The Creep Behind the Camera

This shrill, low-budget recreation of the making of The Creeping Terror isn't as bad as the movie it's about, but it's not that much better. At least they didn't lose the soundtrack, but there's no question that The Creeping Terror isn't more fun to watch. The acting here is generally bad, the dialogue filled with inexplicable pauses, the lead creepy but charmless. It is interspersed with talking heads recounting stories of the actual making, and they're interesting. This should have been a straight documentary.

I saw the Creeping Terror years ago... who knew all this crazy stuff went on behind the scenes?! Josh Phillips as Vic Savage makes on of the all time great despicable characters of all time. It's quite a roller-coaster ride! I got to see it in Montreal as part of Fantasia Fest and the audience loved it. I'm pretty sure it went on to LA too. Great music score and photography. The story, which kind of goes all over the place, follows this scumbag AJ Nelson from some goofy bingo hall all the way to Hollywood. When there he abuses his sweet wife (wonderfully played by Jodi Lynn Thomas) in all manner imaginable. Then he makes the Creeping Terror. The whole thing is a great look at how the Hollywood system attracts the worst sort, and how they can convince people they know what they are doing even though the writing is clearly on the wall. I really, really recommend this film!

Even though I had seen trailers for this film and had firm expectations walking into the screening, I still found myself surprised and dumbfounded by the story told and the way it was revealed. The directions the film takes by careening back and forth between interviews with the people involved in the original production of "The Creeping Terror" and the behind-the-scenes reenactments had me laughing out loud at the sheer Hollywood absurdity while I was cringing in abject revulsion.

Josh Phillips's portrayal of the psychotic creep, Art Nelson, was haunting and dark, while Jodi Lynn Thomas and Bill LeVasseur shine on screen.

This film is a fun, eerie, outlandish, weird retro ride through the darkest valleys of the Hollywood hills. I recommend it.

Stylistically dynamic. Unique narrative combining true doc (1/3) and re-enactment (2/3). A very compelling storyline. Solid acting, sometimes breakaway good. Fantastic set design and costuming. Self- aware and darkly comedic. Better effects than the original Creeping Terror, which is ironic. A brave overall effort that entertains throughout. All the while, the theme shines through so wonderfully. And visually, the DP and Director create a seamless creation. Intriguing and forward moving, it is rare to see a movie that does all this. For those who love classic sci-fi, this will be a wonderful experience. For those who don't, this is still a fun movie. You will walk out with a smile, a smirk and head-shaking disbelief all at the same time.

I caught this movie at a local screening in Colorado Springs when out with the wife. It was a spur of the moment decision that we were very happy to have made. The Creep Behind the Camera details the story of a low-life film director that essentially conned a small town into making one of the worst horror films ever made, "The Creeping Terror". What caught us by surprise was the way the narrative was told. It wasn't a typical documentary as it was filmed almost entirely as a re- telling/remake/reenacting/documentary hybrid that was extremely effective in absorbing us into the story. The character arc for Mr. Nelson was extremely captivating and very intense. The actors' performances were also spectacular. All around, The Creep Behind The Camera was a fantastic dark comedy, high in production quality, thoroughly captivating, and left us with a huge impression on Colorado Springs' local filmmaking scene.