A group of film students stage a horror marathon (composed of gimmicky William Castle-type films) in a theater that's about to be demolished. However, someone has other entertainment in mind as he--or she--tries to knock the students off one at a time during the show.
Subgenres: postmodern, college
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Okay, it's not as intelligently written as is Scream, nor is it filled with that movie's young and attractive cast. In fact, Popcorn strikes me as Scream's older cousin, kind of like a nerdy film geek nobody really knows much about. As such, Popcorn is certainly a lot less self-consciously "hip" than its younger relative--and winds up being more fun in the process. What comes across in this film is not just an affinity for the horror genre but rather a genuine affection. The plot has surprisingly creepy moments, befitting its source material, most of which are centered around a short film the characters watch called "The Possessor"--the very definition of a cult film. Get some friends together, at least a dozen liters of soda, several bowls of (you guessed it) popcorn, pop this tape in, and have fun. (Nov 29, 1999) | ||||||
The somewhat well-known actors featured on the front of the video box are strictly supporting characters (especially Ray Walston, whose character appears and disappears within minutes).
