Christian Hoffman
Cast: Nasim Pedrad, Anna Camp, Sarah Burns, Lamorne Morris, Robbie Amell, Heather Graham, Jessica Chaffin, Jessica Lowe
A panicked young woman, with her reluctant friends in tow, rushes to Mexico to try and delete a ranting email she sent to her new boyfriend.
It’s Nice to see Nasim Pedrad in the lead. Even if from the beginning we notice her character is disturbed and throughout the movie seems to get worse and more desperate. That it is hard at times to have any sympathy for her.
But just as she really barely had time to make her mark on Saturday night love this film doesn’t seem to be the best material for her it gives her more to do but nothing really to do to make a mark. She is attractive and entertaining. Though just as the film
Focuses on later. It’s hard to age. Any sympathy for her and you wonder why her friends do either.
As they have real problems but while having humorous scenes. They barely have anything to do but sit back and watch her and at times get pulled into the ridiculousness.
At times the film gets a little raunchy but it more stays ridiculous than gross
As the script isn’t really that great it seems like a script talking down to the audience as even the premise seems strange for a feature that just like the main character reeks of desperation.
Maybe as it comes off more like a stereotype a more male one about how they truly believe women view relationships basically needy
That seems like a female version of the movie OVERNIGHT DELIVERY. Whereas this film has more the feel of early Netflix premiere movies. This film Works but strangely feels haphazardly put together.
Which makes sense as this was originally meant to be made in 2009 with Isla Fisher starring. As the material does feel dated.
Even if it is refreshing To see a female character be quite messy as the lead and having the male love interest more, have it altogether more and love her for being herself and be there to try and keep everything on the straight and narrow. Even if he has a minor problem But is willing. To get over it for her
In the end, the film shows that there is somebody for everybody. Even those who you might not expect. Unfortunately, I doubt that the same can be said when it comes to this movie and an audience.
Written, Edited & Directed By: Greg Araki Cinematography: Arturo Smith
Production Design: Patti Podesta
Cast: James Duval, Rachel True, Christina Applegate, Nathan Bexton, Guillermo Diaz, Jeremy Jordan, Kathleen Robertson, Jordan Ladd, Ryan Philippe, Heather Graham, Charlotte Rae, Chiara Mastroianni, Debi Mazar, Joshua Gibran Mayweather, Mena Suvari, Sarah Lassez, Alan Boyce, Jason Simmons, Beverley D’Angelo, Denise Richards, Teresa Hill, Traci Lords, David Leisure, Eve Plumb, John Ritter, Shannen Doherty, Rose McGowan, Christopher Knight, Stacy Kennan, Devon Odessa, Stephane Sednaoui, Gibby Haynes,
In it’s own way this film is like a nihilistic beach party movie. Way removed from Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.
This film is a kind of spoof teen movie like SCREAM making fun of teens and teen movies. While being one but being modern and way over the top. Showcasing what teen moves at the time shows away from showing Drugs, Sex, Suicide, eating disorders, homosexuality, date rape, murder, alien invasions and face it all a rough edge.
The film has cameos and appearances galore which makes it feels like a Robert Altman cast with spot the guest star of musicians and actors who were recognizable at the Time. As well as established actors from television. Where some seem here more to challenge their image and be a bit rebellious
This is a low budget odyssey meant to be surreal with great art direction. The film certainly has a diverse cast where an African American character is the most popular and sought after female in the film. And a Great alternative 90’s soundtrack.
It’s an ensemble so the story and film Is supposed to feel unfocused at times. At heart this film wants to be a comedy. Yet hits in serious issues but at other times ends them in more silly ways.
Though the couples are sexually fluid throughout this is the closest at the time Of director Greg Araki making more heterosexual cinema. As before this most of his film had been considered queer cinema. Though this film has a few same sex pairings.
This is kind of a preview of what his future film KABOOM and Television series NOW APOCALYPSE would be like only more structured. Kind of wish it had more of this films madness and world. Love or hate the films of Greg araki they are never boring.
This is a dark decadent comedy that allows sitcom stars to play against type with different stories going on while an alien invasion is taking place. Letting the stars play more dirty and against type.
This is certainly a film to experience and while more a cult classic that at times tries to find art and beauty in trash. Yet always aspiring to be trash. In more a sharp and stylish way then a John Waters way.
The actual leads of the film are mroe the lesser known names in the cast.
This film seems more like an examination, dedication and showcase of the culture at the time, more California based. Where as it seems full of good looking people, fashion and fads, but they are usually doing the worst or bad things and we get to know some more then just face value. To see what lies inside them and what they cause. As sometimes even the most pretty beauty is all they have to offer. Nothing else really.
The film ends nihilistic like most of Araki’s films here we are all lost or doomed in this unpredictable universe and no matter what all we try and search for is to not be lonely and have that person to go through the best and worst with.
This plays like a demented , warped satire of BEVERY HILLS 90210 and teen movies and culture of the 90’s. The film takes place over one day in california. It follows a group of teen friends and their misadventures. No real solid plot as much of the movie just seems to happen, not much seems actually planned.
Though it’s a teen movie it definitely is not for kids. It tackles all the usual subjects. Drugs (tons of them) Infidelity, Date Rape, Suicide, Love, First dates, Butit also includes new ones like Zombies, Cross Dressing and Fetishes. The film also takes typical cliched characters and turns your pre-concieved notions of them and turns them on their ear.With characters named Dark, zero, ducky, Lucifer, Dingbat, Kozy, Hand Job, and Egg. you know this is not your typical film.
It’s has a very surreal stlye. The saturated colors in scenes. One character even has the lyrics of a song superimposed on his bedroom walls that surround him at every turn. It tries to be more punk style if film more then anything else.
This is the third part of Greg Araki’s Teenage apocalypse trilogy though his film KABOOM deals with similar subjects. Truth be told this at the time was the first film of greg araki’s that i enjoyed. The film is a nihlistic piece of work as usual fro him in his early work. He calls this his first heterosexual film. As most of his previous work was considered gay cinema.
Even though the film takes place in one day. the characters change clothes numerous times throughout the film.
This film is filled with both tons of cameos giving it a all star cast and filled with at the time many up and coming actors. The film is filled with sex but oddly very little nudity. Though it does contain plenty of graphic shocking violence.
This film feels like a chance for the young stars of the film to distort whatever images they have in film and television. To show they have an edge and sense of humor. It also gives them a chanceto do a indie film. Which was the cool thing to do at the time. The film is almost like a time capsule to 90’s culture.
It is a beautiful film to look at no matter how trashy it tries to be. The art Direction, Camera work are truly admirable, but in the same mindset. The film can make things beautiful, but also stomach turning even the characters.
Just like the film the soundtrack is very vivid itself. Scoring the film with uneasiness and energy.
This film is crazy and definately out there, but i can honestly say i enjoyed it enough to give it a mild recommendation.
Cut To The Chase 