Customer Reviews

Ghoulies [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

All I have to say is WOW. If you only see one movie this year, make it this unbelievably spellbinding horror-thriller about Jonathan Graves, son of Malcolm (the evil one), who calls upon the forces of evil, creating small mucus-covered muppet-type creatures. GHOULIES is the ultimate battle between good and evil. Brilliantly scripted and perfectly cast, the movie gives viewers plenty to think about. It addresses such topics as the supernatural, power, midgets, and parent-child relationships from a fresh and unconventional perspective. Peter Liapis's performance as Jonathan brilliantly juxtaposes the two conflicting sides of Jonathan's personality. If 6 out of 5 stars was an option, ghoulies would have received that honor, no question. Do yourself and all your friends a favor, RENT IT TODAY, or better yet, buy it. You will have no regrets.

GHOULIES

If there was ever a series of B movies that I loved with out a doubt it would be these ones. I have been a fan of Ghoulies since I first saw the original film and have been hooked ever since. Sure it is pure 80's B horror movie greatness which means what you expect it to mean. The thing is I love those types of films and always have, I can't help it. As most people would turn these flicks off I watch them on the regular. This of course being one of my all time favorite series of B horror films starting with this first film.

The film follows a young man who inherits a mansion that was once owned by his satanic father. They invite friends over to break the place in and all the fun begins. But as time goes by Jonathan Graves (Peter Liapis) starts to feel the need to practice black magic after finding a few objects. In doing so he conjures up the little demons known as the Ghoulies and even his dead father. Now with all the power he could ever want and his father looking to take it all back what will happen.

This is a low budget movie produced by Charles Band and the whole production is just awesome. It has all the bad acting one could ever hope for and even has Mariska Hargitay in a very pre "Law & Order: SVU" role. I have to say that I like the bad acting here because it fits. The low budget also gives us the low tech puppet Ghoulies that look excellent in my opinion. Directed by Luca Bercovici who co wrote with Jefery Levy this is one of those it is bad but it is good flicks. In fact it is just plain fun when you turn the brain off.

Te Ghoulies themselves are excellent but I must say that they and the film itself gets better with the second film. I have to say that to be honest but this is still 80's golden horror on that wonderful B level. You have the classic 80's party with the very 80's music leading to all the horror no nos. This is one of those you either love it or hate it things, me personally I love it. I can understand if this isn't your thing, which is cool. But don't hate on some one like me that loves these B horror classics.

I remember watching it as a kid being creeped out on Wzdl 39 or Wbfs 33,watching it recently though has made me think twice on what a waste of a movie it is and how Much I despise Wizards.

Unbelievably awful. Don't be fooled-the ghoulies are hardly in the movie. And when they finally show up for about one minute, it's just sad. The ghoulie effects are pathetic. Avoid at all costs!

This has to be one of the best movies I've ever seen! But the only problem with it is it's extremely out of print!:( But anyway the movie is awesome so here's a chance to buy it used. So what are you waiting for? Click that mouse or move your...up to buy it used.If you lke lots horror movies this is a must for your colection! As well as 2 other sequels but uh don't buy the forth one unless you are not looking for a horror movie. only buy it if you want to have the whole collection or you want a good laugh.

its funny, the ghoulies are cute and funny and they remind me of my 6th grade teacher. I've only seen the first one, and would prefer NOT to see the sequels. The ghoulies act and behave, even sound like most of the gremlins. Unlike the gremlins, the ghoulies kill more and i belive are more evil. there were more killings then gremlins, but i just loved the part when the ghoulie popped out of the well.

I just got this moive today and. it was so cool the ghoulies pupest are o.k go out and buy it.

I really like the movie ghoulies. I thought it was very dark and magical. I feel it didn't have that much of a story about ghoulies, it was more about black magic. I always wondered about the ending. What ever happened to those three people? When I saw the next movie ghoulies 2 there was no mention of the first group of people. It seems each of the movies had a different story line. I would have liked the movie better, if some of the scenes were during the day, rather than it always being dark and inside the house.

A
young inheritor named Jonathan comes into possession of a stately mansion which contains many secrets, inclusive of those kept by his mysterious father, who said to be involved with The Occult, who ran his cult from within the recesses of his house.

The movie begins with a scene of ritual taking place, complete with a huge Pentagram behind The Altar, and a Goetic sigil of Belial on the mantle, in which an infant sacrifice is to take place, which is actually that of The Sorcerer's son, because he fears that one day he will turn to the light and grow to overtake him. He commands one of the robed cultists to come forth with the infant, but she dares disobey, considering the horror of murdering a child; The Sorcerer enraged, telekinetically tears the heart from her chest. He then orders another member to leave his midst after an energy field surrounding the boy resists the death-strike. And so the kindly, though somewhat 'touched' old man sets to raise him as his own unto manhood. Upon maturity, he sets to explore the mansion, and begins finding elements of his father's legacy - in the library, books on Black Magic, ritual tools, personal artifacts such as several medallions, a conjuring staff, and a robe. Bit by bit his natural interests beckon him to experiment with The Dark Arts, with a cover desire to "know what his father was all about", whenever his newlywed wife bids him to be more reticent in uncovering the nefarious rites. But his curiosity drives him on - and then he discovers The Ritual Chambre, and begins making the necessary preparations which yields him almost immediate Power, most noticeable by his glowing green eyes, which in this case, denotes his oneness with The Forces of Darkness. His wife becomes increasingly frightened by his evilution until finally, she decides to leave when he devotes his life to the persuit of The Occult rites. But he invokes his two imps from a Magic Circle to do his bidding, and she is consequently under his complete control.

Next, he invites a few of his friends to attend a feast and revery. Two fool-hearty stoners, a pretentious and 'cocky' guy named Dick {but you can call him "Dick"}, and two vapid girls.

But there was a purpose for them all being there that night beyond the mere dinner and party. They are all to take the place of those cultists for the Necromantic summoning of The Master Warlock. They are all placed under a spell, various imps {"ghoulies"} are called forth, and with everyone's united call, The Sorcerer is brought up from the grave located on the property, which displays a really nice gravestone with a Pentagram crowning it. Afterwards, the spell is temporarily lifted, and they are prepared by going down to the basement as sort of a party ruse, likened playing with a Ouija board for kicks, and Jonathan decides to open a book to conduct a rite from therein, but what they do not know, is this is yet another preparatory procedure to place them in the proper frame of mind of what is to come. A triangle is drawn upon the floor, and the ubiquitous ceremonial magician blindlight garbage of calling forth the name of jehovah in hebrew inunciated 'J H V H' {"joh-heh-vau-heh"} turning clockwise, but of course, the group do not take it seriously, and mock with such things as 'the hokey-pokey', and one of the moronic girls even screams in jest. Quite a pathetic lot. After waiting a little while, it is determined that nothing will occur, so they all decide to return to the kitchen for more beer and marijuana. Unbeknownst to them, the ghoulies appear in the conjuring trigram and are released to roam the grounds.

Bit by bit, the 'ghoulies', which are essentially elementals, manifest one by one to cause havoc and spill the sacrificial blood until all of the guests are transformed into spechtrous participants in a hellish ceremony. The Master Warlock then sets out to reclaim his position as Prime Magician. First by entering the house with a mighty yell to stir the ethers, and one final sacrifice to bring him fully into the flesh, for at this point he resembles a decaying zombie - but with the application of a little transmogrification, a willing victim comes along - "Dick" - the strutting, boorish macho-man fooled by the Sorcerer's illusion of that of a beautiful seductress, followed by a deep kiss - the next thing which occurs, is he finds himself with a tentacle-tongue wrapped around his neck - and the next sacrifice is taken. So he is restored to full vitality, and heads straight to The Altar, where he reclaims his rightful place as Lord of The Manor.
So father and son eventually come face to face - a memorable line spoken by The Sorcerer comes to the fore - "I must admit you show promise, but at your age, I was much...better." A line I know too well. The battle is on, and the son is defeated, as he slowly sinks into The Abyss, but is rescued surprisingly by The Old Man in full ritual garb, who takes over the battle, so he and The Warlock battle Magically until someone is victorious. I will leave it up to the viewer to discern who, for it is actually unclear.

Considered a "B-Movie" by the masses, Ghoulies is highly entertaining, replete with occult themes, and quite comical at times, which makes it a favorite. Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. conducted a portion of the soundtrack for the sequal, which, in this reviewer's opinion, is not as amusing as this first film gem.

5 out of 5 Goat Skulls.

I've always hated this movie. To make my point clear of why I hate this movie let give you an example of what is wrong with it. What is Gremlins about? Mischievous creatures that multiply in numbers and wreak havoc in town. What is Critters about. Evil and ravenous furballs that wreak havoc in a small town. What is Ghoulies about? Some punk a** wizard(played by Peter Liapis) who wants to ressurect his dead father. My point exactly. Why have a movie called Ghoulies and the creatures it is named after are an afterthought(they appear in the movie 54 MINUTES LATER!!). It makes no sense. And they do appear they are limited to brief moments of screen time to cause mayhem. Before they appear the movie is pretty dull. Look, I know what to expect from a movie of this nature. All I ask is for a movie that's faithful to its title. If a movie is called Attack of The Killer Locusts then that is what I want to see. I dont want to see some backward wizard who is so much of a creep that he even attempted a ritual while spending quality time with his girl in the sack(what a jerk!).Ghoulies 2 and 3 turned out to be better than this snoozer so stick with those and avoid this slop.