Watch Jennifer For Free

the audience applauded

So much average

The first must-see film of the year.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Considering how blatantly this movie imitates "Carrie", it's more entertaining than it really has any right to be. Key to its degree of success is the effectiveness of its protagonist and antagonist. You sympathize with our title character and are very put off by the cruelty of her nemesis. In fact, the acting is generally good, the filmmaking adequate. There is a certain amount of cheesiness on display, at least in the big finale where Jennifer unleashes Hell on her tormentors. Some of the special effects are pretty damn laughable.Lovely Lisa Pelikan plays Jennifer, a rural type who's earned a scholarship to a lavish private school. She lives with her widowed father Luke (legendary acting teacher and character actor Jeff Corey), a very religious pet store owner. At school her situation is dire, as snot nosed spoiled rotten jerks led by Sandra (Amy Johnston, "The Buddy Holly Story") ostracize Jennifer mostly just because she's not from their social circle. Fortunately for Jennifer she has an ability that will eventually serve her well: the ability to control deadly snakes.The cast of familiar faces includes Bert Convy as nice guy science teacher Jeff Reed, Nina Foch (who, like Corey, had success as both a performer and an acting teacher) as snooty headmistress Mrs. Calley, John Gavin ("Psycho" '60) as Sandras' politician father, Louise Hoven as overweight sad sack Jane Delano, Ray Underwood ("Massacre at Central High") as cruel jock Dayton, and Wesley Eure as "Pit", one of Sandras' and Daytons' friends. Pelikan as Jennifer is appealing, while Johnston is just so damn perfect - easily rivalling Nancy Allen in "Carrie" for vindictive, mean-spirited bitchiness - that the viewer relishes waiting for her comeuppance. Corey plays the role of the Bible thumping parent with a lot more subtlety than Piper Laurie did before him; he's good, but nowhere near as memorable. Only Eure tends to get under utilized.The movie comes complete with an unsubtle condemnation of upper crust types who think that they should be allowed to do anything that they want. It's all worth it just for that hilarious closing moment, as we hope to see *something* happen to a certain someone.Seven out of 10.

This could actually be considered a Carrie III. Sure, it may have been made before The Rage: Carrie II, but who cares? I think that Jennifer's father could have easily been the father of Carrie and Rachael. He and Carrie & Rachael's father are religious fanatics. The reason that Jennifer doesn't have telekinesis could be because her mother gave her the gift (even though the male is the carrier). Anyway, I have an idea to post a script on the internet where the siters are reincarnated as triplets and join forces.

I only saw the last half-hour of this film. I have been looking all over the four corners of the earth and finally found it available for order on the internet. When I see the whole thing, I'll make additional comments. I'm tired of maudlin films with reprehensible characters who get killed or suffer misfortune, only to have the other characters weeping or remorseful over the misfortune that character deserved to get. But that's not the case with Jennifer. It is uncompromising and doesn't pull any punches when exacting revenge on many of the film's vicious characters. Some of you have criticized the effects, but be understanding that without today's digital and computer effects, they were limited in what they could do. A good effort, with some reasonably well-known stars adding spice to the film.

Forget all comparisons to Carrie and enjoy this movie for what it was meant to be - a simple and entertaining departure, in the guise of a brief morality play, without the usual strain toward art and artifice. Enjoy the absurdity of the quality of the 'special effects'. Does a giant snake have to "look real" ? There's no need for literalism when you have an imagination. Lisa Pelikan is emphatic in the lead role, and Bert Convy is adequate in his supporting role ( I LOVE THE 70's ! ! ! ), but pay attention to Louise Hoven as Jane Delano. She is the heart and soul of the movie because she is any one of us. We make mistakes while trying to fit in with the 'in' crowd. We are used for our resources, are victimized, and then, finally, lash back at our abusers. I can't see this movie enough. And, if schmaltz is your pleasure, you'll love the intro and exit songs.