Copycat
2 out of 5 stars.
This short flick, although scary and heartbreaking, is more informative documentary, than scary movie. (Ohh, almost pun there,)
This 9 minute short is a history lesson about a film,
"There's nothing out there." , that could have been a cult classic, so I had to watch the film it is about.
As for
"Copycat", although it did offer up a lot of interesting points, and had some great key phrases like
"blueprint for scream"
"first self aware horror movie"
and it does have a character that "has seen every horror movie in the video store" and knows how "not to die" and "warns his friends"
This documentary gave me the impression that this movie flopped in the box office because of poor timing, bad luck and the "collapse" of a genre. I felt I had to check that, and looking back at the movies that were released in 1990 (thank google) I disagree. Poor timing and bad luck may have played a part, but what I found most disturbing in my research (as you'll read below), was that the short did not mention the production and distribution houses used for the film. I love independents, that is no secret; but it is important to keep in mind that for a film to become a cult classic, or even a hit, it has to reach the masses, and they have to be interested in seeing it.
I feel there are several factors not mentioned in the short movie that are important as to why the film did not take off.
1) Trailer- As any movie viewer from the 80's knows, it seemed there were only 2 announcers for movie trailers. 1 guy, when you heard his voice, you knew the movie was from a big budget house and you were likely to see it in theaters. The other guy, when you heard his voice, you knew you were in for a lower budget flick that might not even make it to the theater near you.
2) Troma- By the time this movie came out, when you saw the title page "Lloyd Kaufman Presents" you knew it was Troma related or based, and unless you were a Troma fan you might choose to put this movie lower on your must see list.
3) Troma- Lloyd Kaufman, one of the nicest most gracious men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, will be the first to tell you that distribution for his films as been one of the biggest struggles he has faced through out his career.
4) The movie itself- Now having a self aware character in the movie pointing out stupid mistakes was new and unique, but the movie itself was no better or worse than any of the other flicks of the time. This character did add a new aspect, but one unique victim does not make or alter a genre. Especially if few people see the movie they are in.
5) The actors- I enjoyed these actors and their talents, but they were not big name stars, and without at least someone to draw the fans to the theaters, the theaters have to pick what they think will draw people in.
As for the phrase "a blueprint for Scream", I have to disagree.
Like most horror flicks it had your standard cast jock, cheerleader, virgin, geek and goofball. And it had a character who had seen all the movies and knew the "Rules to survive a horror movie." and that is where the similarities end for me.
Scream was a smart, well written slasher flick with twists and turns that kept you guessing till the end. It had big stars, and a big budget.
'There's Nothing Out There' is a school break flick that takes place in a house in the woods near a pond. It has your standard cast of characters and introduces us to the "Horror movie expert" who spends the movie giving advice to try and save himself and his friends from certain doom. A horny alien antagonist, is not comparable to the smart revenge plot of scream.
Although the self aware character in "There's nothing out there" was funny, and well enough acted by Craig Peck, the character does not carry the film. Just like Jamie Kennedy's character in Scream was wonderful and entertaining, he did not carry the film.
In summary I suggest you skip this one and head straight to the movie it's about.
Until next time everybody, remember, Protect Your Privates!
**Spoilers**
I think I covered them...
