Customer Reviews

Pin [VHS]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pin (short for Pinocchio) is an anatomical instruction dummy. Dad Terry O'Quinn uses the dummy to explain difficult questions to children Leon and Ursula. When Dad dies suddenly, Leon projects a personality to Pin to replace him. Ursula tries to begin a normal life, but Leon says Pin won't allow her to ruin her life by running off with boys. That plus a bunch of creepy set pieces is the story of Pin.

Leon's attempts to make Pin human are pretty creepy. The crux of the story is just how far Leon will go in order to make Pin a human. It's not wishing on a star, I can tell you that. This may all sound like a Chucky movie or a bad Tales From the Crypt episode, but Pin is eons ahead of them in terms of atmosphere. There are sometimes long, slow shots of the dummy where you swear you could see him move. Pretty eerie.

The DVD has an audio commentary by the director. The movie is now available in widescreen format for the first time so that is a plus.

Recommended.

I first saw this film at least 10 years ago....it stuck in my mind so much that I started to search, endlessly, the TV listings until it came on again. I HAD to record it!!! It is NOT the run of the mill horror flick like "Halloween", "Friday the 13th", or "Nightmare on Elm Street". "Pin" keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering where each vital scene is going to lead you next! It has a "Hitchcock" subtleness about it. If you are a horror fan of the "TRUE" sense, and not out for "blood and guts" this is YOUR kind of movie! This type of horror film has not occured since "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane", "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte", or "Straight Jacket". The acting is believable and the direction was done with superb technique...a must see!!

Back in the 80's my brother and I rented every horror video we could.I took a chance on this one because the box looked cool.Well,the video box had some misleading info on it making this look like a ripping horror thriller.It wasn't that,it is instead a well-done psychological thriller about a dysfunctional family,schizophrenia,and a lifeless(or is it?)medical doll and it all leads to madness and murder.We were very impressed and watched it again and again.Many years later I found the Andrew Neiderman novel in a used bookstore and immediately remembered this great movie and was blown away by the much darker tone of the book,but I longed to see the movie again.Well,years later and I have a dvd player and I happily discovered this great movie on dvd!Anchor Bay did a fantastic job with a nice widescreen print,a trailer,and an interesting commentary track by the screen-writer/director and a journalist.
Excellent!

Most all of the so-called horror movies made today are just simple, formulatic nonsense that offer only jolts but nothing withstanding. Whatever happened to the genuinely scary like Psycho or The Exorcist? What we're most afraid of is not monsters or faceless madmen, but elements of our own psyche. This film is one not perfect, but it does succeed in striking a chord with those who desire a REAL reason to stay up at night.

David Hewlitt is fantastic as Leon, a schizophrenic boy with an unnatural obsession with medical dummy Pin. The movie doesn't go soft or stereotypical and deserves more attention than the likes of pointless trash like Urban Legends or Valentine. If you wish to be truly mind-...... by a good psychological thriller, you owe it to yourself to see this flick.

Anchor Bay did justice to this gem. The DVD is an excellent reproduction. I like "well done" horror movies, yet I wouldn't necessarily call this a horror film. The movie delves more into human relationships and feelings, with a psychological twist.

The movie was well made, the cinematography, score and acting were excellent. An excellent addition to my collection.

Keep it up Anchor Bay. I enjoy horror films and I have some DVDs that I wish had been done by you.

Pin is an anatomically correct, see-through mannequin. His interests include tutoring, chocolates and terrorizing young ladies. Pin speaks with a slow, thin, whispery voice. His educational expertise includes math and sex. He also enjoys listening to incestuous poetry and creeping quietly in the dark. Pin's story is destined to become a cult classic. The strength of this movie lies not in direction, nor necessarily in acting, but in story. Pin is one of the strangest movies you'll watch. Scenes include a skinless mannequin giving a private sex lecture to a young brother and sister, a man giving his daughter an abortion, and a nurse who uses Pin as a sex doll when she thinks no one else is watching. I also highly recommend the movie The Reflecting Skin, which reminds me of Pin in some ways.

this truly is a unique "horror" movie (though as other reviewers have noted,it is more of a psychological thriller).interesting script,fairly decent acting and adequate technical skills make this film quite a bit superior than many other films of the period(the mid-to-late 80's),specifically the low budget/direct-to-video movies.
so forget about Jason and Freddy and check out this very entertaining movie that has great repeat-viewing value to boot

Meet Pin, a harmless, mute and lifeless fantasy in little Leon's mind - a fantasy that initially took form when Leon's father imparted life lessons to him through the use of anatomical dummy. At first a source of amusement and comfort, Pin demonically evolves into the object of Leon's mad fixation. Soon, Leon and Pin quietly but thoroughly eliminate anyone who intrudes into their private world. One reason I loved The Ring is that is was scary and it went back to the intelligent horror films that actually scared it's audience. Pin does the same. While not as scary as The Ring it does pack atmosphere and suspense. It's a bit long but it's still good. This is one that must be viewed in the dark all by yourself. 5 stars for being scary.

I love psychologically scary movies, and had read so many great things about this movie. It's definately not something I plan on watching again any time soon. It starts off very well, showing a family ruled by anti-germ freaks mom and pap, as well as their smart and well-mannered son and daughter. The son starts to believe that his dad's teaching aid dummy is alive, and spirals into an obsession with this doll after his mom and dad are killed in a car wreck. The storyline sounds great, and the acting is very good, but something just doesn't seem to work. I've never seen this movie to rent, so you might have to buy it in order to watch it. If you're looking for a good Psycho - rip off, rent/buy Santa Sangre or Dressed to Kill instead of this unenjoyable flick.

I worked in a video store from 1989 - 90, and saw this movie sit on the shelves, unrented for most of my time there. A friend took it out one night, and from then on, I have raved about it on any occasion to the cult-movie fan. Why this isn't up there on the 'got-to-see' lists of wannabe film makers and students, I don't know. It has solid character development, and yes, fine acting,directing, script and filmaking. Not to mention, the creapiest sex scene this side of 'Crash'. Considering it was filmed in 1988, and the Ursula's hair gets a bit big, I believe it to be a timeless story, with much life left in it still. Buy it, watch it, know PIN: The Plastic Nightmare.