Welcome back to the Christmas in July 2015 Blogathon. Today starts with Darren from Movie Reviews 101 sharing his review of Gremlins. The stage is yours, Darren!
Director: Joe Dante
Writer: Chris Columbus (Screenplay)
Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Corey Feldman, Dick Miller, Judge Reinhold, Belinda Balaski, Frances Lee McCain
Plot: A boy inadvertently breaks 3 important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
Verdict: Classic
Story: If you got a mysterious pet who has to be kept under three strict rules, no water, no feeding after midnight and no bright lights. It seems simple really but what if one of the rules was broken, well Billy accidentally breaks on of these rules leading to everything that happens.
It all comes off as a good creature feature that at the time you could show children to scare them but the fun side of it all works out well for them too. It comes off as an alternative Christmas film with its horror elements. It is now 30 years old and hardly feels like it has dated at all. So this Christmas instead of being forced feed the usual Christmas film watch this because it is easily much more fun. (9/10)
Actor Review
Zach Galligan: Billy the young man given the Mogwi to look after only to accidently get him wet, leading to new ones being spawned, then gets tricked into feeding them after midnight and has to fight off the Gremlins to save his small town. Solid performance from Zach, who does the fighting teen idea well.(7/10)
Phoebe Cates: Kate love interest of Billy who has a dark past when it comes to Christmas, who ends up teaming up with Billy to save the day. Solid supporting performance, fresh off the back of her biggest film. (7/10)
Supporting Cast: All of the supporting cast add something to the overall story, we have good and bad characters, with the good coming off strong and the bad getting what is coming to them. It really is all up to the Mogwi stealing all the scenes. (7/10)
Director Review: Joe Dante – Great direction to create a film that is still talked about today. (9/10)
Comedy: Has its funny moments mostly once the Gremlins turn up. (8/10)
Horror: This has good horror level because it was aimed at younger audience who would be scared with what happens. (8/10)
Settings: Most of the settings are around the small town but each works taking on the Gremlins. (7/10)
Special Effects: Great Special effects used throughout that have barely aged a day. (9/10)
Suggestion: This is a classic that has to be watched by all. (Watch)
Best Part: Gizmo
Worst Part: The plot hole rules as it will always be past midnight.
Believably: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Has one
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $148 Million
Budget: $11 Million
Runtime: 1 hour 46 Minutes
Tagline: Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous.
Trivia: Generally credited (along with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)) to influence the MPAA to create the PG-13 rating, as many felt the scenes of violence in both movies were too much for a PG rating, but not enough for an R rating.
Overall: Enjoy
Rating
Now for Darren’s person he would like to meet under the mistletoe. He chose… Saraya-Jade Bevis, aka WWE Diva Paige.
Thanks, Darren! Leave it to you to pick the English wrestler. What a great choice. Kim will join in this afternoon with her favorite Christmas movie characters. See you soon!
Drew's Movie Reviews 