Post by SeventhSeal17 on May 8, 2007 22:26:19 GMT -5
The Stuff (1985)
Overall Rating: 14/20
Directed By: Larry Cohen
Cast:
Michael Moriaty
Paul Sorvino
Danny Aiello
Garret Morris
Plot Synopsis:
Are You Eating It…Or Is It Eating You? The Stuff is a mysterious new taste sensation that's taken the country by storm. But when it begins to outsell even ice cream, a coalition of food moguls hires an industrial saboteur (Michael Moriarty) to uncover the snack's secret formula. Together with an embittered cookie entrepreneur (Garrett Morris), they discover the horrifying truth: The Stuff is a body-snatching snack treat that turns its hosts into monstrous zombies! With millions digging in and time running out, can they save the world from the grip of this insidious and deadly desert? Paul Sorvino, Danny Aiello, Andrea Marcovicci and Patrick O'Neal co-star in this outrageous horror thriller written and directed by cult film favorite Larry Cohen (It's Alive, Q: The Winged Serpent). Fortified with your maximum daily requirement of shock and satire, you won't be able to get enough of The Stuff!
Review:
This was an interesting film to say the least. It created something of a 1950 monster movie atmosphere, which I can really appreciate, but some of the dialogue was just plain stupid. Most of the genre fans will know director Larry Cohen from Q: The Winged Serpent and screenwriter and director of the killer infant film It's Alive. Neither of them being all that great. What I really enjoyed about this film though is the none-to-subtle commentary on consumerism in America. As Americans we have to have that next big product that seemingly everyone else has (Ipods anyone?) and it is all done in a great tongue in cheek manner. I look at it this way, Cohen knows that he is directing a B-grade movie called The Stuff, and knowing that, he doesn't try to direct it like he is making The Godfather Part II. He has fun with and it really shows.
All the main actors put out great performances, including small cameo roles by Paul Sorvino and Danny Aiello. Although the best performance of the bunch is given by Michael Moriarty as an industrial saboteur who is hired by ice cream execs after The Stuff starts to out sell even ice cream!
The effects are pretty awful, and whoever plays the young boy annoyed the living hell out of me, but all in all The Stuff if worth spending a little time with. Just do not eat too much as it will turn you into a Fluff filled zombie!
Grading:
Video - A great picture from a rather grainy print. 4/5
Sound - The sound left a little to be desired even though it claims to be 5.1. 3/5
Script - Smart and stupid at the same time. 3/5
Acting - Great performances all around. 4/5
Gore Rating - Gore did not play a major role in the film, so it will not be counted against or for the film. 0/0
Total Score - 14/20
Closing Statement:
Check out The Stuff when you get a chance, but do not go out of your way to find it.
Overall Rating: 14/20
Directed By: Larry Cohen
Cast:
Michael Moriaty
Paul Sorvino
Danny Aiello
Garret Morris
Plot Synopsis:
Are You Eating It…Or Is It Eating You? The Stuff is a mysterious new taste sensation that's taken the country by storm. But when it begins to outsell even ice cream, a coalition of food moguls hires an industrial saboteur (Michael Moriarty) to uncover the snack's secret formula. Together with an embittered cookie entrepreneur (Garrett Morris), they discover the horrifying truth: The Stuff is a body-snatching snack treat that turns its hosts into monstrous zombies! With millions digging in and time running out, can they save the world from the grip of this insidious and deadly desert? Paul Sorvino, Danny Aiello, Andrea Marcovicci and Patrick O'Neal co-star in this outrageous horror thriller written and directed by cult film favorite Larry Cohen (It's Alive, Q: The Winged Serpent). Fortified with your maximum daily requirement of shock and satire, you won't be able to get enough of The Stuff!
Review:
This was an interesting film to say the least. It created something of a 1950 monster movie atmosphere, which I can really appreciate, but some of the dialogue was just plain stupid. Most of the genre fans will know director Larry Cohen from Q: The Winged Serpent and screenwriter and director of the killer infant film It's Alive. Neither of them being all that great. What I really enjoyed about this film though is the none-to-subtle commentary on consumerism in America. As Americans we have to have that next big product that seemingly everyone else has (Ipods anyone?) and it is all done in a great tongue in cheek manner. I look at it this way, Cohen knows that he is directing a B-grade movie called The Stuff, and knowing that, he doesn't try to direct it like he is making The Godfather Part II. He has fun with and it really shows.
All the main actors put out great performances, including small cameo roles by Paul Sorvino and Danny Aiello. Although the best performance of the bunch is given by Michael Moriarty as an industrial saboteur who is hired by ice cream execs after The Stuff starts to out sell even ice cream!
The effects are pretty awful, and whoever plays the young boy annoyed the living hell out of me, but all in all The Stuff if worth spending a little time with. Just do not eat too much as it will turn you into a Fluff filled zombie!
Grading:
Video - A great picture from a rather grainy print. 4/5
Sound - The sound left a little to be desired even though it claims to be 5.1. 3/5
Script - Smart and stupid at the same time. 3/5
Acting - Great performances all around. 4/5
Gore Rating - Gore did not play a major role in the film, so it will not be counted against or for the film. 0/0
Total Score - 14/20
Closing Statement:
Check out The Stuff when you get a chance, but do not go out of your way to find it.