'Nothing but Trouble' has enjoyed an infamous reputation as an all-time stinker. I have to disagree because it seems as if this film is able to boil passions so it must be of some worth. It certainly doesn't surprise me that people hate it nor does it surprise me that it has a cult following. 'Nothing but Trouble' is a movie that makes the boldest of choices and I kind of love it.
This is a Trojan horse of a movie. The great Dan Aykroyd was able to leverage his reputation to get to make whatever he wanted. Warner expecting another 'Ghostbusters' were treated to something else entirely. Instead of a quirky special effects comedy we got something ugly and twisted. The question becomes do we credit or condemn Aykroyd. I fall somewhere in the middle. 'Nothing But Trouble' advertises it's self as a horror-comedy in the tradition of 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein'. I'm sure you would predict walking in that Aykroyd would succeed at the comedy and have trouble with the horror but the opposite is true. Any joy one gets out of 'Nothing But Trouble' will come from embracing it's macabre bizarre qualities and not it's humor.
This is a film cast with comedy heavy hitters but it doesn't have a laugh in it. I don't think the talent is wasted though. Chevy Chase, Demi Moore, and John Candy are never tongue in cheek when the film puts our characters in danger. They all play the horror straight. Aykroyd is insanely over the top. He is obviously hamming it up but even this doesn't hurt the film. It's loud in the right way.
You would think a horror-comedy not being funny would be a fatal flaw and some may argue that it is. What Aykroyd gets right through is the horror. This is one of the most colorful horror films of its era. It has a personality and visual style that is so striking that it stays with you. Aykroyd spares no expense to bring his twisted imagination to the screen. Tobe Hooper or Wes Craven could never get the resources and money Aykroyd was able to. The setting is a character it's self. The mansion and torture devices are intricate to the last detail. This film is a triumph of set design. It should have been nominated for an Academy Award.
'Nothing But Trouble' is anything but bland. If the main goal of a horror film is to disturb then 'Nothing But Trouble' is a resounding success. Who can forget the infamous hot dog scene? Or Bobo and Lil' Debbil? I've read reviews comparing it to a nightmare and yes that is accurate. I can't help but take a little pleasure in the fact that Aykroyd snuck it through.
This is a Trojan horse of a movie. The great Dan Aykroyd was able to leverage his reputation to get to make whatever he wanted. Warner expecting another 'Ghostbusters' were treated to something else entirely. Instead of a quirky special effects comedy we got something ugly and twisted. The question becomes do we credit or condemn Aykroyd. I fall somewhere in the middle. 'Nothing But Trouble' advertises it's self as a horror-comedy in the tradition of 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein'. I'm sure you would predict walking in that Aykroyd would succeed at the comedy and have trouble with the horror but the opposite is true. Any joy one gets out of 'Nothing But Trouble' will come from embracing it's macabre bizarre qualities and not it's humor.
This is a film cast with comedy heavy hitters but it doesn't have a laugh in it. I don't think the talent is wasted though. Chevy Chase, Demi Moore, and John Candy are never tongue in cheek when the film puts our characters in danger. They all play the horror straight. Aykroyd is insanely over the top. He is obviously hamming it up but even this doesn't hurt the film. It's loud in the right way.
You would think a horror-comedy not being funny would be a fatal flaw and some may argue that it is. What Aykroyd gets right through is the horror. This is one of the most colorful horror films of its era. It has a personality and visual style that is so striking that it stays with you. Aykroyd spares no expense to bring his twisted imagination to the screen. Tobe Hooper or Wes Craven could never get the resources and money Aykroyd was able to. The setting is a character it's self. The mansion and torture devices are intricate to the last detail. This film is a triumph of set design. It should have been nominated for an Academy Award.
'Nothing But Trouble' is anything but bland. If the main goal of a horror film is to disturb then 'Nothing But Trouble' is a resounding success. Who can forget the infamous hot dog scene? Or Bobo and Lil' Debbil? I've read reviews comparing it to a nightmare and yes that is accurate. I can't help but take a little pleasure in the fact that Aykroyd snuck it through.