THE FUNHOUSE
Alternate Titles:
Funhouse: Carnival Of Terror
German Title:
Das Kabinett des Schreckens
USA, 1981
Director: Tobe Hooper
9,5/10
The whole movie is incredibly tense and gripping, very well paced and packed with suspense. Hooper's direction is flawless and Larry Block's surprisingly intelligent script is just outstanding, thanks to a cool story, interesting characters, and many unexpected twists and turns.
The attractions at the carnival are all just cool (a freakshow with 2-headed cows and mutant babies, hot strip girls, the amusing impaler...) and the spooky Funhouse is a tremendous feast for the eyes. The deformed killer is one of the most fascinating creatures in horror history - sure, he's dangerous and frightening, but he's also extremely pitiful due to his miserable life. The sex scene where he tries to have sex with Madame Zena is strangely sad and almost touching.
Furthermore, most of the acting is pretty good (most notably Kevin Conway and the super-gorgeous Elizabeth Berridge), the settings all look excellent, the camera work is amazing and trailer-composer John Beal's powerful score is just outstanding.
"The Funhouse" is a top notch must-see, must-have horror classic. If you haven't seen it yet... my goodness, you don't know what you're missing!!
Wiki ~ Imdb
Alternate Titles:
Funhouse: Carnival Of Terror
German Title:
Das Kabinett des Schreckens
USA, 1981
Director: Tobe Hooper
9,5/10
Not only one of Tobe Hooper's most underrated movies, but also one of the most underrated slasher movies of all time: "The Funhouse", an awesome and very well made powerhouse of a horror movie. I loved it when I first saw it (almost 20 years ago) and I still totally adore it.
Aside from 1-2 annoying characters and a few lame dialogue lines, this
is one of the very few 80s slashers that are almost perfect - you
know... perfect in a slasher sense :)
The whole movie is incredibly tense and gripping, very well paced and packed with suspense. Hooper's direction is flawless and Larry Block's surprisingly intelligent script is just outstanding, thanks to a cool story, interesting characters, and many unexpected twists and turns.
The attractions at the carnival are all just cool (a freakshow with 2-headed cows and mutant babies, hot strip girls, the amusing impaler...) and the spooky Funhouse is a tremendous feast for the eyes. The deformed killer is one of the most fascinating creatures in horror history - sure, he's dangerous and frightening, but he's also extremely pitiful due to his miserable life. The sex scene where he tries to have sex with Madame Zena is strangely sad and almost touching.
Highlights:
The kick-ass opening credits, the uber-awesome opening scene which pays tribute to "Halloween" AND "Psycho", all the kills, and of course, the breathtakingly stunning climax.
The kick-ass opening credits, the uber-awesome opening scene which pays tribute to "Halloween" AND "Psycho", all the kills, and of course, the breathtakingly stunning climax.
Furthermore, most of the acting is pretty good (most notably Kevin Conway and the super-gorgeous Elizabeth Berridge), the settings all look excellent, the camera work is amazing and trailer-composer John Beal's powerful score is just outstanding.
"The Funhouse" is a top notch must-see, must-have horror classic. If you haven't seen it yet... my goodness, you don't know what you're missing!!
Wiki ~ Imdb
Oh btw, "The Funhouse" has also one of the coolest opening credits ever.
Check out the awesomeness!
Posts
Well, it has to happen every once in a whike...total disagreement on this one...
ReplyDeletehttp://craiglgooh.blogspot.com/2010/10/31-days-of-suspense.html?m=0
Yeah, one of the few movies that I totally adore and you totally hate LOL
DeleteI mostly agree with this. I have it on a DVD 4 movie set with "Phantasm 2", "Sssss," and "Serpent and the Rainbow." Dean Koontz actually wrote the novelization of this movie which really adds a lot of depth to the characters and isn't like the movie at all.
ReplyDeleteI heard about Koontz' Funhouse novel but I haven't read it yet.
DeleteBtw, Funhouse? Phantasm 2? Sssssss? Serpent? What a kick-ass movie pack!
I've never seen it, but looking at those pics I should really try and see it some time. The credits are excellent :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome early-80s must-see classic. Yeah, the credits are excellent indeed! :)
DeleteI just love the score in this one! Hooper's finest indeed!
ReplyDeleteno offense TCM ,yer still cool!
Yeah, TCM is still his masterpiece, but IMO Funhouse is almost as awesome as TCM.
ReplyDeleteI love this movie. It creeped the hell out me because I HATE clowns and funhouses. I do not like to go inside because I am claustrophobic and this movie had me going. Awesome summation, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mel!
DeleteIt also creeped the hell outta me, although I love clowns and funhouses :-)