Children of the Corn

Rating:
Summary: 2.75 stars, huh Sara?
Review: The "Children of the Corn" is a movie that was supposed to be based on a short story by Stephen King. The plot is creative and interesting and the movie certainly carves its own niche in the horror genre. The acting is average to above average for this type of flick.

In this movie, the town of Gatlin has a serious problem. The children have brutally murdered all of the adults including their parents. These kids' mental problems certainly goes beyond any ordinary adolescent mischief. It is quite clear from watching the movie that the children in this film have been brainwashed by Isaac and Malakai and they have mistaken God for the Devil or some sort of demon who is known as "He who walks behind the rows".

The movie provides a creepy theme throughout the film on two levels. First, you have these evil little kids who like to chop adults up into little pieces, but you also have this evil presence in the corn fields that upon your 19th birthday, it wishes to devour you. When I was young, the movie disturbed me and I thought it was scary.

The problem with this movie is that when you get older as I am now these kids are nothing more than just that, stupid kids who need a spanking. I mean I would kick Malakai's butt in a fight is what I'm getting around to. Also, the ending of this movie leaves a lot to be desired.

I don't want to go into it because I don't want to give the whole movie away, but all in all, this is a slightly above average horror flick that probably deserves somewhere between 2.5 and 3.0 stars, but they won't let me give it partial star credit, so I will give it a weak 3 stars. Nevertheless, being the horror film connoisseur that I am, I happen to own this DVD.

Rating:
Summary: he who walks behind the rows scares me more then I can say
Review: remember seeing this at a friends house at age 12. scared the crap out of me. got it on dvd a year ago. still scares me. the "he who walks behing the rows creature" is terrifying even if you can only make out his eyes. and his followers of macabre murderous children are quite terrifying themselves
especially with their first kill in the beginning of the movie
one hell of a terrifying slaughter they cause
shocking
and a very great story
see this on dvd or vhs
it will terrify you

Rating:
Summary: Children of the Corn
Review: This is a good movie to see if you're in the mood to watch a suspensful creepy movie. You don't even have to have a plot to make the movie interesting. They could have just shot the entire film about the Children and thier lifesytle. All and all this is a great movie if you have the patience to sit through some slow moments, but it gets good.

Rating:
Summary: And a child shall lead them...
Review: So how did such a mediocre film warrant six sequels (here's a hint...it's all about the money)? There's the original. Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1993), Children of the Corn III (1995), Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996), Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998), Children of the Corn 666: Isaac's Return (1999), and Children of the Corn: Revelation (2001)...that's a lot of corn, or as the Native Americans call it, maize...I've seen the original, but not the subsequent sequels...my gut instinct tells me to avoid them. Children of the Corn, aka Stephen King's Children of the Corn (1984), directed by Fritz Kiersch (Tuff Turf, Gor) features a solid cast including Peter Horton ("thirtysomething") and Linda Hamilton (Terminator 2: Judgment Day). Also appearing is R.G. Armstrong (Dick Tracy), Courtney Gains (Colors, The 'burbs) and John Franklin, who appeared 1991 film The Addams Family, along with its' 1993 sequel, as the very hairy Cousin Itt.

The film, which primarily takes place in the small farming town of Gatlin, Nebraska, begins with a flashback, relating a particularly gruesome incident in where the children depopulate the town of nearly all adults through a good old fashion bloodbath. Fast forward three years to the present, and we have Burton (Horton) and his girlfriend Vicky (Hamilton) traveling through the Midwest as Burton has recently graduated from med school, and has been offered an internship somewhere...but that's neither here nor there as the pair get lost, have an accident, and soon find themselves looking for aid in Gatlin...but guess what? Gatlin appears all but deserted...except for the children, who've formed some kind of weird cult, led by the incredibly creepy man-child Isaac (Franklin). Initially their idolatry seems to be centered on the corn, but later we learn it's not so much the corn as what lurks under the corn. Burton and Vicky soon find themselves in a world of trouble, as the corn is thirsting for holy sacrifices, and they're at the top of the list (I wouldn't mind initiating a religious ceremony with that Linda Hamilton...that is the soft and sexy Linda from the original Terminator movie, not the bony and intensely scary Linda from T2: Judgment Day)...

The film is based on a Stephen King short story taken from his book Night Shift, which I've never read, but I have read a number of his other books, many of which were later adapted to film, with varying degrees of success...anyone else besides me sit through Maximum Overdrive? Okay, Children of the Corn isn't as bad as that was, but it is lacking something...it's not the acting...Horton, whom I despise for no other reason than he was on that TV show `thirtysomething' was actually pretty good. As far as Linda Hamilton, well, I think she's a good actress, provided she's given something to work with, and that wasn't the case here. The real fun is watching the performances of Franklin and Gains, as Isaac and Malachai, respectfully. Franklin is just completely disconcerting as the leader of the group, mainly because his appearance is that of a child, but a closer look would make you think twice as his face and voice seem to indicate some much older. Turns out Franklin, who suffered from some sort of hormone deficiency, was actually much older, like 23 at the time of the film's release. As far as Gains, he presents the most intense performance as Isaac's enforcer and right hand man, but I felt like he got into it just a little too much (in the featurette Gains speaks of his craft and how he brought his character to the screen...I do appreciate it when actors give to the screen, but I think Gains took his modest role a bit too seriously, trying to make more of it than it was...but since the production in general was pretty bland, this overacting wasn't necessarily unwelcome). These two guys come off really good as the antagonists, mainly because they're so completely annoying I wanted to beat them both to a pulp (wait for the scene when Malachai is walking down the center of the street calling for Burton to come out, yelling `Outlander!"...you'll understand what I mean by annoying). As far as the direction, I have no real complaints, as Kiersch seems capable...in the featurette he speaks a lot of what he was trying to accomplish with regards to the sense of direction, and in some areas I think he met his goal, but others I think his aspirations extended beyond his capabilities. So what's the problem with the film? It's the story...well, not the original story, but the adaptation of the story. As I said, I'm familiar with many of King's works, and I know he takes a lot of time to craft his tales, utilizing detail like it was going out of style. I think one of the things that makes his story so popular is his ability to paint a visual using words...and he also seems to do this in terms that are accessible to an extremely wide audience. And I think this is a main factor that ends up hurting many of the films that are adapted from his novels...they lack the focus on what's important to the story. I think this is why we are seeing his more recent works produced as television mini-series...because more time can be spent developing the story and presenting the details, in my opinion.

The Divimax edition, released by Anchor Bay Entertainment features a really sharp looking wide screen (1:85.1) print, enhanced for 16 X 9 TV's, and the audio is exceptionally clear and crisp. Special features include a new 39 minute documentary titled Harvesting Horror, an audio commentary by the director, the producer, actors Franklin and Gains, trailer, poster and still gallery, screenplay, storyboard art, title sequence art, and a mini reproduction of poster for the film inside the DVD case.

Cookieman108


Rating:
Summary: EXCELENTE HISTORIA
Review: Yo ya tuve la oportunidad de adquirir este DVD por tan solo 55 PESOS, y en realidad si esta padre, es mejor que cuando la transmiten por la tele. SI ERES AMANTE DE LAS PELICULAS ANTIGUITAS. LA RECOMIENDO.

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Rating:
Summary: FIELD OF SCREAMS
Review: The success ratio for Stephen King movies would not indicate what a successful writer Mr. King has been. This one, CHILDREN OF THE CORN, is one of his adaptations that isn't quite bad as some (Thinner, Cujo), but can't reach the best (Carrie, Dead Zone, Dreamcatcher). The short story is not one of King's real winners and adding padding to the story for the movie didn't help much. However, there is an eerie atmosphere within the movie, and the concept of a town ruled by children is to say the least unsettling.
Peter Horton's character, Burt, is annoying as he spends most of the time doing stupid things and arguing with his supposed significant other. Linda Hamilton is listless and unusually ineffective. The rest of the cast goes through the motions, although Courtney Gaines as Malachi has a malevolent presence that adds to the foreboding of the movie. John Franklin (who played Cousin Itt on THE ADDAMS FAMILY) neither looks nor sounds like a kid, but that might have been the director's intention. A quicker pacing would have also enhanced the level of suspense. Not dog doo doo, but not a real winner either.

Rating:
Summary: You'll never look at farm country the same again
Review: What is it about farm country? As we drive past the fields, we see nothing but green with the occasional rooftop or silo in the distance. What goes on deep in the fields? Who is out there? What is out there? Is that person or thing religious?

This is classic horror. The movie takes not just things we have looked out before, but things we have never really seen. We hear religious fundamentalist all the time on the TV and radio. We see corn fields often enough. But we never really think much about them. This story jumps into the imagination and makes the ordinary terrifying. This is a good story.

The movie takes the farm country and religious fundamentalism and wraps them together with a twist. A child, Isaac, gets visions, which tell him to create a new religion, killing all the adults. Further, no adults shall be suffered to live. His religion has some fundamentalist undertones, but also some bizarre rituals and ideas. Oddly enough, this movie doesn't actually insult religion, but seems to ask the question, "What if what they said was real?"

By no means is this movie worthy of an Oscar, but this movie was never intended to be. It was meant to thrill you a bit by showing you a slight twist to reality by playing with something we see every day. This is a must for horror fans.


Rating:
Summary: Poorly executed King adaptation
Review: No other author in recent memory has had as much consistent success selling books as Stephen King. For roughly three decades the Maine writer churned out book after book, each one selling more and more copies. He's a world unto himself, the lucky fellow! He's so successful that he could throw out his pens, put away his typewriters, bury his word processor six feet under, never write another word in his life, and STILL have enough money to wallpaper the Great Wall of China five times over. In many respects, it's Stephen King's world and the rest of us are just living in it. But, and this is a gigantic but, an enormous number of metaphysically bad films based on his novels threaten to put a serious dent in his legacy. We all know the good ones, the ones that not only scared audiences stiff but also helped propel King's career to even greater heights. "Carrie" is probably the best example, followed by "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Dead Zone." These are wonderful, magical films that one can watch again and again without wearying of them. Then there are the rest: the truly wretched refuse that reminds one of dental plaque or the junk that washes up on the shores of a filthy river. Welcome to the Children of the Corn franchise.

"Children of the Corn," hammered together from a King short story, introduces us to freshly minted physician Burt (Peter Horton) and his significant other Vicky (Linda Hamilton) as they are driving across the country to Burt's first post-medical school stint. The arduous journey begins to takes its toll on the two as they wander through the Midwest, specifically Nebraska. Nothing but open skies, cornfields, and ranting preachers on the airwaves are around to keep Burt and Vicky entertained, and that doesn't last too long. There is also some tension between the two concerning their relationship, with Burt suffering from the predictable "guy scared to make a commitment" mentality we've seen in nearly every film made since the beginning of the twentieth century. These problems soon take a backseat, however, when Burt accidentally plows his car into a boy standing in the middle of the road. A cursory examination of the body reveals a shocking revelation: instead of perishing as a result of the car accident, someone slashed this kid's throat moments before the couple came along. Burt searches the cornfield a few yards off the highway and finds a suitcase spattered with blood, further evidence that something quite grim is afoot. The city slickers resolve to head to the nearest town, Gatlin, to report the apparent murder.

They soon discover that finding Gatlin is about as easy as finding El Dorado. Signs pointing the way to the town seem to contradict one another. Even the tentative help they get from a crusty old gas station attendant, who also tells them to avoid the town in a way that evokes memories of Crazy Ralph from "Friday the 13th," doesn't initially help them. Nonetheless, Burt and Vicky soon roll into what looks like a ghost town. Cornhusks adorn the buildings and blow through the streets like tumbleweeds. The stores are decrepit, refuse filled shells. Even the courthouse looks like a neutron bomb went off inside. Only when Burt and Vicky stumble over two kids playing a board game in an abandoned house, Job (Robby Kiger) and Sarah (AnnMarie McEvoy), do they begin to understand the horror residing in Gatlin, Nebraska. We the audience learned long before what happened, and what continues to happen, in this strange place. Some years before the children in the town fell under the influence of youthful preacher named Isaac (John Franklin), a scary looking kid who ordered his adherents to murder every adult in town because "He Who Walks Behind the Rows" commanded such an action. With the help of his beefy henchman Malachai (Courtney Gains), Isaac continues to perform bizarre rituals that allow him to keep the others in line. Obviously, Burt and Vicky must challenge his authority, and the legitimacy of "He Who Walks Behind the Rows," if they wish to survive.

The first film, you will hear stalwarts say over and over again, isn't that bad of a movie. In fact, a few of them will look you straight in the eyes and say "Children of the Corn" is not only one of the best horror films out there, it is also one of the best Stephen King cinematic adaptations ever to grace the silver screen. These are the individuals who will one day find employment as circus barkers, car salesmen, or politicians. "Children of the Corn" starts out with lots of promise, about a minute's worth, which gives these apologists' opinions an initial veneer of respectability. After Vicky sings that song to Burt at the hotel room, the movie starts its long decline into banality. The road scenes run on forever, the presence of the elderly gas station attendant is a horror film cliché, and we never see the demonic force stalking through the cornfields. Worse, there is little gore and the special effects, particularly during the final showdown between the outsiders and the demon, attain the heights of laughable cheesiness. The only bright spots in the film are Isaac and Malachai, in large part due to their sneering visages and the biblical mumbo jumbo they spout every time they appear onscreen.

I just learned Anchor Bay released a Special Edition disc of "Children of the Corn" complete with a commentary track and featurette. The version I watched--the "unspecial" edition, perhaps?--contained only the film and a trailer. As boring as the picture is, I'm still going to give it three stars because several of the sequels that follow it make this one look like "Citizen Kane." Give it a watch if you must, but be prepared for a big disappointment.


Rating:
Summary: Violence To The Next Level!
Review: These kids will stop at nothing to get whatever they want in this pyshcotic thriller.

A town that is run by demonic kids has not been disturbed for a while. But when two "adults" show up, these kids will stop at nothing to drive them away.

Rating:
Summary: Weak King Story and WEaker Movie
Review: It constantly amazes me that directors keep trying to adapt Stephen King short stories into full length features. Obviously, there is not enough story to create such ventures. The filler they add tends to reduce rather than enhance the effect of his tales. Such is the case with Children of the corn. It's a bland often tedious tale of a couple who comes into contact of a wacko children's cult who worship a nameless demon that dwells in an isolated Nebraska corn field. The original king story was decent but far from his best.

Linda Hamilton is in it and she is usually interesting. Peter Horton plays her thick headed boyfriend who just has to investigate the town and is so dense he never gets it until the end. He seems generally to be more concerned with getting a scene over quickly than to actually put forth any sort of real effort.

Amazingly enough, this film actuall produced SIX...count 'em SIX sequels. And what's really sad? This first one was probably the best of the lot, meaning that there's a whole six pack of god-awful movies like there that went direct to video.