Review: "Nancy Drew – Detective" is a Delight (Remembering Bonita Granville)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 42 (of 2004) by Leroy Douresseaux

Nancy Drew – Detective (1938)
Running time:  66 minutes (1 hour, six minutes)
DIRECTOR:  William Clemens
WRITER:  Kenneth Gamet (based on the novel “The Password of Larkspur Lane” by Carolyn Keene)
PRODUCER:  Bryan Foy
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  L. William O'Connell
EDITOR:  Frank Magee
COMPOSER:  Heinz Roemheld

MYSTERY with some elements of adventure, drama, and family

Starring:  Bonita Granville, John Litel, James Stephenson, Frankie Thomas, Frank Orth, Helena Phillips Evans, Renie Riano, Charles Trowbridge, Dirk Purcell, Ed Keane, and Mae Busch

The subject of this movie review is Nancy Drew – Detective, a 1939 mystery film.  It was the first of four films based on the Nancy Drew character and originally released by Warner Bros. Pictures in 1938 and 1939.

Nancy Drew – Detective is apparently a loose adaptation the Nancy Drew novel, The Password of Larkspur Lane, which was first published in 1933.  The novel was written by Walter Karig, using the pseudonym, Carolyn Keene, the name used as the author for all Nancy Drew novels.  In Nancy Drew – Detective, the girl detective sets out to solve the mystery of wealthy elderly lady who makes a substantial donation to Nancy’s alma mater and then, suddenly disappears.

When Mary Eldredge (Helena Phillips Evans) announces that she is leaving a quarter of a million dollars to Nancy’s high school, Nancy Drew (Bonita Granville) and her fellow students are excited and heartily announce that they plan to use the money to build a swimming pool.  But when Ms. Eldredge and her attorney, Hollister (Charles Trowbridge), are supposed to visit Nancy’s father, Carson Drew’s (John Litel) law office to legalize the donation, only Hollister appears.  He informs Nancy and her father that Ms. Eldredge has run off to an unknown sanitarium because she’s ill and that her donation to the school is on hold.  So begins the film Nancy Drew – Detective.

Of course, Nancy isn’t buying that her school’s donor has mysteriously run off, and after a chance encounter, when she witnesses the kidnapping of a local doctor, Nancy decides that Ms. Eldredge was spirited away by nefarious means.  She enlists her good-natured friend Theodore “Ted” Nickerson (Frankie Thomas) to assist her in the investigation of the missing donor.  Ted agrees and joins Nancy as they tackle an adventure that features a ruthless gunsel, skeptical cops, carrier pigeons, and an aerial search.  As usual Carson Drew has stern warnings and admonishments for his daughter about her recklessness.

Even after nearly 70 years, the Nancy Drew films retain its sparkling wit, tight plotting, engaging suspense, and find acting.  Nancy Drew – Detective was the first in a series of four films about the girl detective, and though it lacks the intensity of more adult or stronger mystery thrillers, it is still a quite engaging mystery film.  Personally, I like the clear photography (think of the better photographed black and white TV programs of the late 50’s and early 60’s), and the sets capture an idyllic suburban/rural/pastoral sprawl that you’d want to call home.

Sassy and stubborn, Ms.Granville’s Nancy Drew is a hoot, and her co-stars are playful and witty in ways that actors don’t seem to be anymore.  I give this film a hearty recommendation.

7 of 10
B+

Updated:  Friday, October 11, 2013

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas to Hold "Berserk" Triple Feature

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES TRIPLE-FEATURE ANIME THEATRICAL PREMIERE OF BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC TRILOGY AT ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA LOCATIONS IN HOUSTON, TX

Texas Anime Fans Will Go Wild For Back-To-Back Screenings Of All Three Dark Fantasy Medieval Action Anime Films In October; Special Triple-Feature Ticket Price For Only $15

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, delivers the bloody arms and armor action of the BERSERK: THE GOLDEN ARC anime feature film trilogy to Houston for a pair of very special triple-feature screenings at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Houston Mason Park and Vintage Park locations.

BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I, II and III (subtitled) premieres on Saturday, October 26th at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - Vintage Park, located at 114 Vintage Park Blvd., Houston, TX; (713) 715-4707.

BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I, II and III (English dubbed) also screens on Sunday, October 27th at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - Mason Park, located at 531 S. Mason Rd., Katy, TX 77450; (281) 492-6900.

Tickets are only $15.00 for all three film screenings are on sale now. For specific show times and advance tickets, please visit http://drafthouse.com/movies/berserk-the-golden-age-arc-i-ii-and-iii/houston.

BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy was produced in Japan by the legendary Studio 4ºC, and is based on the bestselling medieval dark fantasy manga (graphic novel) series created by Kentarou Miura.

BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING (rated TV-MA) follows lone mercenary Guts as he travels the land where a hundred-year-old war is taking place. His ferocity and ability to take down enemies attracts the attention of Griffith, leader of the mercenary group “The Band of the Hawk,” and Guts is recruited to the unit. Thanks to their continued victories on the battlefield, the bond between Guts and Griffith deepens, but despite all their success, Guts begins to question his reasons for fighting for Griffith’s dream. Unknown to Guts, this unyielding dream is about to bestow a horrible fate on them both.

BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II - THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY (rated TV-MA) picks up the story as Guts mistakenly believed, for three years, that his mission was to pursue Griffith’s dream together with him. But in order to become Griffith’s equal and truly be called his friend, Guts realizes he will have to leave the Band of the Hawk. At the same time, a bloody battle to capture the impenetrable Fortress of Doldrey from the Empire of Chuder is about to begin. The Band of the Hawk will face an army 30,000 strong!

The saga reaches its stunning finale in BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC III - THE ADVENT (rated TV-MA). It’s been a year since Griffith’s imprisonment by the Kingdom of Midland. Once praised as the saviors of the Midland, The Band of the Hawk has been on the run and is on the brink of breaking apart. Much to everyone’s surprise, Guts returns to the Hawks and the search for Griffith begins!

The BERSERK manga series, by Kentarou Miura, debuted in Japan in 1989 and quickly drew a devoted following, going on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide. The series, still ongoing in Japan, has been published in North America and the UK, as well as in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, and Latin America. The BERSERK manga has also inspired a popular anime television series and has spawned a variety of related video games, collectable figures and toys, and music soundtracks, as well as the current BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy.

For more information on the BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy, please visit the official Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/BerserkFilm.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

About Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Alamo Drafthouse is an entertainment brand comprised of the acclaimed cinema-eatery chain, the largest genre film festival in the United States and a collectible art gallery. Named “the best theater ever” by Time Magazine, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse Founder & CEO, Tim League, created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by Variety. Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of offbeat cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood studios. The Alamo Drafthouse’s collectible art gallery, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and Movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek & Universal Monsters. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is expanding its brand in new and exciting ways, including the launch of Drafthouse Films, a new film distribution label and plans to extend its theaters and unique programming philosophy to additional markets across the United States. More information about Alamo Drafthouse franchise opportunities are available on the official website www.drafthouse.com.

Review: Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 2 – The Battle for Doldrey

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 69 (of 2013) by Leroy Douresseaux

Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 2 – The Battle for Doldrey (2012)
Original title:  Berserk: Ohgon jidai hen 2 - dorudorei koryaku hen
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  Japan
Running time:  92 minutes (1 hour, 32 minutes)
DIRECTOR:  Toshiyuki Kubooka
WRITER:  Ichirô Ôkôchi (based on the manga by Kentaro Miura)
PRODUCERS:  Eiichi Kamagata, Mitsuru Ohshima, Akira Shimada, and Eiko Tanaka
COMPOSER:  Shiro Sagisu

ANIME/WAR/FANTASY/ACTION/DRAMA

Starring:  (voices) Marc Diraison, Kevin T. Collins, Carrie Keranen, Rachael Lillis, Michelle Newman, and Patrick Seitz

Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 2 – The Battle for Doldrey is a 2012 Japanese animated film (anime) from anime director Toshiyuki Kubooka.  It is a direct sequel to the first film, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 1 – The Egg of the King, which Kubooka also directed.  This film was released in Japan under its original title, Berserk: Ohgon jidai hen 2 - dorudorei koryaku hen, on June 23, 2012.

Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 2 is based on Berserk, a Japanese manga (comic book) series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura.  Berserk is set in a fantasy world that is modeled on medieval Europe.  The story centers around the two characters, Guts (Marc Diraison), an orphaned mercenary, and Griffith (Kevin T. Collins), the leader of a mercenary group called the Band of the Hawk.  The King of Midland hired the Band of the Hawk to fight against Chuder, the Midlanders’ adversary during the Hundred Years’ War.

As The Battle for Doldrey begins, the Band of the Hawk is engaged in battle with General Adon and his Blue Whale Ultra Heavy Armored Fierce Assault Annihilation Knight Corps of Chuder.  Adon focuses his attention on Hawk officer, Casca (Carrie Keranen), but when Guts rides to her aid, they both end up imperiled.

The King of Midland has long sought to recover the fortress Doldrey, which is located in Midland’s territory, but which has been in the possession of Chuder for over a century.  Now, the King makes a request that one of his noble lords volunteer to lead an assault against Doldrey in a bid to recover the fortress.  Griffith volunteers the Band of the Hawk, but what chance do his 5000 horsemen have against Doldrey’s 30,000 troops?  Meanwhile, the Band of the Hawk’s success has made Guts restless.

The first time I saw the DVD box art for Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 1 – The Egg of the King, I thought that the movie would not amount to much.  However, I was delightfully surprised; in fact, by the end of the movie, I wanted more.  Obviously I had somewhat higher expectations for Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 2 – The Battle for Doldrey, and the movie easily exceeded those expectations.  This is one of the best films I have seen this year, live action or animation.

The Battle for Doldrey is like a smaller scale version of The Lord of the Rings:  The Two Towers.  The Battle for Doldrey offers character drama in the form of romantic relationships, camaraderie among men-at-arms, introspection of past wrongs, and political intrigue.  The battle scenes are even better.  I have not seen the like in animated films; the blood, gore, and dismemberment was enough to both impress me and to give me pause.  There were times when blood and offal rained on the characters.  The nerdy kid in me yelled, “Awesome!”  If the MPAA rated this, it would definitely give The Battle for Doldrey an “R” rating, if not an “NC-17.”  This animated film has a rather intense and explicit sex scene and an extended torture sequence.

The animation is a mixture of computer-animation (3D) and some hand-drawn (2D) animation.  I think the film also makes use of the computer-animation process of cel shading, which makes computer-animation look like hand-drawn animation.  The animation looks its best during the forest scenes and during the battle of Doldrey.  The castle interiors are also impressive, especially the ballroom.  The character animation is good, especially in battle scenes.

As I wrote for the first film, I can say for the second Berserk: The Golden Age Arc.  It is simply an all-around, high-quality, and exceptional film.  As an anime, it occupies its own special place.  Berserk: The Golden Age Arc 2 – The Battle for Doldrey seeks to be more than just another fantasy war movie, and that it is.

9 of 10
A+

Saturday, October 05, 2013


The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Cinemark Congratulates Warner Bros. on Success of "Gravity"

Gravity In 3D and XD Skyrockets at the Cinemark Box Office

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), one of the world’s largest motion picture exhibitors, congratulates Warner Bros. and Director Alfonso Cuaron on the incredible success of Gravity in 3D over the weekend. Gravity was record breaking with a total of $55 million gross box office with 80% of the total box in 3D, demonstrating the continued demand for the technology given appropriate film product. The October milestone is especially rewarding for Cinemark as they are recognized by the industry for presenting 3D films, including Gravity, at the highest consistent light levels possible with 6 foot lumens. By monitoring the light levels of every digital projector from their central Cinemark Support Center, Cinemark is able to ensure that their 3D presentations are visually stunning and enhance the film in all of their theatres worldwide.

“Our 3D success was led by Cinemark’s Premium Large Format experience, known as Cinemark XD,” comments Tim Warner, Cinemark’s Chief Executive Officer. “We proudly offer our guests the number one private label Premium Large Format (PLF) screens in the world, with 142 total XD screens. Gravity in 3D played in 87 XD auditoriums nationwide, out of 868 total Cinemark screens, and grossed an amazing 23% of the Cinemark gross. We thank RealD, Barco Projectors and DoReMi servers for teaming with us to create the industry-leading Premium Large Format presentation, enabling us to successfully deliver the film director's artistic and technical vision and offer our patrons the most satisfying 3D experience possible.”

Gravity in 3D will be opening in Cinemark’s 51 XD auditoriums located throughout Latin America in the coming weeks. Guests will experience the same cutting edge 3D and XD technology that is offered to customers in the U.S.

About Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
Cinemark is a leading domestic and international motion picture exhibitor, operating 504 theatres with 5,794 screens in 40 U.S. states, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and 10 other Latin American countries as of June 30, 2013. For more information go to www.cinemark.com.

3D Society Celebrates Box Office Success of "Gravity"

‘Gravity’ Breaks 3D Box Office Records

Next up: ‘The Hobbit,’ ‘Frozen,’ ’47 Ronin’ and ‘Thor,’ According to The International 3D & Advanced Imaging Society

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. hit 3D movie ‘Gravity’ broke several records this weekend, as millions of movie fans flooded 3D cinemas worldwide. It is the first of five major studio 3D movies scheduled for 4th quarter, according to the International 3D & Advanced Imaging Society.

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, ‘Gravity’ generated more than $80 million dollars in worldwide box office revenues this weekend. The movie set the record for having the biggest weekend ever for a movie released in October, according to the Society.

Fans flooded 3D theaters to see the movie; 80% of US revenues were for 3D tickets, 70% internationally. These figures exceeded ‘Avatar,’ which generated 72% of its revenues in 3D, and ‘Life of Pi,’ which generated 68%.

“’Gravity’ was brilliantly conceived, written, produced and marketed for 3D, and the critics and fans have been absolutely thrilled. It’s a movie people want to see in 3D,” said Society President, Jim Chabin. “With nine of the top ten movies this year being 3D titles and an incredible lineup scheduled for 4th quarter, 3D continues to be key to box office success this year,” he added.

3D movies scheduled for November include Marvel’s ‘Thor: The Dark World.’ The first edition of the ‘Thor’ franchise in 2011 generated over $449 million dollars in worldwide box office revenues. Walt Disney Pictures’ highly anticipated animated feature ‘Frozen’ debuts on November 27, and director Peter Jackson’s second installment of ‘The Hobbit’ franchise, ‘The Desolation of Smaug,’ hits screens in December. Last year’s ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ generated more than $1 billion dollars in worldwide ticket sales. ‘47 Ronin,’ starring Keanu Reeves, is also scheduled for December release.

“There are more than seventy 3D movies in the pipeline for 2014-15,” added Chabin. “3D technology is advancing rapidly and movie makers are becoming bolder. And as we’ve seen with ‘Gravity,’ the 3D art form has never been more powerful -- consumers love great 3D.”

About The International 3D & Advanced Imaging Society:
The International 3D & Advanced Imaging Society is a community of content creators and professionals whose mission is to develop the arts and technologies of 3D, advanced imaging and its innovators. With over 60 companies and 800 professional members in 20 countries, the Society is open to individuals and organizations active in moving 3D and advanced imaging to an exciting new era of creative achievement and consumer support. For more information please visit: www.International3DSociety.com.

Review: "Curse of Chucky" Surprisingly Really Good

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 68 (of 2013) by Leroy Douresseaux

Curse of Chucky (2013)
Running time:  97 minutes (1 hour, 37 minutes)
MPAA – R for bloody horror violence, and for language
DIRECTOR:  Don Mancini
WRITER:  Don Mancini (based upon characters he created)
PRODUCERS:  Don Mancini and David Kirschner
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Michael Marshall
EDITOR:  James Coblentz
COMPOSER:  Joseph LoDuca

HORROR

Starring:   Fiona Dourif, Summer Howell, A Martinez, Danielle Bisutti, Brennan Elliott, Maitland McConnell, Adam Hurtig, Chantal Quesnelle, Candace Smith, and Brad Dourif (also voice) with Jennifer Tilly and Alex Vincent

Curse of Chucky is a 2013 straight-to-video horror film from writer-director, Don Mancini.  It is the sixth movie in the Child’s Play film franchise, and the first released since 2004’s Seed of Chucky.  The film follows a young woman who suspects that a mysterious talking, red-haired doll may be the key to recent bloodshed in her home.

As Curse of Chucky begins, Nica (Fiona Dourif) signs for a mysterious package sent to her mother, Sarah Pierce (Chantal Quesnelle).  After her mother’s gruesome suicide, Nica is forced to deal with her estranged sister, Barb (Danielle Bisutti), when she visits with her husband, Ian (Brennan Elliott), nanny, Jill (Maitland McConnell), and young daughter, Alice (Summer Howell).  There is clearly tension among the adults, so Alice comforts herself with a grinning, red-haired talking doll named Chucky (voice of Brad Dourif).  After a series of strange occurrences, Nica begins to suspect that Chucky has something to do with it, especially after the killing begins...

Unlike previous “Chucky” movies, Bride of Chucky (1998) and the previously-mentioned Seed of Chucky, Curse of Chucky is not comic horror.  There is some humor, but this is essentially a slasher film.  Like many slasher films, Curse of Chucky has elements of a mystery film, with at least one character trying to figure out, “What is going on?”  Of course, we know, as the audience, that Chucky is the instigator/murderer, but there is some fun in watching the character-victims be clueless on their way to gruesome deaths.  Horror fiction sometimes offers characters that are so self-absorbed or are so focused on the melodramas in their social circles that they do not see the killer in their midst.  In this movie, the characters illicit sympathy because their problems, conflicts, and obstacles make sense – even when their difficulties are funny.

It is quite a ways into Curse of Chucky before the filmmakers let Chucky go wild, so this movie is one of those scary movies that actually gets better as it gets closer to the end.  In fact, the film has an excellent ending, and what amounts to two epilogues – two killer epilogues.  So, dear viewer, you have to watch past the credits.

As usual, Brad Dourif does stellar work as Chucky’s voice, although, this time around, he sounds a little like Danny DeVito.  Having his daughter, actress Fiona Dourif, in this film is another good choice, especially as Curse of Chucky’s story has surprising ties to the original film and some of the sequels.  Fiona is intense, and she has just enough of a crazy vibe to give the film the edgy heroine it needs in order for the story to work.

Fans of the Child’s Play movies will like Curse of Chucky, and some, like me, will like it a lot.  As a direct-to-DVD movie, Curse of Chucky could have cursed the franchise.  Instead, this entertaining horror film reminds fans of why having Chucky back is a good and necessary thing.

7 of 10
B+

Tuesday, October 08, 2013


The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Review: "Seed of Chucky" Gleefully Trashy and Fun

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 139 (of 2005) by Leroy Douresseaux

Seed of Chucky (2004)
Running time:  87 minutes (1 hour, 27 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong horror violence/gore, sexual content, and language
DIRECTOR:  Don Mancini
WRITER:  Don Mancini (based upon characters he created)
PRODUCER:  Corey Sienega and David Kirschner
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Vernon Layton, B.S.C.
EDITOR:  Chris Dickens
COMPOSER:  Pino Donaggio

HORROR/COMEDY

Starring:  Jennifer Tilly (also voice), Redman, Hannah Spearritt, John Waters, and Billy Boyd (voice) and Brad Dourif (voice), Keith-Lee Castle, and Steve Lawton

The subject of this movie review is Seed of Chucky, a 2004 comic horror film from writer-director Don Mancini.  It is the fifth movie in the Child’s Play franchise, and a direct sequel to 1998’s Bride of Chucky.  Seed of Chucky spoofs other horror films, trashy TV shows, and celebrity culture.  To date, it is the last film in the franchise to be released in theatres.

Seed of Chucky opens with a new character.  This is the now grown version of the infant creature born (at the end of Bride) of the unholy sexual union of the two killer dolls, Chucky (voice of Brad Dourif) and Tiffany (voice of Jennifer Tilly).  Six years after his birth, the doll-child is a slave to a sleazy ventriloquist named Psychs (Keith-Lee Castle), who might not really be a ventriloquist; Psychs has named the doll creature, Shitface (voice of Billy Boyd).

Trapped in Great Britain, the doll-child eventually escapes to Hollywood, where he finds Chucky and Tiffany dolls on a movie set.  He inadvertently recites the “voodoo” chant that brings Chucky and Tiffany’s spirits back to life in these movie dolls.  Tiffany and Chucky are surprised, but proud parents.  However, they discover that their doll-child is not anatomically correct.  In disagreement about Shitface’s gender, Tiffany names her Glenda, and Chucky names him Glen because he’s sure the child is a boy who will develop later.

The movie set upon which the newly formed family find themselves is a horror movie about Chucky and Tiffany’s infamous murder spree (from Bride of Chucky), and it stars Jennifer Tilly (as herself).  Tiffany is obsessed with being Tilly and thus a Hollywood star, so she hatches a plan to transfer her spirit into Tilly’s body and Chucky’s spirit Tilly’s chauffeur, Stan (Steve Lawton).  But the challenge of raising a child, especially a confused one like Glen/Glenda, stares the murderous pair right in the face and complicates their plans.  Chucky still wants to be a killer, but Tiffany wants to settle down (in Jennifer Tilly), although she must resist the urge to kill, especially when Tilly gets close to rapper-turned-movie director, Redman (as himself), to whom Tiffany takes an instant dislike.  All hell is about to break loose when Tiffany’s dreams of movie stardom clashes with Chucky’s need to kill, and Glen/Glenda is right in the middle, becoming more confused… and more dangerous.

The Child’s Play film series was, from the beginning, heavy with comedy, but the franchise turned solidly to comic horror with Bride of Chucky in 1998.  Seed of Chucky is a deliriously crazy gore fest.  Fake movie blood, steaming imitation intestines, severed limps, a blood-spurting, headless corpse, severed limps, Jennifer Tilly kissing a recently severed head, Chucky jerking off, Chucky holding a cup of his jizz, Tiffany holding a turkey baster full of Chucky’s semen while standing over Tilly’s prone body with the legs in the air, etc. all add up to a camp fest that is one of the few truly outrageously funny horror films outside of the Evil Dead series.  There is almost nothing in Seed of Chucky film that would qualify it as a scary movie, but with the explicit violence and troubling subject matter, Seed of Chucky could only be one of three things – a ghastly satire of the American nuclear family and America’s obsession with celebrity, an offensive horror flick, or a revolting comedy.  At different times in the narrative, the film tries on all three hats.

While I salute writer/director Don Mancini (who created the Child’s Play concept, while Seed’s co-producer Don Kirschner created the Chucky and Tiffany dolls) for being audacious enough to make this movie and while I also credit the studio and producers for letting Mancini put his insanity on the big screen, I am disappointed that the franchise has gotten away from Chucky as the sole antagonist.  I like Tiffany, and Jennifer Tilly’s voiceover work as Tiffany is superb played.  The fun Ms. Tilly has lampooning herself and her acting career (There are many hilarious mentions of the film Bound in which she and Gina Gershon played lovers) carries over to the viewer, but I want more killing.  Watching Chucky stalk victims excites me as much as it fills me with dread.  I root for victims – even the ones that are throwaway or underdeveloped characters, and I want more of that and less (faux) family drama.

In the final analysis, Seed of Chucky isn’t as good a horror movie as Bride of Chucky, but it’s a better comedy, and an outrageous thumb in the eye to taste and decorum.  Imagine this as a kind of underground film made palatable for a mass audience.  Think of it as a John Waters horror flick if Waters (who appears in the film as a paparazzi) made a “straight” horror movie.  I would answer the question of “is it good or bad” by saying Seed of Chucky makes me eager to see a sixth Child’s Play film.

6 of 10
B

Updated:  Monday, October 07, 2013

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.