TerrorVision (1986)

Director:

Ted Nicolaou

Writer:

Ted Nicolaou (written by)

Release Date:

14 February 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

People of Earth, your planet is about to be destroyed... We're terribly sorry for the inconvenience.

Plot:

A family's new satellite TV system starts receiving signals from another planet, and soon it becomes the passageway to an alien world.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Monster | Satellite Dish | Lizard | Man Eating Monster

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Diane Franklin	...	Suzy
Gerrit Graham	...	Stanley
Mary Woronov	...	Raquel
Chad Allen	...	Sherman
Jon Gries	...	OD (as Jonathan Gries)
Bert Remsen	...	Grampa
Alejandro Rey	...	Spiro
Randi Brooks	...	Cherry
Jennifer Richards	...	Medusa
Sonny Carl Davis	...	Norton
Ian Patrick Williams	...	Nutky
William Paulson	...	Pluthar
John Leamer	...	Chauffeur

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Belgium:16 (video rating) | Italy:VM14 (VHS rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Norway:18 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Italy

Company:

Altair Productions

Trivia:

The brief MTV clip shown is of a WASP song called Tormentor and the character O.D. Riley wears a WASP t-shirt.

Quotes:

Cherry: [talking about the Jacuzzi] Is it cool if I get in there?
Stanley Putterman: Cool? Babe, it's a perfect 98.6. It's like floating in your mother's womb!

Movie Connections:

References E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Soundtrack:

Stan's Theme Song

Do not change that channel! Check out this hysterically bizarre film instead...

TERRORVISION is a very peculiar horror-comedy that has the word "camp" labeled all over it. This fairy tale tells about a sloppy alien puppet monster who, presumably by accident, enters Planet Earth via a TV satellite dish. This enormous monster appears on the TV screen at first, then, talk about visual effects, it eventually materializes, appearing live, in the flesh! Talk about audience participation!!

Gerrit Graham (PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, THE ANNIHILATORS) and Mary Wodornov (EATING RAOUL) portray the Puttermans, a happily married suburban couple. They do not realize the "realism" of the monster they see on TV, HA! This so-called "couple" leads a VERY dysfunctional family with a military obsessed son and his survivalist grandfather. There is also a crazed daughter who loves heavy metal rock music, and her mentally inept boyfriend, who looks like Kid Rock minus the attitude and pizzazz. There is also a horror movie hostess, Medusa (Jennifer Richards) who fits into this scheme for absolutely no plausible reason. Meanwhile, the monster devours each of the family members one by one...later reproducing their heads when necessary in order to cover up its actions.

Planet Earth is in grave danger, once again and its only chance into stopping this hungry creature is an intergalactic police alien. He explains to everyone that this creature was originally suppose to be disposed of...but instead, it lands on Planet Earth. This interstellar alien cop is the only one who can blast the gross alien creature into oblivion but...well, I'm sure that you are interested in finding out the rest, so go see this movie!

TERRORVISION is a funny, hilarious horror cult film that has plenty of humor to liven this movie up. There are silly one-liners, hokey special effects, and a variety of "eccentric" characters to give this film strength. It is a stupid film at times, and the cast definitely overacts, but if you are looking for a nice, relaxing horror film that offers a very different style from the rest of the horror movies in this genre, then TERRORVISION is recommended for you!

This film was again produced by the one and only Empire Pictures, and you know what that means: cheesy special effects and acting galore! The monster especially is the most ludicrous...hairball-type creature that I have ever seen on screen. The rest of the special FX in this movie are standard fare though, with a elegant touch of cheekiness...

If you are in the mood for a humorously bad movie, then this picture is the perfect candidate for you! In addition to being a delightfully stomach churning horror experience, TERRORVISION is a satire on the media-obsessed suburban middle class family. Hey, these guys make "The Simpsons" look and act like those mature, civilized, and pleasantly lovable neighbors living next door. If you thought that your own family may be "dysfunctional," hey (trust me), the family portrayed in this movie will add new meaning to that word!

For a fine sense of humor that will appeal to cult film fans, TERRORVISION is destined to become that next "special" classic. Beware, if you are not prepared to laugh and be disgusted at the same time, then perhaps you should skip this film...

RATING: ** out of ****.