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Great Film overall

A Major Disappointment

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

I have to admit that i'm slightly biased when it comes to horror anthologies. Being 9 years old and arguing with my nana at Jumbo Video because I was only allowed to rent 2 VHS movies at a time, Anthologies were always a win/win for me. To a 9 year old me, 4 short stories spread between 2 videos made 8 shorter videos essentially. So it came down to being a good mathematical choice. It also showed me from an early age that 15-30 mins were more than enough time to scare the living daylights out of someone. As well as more than enough time to establish a basic plot and likable characters. Anthologies and horror movies that centered around short stories quickly became my favourite type of movie. With that in mind, I tend to get way too excited when watching/reviewing anykind of the aforementioned movies.This movie was relatively unknown to me when I sat down to start watching it. I found this little gem while doing some research on Udo Kier for another article that I was writing and noticed it in his Acting creds. Upon further research, it seemed to have somewhat of a cult following and a love/hate relationship with people (as do most anthologies however). I found this film to be quite good. With that being said, let me dive right in.The Theatre Bizarre is comprised of 6 stories. 6 highly effective, stomach churning stories. Not your "average" horror stories by any means either. "The Mother Of Toads" sees a travelling couple crossing paths with a witch. "I Love You" deals with a lover pushed to his absolute breaking point. "Wet Dreams" is a warning for all abusive boyfriends ( with an absolutely amazing cameo by the one and only Tom Savini ). "The Accident" has a people witnessing just that. "Vision Stains" has a woman getting her fix in the most unthinkable of ways. "Sweets" is a warning that addiction is not always what it seems. These 6 stories frame the story that takes place in between segments, with Udo Kier playing the "cryptkeeper" if you will and leads into each tale of terror. This isn't an anthology for the faint of heart. Some of the topics include: infanticide, infidelity (with a giant frog no less), addiction and fetishes. The scares start off with Enola Penney (Virginia Newcombe) who seems obsessed with a decrepit old theatre across the street. After seemingly being beckoned inside, she sees a puppet on stage (Udo Kier) who begins to weave his twisted tales of lovecraftian vaginas (yes you read that correctly) and giant witch frogs that want to mate. Although some of the subject matter seems to be quite twisted and doesn't take itself to seriously, I guarantee there is at least 1 story in this movie that will stick with you long after the credits have stopped rolling.A little bit darker than your average tales of horror in the sense it's not good vs. evil, with good always coming out on top. Mostly, if not all, of these tales have an extremely bleak ending or dark sense of justice.This is another one of those movies best enjoyed with friends just for the sheer visuals portrayed in a few of the stories. "Wet Dreams" will definitely have you and your friends laughing out loud and "The mother of toads" is another one that causes either pure revulsion or gales of laughter.All in all a great escape into some horror that doesn't cause you to think too hard or follow a convoluted plot.Stay scared my friends.

This is one to avoid IMO. It's a compilation of different strange stories joined together by the main one. The first short story was okay and scary in a H.P. Lovecraft way. They are also R-rated, some contain adult situations and nudity besides excessive gore. We had to stop about half way through the film. The short stories were progressively gory and depressing as the movie went on. I especially didn't care for the scene with the motorcycle accident and the little girl who witnesses it. They made it a point to dwell on the deer that was involved in the accident and it's suffering. My advice is to avoid this flick, if you think you have an opinion in any way similar to mine about graphic gore and depressing stories.

Horror anthologies were extinct I believe after Creepshow 2 so that was 1987. 20 years later the best little horror anthology was brought to us that was filmed four blocks from where I am typing this review. Yes I am talking about Trick or Treat filmed right here in Vancouver. This show just kicked ass and it has influenced filmmakers to jump back on board this horror sub-genre. I have to say the results have been pleasant and it is no different with this little stygian film. A couple of the stories were forgettable but if you hone in on " I love you " " Vision Stains " and " Sweets " well lets just say you will be darkly moved. In fact the lead actress from " sweets " stole the show and this particular segment reminded me of that creepy film from 1989 Society. Remember that one guys wow. Udo Kier is his usual ostentatious self as the host which is tantamount to the crypt-keeper. All in all a great effort but not for the faint of heart especially with " Sweets " Enjoy!!!!

the first two min stories within the movie are kind of boring since you don't get to watch it enough to feel for the characters ( i love you) was pretty sexual though. the next few stories are great starting with wet dreams which was directed by Tom savini special effects legend haha the accident and vision stains are the best in my opinion though. And to tie them all together they used creepy marionettes as openers, udo kier the puppet master is fantastic all in all a great movie for the anthology subgenre since they tend to blow, I think it's because they didn't have a trashy main story line to try to tie them together they chose to have different actors and directors for each sub story making everything flow better so all in all a 8/10