Description

A couple expecting a baby discover it's a monster that kills when it's scared. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

"What's wrong with my baby!!?"
One of the great cult films of the '70's, Larry Cohen's "It's Alive" plays less as a horror film than as a psychological drama, smartly focusing on the emotional devastation wrought on the marriage of the parents, Frank and Leonor Davis (well played by John Ryan and Sharon Farrell) and, to a lesser extent, their existing eleven-year-old son Chris. The theme Cohen plays with is less a "monster on the loose" picture than one in which the very human parents are forced to confront the ugly consequences in which society, and particularly the media, want only to feed on and exploit the pain of individuals thrust into a situation beyond their immediate comprehension or control. Farrell, (understandably) close to the edge of insanity, still maintains a mother's love for her child - no matter what it might look or behave like. Ryan, seeing this as a slam against his manhood, simply refuses to accept that this "child" is anything that he could have fathered. The film also raises dark questions concerning the pharmaceutical industry's cynical promotion of birth-control drugs and their side-effects, as well as a speculating on the effect pollutants in the air and water might have on our bodies. (A theme revisited by director Phillip Kaufmann in the 1978 version of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers").

Unfortunately, these themes are a bit hamstrung by Larry Cohen's flat-footed direction; there are some great, and funny scenes to be sure (the milkman comes to mind), but the film is unsure whether it wants to be a social satire or a real horror film. Ironically, it ends up being neither; the "Davis baby" actually emerges as a truly tragic figure, crawling up alongside King Kong and Frankenstein's monster (who Ryan's character makes reference to in the film) as a poor creature unwittingly thrown into the harsh world of mankind, which always fears and hates what it doesn't understand.

Flaws aside, this is still a great example of how far out (and how much sick fun) horror films of the '70's could be. Even though this was distributed by a major studio (Warner Bros.), this was essentially a low-budget independent film. The "baby" was created by the brilliant, multiple Oscar-winning makeup artist Rick Baker. At the time the film was made, the "baby" puppet didn't permit (nor did the budget) any of the cable-control mechanisms inside to create movement, as Baker and his crew would later use to great effect on "An American Werewolf in London", "Harry and the Hendersons" and "Gorillas in the Mist". Still, few could argue that the "Davis baby" is one of the wildest and most bizarre characters ever to emerge from '70's horror films.

Highly dated, but still recommended nonetheless!

Funny, Ferocious Fun!
" It's Alive " is a part of a horror series directed by Larry Cohen, the sequels are " It Lives Again " and " It's Alive III : Island Of The Alive. " But before we get to those sequels, let's talk about this cult classic, of baby-time carnage!!

I absolutely love this movie and its sequels, I once watched, I believe all three films on Monstervision, hosted by Joe Bob Briggs. It was ofcourse during the nightly hours. I was just captured and must say these flicks are certainly some of the great mid-night horror marathon movies. I don't give a damn how long ago they came out, these are cheese-ball, absolutely hilarious classics! The humour is, intentional or not, abundantly apart of the fun. This first one picks up with a normal man and his wife who have a baby, who turns out to be a monster baby. The man is John P. Ryan, and his wife, Sharon Farrell, two marvelous actors in this movie. The supporting cast is there too. The Rick Baker babies may look cheesy, but its all apart of the fun. Some of the funnest moments come when the baby is running amock, attacking, milk men, and all sorts of prey. Also the score, by Bernard Herrmann (Psycho) is perfect, absolutely perfect. His last score by the way before his death was " It Lives Again, " the remarkable sequel, which is even better, and keep a look out for the third picture too, not as good as 1 & 2, but still just a great fun time.

It's a B-Movie Classic!
Larry Cohen has always had fun making no-frills, slightly creepy "B" Horror movies. As a result, his films tend to be non-cerebral, quirky, violent, cheesy-looking, infectiously funny, and, most of all, fun. It is in this spirit of fun that I write this review for one of Cohen's most memorable and fun films, IT'S ALIVE! (1974).

The plot is simple: a relatively normal (though slightly quirky) middle-aged couple with an 11-year-old son, who decided to have one more child, is going through what is obviously a prolonged, painful pregnancy for the expectant soon-to-be-second-time-mother. The Davis family, consisting of Frank (John P. Ryan), Lenore (Sharon Farrell) and Chris (Daniel Holzman) just want to get through it, already. Lenore finally goes into labor one night, and the whole family drives to the hospital, during which time Frank tries to lighten the mood with a little humor. During the interminable wait in the hospital lobby, Frank overhears two men discussing something about the toxins being released into the environment and how scientists are warning of the possible mutations this could cause for humans. Suddenly, a badly wounded doctor comes stumbling out of the O/R and drops dead on the hallway floor. Frank and the others run into the room to find a scene of sheer horror: five doctors and nurses dead, their throats all torn and bloody. As they stare in shock and amazement, Lenore (who is uninjured) delivers the chilling news: she gave birth to a newborn baby monster. As Frank and the police try to find the Davis' mutated son, who had escaped the hospital through a ventilation shaft, Baby Davis tries to find his way home by himself, dispatching several unaware victims in the process. Frank is torn amongst his feelings of protectiveness for his son, of the sense of duty to snuff out this newborn killer's life, and anger at those he feels are overly anxious to kill him.

I have rented this film and seen it on three separate occasions (all on VHS, of course; unfortunately, Warner Brothers has not yet seen fit to issue it on DVD) and it gives me something new to focus on each time. The first time, it was the visceral violence of the film (it is quite bloody); the second time, it was the sheer campiness of the whole thing. The third time, it was the emotional suffering of Frank Davis, as he tries to simultaneously make sense of the situation, figure out what his newborn monstrosity will do next, and to make it right.

Although all of the acting in the film is effective and dependable, none stands out more than John P. Ryan. I love his goofiness at the beginning of the film as he's talking to his "young whipperschnapper" son in a comic Humphrey Bogart-meets-Edward G. Robinson voice. I like the effectiveness of the quiet, tense scene that takes place right after the horrible slaying in the hospital, in which the police try to dance lightly around Frank as they begin to ask him uncomfortable questions at this very awkward time. Frank's foot-shifting, equally uncomfortable responses and increasing agitations hit just the right note, and are a subtle example of great Method Acting. Finally, I like the heartbreakingly somberness of the climactic, and inevitable, final scene.

The PG-rating for IT'S ALIVE! remains something of a deceptive mystery; it IS quite bloody, although there isn't much in the way of graphic gore. Still, this got rather strong ratings abroad: According to IMDb, it received a "15" rating in Sweden, an "18" rating in both the U.K. and The Netherlands (the numbers referring to the age at/above to which the film's viewership was restricted), an "R" rating in Australia, and in Finland, it was banned!

I know it's cheesy, I know that you hardly see the monster baby (which, given the lack of special effects, was probably a good thing and even added to the suspense), and I know that future multiple-Oscar-winning makeup genius Rick Baker was basically beginning to learn his craft here; the fact is, I find it impossible not to like IT'S ALIVE! If you love those late-night creepy old movies, then you know you will like this too. You've got to admit, you like this kind of stuff--and director Larry Cohen sure makes it fun to watch!

RECOMMENDED
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FANS OF 1970'S FILMS

Terrible.
This movie is rotten. It's not scary enough to be a legitimate horror movie or funny enough to be a comedy. Instead, it's like a bad high school film project. Stiff acting, long boring periods where nothing interesting is going on, and a dopey looking monster baby puppet straight from the corner toy store. However, I did sympathize with the anguished cries of the monster baby, because that's exactly how I felt after watching this junk.

Songs that Acompany this trilogy
This is more like an inquiry....! I was just wondering if anyone out there knows the Hit single that was released from one of these movies, if so can you leave a message letting me know what it is called and by who

Thank you, Regards

Johnny ... Read more

Description

A man returns to his small Maine hometown to find it overrun with vampires. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A Return to Salem's Lot
Larry Cohen wrote and directed this film which is very loosely based on the vampire legend of 'Salem's Lot. Stephen King had nothing to do with the making of this movie.

The plot (what little there was) was inane and virtually non-existent throughout most of the film. The acting wasn't great, either, not by fault of the actors, but because of the script. The weak attempts at humor are more pathetic than funny.

Here is the bit of plot I managed to glean: Joe Webber, played by Michael Moriarty, is an anthropologist who takes his son, Jeremy to Salem's Lot, where a colony of vampires has taken over the town. (Hmmm, wonder where THEY came from?) Well, the fact becomes clear that these blood suckers have no or very little association with the original vampires in Salem's Lot.

Webber visits Aunt Clara, played by June Havoc, the sole common character to this movie and the original novel. (Ben Mears mentioned an Aunt Clara in he original 'Salem's Lot.) Sadly, all similarities to the original end here. These vampires rely on human assistants for protection and provisions (human victims). And they want Webber to write a book about them. They should have also begged him to write a script.

Andrew Duggan bears the paper-thin character of Judge Axel as best he can. Evelyn Keyes stars as his wife. Even with Samuel Fuller as Van Meer and David Holbrook as a human assistant to the vampires, this movie cannot be salvaged, not even for spare body parts.

surprisingly good vampire movie
Having seen the first movie, read the book, and being a big Stephen King fan, I didn't have my hopes up for this "sequel" (when I was finally able to find it). However, I was surprised to find that this is actually a very enjoyable movie.

A Return to Salem's Lot doesn't really have anything to do with the first film or the book, but it stands on its own as a good vampire movie. The music for the film, mostly fast-paced organ music, seemed original and was strangely effective. The violence was occasionally remiscent of Romero's Living Dead series. The acting was decent and some of the dialogue is (sometimes unintentionally) funny. And you can't forget the scenes of vampires sucking the blood from a cow!

I'm not a huge vampire movie fan per se, but this was a very enjoyable film. I'd even go so far as to say that this is what all horror movies should be like. Highly recommended.

Corny piece of "terror"
I just saw this movie. I actually enjoyed the first one and the book, but this is kind of a mix between a cheese comedy and a very low budget horror film. The history develops around a town of vampires, settled since the colony times, and an antropologist "invited" to write a revindicative book about them. Well, it might sound interesting, but it looses interest at the mid point.
Save some bucks and buy other thing, or if you are too curious, rent it.

A YOUNG Tara Reid plus FILMED in MY HOMETOWN!
That's right, when you watch this movie...the young vampire girl who is hanging around Moriarty's son all the time is a YOUNG Tara Reid (from American Pie 1/2, Urban Legend, etc.). Enough of that though. The real reason I love this movie is because the majority of it was filmed in my hometown of Newbury, Vermont. The school where the Vamp kids hang out is the elementary school where I spent my grade school days, and the house with the Antique shop out front is where my friend Toby used to live (well, his parents still live there). I wish this movie would be released on DVD!!!!

A Horror Film for People Who Don't Like Horror Films
Actually, this little movie has a number of things to recommend it. A youthful Michael Moriarty looks charming romping about in baggy shirts and cargo pants with a camera slung over his shoulder. And there's a geriatric Indiana Jones---ex-Nazi killer, now Vampire slayer--played by a no-nonsens Samuel Fuller. When these two actors team up at the end of the film, along with Ricky Addison Reed who plays Moriarty's young son--it's really a lot of fun. There are also two eye-popping love scenes involving Katya Crosby, although the size of Ms. Crosby physical endowments seems to be in inverse proportion to her acting ability. And the film is riddled with amusing moments---some unintentional (B grade actors who looked as if they were cast because they just happened to wander onto the set at the right moment) but also intentional ones (hilarious dialogue deliver by actors with deadpan commitment). All in all, this movie is a great choice if you're looking for something TOTALLY DIFFERENT! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Larry Cohen scratched out some of the most memorably offbeatexploitation films of the 1970s, including two of the most energeticblaxploitation action classics: Black Caesar and its sequel, HellUp in Harlem, which made a star of Fred Williamson. In 1996 theyreunited for this tribute to the good old days and producer-star Williamson brought along a few of his fellow 1970s blaxplo icons: Jim Brown(Slaughter), Pam Grier (Foxy Brown), Richard Roundtree(Shaft), and Ron O'Neal (Superfly). They play old friends and former members of a neighborhood gang in economically depressed Gary,Indiana, who reunite when a new generation of gangbangers using their oldstreet name, the Rebels, turns the city into a war zone. It's great fun tosee the old faces back on the screen--Williamson is still buff and tough,and Brown and Grier have become more charismatic with age--but they're letdown by a slack script and lazy direction despite an almost nonstopbarrage of gunfights and back-alley brawls. Even with revved-up 1990sfirepower, the film never really captures the explosive energy of the filmsthat made their reputations. You're better off seeing the originals. PaulWinfield and Isabel Sanford also star, and Cohen casts cult faves CharlesNapier, Wings Hauser, and Robert Forster in supporting roles. --SeanAxmaker ... Read more

Reviews (12)

good idea but bad come out
Fred Williamson(Black Ceasar, From Dusk Till Dawn) is John Bookman and he returns home after his father is shot up by a gang called the rebels, a gang he formed back in his day, led by Spyro and Damien..two ruthless thugs who changed the gang from what it used to be, the rebels think they own the streets. well Bookman and co. join forces to try to stop them. an allstar cast including Jim Brown(Mars Attacks,Salughter) Ron O'Neal(Superfly), Pam Grier(Ghost Of Mars, Foxy Brown, Jackie Brown), Paul Winfield(Mars Attacks, The Terminator), Richard Roundtree(Antitrust, Shaft, Corky Romando) and many more. takes its toll on the 70's black films but is too much uninspired with wooden performances and a lack of, anything...was expecting much more

A violent reunion from back in the day
The reason to watch this movie is the reunion for those of us who remember the protagonists from the era of blaxploitation films in which we were introduced to them/ Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Pam Grier, reconvene to take back their home town of Gary, Indiana from several well organized and terribly violent street gangs.

Also appearing in almost cameo roles are Ron O'Neal ("Superfly") and Richard Roundtree (the original John Shaft). Seeing them all together is a treat, but left me wondering why this quintet did not get more screen time all together. It is particularly pleasing to see Brown and Grier, who, as one of the expert reviewers noted, have aged very very well. However, the re-ignition of their former relationship is tepid and seemingly forced. By contrast, it has nowhere near the intensity seen when barely restrained Brown confronts a gang leader about the murder of his son.

I agree that the simplistic plot and the consistent (and predictable) violence keep this from being one of the great films of our time. Those who remember the first time seeing these individuals in character now some thirty years ago will enjoy seeing them all together again, and that makes this disc worthwhile.

great re-union of 70's actionmovie st ars
if your a film buff, and wanted to see just outta curiosity
what happened to the black star's of the early 70's...see this movie, sorry to say that most of the aging star's except for pam grier now could be cast in a new version of sanford and son...as fred's old buddies from the hood drinking
grape ripple. it was a good social commentary of life in gary,
indiana and how dependent that city was on the steel mills and the off shoot business's that gradually closed down, see this movie on a saturday afternoon,,,but if you have to mow the lawn or paint the house...you'd be better off doing that.

An solid comeback for an action movie vet--
Original Gangstas: Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Pam Grier. Williamson is John Bookman, former football pro turned coach, who comes back to his old hometown to find it overrun by gangs. The last straw is when Bookman's dad is assaulted and his grocery store vandalized. Grier is the mom of a basketball prodigy slain by the Rebels, one of three major gangs in the city. Brown is Bookman's best friend who comes back to bury his son. In a touch of irony, the gangs are the modern day incarnation of the crews started by Bookman & his friends decades ago. But whereas the original intent was to be a teen militia of sorts, the modern crews-mostly people well over 21-- are about nothing but victimizing their neighborhood.

Filmed entirely on location in Gary, Indiana, the film uses many city landmarks to illustrate the decay that has taken place. The film rightly postulates that the abrupt downsizing of the US Steel mill in the late 60's started an economic domino effect that the city has yet to recover from. Abandoned storefronts still abound, while neighborhoods are peppered with derelict houses and other rag-tag buildings.
Supporting roles are offered by Robert Forster as a police detective, and Ron O'Neal & Richard Roundtree as longtime residents who join the effort to take the city back.

Williamson and his contemporaries first came to prominence in the black action movie trend of the 70's. Some of his real life was slipped into the script: Williamson was a Northwestern football star before turning pro; also, according to the star the film was inspired from an encounter he had while visiting his mother, who still lives in Gary.

Fred and the actors of his generation deserve better from the Hollywood industry-- folks like Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez have used them in a handful of contemporary films, but they should have the status of a Clint Eastwood or Burt Reynolds..

ORIGINAL GANGSTAS Review
In a reunion of the big-name 70's blaxplotation stars, you can expect a whole lot of fun. They're all here. Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, Jim Brown, Pam "Foxxy Brown" Grier, Richard "Shaft" Roudntree, and Superfly himself, Ron O'Neal. A host of other infamous character actors and some of today's big name underground rappers also show up for this bullet-riddled nostalgia pic.

It's "old school" versus "new school" as the Rebels, a gang once known simply for protecting their neighborhood has transformed into a gang of thugs who specialize in drive-by shootings and drug dealing. This doesn't sit well with the gang's founding members who reunite with the support of the community to clean up the streets once and for all.

While not nearly as energetic and entertaining as many of the 70's pics that it is paying homage to, "Original Gangstas" does have fun while delivering a solid anti-violence message. Seeing all your old favorites strap up again makes for some real good times. There are also some good performances from relative unknowns like Christopher Duncan as the leader of the new Rebels and rapper Dru Down as the group's loud-mouthed "trigger man". Also look for rappers, Scarface and Bushwick Bill in cameos. A genuine good time. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Shot on the streets of New York, writer-director Larry Cohen capturesthe bustle and color of the city in this violent, low-budget crime film. Ambitious Tommy Gibbs (a swaggering, self-confident Fred Williamson) has risen from shoeshine boy to Harlem crime lord, but he wants a bigger piece of the pot. With a racist, high-ranking cop (Art Lund) in his pocket, he begins his expansion with a bloody takeover bid but finds himself betrayed from within and the target of both the cops and the mob. Cohen invests this fast-paced tale (partially inspired by the 1930 gangster classic Little Caesar with a touch of Scarface) with colorful characters (notably a hustling religious leader played by D'Urville Martin), high energy, and a scruffy style. Black Caesar is one of the most entertainingmovies to come from the 1970s explosion of low-budget black cast genre pictures, more commonly known as "blaxploitation" films. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Good blaxploitation flick, but often disturbing.
If you think John Shaft is tough, then wait until you see the character Tommy Gibbs in Black Caesar. The acting is terrible, the film could use some re-editing, but it's definitely one of the more revered inclusions in the genre. And the James Brown soundtrack is killer!

The quintessential "blaxploitation" film. . .
Those of us who know what it takes to make a powerful film know that you don't need a gargantuan budget and a big-name director. This stylish, gritty crime film from the 1970s "blaxploitation" library stars Fred Williamson as Tommy Gibbs, a tough, confident hood who works his way up the organized crime ladder in New York City. Director Larry Cohen perfectly blends elements from DePalma's "Scarface", 1930s gangster films, and the powerful, in-your-face violence is expertly complemented with the themes of loyalty, redemption, and greed (The scene in which Tommy's gang heads a bloody gun battle at a Mafia pool party was exceptionally well done). The performances were all convincing, especially D'urville Martin's over-the-top portrayal of Tommy's preacher friend. Combining raw, uncompromising violence, a complex morality tale, a dynamic soundtrack from the godfather of soul, James Brown, and believable performances, this film is a powerful journey into the realm of organized crime and its a shame that more people don't know about this movie. So for those of you who like big-budget, socially acceptable Hollywood garbage with action scenes almost completely lacking adrenaline, go see a James Cameron film. If you want an honest, uncompromising character study, definitely check out this underappreciated gangster flick. Don't miss a particularly entertaining scene in which Tommy gets knife happy on one of his victims in a barber shop, cutting off a certain appendage. This scene receives an indirect if perverse tribute in Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs."

Blaxploitation.....A Perfect 10
This is by far the best in the genre.....raw and rugged....a perfect 10....should not be missed if your a fan of blaxploitation flicks.....enjoy!

A CLASSIC I LOVE FRED WILLIAMSON!!!
THIS MOVIE IS SO AWESOME I WISH THAT I COULD GIVE THIS MOVIE 100 STARS BECAUSE THE ACTING IS WONDERFUL BY JULIUS W. HARRIS, GLORIA HENDRY, AND MINNIE GENTRY THIS IS A POWERFUL DRAMATIC ACTION PACKED MOVIE BASED IN HARLEM, NEW YORK I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO ANYONE WHO ENJOYS BLAXPLOITATION MOVIES AND I LOVE THE ACTING THE PLOT EVERYTHING THE WHOLE PACKAGE DELIVERS I WOULD ALSO RECCOMMEND THE SOUNDTRACK I AM NOT TRULY A JAMES BROWN FAN BUT HE REALLY DELIVERS WITH"THE BOSS" AND ALSO "MAMA" I LOVE THIS MOVIE AND THE SOUNDTRACK!!!

Perhaps The Very Best Of This Genre
Growing up in the early 1970s, I never really took Shaft, Black Caesar, or Superfly seriously. Thirty years later, my perspective has changed drastically. Black Caesar, starring Fred Williamson, is a masterpiece and represents the absolute elite of this genre. Williamson does a fabulous job portraying the rise and fall of a NYC gangster. Many have referred to Williamson as "The Black Burt Reynolds", but I'm quite hard pressed to come up with a Reynolds performance that is actually better than Williamson's in Black Caesar.

It's a shame Williamson wasn't given access to a broader array of high quality scripts. In a lot of ways, Williamson is more accomplished, educated, and polished than Reynolds. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great sequel to Black Ceasar
Fred Williamson is the man. He was the sexiest african american actor of the 70's..and still sexy today..:-)

It was a great sequel. The James Brown sound tracks were right on! I would suggest buying the 2 DVD special. It's a great deal. I've seen Black Ceasar and Hell up in Harlem sold for a lot more.

I will always love Fred Williamson. If you are Fred Williams fan..you will like him in One down..two to go" the "Kill Reflex".."Bucktown". I can go on and on.

I own every film that Fred Williamson has been in.

Good movie, but..........
But, not as good as Black Caesar. There was a good deal of action in this film, more than the predecessor, and you can definetly tell that a lot more money was spent on this movie, however it lacked the originality and spontanaity of the first film. The action scenes were better, and the story was very well thought out, but the movie just lacked something. Tommy Gibbs is still a super ... though, and I wouldn't wanna mess with him. "Hell Up In Harlem" just strikes me as a sequel with a LOT of potential, and energy that would have made a fine film, but the tale gets caught up too much in trying to out do the first film, instead of building upon it. ... I think this is a must see for fans of the fisrt film, but don't be surprised if you are disappointed.

CLASSIC FRED WILLIAMSON!!!!
THIS is an awesome movie and I would truly recommend this to any Fred Williamson fan who enjoys his movies and I loved this movie it was pretty good Julius W. Harris and Gloria Hendry returns also and she is a very beautiful woman and they are very good legendary actors and actresses and this movie is really good I would really recommend Tommy Gibbs falls in love again with a minister by the name of Jennifer and may I also add that this is a nice soundtrack also this time this soundtrack is done by Edwin Starr and this is the sequel to Black Caesar !!!!h

Excellent Film
I liked it better than Black Caesar. There is more action and Drama in this one, as Tommy takes revenge on those who set him up in the first one.

Smashing! Fred Williamson in a Rough and Touch Action Film
One video guidebook dismissed it as a "turkey"; another called it "bomb." "Hell Up in Harlem" didn't and won't get critical acclaim, that's for sure. But I say, it's terrific!

Don't get me wrong. From purely artistic point of view, the film IS awful. It doesn't know where it goes; it is full of hurriedly shot scenes with shoddy editing; and most of all, didn't Fred Willaimson die at the end of "Black Caesar"?

BUT ... Yes, but "Hell" still entertains us. And much more fun than you expect from lukewarm reception from critics. Okay, so, let me tell you what you see in this movie. Tommy Gibbs (Williamson) is not dead, and he is sent to a hospital under the guard of gangsters who take hostages of other patients and doctors (wow!) while having the operation. And Gibbs comes back, with his father (Julius Harris), and again they fight and rule. But again another corrupt white DA is waiting for the time to divide and destroy them.

Well, forget the story. The point is, you see lots of action one after another, so you never stop and think about it. Just look how Fred Williamson wipes out his enemies. He assassinates one of them with a rifle from the Broadway signboard; he massacares the mobsters in the Florida Keys with a help from ... two middle-aged, Afro-American maids (the kind of housemaids you see in "Gone with the Wind") who hold guns with most wooden posture and grinning faces. Even Coney Island is no longer a peaceful place for amusement. Fred Williamson takes up a beach parasol (among other things on the beach) and, OUCH!! one of the gangsters meets nasty death instead of the cozy sunshine on his stomach.

Looking back from now, "Hell Up in Harlem" seems to have gone a little too far. The chain of its incredible plot twist and intense actions may make some of us tired of watching it, and some wise-cracking lines may make some of us very uncomfortable (for example, listen to a one-liner about "soul food" and watermelon). But it is still fun. Probably it was produced too quickly, but again Larry Cohen's fast-paced direction seldom gets us bored with unique hand-held camera and authentic locations. And the film gives one of the earliest performance of Oscar nominated Margaret Avery (for "The Color Purple", 13 years later).

Anyway, my final verdict. Don't think; just enjoy watching this outrageous film. This is what you call fun. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

GREAT!
This a is a great movie filled with mystery and suspense. Crystal Bernard is excellent and this is a movie I would watch multiple times. Saw it on USA TV and I hope it comes on DVD! I really think anyone who enjoys mysterious, thriller movies will like this lesser-known film!

Wrangler fan?
If you love a handsome, strapping man in tight Wrangler jeans... this thriller with the denim clad Jude Reinhold will not disappoint.

Goodgirl tries to be Bad and is...
If you love Crystal Bernard you will want to see this video, otherwise don't. This woman has made a career of being cute and does it exceptionally well. She assumes the identity of her bad-girl friend played by former pornstar Traci Lords who is in the film very briefly. By some contrived circumstances they switch places after becoming very unlikely friends. After Traci is murdered, Crystal is stuck in her friends unhappy life. The upside of this being you get to see Crystal dress up in tiny skirts and leather. Judge Rheinhold played a creep as he often does. The ending was predictably flat.

Thrilling and mysterious
This movie showed continuous suspense and drama. I myself was wondering how Crystal Bernard was going to get back her identity after given it to Tracy Lords for a sudden medical emergency. I think she did a excellant job playing the lead role. This is a must movie to watch if your thinking of using personnel information from a friend for a medical reason. To do so could cost you, your life.

As good as nothing
As good as dead had the makings for a bad B movie right from the beginning. I mean, come on. Crystal Bernard with a lead role? But, actually she did a decent job. I wish I could say the same for the rest of the actors though. I always thought Judge Reinhold was a good actor. Well, he was pitiful in this film. It was almost laughable. Also, some of the dialogue spewing from these people's lips was incredibly cheesy. And the ending was pretty pitiful also. But, this movie did do well in certain areas like suspense. It kept me interested throughout the whole movie, which is always a plus. The directing wasn't bad either. The premise was OK. The movie just needed a little bit more talent in it. Overall, As good as dead is a marginal movie that makes the most out of itself with the poor acting. 3 Stars ... Read more

Reviews (30)

The Stuff ... there's never enough!
The stuff is an alien substance of sorts, found bubbling out of the ground in small towns across the United States. It looks like ice-cream, tastes great, but ... once it takes hold of you, it becomes addictive and deadly. But what is its secret ingredient?

Enter Michael Moriarty ('Troll', 'Courage Under Fire'), who is hired as an industrial saboteur by representatives of a food company to discover just what makes the stuff so addictive. As the stuff becomes more readily available, the people selling it are no longer content to merchandise through the smaller outlets. They begin to advertise it nationwide.

David 'Mo' Rutherford (Moriarty) tracks the stuff across the country with the help of Nicole (Andrea Marcovicci) and a young boy, Jason (Scott Bloom), witnessing its effects on the population. During their efforts, they are assisted by Col. Malcolm Grommett Spears (Paul Sorvino) and the wacky cookie entrepreneur, Chocolate Chip Charlie (Garrett Morris, 'Saturday Night Live'). As the film progresses, it becomes impossible to know just who to trust, and resisting the stuff becomes increasingly difficult.

Larry Cohen has become a hero to those whose interests are in cult horror/sci-fi films, having turned out classics like 'A Return to Salem's Lot', 'The Ambulance', and 'Q: The Winged Serpent'. This is his fourth collaboration with Moriarty and it is well worth the money. 'The Stuff' contains comedy, action, science fiction, and horror - a combination of 'The Blob' and 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers', with Cohen's crazy sense of humor thrown in for good measure.

Also stars Brian Bloom, Danny Aiello, and Patrick O'Neal.

Bonus features on this edition include an informative audio commentary with director, Larry Cohen, TV Spots, original theatrical trailer, and widescreen presentation.

Buy it! You'll be addicted.

Excellent sci-fi and marketing satire!!!
This movie works on many levels. It's a sci-fi movie about Stuff that bubbles up from the ground to become the latest food rage. The problem is the more you eat the more it takes control of you. But at a more critical level it attacks the product marketing by executives and ads that will sell us anything as long as they can make a buck. Even stuff that will destroy you.

The DVD has the added value of comments by the director Larry Cohen which include great stories about making the film. Michael Moriarty is great as the quirky industrial spy hired by the ice cream companies to find out the secret formula for the stuff. Garrett Morris plays Chocolate Chip Charlie an obvious takeoff of Famous Amos.

Simply a great movie.

Silly, Gooey Fun!
Larry Cohen did it again with THE STUFF (1985): he concocted another Horror/Social Comedy offering, this time using the theme of food as the point of entry! A biting satire of advertising and consumerism (the best since George A. Romero's 1978 classic DAWN OF THE DEAD), THE STUFF is entertaining, gross and flat-out fun. Starring Michael Moriarty in another of his patented quirky Tab Hunter-Gone-To-Hell performances, this film is not great, but it is quite likable. After his breakout starring role in the great baseball drama BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY (1973), the Method-trained, blond-haired, blue-eyed, 6'4" Moriarty has carved out a niche starring in "B" movies (usually for Larry Cohen), and he's always fun to watch!

Here he plays a Southern-drawlin' FBI agent named David 'Mo' Rutherford---"'cause no matter how much ah get, ah always want mo'" (great line!)---who is hired by the dairy industry to find out mo' about The Stuff. You see, The Stuff was discovered by an oil-well worker who witnessed a strange meteor crash and found a pool bubbling with thick, white goo, decides to taste it, discovers that it tastes sensational, and is quickly able to market it to the general public as---what else?--The Stuff! An instant hit, outselling ice cream by five-to-one, The Stuff unfortunately has some gruesome side-effects that gradually become known to the few who do not partake of it. Let's just say that it has a similar result as those nasty space-plants in INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978). Mo and a ten-year-old boy named Jason (who is the only one in his family not to have eaten The Stuff) begin to get to the bottom of things, aided by a most unlikely pair: A black cookie entrepeneaur nicknamed Chocolate Chip Charlie (the hilarious "SNL" alum Garrett Morris) and a racist militia leader named Col. Malcolm Grommett Spears (an even-more hilarious Paul Sorvino). Add to the mix veteran actors Danny Aiello and Patrick O'Neal, and you have a recipe that calls for you to just sit back and have fun! THE STUFF may not be for everybody (certainly not for anyone under 13), and it's not to everyone's taste (or lack thereof), but if you like "B" films---especially those by schlock-meister Larry Cohen---then give THE STUFF a try. Don't say I didn't warn you!

RECOMMENDED
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR LARRY COHEN FANS

Awesome and Funny
The Stuff, what an awesome and funny film this is. Though there are some funny parts to it, this B-film presents itself with some gore to it. All of the actors did a good job in this low budget film. While this isn't your typical big budget film, I highly recommend it to enjoy.

Ummmm....
I wanted to see this movie so very bad when my friend and I saw the preview of it. The preview made us laugh so hard and it looked like a good ol' B movie. Well, I hate to say it but this movie was a dissapointment in my book. Everything you see that is cool in the preview is the only thing worth watching in the movie. This movie had its funny parts but few and far between. If it is at your local video store and you have a free coupon this is a good movie to rent with a bunch of friends. This is a type of movie that is just so bad that your friends will have fun making fun of it. The movie would have been better if I didn't expect it to be an awesome B movie. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Billy Dee does it again! What "it" is remains a mystery...
Billy Dee Williams (yes, he was Lando in the Star Wars movies) plays Hamberger, a rebel detective who plays by his own rules. These rules happen to include shooting anybody he feels like, and getting down and dirty with all the ladies. Heh. Ok, first and foremost; the plot in this movie is confusing. VERY confusing. Granted, I've only watched it once, but you'll probably be left at the end with more than one question about what just happened. But, there is more than enough action in this movie to make up for it, most scenes involving Billy Dee kickin' butt, with little regard for who's around when he does it. And man, can the people in this movie act! Heh, the way some of these people "die" when they're shot will make you laugh out loud! As for the illusion in "Deadly Illusion", let's just say it has something to do with a really bad wig, and a certain renengade cop with bad eyesight. So in short, confusing plot, but with action scenes like this, who needs plot? ... Read more

Reviews (3)

It has that Adam Arkin feel
Ed McMahon is a right-wing father that has to go on a mission to Romania and takes his son Adam Arkin. The father is interrogating a couple of female contacts. He tells them that in the US they would be free to walk the streets at night.
You can guess what biting experiences the son has to go through. Later requiring him to roam the world until he gets tired of packing. Then he must fulfill his destiny. There is a reference to ALPO. And a teenage sweetheart and his old friends haunt him. Will the little nipper complete his task? Get out the flea powder and watch.

THIS MOVIE ROCKS!
This is so funny. Fans of werewolf movies should love this spoof. This one is funny for the right reasons. Perfect sense of humor for this film. Ed McMahon is a right-wing father that has to go on a mission to Romania and takes his son Adam Arkin. The father is interrogating a couple of female contacts. He tells them that in the US they would be free to walk the streets at night. Don't take it seriously, because it is so ubsurd that you would have to laugh at it. This movie is great, but where is the DVD!

It has that Adam Arkin feel
Ed McMahon is a right-wing father that has to go on a mission to Romania and takes his son Adam Arkin. The father is interrogating a couple of female contacts. He tells them that in the US they would be free to walk the streets at night.

You can guess what biting experiences the son has to go through. Later requiring him to roam the world until he gets tired of packing. Then he must fulfill his destiny. There is a reference to ALPO. And a teenage sweetheart and his old friends haunt him. Will the little nipper complete his task? Get out the flea powder and watch. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great sequel to Black Ceasar
Fred Williamson is the man. He was the sexiest african american actor of the 70's..and still sexy today..:-)

It was a great sequel. The James Brown sound tracks were right on! I would suggest buying the 2 DVD special. It's a great deal. I've seen Black Ceasar and Hell up in Harlem sold for a lot more.

I will always love Fred Williamson. If you are Fred Williams fan..you will like him in One down..two to go" the "Kill Reflex".."Bucktown". I can go on and on.

I own every film that Fred Williamson has been in.

Good movie, but..........
But, not as good as Black Caesar. There was a good deal of action in this film, more than the predecessor, and you can definetly tell that a lot more money was spent on this movie, however it lacked the originality and spontanaity of the first film. The action scenes were better, and the story was very well thought out, but the movie just lacked something. Tommy Gibbs is still a super ... though, and I wouldn't wanna mess with him. "Hell Up In Harlem" just strikes me as a sequel with a LOT of potential, and energy that would have made a fine film, but the tale gets caught up too much in trying to out do the first film, instead of building upon it. ... I think this is a must see for fans of the fisrt film, but don't be surprised if you are disappointed.

CLASSIC FRED WILLIAMSON!!!!
THIS is an awesome movie and I would truly recommend this to any Fred Williamson fan who enjoys his movies and I loved this movie it was pretty good Julius W. Harris and Gloria Hendry returns also and she is a very beautiful woman and they are very good legendary actors and actresses and this movie is really good I would really recommend Tommy Gibbs falls in love again with a minister by the name of Jennifer and may I also add that this is a nice soundtrack also this time this soundtrack is done by Edwin Starr and this is the sequel to Black Caesar !!!!h

Excellent Film
I liked it better than Black Caesar. There is more action and Drama in this one, as Tommy takes revenge on those who set him up in the first one.

Smashing! Fred Williamson in a Rough and Touch Action Film
One video guidebook dismissed it as a "turkey"; another called it "bomb." "Hell Up in Harlem" didn't and won't get critical acclaim, that's for sure. But I say, it's terrific!

Don't get me wrong. From purely artistic point of view, the film IS awful. It doesn't know where it goes; it is full of hurriedly shot scenes with shoddy editing; and most of all, didn't Fred Willaimson die at the end of "Black Caesar"?

BUT ... Yes, but "Hell" still entertains us. And much more fun than you expect from lukewarm reception from critics. Okay, so, let me tell you what you see in this movie. Tommy Gibbs (Williamson) is not dead, and he is sent to a hospital under the guard of gangsters who take hostages of other patients and doctors (wow!) while having the operation. And Gibbs comes back, with his father (Julius Harris), and again they fight and rule. But again another corrupt white DA is waiting for the time to divide and destroy them.

Well, forget the story. The point is, you see lots of action one after another, so you never stop and think about it. Just look how Fred Williamson wipes out his enemies. He assassinates one of them with a rifle from the Broadway signboard; he massacares the mobsters in the Florida Keys with a help from ... two middle-aged, Afro-American maids (the kind of housemaids you see in "Gone with the Wind") who hold guns with most wooden posture and grinning faces. Even Coney Island is no longer a peaceful place for amusement. Fred Williamson takes up a beach parasol (among other things on the beach) and, OUCH!! one of the gangsters meets nasty death instead of the cozy sunshine on his stomach.

Looking back from now, "Hell Up in Harlem" seems to have gone a little too far. The chain of its incredible plot twist and intense actions may make some of us tired of watching it, and some wise-cracking lines may make some of us very uncomfortable (for example, listen to a one-liner about "soul food" and watermelon). But it is still fun. Probably it was produced too quickly, but again Larry Cohen's fast-paced direction seldom gets us bored with unique hand-held camera and authentic locations. And the film gives one of the earliest performance of Oscar nominated Margaret Avery (for "The Color Purple", 13 years later).

Anyway, my final verdict. Don't think; just enjoy watching this outrageous film. This is what you call fun. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Sad farewell to Bette Davis...
As many reviewers have said, the only reason to see this is for the last performance of Bette Davis. At 80 years old, she doesn't have what she used to (the film was made in 1989), but then, who would?

Aside from a hilarious lineup scene of very old women at a police station, and a nice bit (also at the beginning) about four shrunken people, this is truly unfunny (meant to be a supernatural comedy) and even sexy Barbara Carrera does not do much to save the day here. David Rasche underplays it completely, while Coleen Camp, as his wife, is here guilty of near-hysterical overacting. The kid who plays the husband's son (Mike) is only adequate.

The acting here is not at all good, but the script is worse. Lionel Stander is also in the film and turns in the most consistently good acting job through the film, but that's not saying much. Larry Cohen wrote and directed this, but he is nowhere near the top of his game. He's done much better films, among which are Q, The Stuff (my favorite), God Told Me To, and It's Alive.

This is a curiosity item, at best, and I would be surprised if it ever does get released on DVD. If so, it would be for the novelty of seeing Bette Davis one last time.

Not recommended.

Wicked Fun thanks to Bette
You must see this movie if your a Bette fanatic. I remember seeing this when I was 12 I am 21 now, and I thought the movie was stupid but I loved Bette Davis. I said to myself how old is that lady and she is a good actress. She shines in this from the beginning to the end. I just read Barbara Leamings new book on Bette Davis (came out in 04) and it says she left wicked stepmother because she didn't like the way she looked when she watched the footage, she was falling down, not remembering her lines, and her dentures kept falling out. its sad but see this movie if u love bette you won't be disappointed. its campy and fun if you liek those kind of movies.

Wicked Stepmother
I just bought it to see the wonderful actor who played the role of the Judge.

BETTE DAVIS, ONE LAST TIME, THAT'S ALL!
This film is nothing, except for BETTE DAVIS. You get to see her one last time. She's old now and looks weak, but she still SHINES! She steals every scene that she's in. Unfortunately, she's not in very much, she quit the movie after only one week of filming. Once she saw how she looked on film, she was very unhappy and did not want to go on with it, she just walked off the set and never returned. If you are a fan of Bette Davis, i would say, go ahead, buy this film, just to see and have it, because it is her last film and the little bit that she is in it, she still SHINES! After she turns into the cat, though, i would say, turn it off, the movie makes no sense. Just buy it to get to see BETTE DAVIS in her last film!

Bette Davis helped this movie - and ruined it.
The best thing about this movie is 80-year-old Bette Davis' performance. But she's also the movie's biggest problem. When the producers refused to change the script after her demands, she left the set, after one week of filming. That forced director/screenwriter Larry Cohen to rewrite the script to explain her disappearance, which resulted in a very confusing plot (she transformed herself into her daughter or a cat or something like that, I didn't quite get it...). Well, at least it's a better solution than Edward D. Wood Jr.'s way of replacing Bela Lugosi in "Plan 9 From Outer Space" (using a stand-in that doesn't look the least like Lugosi, covering his face with a cape).

The first half-hour or so is quite entertaining. Davis is overacting in a good way as Jenny's (Colleen Camp) father's new creepy wife, Miranda. After she's out of the movie, it's quite confusing. Miranda left the family and her daughter, Priscilla (who is Miranda in another shape or something, eh...) is staying with the family instead.

There are some good humor in the movie. There's one funny scene in the beginning, at the police station, with the lineup with the angry old homeless ladies. Some scenes are just silly, like the beach sequence somewhere before the middle of the movie.

So, Bette Davis' performance is what makes this movie worth watching, but she's also the main reason it's so bad (I guess it wouldn't have been a great movie anyway, but less confusing). The other actors are quite mediocre. However, the movie isn't quite as bad as its reputation. If you're curious to see Davis play the wicked stepmother in her last film, rent it! ... Read more

Description

When the woman of his dreams is snatched by a strange ambulance Josh risks it all to find her.Looking into a series of similar disappearances involving the phantom ambulance, Josh tracks down a ring of doctors who traffic in human guinea pigs. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Intriguing premise is given comical treatment.
Eric Roberts is a comic book artist searching for a missing woman who he last saw placed in an ambulance. Intriguing premise from Larry Cohen is actually played for laughs more than anything else. Thankfully, once you get in the mood for it, it's pretty funny. The story slows down too often to create quirky characters, but when it moves, it's fitfully entertaining. Roberts is a lot of fun in the lead role.

I LOVE this movie!
A wonderful, funny, and criminally overlooked thriller. Eric Roberts stars as a comic book writer (Stan Lee cameos as himself, Roberts' boss) who watches a girl on the street get taken away by an ambulance and then disappear. He starts to investigate with the help of a police detective (a hilarious James Earl Jones) but soon discovers he is in WAY over his head. The action scenes are alot of fun because Roberts doesn't turn into an action hero but stays consistent with his helpless everyman persona throughout (by the end, he is battered beyond all recognition and is only alive by pure luck). And Red Buttons steals all his scenes, as he should. Check this one out, you won't be disappointed.

Clever, Campy Thriller.
A Cartoonist (Eric Roberts) stumbles into a odd conspiracy, what may have been a weird abduction, when his dream girl (Janine Turner) has been taking away by Paramedics Drivers, who never show up to any local hostipals.

Written and Directed by Larry Cohen (Q:The Winged Serpent, It`s Alive Trilogy) has made a campy, strange film infused with black humor and several exciting chase scenes. This is an intriguing flick. James Earl Jones has a supporting role as a Cop on the Edge. Cartoonist:Stan Lee appears in a Cameo. Grade:B+.

this ambulance needs an ambulance
Writer director Larry Cohen's 1977 God Told me To (Aka Demon) was a spectacular achievement yet Cohen has never managed to create anything that comes close since. This film is hampered by miscasting and a general lack of focus, so that the Michael Crichton-ish medical conspiracy is never made real. Cohen's mixes his chase thriller with a comic tone, and the scenes of explanation are less effective. Even the action scenes with the Duel-like threatening title vehicle are undermined by plain ridiculousness, and Cohen stoops to the man tied to an ambulance bed in traffic routine. The idea of humans being stolen to be used as guinea pigs in scientific research was also used in Michael Apted's 1996 Extreme Measures, and it worked there because Hugh Grant as the protagonist was believably curious. Cohen adds some more potential by only having diabetics being kidnapped, without any explanation given as to how they are identified as such. However playing the Hugh Grant part, Eric Roberts doesn't fair as well. Cohen indulges Roberts in his flaky mannerisms, and you can tell how off Cohen's judgment is when he removes James Earl Jones as a neurotic cop midway. As Jones' assistant, Megan Gallagher comes off best, able to handle the romantic/comic banter with Roberts and also presenting a believable policewoman presence. And as likeable as Red Buttons is, his contribution is unnecessary. TV's The Young and the Restless Eric Braeden appears as a doctor with an agenda but this is hardly the vehicle to re-launch his film career. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Intriguing premise is given comical treatment.
Eric Roberts is a comic book artist searching for a missing woman who he last saw placed in an ambulance. Intriguing premise from Larry Cohen is actually played for laughs more than anything else. Thankfully, once you get in the mood for it, it's pretty funny. The story slows down too often to create quirky characters, but when it moves, it's fitfully entertaining. Roberts is a lot of fun in the lead role.

I LOVE this movie!
A wonderful, funny, and criminally overlooked thriller. Eric Roberts stars as a comic book writer (Stan Lee cameos as himself, Roberts' boss) who watches a girl on the street get taken away by an ambulance and then disappear. He starts to investigate with the help of a police detective (a hilarious James Earl Jones) but soon discovers he is in WAY over his head. The action scenes are alot of fun because Roberts doesn't turn into an action hero but stays consistent with his helpless everyman persona throughout (by the end, he is battered beyond all recognition and is only alive by pure luck). And Red Buttons steals all his scenes, as he should. Check this one out, you won't be disappointed.

Clever, Campy Thriller.
A Cartoonist (Eric Roberts) stumbles into a odd conspiracy, what may have been a weird abduction, when his dream girl (Janine Turner) has been taking away by Paramedics Drivers, who never show up to any local hostipals.

Written and Directed by Larry Cohen (Q:The Winged Serpent, It`s Alive Trilogy) has made a campy, strange film infused with black humor and several exciting chase scenes. This is an intriguing flick. James Earl Jones has a supporting role as a Cop on the Edge. Cartoonist:Stan Lee appears in a Cameo. Grade:B+.

this ambulance needs an ambulance
Writer director Larry Cohen's 1977 God Told me To (Aka Demon) was a spectacular achievement yet Cohen has never managed to create anything that comes close since. This film is hampered by miscasting and a general lack of focus, so that the Michael Crichton-ish medical conspiracy is never made real. Cohen's mixes his chase thriller with a comic tone, and the scenes of explanation are less effective. Even the action scenes with the Duel-like threatening title vehicle are undermined by plain ridiculousness, and Cohen stoops to the man tied to an ambulance bed in traffic routine. The idea of humans being stolen to be used as guinea pigs in scientific research was also used in Michael Apted's 1996 Extreme Measures, and it worked there because Hugh Grant as the protagonist was believably curious. Cohen adds some more potential by only having diabetics being kidnapped, without any explanation given as to how they are identified as such. However playing the Hugh Grant part, Eric Roberts doesn't fair as well. Cohen indulges Roberts in his flaky mannerisms, and you can tell how off Cohen's judgment is when he removes James Earl Jones as a neurotic cop midway. As Jones' assistant, Megan Gallagher comes off best, able to handle the romantic/comic banter with Roberts and also presenting a believable policewoman presence. And as likeable as Red Buttons is, his contribution is unnecessary. TV's The Young and the Restless Eric Braeden appears as a doctor with an agenda but this is hardly the vehicle to re-launch his film career. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Good God
This little known feature is a must. By Larry Cohen (Black Ceasar/Q The Winged Serpant/Dial Rat For Terror) the New York based director.The film was initiially retitled called "Demon" after it was refused showings due to the title. A dedicated Christian (oh dear) COP (oh dear,oh dear) starts his investigations in a seemingly senseless spake of sniper killings. Thats about all I can tell you without spoiling it,but this film goes down paths that you never thought it would and suprises all the way to the end. There is also a small apearence by Andy Kaufman (Latka from "TAXI") as a cop who goes kill crazy at a parade. Watch and see why "God Told Me Too"

God Told Me To Write This...
Yes, this is one weird movie. Mass murder has broken out in New York City like a particularly bad flu epidemic. The film opens with a guy perched on a water tower, gunning down pedestrians for no apparent reason. Tony Lo Bianco is a cop named Nicholas who climbs the tower to talk to the man. When asked why he did it, the gunman says, "God told me to." He then takes a swan-dive onto the street below. Nicholas is a very religious man and is fascinated with the idea of God telling anyone to commit mass murder. The murders keep happening. A man goes to the market and stabs a bunch of customers. Andy Kaufman is a cop who goes berserk at the St. Patrick's Day parade and shoots cops and bystanders alike. Another guy kills his entire family and calmly waits for the police. Of course there's one common denominator in all of these incidents. God told them to do it. Nicholas digs deeper into the mystery to the point of losing his job. He seeks out a young man with long blonde hair who was seen with all the killers just before their crimes. He finds the blonde man's mother, who promptly tries to kill him. Later, Nicholas is told by an older, retired officer about a strange occurance back in 1951. A woman he picked up (running naked down the road) told him she'd been abducted by aliens and raped. Nicholas finds her, still living, in a nursing home. What dark secrets does she hold? What connection is there between Nicholas and the blonde haired man? GOD TOLD ME TO is a VERY different movie! Is God really orchestrating these killings? Or is some alien hybrid only impersonating the deity? Check this one out...

God Told Me To....Kill! that sounds fun!
A New York City policemen investigating a series of particularly brutal homicides discovers an eerie link between the cases - when the murderers are asked why they committed the crime they all claim, "God Told Me To."

A Very Strange Movie!

Not worth the time or the money.
What is this very-hyped movie about?

New York City sees a rash of killings. Before dying, each murderer says, "God told me to."

Upon investigation, detective Tony Lo Bianco (who should have known better than to get involved in this mess of a film) discovers that all were influenced by a young man who looks vaguely like Jesus Christ. In reality, both he and Lo Bianco were fathered by aliens who abducted their virgin mothers 30 years before. In Lo Bianco's case, the genes of the alien were recessive and his mother's humanity dominated. In the other man's case, the alien genes were dominant. (...)

If you're saying "Huh?", you're on to the mystery of this film. Is it scary? Not at all. Is it funny? Not really. Is it poorly acted? Not really. Is the script ludicrous? You bet. Does it explain everything? Yes. Is it worth 92 minutes and 15-20 bucks to learn the mystery of the androgynous Messiah(...)? No.

Cohen's Q-The Winged Serpent and It's Alive are far better than this disaster of a film...and that's saying a lot.

Seriously Potent Stuff!
Larry Cohen's GOD TOLD ME TO is one of the most intelligent, gritty horror/thrillers ever made! In New York, a series of mass murders occur with each perpetrator saying the title phrase. But is there something more going on here? Tony Lo Bianco is excellent as the devout Catholic policeman who is investigating this bizarre phenomenon and discovers something really shocking about himself along the way! As with most cult movies, GOD TOLD ME TO must be seen to be believed; it's a genuinely thought-provoking and scary thriller that raises interesting questions about religion. The visual style is amazing; it inspired the look of shows like NYPD BLUE and 24. In the tradition of the best science fiction movies, GOD TOLD ME TO raises more questions than answers, and very important questions at that. Don't miss it! ... Read more

Description

The story of the late J. Edgar Hoover, who was head of the FBI from 1924-1972.The film follows Hoover from his racket busting days through his reign under eight U.S. presidents. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fact and Fiction Mixed--But Closer to Truth Than Most
This movie is informative with fiction added.The suspense of the movie is portrayed by the facts presented. It's the closest thing to what is likely the truth about J.Edgar Hoover's life you'll find---especially given the onslaught of one-sided written and movie attacks on one (Hoover) who gave a great deal more than most to the country he loved. While many did their best to destroy Hoover's reputation in the aftermath of his death,here,Broderick Crawford portrays Hoover as a great American but human--with his own skeletons in the closet (no pun intended) and who made his share of mistakes. The movie also touches on the lives of other great Americans--John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. One sees that they,just as Hoover,were human,made mistakes and had their skeletons just as we all do. (See the movie's version of the Kennedys and Marilyn Monroe). Although much of what we would like to know went to their graves with Hoover,King,the Kennedys and others,this movie is,in many respects,the closest to the truth about Hoover and,to a lesser extent,the Kennedys and King that's been attempted. It will probably anger all who see it,whatever their political slant,to some extent at least,and that fact alone points to the best reason to get this movie and watch it with an open mind.

The Life Of America's First Top Cop
Casting Broderick Crawford as Hoover was a stroke of genius on the part of the casting director of this film. He's perfect for the part. He brings out the gruffness and arrogance of the character, while simultaneously showing the insecure, low self-esteem inner man that Hoover is portrayed as being.

We see him first as a young idealist, working in the Justice Department, wanting to protect the legal rights of immigrants and fighting the internal corruption of the FBI in the 1920's. Then he becomes the "Top Cop" of the nation and a publicity seeker with the help of Walter Winchell. And finally as an old man jeolously guarding his power and firmly entrenched in the political system. But more importantly, we see the dual nature of his morality: on the one hand, his fastidious approach to sexuality and his ego crushing sensitivity to his own unattractiveness; and on the other hand, his sessions-------bottle in hand--------listening to the sexual encounters on FBI surveillance tapes.

The film is not without humor, however. Look for a scene about disposing of a fly in Hoover's office.

In some ways, a waxworks of a film with actors looking and sounding like famous political leaders, but more importantly a record------part fact, part fiction------of a very complex man, who's personality and inner demons helped to form the concept of justice in the American public's mind from the 1930's until his death. ... Read more

Description

Sequel to It's Alive! with three murderous babies on the rampage this time around. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A So-So Successor To The Original
In 1978, Larry Cohen finally offered us a sequel to the classic 1974 low-budget horror original IT'S ALIVE! In the follow-up IT LIVES AGAIN, he gives us the same low-budget treatment (some would argue this film was made on an even lower budget). However, while the original had some delightful goofiness, the tone of this movie is decidedly darker and more serious. It is also more violent. Although the PG rating for IT'S ALIVE! may have been a bit of a stretch to begin with, there was no doubt whatsoever about the R rating for IT LIVES AGAIN. With three murderous babies on the rampage, the body count goes up. Unfortunately, the story doesn't progress as well.

John P. Ryan returns as Frank Davis, the father of the original mutant newborn from the first film; after having experienced all the horrors of mutant fatherhood, he's become a crusader in the interests of helping other parents deal with these issues. Four years older, with noticeably grayer temples, he is also decidedly wiser in the way he advises these horrified people. There are three sets of such parents in this film, most notably Eugene and Jody Scott (played very well by Frederick Forrest and Kathleen Lloyd) who give the film a sense of realism.

[SPOILER ALERT] Unfortunately, after building suspense in showing us the three locked-up mutants who of course find a way to escape, the film kind of lets us down. The murder scenes are great; however, at approximately the mid-point, the script suddenly decides to off Frank Davis, who was the real heart and soul of this story. I found that I really didn't care much about what happened after that. Killing him off was a big mistake, I feel, and it looks suspiciously as if it were decided on as the film was being shot. Also, let's face it: the low-budget look of the original probably added to its effect; in this sequel, I think it subtracts from it. We see the babies more in this one; however, they look so fake that it's laughable. Also, the visuals are actually not as good, as the picture is frequently muddied; also, you can clearly see the boom mike in at least one scene. Even the sound is subpar.

Even with these obvious flaws, I will tentatively recommend this film to those of you who have seen and liked the original. It may not be as good, but hey, it does continue the story somewhat decently and offers some suspense. It's also necessary viewing if you want to see the final installment, IT'S ALIVE III: ISLAND OF THE ALIVE, which was not made until 1987. Just remember that these films are made about babies but are not for babies' viewing; I would suggest a minimum viewing age of no lower than 12 for each installment of this series.

MODERATELY RECOMMENDED

Interesting
When I saw the first "It's Alive" movie in the theatre when I was 17, it scared me so bad I couldn't sleep alone for 3 nights. Funny, when I saw it the other night, I could not figure out what scared me. It is such a funny movie. The cinematography is extremely bad, but I guess it was good for 1976 or whenever it first came out. This movie is not as good as the first and I'm going to watch the third tonight. I'm expecting it to be equally bad.

An exiciting and funny sequal!
This film was so much more exciting to see. Larry Cohen is still the master of classic horror films. In this one, there are three more babies, and the sounds of their crying you just have to laugh about. Some of the scenes that are supposed to be scary are actually quite hilarious also, but it still holds you to your seat. Another thing that made the movie so good was that Larry had kept Bernard Herrmann's music, and had asked a friend of his called Laurie Johnson, a British composer well known for the tv shows The Avengers, to adapt Herrmann's music. I love to watch these Alive films all the time, but I haven't seen the third one yet, and I want to so badly. This film is a classic next to the first one, and I recommend it to anyone who love classic horror films.

Better if you were there during the filming...
This horror flick was filmed in Tucson Arizona. Larry Cohen actually conned one of