American Nightmare

Starring:Debbie Rochon, Brandy Little, Johnny Sneed, Chris Ryan (VII), Robert McCollum, Kristin McCollum, Heather Haase (II), Kenyon Holmes, Rebecca Stacey, Kimberly Grant, Hayden Tweedie, Scott Phillips (IV), Brinke Stevens, Michael H. Price, Jessica Reed, Bill Sebastian, Zane Michael Scott, Ben Jackson (II), Marcus Freeman, David R. Dean
Director: Jon Keeyes
Studio: Monarch Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Interesting Documentary Of Films From The Golden Age of Fright
A truly superb ode to the golden age of horror.
Insightful, Respectful Documentary
the best doc on horror movies, ever!

The American Nightmare - A Celebration of Films from Hollywood's Golden Age of Fright
Starring: David Cronenberg , Tom Savini , John Landis , John Carpenter , and Tobe Hooper
Director: Adam Simon
Manufacturer: New Video Group
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

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Politics | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00018YCJQ
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Amazon.com

The explosion of gruesome horror cinema in the wake of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead is explored in this serious documentary, which has a welcome respect for an easily derided genre. A few academics make piquant observations (no film critics, although Robin Wood pioneered this line of thinking years ago), but mostly we hear from the filmmakers themselves: Romero, John Carpenter (on Halloween), Wes Craven (Last House on the Left), Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and David Cronenberg (Shivers). The directors focus on those films, not their entire careers, which limits the scope of the movie. Juxtapositioning newsreel horrors with movie scenes introduces provocative ideas about where horror comes from, but also feels a little facile. Unexpected bonus: the enthusiasm of John Landis, in describing the out-of-kilter experience of watching these affronts to good taste, and suggesting why they thrill as well as scare us. --Robert Horton

Description

Disfigured knife-wielding murderers. Buxom teens fleeing for their lives through dark woods. Hordes of the undead limping along deserted streets. These images, now synonymous with horror movies, were born in the groundbreaking films of horror masters su

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Documentary Of Films From The Golden Age of Fright.......2006-02-15

This is a documentary about horror films and their impact on the world between 1968-1979. We get to hear the points of views of the directors of some of the most frightening classic horror films ever made. IFC interviews Tobe Hooper, John Carpenter, David Cronenburg, John Landis, Wes Craven, George Romero and more. We get an in depth look at the politics and upheaval of the 60's and 70's and how they influenced everyones life and the horror genre.

The DVD contains clips from events in history such as the Vietnam War, assasinations of some of the most prominent figures in America, clips from classic horror movies and discussions on what horror is about and why we go to see these films. The directors discuss some of their inspirations for the films, what scared them as a child and the horrors of the real world. Theres many striking and powerful images in this documentary, both real and fiction.

In a way it reminds you reality can be just as frightening as fiction, the real events that happen can be compared to the horror films, just with a diffrent face. Some of these events do happen in real life, yet we dare to face them, facing it gives you the illusion of control or knowing and that is the first step. Confronting it. And you can even examine what parts frighten you and what parts you enjoy and ask yourself why?

Professor Tom Gunning's words- Why do you go to see a horror film? some compare it to a roller coaster ride, theres a desire in a funny way for stimulus, we sometimes get disatisfied with that protection and we want it to be pierced.

Director Adam Simon left out some important horror/thriller films of the 70's like The Exorcist, Jaws, Carrie etc.. But i assume the movies he covered were some of his personal favorites. The ones he covered were enough to satisfy but i would have liked to have seen more films discussed.

Very good documentary and Highly recomended.

A truly superb ode to the golden age of horror........2006-02-13

This documentary is an absolute treasure for any true horror film buff. Containing insightful interviews from film philosophers and sociologists analyzing the films and the circumstances and reflections of the times in which they were made along with detailed and compelling interviews with such pioneering genre filmmakers as Tobe Hooper, Wes Craven, David Cronenberg, George A. Romero, John Carpenter and others. The interview with special effects master Tom Savini in which he recalls gruesome images from his tour in Vietnam is riveting, adding to the overall bleakness of the piece. Fascinating, thoughtful, chilling and ultimately unforgettable. I applaud director Adam Simon for assembling the components to pull off this highly analytical serenade to the most profound and influential horror films and filmmakers and his ability to do so with integrity and intelligence and an obvious love for the genre. Extra kudos for the Godspeed You Black Emperor soundtrack. Brilliant.

Insightful, Respectful Documentary.......2004-08-26

A well directed, informative documentary that explains the links between horror films of the late sixties and seventies and the social changes going on in the United States at the same time. This documentary serves as a great companion to David J. Skal's book "The Monster Show" and other essays that tackle horror movies from a more sociological standpoint. One cannot ignore what was going on in the world at the time their favorite film was made. Even with escapist fare, the social and political goings on of the era often trickle into horror movies in the most surprising of ways as this doc shows. I've always been a fan of George Romero's Zombie movies, but was even more impressed with the way this doc dealt with Wes Craven's "Last House on the Left" and David Cronenberg's "Shivers", two movies that I've found in the past to be pretty unredeemable. Hearing the filmmakers discuss their motivations for these two movies helped me understand them better and made me want to give them another look! My only complaint with this movie was that it was not longer. I think that the film makers could have expanded on their thesis and covered more ground. I would love to see a sequel documentary that deals with the slashers of the later seventies like "Friday the 13th" and the arrival of the more psychological and fantasy oriented "Nightmare on Elm Street" series that came on the scene in the eighties and how they were linked to their respective decades.

the best doc on horror movies, ever!.......2004-04-03

a beautiful documentary that treats these horror films with the respect they deserve" dawn of the dead, shivers, halloween, last house on the left, texas chainsaw massacre.

it combines interviews with the directors, tom savini, and several film scholars; as they all describe how the films were actual unconscious reflections of the times. combined with the beautiful music of "godspeed you black emperor," this film gives overdue creedence and social justification to these films.

Description

Looks at how the Immigration and Naturalization Service has destroyed lives and ruined families. We'll present dramatic examples of immigrants, including legal permanent residents, who have suffered mistreatment and bureaucratic ineptitude at the hands of the INS. And, we'll spotlight how the INS has indefinitely imprisoned detainees, jailed others for petty crimes, and subjected immigrants to worse treatment than they suffered in their native lands.

Average customer rating:

People should decide what they're doing...
Not because I love Debbie Rochon...
Two thumbs down
Don't Jump To Conclusions..
'NIghtmare' being the operative word...

American Nightmare
Starring: Debbie Rochon , Brandy Little , Johnny Sneed , Chris Ryan (VII) , and Robert McCollum
Director: Jon Keeyes
Manufacturer: Monarch Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005TPCC
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Customer Reviews:

People should decide what they're doing..........2007-01-03

Before making a movie, you should have some idea of what you're doing. Now,durign the opening scene, a killer jumps on a victim and shouts something like 'you think you're better than me, £%^*%?!" For no reason we ever learn about.

The plot concerning people being killed off by things they fear most isn't used as much as you'd think and all of their 'fears' are either very generic fears or things that can fit into a very generic slasher. And halfway through the movie this plot is ditched so some crazy family plotline can be brought in that doesn't actually go anywhere.

Not because I love Debbie Rochon..........2006-02-20

I personally thought this movie had a lot going for it. First off we have a great (female) killer with Debbie Rochon, who was shown as the killer in the first scene. The movie had many clichés, many scenes that directly reminded me of movies like Scream, Halloween, Friday The 13th, and even cheesy scenes that look like they were ripped right from Friends. The movie had a lot of action, suspense, blood, some boobs (courtesy of Debbie Rochon), humor, a very fitting and neat score, and a very well done, and well entertaining climax in the movie.

Some complaints that I had was the whole motive of Jane, and how she fit in with the group of friends. I thought a lot of it was far-fetched and unbelievable. But it is a movie, so I let it slide. One other thing was that the movie could have been a lot more violent and bloody. There were a lot of missed opportunities with it. Finally, the killer. I know she was supposed to be known right off the bat as the killer, but I would have much more preferred that anyone in the gang could be suspected.

I watched Suburban Nightmare before I watched this, and I really didn't care too much for it. The movie wasn't at all bad, I just didn't like the story. Buying this, and knowing it was written and directed by the same guy (John Keeyes) I expected the same style of movie. After watching it, I felt that the movie was not only much better than Suburban Nightmare, but better written, directed and with better actors. Debbie Rochon really set this movie apart, and made the movie great. Her masturbation with the knife scene was a bit unnecessary, but very warmly welcomed. I think this is one of her finest movies from start to finish. I would highly recommend this movie, especially to slasher fans and fans of Debbie.

Two thumbs down.......2005-10-07

This is such a bad movie. And not bad in a funny or cheesy way. It's just bad. The acting and dialogue between characters was naseuating. I kept watching and waiting for something good to happen and nothing did. There is no action in this movie at all. They tried to make this movie a psychological thriller, but it fails miserably. Save your money and don't buy this movie unless you need something to bore you to sleep.

Don't Jump To Conclusions.........2005-06-16

A lot of people have given this film too much heat. I love it!!! It's very well written and believable and cult film icon Debbie Rochen does a very convincing and dark portrayal of psychopath Jane Toppan. A lot of times people get so caught up with the media's opinion on what's "good" that we lose sight of what's actually fun to watch. American Nightmare is ten times better than 99% percent of the indepedent films that the horror genre spits out every year, and has the most heart. It does seem at times that the film borrows key plots from some of the biggest slasher films of our time but only mildly uses them so it only comes off as tributes to the films that inspired "American Nightmare." Basically the plot revolves around seven friends who confess all their fears on Halloween night to a local late night radio program. Rochon's character listens closely and one by one plays out their fears leading to a deadly and suspenseful conclusion. I think everyone should just check this film out. Don't over examine it and try to have fun watching it.

'NIghtmare' being the operative word..........2003-05-06

Although it's quite nicely done (even giving you the impression that it was shown at all, ever, anywhere...) they really need to change the trailer on this DVD package to something like -'This summer.... You will watch the most awful film in the entire universe....'. This dreadful beyond belief so-called horror film contains zero scares, zero special FX, and is crammed full of the worst acting imaginable. It's the tale of a a small group of paper thin characters, sitting around in a coffee house phoning a radio talk show about their greatest fears, who are gradually offed one by one by a female nutcase who's listened in and opts to make those fears a reality. To be honest I don't even know why she did it, nor did I even really care as I forwarded through the last 40 minutes hoping for something salvageable from American Nightmare. And no, I didn't find anything. But the film does at least raise a lot of questions. Questions like: Who on earth was the guy who wrote the two line recommendation of this film on the back cover that enticed me into renting it? Do they still have a job? I hope not...

Average customer rating:

Hollywood Flies
Starring: Conrad Coates , Brad Renfro , Vinnie Jones , Bianca Guaccero , and Antonio Cupo
Manufacturer: Monarch Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009S4IR4
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Average customer rating:

these folks didn't need a budget!!!!

Nutcracker - An American Nightmare
Starring: David Hess , and Bill Bragg
Director: Glen Grefe
Manufacturer: Brain Damage
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000JJ4FDK
Release Date: 2007-01-16

Customer Reviews:

these folks didn't need a budget!!!!.......2007-01-19

this movie was really cool. it has great twists and kept my interest peak for the whole event. it is amazing that the cast, crew, director, and production staff made this quality of a film at their budge..... cudos to you all guys. i thought the movie was well written and directed and i consider my 15 bucks well spent! keep up the wonderful work mr grefe and staff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

People should decide what they're doing...
Not because I love Debbie Rochon...
Two thumbs down
Don't Jump To Conclusions..
'NIghtmare' being the operative word...

American Nightmare [Region 2]
Starring: Debbie Rochon , Brandy Little , Johnny Sneed , Chris Ryan (VII) , and Robert McCollum
Director: Jon Keeyes
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00008MJ1P

Customer Reviews:

People should decide what they're doing..........2007-01-03

Not because I love Debbie Rochon..........2006-02-20

Two thumbs down.......2005-10-07

Don't Jump To Conclusions.........2005-06-16

'NIghtmare' being the operative word..........2003-05-06

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