Believe it or not there was a time when the internet did not
exist. I know, I’m old. Back in those days to find out about movies coming out
we actually had to watch the trailers, watch trailer tapes playing on monitors
in video stores or read about new movies in various magazines. As a horror fan
I was prone to reading Fangoria at that time, about the only magazine then
dealing strictly with horror films. In one particular issue I read about this
movie along with an accompanying picture of someone on hands and knees with a
face where their posterior would normally be. My thoughts were what the heck is
this and when can I see it? Sorry, I was a tad more adventurous in my viewing
then and favored the unusual.
So now, after 26 years, I find myself watching SOCIETY once
again as it gets the Arrow Video treatment. And with the exception of the truly
outdated clothing and hair styles it holds up rather well. But then again most
movies made at that time relied on leg covers, sport coats with sleeves rolled
up and ever popular mullet when it came to style. You know, those things that
make us cringe and yet recall fondly at the same time.
So on to SOCIETY. Billy Warlock stars as Bill Whitney, the
son of a well to do family in Beverly Hills who is popular in school and
running for class president. Bill is on the basketball team and dating the top
cheerleader. So things must be great for him, right? Not quite. Bill feels that
something weird is going on in his life and that he doesn’t quite fit in with
his family. This is not the usual teen angst we’re talking about here, this is
seriously not quite the same. His psychiatrist tells him it’s what all teens go
through and tries to befriend him to open up.
As the movie progresses we begin to wonder about Bill and if
his feelings are actually true or is he delirious? One seen has him walk into
his sister’s bedroom to borrow some tanning lotion only to see her through the
frosted glass of her shower. But she doesn’t appear normal, rather her head
seems on backwards and her arms are twisted around. When Bill opens the door
she’s normal and chastises him for opening the door.
A friend of Bill’s name Blanchard tries to tell him that
something is amiss. Another paranoid teen? Blanchard goes so far as to break
into Bill’s house but gets tossed out. He later contacts Bill and meets with
him again, having him listen to a tape he recorded. He bugged Bill’s sister and
the things they listen to on the tape have Bill as frightened as he is
concerned. He gives the tape to his psychiatrist to listen to. Blanchard has a
mishap and the doctor later plays the tape for Bill revealing…nothing. What he
heard is not there.
Through all of this Bill is also having girl problems. His
girlfriend only sees their dating as a means of social status. Bill has also
caught the eye of Clarissa (Devon DeVasquez), another high society type who
eventually beds down young Bill. But even then odd things happen to make Bill
wonder if he’s losing his mind or not.
The movie plays with this back and forth between Bill’s
wondering if something is actually going on or if he’s merely dreaming all of
these things. Characters frequently talk about the upper crust as “society” and
Bill begins to wonder just what they mean. Is there something different about
all of these high profile types or is it in his head? The theme takes on a
whole new meaning before it all plays out and is entertaining, humorous and
frightening all at the same time.
Most notable in the film is the special effects created by
Screaming Mad George. What happens from early on with the effects he creates is
something that will astound and most likely return to fill those nightmare
corners of your mind late at night.
That’s not to say the movie is terrifying from start to
finish. While the horror element is there the movie also includes tons of humor
as well. Tie in the mystery that runs from start to finish and it makes for a
fun movie, perhaps not for the faint of heart, but for die-hard horror fans
you’ll not only want to see this but to add it to your collection.
In true Arrow Video fashion the movie comes with extras that
are worth watching as well. Among the extras included are audio commentary by
director Brian Yuzna, a featurette on the movie with some of the original stars
back to talk about the film, a Q&A session with Yuzna at a 2014 screening
of the film, an interview with Screaming Mad George, a Screaming Mad George
music video and more. They’ve truly outdone themselves on the extras here.
So if you’re looking for something a little different,
something totally weird, something 80s, something that will aid in nightmare
retention, then by all means give SOCIETY a look. Who knows, perhaps it
explains why folks in Hollywood act like they do.
Click here to order.
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