Customer Reviews

Bad Dreams

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I can't really find the words to describe this film, but I'll try. :) I like horror flicks as much as the next guy, but this film was a cut above. To be honest the only reason I saw it in the first place was because Dean Cameron was in it, and speaking of DC, his performance is amazing! The small smirk before saying "Later" just blew me away. The small details in voice variation and facial expressions..the man is the best. And let's not forget about Jennifer Rubin! Blood, Blood, and more blood, Peter Pans out the window, blood showers, and Ralph's self-stabbing fest makes this film one to watch on an empty stomach. Don't make the same mistake I did by going to "The Bell" before watching this. Great film! Richard Lynch is scary, Jennifer Rubin is amazing, and Dean Cameron shows us the meaning of the word 'range'. Great!

I miss this movie. If there was a film that should be moved up on the list to be transferred to DVD this film would be it. It's not your typical horror film where there's nothing but mindless slice and dice behind motives of stupidity. The main character deals with the psychological aspects of something horrible happening to her (which makes sense since it takes place in a mental ward). But when the bodies start to fall, the "culprit" is not so obvious. No Freddy Kruger or Michael Myers. This movie also pulls you in through the supporting cast, all interesting and even funny. I love this movie! I give it five stars as a contender against other horror films and it rates right up there with the originals like NIGHTMARE AN ELM STREET and HALLOWEEN. There's death. There's drugs. There's comedy, and hey, even a little romance. Grab some popcorn and spend two hours with BAD DREAMS. You won't be disappointed!

"Bad Dreams" came out around the same time as Nightmare on Elm Street and is very much a product of the 80s and horror filmmaking style at that time. The film tell the story of the sole survivor of an interesting hippielike commune/cult led by a David Koreshish type leader.

Yet "Bad Dreams" is a cut above for many reasons. The first being that the film is filled with surrealistic arresting images-in particular, the house where the mass suicide took place is an intriguing looking building, tragically beautiful.

Secondly, "Bad Dreams" encompasses a fascinating character in the African American female mental patient who frequently says mysterious and pseudo religious things and seems to be the only one who knows whats going on.

Thirdly, the acting by all involved is really superior to what you find in most horror films. Rubin is especially good at emoting and I am mystified why I never heard of her before I rented this film.

Lastly, I think most viewers miss an interesting touch in the film, at one point, Cynthia is sitting in the grass turned around in the exact same pose as the painting by Andrew Wyeth "Christina's World"! It was a really awesome touch that I think may go unappreciated by those not farmiliar with this painting.

In short, "Bad Dreams" is a must see, with a great twist ending also. A must for any horror fan or suspense lover.

I remember seeing Bad Dreams the moment it hit cable. I have always been captivated by psychological thrillers. I guess that goes with the territory being a psychology major in college. Anyway, this excellent movie is yet another sad reminder of how awful movies have gotten since the 1980's, especially the horror genre.

I'm glad Anchor Bay got a hold of this one. As with all of Anchor Bay's releases, the transfer is excellent. The extras are nothing to write home about, but it was still nice for them to include them here. There are three very short featurettes that don't cover much of anything. The theatrical trailer could have been better, but hey, it's just a trailer.

The commentary by the director was very interesting and informative. Definitely worth a listen.

I was going to get this DVD the day it came out, but I could not find it ANYWHERE! None of the stores are carrying it. But of course the stores will carry ten thousand copies of some crappy Hollywood hit that was recently made. Whatever. So, as usual Amazon.com came to the rescue, and with a very decent price to boot. I am thrilled to now have this in my massive 80's DVD collection.

If you've never seen this, give it a go. If you have this on video? Toss the video and get the DVD.

Well, the first time I saw this movie I literally became obsessed with the whole cult tragedy story, mainly because I was very young and looking for movies to satisfy me, but as I've gotten older, I can still say that this movie is one of my favorite scary, weirdy, "Halloween Mood" movies. I mean, it goes from the time this little girl was involved in a mass suicide (she survived) of course and then, it goes to 14 years later and she's still haunted by her past experiences. I guess with a movie like this, you can create your own kind of story line because it never said why she was in the cult group to begin with, so you can kind of make up a story of your own. But anyway, I thought it was a great movie, not because it was Academy Award winning acting nor did it have an extremely intellectual plot, but I liked it because it was good at a certain time of my life and now I can look at that film, and remember myself always! Ha!

Jennifer Rubin, Dean Cameron, and the rest of the cast had amazing chemistry that really came through in the final product.

This movie is, indeed, a cut above the rest as it doesn't explain everything to the letter as other movies do. For me, that's what ruins the mystery and the chances of me watching it again.

What drew me the most to this movie was the soundtrack. Nothing like hearing The Chambers Brothers "Time Has Come Today" (during the initial suicide scene and when Cynthia revisited the horror awake and alseep) as well as "I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night" by The Electric Prunes (played as the ambulance took Cynthia away from the scene at the very beginning of the movie).

This movie is definitely worth watching many times.

Well anyone out there who loves a great old horror film need not look further than bad dreams. A well scripted horror film made by great production company and a great director in Andrew flemming.
This is a sleeper of a horror missed by many but a must have in any horror collection along side great horrors such as Near dark, Vamp, the Third Exorcist film, the burning and Rosemarys killer that many horror fans may have missed.
If you liked Elm st 3 you will love this title

Bad dreams is the kind of movie you watch on an empty stomach. There are a lot of very gross bloody scenes, so if you have a weak stomach you might want to sit this one out. If you are a horror fan this is definetly the movie for you.

The beautiful Jennifer Rubin is back in familiar territory a year on from being drugged to death by Freddy Krueger in 'A Nightmare on Elm St. 3: Dream Warriors'. This film is so very familiar to 'Nightmare 3' with it's hospital setting and Freddy-like Boogeyman. Also eagle-eyed viewers may recognise one doctor in this film who played a dream doctor in the original 'Nightmare On Elm St.
I personally enjoy 80's horrors like this even if they often seem chessy or uber-gruesome. 'Bad Dreams' is an under-rated gem of a horror film and the effects are NOT bad despite what Mr. Professional critic at the top of the page may say. Only you can really judge for yourself. If you're a fan of Freddy, or effects laden horror/suspense then give 'Bad Dreams' a try, it also has a twist at the end which means at least some thought went into this script.

I would definitely have 2 say, i expected alot less from this film, but I'm glad i did... It was "GREAT", very gorey & lots of action! I may have dozed off for a couple of minutes, but when i think of it... I was drunk outta my mind & it had to be at least 4 in the morning!! ENJOY!!!
LMAO
>:D