Spending A Night with "The Boys Next Door"...wait...err...it's a Movie!!

The Boys Next Door review

1985

With the Holidays approaching, everyone is reviewing Christmas movies...but not THIS guy...(I will probably review one next week..this is a phony claim that will fail to impress anyone). In a drunken Holiday stupor spree of searching for films...I stumble upon my long lost friend....The Boys Next Door.

The Boys Next Door stars Charlie Sheen, years before he had Tiger's Blood and was from Space...or whatever he claims made and Maxwell Caulfield...way before anyone could celebrate Rex Manning Day (Oh yeah, I was a card carrying member of that fan club). This duo portray Bo and Roy, a twosome that are fresh out of high school and are ready to have a killer weekend.

Before we start with my thoughts and praise of this film, I want to note that Penelope Spheeris is behind the lens for this gem. Yes, the same Penelope Spheeris that brought Waynes World into my life, yes...the same Penelope Spheeris who was responsible for The Beverly Hillbillies movie..wait, she may not want me to tell anyone. Seriously, she does an Amazing job in building suspense and uses her camera angles and lighting perfect. For the time, 1985, I look back at this and smile. One scene where Roy and Bo have crashed a Graduation party...Roy (Caulfield) is sitting pool side...staring and you can see the pain and hate on his face. Great use of dramatic music inserts also. The opening montage of Serial Killers is chilling and used properly to set the tone for this film. She knocked this one out of the park...can't believe this movie doesn't get more praise.

We get a glimpse of home life for Bo and Roy, neither are good...Bo (Sheen) is loved but seems to be an after thought, while Roy looks to be the victim of a drunken Father who probably wasn't afraid to beat his ass when provoked. Driving a primed RoadRunner, Bo and Roy decide they want to have a mini vacation before reporting to the town factory to enter adult, humdrum life....and head to California.

Roy confesses to Bo..."I have stuff inside of me". That stuff is Hate and Evil. Roy wastes no time in starting his crime spree, while Bo..watches but quickly gives into the evil joyride and partakes in his own dastardly deeds. From smashing beer bottles over old ladies heads, to killing a Gay man, even stalking and murdering a girl and her boyfriend...these guys go off the deep end. I am telling you, this movie advances one crime after another..very easily. The soul searching that Sheen expresses emotional and through facial expressions are tremendous. Plus, Caulfield is Awesome in this movie...I might even watch Grease 2 now, after this performance (ok, probably not).

With the FBI and LAPD hot on their tail, Bo and Roy have no where to run. Plus, a young Shooter MaGavin (Christopher McDonald) plays the role of the sympathetic, trying to understand detective that doesn't understand the evil. He does a good job here and they portray both sides of the Police, the rugged/gritty side, plus the guys who feel for the victims.

In Closing.....

Treat my VHS better or DIE!!

I know, this review is full of ramblings, misguided points and unfunny , unwitty drivel...I can't help it! I had this movie on VHS during my Senior year of High School (1988). I wore this video out!! I watched this so many times...easily a movie that helped shape me...kidding. I think it opened a door into horror for me, that I had never seen before. It's not a slasher film that I loved in the 80's, this was before I understood the greatness of a Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, I was only exposed to greats like Dawn of the Dead..like, Halloween...this was a fresh burst of hatred and murder! You know what would make me kill someone? See that video <---- on the left side? If someone treated my VHS like that. I would kill them too!!

This is currently streaming on Netflix, it's a MUST see...I know, you will enjoy it too..you have too...it's Christmas!! I need to re-buy this VHS..just to have it, plus Buy the Dvd...you hear me gift buyers? I NEED this! Anyways...Happy Shopping.



Inside (A L'interieur) - Movie Review - The French are maniacs :)

À l'intérieur aka Inside

Reviewed by :Michael K Snyder

The French do something special with horror filmmaking, something I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it’s the fact that they aren’t afraid of ratings, or maybe it’s just the way they intricately frame all of their shots. French filmmakers seem to treat each shot as a canvas, and all of them are trying to create their ultimate masterpieces. Much like Martyrs and Frontiere(s), Inside is an extremely strong horror film. 

The film’s simplicity is equivalent to the original Halloween while still maintaining a modern amount of violence to keep all the gore lovers satisfied. Along with the Carpenter-esque lighting and shots, the film’s editor, Baxter, is rising through the ranks as one of the top editors of today. This film, along with Piranha 3D and Haute Tension showcase Baxter’s ingenious editing skills. Of course, both the directors and Baxter are working with scenes composed by one of the genre’s greatest cinematographers of recent years, Laurent Bares. 

The plot behind Inside is a deeply disturbing, and intricately pieced together story about loss and revenge. Revenge seems to be a reoccurring theme in French cinema, and Inside is no different. The anger behind the revenge in this film is, however, very different from anything I’ve seen before. It deals with a fragile and innocent aspect of everyday life that will touch a nerve on almost every viewer; childbirth.

Once again, French cinema delivers a serious of extremely strong performances by an ambiguous cast. The lead females portray two opposite characters with similar goals. One, a depressed woman who wants nothing more than to give birth to her child and have a peaceful Christmas in a rage filled France. The other, a sadistic woman with horrifying plans to get herself a child no matter what she has to do. The outcome is a dirty, gory, bloody and dramatic mess that will leave all of its viewers cringing in their seats and loving every second of Inside’s cinematic genius. 

Inside is a film I will go back to again and again. Not only for its entertaining display of intense violence and rage but also for its well executed scenes and amazing cast and crew. It’s something I’d love to see more of here in the States.

Michael K. Snyder is a student filmmaker in Winter Park, Florida. When he's not in class he is working on screenplays, short films, working with Rob and the Late Night Crew and anything film related to keep him busy. He is always looking for work and is currently seeking an agent or any form of representation. If you are interested in working with Michael please email him at mksnyder1990@gmail.com