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Describing Brian De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise as an update of the classic Phantom of the Opera doesn't do justice to this demented movie. While De Palma's Hitchcock homages have sometimes led him into dead ends, this rock & roll remake seems to have liberated De Palma's imagination, and the result is weird and funny, with the scruffy underground spirit of the director's early pictures. The Phantom is one Winslow Leach (William Finley), a nerdy songwriter whose "pop cantata" on the subject of Faust is stolen by a freakish, Phil Spector-like rock impresario called Swan (Paul Williams). After getting his head caught in a vinyl-LP compressor, Leach is transformed into a masked creature, haunting Swan's music palace, the Paradise. De Palma proves how nimbly he can establish narrative rhythm: the story moves like a cannon shot, and the musical numbers (especially in the Alice Cooper-like Paradise sequences) are brilliantly cut. The movie seems to predict the Studio 54 scene, MTV, and punk rock--the last, especially, in the figure of Beef, a screeching singer played by the unhinged Gerrit Graham. The songs were written by Paul Williams, that diminutive '70s music icon (he cowrote the Barbra Streisand wet noodle "Evergreen"), and his performance is a reminder of his peculiar, self-spoofing presence: at one point, the preening Swan announces, "You know how I abhor perfection in anyone but myself." Comedy, musical, horror film, '70s artifact--this movie isn't quite definable, and that's what's wonderful about it. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (101)

The movie that made me a DePalma fanatic
The first Brian DePalma movie I ever saw was "Body Double" with Melanie Griffith. I was not impressed and didn't think much of DePalma as a director. But that was before I saw "Phantom of the Paradise," DePalma's lunatic hybrid of "Faust," "Phantom of the Opera," "Frankenstein," and "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

I first read about "Phantom of the Paradise" in Danny Peary's book "Cult Movies 2." It sounded too good to be true, and I was thrilled to find a used copy at a video store's clearance sale. The movie turned out to be even better than I'd imagined. The movie seemed to have a bit of everything: horror, comedy, music, and melodrama. It gave me a newfound respect for Paul Williams, and it made me an instant Brian DePalma fanatic. Soon, I was seeking out all of his early classics -- "Greetings," "Carrie," "Blow Out," and the mind-boggling "Sisters."

The DVD of "Phantom" contains almost no extras (except for a trailer and an alternate French soundtrack), but the picture and sound are satisfactory... at least compared to my worn-out VHS copy. It's just too bad DePalma didn't do a commentary track. Then again, he hasn't recorded commentaries for ANY of his movies yet as far as I know.

Great Movie
Phantom of the Paradise is a '70s rock version of Phantom of the Opera. Winslow is a composer whose music is stolen by a famous producer named Swan. During all of this, Winslow ends up falling for Phoenix and only wants her to sing his songs. Meanwhile, Swan plans to open a new rock palace called The Paradise using Winslow's music - with a few changes.

Phantom of the Paradise actually borrows more from the 1962 version of Phantom of the Opera where the Phantom gets his music stolen and his face is disfigured by acid while trying to destroy the printing plates of his stolen music. In Paradise, Winslow's face is injured while trying to destroy the recordings of the stolen music. Paradise really combines the plots of the 1962 Opera and the play Faust.

Thanks to the truth behind the character of Swan (Paul Williams) the movie does have a Twilight Zone quality to it. You even have Rod Serling speaking at the beginning. Brian DePalma likes to borrow from Hitchcock, and he has an interesting and humorous variation on Psycho's shower scene here. It also takes elements from The Picture of Dorian Gray.

It does poke some fun at the music industry and some of the insanity of those in it. The movie takes a humorous approach to things - the scenes where Winslow is sentenced was done by using a very basic set and just two lines. May come across as silly to some but the style of parts like that add to the fun. Parts of this movie are not to be taken seriously. (I can't really explain without doing spoilers.)

Paul Williams wrote a nice variety of music for this movie - 50s style for the opening scene. One piece reminds me of The Beach Boys. A somewhat darker song is used during staged construction of Beef. The closing song could be viewed as comments on people who had been corrupted by the biz - plus it's humorous. (You'll find some better comments on the songs in the reviews for the soundtrack. I'm not a music pro.) Everyone except for Gerrit Graham does their own singing. In fact, the three groups in the movie are played by the same three artists. They just switch off on who plays the lead singer.

The DVD is a wonderful edition of the movie. Image quality is great considering the age. A trailer that doesn't even have the movie's title in it is included as well as trailers for other movies including Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The movie does have some truly weird moments, but I love it!

A few trivia notes: Sissy Spacek was set dresser on this movie. Archie Hahn, who sings "Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye," has appeared on the UK version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? Gerritt Graham starred in Used Cars. Jessica Harper appeared in the movies Shock Treatment and Harper Valley PTA.

In the back of the Signet Classic edition of Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera, this movie is mentioned and there is a reference to The Paradise looking like New York's Museum of Natural History. (p271) Phantom of the Paradise was filmed in Dallas, TX. The Paradise and most of the musical moments were filmed at The Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas. In 1991, I saw Ken Hill's musical version of Phantom of the Opera there which added a nice touch for me. Swan's office building (exterior shots) was at one point owned by Mobil Oil, but I'm not sure if they owned it when this movie was made. Although it's changed alot since 1974, it is along Stemmons Frwy (I-35E) just after Carpenter's Frwy (183) joins it when going south. This same building appeared in Logan's Run.

Phantom of the Paradise was also mentioned in the program for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera and the same material was published in some special editions of the Gaston Leroux novel. I believe the writer was Peter Haining. He described Phantom of the Paradise as simply having The Phantom terrorizing teenyboppers. That does not fit this movie at all. I really wish people would watch a movie before reviewing it.

What is this~?
What's up with this film? It was my waste of money, and I saw anything good in it. Why is this film has almost 5 stars? American thing it must be.....worst class, worst art, and worst story. I want my money back. I would rather spend it for MacDonald Sandwhich or something.

A golden treasure !
This film is unique. De Palma was in a efervescence creative in this decade as fery few directors in the story. I think the next film in his career Carrie mad the people forgot this one, who in many aspects goes beyond Carrie due his artistic character and innovative resources.
Once more De Palma accepts the challenging duel to adapt this classic version but set and described from another perspective.
This film also allowed him to follow his bliss wothout the powerful presence of Hitchcok .

In other order of ideas , something similar happened with Chabrol , the french master , but the difference in the case of Chabrol is his major versality.
De Palma has reached the peak with this one. You feel Sisters and Phantom as his major achievements in this decade.
Don't forget one film that in a way was a twisted wrench of this one : I'm talking about the rocky horror picture show.
This was a decade in which the concern about others ways of expression were in the minds of many film makers.
Think in Ken Ruseell with Tommy , Jewison with Jesuchrist , Robin Hardy with The wicker man , Dario Argento with the cat with nine tails , The clockwise orange , Badlands , The harder they come , Pink flamingos, Walkabout , Don't look now or the honey moon killers. You felt besides the desperate spirit of the german cinema Fassbinder , Wenders (Paris Texas) , Herzog , Hauff and the french cinema under the kingdom of Truffaut , Chabrol , Molinaro Pierre Granier Deferre and Claude Sautet . This decade experienced an authentical creative and innovative tour de force in what concerns with new themes and proposals.
That's why this film wins, because it kept his level and status and still remains.
Watch this one and it will become one of your favorites!

Overlooked rock music film which was somewhat prophetic
The 1974 rock music film Phantom Of The Paradise is perhaps one of the most unusual and intriguing films i've ever come to know. This film was one of Brian DePalma's best films to date next to 1976's Carrie, 1983's masterwork Scarface and 1987's The Untouchables. The film is seen as somewhat as a rock and roll version of Phantom Of The Opera but it's a film about getting revenge on those who have hurt us. The hero in the film is nerdy and disgruntled composer Winslow Leach(played by William Finley) whose rock cantata about the magician 'Faust' whom was stolen by music impressario Swan. Swan had his own record label Death Records(originally Swan Song before Led Zeppelin coincidentally came up with the record label name and the producers changed the label to Death) and his own music channel(predated MTV by many years. Swan then proceeds and destroys Leach's life (steals the lovely Phoenix from Winslow, has him wrongfully framed, arrested, teeth pulled and had metal teeth in its place(predates the look that rappers and rockers like Marilyn Manson would adopt) and appearance). After being badly disfigured, Leach disguises himself as a phantom (whose Phantom outfit and make-up could easily have been the predecessor to the Goth Rock era of the 80's) wreaking havoc on the devilish (and that terms comes in quite handy here) and will stop at nothing to terrorize Swan. He tries arson (blowing up the set design during one of the 'Faust' rehearsals with a Beach Boys send-off The Beach Bums) and even murder (electrocuting over-the-top singer hard rock singer Beef mid-performance whose backing band look like what KISS would appear like a few months after this film was made. Also, the people at the door scene predicts the Studio 54 scene by a few years as does the partying/wedding scene at the end. The music in this film is great and the story proves that in the end, the nerds win over the arrogant types! Highly recommended! ... Read more

Description

A devil-may-care test pilot volunteers to be shrunk and injected in to a rabbit as part of a top secret experiment. When industrial spies steal one of the two microchips needed to reverse the process, the pilot is accidentally injected into the body of a timid supermarket clerk. the two, along with the pilot's girlfriend, have 24 hours to find the stolen microchip before the pilot uses up his oxygen supply. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Number one on my top ten movies list!
One of the best movies I have every seen! Dennis
Quaid plays Tuck Pendelton, a shrunken test pilot who
was suppose to be injected into a rabbit,but after an
attack by a group of people who are trying to reach the
same achievement of shrinking is instead injected into Jack Putter (Martin Short) a meek, hypochondriac who works at
safeway. Now Tuck and Jack along with Tuck's old girlfriend
Lidia (Meg Ryan) must fight to get Tuck back to normal. There's
a big surprise too.
This movie contains awesome visual effcts (which it
won an academy award for), terffic action, and witty
comical jokes and phases. This movie's a real winner.

An original and entertaining sci-fi movie
"Innerspace" is one of the most original movies ever. A training pilot named Tuck (Dennis Quaid) is supposed to do an experiment in which he shrinks and will then be injected inside a rabbit. But he ends up being injected inside a supermarket clerk (Martin Short). Tuck has to find a way to communicate with Jack (Martin Short) if he ever wants to find a way out. Things get a little hectic when he finds out that he will run out of air supply if he doesn't get out shortly.

"Innerspace" is one of the best overall movies from the late 80's. It's a good sci-fi adventure, it's funny, and it has great special effects. Without a doubt, it's one of the most entertaining movies ever made. I recommend everybody to get "Innerspace."

Start & end are confusing, but rest is good
I find this movie confusing just as soon as it got going. I don't think I followed the whole miniaturising process properly, as I got completely lost, as soon as the guy getting chased - I didn't realise Dennis Quaid was actually miniaturised and INSIDE that syringe.

When Dennis Quaid (Tuck) was injected into Martin Short's (Jack) body, the whole sections of film dedicated to this reminded me totally of Osmosis Jones (if you haven't seen it, it will give you a hysterical look at the human body).

Before the miniaturising, Tuck comes across as arrogant, and not caring about his girlfriend (played by a very 80s Meg Ryan). But this all changes, and his influence on Jack, also changes him, from an OTT hypochondriac to someone different. One of the funniest scenes is when they both get drunk in Tuck's apartment.

There are also some heartbreaking scenes, particularly when Tuck ends up in Lydia's (Meg Ryan) body, and sees something that effectively makes him changes his life as soon (or if) he gets re-enlarged.

Most of the middle part of the movie is terrific viewing, and although some parts seem to be overly long, it's great. The ending confused me yet again - but you'll have to watch it for yourself to see what I mean won't you?

A Very Cute Movie!
Innerspace is a very cute movie that stars Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan and Martin Short and they are all good! Dennis Quaid plays a man who is part of a miniaturization experiment but when he is miniaturized he is accidently injected into the body of a neurotic, hypochondriac grocery store clerk played by Martin Short and when he is pursued by spies he inlists the help of Dennis Quaid's character's girlfriend played by Meg Ryan. Innerspace is just a very cute movie that is entertaining and funny and I have to recommend it!

Bowjam
Really 3.5 stars. Funny, entertaining but a little ridiculous.
Hard to miss with the super star cast. Good family entertainment. ... Read more

Description

Billy Peltzer and Kate Beringer move to New York City and meet up with their Mogwai friend, Gizmo, when a series of accidents creates a new generation of diverse gremlins. Billy, Kate, and Gizmo must once again use all their experience to prevent another catastrophe. ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Gremlins 2--The New Batch
Director Joe Dante ("Pirahna") is back at the helm after a six-year hibernation, continuing the story of those mischevious mutant monsters. This time, they invade a futuristic New York office complex run by a billionare, and only Galligan and Cates can save the day. Just as exciting, scary, and humorous as the original, "Gremlins 2" is unique in it's slapstick and laid back approach that actually works in various ways. If you're looking for a fun 2-hour romp with little green goblins, a cute furry pet, many crude sexual jokes, and a pulse-pounding musical score, this film is certainly for you. Director: Joe Dante. Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Robert Prosky, Robert Picardo, Christopher Lee, Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph. Rated PG-13 for slapstick violence and profanity. 114 minutes.

Better Than The First!!!
Gremlins 2 brings us to New York City. Billy and Kate now work for building magnate Daniel Clamp. After Mr. Ving's death, Gizmo comes back into their lives after a daring rescue by Billy from a genetic research lab. Of course, Gizmo gets wet and havoc reigns superme in New York-gremlins-style. Everyone's favorite new gremlin is the talking Brain Gremlin, played to perfection by Odd Couple legend Tony Randall. My favorite gremlin, however, is one I call the Sex Gremlin, an all-green female who literally falls for Mr. Forrester, the company's gremlin-disbelieving floor manager, which makes the chessy but funny men's room wedding scene at the end of the film my absolute favorite. Billy's father at the end of the first movie said it best: "Look out all the windows, check in all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, cause you never can tell, there just might be a gremlin in your house!" Well, New York, you better start doing the same. Because the Gremlins and Gizmo are back with a vengance. Give this movie a rent and just see what I mean.

Gremlins in Gotham
I'm not saying this just because I am a New Yorker, but GREMLINS 2--THE NEW BATCH is slightly better than the original. First, it's a much less mean-spirited film than the first (which I also gave five stars, but for different reasons). Just the fact that a character who was crushed to death in the first film, shows up in the sequel (wearing a small cast) because he really was likeable, shows that Joe Dante and the scriptwriters were going into this film for the fun of it. Second, the casting was flawless. Whoever chose Tony Randall to do the voice of the strangely-William F. Buckley-sounding, intellectual gremlin was responding to nothing short of divine inspiration. Everyone involved in this production had their hearts in the right places and the effect shows. GREMLINS 2--THE NEW BATCH is an astounding piece of comic fantasy and horror that should endure.

Gremlins 2/a very cool film.
Gremlins 2 is a nice film that is even better than the original. I like how it spoofs everything,and I love the new gremlins.The first batch looked sort of rough and raggedy[but still interesting],while the new batch is bright and vivid.Plus,Gizmo was a blast.I am REALLY looking forward to a third sequal,with CGI/Animatronic gremlins[a sort of Jurassic Park thing].Gremlins 2 is a wild and rowdy romp.

A shocking sequel
This is the amazing squel to the First Gremlins. It begins shortly after the Chiness man recruit Gizmo. A few years have gone buy the old Chinese man that had taken care of Gizmo before an after he meet Billy . This movie has some fun scenes. The weeding in the mens rest room at the end is hillarious. So is the sense with Gizmo working out one when he is lift a bar bell and falls through the floor. Anothew one when he punches a punch bag and get hit back in the face.

The only bad thing about the second gremlins is you see Gizmo being tortured in it a lot more than you did in the first one. It has zany funny monments. The part when Gizmo dress up like Rambo and makes a boy an arrow out of the close hanger. The part when Bill is talking and suddenly the screen goes funny the gremlin appear on the screen a do the shadow puppets is hysterically.

However unlike in the first one not all the gremlins is killed the one Female on survives. Did i mention some of gremlins are genetically alltered by drink chemicals. One of the Gremlins turns in eletricity and shocks and eletricuts ever living creature he touches.

My favorite gremlin is the one that drinks some short of chemical that makes him smarter allows him to talk in english. There is some gore and lot s of violence in it. The scariest is the spidger gremlin who ends up being huge. He dies he burns to death at the end.

He was really mean to Gizmo and is shown tocture gismo like Half a dozen times during the movie. The other Gremlins do not like gizmo because he is a misfit. Unlike them he is kind and good and does not like hurt and playing pranks on other creatures.

The nastiest parts in the movie is when one Gremlin acts Dangle Clamp and he forces it down a paper shreder were it is slice to pieces. She is gus us out of the shreder the lock like liquidfied spinch. If you like this I recomend seeing Gremlins as weell as the Critters series which was enspired by the Gremlins series. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Best Movie and Sequel Ever!! (Ever ever ever ever !!)
I LOVE THE GREMLINS!! How can anybody not love them. The original Gremlins was greatly awesome, a work of art, I could go on and on. I rented the first one and loved it, but I was afraid the sequel wopuld be crappy because the first one was so awesome and also because most sequels just can't live up to the original. Well, let me tell you the sequel was just as great as the original. Some of my lame dorky babyish friends actually get nightmares from the Gremlins, but they are also scared of the dark. The Gremlins 1 and 2 are just both so different and practically conceptless that they fascinate my kind of people. Every time I have a sleepover we watch the Gremlins. It's just so....... different. YOU MUST BUY THIS MOVIE!! YOU MUST!!

Spielbergs Gremlins
The director that brought us many great movies such as Jaws to Saving Private Ryan. Gremlins isn't a movie with these potentials but when seeing it you can laugh and love the story of this small town being corrupted. In the sequel to the first Gremlins you get an amazing story as you got with the first taking place in the city that never sleeps. If you love movies The Gremlins dvd are movies to see and seeng how a director can give you action and comedy in a story such as this. ... Read more

Description

Two feuding former vaudville performers are convinced to reuinite for a TV special ... Read more

Reviews (14)

The Original Grumpy Old Men!
When one thinks of the films and stage plays of writer, Neil Simon, popular titles like "The Odd Couple" and "The Goodbye Girl" usually come to mind for most people. But I always think of Simon's wonderful show biz comedy, "The Sunshine Boys". Over the years I would catch here and there, bits and pieces of this 1975 film on late night television. For some reason, I never got to see the whole thing. Well finally this chuckle inducing movie has come to DVD and I love it! In the story we meet Willy Clark (Walter Matthau) a septuagenarian and former half of the legendry, Vaudeville comedy team of 'Lewis & Clark'. He now spends his days traveling the streets of NYC, going on casting calls. Willy drives both directors, casting people and his agent/nephew, Ben Clark (Richard Bejamin) crazy with his stubborn and obnoxious behavior. It looks like forced retirement is in the wings. But at the last moment, Ben comes up with a big job offer. ABC television wants Willy and his former partner, Al Lewis (George Burns) to have a one time only reunion and bring back a 'Lewis and Clark' sketch for a "History of Comedy" special. There is just one...little catch. These two elderly, comedians literally can't stand the sight of each other! Just getting them into the same room is a major undertaking. This humorous film shows us how this original 'odd couple', fight it out during their reunion and eventually come to terms with each other. Herbert Ross's direction is steady and well done. But what really makes this film is Neil Simon's story and hilarious back & forth dialogue, which is filled with both zingers and heart.I love how as Willy leaves his botched casting call, he gives a speech to his nephew, Ben on what words can get a laugh. "Alka-Selzer is funny...Pickle is funny...anything with a K in it." The casting in this film is sheer perfection. Yes, we have seen Matthau do his 'grumpy old man' before and since. But this is the actor doing it at his best! His Willy Clark is truely a stubborn force of nature, who would rather spite himself then be proven wrong. George Burns is also very good (he won the 1975 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor) in the role of a elderly, sedentary comedian, who although slowed down physically by age, can still turn around and zing his partner with acid-like comebacks. I also particulary like Richard Benjamin's portrayal as Willy's nephew and agent. Yes, we have seen Benjamin do this part before as the guy, who's pulling his hair out and getting an ulcer. But behind the comedy schtick you can tell, that the character really does care about his Uncle and wants what is best for him. Finally look for Howard Hesseman (of WKRP fame) in a small, but very funny role of a director, who is practically being tortured by Willy Clark's obstinance at a casting call for a potato chip commercial. You have to see it, to believe it! The DVD for the film is only fair. The sound and picture could be better. Extras include Richard Benjamin's commentary, a theatrical trailer, an MGM promotional film about the movies they were putting out in 1975, make up and screen tests for various actors up for the roles. This is one of Neil Simon's best works. For an evening a great comedy, I highly recommend "The Sunshine Boys"!

Absolutely Hysterical
This is my favorite comedy of all time.

"What's a matter con you?"
A masterpiece! I must have been about 10 years old (1980), the first time I saw this movie....it's almost 2003 and I laughed as much now as I did then (it's Walter, for goodness sakes, how can you not laugh)! Uncle Willy will keep you in constant stitches!!!

I'm anxiously awaiting the DVD version so I can purchase it!!!

Absolute Guffaw!
I watched this movie about 100's as a kid....it's been 8-10 years since I last saw it...that is until this past weekend (12/22/02)..and let me tell you, this movie made me laugh just as much as it did the first 100 's I saw it (in the 70's)! Walter & George...what a pair! I can only imagine the side stitches I'd have if Jack Lemmon made an appearance in this flick, too! I highly recommend this film to those in need of some laughter!

This film needs to be on DVD!

sunshine boys - funniest film ever ?
I am 30 years of age. Living in London.
I first had the pleasure of viewing this movie when i was fifteen. I have seen hundreds of comedies over the years and this is the only movie that i can watch time and time again. Mattau and Burns are a match made in heaven. The script is laugh a minute. Truly a masterpiece. There have been re-makes and stage shows produced since which unfortunately do not compare. This is a must see film and i am desperate for it to be produced in DVD format to ensure that i can remain watching this film for many years to come. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Cannonball is 100% car-crashin', gas-guzzlin', tire-squealin', '70s-style fun courtesy of executive producer Roger Corman and director Paul Bartel (Eating Raoul). Inspired by the success of Bartel's Death Race 2000, Corman commissioned him to direct this down-and-dirty adventure comedy about an illegal transcontinental car race and the eccentrics who compete for its $100,000 prize. Leading the pack is David Carradine, who's brought his sexy parole officer (Hill Street Blues' Veronica Hamel) along for the ride; hot on his tail are scurrilous Bill McKinney (Deliverance), cult queen Mary Woronov, and a host of marvelous character actors. Bartel also dots Cannonball with cameos by Corman, Sylvester Stallone, co-writer Don Simpson, and numerous fellow filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Joe Dante, and Allan Arkush, all of whom were in Corman's New World stable at the time. Undeniably lowbrow, but also unquestionably exciting and far more entertaining than Burt Reynolds' Cannonball Run pictures (which borrowed wholesale from this film), Cannonball offers plenty of thrills for cult movie enthusiasts. Blue Underground's DVD includes theatrical and TV spots and bemused interviews with Carradine, Corman and Woronov. --Paul Gaita ... Read more

Description

All hell breaks loose when captain Harris crashes old captain Lassard's award celebration in Miami. ... Read more