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Bookmark this pageThe Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Director: Jim Sharman
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Why did the fans turn late-nite screenings of this cult favourite into an elaborate ritual of dressing-up, singing along, throwing rice and waving cigarette lighters? Well, for one thing, the material inspires affection, given its knowing pastiche of everything from Universal horrors to '50s grade-Z sci-fi, and a shamelessly hedonistic, fiercely independent sensibility that must have seemed a welcome relief from the mainstream bombast of other '70s musicals (not exactly Jesus Christ Superstar, is it?). However, dare we suggest that the whole participation angle evolved to boost a movie that is something of an enthusiastic shambles, and collapses altogether in the final reel? Fresh-faced Sarandon and Bostwick are the all-American honeymooners who wind up in the tender care of Tim Curry's camper-than-thou Transylvanian transvestite, O'Brien's hunchback butler and sundry kinky cronies. A string of hummable songs gives it momentum, Gray's admirably straight-faced narrator holds it together, and a run on black lingerie takes care of almost everything else.Author: TJ
User reviews of this film
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- Sparktabulous said...
- Posted on Sep 18 2011 04:17 They are not honeymooners, they are college sweethearts who get engaged during the opening number after a wedding of friends. The movie is infectious and gets you caught up in the campy parody as a participant, rather than an observer, as it lambastes horror films everywhere, but, mostly the bad, low budget ones. Underscored by a very well written and performed soundtrack (every voice a winner), it's almost hard to believe the whole thing came out of the butler, Riff Raff (Richard O'Brian). Very effective in launching the careers of Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, and Meatloaf (What, Meatloaf, again?), you'll laugh so loud and try to keep up with the participant's dialogue, you will have to see the movie dozens of times just to take in everything that is going on! Rocky came to theaters the year my daughter was born, 1975, and I took her to see it when she was 8 years old. Presented her with the soundtrack when she was 12, and she loved it. I now own the movie book and the movie itself on CD. It is one movie I never get tired of. of course it could have ended better, but that would have set it apart from all the other Horror Shows. Go see it, don't forget your newspaper!
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- Mike said...
- Posted on Feb 12 2011 22:46 I'm sure this film needs no introduction - it's a cult classic. But for those a little uncertain - 5 stars from me.
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- FRANKIE said...
- Posted on May 17 2008 03:14 FOR SOME IT IS A MOVIE FOR ME AND OTHERS IT IS A WAY OF LIFE THIS IS THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER MADE
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Cast & crew
Director: Jim Sharman
Producer: Michael White
Cast: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien, Jonathan Adams, Nell Campbell, Peter Hinwood, Meatloaf, Patricia Quinn, Christopher Biggins, Charles Gray full cast
Genre(s): Musicals
Duration: 101 mins
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