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After 20 Years I've Decided: This Movie is Trash

posted 17 years ago by gnolti
33 replies | jump to latest

That isn't meant as an insult, because sometimes trash is the only thing that will slake my appetite. But I can remember a time (when I was much younger, obviously) when this film seemed like pretty sophisticated stuff; and now, I can't help but laugh at the garish 80s horndoggery, gory sensationalism, and sheer implausibility of the plot.

All that said, I don't mind having the DVD in my collection, just for kicks.

Anyone feel the same way?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2BU8-7kQLI

[–] hingleyc 17 years ago

Definately trash! Lurid and tacky and garish...and yet, while far from the excellence of Dressed to Kill, Blow Out, Sisters, this one holds a place in my heart alongside Phantom of the Paradise & raising Cain & Femme Fatale as gaudy guilty pleasures.

[–] gnolti 17 years ago

"Guilty pleasure" indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2BU8-7kQLI

[–] Furious_is 17 years ago

I watched yesterday, and spent the whole movie trying to convince myself/my fiance that it was good. Doesn't matter how much you reference Hitchcock, you can't save the weirdness from itself. I love it, because it's bad

I have one word for you. Thundercougarfalconbird

[–] donuteater 17 years ago

It isn't a bad movie. The movie IS the 80's! It seems De Palma is absorbing every decade and his films are like windows of THAT decade.60's:hi mom,70's sisters,phantom,dressed to kill,Carrie 80's Scarface,Body double,90's Raising cain, 2000's Redacted.
De Palma is a real artist, altough steals from Hitch, nobody does make it HIS film like De Palma does.

[–] robertotrujillo 17 years ago

donuteater: you're absolutely right... your theory about DePalma "absorbing every decade" is really brilliant; I'm a big Depalma fan from years and I never thought something like it... you certainly brought me light on this subject matter.

And, please people: leave BODY DOBLE alone!!! A real product of its time. It's a real 80's CLASSIC flick!!!! It rocks!!!!!

[–] tabbycat 16 years ago

In the end, it's just a very stylish filming of Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner.

The Indian character is so cartoonish, I can't believe he was directed to be that over-the-top by accident.

"The day players'll KILL ya."

[–] polysicsarebest 16 years ago

This film is brilliant. Masterful direction.

[–] mmoore325 16 years ago

I was going to start my own post but then I saw your thread and completely agree, and I also mean "trash" as a guilty pleasure and a compliment (ha ha!!). Please - I've got "Hellraiser" and "Clash of the Titans" in my DVD collection; let's not be hypocrites.

Anyway, I just watched this movie last night for the first time in about 20 years, and I couldn't believe how me and my friends watched it over and over again when we were teenagers...and LIKED it.

I can't believe how stupid this movie is, and the scariest thing is, I don't remember thinking it was stupid before, and I considered myself quite intelligent at the time. Then again, I was 14 and really LIKED "Grease 2" as well, but then again, I still remember most of those lyrics...

There. I've completely shot my credibility.

[–] franzkabuki 16 years ago

Yes, it is kinda sorta trashy in a way, but it also is an outstanding motion picture. Come to think of it, something like Dressed To Kill´s also trashy on a more superficial level. As well as a very good film in all. "Trashy" however is a decidedly different thing than "trash" as the latter would indicate it´s a worthless, bad film which it most certainly ain´t. Trashy can be good. Too. Conclusion being... - well, I definitely prefer to see Brian De Palma by the trash can rather than someone like Kit Carruthers for instance.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] gnolti 16 years ago

I still think Guy Boyd as Det. McLean is the best thing about the movie and basically walks away with it. Too bad he doesn't last long on screen.

There, daddy, do I get a gold star?

[–] johnnyparker 16 years ago

It certainly sank Craig Wasson's career!

If they move, kill em!

[–] tomthemac 16 years ago

poor fella - he didnt even make it to the DVD special features - all the rest are there! even Melanie G and De Palma himself...

[–] PoppyTransfusion 8 years ago

Noooo. Melanie Griffith as Holly Body is the best thing about the film. She's a natural and hilarious with it.

Ever tried, ever failed?
No matter.
Try again, fail again.
Fail better.

[–] IceboxMovies 16 years ago

Of course it's junk, that's why it's so terrific. De Palma KNOWS that he's ripping off other artists as well as himself, and that's part of the fun. If he didn't realize any of this it would be as though he were like the guy who never understood the punchline of a funny joke. Fortunately, he does.

"What I want to know is how we're going to stay alive this winter."

[–] Woodyanders 16 years ago

Yeah, this film is certainly trash, but it's very smart, sexy, funny and stylish trash, so overall it's pretty damn sweet in my book!

"We're all part Shatner/And part James Dean/Part Warren Oates/And Steven McQueen"

[–] acr267 15 years ago

Sorry, it has always been the watchable trash, like almost every one of his films since Sisters, always filled with poor attempts at drama & art, and shows that no matter how much talent & money surround DePalma, he isn't capable of doing an more then a Roger Corman groupie.

[–] gddyhaimsjc 13 years ago

The movie is gripping and hypnotic - how can you call him a 'roger Corman groupie'? The film is re-watchable - it goes BIG for those moments where emotions run high - it's a film that pays respect to the viewer by improving their sense of the main characters feeling at any major moment. The film is value for money, the score glues the viewer to the screen. You need your brain jump-started, cos' the battery in your head is currently DEAD.

[–] KatrinaW 10 years ago

I agree, gripping, hypnotic, and enrossing. 80's Noir at its finest. It just has a certain look and feel to it (gritty, yet bright neon 80's LA) that just fit the movie.

[–] Blueghost 15 years ago

by gnolti (Tue Jan 22 2008 04:41:51)
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That isn't meant as an insult, because sometimes trash is the only thing that will slake my appetite. But I can remember a time (when I was much younger, obviously) when this film seemed like pretty sophisticated stuff; and now, I can't help but laugh at the garish 80s horndoggery, gory sensationalism, and sheer implausibility of the plot.

All that said, I don't mind having the DVD in my collection, just for kicks.

Anyone feel the same way?

Yeah, that's kind of why it's in my collection.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]