Frequent readers know what suckers we are for tag lines. With a tag line like, "Buy a bag, go home in a box," you can't go wrong. Actually, that’s not true. In fact, in most cases Opening Kill and I get suckered in by some great tag line and the movie turns out to be terrible. That wasn’t the case for POPCORN, which is a tremendously entertaining b-horror exercise. Is it scary? Not in the least. Is it preposterous? Absolutely. Will you have a good time? Guaranteed.
The plot involves a group of film students at an unnamed university somewhere. Their department suffers from a serious lack of funding and is in danger of going under. Note to any students out there: if you’re majoring in a department that is in danger of going away because of no money, chances are it’s not the best place to study that topic.
These students, however, aren’t about to go quietly. Determined to save their department, they put together a fundraiser. Under the leadership of their professor (Tony Roberts, an actor who has obviously fallen on hard times since his roles in films such as ANNIE HALL and SERPICO), they decide to throw an admittedly cool event: a movie screening of cheesy black and white 50s horror films. I have to enjoy the irony of a cheesy horror movie including a movie screening of cheesy horror movies. I’m not sure POPCORN was meant to be deconstructed quite to that level, but hey – just because I like watching garbage doesn’t mean I’m stupid (well, depends who you ask).
But guess what? The theater where they throw the fundraiser happens to be haunted! (surprise surprise). Before long we find ourselves in the midst of another PHANTOM OF THE OPERA knock-off, with the theater’s killer taking kids out one-by-one. This is appropriate since 80s/90s scream queen Jill Schoelen (best known for THE STEPFATHER) starred in the horror version of PHANTOM too. It's probably for the best that this fundraiser was doomed, because they spend so much money setting up the event that I doubt it would have made any profit. Seriously, this thing was a lavish affair for such a cash-strapped group.
In POPCORN much of the enjoyment I got is from seeing an “all-star cast” immersed in a cheese-fest: not only Schoelen and Roberts, but also Ray Walston (Mr. Hand in FAST TIMES IN RIDGEMONT HIGH) and Dee Wallace Stone (E.T. and CUJO). The rest of movie’s fun comes not only from the killings or the plot turns, but also from the B-movie details that really distinguish the “great ones”: the random costumes people wear to this fundraiser, and the cheap Casio-made music score. Best of all, there is a reggae band that manages to play a couple songs in the midst of a power-outage (how their amps got electricity is another matter). Why reggae, you ask? It turns out this film was shot in Jamaica of all places. Who knew?
The point is: this is a fun, silly movie which has enough funny jokes (intentional and otherwise) and enough bloody killings to keep the horror video renter quite happy. It also is a nice tribute to 50s horror king William Castle, for those who follow horror movie history (and you should if you don't). By the way, there was supposed to be a plot point about popcorn in this movie, hence the title. That plot-point was edited out in the final cut, but the producers liked the title and kept it. Good for them, at the very least it made for an awesome tag-line…
Rating: *** 1/2 (out of four).
Actually the university is identified as University of California at Oceanside.
Posted by: Scott | April 22, 2007 at 03:17 PM
О! Siamo un gruppo di volontari e di partenza una nuova iniziativa in una comunità. Il tuo blog ci ha fornito preziose informazioni su cui lavorare. Avete fatto un lavoro meraviglioso!
Posted by: sochi-2014 | December 05, 2010 at 03:13 AM
Pois e realmente um programa maravilhoso ver o desfile de 20 de setembro em Piratini. Em 2007 eu fui pela primeira vez assisti-lo e fiquei emocionada, e um desfile muito lindo feito com alma por cada um daqueles gauchos que la vivem. Vale a pena.
Posted by: buy sustanon | March 03, 2011 at 06:45 PM
Thank you this article I hope you have an enjoyable day.I can see a great improvement in your writing, I’ll love to get in touch. Keep up the good work! Your writing is very inspirational for someone who is new to this type of stuff.http://www.griffeyshoesred.com/
Posted by: Griffeys Shoes | May 17, 2011 at 02:54 AM
I just wanted to comment your blog and say that I really enjoyed reading your blog post here. I can see a great improvement in your writing, I’ll love to get in touch. Keep up the good work! Your writing is very inspirational for someone who is new to this type of stuff.http://www.radiishoessale.com/
Posted by: Radii Shoes | May 17, 2011 at 02:59 AM
Your article swept me away with its vast information and great writing. Thank you for sharing your views with such passion. I like your views.
Posted by: Ed Hardy Clothing | July 12, 2011 at 05:09 AM
Thank you so much ,i am feeling so nice after reading your article!
Posted by: Vibram Five Fingers | July 12, 2011 at 05:14 AM
Thank you for the article, I saw after the enlightened, my idea like you, just not good at expression
Posted by: Nike Dunks SB | July 12, 2011 at 05:18 AM
i agree with your views from here.
Posted by: Lacoste Trainers | July 16, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Good to see that article, hoping to see more such articles are.
Posted by: Ken Griffey Jr Shoes | August 18, 2011 at 02:10 AM
The tongue is not steel, yet it cuts
e
Posted by: Swimwear Bikinis | August 19, 2011 at 05:14 AM
hyWords cut more than swords.
Posted by: Air Yeezy | August 19, 2011 at 07:48 AM
When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.
8
Posted by: New Ken Griffey Jr Shoes | August 19, 2011 at 07:51 AM
Have you ever had a topic to write about that seems too big to tackle that you can’t even begin to write about it? Well, welcome to my world. I need to send educational supplies to Africa. I know! You have so many questions racing through your head right about now. Let’s just say – all of your questions will be answered in due time. For now, listen to my heart and my passion
Posted by: Nike Air Max 2012 | January 14, 2012 at 11:07 PM