Writer: Alan Ormsby (Screenplay) Mitchell Smith (Story)
Starring: Jill Schoelen, Tom Villard, Dee Wallace, Derek Rydall, Malcolm Danare, Elliott Hurst, Ivette Soler, Freddie Simpson, Kelly Jo Minter
Plot: A “Leatherface” type murderer who wears other people’s faces, kills at an all-night horrorthon at an old theater put on by a bunch of film students. Maggie, the lead character, believes it’s really Lanyard Gates, a crazed film maker who killed his family live on stage, fifteen years ago. And now he’s back to kill his daughter, Sara, who is believed to be really Maggie.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Simple Slasher Horror Comedy
Story: Popcorn starts as Maggie (Schoelen) an aspiring film maker is dreaming of her script which is filled with horror. The film class tired of being bumped around the campus decide to put on their own horror show. While setting up the up the soon to be destroyed theater the students discover a film that was made by crazed film maker Lanyard Gates who infamously killed his family as the final act of his last piece of work Possessor.
The film night still goes ahead as plan and the turnout is brilliant, but while the films are showing the students start getting picked off by the famous film maker who is back to collect his daughter who he believes is Maggie or so we think.
Popcorn takes the horror film to a different direction with having a revenge like slasher based entirely inside of movie theater. We have the audience watching horror films while the students get picked off one by one which all works really because the audience reacts like we would to the comical kills being used in the film. The revenge side of the story works well because we don’t fully know what is going on and the final twists while slightly light weight does give us a welcome surprise. This is a good horror comedy slasher that will please the fans enough to enjoy.
Actor Review
Jill Schoelen: Maggie is our leading lady who is dreaming of becoming a film maker and her latest story is literally happening in her dreams. When her dreams starts to become a reality Maggie finds herself the target of the ghost of former film maker that wants her to replace his lost daughter. Jill is good in this role without being a true stand out in the horror genre.
Tom Villard: Toby is the man who wants to host the horror film night and with the rest of the students behind him he makes the arrangements to make this an interactive experience. Tom does well in this role which is the most memorable character in the film.
Dee Wallace: Suzanne is the mother of Maggie who seems to be a single parent that is always trying to protect her from any dangers in the world, but when the dreams start appear she starts receiving phone calls during the night which seem to be from an unknown caller threatening her daughter. Dee is a bit of an icon in horror so you know you will see her appear in a mix of roles where she will always give us a god performance.
Derek Rydall: Mark is the love interest of Maggie, she keeps pushing him away so she can study but he isn’t willing to just stay away, he leaves his date at the theater to spend more time with Maggie. Derek makes for good supporting lead who gets most of the comical moments with his character’s clumsy side.
Support Cast: Popcorn has your typical generic cast for a horror that all do what they need to do.
Director Review: Mark Herrier, Alan Ormsby – The pair give us a horror slasher with a few twists along the way which is all you ask for going into these movies.
Comedy: Popcorn has a few laughs but not enough for my liking, we get most when it comes to the kills.
Horror: Popcorn takes horror to a new arena with a horror that the audience can be parallel with the audience in the film.
Settings: Popcorn uses the movie theater for the setting which is brilliant choice and original.
Special Effects: Popcorn has good effects when it comes to the kills as well as the image of the killer.
Suggestion: Popcorn is one for the horror slasher fans to enjoy. (Horror Slasher Fans Watch)
Best Part: Setting is brilliant choice.
Worst Part: Has dated a bit.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes
Tagline: Pay to get in, pray to get out.
Overall: Fun slasher that is filled with well created kills and a clever twist.
Rating