JUST PLAIN FUN- I HAVE GOOD MEMORIES WITH THIS ONE
Added 10/16/2009
THE MANGLER
Ah yes I still remember it like it was yesterday when another Stephen King story was adapted to come to the big screen, this time with Tobe Hooper at helm and Robert Englund as a star. "The Mangler" was and still is one of those movies that people either love or hate at least those around me. I happen to be one of those who loves it or at least loves it for the most part. I mean this is far from a classic but it is fun or at least I think so, how times am I going to say "or at least"?
There is a factory out there that owns and operates a demon infested or possessed laundry folding machine and it has a taste for blood. After taking the life of a nice woman who was just minding her business and working a detective named John Hunton [the always great Ted Levine] starts working the case and after countless people are being eaten by this thing he starts to listen to a friend who knows about the paranormal. But the owner of the factory, a freak of a man named Bill Gartley [Robert Englund], knows what is going on a little more than he should. Based on the Stephen King story this one is actually entertaining despite what most say about the film.
While I will agree that this film is not the classic it could have been it is far from horrible, the first third of the film is great to be exact. The last 15 mins could have used some work but I thought it was good. When this first came out I actually know some one who threw up after seeing the pill [what was left] of the first victim. Director Tobe Hooper I thought did a great job with this film especially with the look of it. The tone of the film and darkness of it just stand out to me. Along with writers Stephen Brooks and Peter Welbeck this is a good enough adaptation of the short story from King, although the script could have used some work.
As far as the acting Ted Levine is brilliant in my mind as the lead detective John Hunton and does a great job. Robert Englund is completely over the top in this film but I think that really fits his characters look. I mean the guy has no legs and is completely torn up, over the top is this guy. Every one else in this film are good and pull off their roles well but you have to remember what type of flick this is. People hate on this film all the time but I have good memories with this film, the first time I watched this happened to be on one of the most fun nights I have ever had.
Some people hate this movie others love it and I find myself loving it, although I do realize it has flaws. I have had good times watching this movie and think that the atmosphere of it is great. Sure this is not the best movie ever and is not even the best horror movie ever but it is fun. Ted is brilliant and funny as always and Robert hams it up like no other. Watch this for your self as a rental or something and judge for your self.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I can't believe I watched this all the way through!!!!!
Added 4/26/2009
I can't believe I watched this all the way through!!!!! But at least I didn't buy it, and neither should you!!!!!!
I rented it, thinking it would be good, and how can you blame me? It's a film based on a story by STEPHEN KING, directed by TOBE HOOPER, and starring ROBERT ENGLUND. But in n this case, Awesome + Awesome + Awesome = CRAAAAAP!!!!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Unwatchable
Added 2/26/2008
The headline on the case looks like a sure fire winner: Tobe Hooper directing! Englund staring! Based on a Stephen King book! Well this movie just plain sucked. I remember reading the short story of the Mangler and thinking it was some of King's worst writing. Then I remember I have a weakness for really bad horror movies, so I picked this baby up. Aside from a few cool scenes of gore, this movie just drags on and on. Englund's acting is really not up to par on film; He seems wooden and not into the role. Also, films based on King novels are never that good, ive recently discovered. Read a book instead of watching this movie.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Awesome horror flick!!
Added 12/30/2007
Best horror film i've seen in a while. Tobe Hooper does an amazing job with this film, the story the acting and the effects are all top notch. Very good atmosphere as with most horror films by Hooper. Can't wait to see the two sequels.
2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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The Mangler's not one of the more popular King adaptations. The inspiration for King's story most likely was how nasty it would be if someone actually got caught in one of those steam irons. It certainly would be a horrific scene, but as nasty as that is, it's not a concept you can really make a feature film around. That's probably why King wrote it as a short story. Stretching the short story into a feature length film requires much more plot to be added(the short story may have had a half hour worth of film material, tops). Alot of folks who bash this film usually have something along the lines of...."With the talent involved, how could it be this bad?"...to say. Well, most horror fans have a hard time admitting to themselves that since Texas Chainsaw, Tobe Hooper has become increasingly schlocky as the years go by. We all know it, we just don't say it. Englund hasn't always made the best stuff, and not every King story is a winner. In The Mangler, Hooper is trying to actually make the film scary. The tone is much more serious than subject matter like this should be. Sure, the first scene where the machine claims it's first victim is effective, but by the time you reach two grown men performing an exorcism on a laundry folder, and then having the machine turn into a Lovecraftian monster, it's just too damn silly. So why the four stars? Well, I actually do enjoy this movie quite a bit. If you want to view this with the intention of getting your pants scared off, it'll fail. If you view The Mangler as drive-in fare, it's fun. It's got some nasty gore, an over the top villain played by Robert Englund, funny lines(both intentional and unintentional), and the film is actually shot very well. As others have stated, the acting is hammy, particularly in Englund's case. However, certain mention should go to Ted "wasn't she a great big fat person" Levine. The film is practically a showcase for Levine's odd performance. Is he being campy and over the top? Is he serious and coming off as goofy? It's hard to tell for sure, but he's always amusing and never boring to watch. I think the guy's actually a good actor and it was cool to see him in a leading role. If this were made today, it'd be Orlando Friggin' Bloom or some other schmuck that's mistaken for a good actor. My disappointment with this dvd is that it's the theatrical R-rated version. One of the special features shows a split-screen comparisson of the R and unrated versions. Why the hell not just put those snippets back in the movie? Especially in these days where studios are so "unrated" hogwild. I'm surprised we didn't see an unrated version of Happy Feet when it csme out on dvd. I used to have a vhs copy of this movie, and it was the unrated version with the extra nastiness. So, I know it can be done. The deleted bits are quick gore shots that actually do enhance the scenes and make them much nastier. But anyhow, I do actually think this is a pretty fun movie...depending on how you look at it,that is.
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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JUST PLAIN FUN- I HAVE GOOD MEMORIES WITH THIS ONE
Added 10/16/2009
THE MANGLER
Ah yes I still remember it like it was yesterday when another Stephen King story was adapted to come to the big screen, this time with Tobe Hooper at helm and Robert Englund as a star. "The Mangler" was and still is one of those movies that people either love or hate at least those around me. I happen to be one of those who loves it or at least loves it for the most part. I mean this is far from a classic but it is fun or at least I think so, how times am I going to say "or at least"?
There is a factory out there that owns and operates a demon infested or possessed laundry folding machine and it has a taste for blood. After taking the life of a nice woman who was just minding her business and working a detective named John Hunton [the always great Ted Levine] starts working the case and after countless people are being eaten by this thing he starts to listen to a friend who knows about the paranormal. But the owner of the factory, a freak of a man named Bill Gartley [Robert Englund], knows what is going on a little more than he should. Based on the Stephen King story this one is actually entertaining despite what most say about the film.
While I will agree that this film is not the classic it could have been it is far from horrible, the first third of the film is great to be exact. The last 15 mins could have used some work but I thought it was good. When this first came out I actually know some one who threw up after seeing the pill [what was left] of the first victim. Director Tobe Hooper I thought did a great job with this film especially with the look of it. The tone of the film and darkness of it just stand out to me. Along with writers Stephen Brooks and Peter Welbeck this is a good enough adaptation of the short story from King, although the script could have used some work.
As far as the acting Ted Levine is brilliant in my mind as the lead detective John Hunton and does a great job. Robert Englund is completely over the top in this film but I think that really fits his characters look. I mean the guy has no legs and is completely torn up, over the top is this guy. Every one else in this film are good and pull off their roles well but you have to remember what type of flick this is. People hate on this film all the time but I have good memories with this film, the first time I watched this happened to be on one of the most fun nights I have ever had.
Some people hate this movie others love it and I find myself loving it, although I do realize it has flaws. I have had good times watching this movie and think that the atmosphere of it is great. Sure this is not the best movie ever and is not even the best horror movie ever but it is fun. Ted is brilliant and funny as always and Robert hams it up like no other. Watch this for your self as a rental or something and judge for your self.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I can't believe I watched this all the way through!!!!!
Added 4/26/2009
I can't believe I watched this all the way through!!!!! But at least I didn't buy it, and neither should you!!!!!!
I rented it, thinking it would be good, and how can you blame me? It's a film based on a story by STEPHEN KING, directed by TOBE HOOPER, and starring ROBERT ENGLUND. But in n this case, Awesome + Awesome + Awesome = CRAAAAAP!!!!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Unwatchable
Added 2/26/2008
The headline on the case looks like a sure fire winner: Tobe Hooper directing! Englund staring! Based on a Stephen King book! Well this movie just plain sucked. I remember reading the short story of the Mangler and thinking it was some of King's worst writing. Then I remember I have a weakness for really bad horror movies, so I picked this baby up. Aside from a few cool scenes of gore, this movie just drags on and on. Englund's acting is really not up to par on film; He seems wooden and not into the role. Also, films based on King novels are never that good, ive recently discovered. Read a book instead of watching this movie.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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