The Ghastly Love of Johnny X

A decade in-the-making, The Ghastly Love of Johnny X really comes together in the details. In order to make such a concept pop, this one needed as much research as guts and gumption to see it over the line, and filmmaker Paul Bunnell has obviously invested a significant amount of time and money into making sure his film rises to its many, many sources of inspiration. I can see John Waters in here; I can see alien invasion films; I can see the big monster movies of the atomic age; I can see West Wide Story; I can see James Dean's oeuvre; I can even see a bit of Frankenstein and Re-Animator. The fact that Bunnell has managed to rope all these influences together into one cohesive package is a feat that deserves 'high five' recognition. The songs by Ego Plum and lyricist Scott Martin aren't quite that of Bacharach or Leiber & Stoller, but they're tight, finger-snapping ditties that recall the show tunes of a bygone era and ornament the film perfectly without overwhelming it. Ultimately, The Ghastly Love of Johnny X is just too unique and beautiful not to recommend. You may like it, you may not. Either way, I guarantee it will be unlike anything you have seen before.

I had first head about Johnny X a couple of years ago and had been wanting to see it, as I have been a fan of Will Keenan since TERROR FIRMER. I didn't know too much about the movie going in other than it was a sci-fi, and it was supposed to be the last movie ever, ever, shot on real black and white FILM. Not digital, but true film stock, lots of little pictures in a row, film. I had been meaning to look it up but had kind of forgotten about it until I actually came across it at my local library - which, I have to say, has an awesome taste in movie selections - and immediately grabbed it. Popping it in, we are treated with Kevin McCarthy (aka The Bad Guy from UHF...) sentencing Will Keenan to a horrible punishment for his crimes... Earth! *this is not a spoiler, this is the first minute of the film* I was also super excited to see that JX starred Reggie PHANTASM Banister and Creed THE OFFICE Bratton in juicy roles as well. Overall this is a really fun homage to 50's sci-fi that gets just about everything right, from the costumes to the cars to the sets to the songs. It updates a few things here and there (mostly the effects), but keeps that camp feel that makes watching old films so much fun. If you "got" and enjoyed THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA, JX will be right up your alley. If you like watching MST3K, but sometimes more for the 50's movies themselves, you'll love this. Highly recommended.

When I saw the trailer for this over a year ago I had to watch it. Unfortunately, living in rural America, it never came to any theaters near me. When it hit Vudu for purchase I snagged it almost immediately. Anyway, here goes.

If you love campy sci-fi humor you will love this movie. The musical aspect also give a nice touch and is well done. The choreography is also top notch.

If you appreciate odes to an era gone by where campy sci-fi flicks were plentiful then you cannot go wrong with this film. When comparing this to modern flicks in the same vein, it holds up well. While Repo The Genetic Opera remains my favorite indie musical, The Ghastly Love of Johnny X holds up well. I give it a solid 9/10 stars with zero reservations.

This film was a lot of fun. The lead lady who played Bliss (De Anna Joy) was sexy and fun, and her one-liners were playful and quirky. It was take my eyes off her once she got going. Great dancing, too.

It put me in mind of other off-beat musicals like REPO! The Genetic Opera and the Devil's Carnival and had a slick production. Very sci fi and cool. A great adventure.

A catchy film that hearkens back to the old B&W juvenile films of the 50s and 60s. The soundtrack also reminds one of the works of Bernard Herrmann, Danny Elfman (Beetlejuice) as well as The West Side Story. I had a chance to speak to Mr. Bunnell and found him to be the real deal. Considerate and passionate about the trade, he was very gracious with his time spent with me. If you ever get the chance to screen this film at a theater, by all means, do so. Run, don't walk!