Demons (1985)

[Rene (Mr.Eko)]

After reading about this in The Descent thread, I figured I'd start a thread about this really friggin' fun Italian exploitation gorefest. Dario Argento produced, but from what I've read about him, he's about as hands on in his "producer" role as Lucas was on Jedi.

Nobody is safe in this flick, and that's what makes it and it's sequel interesting. The people you start out with, aren't exactly who make it out in the end. The standout set piece of course is the motorbike samurai sequence, all set to Accept's Fast As A Shark. The ending is great also. Putting a spin on the "stay after the credits" gag. And there's some genuinely freaky bits, like the two kids crawling in the airshaft, and the transformation of the second prostitute on the stage. Also, Tony The Pimp is tops.

[Gabe Powers]

I still get more shit for preferring Demons 2 to Demons then I do for never finishing Titanic, hating The Goonies, and calling Back to the Future overrated combined on the internet.

[James May]

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

I still get more shit for preferring Demons 2 to Demons then I do for never finishing Titanic, hating The Goonies, and calling Back to the Future overrated combined on the internet.

I like you, wanna be friends?

I heart most of the Demons movies (even some of the not really a Demons movie movies). Tony the Pimp should have ended up surviving, he was the guy who got shit done. There are actually a couple of really tense scary parts in this film, almost inspite of the silly premise. The allusions to Black Sunday completely slipped by me on the first couple of viewings even though I had previously seen it and knew that Lamberto was Mario's son. This paragraph is nonsensical and random, sorry.

[Ratty]

We can't talk about Demons without talking about how luscious that red-headed usherette is. Back me up, fellas!

[Gabe Powers]

Originally Posted by James May

I like you, wanna be friends?

I thought we already were.

Demons was actually my first introduction to any Italian horror (besides maybe Zombie, I can't quite remember that far back) It's fun to watch, but it's not one of my favs. Did you know that the silver masked man is future director Michelle Soavi?

[tommy five-tone]

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

I still get more shit for preferring Demons 2 to Demons then I do for never finishing Titanic, hating The Goonies, and calling Back to the Future overrated combined on the internet.

As well you should. Although those pastel-clad yuppies busting white-bread dance moves to The Smiths is infinitely more terrifying than any demon rampage.

Originally Posted by Ratty

We can't talk about Demons without talking about how luscious that red-headed usherette is. Back me up, fellas!

True that. But it's part of the movie's muddleheaded appeal that I can't tell if she's evil or not - she seems so sinister at the start with her various stares and glares but then she gets as fucked up as the rest of the haunted cinema's patrons.

Actually, the blind guy's human seeing-eye dog - you know, the one who gets busy in the balcony with a dude she's just met - is just as hot.

Also seconding the love for Tony the Pimp:

WHORE: It's just like what's happening in the movie!
TONY: Ah, that's a bunch of shit, baby.

Gee, guess I've watched DEMONS too many times, huh?

[Gabe Powers]

Originally Posted by Ratty

We can't talk about Demons without talking about how luscious that red-headed usherette is. Back me up, fellas!

You mean this adorable little girl?



You sick man!

[Alex Riviello]

Demons 2 better than the first? You deserve flack for that, man. Still an entertaining flick, of course, but nothing beats that first for pure goofy fun. Metal guitars and demons in a movie theater! And who can forget that first transformation.

Sad that these are the best films that Bava's son could come up with, though.

[Gabe Powers]

I just think Demons 2 is so retarded it's a fun time, and I think that Bava Jr.s direction is far more assured. They're a close race (I'm not in love with either), but I give the edge to part 2.

You are correct on the saddness that was Lamberto's career. What a waste. From what I understand Argento and Soavi directed almost as much on the Demons films as he did.

[ZombieFever]

Demons 2 would definatly better if it werent for that annoying demon baby. I just remember the randomness of the scenes with the body builders working out being hillarious. Plus their fortifying of the parking garage and the fight are just awesome.

[Phil]

I saw Demons in the theater. I don't remember a damn thing about it.

[Gabe Powers]

The best Demons movie is the unofficial third entry, The Church, mostly because it isn't really a Demons movie and Soavi is a good director despite Argento's idiot script.

[Keith F]

I can take just about any gory, gruesome thing in a horror movie and let it roll of my back, enjoying a good gag as much as the next guy, but that face zit/boil scene in DEMONS gets to me. I don't know why, I've seen much sicker shit, but damn if it doesn't turn my stomach every time.

I've never seen Demons 2. I remember reading zine and Fango reviews back in the day that said it wasn't worth the time, and I never checked it out.

[KABONG]

Anybody seen Black Demons?

[Gabe Powers]

I've been wondering about that one for years, but it never seems to make it to the top of the netflix queue. It's Lenzi after his prime which is a very bad time usually.

[Hans Gruber's EYE CONDITION!]

This is the one with BALLS TO THE WALL, right?? If so I loved this movie.

[Gabe Powers]

Yes.

[Randolph Carter]

Originally Posted by Alex Riviello

Sad that these are the best films that Bava's son could come up with, though.

Lamberto has made a bunch of films that are just as good as Demons. Check out his Macabre, A Blade in the Dark, You'll Die at Midnight and Blastfighter.
People think i'm nuts for liking Lamberto's films more than the ones by Mario Bava.

[Gabe Powers]

You're nuts. Macabre is a bore, I don't get the love. And Blade in the Dark wasn't too hot either. Blastfighter is on my must see list, however, but I can't find a version with subtitles.

[James May]

Originally Posted by Randolph Carter

Lamberto has made a bunch of films that are just as good as Demons. Check out his Macabre, A Blade in the Dark, You'll Die at Midnight and Blastfighter.
People think i'm nuts for liking Lamberto's films more than the ones by Mario Bava.

What Gabe said, you're nuts. Mario is god.

[Ratty]

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

You mean this adorable little girl?



You sick man!

Give or take about 12 years.

[Pvt. Spunkmeyer]

Originally Posted by Ratty

We can't talk about Demons without talking about how luscious that red-headed usherette is. Back me up, fellas!

Behind you on this 100%. She should have had a meatier role. Or my meaty roll. Either one.

Anyway, just got done watching this for the first time and Jesus, it wasn't what I was expecting, but in a good way. I myself am just starting to dip my toes in Italian horror (I've been on a Fulci kick lately, caught Susperia not too long ago, but that's about it) so I really don't have much to compare this to or state how it stacks up there with the rest of the genre. What I do know is that that hour and a half of goofy, gory fun flew the fuck by. I didn't think the movie could get any more insane after the cocaine crew (led by a really creepy Sylvester Stallone/Matt LeBlanc mash-up) gets into the theater, but I was wrong. Soon motorcycles, samurai-swords, heavy-metal, and silver-masked Paul Bettany look-alike had my jaw on the floor.

I'm really disappointed I'm just discovering shit like this at 27 years of age. Something tells me this flick, Hellraiser (which I saw for the first time Monday night), and the slew of other '80's horror titles that get touted on these boards all of the time would have been cherished by myself during childhood.

Oh well, better late than never I suppose.

[Randolph Carter]

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

You're nuts. Macabre is a bore, I don't get the love. And Blade in the Dark wasn't too hot either. Blastfighter is on my must see list, however, but I can't find a version with subtitles.

Originally Posted by James May

What Gabe said, you're nuts. Mario is god.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing Mario Bava. His movies are well made, but for some reason I've never really gotten in to them.
When it comes to Italian cinema, I'm really hooked on all the horror and trash films from the seventies and eighties. The kind of films by Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci. While Lamberto Bava might not be as talented as them, he has made some really good and entertaining films.

[Doug]

The strangest thing in this movie full of demon midgets, metal faces, helicopters and swords is the characters themselves. A free screening of a horror movie, promoted by a mute cyberman at the train station, is usually going to attract punks and goths and college kids. What are pimp and two hos doing there on a work night? Or a middle aged couple celebrating their anniversary ("Hookers! They're everywhere you go.")? Or a fucking blind man?!

I love this movie so so so much.

[Spike Marshall]

Just saw this movie for the first time this afternoon.

Holy Shit, I think Tony the Pimp is one of the greatest cinematic creations I've ever come across and it even made me kind of like Heavy Metal (a genre that is usually like Kryptonite to me)/

[Randolph Carter]

I hope Lamberto Bava and Dario Argento make a third Demons movie. But considering the current state of the Italian movie industry it doesnt seem too likely. :frown:

[Parker]

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

I still get more shit for preferring Demons 2 to Demons

Whatever.

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

then I do for never finishing Titanic,

No big deal.

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

hating The Goonies,

Yeah. It sucks.

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

and calling Back to the Future overrated combined on the internet.

Go...fuck...your...self. Seriously. No. No, no, no.

Also...Lamberto > Mario? See line above and repeat.

[The NZ Natural]

Originally Posted by Spike Marshall

Holy Shit, I think Tony the Pimp is one of the greatest cinematic creations I've ever come across and it even made me kind of like Heavy Metal (a genre that is usually like Kryptonite to me)/

Dude. I thought you were cool. Now I don't believe in nothin' no more.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Ratty

We can't talk about Demons without talking about how luscious that red-headed usherette is. Back me up, fellas!

Yeah, that usherette is gorgeous. Better than poor Liz (the mannish gal who gets strangled). Holy shit, this movie. I love how a crowd of over a dozen people were worried about the flimsy projection room door until Tony decided to kick it in. Then they walk into the tiny projection room and someone says "We gotta stick together!" No shit.

Some pretty cool kills in this one, though, and fuck that zit bit.

[Peter Judson]

I kinda think Mother of Tears is the third Demons movie. Without the fun.