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Post by CK on Mar 22, 2007 12:58:30 GMT -5
1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
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Conan
DWI/Evil Dead Moderator
Pennywise
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Post by Conan on Mar 22, 2007 13:17:38 GMT -5
I just watch this movie again last week. I still love it. The Tall Man is great!
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Canetoad
The Prodigal Toad
HMaM member of the Month, July 2006
Cry Havoc! And let slip the cats of war.
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Post by Canetoad on Mar 22, 2007 17:46:35 GMT -5
Toad's all-time favourite. Angus Scrimm is for mine the most menacing of all horror villians. ''It's never over... BOY''
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Post by GL on Mar 23, 2007 10:37:06 GMT -5
“Phantasm” is easily one of the best horror films around.
**SPOILERS**
Gathering to attend a funeral, two long time friends, Jody, (Bill Thornbury) and Reggie, (Reggie Bannister) express a desire to re-form their old gang. Jody is now a lone rider and Reggie an ice cream salesman. While no long-term plan was made, they do decide to catch up. Also attending is Jody's son, Mike, (Michael Baldwin), who witnesses the gathering through a special spot in the woods nearby. After the ceremony, Mike notices a funeral parlor worker, The Tall Man, (Angus Scrimm) lift up the five hundred pound casket and haul it away in a car by himself. Suspecting something fishy, he decides to investigate the strange cemetery, and unearths a deadly secret. When it's discovered what's going on, The Tall Man begins a relentless assault on Mike to keep his secret. After a series of close encounters, Jody believes him, and after reluctantly dragging Reggie into the group, the rag-tag trio head back to put an end to The Tall Man once and for all.
The Good News: Unlike many horror films of today that rely on a mass body count to induce shocks, "Phantasm" instead goes for the jugular and scenes that by now have become passé in a horror movie. "Phantasm" doesn't have a very high body count, but is instead filled with some imaginative sequences. The famous floating spheres that attach themselves to your head and drain your blood are only seen in two scenes, but are responsible for only one really gruesome scene. I think this scene is slightly better than the scene in part two, as this one includes the added detail of showing the bloody mass that erupts forth when it burrows into your skull, something missing in all subsequent outings. I still have a deadly fear of graveyards from this movie, particularly whenever we are in the cemetery. There are several scenes in the movie to capitalize on this. The best one is with Baldwin spying on his friends and a small creature attaching Baldwin. It's pretty creepy and gives out a big jump. I also must give special props for its startling ending, which I can't reveal here for the uninitiated. All sequels utilized this one's formula, with the heroes thinking The Tall Man is dead, only to provide the film's biggest scare. Also, "Phantasm" has the creepiest theme except for 'Halloween' and may as well be the most recognizable to fans. For a film from the seventies, the characters give solid performances and utter believable dialog for the circumstances. The film gets off to a bang quickly. It shows a spooky cemetery house and is perhaps one of the creepiest houses ever built. It's got an authentic atmosphere surrounding it, and it's all the better for it. What happens afterward is pretty great, and is easily startling.
The Bad News: Fans of modern day slashers will find this one a little tedious because of the low body count. There are only five deaths in the film, and only two are shown on screen. Since this is the seventies, so one must also deal with the styles of the time (Baldwin has an afro in certain scenes, both he and Thornbury wear bell-bottoms). Also, as there is several attractive ladies in here, but there is only brief nudity. True, it is in two scenes, but both were in a dark graveyard, and I have seen several versions where the print was so bad that the breasts were never seen. That's a big problem with the film; most of the scenes are at night, resulting in very dark images that ruin key parts of the film. Making it dark for suspense is one thing, but to do it in scenes that should be lit is a big gripe.
The Final Verdict: Aside from several small and useless grips, this film is an unquestionable classic that deserves to viewed late at night and by every horror movie fan around. Guaranteed not to disappoint. I don't understand why this film has such a bad rap. This is really recommended to all slasher fans and 70s horror aficionado.
Rated R: Graphic Violence, Adult language, nudity, and a sex scene
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Post by CT on Mar 23, 2007 11:20:09 GMT -5
I have seen several versions where the print was so bad that the breasts were never seen. That's a big problem with the film I'm only joking, nice review GL.
4/5 from me. Very solid horror movie that is unique in just about every way: story, look, and feel. The spheres, the theme, and the Tall Man are all classic.
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Canetoad
The Prodigal Toad
HMaM member of the Month, July 2006
Cry Havoc! And let slip the cats of war.
Posts: 2,868
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Post by Canetoad on Mar 23, 2007 22:32:07 GMT -5
Great review GL... Bless
And agree with you totally on the music. I introduced Mrs T to Phantasm 1 and 2 last year (back to back) and she was so creeped out she said she could here the music in her head two days later.
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Post by GL on Mar 24, 2007 11:19:06 GMT -5
It really takes a lot for me to get into the music of a film, and for this to do it is really deserving. A classic theme through and through.
And one of the best films I can think of to introduce non-fans to horror films for those reasons, Toad.
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Canetoad
The Prodigal Toad
HMaM member of the Month, July 2006
Cry Havoc! And let slip the cats of war.
Posts: 2,868
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Post by Canetoad on Mar 27, 2007 3:08:33 GMT -5
She won't brook TCM or that ilk, but I've planted the seed....
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Post by CT on Mar 27, 2007 3:17:24 GMT -5
Yeah the Phantasm theme gives John Carpenter's Halloween theme a run for its money.
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HNT
Grizzled HMaM Vet
Horror in General & Everything Else Moderator[/i]
Kiss my tuchis
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Post by HNT on Mar 27, 2007 9:32:04 GMT -5
Thi one gets a 4 from me only because the second one is a maginally better film. Very good nonetheless
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Post by The Walking Dude on Jul 30, 2007 3:16:46 GMT -5
4 from me one of the rare horror flicks that doesnt have to explain everything into a neat little package- and i agree one of the best themes ever. i recently picked up the older dvd release of this - i gotta love the Australian TV promotion that sees Angus Scrimm and the interviewer end up at our oldest cemetary - Rookwood. Classic....... but i gotta go.......the funeral is about to begin
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Post by GL on Jul 30, 2007 10:52:03 GMT -5
The third midget from the left is me. I'm one of the pallbearers back to the underworld. Stop off and say hi.
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Post by Jen on Sept 28, 2007 12:30:55 GMT -5
Okay, finally made it through this one.... I really enjoyed it, and understand now why people love it so much. Pretty damn creepy, and its also pretty damn weird. The music is very good. So yes, now I am a fan. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the second film anywhere. It gets a 4 from me.
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Post by GL on Sept 29, 2007 10:30:42 GMT -5
To see the second one:
1. If you have HBO/Cinemax, it pops up occasionally there.
2. Import the Silver Sphere Box Set from the UK.
3. Find the VHS.
The reason why is that the second one was done through Universal, while the others were done through other companies and are availiable through companies like Anchor Bay rather than the bigger ones.
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Canetoad
The Prodigal Toad
HMaM member of the Month, July 2006
Cry Havoc! And let slip the cats of war.
Posts: 2,868
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Post by Canetoad on Oct 1, 2007 2:06:15 GMT -5
Jen go with GL's second option... gawd I'll even send you a money order for a Christmas present towards the sphere set! If you gave the first a 4, I reckon the second will get a very rare 5 from you.
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