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Sleepwalkers

Sleepwalkers

List Price: $9.95
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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Here kitty, kitty, kitty...
Review: An incestuous mother and son of preternatural origin move to a small town to find a young female virgin the son may take the life force of and feed the mother with.

It's Stephen King, who wrote the screenplay, at his not bad best. Interesting music; I've never heard Enya in a horror movie before but surprisingly it works. I'd pretty much sit through anything with Alice Krige in it. The down side is that although the mother and son are interesting beings, the curiosity about them the movie arouses is not satisfied. What are they? A kind of feline lineage is hinted at as they can morph into variations of cat like creatures yet cats are their mortal enemies (a scratch can be fatal). Where are they from? Egypt is hinted at (the origin of the worship of Bast, perhaps). Why are they called Sleepwalkers (origins of the incubus/succubus/vampire mythologies)? And what is it about virginity?! (you'd think the last person you slept with, i.e., the person you married/ended up with, would be what all the fuss was about) Despite the questions raised and unanswered the movie is still an enjoyable gore-fest horror break from reality.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not exactly a King epic:
Review: Bad special effects, a completely wooden plot nailed to cardboard characters, bad acting and cheesy gore effects do not compliment would could have been a very scary movie. Inexplicably incestious Cat people live like cia undercover agents in a small town, and stake out victims to gain energy. There is no explanation as to what these creatures are, and basically the whole thing is a solid vehicle for a bunch of scenes involving painfully conspicious latex prop limbs being torn and split while the creatures feed off of the energy of fresh victims (one scene where a man has his hand cut off actually rivals luke skywalker's incredibly unconvincing appendage loss in "The Empire Strikes Back). The cat people themselves are reminiscent of japanese rubber suit monsters (one almost expects power rangers to jump out) and the morphing special effects look ridiculous. Entertaining enough to warrant watching the whole thing ... even If not for any reason it intended to be.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not even Alice Krige can save this flick
Review: Charles and Mary seem to have the ideal life - she his beautiful mother, he her handsome and devoted son. Sharing a house in one of those beautiful and idyllic northern California towns we see in countless straight-to-video/cable movies, they lead a life free of all cares except two: an army of cats, amassing in their front-yard, that recognize Mary and Charles for the soul-sucking and cat-like monsters they are; and how to find a young virgin girl to satisfy their hungers. Mary and Charles, we soon learn, are more than they seem. Going from town to town, fixating on virgin women who provide their only sustenance, the two are the last of their kind - only sometimes looking human (we can catch hints of their true appearances whenever they are near a mirror) - they can change their appearance as well as alter the appearance of anything else nearby like a car or a house. Only the cats have no fear of Charles and Mary - rather it's the monsters who shy from them, and the reason becomes apparent in a fur-flying climax guaranteed to send PETA members into a fury. While the cat army grows in their front yard (why the cats don't immediately attack isn't quite clear) Charles hunts for the next victim, quickly settling on Tanya Robertson (Madchen Amick - whose mom is NOT palyed here by the real Tanya Roberts). Though first romancing her, Charles doesn't take long to show her his true side (I guess because she must remain a virgin, and he's afraid to "spoil" his dinner). When Tanya proves no pushover, it's up to Mary to save the day.

"Sleepwalkers" runs on cheap thrills, CGI effects and the sexual charge exuded by Alice Krige as Mary. For a film that promises a lot (Stephen King, Clive Barker, Tobe Hooper, Joe Dante and John Landis all have cameos) however, it comes up short. While the script doesn't reveal all about Charles and Mary immediately, it doesn't take long before it reveals just about everything we we're going to find out, leaving the lovely and evil Alice Krige to carry the entire movie. Krige who can alternate between sweetly friendly and coldly and calculatingly evil is the flick's best effect, but one put to better use as the Borg Queen or as the vengeful phantasm of "Ghost Story".

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: ALICE IN BLUNDERLAND
Review: Ever since Alice Krige burst onto the scene in the much better movie GHOST STORY, she's never really achieved the status she's deserved. Blessed with an earthy, yet sensual, beauty, and a formidable acting range, Ms. Krige brings her usual glow to this Stephen King misstep. SLEEPWALKERS has much potential that is never fully realized. Alice plays the lovely shapeshifting mother to hunky young Brian Krause (more looks than talent). For some reason, she can't feed on her own (they're like vampires or something), so she sends her boy out to do the hunting for her. King spares little in the incestuous relationship they share, giving us several sexual scenes that cement their bizarre relationship. Krause finds himself falling for the virginal Madchen Amick (TWIN PEAKS) and sets out to prepare her for Mom's dinner. For some reason, even though these shapeshifters seem a little feline themselves, the scratch of an ordinary cat can kill them. Thus, we have hundreds of cats on the prowl, including the plucky Clovis who proves to be a rather formidable opponent to the shapeshifters. Director Mick Garris handles things efficiently, even giving us cameos from author King, Clive Baker, Joe Dante, and Tobe Hooper. Ron Perlman shows up as a goofy state trooper; Jim Haynie is the reliable sheriff, and Cindy Pickett and Lyman Ward do well as Amick's parents. The corn stabbing scene is pretty ludicrous if original, and the ending dissolves into unbelievable antics. It's certainly not one of King's high points, but it entertains and has some clever transformations. If it weren't for CARRIE, SALEMS LOT and DEAD ZONE, King would have very few successes on the silver screen.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: What's Up
Review: I must say I always have enjoyed this movie and as I was breezing through the reviews it seems like I was one of the few. Sleepwalkers is by no doubt the best movie I have seen, but I thought it has some merit as being a good movie. Sleepwalkers introduces you to these mysterious creatures that cats don't like. They appear human most of the time but can change either voluntarily and sometimes involuntarily into their cat like forms. They feed off human virgins it seems they suck their souls right out of them per oral. The plot is kind of thin and it could have been more developed, but it was still pretty good. The movie leaves a lot of questions about what these things are. If you are a movie watcher that likes to know all the facts this may not be the movie for you. The special effects were not all that great and I think the monster's appearance could have taken a little more attention, but I have never rated special effects above the plot. I think maybe Sleepwalkers would have turned out better as a book opposed to a movie, where there would be more time to develop the plot, but this didn't happen, so I guess I will settle for the movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: What's Up
Review: I must say I always have enjoyed this movie and as I was breezing through the reviews it seems like I was one of the few. Sleepwalkers is by no doubt the best movie I have seen, but I thought it has some merit as being a good movie. Sleepwalkers introduces you to these mysterious creatures that cats don't like. They appear human most of the time but can change either voluntarily and sometimes involuntarily into their cat like forms. They feed off human virgins it seems they suck their souls right out of them per oral. The plot is kind of thin and it could have been more developed, but it was still pretty good. The movie leaves a lot of questions about what these things are. If you are a movie watcher that likes to know all the facts this may not be the movie for you. The special effects were not all that great and I think the monster's appearance could have taken a little more attention, but I have never rated special effects above the plot. I think maybe Sleepwalkers would have turned out better as a book opposed to a movie, where there would be more time to develop the plot, but this didn't happen, so I guess I will settle for the movie.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not great, but not bad either
Review: I think the downfall of most movies based on works by Stephen King is that people expect content that is several levels above other films in the horror genre.

Sleepwalkers isn't high art, but it does what horror movies are supposed to do. It takes a creepy or disturbing concept (in this case incest and a malevolent race living amongst us), mixes in a few scares, and keeps you entertained for an hour and a half.

The standout actor of the film is Alice Krige. I've met Ms. Krige and she seems like a very nice lady. That makes her amazing performances in movies like Sleepwalkers and Ghost Story even more enjoyable. She brings a beauty and danger to her characters that you rarely see, and it's an element that is especially necessary in a horror film.

There will be people who give this film 5 stars and people who will give it 1. To see which one you are, rent it first. You may return it early, or you may get back on (...) and buy a copy for your collection. I am giving it 3 stars because I was entertained (I've seen it twice on video and twice on television), but it didn't rank up there with classics like Halloween, The Shining, or The Exorcist.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: No catnaps during this one!
Review: In horror films, virgins are basically immune to death. But, this film changes the rules. Sleepwalkers, these feline, human creatures, prey on virgins for food. God forbid you be a pretty one like Tanya Robertson, who gets involved with the new guy in school, Charles Brady. Charles is definitely an outsider...he is one of these mystical Sleepwalkers who is desperate to feed his hungry mother (who is also his lover), and Tanya is the best thing on their menu. Very creative story, nice script, and eerie music.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: proof that cats are nothing to be afraid of
Review: Ouch. When the big ones fall, they fall hard. "Sleepwalkers" has the distinction of being the first film Stephen King ever wrote directly for the screen, and much like his first directing gig (the abominable "Maximum Overdrive"), the results indicate that he should wise up and stick to books. At least the movie is laughably bad, which means it's still enjoyable on some level, rather than just BAD bad.
I won't lie. You will get to see some things you've never seen onscreen before, like a guy getting stabbed to death with an ear of corn. And you do get to look at the beautiful lead actress, one of the most adorable women ever. But the dialogue is moronic. The cat people are not scary. Indeed, Clovis, the police "attack cat", proves to be a far more formidable adversary than the lunkhead male lead. Throw in a teen-molesting teacher, an incestuous mother-son relationship, and an idiot cop, and you get a bevy of laughs (mostly unintentional), which at least partially redeems your wasted 90 minutes.
Here's a fun drinking game: every time the dialogue makes you wince, cringe, or giggle, do a shot. You'll be blotto within ten minutes.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: proof that cats are nothing to be afraid of
Review: Ouch. When the big ones fall, they fall hard. "Sleepwalkers" has the distinction of being the first film Stephen King ever wrote directly for the screen, and much like his first directing gig (the abominable "Maximum Overdrive"), the results indicate that he should wise up and stick to books. At least the movie is laughably bad, which means it's still enjoyable on some level, rather than just BAD bad.
I won't lie. You will get to see some things you've never seen onscreen before, like a guy getting stabbed to death with an ear of corn. And you do get to look at the beautiful lead actress, one of the most adorable women ever. But the dialogue is moronic. The cat people are not scary. Indeed, Clovis, the police "attack cat", proves to be a far more formidable adversary than the lunkhead male lead. Throw in a teen-molesting teacher, an incestuous mother-son relationship, and an idiot cop, and you get a bevy of laughs (mostly unintentional), which at least partially redeems your wasted 90 minutes.
Here's a fun drinking game: every time the dialogue makes you wince, cringe, or giggle, do a shot. You'll be blotto within ten minutes.


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