Reviews

No Spoilers here. One of my favorite 10 movies, and easily the best made for TV movie ever. Storm of the Century reaches the highest level of suspense of any movie I have ever seen. I have watched it 5 times now, and am amazed at how linear it is for its length. Not a minute is wasted.

As with every great film it is not for everyone, but keep in mind that no movie is rated above 9.0 here, and that some people will not like it because it was made for TV, is Stephen King, is long, isn't packed with CGI or gore, or isn't a comfortably predictable Hollywood story. Don't let the fact it isn't rated 8.0+ fool you-this is an outstanding movie.

Absolutely anti-Hollywood (I love it for that as well), this is much more like an independent film not trying to be artsy. Few big name stars, no wasted sub-plots to draw in general audiences, no special effects wedged awkwardly in, not packed with pretty people who cannot act or out-of-place one-liners. This is a pure horror/suspense movie.

If you want a movie you can predict the ending to within 10 minutes, or settle down comfortably to another familiar rehashed horror story, pass on this one-it is original, chilling, and as gripping and memorable as any movie you will see. Like any horror suspense movie, you won't get the full effect if you have it on at noon while surfing the net and chatting on the phone. I most closely would compare it to Silence of the Lambs or The Ring in tension and flow, but without the shock value. The tension and eeriness this movie creates is palpable.

This is not a slasher/gore movie, and you will get a chance to know the main characters of Little Tall Island, as well as see an original portrayal of antagonist Colm Feore (who perfectly nailed his role). Yes, Anthony Hopkins would have ALSO been great for this role, but I don't think better. If you are chilled by hearing "I'm a Little Teapot, short and stout..." afterwards, you'll be here posting great reviews as well.

Few people will like this movie on first viewing, as it is never going to make sense or have a real plot-it is a situational comedy. This is the tale of depraved and sedimentary introvert Earl (John Belushi) who finds his new neighbors to be happy-go-lucky swinging extroverts. As much as he despises them, he wants to be like them and rise above his nerdness to seem cool, even if the cool people are totally insane. The new neighbors drive him into alternating periods of hating them and wanting to be liked by them, even if it means abandoning everything he has ever stood for or believed in. His attempts at moral integrity and his guilt keep getting in the way of having fun and liking this "Captain Vic" and Ramona, but he just keeps coming back for more. Earls wife is a bored housewife who has few redeeming qualities, and is always willing to do anything or side with anyone else, regardless of how it affects Earl.

Very off-beat and weird, I did not like much at all it the first time I saw it. I liked the movie a lot the next 15-20 times I watched it, and some friends and I got asked about renting it 5 times in the same month once by the Blockbuster clerk. We switched video stores the next few times we rented it. Again, this is a Friday night cult classic.

Some scenes are must-replays on every viewing, like the search for the car, Greeleys call, the filthy coffee mug confrontation at Vics, and the dinner at Earls. The music is odd and zany as it tries to frame moments with the 4 main characters. There are scenes which seem either unbelievably funny or as bad as it gets in film, depending on how you take it. The book is just as odd, with a different ending. The best thing about Neighbors is that it gives both Belushi and Aykroyd perfect characters for their abilities, and they are really comfortable in them. 8 of 10, it is as original as Monty Python and The Holy Grail.