Terror in the Aisles

I was hesitant to pick this up for a while, thinking it was actually just a compilation of Coming Attractions, for some reason. And I didn't think that would be very interesting. Finally, I rented it last night, and from the absolutely amazing opening credits accompanied by the creepy musical score, I knew I loved this.

Donald Pleasance and Nancy Allen, who at the time were well-known horror faces (where's Jamie Lee Curtis?), host this documentary of the art of the horror film. In a darkened theatre, among an audience of different individuals watching a multitude of famous horror movies, they present different aspects of the horror film (ie: the villian, the heroine, the victims) in numerous clips from 75 of the most memorable horror films.

This is a movie I'd watch a couple more times. The clips chosen are perfect. (ie: the window-jump from "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," the over-the-couch attack in "Halloween," the first murder in "Jaws," the shower murder in "Psycho") I thought Donald Pleasance did a perfect job of illustrating some of the most novel aspects of the horror movie, and how audiences are when watching. Nancy Allen was alright, I thought Donald could have done fine on his own, and probably should have been left as the single host. But the main point of this movie is to see some great horror scenes. Both "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Psycho" get some focus for their innovations, and there are some clips of Alfred Hitchcock commentary on his film. It would have been nice to get some captions under the film clips, to know what each clip is from. Some are easily recognizable, but I didn't know what some of those movies were, and I'm a pretty big horror fan. (What was that movie with Rutger Hauer--the ending clip of it they showed was hysterical!) One really great part, as I mentioned before, was the opening credits. As in most of the movie, we are seem rapid shots of clips from so many movies, all blending as one big piece of eye candy for us horror fans. I mean, with an opening like that, and with that great music, this movie is worth the rental alone. And the ending of the movie. Another set of rapid shots, with one of the most appropriate shots to end the movie with. I won't tell you what it is, but when you see it, you'll agree.

I definitely recommend this. Beware, we are shown the ending to most of these movies, such as "Psycho," "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," (I haven't seen that yet, but damn, what a scary ending!!) and that one with Hauer, among others, I'm sure. Still, check this movie out. You're bound to be pleased.