C.H.U.D.
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Movie Reviews of C.H.U.D.
Movie Review: Eyes in front and behind
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie works on many levels, both above ground and underground.Oh this film can be disregarded as typical 1980s monster fare, but the social message of CHUD makes this film as vital as Sinclair's The Jungle or Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. AJ's words will haunt you for the rest of your days, one man with crazy hair with the moral rectitude to stand up for the undergrounders, the people as he so eloquently states who "live underground."
Perhaps you think I am overstating the case. Well screw you. There is a scene underground where we see two of the men who just can't fit into the above ground world, and these two men have names, those names are Victor and Hugo. Put it together. Victor Hugo. Yes, the great French novelist of Les Mis fame. The people who put this film together knew exactly what they were doing. The CHUDs aren't the monsters. The monsters are US. More on that later.
The interplay between AJ and Bosch will leave you staggered and haggard. Bosch, an everyman, a man for all seasons. The first scene of this movie, so easy to casually dismiss. And when it is revealed that the woman was Bosch's wife, it is a veritable slap in the face. Every scene in this movie counts, man. And we see a huge contrast between the selfish and evil people in charge of the police, and the regular cop on the beat. When Bosch sees his wife's decapitated head his fellow policemen pull him away. Yes they do. They refuse to let him stare at his wife's decapitated head. And when Bosch goes to the bar to drink himself into oblivion they not only watch him, they even suggest that maybe he should go home. The eternal fraternity of policemen has never been so poignantly showcased.
Oh, AJ and Bosch have some zany banter don't they! Much needed comic relief, the hippy and the everyman. They sure make an odd couple, don't they! Ha, I giggle just thinking about it. Ha ha ha!
The one character who really moves me is Val. Val is the consummate survivor. The one undergrounder who continues to frequent AJ's establishment for his daily helping of gruel. Val, a survivor, has managed to avoid the CHUDs prowling around underground. And when he says "they have the power....to shut...the sky", you might be taken aback. Oh but don't you remember! Every scene, every line of this movie MATTERS! Are "they" the CHUDs? Oh no. "They" are US! US! When Val attempts to escape through one of the last manholes, "they" (ie US) SHUT THE SKY! They seal the manhole shut! This is really important, so follow me here. The sky, in our above ground world, is the sky. But we need to walk in the undergrounder's shoes. Their sky is our ground! And when the ground is sealed, Val is hurtled down, where his head smashes against the rock. Killing him. Val is dead, not killed by the CHUDs, but by us, the surface dwellers. See, it's just like I told you! The CHUDs are not the real monsters!
Val predicts his own death, just like Abraham Lincoln and Jesus. And we thought he was just a scruffy and smelly bum! See, we must discard our prejudices when watching this movie.
Oh, how can I leave out what is possibly the greatest scene in movie history! AJ, who has just left the hastily arranged meeting with the authorities, attempts to phone the media to expose the CHUD conspiracy. But the powers that be send a GOON after him. The goon follows him, and when AJ is about to make a phone call on a public phone, the goon grabs his dime and EATS IT. Shocking isn't it, the depths of depravity that the powers that be will stoop to in order to keep the truth hidden. What kind of monster would eat a dime? See, the real monsters are not the CHUDs! They only eat people!
John Goodman stars as an unfortunate cop, in his second most horrific role of all time. Getting eaten by CHUDs is clown work compared to having to be Roseanne's husband.
This movie should be required viewing for all people who are humans, whether you live above the ground or below the ground. For too long we have tried to camoflauge the truth, as the girlfriend of the photographer in this movie tries to cover the pimple on her butt with make up. Oh yeah! The shower scene! When she (she's pregnant and unsure if she wants to carry the pregnancy to term) sticks the hanger into the drain, and blood spurts out, is that a metaphor for abortion? But I digress. We want our lives to be cozy and worry free. Remove yourself from the safety of your own perceptions, and watch CHUD. It will make you think, it will make you laugh, and it will make you do other things as well.
Movie Review: An 80's Horror CLASSIC!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Where to start? I remember seeing this film in the late 80's on The USA Network's "Commander USA" (God do I miss those times, and that type of televsion). Anyway, when I first saw this film I was probably about 12 or 13. It frightened me but it also entertained me as well.
Watching it again, recently, I'd forgotten how, truly, enjoyable and watchable the film is. Yeah, I mean it's cheesy, and cliched but it's fantastic.
When soup kitchen chef A.J. Shepard(Daniel Stern) reports a dozen missing persons to the police department, Captain Bosch(Christopher Curry) goes down to the kitchen to check things out. Although their relationship is cold at first, they begin to work together to figure out exactly what is going on.
What they find is a EPA coverup and a bunch of grotesquely, deformed creatures living underground responsible for the murders.
This film is not without it's flaws, but compared to today's horror films it's a refreshing change from the norm.
It has an outstanding 80's synth score, and although the dialogue and story may drag along in places, it's still incredibly entertaining. I really miss these types of horror films. Times when they weren't afraid to try something new, even if it wasn't Oscar worthy.
I recommend this to anyone who loves early, to middle, 1980's horror films. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
One other thing, if you do buy the DVD, please make sure to check out the commentary. It is one of the most entertaining, comedic commentary I've ever heard. Those guys had me cracking up.
Movie Review: C.H.U.D. rates high on my list of favorite horror flicks to watch!
Summary: 5 Stars
'C.H.U.D.' is one of the many 80's b horror flicks I grew up watching over and over again. I honestly don't know how many times my folks rented this for me when I was a kid; it's insane haha. Just staring at the cover art alone, brought a smile to my face. To this day, I still watch it with the same enjoyment. First of all, any horror flick taking place in the dirty streets of New York City, or in this case, under the streets, will likely be a winner for me. Especially if the film dills with over-exaggerated mutated, killer hobos!!! I even LOVE that echo-like sound from the cheesy synth score when a 'chud' is coming near haha! The music score is just perfect, in my opinion. I'm not going to go into detail about the story itself; too many people have reviewed it already, not to mention Amazon, of course haha. Just wanted to add my two cents in for a horror flick that has brought me a lot of joy over the years. As a horror fan, be honest; what's not to like about a film dealing with cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers!? I laugh ever time I hear someone say he or she thinks a person looks sooo ugly by calling him or her (behind their back), a 'chud'. Especially if that "mean" person makes the echo-like synth score sound when the "ugly" person is walking by LOL! I'm blabbing but I just had to throw that in. Anyway, C.H.U.D. is awesome.Movie Review: C.H.U.D. DVD review
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a very serious movie collector. I'm fond of the movies that came out in the 1980's. I was really pleased to see that this DVD was available from Amazon. I immediately purchased a copy to replace one that was stolen years ago.
A fun movie that centers around creatures living in the sewer system. The same creatures are responsible for people dissapearing. A must see 80's movie.
Reporter Joseph Toth
Washington Micro Bank BBS
Movie Review: I'm the producer of this film
Summary: 5 Stars
It wouldn't be fair for me to comment on this film, having produced it. But since this DVD has a commentary track that is loaded with lies about the production (the actors ALL got paid and I can prove it - deferments come from PROFITS and thus far there haven't been any - I should know I have a deferment myself and I haven't ever gotten any of it either). If you really want to know go to [...]. It will explain it all.