An unbelievably scary film. In my top 10 favorites easy. Released in 1990, it really was the movie that ended the fun, slapstick, colorful horror, and pulled you into an unrelenting nightmare. This movie had such a mind fuck reputation that I actually got grounded for going to see this. From the director of Fatal Attraction, starring Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Pena, Danny Aiello, etc. The biggest question even today is “what the hell is this movie about?”
Simple. Well…maybe not. We take a journey through Jacob Singers mind experiencing his final moments before he dies. Going through his sons death, his marriage, his sexual fantasy, and the demons that try to take him. There are few calm moments in this film. Just when you think you have a moment to breathe, you get dragged back into a nightmare. There are so many scary moments, that they all stick out. Elizabeth dancing with a demon, the car full of demons, Jacob’s trip to the hospital, being thrown into the tub, The Vietnam opening, etc.
Even though I love Tim in “Mystic River,” this is my favorite performance. Elizabeth Pena is so sexy and dominates the screen, with her volcanic passion. Just watch how she goes through anger, to panic when she realizes how sick Jacob is. You even have great performances from a young Jason Alexander, Ving Rhames, and Macaulay Culkin. There are few Horror films that are so powerful it can play with your mind, and cause you to fear the world outside your door. This movie was so powerful, it caused you to fear your own mind.
This is what I call a “stand alone” Horror film. A film that doesn’t represent a specific time, year or trend. It lives in it’s own world, and breaks the trendy rules. It stops at nothing to scare the shit out of you.
- G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.
MORBID MOVIE MEMOIRS: VHS GENERATION 