Pumpkinhead

Rating:
Summary: Fady Ghaly's reviews
Review: My remarks toward this picture
It was approximately 1:00americium, the table was cluttered with junk food, and the television, providing the only light in the living room, was playing Stan Winston's Pumpkinhead. I was sitting on the couch watching it with one of my brother's friends, and there he was-this allegedly "brave" fourteen-year-old with the body of a sixteen, virtually on the verge of having a (...) heart-attack for Christ sake; he was really freaked out of his mind, and that's because Pumpkinhead has the quality of a really terrific and terrifying horror film that doesn't lack on a single thing. (Okay, maybe it could've improved a little on a couple of its death sequences, for it was quite weak in fully exposing them, but it was made in the eighties.)

Pumpkinhead, also known as Vengeance of the Demon, is based upon characters from American folklore and classic allegory, adding to its potent-unyielding terror. It is one of those rare horror films that does more than merely provide an assortment of sadistic death sequences for shock value, as so many others do in this genre, but being all that they're good for. It not only features tremendous special effects by Oscar-winner Stan Winston that center upon the most ideal monster, and performances that are beyond exceptional (most notably by our leading man, Lance Henriksen, who I think, despite of his appearance in much more highly budgeted theatrical films, delivered his finest performance in this one); in addition, it has an extraordinary intellectual and well-written, riveting plot line that make this one of the most beloved horror films of all time, with a growing fan cult following despite it being released over ten years ago.

This grim, highly evocative and compelling picture, which was critically-praised as being "stylish and atmospheric," will have you frozen with fear until the very last moment! As you watch this impassive and vicious creature with ghastly appearance that can't possibly get anymore authentic than they already are, in pursue of its victims in whom it could once again take pleasure of dragging its massive claws all throughout as it previously has following several other resurrections, there is no doubt that your jaws wouldn't have dropped and eyes wouldn't have practically hung out of their sockets; it really is likely that blinking is something you may forget to do here. And it's even the littlest things that make this film so momentous, such as, prior to the demon's awakening, the part of the film where Ed Harley, emotionally-driven, attempts to journey up to the mountains where an actual witch is believed to live yet feared by all, who do not dare to enter her grounds, for they are aware of the evil force that lies within her and her abilities to turn lives of the innocence upside-down.
Having ended his journey after a little help from a curious local boy who, however, did not come along for the entire ride as surroundings began to modify into a menacing gloom, Harley steps inside an old, roach-infested cottage holding his lifeless son, and ultimately comes face-to-face with evil itself. While the witch performed upon her rituals in aim of fulfilling this man's desires, she actually makes it feel real. She truly makes you forget that you're even watching a movie. Never before have I been so affected. The acting and the direction was outstanding! If you're a horror fanatic as myself am, I would urge you to see this one.

Rating:
Summary: good movie, bad disc
Review: For me, Pumpkinhead was one of those movies you just go nuts for as a kid and then, watching it as an adult, you don't see it in quite the same light. It is still an effective, simple little horror flick (with a moral to boot!) even if some of Henricksen's acting is now a bit overwrought. I was also surprised how little actual gore you see on screen (good for me, maybe bad for others) I particularly enjoyed the back woods mysticism of the film and the witch Haggis is just as creepy now as she was when I was 12. Of course, the real star is the title character himself! And Pumpkinhead is a marvel to behold. The animatronic creation really makes those glossy, souless Jurassic Park dinosaurs and Tomb Raider mummies seem, well, souless! On the other hand, the movie's weakest point is how poorly the supporting characters are written. They really amount to very little other than fodder for Pumpkinhead to claw his way through.
The real problem is that this disc has little in the way of extras (just a trailer) and it commits the biggest sin of all: it only offers a full screen "cropped" version of the film and a very grainy one at that. For me, this misses the whole point of releasing a DVD in the first place. The only saving grace on the technical end is excellent sound and a really cool rockabilly soundtrack.

Rating:
Summary: A fun little horror film
Review: I have never seen this film until today and I must say I really liked it. It's not the best, but it's not terrible that's for sure. It would of been nothing without Lance Hensrikson and the creature though. The look of the film has a creepiness to it that I liked too. I also have a good feeling that Tim Burton took a good look at this film before doing Sleepy Hollow too. His whole approach to Sleepy Hollow is very similar to this. Check this out if you liked films like Sleepy Hollow and The Evil Dead films.

Rating:
Summary: Good, with "quirks"
Review: This movie could have been big if it had been released ten years earlier, when horror was still the genre of the day. This is a good solid horror movie. The bond Ed Harley and his son share is clear, which makes it all the more traumatic when Billy gets run down. This brings up an interesting topic not shown in many films of any genre: child mortality. The theme is also unorthodox for a horror film; it teaches that revenge is wrong. The monster's design was truly ideal for the setting, and Henriksen's acting almost made up for the terible acting of the teenagers. The writers made the mistake of making the city teens so dislikeable that you root for Pumpkinhead to rip them apart, one by one. I don't mind that they died either, because I've seen worse teen acting in only one other film: Pumpkinhead 2.

But that movie is another story entirely.

Rating:
Summary: Good Acting, Good Story, Good Gore, Good Movie!
Review: Lance henriksen kicks butt in this movie about a hillbilly legend. All of the characters are well played and the storyline gets very involved. It was kind of a surprise because I figured the movie to be pretty week but then I saw it and was glad I purchased it. If you're a fan of the predator or aliens you'd love this movie and the scene at the end is unbelievable. Pumpkinhead is a must see.

Rating:
Summary: Best Horror film.
Review: Pumpkinhead is a scary movie with a cool creature. The story is cool and has a surprise ending. Stan Winston masterfully directs this horror film. After watching this I saw Pumpkinhead II:Blood Wings. It sucks! The original is brilliant. Lance Henriksen is a cool actor who can play anything. Tom Woodruff JR. plays Pumpkinhead with a true greatness. This movie is great. Too bad most people take one look at the package and say they don't want to see it.

Rating:
Summary: Best Horror Movie Ever
Review: This movie has it all. It's dark, suspenceful, and very scary. If your going to rent or buy a horror movie, get this one because you'll love it.

Rating:
Summary: PUMPKINHEAD
Review: PUMPKINHEAD is a horror thriller about a farmer named Ed Harley whose son is accidentally killed by a group of dirt-bike racing teenagers. This makes Ed sad and angry, so he goes to a witch who lives deep in the country backwoods and he has her raise a demon (Pumpkinhead) from the dead to seek vengence against the teenagers that killed Ed's son. Now, when Pumpkinhead punishes each of his victims, Ed has a vision of it as it happens, and he comes to the realization that he has made a bad choice, so Ed sets out to stop the evil that he has unleashed.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most talk about movies!
Review: It is supposed to be a great horror flick I heard so Much so i went and rented it they had the second one but I thought I would only watch the first since i hear so much and man i dont know why this movie gets so much hype i mean i am a huge horror fan I have seen good and bad ,but this is terrible I kept falling asleep during it even when it is the best parts because those sucked! My advice is do what you want but beware of pumkinhead the movie suck!

Rating:
Summary: Pumpkinhead
Review: Pumpkinhead is one of those great "B-grade" movies that doesn't come along every day. I first saw quite a few years ago and was thoroughly impressed by the super atmosphere of it! It is sooo creepy. The old crone/witch out in the woods was stereotypical but the best I have seen. Who doesn't love Lance Henrikson - this is his best format. The story is probably told a thousand times before in many different ways but the special effects and the overall "spookiness" make up for any shortcomings. I highly recommend it to any "die-hard" horror fans - trust me, you will love it. The "Alien"-like creature looks a bit familiar (due to the Stan Winston factor) - but he brings a bit of a new "deep-woods boogeyman/creature" element. The acting isn't superior but what do you expect in this type of movie? Like I said, don't just rent it, BUY it, cause anytime you feel like creeping yourself out, throw it in the VCR and go. You will not be disappointed.