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Scream - Collector's Series

Scream - Collector's Series

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Scream
Review: This movie/franchise started the entire Teen Slasher/Horror movie craze and it was O.k. Let's be real for starters, all slasher movies in general either have no plot or very little plot and SCREAM is no exception to that rule.

Exactly 1 year ago, from the start of the movie, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) helps put the killer of her mother behind bars. Now a year after the conviction, 2 teens are brutally killed in similar fashion to her mother. Now the question is, who's behind it? Is it the killer that killed her mom and that they have the wrong guy behind bars or is it someone else?

I'm giving this a 3 because this was a basic hack and slash movie and the mystery surrounding the killer wasn't done well because the investigation for the killer was left a little flat. Plus by the last 45 minutes of the movie, you pretty much had it figured out.

Another thing that bothered me about this movie was that it was way too cliche' even for a Teen slasher. Why is it that when the killer is trying to kill a busty, female victim, she runs for her life and puts up the biggest fight whereas when the killer stalks a male victim, the guys go down in a heartbeat? The contrast just isn't there and there's really no gray area.

It's still decent enough to sit back and watch but I personally wouldn't go into this one with too many expectations because this is a pretty basic one. Nothing's too complicated in this one and each victim's demise is pretty basic as well (with the exception of 1). Rent this one first, see what you like and if you like it, by all means, check out the rest of the series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Scream
Review: Scream is one of the more original horror movies of our time. Yes, it is another slasher film, but it also opened up a whole new realm of fear. It made the "killer calling the victim before she/he dies" routine a much more popular event. The killings were rather unique... I mean how many movies have a girl get crushed in a garage door without making it look totally corney... but... Wes Craven and the rest of the Scream crew pulled it off so it was actually scary... something that many horror movies lack these days. Scream is like the original "Halloween" film of the 90's Overall I would say Scream is an excellant horror film and I would recommend it to any other slasher movie fan.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: S C R E A M
Review: S C R E A M

Scream is a great movie! A killer killed a young girls (Sidney Prescott's mother) mother, and they thought they put away the killer. But one year later a killer starts to kill teens. Sidney and her friends now are trapped in the killers plan, and everyone is a suspect and a target! Is this a new killer or same killer who killed her mother? Did they put away the right killer?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A brilliant combination of horror, pop culture, and humor
Review: Scream provided the horror genre with a significant shot in the arm when it was released in 1996. This movie was a whole bunch of horror films all rolled into one, yet it was also quite original and unlike what had come before. Along with the undeniable creepiness and suspenseful nature of the wonderfully complex plot, Scream brilliantly incorporated pop culture and humor. It paid homage to its antecedents, referring to 14 different horror movies of the past, incorporating scenes (and that powerful Carpenter music) from Halloween into the plot itself, citing the unspoken rules of horror movies, and sneaking in great cameo appearances by Linda Blair and "Fred" the janitor (played by Wes Craven himself).

The phone call from the killer gimmick works very well here, providing Scream with its own peculiar trademark. I certainly had no idea about the true identity of the killer at the end, and I was thrilled to discover all of the rich nuances fuelling the entire killing spree. Scream is not your typical slice and dice flick with an easily identifiable bad guy and a plot that serves no more purpose than to provide an excuse for killing people. Script writer Kevin Williamson is a veritable genius, a man whose love of horror movies fuels him to put together a story that will involve the audience's mind as well as its emotions. The manner of murders are refreshingly varied, partly because the masked killer is so doggone clumsy most of the time and has to rely on devices other than his shiny big knife. I found the suspense level of every important event almost perfect. The soundtrack also adds strength to the whole effect, featuring great tracks such as Don't Fear the Reaper and Red Right Hand (which was originally used in a classic X-Files episode).

Of course, even the best script will fail without a talented cast, and Scream is blessed with some of Hollywood's best performers. Neve Campbell is of course the perfect Sidney; Drew Barrymore is largely responsible for making Scream's opening scene such a memorable one; Courteney Cox is the perfect self-centered tabloid reporter; David Arquette is actually likeable in his role as the somewhat dim-witted deputy sheriff; Rose McGowan is the quintessential best friend (and a total knockout); Skeet Ulrich and Matthew Lillard play their roles perfectly; and the character of Randy Meeks, the self-proclaimed horror expert, is one of my all-time favorites. Even the Fonz himself, Henry Winkler, plays a part in the film. I don't think you could put together a better overall cast for a horror movie, and that is one of the real secrets of Scream's success.

No matter how many times I watch Scream, I never fail to get completely drawn into the suspense. The DVD makes the experience even better with its load of goodies-a number of trailers, Wes Craven's commentary, some behind the scenes footage, interviews with cast members about the movie, cast biographies, trivia information, etc.. One really interesting note about this film is revealed in the credits: this movie was made "No Thanks Whatsoever To: the Santa Rosa City School District Governing Board" because the school board backed out of its decision to let part of the movie be shot at its local high school, citing the film's excessive violence. I believe this movie does what horror is supposed to do: draw out your own fears and negative emotions, transfer them to the screen, and send you away feeling invigorated, refreshed, and glad to still be alive.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: You're Kidding right?
Review: Having established himself as the best and most mischievous film maker currently working in the dead-babysitter horror genre, Wes Craven (of the 'Nightmare on Elm Street' films) is in the mood for parody. So 'Scream' winks at everything from a virginal heroine in a flowered cotton nightie to 'the moment when the supposedly dead killer comes back to life for one last scare.' Along the way, proving it's not too detached to get down to business, 'Scream' also finds time to disembowel a pretty young victim or two. Scream is Wes Craven's latest horror film with a gimmick that just doesn't quite work. It opens, in traditional slasher film fashion, with the young, pert, and alone Casey having a "terrifying" (yeah right, I laughed through the whole thing and so did my friends) encounter with a homicidal caller. The killer then sets his sights on Sidney ), a distraught and whiney whoa is me teen who has been standoffish since her mother's brutal murder a year ago. The film continues in its predictable path, as the killer moves gorily from victim to victim. The twist in Scream is that the characters acknowledge the cheesiness and predictability of horror flicks, and even outline the flaws and imperfections. Unfortunately, this self referentiality doesn't quite work, for Scream falls into the same boring and thoughtless patterns as prior movies of its ilk. Sorry people, but this movie WASN'T SCARY AT ALL! However it wasn't a complete waste of time. I did enjoy this movie, and thought that it was one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. This film might have been scary if it hadn't made fun of itself. How do you expect a person to take a movie seriously, when it doesn't even take itself serioiusly? So basically if you're looking for a very scary and disturbing movie, look elsewhere, but if you want an enjoyable movie that you can laugh at and just have fun with, then see this.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Got to admit, it was a trendsetter
Review: Think about it. If "Scream" were not made, you would never have been treated to "Scary Movie 2". Just kidding. While the above statement is true, There is no denying that this movie was influential. Some would say that the teen slasher genre pretty much was over with "Halloween II" a long time ago, but people have liked these movies for over twenty years now, so good or bad, it's a subject matter that people are interested in.

What "Scream" did was add new hipness to the slasher flick. Two different characters in the movie make fun of the bimbos who literally "flash and die". They are aware of the "rules" of the game, and as their pals are being run through the carving bar, they are able to analyze their role in the play, and make their moves to increase their own chances of survival.

This was a brilliant move. And Rose McGowan and Neve Campbell became a new breed of slasher movie actress. I know this is all silly, but these movies have their own little world, and there really are rules. These "new breed" actresses may still get chopped up, but darn it, they know why, which makes them liberated in my book :).

It's a fun movie. Enjoy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a movie
Review: Scream (1996) is great, it is so entertaining. It is a little cheesy 6 years later but i still rememer how much it scared me the first time i saw it when i was 9. Scream 2 and 3 also were creepy but part 1 was the best. I have the 'widescreen series' DVD, it has a commentary track, a theatrical trailer and movie recommendations. The movie kicks off with Drew Barrymore (cUtE as hell), is getting harassed by a crazy prank caller obviously in her back yard. Helpless Casey? No! If she would have not stopped so many times to see her parent's coming she could have made it to their car. Sidney plays the quiet, incredibly annoying protagonist who someone is desperately trying to kill, the killer even tries to kill her in the restroom! Anyway, no turn is safe and anyone can be the killer! Scream is probably the best scary movie of the nineties through 2002. See it, it will definately at least entertain you if you like mystery and thrillers and if you like those teen high school slashers. Scream isn't made for people like Rogert Ebert, so don't expect it to get a grammy, although it did get an MTV award. Scream is a great cut and every Tolerable DVD collection of hit movies should include it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This movie BITES!
Review: This was not scary at all, but was hilarious! Why did they spoof it, it was funny enough as it was. It ripped-off so many good horror films, and was so unrealistic and stupid, that it couldn't even be a suspense film! This is so dumb and it is nothing compared to The Exorcist! Don't see this for a scare, but if a good laugh is what you are looking for, than this is the one for you.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: YAWN!
Review: This movie is so boring. It isn't suspenseful, it's definately NOT SCARY, with weak acting, an incoherent plot, and an idiotic killer, this film ends up being dumber than the movies it claimed to be rising above. I can't believe people got scared in this, it wasn't meant to be a "horror" film in the first place, it was actually intended to be a dark comedy, so you're suppose to laugh at this, not get scared in it! Just thought I'd clear that up. To all the lovers of this, I have to say... SUCK!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A postmodern deconstruction of horror films or just big fun?
Review: So, "Scream" is a "postmodern slasher movie" which "cleverly deconstructs horror films." These are certainly weighty accomplishments because tossing around concepts like "postmodern" and "deconstruction" will usually confuse the heck out of people on this side of the Atlantic. Actually, I do not find "Scream" to be terribly postmodern, at least not in the sense of being self-reflexive, which is the usual shorthand meaning of the term in media studies (the sequels are considerably most "postmodern" than the original). However, the film certainly does reference the teenager horror/slasher film genre, which makes the idea of deconstruction more palatable. Then again, maybe we can use Occam's Razor to offer a simpler explanation.

"Scream" works for three basic reasons. First, it is clear that each of the victims in this film is being slashed to death by an ordinary human being (please appreciate how delicately I phrased this part of the sentence) and not a person possessed by the spirit of Samhein, reincarnated as a killer corpse, or running around in our dreams. Instead of the killer being a monstrous "other" this time around the killer is essentially...someone...like...us. Scary notion, that.

Second, the script by Kevin Williamson is, if not literate, at least hip. By this I mean to reference the dialogue and not just the idea that the threatened teens in this film make use of everything they have learned from watching "reel" horror films. Of course, Williamson has proved this ability to an even greater degree on "Dawson's Creek." In "Scream" we wince at what is being said because we are supposed to, not because it is an involuntary response. However, I would say the comparison between Williamson is not with Quentin Tarentino ("Pulp Fiction"), but rather with Joss Whedon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"). Along similar lines I would add this is a horror film where the suspense is not maintained by the soundtrack, which may well be the most under appreciated warning sign of a bad horror film.

Third, the cast for this film is well above average. I mean, this is a film that throws away Drew Barrymore in the opening sequence; go back and look at the splatter flicks of the last twenty years and find a better damsel in distress what Drew does in her absolutely riveting moments on screen. This is a film that offers Neve Campbell and Rose McGowan in terms of young actresses instead of Adrienne King or Heather Langenkamp. You have to go back to "Halloween" with Jamie Lee Curtis and P.J. Soles to find scream queens this bankable. This is also the quality that has extended itself for both of the sequels in this series as well as all those "I Tied a String Around My Severed Finger to Remind Me What You Did Several Summers Ago." Horror films that off up Sarah Michelle Gellar in supporting roles are a good sign for the genre. Good actors with decent dialogue; what a revolutionary concept.

Consequently, I view the preoccupation of fans and critics over the rules of slasher flicks articulated by Jamie Kennedy's character to be something of a smoke screen for what is really going on here, which, in the final analysis, is just basic good old fashion solid movie making. I think the credit ultimately goes to director Wes Craven, who used his credibility off of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" to put these pieces together.


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