Scream

Rating:
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.

Rating:
Summary: A Real "Scream"
Review: Legendary horror movie director Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street) does an excellent job of reviving the good old-fashioned "scary Movie" genre that had been missing for several years. A very good cast of actors, including Neve Campbell (Sidney), Skeet Ulrich (Billy), Courtney Cox (Gail), Drew Barrymore (Casey), Rose McGowan (Tatum), and David Arquette (Dewey) give top notch performances in this movie. The overall premise of the film is good, too. I also enjoyed the way that classic horror films such as "Psycho" and "Halloween" were blended in. This is good old fashioned suspense and terror at its best. The plot is excellent and there are a lot of twists and turns that will keep the viewer glued to the screen throughout. This is a fun, suspenseful, and scary movie, and I highly recommend it. You'll be sure to have a few "screams" along the way!!

Rating:
Summary: A HORROFING MOTION PICTURE
Review: HELLO EVERYONE,THIS IS MY FAVORITE FILM OF ALL TIME. I RECENLY RENT THIS FIM ON DVD AND IS BETTER THAN THE OLD STUPID VIDEO RELEASE[NO OFFENCE VIDEO OWNERS]BUT IS TRUE,MAN. WELL IS ABAUT THIS GUY WHO STARTS TO KILL PEOPLE LIKE SOME SCARY MOVIE.THAT,S ALL I,M CAN SAY ABOUT NOW,OK[THE REST YOU FIGURE IT ,OK.]

Rating:
Summary: cousinpaco's top terrors: #9
Review: Yes, "Scream" launched the career of Kevin Williamson (creator of "Dawson's Creek"), and yes, we're all tired of the ironic, self-referential, semi-spoof teen movies that swarmed theaters from 1996 to 2001.

However, "Scream" is ultimately successful because mixed in with its ribbing of the slasher-flick genre, it's a pretty darn scary movie. The first sequence taps a lot of raw nerves: prank calls, being home alone, scary guys in dark cloaks with spooky faces, etc. Later scenes of the killer flailing up the stairs after Neve Campbell are suitably chilling.

"Scream" not only winks at slasher S.O.P., it adheres to it effectively--you can laugh at the fact that you're falling for all its tricks, but you fall for them nonetheless.

Most disconcerting of all: seeing Matthew Lillard without Freddie Prinze Jr. anywhere nearby!

Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: Ok to me this is the best out of the trilogy. Go into the movie with an open mind. The whole teen thing really doesn't matter. Plain out serial killer style horror film. Anyhow the great thing is that you don't know who the killer is, so it's suspenseful and the movie makes everyone a suspect pretty much. For me this is my favorite slasher film. Wes Craven makes it enjoyable good writing and music at the right times. Atleast it's believable, not like Halloween 2(Which still was good) where the killer is more than human.

Rating:
Summary: Small town 'screaming'!
Review: Scream is def one of my favorite movies of all time, it has everything, horror, people from small town, coziness and friendship. I remeber seeing this movie in the theater and people were "screaming" at the right parts. This was the only movie that I had been to that people interacted with. I don't understand why the characters keeps making dumb choices, though. Who would go to get beer alone in a garage at a party when there's a killer on the lose? I think that this is one of the greatest mystery movies of all time. The writters' could've foucsed on the main character going into hiding a little more than they did. Just when you thought it was getting cozy, and she was hiding out it focouses on the killer again. Eventhough it foucuses around teenagers, it is still good enough go capture and adult's attention span. I don't think any horror movie has been more talked about even years later. I plan on buying this movie and putting it into my permeant movie collection. This movie is def a classic, like Halloween was. Scream will keep your attention from beginng to end!

Rating:
Summary: WHAT'S ALL THE SCREAMING ABOUT?
Review: Ever since this flick came out, I've heard over and over again how "Scream" brought the horror genre back to life.

Well, if I can steal a line from "Pet Sematery," sometimes dead is better.

Overall, "Scream" is an overdone and overrated teen slasher film whose primary distinguishing feature is its satiric cuts at its own genre. All the familiar horror staples are here, and the characters that live the longest are the ones who realize they're living out a horror movie and play by the rules. Largely camp, "Scream" does boast some genuinely scary segments well-orchestrated by legendary horror master Wes Craven, particularly the Drew Barrymore scene that opens the film. But mostly it's just silly, with all the weaknesses that always doom slasher pix: too many vapid, sex-starved teens, a reliance on cheap gore instead of real chills, and a lot of low-brow "humor." Moreover, "Scream's" killer is a terribly inefficient killing machine. Ghostface often bungles his murders by running or falling over every obstacle in sight, and even when he catches a victim can't figure out how to finish them off. Neve Campbell's character is likeable, resourceful, and attractive, but given her inferior competition it's not hard for her to stand out.

"Scream" is a big disappointment, and no matter how many teens swear otherwise it's nothing a horror movie should be. For a more mature thriller, check out "The Sixth Sense" and leave the screams for the kids.

Rating:
Summary: As Texas Chainsaw Massacre begat Nightmare on Elm Street,..
Review: ...Scream begat all of today's extremely lousy horror flicks. This film is a mockery to even the casual fan of the horror genre. The best thing about this film is the opening fifteen-twenty minutes in which we get to witness a game of cat and mouse between Drew Barrymore's character and an unseen killer on the phone.

In all fairness, however, the opening scenes are better than the other 5/6th's of the film. We get to see Drew Barrymore in her finest perfomance since her critically acclaimed roles E.T. and "Firestarter." We get to see Matthew Lillard in the role that made him one of Hollywood's most annoying stars since Gary Busey. To top it all off, we get to watch the identical twin of Johnny Depp, Skeet Ulrich, act in one of his brightest roles ever. Truly, Scream is a work of unmatchable art.

Now for some serious critique. Scream is not scary and focuses far too much on the slash 'em up techniques that Freddy and Jason wore out in the eighties. This film is nothing more than a remedy to a boring evening at home. There is nothing frightening about Scream. No, it is hardly on the same lines as some other great slasher films, unless of course, you enjoy predictable killing scenes and harshly detest Drew Barrymore.

Why two stars instead of one? The opening sequences are a fine part to this movie but unfotunately the film continues on a downward spiral from there on out.

Rating:
Summary: Scream and Laugh at the Same Time! But no ANAMORPHIC!
Review: This is one movie that every horror movie fan should watch. Not because it's scary, but because it sort of makes fun of the rules that make up the horror flick industry. I.E. Never have sex or you'll definitely be killed. But this is no, 'Scary Movie' parody. There is blood, gore, and some very tense and scary moments. Characters do get killed. And since they're all aware of the rules of horror flicks, it makes it much more interesting to watch how they try not to fall into a horror flick trap.

As far as the DVD is concerned, this is not an *ANAMORPHIC* transfer like Scream 2 and Scream 3. I totally do *not* understand why that is. This is the best film of the three and deserves the best everything (transfer, extras, etc.) It is however shown in widescreen letterbox format (2.35:1 aspect ratio,) so you won't miss out on any details. The picture and sound are near perfect. Again my only complaint was that the movie was not presented in anamorphic widescreen. Extras are limited to commentaries by Wes Craven, trailers, cast biographies, and some film facts. Not great, but not bad either.

I would definitely recommend getting the Trilogy set. That way you can watch all three movie and see how it ends...

Rating:
Summary: Scream!!
Review: Ignore the one star reviews who are from people who are not intelligent enough to know a good movie. They are whiners who didn't get their dose of mindless gore and excessive junk from stupid gore movies. Scream is for smart people who actually have a clue. Get lost people.