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For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
Phantasm (1979)
Although director Don Coscarelli made two films ("Jim the Worlds Greatest" and "Kenny and Co."), he would be burned into the minds of horror fans for all of eternity though with his 1979 film "Phantasm. The first time I saw Phantasm was when I was about 8 or 9 years old, and I must say that I was amazed. The one thing about the story is that it can be appealing to a 8 year old or a 50 year old. I find that to be one of the coolest things about horror movies in general and this is the perfect example of that. It's a movie that has managed to stay with me since that time, and it never for once lost a step. The film is just as good, entertaining, and effective as it was upon my initial viewing.
The story of the movie is simple enough, but it's sophisticated on a whole different level. It's the story of a kid named Mike (A. Michael Baldwin), his older brother and guardian Jody Bill Thornbury), and their good friend Reggie (Reggie Bannister) the ice cream man. When Mike's brother attends a funeral at the local Morningside Cemetery he comes along to see what his brother is up to. While there, he manages to see enough strange stuff involving the local Mortician know affectionately throughout the series as "The Tall Man" (Angus Scrimm). Before you know it the movie moves into a direction where Michael is seemingly having a hard time differentiating between his dreams and what is really happening around him. Mix that in with aliens, a badass Hemi Cuda, and flying silver orbs you have a horror classic on your hands.
There are very few movies that I've ever seen in any genre that is as much of an original story that Phantasm is. There is comedy, tense moments, atmosphere galore, and some unforgettable moments that make this movie not only good, but one of the best of it's kind. The acting in the movie is really good, and the writing is even better. The script is really good, and delivers on dialog, action, and everything that it's suppose to. It's also so good because you can tell that Coscarelli has a great relationship with his cast and they respond to it by really pulling out perfect performances for what their roles entail. Angus Scrimm is extraordinary as "The Tall Man" and shines through in a role that was tailor made just for him. You can easily say the same for Reggie Bannister in the "Reggie" character.
The effects in the film are great as well and it really adds to how great this movie already is. The sad thing about it, is that if this movie was made today it would be marred by pointless CGI that would totally destroy the respectability of the movie as it is. But one thing is for sure when you watch Phantasm, and that it Coscarelli is a damn fine director. He manages to build suspense, keep things tense, and even keeps the movie high on atmosphere throughout. He knew what he was doing when he was making this movie and it shows every step of the way.
Overall I couldn't recommend a movie any higher than I could "Phantasm". It's a benchmark film that deserves a lot more credit than people give it, and I would personally put it up with ANY horror film ever made as it's that good. I've always loved these movies and I just know that if you are a hardcore horror fan who hasn't seen them……that you will too!
Rating - ****
-Ed Demko
