Directed by Stan Winston. Written by Winston, Mark Patrick Carducci, Gary Gerani, Richard Weinman. Based on a poem by Ed Justin. Starring Lance Henriksen, Jeff East, John D’Aquino, Kerry Remsen, Kimberly Ross, Cynthia Bain and Joel Hoffman.
Plot: Ed (Henriksen) summons a demon after his son is killed by a bunch of teenagers in a hit-and-run accident.
Six kids from the city kill a country man’s son in a hit-and-run accident. While trying to decide whether to call the police, one of the teens rips the phone out of the wall and even knocks his friend out cold. Meanwhile, Ed goes to a local witch to summon a demon to kill the teenagers. And Pumpkinhead soon comes and starts doing just that.
DJ would have liked the movie better if all the teenagers were completely unlikable, but they’re not. And we still really, really liked the movie. It’s original, it has the perfect motive, we loved the rules, the cast was great and the effects were magnificent for 1988. Also, the poem kicks ass, too.
“Keep away from Pumpkinhead, unless you’re tired of living.
His enemies are mostly dead. He’s mean and unforgiving.
Laugh at him and you’re undone, but in some dreadful fashion.
Vengeance, he considers fun and plans it with a passion.
Time will not erase or blot a plot that he is brewing.
It’s when you think that he’s forgot, he’ll conjure your undoing.
Bolted doors and windows barred, guard dogs prowling in the yard,
Won’t protect you in your bed. Nothing will, from Pumpkinhead.”
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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