Arrow Films-Delivers the Scares and the Laughs or C.H.U.D. A Bluray Review…
Arrow Films have been giving films the red carpet treatment for quite some time and the new Bluray releases of C.H.U.D and is no exception- loaded with bonus and extras galore …. Truly this is one Bluray you should have in your reference video library.A mix-up of “over the top, chew up the scenery” in the case of C.H.U.D — A “they just don’t make them like this anymore” pic, mix-em up zombie slash radiated homeless turned cannibalistic creatures who love munching on the living and if you happen to survive …well once you’re infected you know the rest…
*** The Quick Take-
A recent article in a New York newspaper reported that there were large colonies of people living under the city… The paper was incorrect. What is living under the city is not human. C.H.U.D. is under the city.
Well let’s hope you never pick up a newspaper and read the above for it be time time to think about moving?!
But what I can tell you is that this movie is a classic of what fun, campy entertainment with a biting comment about how we treat our fellow human beings. And a along the way lest through in a few shocks, a little bit of blood, a jump out of your seat scene or two and an amazing cast and crew in front and behind the camera.
CHUD not a film for the whole family but don’t let that stop ya….
C.H.U.D. — RELEASED IN 1984 is a prime example of great 80’s horror mixed with a small budget, but thanks to smart direction, excellent location shots, a very creative special effects team and a cast of still early on their career actors have achieved a rare thing — a modern cult classic that has aged well like a fine glass of wine. A film that can be watched over and over and it still fell like a first time viewing and yet at the same feel like an old friend has come to visit. This is the type of film I would have watched with my friends when I was growing up and would have hid behind the couch and would have taken turns squinting with one eye opened during the scary scenes and sip a cool mug of root beer and munch on a bowl full of Dutch Snyder pretzels. Well in this case better that I’m doing the munching than being munched on.
Below: I’m pretty sure we are not getting into Dunkin Donuts looking like this …
Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers, Contamination Hazard Urban Disposal or just plain C.H.U.D. for short takes the premise that -hay if we can have mutated, giant Alligators or Rats in the sewer systems, why couldn’t it happen to the all but forgotten, homeless people that we encounter in our everyday lives that just seem to disappear? Then take a setting like New York City with all the underground places …abandoned areas of the subway system. Remember CBS’ Beauty and the Beast, there was whole other world under New York and who knows maybe it’s true and I can relate. I grew up in Rochester, New York with an entire sub-way system that was shut down and abandon with tunnels that still to this very day run underneath parts of city… so who knows what really is down there.? And on that note this film is off and running with an oblivious person walking her dog …one minute she’s there the next she’s gone. C.H.U.D. is coming up from its subterranean refuge and its hungry-extremely. But what is it ..maybe it’s the ever growing of homeless that have been disappearing, and no one misses them at first, except for Daniel Stern-no one does manic better, who is just marvelous as rebellious, caring sort of preacher who is more than worried when several of his regulars start missing and the ones that are left want to arm themselves…why? At first no one seems to care until a neighborhood police captain spurred on by his missing wife tries to get to the bottom of city wide conspiracy that involves a government cover up …they’re the best kind of course.
Above- Classic Stern — Eat It! and I’m not talking Weird Al.
When Sterns character starts pressing for information the green ooze is about to hit the fan and believe me when these underground dwellers get shot or cut it just sprays everywhere…we all know when chemicals mixed with a radiated source never spawn anything good ..there is one tense scene that has Daniel and John Heard (great subdued performance here) stumbling across these creatures as they are congregating around some awful looking liquid almost as if they are worshiping it, like some kind of ritual and also look for a young John Goodman and comedian Jay Thomas as 2 rookie cops on the beat … classic and us as the audience could not ask for more!
C.H.U.D has been beautifully restored for this first time Bluray release and is just over flowing with extras including a fully illustrated collectors book with writing from Michael Gingold , an extended shower scene — I mean that’s reason enough right, plus Audio Commentary with Daniel Stern, John Heard, Christopher Curry and Director Douglas Cheek — this alone is worth the price it is hilarious and you can tell these guys are still friends and a lot of fun making this film, an isolated score audio track with interview/commentary from the composers, an interview with production designer William Bilowit and more…so please whatever you do, Do Not Leave This Off Your Must Have List!!!!!
Above: Daniel Stern is at his best and gives a really great almost manic performance. Something is down here and trust me this Geiger counter isn’t lighting up and beeping to indicate the battery is low!
Tag Line : “ They’re Not Staying Down There, Anymore!”- so run -hide-dodge or duck and whatever you do, don’t ever stand close to a manhole cover… again. Whatever C.H.U.D is, it boasts the craziest fangs and pointed teeth along with glowing eyes. Plus it’s three fingered with sharpened claws and it’s famished!
This is your ever-loving “Doc” saying- Arrow Films, I take my hat off to you for a delicious slice of horror -comedy and nicely stuffed like a Thanksgiving Turkey!!! And to the rest of you the credits are over, it’s time to go home. Oh I forgot, most likely you already are. So close the book and turn those darn lights off- I’m trying to sleep…Good Night!
Available at Amazon.com and other great retailers.
Bonus-Additional taglines-
Cannibalistic. Humanoid. Underground. Dwellers.
Ugly. Slobbering. Ferocious. Carnivorous.
You Won’t Want To Know What It Means.
A recent article in a New York newspaper reported that there were large colonies of people living under the city… The paper was incorrect. What is living under the city is not human. C.H.U.D. is under the city.
Arrow Films:
