Idle Hands (1999)

A teenage slacker's right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent.

Director:

Rodman Flender

Writers:

Terri Hughes, Ron Milbauer

Stars:

Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Elden Henson

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Devon Sawa	...	Anton Tobias
Seth Green	...	Mick
Elden Henson	...	Pnub
Jessica Alba	...	Molly
Vivica A. Fox	...	Debi LeCure
Christopher Hart	...	The Hand
Jack Noseworthy	...	Randy
Katie Wright	...	Tanya
Sean Whalen	...	McMacy
Nicholas Sadler	...	Ruck (as Nick Sadler)
Fred Willard	...	Dad Tobias
Connie Ray	...	Mom Tobias
Steve Van Wormer	...	Curtis
Kelly Monaco	...	Tiffany
Timothy Stack	...	Principal Tidwell

Storyline

Seventeen year old slacker Anton Tobias wakes up one Halloween morning to discover that both of his parents have been turned into two headless Halloween decorations. After speaking to his equally irresponsible friends, Mick and Pnub, he discovers that his right hand has a blood-thirsty mind of its own and is hell-bent on wreaking havoc whether he likes it or not.

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | breasts | slow motion scene | trailer home | incense | 

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Taglines:

The Devil will find work for idle hands to do... but what happens when he chooses the laziest teen slacker in the world to do his dirty work?

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for horror violence and gore, pervasive teen drug use, language and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 April 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

El diablo metió la mano

Filming Locations:

1034 North Madison Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,807,181, 2 May 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$4,002,955, 13 June 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,Licht/Mueller Film Corporation,Team Todd

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While Anton is vomiting in the bushes when Pnub and Mick show up, Molly (Jessica Alba) can be seen far in the background, on her balcony, playing a bass guitar. This is a remnant from a deleted scene.

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Goofs

When Anton and his dog, Duke, are under the sheets, their heads are at about the same spot. But when it cuts just before Anton goes to get the phone, his dog's head is not under the covers.

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Quotes

[after seeing the message on the ceiling]
Dad Tobias: It's just a prank
[clicks off flashlight]
Dad Tobias: Anton.
Mom Tobias: Anton? Our little scooter would never do something like that!
Dad Tobias: Quit calling him that baby name. Anton would not scoot his behind off the couch if the house was on fire!

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Alternate Versions

The TV version seen on Sci-fi has alternate takes of scenes with profanity, instead of awkward overdubbing. Most notably the scene in Pnub's bedroom where "I hate that fuckin' show" is missing the f-word and "Jerking off in the milkshake maker" is changed to "Spitting in the milkshake maker"

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Connections

Spoofs Evil Dead II (1987)

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Soundtracks

I Am A Pig
Written by Rob Halford, John Lowery & Bob Marlette
Performed by Two
Courtesy of Interscope Records
Under license from Universal Music Special Markets

User Reviews

A very pleasant surprise

As mentioned in the other comments, this movie is a awful lot better than it would first seem. Its still a rather brainless teen slasher flick, with the usual array of 2D characters ( the goofy friends, gorgeous love interest, aggressive hunk etc) and situations (school Halloween dance), but the great dialogue and great visual effects elevate it above the majority of other movies in the teen slasher style and doesn't do too much talking down to the audience. Where most other movies of this type give the audience 2 answers before a single question is answered Idle Hands has no fears about leaving things unanswered, where the viewer can make their own mind up (for once). Devon Sawa makes for a convincing and cute Anton, while Jessica Alba is all thats needed to keep the target audience of under 20's males glued to their seats. Don't get me wrong, this isn't up there with the likes of Lawrence of Arabia, but it never sets out to be; it's hilariously funny, satisfyingly gory and one hell of a lot better than you'd ever think. Go rent it, you'l be pleasantly surprised. Also, the soundtrack is great.