| Digital Shrieks By Robert Freese “Terror Tales from the Year 2000” The Year BMR Started |
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Cherry Falls (2000), USA Home Entertainment
Dir. Geoffrey Wright
“Innocence has never been deadlier.”
This novel slasher flick has an unseen killer targeting high school virgins, putting
to rest once and for all that the chaste always survive to the end credits. Teens
hit the sheets in the hope they won’t find themselves on the business end of a
sharp object. The late Brittany Murphy makes for a spunky heroine. This
enjoyable knife-kill flick has a great cast and delivers a fair number of scares
along the way. The killer’s revelation is a bit of a surprise, but graduates from
Splatter University may figure it out early. With Michael Biehn and Jay Mohr.
Crocodile (2000), Trimark
Dir. Tobe Hooper
“Reality Bites!”
A gaggle of jackassing college boneheads converge on a houseboat for some
spring break shenanigans. When they disrupt the nest of an outsized crocodile
and steal one of its eggs, the titular beastie puts the “F-U” into fun and starts
munching down on the liquor drenched morons. Fast paced action, humor and
some nice suspense make this one a winner for giant monster movie fans.
Final Destination (2000), New Line
Dir. James Wong
“Death doesn’t take no for an answer.”
Moments before a tragic airline disaster, Alex (Devon Sawa) experiences the
crash and gets off the plane with a number of his fellow students and teachers.
Before the boy can understand what he saw, the plane explodes in the sky, killing
all on board. Soon, bizarre accidents start taking the lives of the survivors and
Alex sees a pattern. He tries to cheat death but, ultimately, the Grim Reaper is not
someone to mess with. This is a high octane gore-suspenser with top notch
special effects and heart-racing thrills. Three sequels followed, including a 3-D
installment, with more on the way. Recommended.
Dir. Geoffrey Wright
“Innocence has never been deadlier.”
This novel slasher flick has an unseen killer targeting high school virgins, putting
to rest once and for all that the chaste always survive to the end credits. Teens
hit the sheets in the hope they won’t find themselves on the business end of a
sharp object. The late Brittany Murphy makes for a spunky heroine. This
enjoyable knife-kill flick has a great cast and delivers a fair number of scares
along the way. The killer’s revelation is a bit of a surprise, but graduates from
Splatter University may figure it out early. With Michael Biehn and Jay Mohr.
Crocodile (2000), Trimark
Dir. Tobe Hooper
“Reality Bites!”
A gaggle of jackassing college boneheads converge on a houseboat for some
spring break shenanigans. When they disrupt the nest of an outsized crocodile
and steal one of its eggs, the titular beastie puts the “F-U” into fun and starts
munching down on the liquor drenched morons. Fast paced action, humor and
some nice suspense make this one a winner for giant monster movie fans.
Final Destination (2000), New Line
Dir. James Wong
“Death doesn’t take no for an answer.”
Moments before a tragic airline disaster, Alex (Devon Sawa) experiences the
crash and gets off the plane with a number of his fellow students and teachers.
Before the boy can understand what he saw, the plane explodes in the sky, killing
all on board. Soon, bizarre accidents start taking the lives of the survivors and
Alex sees a pattern. He tries to cheat death but, ultimately, the Grim Reaper is not
someone to mess with. This is a high octane gore-suspenser with top notch
special effects and heart-racing thrills. Three sequels followed, including a 3-D
installment, with more on the way. Recommended.
Frightmare (2000), Key
Dir. Ash Smith
“Hide and Shriek”
Fairly lame teen-kill non-thriller involving a knife wielding wacko hiding out in a haunted house built by the senior
class of Sugar Hill High. Who will survive and what will be left of them? Honestly, who cares? Even diehard
slasher fans may find it tough sitting through this one to the end.
Hollow Man (2000), Columbia Pictures
Dir. Paul Verhoven
“Think you’re alone? Think again.”
Slick, big budget updating of H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man, with Kevin Bacon as brilliant scientist Sebastian
Caine, who should know better than using himself as the first human guinea pig for his invisibility agent but
doesn’t. We wouldn’t have much of a film if he didn’t lose his mind and attack his team of cohorts. Gory action
set pieces and fast paced fun. With Elisabeth Shue and Josh Brolin. By no means a classic but certainly worth
watching on a rainy day when there is nothing better to do.
Horror Vision (2000), Full Moon
Dir. Danny Draven
Terror from the world wide web! A young couple is ensnared in horrorvision.com and discovers a nightmare
world of virtual reality monsters and mayhem. Enjoyable low budget fare that makes the best of its limited
resources. Great make-up effects and creature work. With Brinke Stevens and James Black.
The In Crowd (2000), Warner Bros.
Dir. Mary Lambert
“What would you do to get in?”
Adrien (Lori Heuring) is new to Cliffmont Country Club, and falls in with Brittany’s (Susan Ward) crowd of over-
privileged rich kids. It doesn’t take Adrien long to realize that her new BFF is a basket case who will murder to
make a point. Lots of crazy girl antics and bitch slapping. The story works its way to a scratching, hair-pulling
girl-fight finale. An enjoyable thriller from director Lambert.
Leprechaun in the Hood (2000), Trimark
Dir. Rob Spera
“Evil’s in the house”
An attempt to re-invent the Leprechaun series, possibly one of the dumbest horror franchises ever created. Our
pissed off little wee one is relocated to the ghetto and comes back to life thanks to three bumbling, wannabe rap
stars. Blood and bad one-liners ensue. Flick does earn a modicum of street cred for one hysterically surreal
scene in which the Leprechaun smokes Chronic with Ice-T in the bathroom of a discothèque. Unbelievably,
another ghetto based sequel soon followed.
Octopus (2000), Trimark
Dir. John Eyres
“Terror has never run so deep”
Monster mollusk takes down a number of ships until it meets its match against a nuclear sub. Lots of giant octo-
attacks and cheesy special effects. Not much else to say about this light-weight but dumb fun creature feature.
Pitch Black (2000), Universal
Dir. David Twohy
Sci-fi fright flick concerning subterranean creatures that come out to feed at night. A ship crash lands and the
survivors must band together to stay alive in the darkness. Bad ass convict Vin Disel can see in the dark and
tries mightily to keep his fellow survivors breathing. Exciting monster action that builds real suspense and
scares. Will surely have your skin crawling. Highly recommended.
Prison of the Dead (2000), Full Moon
Dir. David DeCoteau
“There’s no parole…in Hell!”
Some long time friends are tricked into a reunion wherein a séance awakens the evil Crypt Keepers, a band of
living dead prison guards that start taking out the kids one by one. Nice production values but a little light on
blood and shocks for my taste. DeCoteau directs under the name Victoria Sloan.
School Killer (2000), Image
Dir. Carlos Gil
“They’re going to kill us all”
A group of eager beaver filmmakers arrive at an abandoned school with video equipment in the hopes of
capturing some paranormal activity on tape. It doesn’t take long for The Watchman (played by the legendary
Paul Naschy) to make his ghostly appearance and start killing the assembled young people. This is a fine
suspense flick with plenty of blood and shocks. Naschy is nothing less than fantastic as the sadistic apparition.
The Spanish made shocker is presented with English subtitles. Don’t miss this one.
School’s Out (2000), MTI Entertainment
Dir. Robert Sigl
“This class is dying to graduate.”
A murderer in a Harlequin mask begins wiping out students at the old school before they can make it to their
graduation rave. While derivative of most of the 80’s wave of slash-and-kill flicks, this foreign offering delivers a
likeable cast and some bloody slayings. Well worth a look. Flick was popular enough to spawn a sequel that
takes place on an island, but to the best of my knowledge it has never been released in the U.S.
Scream 3 (2000), Dimension
Dir. Wes Craven
“The most terrifying scream is always the last.”
Another all-star cast goes toe-to-toe with every cliché from the Slasher Movie Handbook. All the trilogy’s loose
ends are tied up in an attempt to bring the franchise full circle. Craven continues to deliver the seat jump scares
and suspense while having fun on a movie set where Sidney (Neve Campbell) faces terrors in both the real and
reel worlds. Flick has some amusing cameos (like Roger Corman) as well as some not so amusing cameos (Jay
and Silent Bob). Fans of the series will not be disappointed. With Parker Posey, Patrick Dempsey, Lance
Henriksen and Jenny McCarthy.
Spiders (2000), Trimark
Dir. Gary Jones
“The future of the human race hangs by a thread”
Nosey news sleuth Marci (Lana Parrilla) investigates some strange military goings-on and soon finds herself at a
secret base that hides the contaminated bodies of astronauts from failed space missions that no one has ever
heard of. Giant spiders from space run amok and the military tries to keep it all a secret. Hard to do when you
have 20 foot spiders roaming around! Great giant monster attack flick with a wonderful sense of humor. Worth
your time.
Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000), Columbia Pictures
Dir. John Ottman
“Legends never die”
Film school geeks die in outrageous fashion patterned after urban legends at Alpine University. Our heroes try
to figure out who the crazed killer in the fencing mask is before they end up a gory little pile of teen kibble. My
favorite set piece is the young woman who awakens in a tub of ice only to realize one of her kidneys has been
removed! Loretta Devine returns as the Coffy obsessed security officer. Ending has a nice twist and nod to the
original film. A fun middle entry in the Urban Legend trilogy.
Dir. Ash Smith
“Hide and Shriek”
Fairly lame teen-kill non-thriller involving a knife wielding wacko hiding out in a haunted house built by the senior
class of Sugar Hill High. Who will survive and what will be left of them? Honestly, who cares? Even diehard
slasher fans may find it tough sitting through this one to the end.
Hollow Man (2000), Columbia Pictures
Dir. Paul Verhoven
“Think you’re alone? Think again.”
Slick, big budget updating of H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man, with Kevin Bacon as brilliant scientist Sebastian
Caine, who should know better than using himself as the first human guinea pig for his invisibility agent but
doesn’t. We wouldn’t have much of a film if he didn’t lose his mind and attack his team of cohorts. Gory action
set pieces and fast paced fun. With Elisabeth Shue and Josh Brolin. By no means a classic but certainly worth
watching on a rainy day when there is nothing better to do.
Horror Vision (2000), Full Moon
Dir. Danny Draven
Terror from the world wide web! A young couple is ensnared in horrorvision.com and discovers a nightmare
world of virtual reality monsters and mayhem. Enjoyable low budget fare that makes the best of its limited
resources. Great make-up effects and creature work. With Brinke Stevens and James Black.
The In Crowd (2000), Warner Bros.
Dir. Mary Lambert
“What would you do to get in?”
Adrien (Lori Heuring) is new to Cliffmont Country Club, and falls in with Brittany’s (Susan Ward) crowd of over-
privileged rich kids. It doesn’t take Adrien long to realize that her new BFF is a basket case who will murder to
make a point. Lots of crazy girl antics and bitch slapping. The story works its way to a scratching, hair-pulling
girl-fight finale. An enjoyable thriller from director Lambert.
Leprechaun in the Hood (2000), Trimark
Dir. Rob Spera
“Evil’s in the house”
An attempt to re-invent the Leprechaun series, possibly one of the dumbest horror franchises ever created. Our
pissed off little wee one is relocated to the ghetto and comes back to life thanks to three bumbling, wannabe rap
stars. Blood and bad one-liners ensue. Flick does earn a modicum of street cred for one hysterically surreal
scene in which the Leprechaun smokes Chronic with Ice-T in the bathroom of a discothèque. Unbelievably,
another ghetto based sequel soon followed.
Octopus (2000), Trimark
Dir. John Eyres
“Terror has never run so deep”
Monster mollusk takes down a number of ships until it meets its match against a nuclear sub. Lots of giant octo-
attacks and cheesy special effects. Not much else to say about this light-weight but dumb fun creature feature.
Pitch Black (2000), Universal
Dir. David Twohy
Sci-fi fright flick concerning subterranean creatures that come out to feed at night. A ship crash lands and the
survivors must band together to stay alive in the darkness. Bad ass convict Vin Disel can see in the dark and
tries mightily to keep his fellow survivors breathing. Exciting monster action that builds real suspense and
scares. Will surely have your skin crawling. Highly recommended.
Prison of the Dead (2000), Full Moon
Dir. David DeCoteau
“There’s no parole…in Hell!”
Some long time friends are tricked into a reunion wherein a séance awakens the evil Crypt Keepers, a band of
living dead prison guards that start taking out the kids one by one. Nice production values but a little light on
blood and shocks for my taste. DeCoteau directs under the name Victoria Sloan.
School Killer (2000), Image
Dir. Carlos Gil
“They’re going to kill us all”
A group of eager beaver filmmakers arrive at an abandoned school with video equipment in the hopes of
capturing some paranormal activity on tape. It doesn’t take long for The Watchman (played by the legendary
Paul Naschy) to make his ghostly appearance and start killing the assembled young people. This is a fine
suspense flick with plenty of blood and shocks. Naschy is nothing less than fantastic as the sadistic apparition.
The Spanish made shocker is presented with English subtitles. Don’t miss this one.
School’s Out (2000), MTI Entertainment
Dir. Robert Sigl
“This class is dying to graduate.”
A murderer in a Harlequin mask begins wiping out students at the old school before they can make it to their
graduation rave. While derivative of most of the 80’s wave of slash-and-kill flicks, this foreign offering delivers a
likeable cast and some bloody slayings. Well worth a look. Flick was popular enough to spawn a sequel that
takes place on an island, but to the best of my knowledge it has never been released in the U.S.
Scream 3 (2000), Dimension
Dir. Wes Craven
“The most terrifying scream is always the last.”
Another all-star cast goes toe-to-toe with every cliché from the Slasher Movie Handbook. All the trilogy’s loose
ends are tied up in an attempt to bring the franchise full circle. Craven continues to deliver the seat jump scares
and suspense while having fun on a movie set where Sidney (Neve Campbell) faces terrors in both the real and
reel worlds. Flick has some amusing cameos (like Roger Corman) as well as some not so amusing cameos (Jay
and Silent Bob). Fans of the series will not be disappointed. With Parker Posey, Patrick Dempsey, Lance
Henriksen and Jenny McCarthy.
Spiders (2000), Trimark
Dir. Gary Jones
“The future of the human race hangs by a thread”
Nosey news sleuth Marci (Lana Parrilla) investigates some strange military goings-on and soon finds herself at a
secret base that hides the contaminated bodies of astronauts from failed space missions that no one has ever
heard of. Giant spiders from space run amok and the military tries to keep it all a secret. Hard to do when you
have 20 foot spiders roaming around! Great giant monster attack flick with a wonderful sense of humor. Worth
your time.
Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000), Columbia Pictures
Dir. John Ottman
“Legends never die”
Film school geeks die in outrageous fashion patterned after urban legends at Alpine University. Our heroes try
to figure out who the crazed killer in the fencing mask is before they end up a gory little pile of teen kibble. My
favorite set piece is the young woman who awakens in a tub of ice only to realize one of her kidneys has been
removed! Loretta Devine returns as the Coffy obsessed security officer. Ending has a nice twist and nod to the
original film. A fun middle entry in the Urban Legend trilogy.