the mangler

[Jewbo]

In truth how good could a film about a demonic laundry press really be? The film is very poorly
scripted and this is its main downfall. The performances were all pretty poor although Robert
Enguland does ok. The main cop has some terrible line and does some of the stupidest things.
For example when he takes a sledgehammer to that icebox thing. Shouldn't it have been used as
evidence if it was what suffocated the small boy? And what was that icebox about anyway?
Where did it fit into the story? And that brings he to the hippy guy. Are there actually people
like him? How can the cop stand him, they are the most unlikely friends I have ever seen in my
life. I think they were brother in laws though I may be wrong.

The film did have its good parts. Tobe Hooper's use of angles and lighting did at times set a
good mood to the film and he does know what he is doing. Even though he was involved with
the screenplay he couldn't have been happy with it I'm sure. The film also has some very good
gore scenes like a guy being ripped in half, people being mangled and pressed in the mangler.
There was also a scene that made me laugh where the foreman of the laundry place is stuck in
the press and screaming for the boss to do something and the boss says something like `what do
you want me to do? I know I'll do a little dance' and he proceeds to do a little dance around the
place.

So overall not the best film ever but is was watchable thanks to Robert Englund and some good
gore scenes. But a good film good gore doesn't make a good film.

5/10

[Cyclonus]

The Mangler (1995)

Director: Tobe Hooper

Cast: Ted Levine, Robert Englund, Daniel Matmor, Jeremy Crutchley, Vanessa Pike, Demetre Phillips

Screenwriters: Tobe Hooper, Stephen David Brooks, and Harry Alan Towers, based on the short story by Stephen King

Producer: Anant Singh

A New Line Cinema release


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/6303521444.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg


Note: review based on unrated version


Stephen King's short story The Mangler was probably unfilmable to begin with, but one would hope that with Tobe Hooper at the helm, it would have a chance. No luck. The result is a borderline-unwatchable mess, a major step down from the director's brilliant Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It bombed at the box-office, doing no good to his already-sagging career. I cannot imagine why anyone would have thought the material would have made a workable film. I would be curious to know the behind-the-scenes history of the production. Who greenlit this thing? Was there not anyone who, at some point, questioned the wisdom of this endeavor? When Hooper watched the rushes, did he perhaps consider that he might be responsible for one of the most misguided horror projects of the decade? Were exhibitors self-conscious about displaying the poster? It's about a demonically-possessed, man-eating laundry machine for crying out loud! It was almost most certainly doomed from the start.

The script is muddled and badly paced, with a weak, confusing ending. Hooper seems to have forgotten a lesson from his TCM; that psychological terror and suspense are more effective than outright gore. Parts of Mangler are just plain disgusting, especially the infamous scene where that poor woman gets chomped up by the machine. In contrast, there's no real suspense or terror. The only thing he does right is the camerawork; even then, it seems like a desperate attempt to distract us from the rest of the movie. It's all a hack job, as schlocky as other ill-fated King adaptations. This is one author who needs to be more selective with whom he sells his work too, but then again, how could he turn down Tobe Hooper, of all people?

Given the circumstances, Ted Levine and Robert Englund do a fairly good job with the terrible script. Both performers have an undeniable charisma and screen presence. Englund, in particular, actually seems to be enjoying himself, certainly more than I ever could. They actually make it through intact, a minor miracle. In contrast, Daniel Matmor is irritating, and one wonders why Levine puts up with this clown in the first place, even if they are brother-in-laws. His interest in the occult is never explained, but that would be asking too much of the film. The guy reminded me of Kevin Smith, whose Silent Bob character would at least have had fewer lines to annoy us with. Every performer concerned is in desperate need of a new agent.

According to the film, the only way to defeat the machine is to exorcise the demon by throwing in holy water, sacred relics, etc. They should have sufficed with the negative of this movie.

2/10.

[The Claw]

I guess you all know how much i despise this film, I know there are probably worse movies out their, but being the easy to please person i am(who doesnt pick apart a movie because of a stupid plot), but a killer washing press, good lord, how friggin stupid. I'll end this post by saying i hate this movie alot. worst film ever.