Alone in the Dark (1982)

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  October 21, 2011

  fb500439213

  Probably the best movie I've seen during this marathon. 'Alone in the Dark' is trenchant, intelligent and gleefully pulpy with Oscar-winning actors at their scenery-chewing maximum. Martin Landau, with glassy eyes and a Grinch-like smile, quotes scriptures as if he were on high a... read morend the simple task of wishing someone "happy trails" is an uproariously strained feat for Jack Palance's powder keg Frank who ladles menace during quiet walks through a mental asylum's courtyard. Sholder, who directed the underrated 'Nightmare on Elm Street 2', is a powerhouse director and writer who deftly explores the wayward perception that people moshing to a band named "The Sick Fucks" is more insane than the tranquil innards of the institution. The best scapegoat for a parody of psychological coddling is Pleasance who labels the inmates' rampage as a "cry for help". Sholder posits that armchair psychiatrists prefer pat, non-threatening rationalizations with the John Locke view that humans are "inherently good". Thought-provoking and flamboyant visceral, 'Alone in the Dark' is a marvelous thriller that shouldn't be as misbegotten as it has been.

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• 
  
  December 12, 2009

  ScoopOnline

  It began with potential it ended very dissapointing. What a shame

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  November 29, 2011

  ryguy4738

  *** out of ****
  
  Since it's such an overused concept, I've often found myself wondering whether tongue-in-cheek horror movies are even the best kind; or whether they're good at all. But of course, that last part is silly; there are horror movies that I love - "The Evil Dead", "... read moreNight of the Creeps", "The Evil Dead II" - and the thing that all three of those films have in common aside from their genre is a touch of comic inspiration. Each one is lovably goofy due to the equal shares of comedy and scares; creating a delightfully spooky ride. This approach doesn't work every time; but I'll be damned if it doesn't work on the best of days.
  
  "Alone in the Dark" is another one of those 80's horror flicks that embraces the silly side of life; it understands that it doesn't have the best screenplay, or the best characters, or the best, well...anything; but it does know one thing, and that is how to balance two genres while successfully devoting itself to the one that ultimately takes over. It's a creepy, tense film that is, in small doses, kind of clever and endearing. One could certainly classify it as a slasher film, but don't let that label fool you; the film is more interested in creating an atmosphere and mood than exploiting gory kill scenes galore, and in a world where the less fair and opposing choice of style feels overused and unnecessary, I appreciated the direction that the film took.
  
  So here's the plot in a nutshell; a gang of patients escape from a psychiatric hospital after a power outage shrouds the surrounding areas (the ward included) in darkness through night; while light shall only return by day. The team of psychopaths breaks up and goes their separate ways; only to meet again the house of a new doctor; whom they have been plotting to kill ever since he started as a replacement doctor to the one that they initially preferred. The time in which they remain on the streets, killing at random and sneaking into homes, spans about one day and a night; things especially get suspenseful during the latter.
  
  You need not know more than that. "Alone in the Dark" is an almost intentionally formula slasher movie; with a sense of style - and a working brain - that most films in that sub-genre most certainly lack. I liked it because it accepts its flaws and tries its best to deliver the sarcastic with the serious; with some genuinely impressive and respectable results. It's nothing great, and it lacks depth, but as a film that cares about the audience's intelligence (and attention span) enough to take its time getting to the good stuff, I saw nothing wrong with what it was doing. I went along with it and found myself very entertained; and this is a good feeling, even nowadays where everyone seems inclined to please.
  
  There are some good acting talents involved in the picture, some of which include: Donald Pleasence, Jack Palance, Martin Landau, and Dwight Schultz. A few movie-goers might be disappointed when they discover that each noted star isn't given the amount of screen-time that they rightfully deserve, but I didn't let that get in the way of my enjoyment. They do their jobs accordingly, lack the ability and excess to create memorable characters from their efforts, but hey; a job is a job, and each actor does a pretty good one. Pleasence, in particular, is a likable screen presence; a man who can make even the simplest of dialogue sound intelligent and rich. Perhaps that's just ol' Samuel Loomis creeping up on me.
  
  I go to slasher films for all kinds of reasons; but two very key ones are to see the kills and to perhaps get a little surprise - something more. "Alone in the Dark" will intentionally disappoint those looking for the first thing alone, while those who - like myself - are looking for a more intelligent slasher movie will be pleasantly surprised by the time and craft put into the film. I don't think it quite achieves all-time classic status, even for its kind, but I think every horror fan should dig into it with much delight. Let's just say that if you're like me and you like your horror somewhat slow-moving, with much build-up, and with a sense of self-aware humor thrown in for extra measure; you will enjoy yourself. At this point, satisfaction is guaranteed; unless you're a grouch. And a grouch I am not.

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• 
  
  December 2, 2009

  joshhitch

  A solid B flick with a terrific cast. Takes a very simple plot and turns it into an engaging film like say the original Assault on Precint 13. The acting carries the film (loved Landau's manical laugh) but Sholder's (The Hidden, as well as the second installments of Nightmare o... read moren Elm Street and Wishmaster) direction is top notch. Also its nice to see Schultz play the sane character... lol. Worth a watch for sure.

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  June 14, 2007

  fearad

  This shares nothing with the video game, it's a much older, but better movie than the recent Uwe Boll abomination.

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• 
  
  March 27, 2007

  redmoonthir13en

  'Howlin' Mad' Murdoch from the "A Team" plays a psychiatrist & Martin Landau plays one of his patients. Great tale. Plus a Sic F*cks live performance!

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• Jack Palance as Frank Hawkes
• Donald Pleasence as Dr. Leo Bain
• Martin Landau as Bryon "Preacher" Sutcliff
• Dwight Schultz as Dan Potter
• Erland van Lidth as Ronald "Fatty" Elster
• Deborah Hedwall as Nell Potter
• Phillip Clark as Tom Smith/Skaggs
• Lee Taylor Allen as Tonie Potter
• Frederick Coffin as Jim Gable

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