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Rating:  -
My stars are for "Parents," as "Fear" is poorly written, poorly acted, and a complete waste of time. "Parents," on the other hand, is an overlooked gem of a movie. It's quirky, kooky, and unpredictable. The movie appears to be mainly from the child's point of view, and he's a weird, spooked sort of kid, so we wonder if the slightly creepy vibe we are getting about his parents are just his own feelings (as most kids feel their parents are weird) or if they really are different from the rest of the "normal" world. The movie features some interesting cinematography and plays on the legendary status of the 50's as a time of wholesomeness and order. I have been waiting for YEARS for this movie to come available on DVD and was so excited to see it finally made it! Even better, "Parents" was as good as I remembered.
The only downside to this DVD is the sound isn't too good, and the lead child tends to mumble...and there are no subtitles to help out.
The unexpected bonus to this DVD is that it is WIDESCREEN, not full-screen as stated on the box and descriptions. And it is anamorphic to boot.
Rating:  -
FEAR has a TV movie feel but it's actually somewhat above your average b-movie and Sheedy does a pretty good job with the material. The antagonist and the storyline could have used a little more pep, but then it probably would have been even more like every other psycho-thriller. It has some unique, if unlikely, aspects that pull me out of the movie a little. Not that I totally discredit psychics, but the writer of this takes it to a new level that really could use something to give it a little more believability. Still, this film has some tension at times. Not worth the price of the set for it alone, however. Now, same can't be said for PARENTS. Truly, I bought this set for it alone and I was not disappointed. I rented PARENTS when it first hit the video store and was blown away. It made me seek out more black comedies. It's really first rate and I was happy to find out it did hold up over the years. The cast is great, the production design and storyline is terrific. And as everyone has already stated, this film is in widesreen and looks mighty sweet. NO COMPLAINTS. I can't give this set 5 stars because I think FEAR is not worthy. BUt if you can find this cheaper than the stated price, maybe $10 or so, then you're taking about a 5 star purchase.
Rating: -
More of the same to chime in with the other reviews: I was really happy to see "Parents" in this release after seeing the original DVD had been discontinued, and then happier yet when I saw that others had reported that it's widescreen. Don't get nervous when you see the "full screen, 1.33" spec mistake, it's definitely widescreen enhanced and fills an HD set quite nicely.
"Fear" is worth watching and good to have as a bonus, but "Parents" is a must-see / must-have movie. The surreal 1950's suburbia, the meals, the suspense, the great ending ---it's simply wonderful, and will leave you feeling good inside!
Rating: -
I bought this double feature for PARENTS, but thoroughly enjoyed FEAR as well. I love Ally Sheedy (Man's Best Friend) enough to watch her in just about anything! Her role as Cayce Bridges, well-known psychic and author, was a real treat. She has made a career out of using her mental powers to assist police departments in tracking down assailents and (hopefully) rescuing victims. The idea of a psychic helping the police catch criminals is nothing new, but having a serial killer use his own psychic abilities to torment Cayce is definitely different! The interaction between Cayce and the "Shadow Man" is tense and frightening, especially when he decides to go after Cayce for real, instead of just playing twisted games with her. No one is safe! PARENTS is a tremendously wicked, jet-black comedy set in 1950s suburbia. Randy Quaid (Independence Day) and Mary Beth Hurt are the Laemles. They move to a new town w/ their 10yo son, Michael. Dad works at TOXICO, where he works on chemical defoliating agents. Mom is a perfectly prim housewife, always working in the kitchen on new and exciting meat recipes. Michael has a hard time at home, due to his suspicions about dear mom and dad. What does dad REALLY do all day at work? What KIND of meat is mom preparing? Michael also has trouble at his new school, where he draws macabre pictures and says some very disturbing things to his teacher, Miss Baxter. This causes the chain-smoking, school social-worker (played wonderfully by Sandy Dennis) to get involved. The darkness and dread in PARENTS are perfectly in synch with the bleakest black humor I've seen since Dr. Strangelove! Bizarre, unsettling, and dreadfully funny, this movie is worth multiple viewings. I highly recommend this double bill... P.S.- Yep, both movies are in widescreen, even though the box says full screen! No complaints here...
Rating: -
"Parents," pulled off with maniacal glee by Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt, is a twisted classic from the moment it begins with an over-the-top trumpet rendition of "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White." The bizarre combination of high '50s decor, clothing, and architecture with a very disturbing secret is both creepy and funny. Part of what makes "Parents" so effective is that much of it is told from the point of view of ten-year-old Michael, powerless to act but certainly capable of understanding. And the title, as the ending shows, is perfect. Watch this movie and then eject the disc. "Fear" is just awful.
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