Directed by John Flynn. Written by Brian Owens and Andrew Kevin Walker. Starring Edward Furlong, Frank Langella, T. Ryder Smith, Amy Hargreaves and Jamie Marsh.
Plot: a teenager takes part in a violent, interactive video game that turns out to be real
Michael (Furlong) is not your typical teenager. He’s sort of a computer whiz and president of his school’s Horror Club and also, he’s the voyeur of his next door neighbor, Kimberly. He reads about a new “killer” video game in Fangoria magazine and orders it. When it comes, he’s beyond excited and plays almost right away. Inside the game, he kills a man. He thinks it was just a cheap thrill until he finds out that the murder happened in the real world, too. Then, The Trickster (Smith) comes and everything really turns to crap.
Me and DJ wouldn’t have played a game like that. I don’t even like playing the video games where I have to rob people, so I know I couldn’t kill someone innocent. So, the motive sucked a bit, since technically it was him doing the killing. And there were no boobs when they’re clearly could have been. Amy Hargreaves did get all kinds of naked years later in the very riveting Shame, so….
Good news though, the movie was funny in parts, mostly because of Kyle (Marsh), the best friend. Also it’s highly rewatchable for me, but not for DJ. Oh well. And lastly, the cast is genius. There’s a lot of good players here, even DJ can’t deny that. And who doesn’t already know that Edward Furlong is the love of my life thus far?
I highly recommend it. DJ only slightly. My score: 64. DJ’s score: 43.
I suppose I could list my favorite movies here, but instead I'll give you a strange glimpse into what makes me TaraRomero.
1. I met George Romero. He was the kindest and sweetest man. He talked to me for longer than he should have with the line getting longer. He also held my hand. And when he noticed the ladybug I have tattooed on my wrist, he said he liked it and asked me it's name. Till then, it had not had a name. Now, I call him George.
2. I love stickers. All stickers. I just adore them. I even ask for stickers for Christmas! As a matter of fact, the birthday that just past, every member of my immediate family gave me sticker packs as gifts. Affordable and extremely appreciated.
3. I have never put much stock in astrology or horoscopes, but I LOVE the magic of the MBTI. Omg. I am an INFP and it actually sounds just like me. Introverted mostly. Creative always. Heart before head and not the most logical. Totally me! For better or worse.
4. It's no surprise I count horror so high up on the list of things that make me, me. However, it's so within my soul that I was part of the Horror Club in college. Interesting bunch. And even took a Horror Lit class as an elective. I got an A.
5. Coffee always makes me happy. Always. I'm particularly fond of caramel macchiatos. But I'll drink black coffee if it's the only thing available.
6. I hate shock for the sake of shock and endings that depress me. I always mention the movies Within (2016) and the Eli Roth produced, written and starred in, Aftershock (2012), as proof of this distate I have. I abhor the idea that just because I like horror, some people think I'd actually praise a movie that lets you think the "Final Girl" just made it through the night, only to slap her in the face with a tsunami.
7. We are big time animal people. I mean, if I could, I'd have an elephant, a bear, a zebra, a penguin, an otter and a meerkat, living with me. Seriously though. We have 2 dogs right now and 2 cats. Both cats we picked up when they each came to our front door hungry. And both dogs we got from 2 different sets of neighbors. Both who, unfortunately, don't know how to care for pets long-term. But they're happy and healthy now!!
8. Revisiting my love of horror, one of the above cats, my cat, is a little black guy named Church. Because Pet Sematary. His middle name is even Pascow. To give credit where credit's due, the name was DJ's idea. But he loves horror too!
9. I'm big into art. Along with movie posters and an Anne Frank quote, I have some actual paintings on my wall. I really think Dali paints beautifully when he wants to. And if I don't get to see Michaelangelo's Pieta in person some day, I will be very disappointed.
10. Lastly, I find Emily Dickinson's poetry intriguing. I took an elective course about her as well. But do you know I injected horror even there? I was given a poem to dissect and I picked one on death, of course. Then, I researched old "Death Photos" and even printed out copies for everyone in the class. They were so interested in looking at them that it stopped them from all looking at me, and I was able to deal quite well with my stage fright. Haha
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