It's Only a Movie!

"It's Only A Movie" is possibly one of most painful movies to watch that has ever existed. Ranking among, if not far surpassing, the likes of "Santa with Muscles," and "Manos: The Hands of Fate," of the bottom most 100 list, this is truly a title to be missed. However if you feel like torturing some friends at a party I believe that this movie slightly edges out "Manos" as a brain cell destroying experience.

This was probably the most memorable film I've seen to date. Not because it's good, mind you. But because it's so bad, I can't help but love it. The camera is wobbly for a TON of shots and the audio wasn't synced with the picture for a good portion. The songs were mediocre, but entertaining. Granted, I'm a bit biased here since I know some people who were in this. But I digress. Would I recommend this? To put it bluntly: no. However, it IS on YouTube. So do what you will with that information.

"It's Only a Movie" is the worlds only musical about demonic possession[sic] it's also the worst film I have ever seen, bar none. Joseph Zaso has created something so sinister and so completely inept at the same time, it borders on torture. Sure, it's funny for about fifteen minutes. I assure you that you'll laugh, then it dawns on you that you have about 90 minutes of film left...it's not very funny anymore. I've seen this movie 2.5 times (don't ask), take it from me, if you find a copy STAY AWAY (of course, if you're brave you'll watch it at least once). You've been warned....

My review was written in January 1991 after watching the movie on Cinema Images video cassette.

Lack of talent is the key strike against "It's Only a Movie!", a well-meaning amateur video. Would-be spoof musical in the "Rocky Horror" vein is strictly for consumers of low camp.

Crude black & white lensing on video makes pic a tough slog. Premise of a movie crew going to a haunted house to shoot a picture is as old as Howard Koch's campy "Frankenstein - 1970" (released in 1958), but neither a crew nor a camera is ever shown.

Coup de grace is he cast belting post-synced songs by Tim Frey in off-key fashion. Bad lighting and numerous shadows in the frame (courtesy of cameraman V. C. Siegfried) are another detriment. Director Joseph Zaso casts himself as the novelist heroine's son and displays the worst singing voice.

Instead of the genre's usual quotient of gore, the cast spits up various liquids.