Sorry guys…I’m dropping the ball this week. Haven’t been feeling too good this week, and I’m having a hard time keeping my strength up to write constantly. So bare with me…I’m doing my best.
I have no problem saying that Pumpkinhead is awesome. I remember seeing this in theaters back in 88. I was already psyched about it. Lance Henriksen, and Stan Winston directing. I was all in. An 80’s twist to an old fashioned monster movie. This movie was the launch pad that motivated me to go backwards and watch the old school Horror films. To take a step back from the 80’s and appreciate the roots.
This was probably the first Scream Factory blu ray I bought. This movie doesn’t get enough credit when it comes to the writing and the depth in the characters. These aren’t cardboard cut outs. They’re conflicted, in pain, and making bad choices based off they’re emotions. Only Lance can show a beautiful father and son relationship in a short time by simply telling a story about his grandmother. He’s also the only actor, that can give you the most hateful look, and you know you’re in trouble. Then to go from hate to unbearable pain and sadness in the same scene. An actor’s actor.
Even the teenagers. Usually I can care less about them and I’m just waiting to see what the killer does to them. They’re usually by the numbers. The wild kids in this one all have they’re own personality and they’re own way of handling it. From a manic turn to God type, to stepping up and taking charge, to being a threat to the others, realizing his mistakes and trying to make it right.
As well as Lance, there are other familiar faces in this. Carpenter alumni George “Buck” Flowers, I believe Lance’s father in the beginning was in Robocop, Jeff East (who played teenage Clark Kent in 78 Superman), to a really young Amy Farafowler (is that the right spelling?) from Big Bang Theory.
Pumpkinhead is a really good example that 80’s Horror wasn’t all blood and guts. That it was a decade of fun. Not taking it too seriously, and just rocking the campfire, flashlight under your face basics. That’s what I love about Horror the most. Is that no matter how much money and effects go into it, it will always have this campfire vibe. Always.
Scream Factory never disappoints. Sound and picture are top notch. I highly recommend watching this with surround sound. It brings out all the little noises and accents you didn’t know was there. Tons of extras. Lengthy retrospective Making of, Stan Winston tribute, even an interview with a figure creator showing how he made the Pumpkinhead figure. It will take you a couple of days to get through it all.
As a kid, I never would’ve thought in a million years that I would own these movies the way they’re released today. Remastered, full of extras, amazing art work. It’s one of those simple pleasures that make me smile.
– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.
MORBID MOVIE MEMOIRS: VHS GENERATION 