Popcorn (1991)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Mark Herrier

Writers:

Mitchell Smith (story)
Alan Ormsby (screenplay)

Release Date:

1 February 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Buy a bag, go home in a box.

Plot:

A "Leatherface" type murderer who wears other people's faces, kills at an all-night horrorthon at an old theatre put on by a bunch of film students...

Plot Keywords:

Stage | Film Student | Slasher | Film Festival | Maniac

Cast

Jill Schoelen	...	Maggie
Tom Villard	...	Toby
Dee Wallace	...	Suzanne (as Dee Wallace-Stone)
Derek Rydall	...	Mark
Malcolm Danare	...	Bud
Elliott Hurst	...	Leon
Ivette Soler	...	Joannie
Freddie Simpson	...	Tina (as Freddie Marie Simpson)
Kelly Jo Minter	...	Cheryl
Karen Witter	...	Joy
Ray Walston	...	Dr. Mnesyne
Tony Roberts	...	Mr. Davis
Scott Thompson	...	Bearded Guy
Will Knickerbocker	...	Landlord / Warden
Ethan Ormsby	...	Two Headed Guy

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Norway:15 (video premiere) | South Korea:18 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Kingston, Jamaica

Company:

Century Films

Trivia:

The title "Popcorn" was linked to an element in the story. This element was removed before the final cut. The producers and distributor liked the title so it was kept.

Goofs:

Continuity: When "Tina" ties up Bud in his wheelchair, she puts a belt around his body. The belt shifts/rotates around around his body between shots (you can tell by a patch on the belt, which moves around.)

Movie Connections:

References The Tingler (1959)

Soundtrack:

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

At least 10 times better than it looks

This may look very much like a redundant and unpleasant horror comedy about the umpteenth serial killer wasting a group of film students but, if you give it a chance, you'll be pleasantly surprised. The premise is quite creative, the film pays homage to legendary titles and directors and – believe it or not – there even is tension to detect in the script. Jill Schoelen (The Stepfather, Phantom of the Opera) is the ambitious student Maggie who wants to turn her always-returning nightmares into a screenplay. When she's preparing a horror marathon event with some fellow students, she stumbles upon footage that proves her nightmares are real and that she might even be a completely different person. During the movie shows at the remote theater, an actual murderer shows up and goes after Maggie. Granted, Popcorn is an 80's slasher in disguise but at least it tries to be ingenious on several levels. The invented titles that are shown during the "horrorthon" also have potential if you ask me! Who wouldn't pay money to see flicks called "The Amazing Electrified Man"," Mosquito" or "The Stench"? I sure would… As said before, some sequences are quite suspenseful (like the eerie "possessor" film) and the murders aren't too gross. I had some prejudices as well before watching it but I'm glad to admit I was wrong. Too bad the last twenty minutes (and the climax in particular) are a bit of a letdown. Logic wasn't Popcorn biggest trump to begin with but, near the end, director Mark Harrier completely loses his grip on the messy screenplay. Also, the humor most of the time is painfully unfunny (for example on of the male leads constantly bumps his head or falls down) and irritating. Best aspects truly are the light-headed atmosphere, creative plot-twists and very good costumes and scenery. Surely this underrated gem beats the overload of 80's and 90's no-brain horror productions. Check it out!