Bad Dreams
by Andrew Fleming
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Product details
Actor: Bruce Abbott, Dean Cameron, Harris Yulin, Jennifer Rubin, Richard LynchDirector: Andrew Fleming
Writer: Andrew Fleming
Producer: Gale Anne Hurd
Producer: Ginny Nugent
Writer: Michael Dick
Writer: P.J. Pettiette
Writer: Steven E. de Souza
Writer: Yuri Zeltser
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Running Time: 80 minutes
Release Date: 1988-09-23
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Publisher: Fox Home Entertainment
Studio: Fox Home Entertainment
VHS Movie Reviews of Bad Dreams
Movie Review: You'd be Stupid to Fall for the Marketing of "Bad Dreams"
Summary: 4 Stars
So what do I do; I BUY THE MOVIE!!! Luckily for me, this movie isn't nearly as bad as I had feared. The prominent feeling surrounding this flick is deception. Heck, even the cover art is misleading; that picture never happens in the film. People who hate "Bad Dreams" wanted a "Nightmare on Elm Street" monster/slasher. I was open for anything since buying this was an after-thought. When this finally ended, I was pleasantly surprised. But before I deceive you into thinking this is cinematic brilliance, we should look deeper...
(I don't know if I can review this without spoiling it in some way, even though I will never say anything specific about anything that happens in the movie)
-AN AMALGAM OF SUB-GENRE
That's my favorite new word; "amalgam". It happens to work well here. You see, what you see is not exactly what you get, but what you get is worth seeing. At one point in this film you might sneer at the attempt at a "Freddy Krueger" re-hash. When the various modes of killing start, you might suspect a twist of `The Omen" has been tossed in. However, when it's all said and done, you were completely deceived and surprisingly, it all makes sense.
-DEATH BE NOT PROUD.
If that last bit sounds intriguing, don't get too excited. I'm going to temper things a bit. Yes, there are some unusual modes of death, but you don't really get to see them all and they aren't particularly creative. Usually, the gore is saved for the aftermath. There are some graphic gore moments but they're not what you'd expect or are accustom to. Regardless, there is a lot of blood and some very uncomfortable violence that is disturbing even if it's not all that realistic. And as long as we are in the gore mode, I should let you know there is no nudity at all. You will probably be thankful for this since most of the characters wouldn't do it for you anyway.
-MOSTLY UNREMARKABLE.
The actors in this film are ok. Nobody stands out. They dutifully do their jobs without adverse or advantageous affect. They simply move the plot along in convincing enough fashion. The camera work is standard fare with no groundbreaking or note worthy shots. It looks a lot like other movies made in the late 80s; very clean and unremarkable. Visually, the story is told in a very straightforward way. I didn't notice the music, which isn't a bad thing. It mostly stays out of the way while still preserving an uneasy mood. The story, however, was different and a complete surprise. I wasn't sure it started that way, but that's where it ended up.
-HANG ON SLOOPY!!
And hang and hang and hang. Perhaps the thing that bugged me most about "Bad Dreams" other than the really bad title was the ending. Not necessarily how the story played out, but how the action played out. We get some human stamina and endurance plausibility issues as well as shirking the laws of physics. As it is done in this film, it has been done in dozens of other films. I never liked when it happens, ever. I can only forgive this to a certain level as a bad choice. An endless number of other scenarios could have put plausibility in a better position without changing the plot at all. Despite this, the ending is a stunner for those with an open mind and a huge disappointment for those with the wrong expectations.
-WHAT EXPECTATIONS MIGHT THOSE BE, EK?
Don't go into this film looking for a monster/slasher. This is a psychological mystery in the most literal sense. It has plenty of creepy moments but is not particularly scary. The blood and gore is present and a bit overdone at times, but still amps up the fun a little bit since the pace is just a little slow. Even though it's not a mile-a-minute horror film, "Bad Dreams" was always interesting for me. My recommendations are very specific for this film.
-you're not looking for the typical 80s slasher.
-You don't mind a slightly slow pace and moderate character development.
-You don't expect any ground breaking visuals.
-You like to be surprised by the story.
Though not a great film, the story is unique for the time it was made and may surprise you even today. A good rental for sure.
-Story.....4.5 Stars
-Acting...3.5 Stars
-Gore......3.5 Stars
-Visuals...3.5 Stars
-E=MC2..2.5 Stars
Average= 3.5 Stars (amazon really needs more stars)
Movie Review: a good dream for horror fans
Summary: 5 Stars
Well anyone out there who loves a great old horror film need not look further than bad dreams. A well scripted horror film made by great production company and a great director in Andrew flemming.
This is a sleeper of a horror missed by many but a must have in any horror collection along side great horrors such as Near dark, Vamp, the Third Exorcist film, the burning and Rosemarys killer that many horror fans may have missed.
If you liked Elm st 3 you will love this title
Movie Review: Actually quite interesting...
Summary: 4 Stars
For a movie that doesn't have any 'major' stars in it, Bad Dreams is actually quite well acted & made. The storyline is a little more original than most 1980s horror movies; it involves a psychopathic cult leader (played by Richard Lynch) who ordered a suicide by fire. Only one woman - Cynthia (Jennifer Rubin) survives, and 13 years after the suicides she wakes up from a coma. Unfortunately, the ghost of Harris - the cult leader - begins to appear, and several of her fellow patients die terrible deaths. Cynthia must find a way to stop him before he strikes again...
Richard Lynch - known for playing villains - is especially good as the diabolical psychopath Harris, leader of Unity Fields and the monster behind the mass suicide. Jennifer Rubin as sole survivor Cynthia and Harris Yulin as a psychiatrist also turn in fine performances.
In addition to the trailer this DVD also has some interesting behind-the-scenes features. About time this one was released!
Movie Review: Bad Dreams - good viewing!
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm a horror buff from way, way back. And every so often I feel the need to revisit some of the movies from my scare ladden youth, and the film Bad Dreams didn't disappoint. Okay, because its the early eighties and my memory isn't what it was, I wasn't expecting much. But you know Bad Dreams stacks up pretty well against the over-the-top gore films of today. It has a plot, it has blood, it has your damsel in distress, and it has a very cute doctor. So yeah, I'm gonna stick my neck out on this one and say see it, its aged well.
P.S. My three stars is actually three and a half!
Movie Review: Not a Nightmare on Elm Street Rip Off.
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this movie after seeing the trailer on another Anchor Bay release, Cemetery Man. I knew I would have to buy it, just because it looked like it was right up my alley. After buying and watching it, I was very pleased. However, I have a feeling that I saw this movie a billion years ago on HBO, but just don't remember it.
As for the movie itself, well I love 80's horror movies. Which are different than horror movies, a horror movie is creepy, yet timeless and not dated. Now Bad Dreams has all the wonderful aspects of an 80's horror flick: bloods, dummies, profanity, creepy music, dark elements, questionable editing and dubious acting. The one keystone aspect missing is nudity, which is a staple in 80's horror. But in the case of Bad Dreams, I will forgive. Now is this movie the best movie in the world? No. Did the movie run a little too long? Yes, 15 minutes could have been shaved off. Is the acting top notch? No, but it isn't horrible either. In fact some scenes are pretty good. The thing about the movie that I enjoyed so much was the smoke screens it put up. It appears like it is going to be a Nightmare on Elm Street type of movie. With Richard Lynch's character being another Freddy Kruger. Now in some ways that is the case, but ultimately it isn't. The story line has a couple of twist, which is what gives this movie some character. I also liked the fact there was some focus on Borderline Personality Disorder. Having some experience with BPD, I thought it was interesting that a movie addressed it by its official name. Even though there were some liberties taken with the Disorder.
I also loved Chainsaw (I believe that was his character's name) from Summer School. His performance in Bad Dreams was great, in a B movie sort of way. I also love how the lead female characters in horror movies are always attractive. Jennifer Rubin fits the paradigm perfectly in this film. I digress in saying I love 80's horror movies. Dualism is the notion in describing these flicks, being both precarious and (unintentionally) hilarious. Bad Dreams is a reminder, for better or worse, they don't make horror movies like they use to. I personal lean towards the latter.
As for this movie being dated, I would have to say yes. The main reason was Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses was played during the end credits, which seemed totally out of place in this movie. Also totally dating the movie eternally in the 1980's.
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