53 reviews
I briefly tasted the extravagance of "The Theatre Bizarre" nearly one year ago, during a modest genre festival in country. Halfway the second segment, however, there were some technical issues and everybody got reimbursed and had to leave the theater. It took me until now to re-watch the whole thing, but my expectations were quite high because I remembered quite a number of good things from my abruptly ended first viewing. "The Theatre Bizarre" is an anthology, and the one element that immediately determines whether or not an anthology is worthwhile is the wraparound story! This film features one of best wraparound stories, with some of the grimmest and most macabre scenery ever seen. A timid young girl is lured to the sinister and seemingly abandoned Grand Guignol Theater across the street of her apartment, where she's "friendly" welcomed by a marionette version of cult legend Udo Kier and numerous other grisly dummies. As the presented stories pass by, both Udo and the girl undergo a nightmarish metamorphosis. The wraparound is courtesy of Jeremy Kasten, the underrated director of one of the better horror remakes of the decade, namely "The Wizard of Gore". As usually the case with horror omnibus movies, some of segments are good, some of the segments are bad and some of the segments are just too plain weird and flamboyant to judge properly. Unfortunately none of the six tales qualifies as truly outstanding, but at least the segments "I love you", "Vision Stains" and "The Accident" rate as well above average. They are diverse stories with either original basic concepts or uniquely tense moments. "I love you" is a prototypic mini psycho-thriller, but benefices from the ravishing Suzan Anbeh and her monologues that will make every male viewer cringe. "Vision Stains" is about a woman who kills homeless/troubled women and injects their eyeball-fluids in her own veins to live their memories
Until she witness things she didn't want to witness. This little plot is inventive and genuinely horrific, but it could have used a better climax. "The Accident" is somewhat of an alien segment, as it's more of a melodrama instead of a horror story, but it features a wonderfully grim atmosphere and a couple of harrowing moments. The other three tales vary from mediocre to inferior. The first segment "Mother of Toads" is very H.P Lovecraft like, with creepy monsters and nasty make-up effects, but writer/director Richard Stanley totally forgot to tell a story. Tom Savini's "Wet Dreams" contains a few solid moments, but the plot is derivative and rather nonsensical. The final chapter "Sweets", somewhat a crossover between "La Grande Bouffe" and "Delicatessen", tries very hard to be artsy and controversial, but it's actually just ridiculous and preposterous. Recommended viewing for experienced and open-minded horror fanatics.
"Theater Bizarre" is a horror anthology that much reminds me of last years "Little Deaths" in that it takes some rather strange and extreme ideas for some of the stories of which there are many. So lets start at the extremely disappointing beginning...
"Mother of toads" is a totally lame and rather typical horror story about a couple on holidays meeting a strange witch inviting them to look at her Necronomicon. Some Lovecraft references, nudity and slimy frogs just don't nail it here. Total snooze fest with the laziest storyline of all.
"I love you" continues equally boring with bad acting, annoying German accents and a dysfunctional couple at the end of their relationship. Throat-slitting and blood on white sheets also don't nail it since the story goes nowhere and seems rather childish to me. Basically as forgettable as the first story and nosedives with dumb lines like "My vagina and your penis never were friends".
"Wet dreams" is about a guy having nightmares about castration and a psycho therapist telling him to open his eyes to wake up from his dreams. The whole thing ends in a rather bloody mess with a twisted idea for the end but ultimately the whole storytelling is uneven and suffers from bad acting.
"The accident" is the first highlight here. This is no real horror story but a rather slow meditation on life and death through the eyes of a mother and her little daughter who witness a motorcycle accident. This has great atmosphere and some really gripping visuals (the deer looked frightenly real and the acting is great) and is especially moody because of the perfect piano score and great editing. Unfortunately the promising short leads absolutely nowhere in the end.
"Vision stains" is some really twisted stuff by "Subconscious cruelty" director Karim Hussain. It starts off gritty with a homeless girl getting high on heroin in some dirty back alley when suddenly another girl appears and kills her and takes her eye liquid in a syringe injecting it in her own eyeball. The basic idea of transferring the last flashing pictures while dying to another person reminded me of an Italian movie with a camera (can't remember the title). But this one goes further and uses some pretty disturbing images. This one has a point to end on but honestly I found it a little uneven too.
Last but not least "Sweets" continues the disturbing imagery with some pretty nasty food fetishes and a bizarre break up scene of a couple. The guys acting is pretty incredible and makes the food fetish theme twice as bizarre. It all culminates in one of the goriest scenes of this anthology.
The surrounding Theatre-Plot with Udo Kier has some great visuals by "Wizard of Gore" Remake Director Jeremy Kasten but the lack of a story and Kiers accent which is nearly as annoying as that of the male lead in "I love you" ruin it.
After all this is your typical anthology. It fails on many levels (most of the time on the lazy storytelling) but has some nice ideas and visuals. Its hard to say which story is the best because basically the first half totally sucks and the second raises the bar a lot but because of the flaws has no real highlight. If you want some bizarre stories like in "Little Deaths" enjoy the second half but don't expect too much. Even with all those sick ideas ... when the curtain falls I was left thinking "Meeeeeh".
"Mother of toads" is a totally lame and rather typical horror story about a couple on holidays meeting a strange witch inviting them to look at her Necronomicon. Some Lovecraft references, nudity and slimy frogs just don't nail it here. Total snooze fest with the laziest storyline of all.
"I love you" continues equally boring with bad acting, annoying German accents and a dysfunctional couple at the end of their relationship. Throat-slitting and blood on white sheets also don't nail it since the story goes nowhere and seems rather childish to me. Basically as forgettable as the first story and nosedives with dumb lines like "My vagina and your penis never were friends".
"Wet dreams" is about a guy having nightmares about castration and a psycho therapist telling him to open his eyes to wake up from his dreams. The whole thing ends in a rather bloody mess with a twisted idea for the end but ultimately the whole storytelling is uneven and suffers from bad acting.
"The accident" is the first highlight here. This is no real horror story but a rather slow meditation on life and death through the eyes of a mother and her little daughter who witness a motorcycle accident. This has great atmosphere and some really gripping visuals (the deer looked frightenly real and the acting is great) and is especially moody because of the perfect piano score and great editing. Unfortunately the promising short leads absolutely nowhere in the end.
"Vision stains" is some really twisted stuff by "Subconscious cruelty" director Karim Hussain. It starts off gritty with a homeless girl getting high on heroin in some dirty back alley when suddenly another girl appears and kills her and takes her eye liquid in a syringe injecting it in her own eyeball. The basic idea of transferring the last flashing pictures while dying to another person reminded me of an Italian movie with a camera (can't remember the title). But this one goes further and uses some pretty disturbing images. This one has a point to end on but honestly I found it a little uneven too.
Last but not least "Sweets" continues the disturbing imagery with some pretty nasty food fetishes and a bizarre break up scene of a couple. The guys acting is pretty incredible and makes the food fetish theme twice as bizarre. It all culminates in one of the goriest scenes of this anthology.
The surrounding Theatre-Plot with Udo Kier has some great visuals by "Wizard of Gore" Remake Director Jeremy Kasten but the lack of a story and Kiers accent which is nearly as annoying as that of the male lead in "I love you" ruin it.
After all this is your typical anthology. It fails on many levels (most of the time on the lazy storytelling) but has some nice ideas and visuals. Its hard to say which story is the best because basically the first half totally sucks and the second raises the bar a lot but because of the flaws has no real highlight. If you want some bizarre stories like in "Little Deaths" enjoy the second half but don't expect too much. Even with all those sick ideas ... when the curtain falls I was left thinking "Meeeeeh".
- dschmeding
- Feb 6, 2012
- Permalink
Down a seedy city street in her neighborhood, young Enola Penny (Virginia Newcomb) is obsessed with what appears to be a long abandoned theater. One night, she sees that the front door is slightly ajar and impulsively decides to sneak inside.
This film is just one disappointment after another. I generally enter into a movie with low expectations, and this is no exception. But I had a bit of hope that this could be a decent anthology. The stars are respectable: Debbie Rochon, Udo Kier, Catriona MacColl. The directors have talent: Richard Stanley, Tom Savini, Jeremy Kasten. What went wrong?
I feel like a variety of problems plagued this one -- but it can be summed up in two basic categories. Either the story was not thought-out enough or the segment was not long enough to develop the characters, or both.
Tom Savini's segment was just too confusing, and revolved around an unfaithful man. I feel like the cheating was never made clear. And we are not given time to sympathize with him or his wife or anyone. Should I care about either of their problems?
The concept of stealing memories through eye fluid was brilliant. While the concept is clearly impossible, and it is not clear how someone would have discovered this secret, it is a remarkably good idea that could have been its own film. But even with that one, it went downhill towards the end. I was completely deflated.
The "Sweets" segment was the most visually appealing... but what was going on?
This film is just one disappointment after another. I generally enter into a movie with low expectations, and this is no exception. But I had a bit of hope that this could be a decent anthology. The stars are respectable: Debbie Rochon, Udo Kier, Catriona MacColl. The directors have talent: Richard Stanley, Tom Savini, Jeremy Kasten. What went wrong?
I feel like a variety of problems plagued this one -- but it can be summed up in two basic categories. Either the story was not thought-out enough or the segment was not long enough to develop the characters, or both.
Tom Savini's segment was just too confusing, and revolved around an unfaithful man. I feel like the cheating was never made clear. And we are not given time to sympathize with him or his wife or anyone. Should I care about either of their problems?
The concept of stealing memories through eye fluid was brilliant. While the concept is clearly impossible, and it is not clear how someone would have discovered this secret, it is a remarkably good idea that could have been its own film. But even with that one, it went downhill towards the end. I was completely deflated.
The "Sweets" segment was the most visually appealing... but what was going on?
Not since the original Creepshow has there been a horror anthology as amazing as this. Comprising of six different short films, each with a different director and introductory segment, every short film is entirely different and unique in their own way and even the segments in between with Udo Kier and extremely entertaining to watch. Mother of Toads is a great B-movie throwback, I Love You is like a violent version of The Room, Wet Dreams has Tom Savini, therefore it is automatically gold, The Accident is harrowing and haunting, Vision Stains is interesting and engaging and Sweets is disgusting fun. Best horror of the year.
- viiempyrean
- Oct 26, 2011
- Permalink
- Chris_Pandolfi
- Feb 14, 2012
- Permalink
I really like when people get ecstatic about a movie. Even if it's a movie I can't get behind that much. The other reviewer (up til now), was having fun watching this. I am glad for him, but I can't quite share the enthusiasm. While that is debatable, I don't think comparing this to the Creepshow is a good move.
Creepshow stands on it's on right and this movie does not really try to imitate this. It tries to be as crazy as a movie can be. It is more like the British film "Little Deaths" that was made in recent years. Though that was really OTT. This one has recognizable actors and a very good camera (visually stunning most of the times, even/especially when it feels odd). Still there is something missing to make it really good. As it is, I feel it's just mediocre.
Creepshow stands on it's on right and this movie does not really try to imitate this. It tries to be as crazy as a movie can be. It is more like the British film "Little Deaths" that was made in recent years. Though that was really OTT. This one has recognizable actors and a very good camera (visually stunning most of the times, even/especially when it feels odd). Still there is something missing to make it really good. As it is, I feel it's just mediocre.
Theatre Bizarre [8/10] - The wrap around story takes place in a strange theatre (thus the name). Each Segment is introduced using paper mache type people acting like puppets or something. It is somewhat unsettling and each time it gives a little hint as to what is going to happen in the upcoming story. Udo Kier is fantastic and creepy as his roll as our guide. I feel this wrap around story should have had more of a point to it, but in the end, it only serves as a conduit to get us to the actual segments of the film.
The Mother Of Toads [5/10] - This segment takes its influences from HP Lovecraft, and has some really cool and unsettling imagery in them. Because of the short nature of anthology movies, we were never really given enough time with the characters to really care about them and it also feels as though they had to just wrap it up before being able to do anything. Nice makeup though.
I Love You [6/10] - Relies more on the acting chops from its stars for the majority of this part. It does not go anywhere until the last 2 or so minutes, but it does deliver one heck of a finale.
Wet Dreams [5/10] - Being directed by Savini, you know it is going to have good effects, which it does. The real question is whether it has any substance. To its credit, it does make you question what is going on, but it still feels hallow and never really crosses the line into greatness. Not bad, but not good either.
The Accident [9/10] - It feels out of place next to all these segments of horror and gore. It has a great atmosphere and you sit there wondering just what exactly is going to happen that will make you disgusted. While this never comes, you find the director knows how to set an atmosphere, and you will get a feeling from this segment you will not find in any horror movie.
Vision Stains [9/10] - The best of the entire movie. I will not go into the story, as it is best to not know anything. All I will say is that the effects are fantastic, the music brilliant, and the story original and clever. I will be thinking about this for many weeks to come. Even if you don't like these kinds of movies, you owe it to yourself to check this segment out.
Sweets [8/10] - The most artsy out of all of them. It lacks a bit of substance and you are left wanting a bit more, however the ride it takes you on is fun. There are lots of colors and artsyness that make this short stand out from the rest of the pack. I really liked it, even if I wanted more.
In the end, this is a flawed, but ultimately worth it anthology, that I hope to see more of in the future.
The Mother Of Toads [5/10] - This segment takes its influences from HP Lovecraft, and has some really cool and unsettling imagery in them. Because of the short nature of anthology movies, we were never really given enough time with the characters to really care about them and it also feels as though they had to just wrap it up before being able to do anything. Nice makeup though.
I Love You [6/10] - Relies more on the acting chops from its stars for the majority of this part. It does not go anywhere until the last 2 or so minutes, but it does deliver one heck of a finale.
Wet Dreams [5/10] - Being directed by Savini, you know it is going to have good effects, which it does. The real question is whether it has any substance. To its credit, it does make you question what is going on, but it still feels hallow and never really crosses the line into greatness. Not bad, but not good either.
The Accident [9/10] - It feels out of place next to all these segments of horror and gore. It has a great atmosphere and you sit there wondering just what exactly is going to happen that will make you disgusted. While this never comes, you find the director knows how to set an atmosphere, and you will get a feeling from this segment you will not find in any horror movie.
Vision Stains [9/10] - The best of the entire movie. I will not go into the story, as it is best to not know anything. All I will say is that the effects are fantastic, the music brilliant, and the story original and clever. I will be thinking about this for many weeks to come. Even if you don't like these kinds of movies, you owe it to yourself to check this segment out.
Sweets [8/10] - The most artsy out of all of them. It lacks a bit of substance and you are left wanting a bit more, however the ride it takes you on is fun. There are lots of colors and artsyness that make this short stand out from the rest of the pack. I really liked it, even if I wanted more.
In the end, this is a flawed, but ultimately worth it anthology, that I hope to see more of in the future.
- Aaron_da_miller
- Feb 7, 2012
- Permalink
I admit that while I heard quite a few good things about this movie I held off on it because I typically do not like anthologies but this one was pretty good and original. I will speak on the ones that stood out to me.
The Mother of Toads was OK but nothing special. It involves a couple and a witch. I wont say much more but honestly I thought this movie would be a let down after they started with this. 6/10
I Love You was actually pretty interesting and had a nice story. You do feel for the guy if you have been in a similar position but it goes a little crazy in the end. 7/10
Wet Dreams Has Tom Savini directing so the effects are top notch and probably the best of any of the films. I did like the story and this was my second favorite on this film. Just a little side note, you will either love it or hate it so I understand the reviews not liking this one.8/10
The next three are decent except for sweets which I hated. Vision Stains and The Accident are good however and I have to admit that this anthology surprised me in a good way. Also The Accident is my favorite and the story is amazing. Not a lot of gore or creepiness but I found it to be a great short.
The Wrap Around story is probably the best wrap around story of any Anthology that comes to my memory. While the twist wasn't to surprising, it was still a great idea. Opens a lot of doors if the franchise gets revisited. Still though some of the stories are weak IMO and it is definitely not for everyone, even some horror fans will not like it. I give it a 7 outta 10.
The Mother of Toads was OK but nothing special. It involves a couple and a witch. I wont say much more but honestly I thought this movie would be a let down after they started with this. 6/10
I Love You was actually pretty interesting and had a nice story. You do feel for the guy if you have been in a similar position but it goes a little crazy in the end. 7/10
Wet Dreams Has Tom Savini directing so the effects are top notch and probably the best of any of the films. I did like the story and this was my second favorite on this film. Just a little side note, you will either love it or hate it so I understand the reviews not liking this one.8/10
The next three are decent except for sweets which I hated. Vision Stains and The Accident are good however and I have to admit that this anthology surprised me in a good way. Also The Accident is my favorite and the story is amazing. Not a lot of gore or creepiness but I found it to be a great short.
The Wrap Around story is probably the best wrap around story of any Anthology that comes to my memory. While the twist wasn't to surprising, it was still a great idea. Opens a lot of doors if the franchise gets revisited. Still though some of the stories are weak IMO and it is definitely not for everyone, even some horror fans will not like it. I give it a 7 outta 10.
- andrewbarry6336
- Nov 24, 2013
- Permalink
Normally in an Anthology I would break it down by stories. I feel that in this case that will not be necessary. The production of this project had such a cheap feel to it, like it was made way back in the day. It honestly felt like it was draining the life out of me it was all so bland though I did manage to finish the entire "film". This reminded me much of "Tales From The Darkside", in it's tacky form. It didn't even come close to comparing it to episodes of "Tales From The Crypt" or "Masters of Horror" it certainly didn't have that caliper of greatness, and I have seen every episode from all 3 shows I just mentioned. Horror fans do yourself a favor and pass on this I really feel I have to get the message out there because anthology's are my ultimate favorite and this just plain sucked for lack of better words, wasn't even worth watching for free on the net, there are better films to watch out there so pass on this one. 3-4/10
- Thrill_KillZ
- Feb 9, 2012
- Permalink
This movie is really a very bizarre one, even in the context of bizarre / horror movies. It is no ordinary horror however - more or less it is unusually deep trip into the darkness. Forget "positive heroes running from demons or killers". This is way way darker and definitely not suitable for typical viewer.
The first story almost seems lame but the darkness increases from the this very point on. When it reaches "Vision Stains" you may be sure you are watching something so dark it may just come from Hell itself. Yet these stories are no gore flicks, they have their wicked souls, their own twisted logic. Some of them like the "Vision Stains" are really hard to watch.
I absolutely do love "The Accident". It is basically not a horror story, but more poem or "experience". It is very slow, gentle, almost tender story about the dying and the meaning of life and death. It is absolutely mesmerizing, brilliant example of storytelling mixed with great soundtrack and the editing. It is pure 10/10 and alone makes the whole movie worth watching. It does not fit here however - it is not dark, not twisted and in some ways almost zen-like positive. It is really beautiful.
I could not recommend this movie for everyone - the only really accessible story is "The Accident" which is the weakest in the terms of gore and the most powerful in the terms of philosophy. The other stories could be way too much disturbing for ordinary viewer - not because they are full of gore, but because of twisted and elaborated evil, abuse, loss, suffering and despair depicted here. It is very powerful and dark anthology, definitely no ordinary teenager slasher movie. No fun is here, no light at the end of the tunnel. You have to have right mood to watch this anthology or you will end up really depressed.
The first story almost seems lame but the darkness increases from the this very point on. When it reaches "Vision Stains" you may be sure you are watching something so dark it may just come from Hell itself. Yet these stories are no gore flicks, they have their wicked souls, their own twisted logic. Some of them like the "Vision Stains" are really hard to watch.
I absolutely do love "The Accident". It is basically not a horror story, but more poem or "experience". It is very slow, gentle, almost tender story about the dying and the meaning of life and death. It is absolutely mesmerizing, brilliant example of storytelling mixed with great soundtrack and the editing. It is pure 10/10 and alone makes the whole movie worth watching. It does not fit here however - it is not dark, not twisted and in some ways almost zen-like positive. It is really beautiful.
I could not recommend this movie for everyone - the only really accessible story is "The Accident" which is the weakest in the terms of gore and the most powerful in the terms of philosophy. The other stories could be way too much disturbing for ordinary viewer - not because they are full of gore, but because of twisted and elaborated evil, abuse, loss, suffering and despair depicted here. It is very powerful and dark anthology, definitely no ordinary teenager slasher movie. No fun is here, no light at the end of the tunnel. You have to have right mood to watch this anthology or you will end up really depressed.
- the_wolf_imdb
- Feb 18, 2012
- Permalink
An anthology of weird an bizarre tales directed by famous names from the genre like for example Tom Savini and Karim Hussain. Not only that, the story teller is Udo Kier, another name in the genre. I also recognized others but the biggest surprise was Catriona MacColl.
With all those popular names from the horror scene you think that this is going to be good. Well, in some way it was in others it wasn't. There's one story were a mother is telling her daughter about death that i didn't like. In fact, nothing really happens. But the other stories were nice to see, let 'Sweets' be the one that can make you vomit. All that eating and eating and finally eating puke. Don't get me wrong here, it isn't like real puke like in some Japanese flicks for example Terrible Meal. Still, you won't feel comfortable watching it. There's even some gore involved in that segment.
all the stories aren't what you think normal, they all have a twist at the end. There's gore in almost all entries, except the one with the one with the mother and child. Also a spot of nudity here and there.
They are already talking about part 2 and it's a thing I'm looking out for. Even the story teller segment has it's own story. Surely one to pick up.
Gore 2,5/5 Nudity 1,5/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5
With all those popular names from the horror scene you think that this is going to be good. Well, in some way it was in others it wasn't. There's one story were a mother is telling her daughter about death that i didn't like. In fact, nothing really happens. But the other stories were nice to see, let 'Sweets' be the one that can make you vomit. All that eating and eating and finally eating puke. Don't get me wrong here, it isn't like real puke like in some Japanese flicks for example Terrible Meal. Still, you won't feel comfortable watching it. There's even some gore involved in that segment.
all the stories aren't what you think normal, they all have a twist at the end. There's gore in almost all entries, except the one with the one with the mother and child. Also a spot of nudity here and there.
They are already talking about part 2 and it's a thing I'm looking out for. Even the story teller segment has it's own story. Surely one to pick up.
Gore 2,5/5 Nudity 1,5/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5
This movie sat in our cabinet for about 6 months. Tonight, we decided to watch it..my husband, 20 year old son, and I.
I swear, there was NOTHING on TV worth watching, so we decided to finally take it out, and give it a try.
We watched the entire movie, beginning to end. Nobody in the room said anything. I started thinking about how we COULD have been watching old reruns of Benson, instead. Horror movies are one of my favorite genres...so it's not like I didn't 'get it'.
This movie will follow you around for the rest of your life like a very bad smell.
When it popped out of the DVD player, my husband removed it from the tray, we all looked at each other, and agreed...we threw it in the garbage.
But it's still in the house, because there's no garbage pick-up tomorrow. :( That's the REAL horror.
I swear, there was NOTHING on TV worth watching, so we decided to finally take it out, and give it a try.
We watched the entire movie, beginning to end. Nobody in the room said anything. I started thinking about how we COULD have been watching old reruns of Benson, instead. Horror movies are one of my favorite genres...so it's not like I didn't 'get it'.
This movie will follow you around for the rest of your life like a very bad smell.
When it popped out of the DVD player, my husband removed it from the tray, we all looked at each other, and agreed...we threw it in the garbage.
But it's still in the house, because there's no garbage pick-up tomorrow. :( That's the REAL horror.
THE THEATRE BIZARRE is refreshingly blunt. It's a gutting, dismembering, and reassembling of the horror anthology film.
From the Lovecraft-inspired doom of MOTHER OF TOADS, to the gluttonous, cannibalistic overload of SWEETS, this movie is filled to the puking-point with grisly chills.
MOTHER OF TOADS- Features a couple that runs afoul of an old witch. The title comes in in demonic fashion. There's a pitch-perfect sense of overarching doom.
"I LOVE YOU"- A wicked tale about a truly obsessive, psychotic relationship.
WET DREAMS- Subjects us to a series of emasculating nightmares.
THE ACCIDENT- A meditation on the nature of death.
VISION STAINS- A unique take on the vampire / addict story. This might make you wince!
SWEETS- The ultimate breakup story, and an homage to movies like BLOOD FEAST. This might make you sick!
THEATRE GUINGOL- The wraparound segments that hold the whole bloody mess together.
Highly recommended for the non-squeamish and the openminded...
From the Lovecraft-inspired doom of MOTHER OF TOADS, to the gluttonous, cannibalistic overload of SWEETS, this movie is filled to the puking-point with grisly chills.
MOTHER OF TOADS- Features a couple that runs afoul of an old witch. The title comes in in demonic fashion. There's a pitch-perfect sense of overarching doom.
"I LOVE YOU"- A wicked tale about a truly obsessive, psychotic relationship.
WET DREAMS- Subjects us to a series of emasculating nightmares.
THE ACCIDENT- A meditation on the nature of death.
VISION STAINS- A unique take on the vampire / addict story. This might make you wince!
SWEETS- The ultimate breakup story, and an homage to movies like BLOOD FEAST. This might make you sick!
THEATRE GUINGOL- The wraparound segments that hold the whole bloody mess together.
Highly recommended for the non-squeamish and the openminded...
It was without having any prior knowledge about what this was about, aside from it being an anthology of horror stories, that I sat down to watch this movie.
Some of the segments, chapters, call them what you will, were actually nicely enough put together and shot in a great way, however they were lacking shock and scare aspects. I wasn't particularly impressed with this, and hand on heart, must admit that I actually fell asleep during the fourth story, woke up and turned off the movie. It was not just working for me.
The acting was nice enough, though nothing really stands out. But the performances put on by the people in the movie was working well enough for the respective stories. Udo Kier was perhaps the person that left the most memorable impression in the movie though.
I am a fan of horror, but "The Theatre Bizarre", just didn't cut it for me. There are far better horror anthologies out there, and this one will just go straight to the archives, never to be seen again.
Some of the segments, chapters, call them what you will, were actually nicely enough put together and shot in a great way, however they were lacking shock and scare aspects. I wasn't particularly impressed with this, and hand on heart, must admit that I actually fell asleep during the fourth story, woke up and turned off the movie. It was not just working for me.
The acting was nice enough, though nothing really stands out. But the performances put on by the people in the movie was working well enough for the respective stories. Udo Kier was perhaps the person that left the most memorable impression in the movie though.
I am a fan of horror, but "The Theatre Bizarre", just didn't cut it for me. There are far better horror anthologies out there, and this one will just go straight to the archives, never to be seen again.
- paul_m_haakonsen
- Feb 13, 2012
- Permalink
First of all i am gonna say that this movie was so depressing and sick i almost couldn't finish it..okay they wanted to make a horror anthology..i get it..so why are they making these random awful stories that even myself could have made them much more interesting and scarier..there is one story that has nothing to do with the rest of them,it's a story with a little girl.The awful nightmarish last story was not only dreadful but bloody disgusting too..i though 'oh well i found what to watch when i wanna start a diet'..Honestly one of the worst movies ever!!!If you wanna see horror stories that are worth it check out Campfire Tales..now that was interesting!!!
- maryfeather80-553-207670
- Dec 17, 2012
- Permalink
I have heard and seen the banner of this movie a few times, and finally it was the time to watch it. I got a big problem and that's i have watched this without subs, which means i had to follow the movie the best as i can. When i have subs i can accurately follow the plot(s). This time it was a bit different.
1st story: The couple Lovecraft frog story. I can tell you that it's unique, and pretty dull. There really isn't much going on except this couple decides to visit a witch, that then turns both of them into frogs. That's pretty much it. I think i need to know about the original Lovecraft story that this was based on, in order to truly understand this.
2nd story: Was i think the best of all 6. This story would of benefited if it was it's own movie. What i mean is, i wish that we had more info on how truly did our two main stars love each other. Like a more more indepth build up. It is a fascinating story, of spiral into Madness. The acting seemed fine, the gore effects are the best of all 6 stories, and this segment needs it's own film.
3rd story: Funny. That's all what i can say. It's was a "meme" story about nightmares. However, the ending kind of sucked because the ending was spoiled with both of their dreams. However, i still found the second story funny, and interesting take on dreams.
4rd story: Pointless. A kid is asking her mom about death. That's is the 4th story. Felt incredibly boring, and out of left field. Every story seems are a titan compared to this one. This feels like it does not belong here at all, and it just felt incredibly slow. Maybe if the 4th story had it's own movie, that could of helped?
5th story: Mixed bag. At first, it was fascinating. At first, i though that all of this was kinda stupid, because why do you have to end someone, in order to write a story about them??? It does not make sense, when you can just interview them? Or i think this is it: Our main character can not dream, so she takes other peoples lives as dreams? She then tries to cross the line with understanding what happens before life, which escalates in her getting punished for it. (Herself). It's a unique story i can tell you that, but i am unsure how much sense it makes.
6th story: Minus the gore, everything else was just bad. Probably the worst story of all. However, the main actress in this segment is pretty good looking.
Score: A Tier: 2nd Story (This deserves it's own movie. The twist at the end really makes everything tighter.) 5th Story (It was unique, even though it does not make much sense, it still was a fascinating watch).
B Tier 3rd Story (As i said, a goofy story, that makes you chuckle).
4th Story (Too slow. Again i think it would benefit if it was it's own movie, prolonged).
C Tier 1st Story 6th Story
I mean if you enjoyed the V/H/S Franchise and Tales of Halloween, you'll probably find something here that you'll like.
1st story: The couple Lovecraft frog story. I can tell you that it's unique, and pretty dull. There really isn't much going on except this couple decides to visit a witch, that then turns both of them into frogs. That's pretty much it. I think i need to know about the original Lovecraft story that this was based on, in order to truly understand this.
2nd story: Was i think the best of all 6. This story would of benefited if it was it's own movie. What i mean is, i wish that we had more info on how truly did our two main stars love each other. Like a more more indepth build up. It is a fascinating story, of spiral into Madness. The acting seemed fine, the gore effects are the best of all 6 stories, and this segment needs it's own film.
3rd story: Funny. That's all what i can say. It's was a "meme" story about nightmares. However, the ending kind of sucked because the ending was spoiled with both of their dreams. However, i still found the second story funny, and interesting take on dreams.
4rd story: Pointless. A kid is asking her mom about death. That's is the 4th story. Felt incredibly boring, and out of left field. Every story seems are a titan compared to this one. This feels like it does not belong here at all, and it just felt incredibly slow. Maybe if the 4th story had it's own movie, that could of helped?
5th story: Mixed bag. At first, it was fascinating. At first, i though that all of this was kinda stupid, because why do you have to end someone, in order to write a story about them??? It does not make sense, when you can just interview them? Or i think this is it: Our main character can not dream, so she takes other peoples lives as dreams? She then tries to cross the line with understanding what happens before life, which escalates in her getting punished for it. (Herself). It's a unique story i can tell you that, but i am unsure how much sense it makes.
6th story: Minus the gore, everything else was just bad. Probably the worst story of all. However, the main actress in this segment is pretty good looking.
Score: A Tier: 2nd Story (This deserves it's own movie. The twist at the end really makes everything tighter.) 5th Story (It was unique, even though it does not make much sense, it still was a fascinating watch).
B Tier 3rd Story (As i said, a goofy story, that makes you chuckle).
4th Story (Too slow. Again i think it would benefit if it was it's own movie, prolonged).
C Tier 1st Story 6th Story
I mean if you enjoyed the V/H/S Franchise and Tales of Halloween, you'll probably find something here that you'll like.
- DarkSpotOn
- Apr 6, 2024
- Permalink
Horror anthologies were extinct I believe after Creepshow 2 so that was 1987. 20 years later the best little horror anthology was brought to us that was filmed four blocks from where I am typing this review. Yes I am talking about Trick or Treat filmed right here in Vancouver. This show just kicked ass and it has influenced filmmakers to jump back on board this horror sub-genre. I have to say the results have been pleasant and it is no different with this little stygian film. A couple of the stories were forgettable but if you hone in on " I love you " " Vision Stains " and " Sweets " well lets just say you will be darkly moved. In fact the lead actress from " sweets " stole the show and this particular segment reminded me of that creepy film from 1989 Society. Remember that one guys wow. Udo Kier is his usual ostentatious self as the host which is tantamount to the crypt-keeper. All in all a great effort but not for the faint of heart especially with " Sweets " Enjoy!!!!
- nightwatch4773
- Jan 26, 2013
- Permalink
What an apt title for this rather interesting (not always for the right reasons) anthology horror movie. There are no spoilers in this review, just short sentences on what I think of each short.
The Theatre Bizarre begins with a woman who takes a peek into a theatre she stumbles upon. Inside she is greeted by a man who introduces her to a show of short movies:
"Wet Dreams", was pretty good. One of my favourite's of the movie. And who doesn't like wet dreams?
"I love you" was a bloody addition with a decent plot twist.
"The Mother of Toads", was my least favourite. I mean toads? Frog off!
"The Accident" was effective in what it was trying to say, but I got bored of watching it's short screen time.
"Vision Stains" was the most original of the series and another worth watching.
And lastly "Sweets" is as about as bizarre as things could get.
There's a lot of awful, awful acting, but some of the stories are decent and worth giving a go.
The Theatre Bizarre is a random and gory anthology which will please a few. I'd say check it out because it is SO bizarre.
The Theatre Bizarre begins with a woman who takes a peek into a theatre she stumbles upon. Inside she is greeted by a man who introduces her to a show of short movies:
"Wet Dreams", was pretty good. One of my favourite's of the movie. And who doesn't like wet dreams?
"I love you" was a bloody addition with a decent plot twist.
"The Mother of Toads", was my least favourite. I mean toads? Frog off!
"The Accident" was effective in what it was trying to say, but I got bored of watching it's short screen time.
"Vision Stains" was the most original of the series and another worth watching.
And lastly "Sweets" is as about as bizarre as things could get.
There's a lot of awful, awful acting, but some of the stories are decent and worth giving a go.
The Theatre Bizarre is a random and gory anthology which will please a few. I'd say check it out because it is SO bizarre.
- horrorfanofficial-08198
- Jun 17, 2016
- Permalink
This anthology opens at a movie theater with a carnival like atmosphere as an introduction.
Story #1 is "Mother of Toads" begins with a Gypsy woman selling an ancient pair of earrings to a tourist couple. The boyfriend later visits the Gypsy woman/fortune teller alone and she seduces him and his girlfriend catches him in the act, runs into the nearby woods and it turns very nasty. A 7/10.
Story #2 "I Love You" A man wakes up on the bathroom floor in a bloody t shirt, not remembering what happened previously, when his wife shows up and explains to him that he is a control freak and she needs room to breathe and thus she is leaving him. She details numerous affairs, we then get flashbacks and a predictable ending. 7/10.
Story #3 "Wet dreams" opens promisingly with a nude woman enticing a man and then castrating him. The man wishes to stop this recurring nightmare and seeks help from a psychiatrist. The line between fantasy and reality is explored, along with marital bliss. 7/10.
Story #4 "The Accident" is the briefest of the lot, a little girl and her mother discuss the death of her father and the meaning of life when they come upon an accident involving a motorcycle and a deer. It ends rather abruptly and really doesn't belong. A 3/10.
Story #5 "Vision Stains" A woman in an alley injects a drug into her thigh. She is then impaled like a vampire; her impaler then uses a needle to extract fluid from her eyeball as she is dying and is able to absorb the life story of the victim. She continues killing vagrants in order to chronicle their lives in a journal. A great concept with a so so finish.
Story #6 "Sweets" Estelle and Greg are a couple whose relationship is based on consumption of confectionery products. This food centered tale is the most vicious and entertaining of the six. 7/10.
Story #1 is "Mother of Toads" begins with a Gypsy woman selling an ancient pair of earrings to a tourist couple. The boyfriend later visits the Gypsy woman/fortune teller alone and she seduces him and his girlfriend catches him in the act, runs into the nearby woods and it turns very nasty. A 7/10.
Story #2 "I Love You" A man wakes up on the bathroom floor in a bloody t shirt, not remembering what happened previously, when his wife shows up and explains to him that he is a control freak and she needs room to breathe and thus she is leaving him. She details numerous affairs, we then get flashbacks and a predictable ending. 7/10.
Story #3 "Wet dreams" opens promisingly with a nude woman enticing a man and then castrating him. The man wishes to stop this recurring nightmare and seeks help from a psychiatrist. The line between fantasy and reality is explored, along with marital bliss. 7/10.
Story #4 "The Accident" is the briefest of the lot, a little girl and her mother discuss the death of her father and the meaning of life when they come upon an accident involving a motorcycle and a deer. It ends rather abruptly and really doesn't belong. A 3/10.
Story #5 "Vision Stains" A woman in an alley injects a drug into her thigh. She is then impaled like a vampire; her impaler then uses a needle to extract fluid from her eyeball as she is dying and is able to absorb the life story of the victim. She continues killing vagrants in order to chronicle their lives in a journal. A great concept with a so so finish.
Story #6 "Sweets" Estelle and Greg are a couple whose relationship is based on consumption of confectionery products. This food centered tale is the most vicious and entertaining of the six. 7/10.
Most of these stories cannot even be called horror, in fact most of them barely even have a cohesive storyline. I'd say the first story is the only good one, so if you're inclined to watch stop after the first.
- rhhh-40844
- Jun 17, 2020
- Permalink
For the first time I've commented on a movie on IMDb.. I woke during the night, restless. Decided to watch Theatre of the Bizarre. I couldn't have chose a more perfect movie to watch in the early hours half asleep.. The overall feel and atmosphere is just hypnotic. The tales are very stylish, well paced, shot, scripted and acted and all as good as each other in their own very different ways and the link scenario in the Theatre is just dreamy gorgeous! The soundtrack does a fantastic job, just floats along with the visuals nicely, never imposes it's self. Not overly gory, a lot of the violence is implied rather than seen! {Although I seem to remember a few scenes where 'implied' was put to bed in brutal fashion!). Anyways....
I loved this movie! More of the same please :)
I could see The Theatre of the Bizarre becoming a cult classic!
I loved this movie! More of the same please :)
I could see The Theatre of the Bizarre becoming a cult classic!