FROGS (1972)

OVERLOOKED HORROR FILMS PART 8

I almost forgot to add this movie to the list until I was in PEI during my honeymoon and had a visit with my old college instructor who had this DVD on his shelf. I'm actually bugging him to burn a copy for me, because it's not easy to find in Japan. It's been 4 or 5 years since the last time I saw it. It was directed by George McGowan, who also directed the old TV series, Fantasy Island. I didn't know this until I was doing a bit of research on Internet Movie Database and saw his credits.

This is considered by so many people to be a horrible film, and yeah, it's definitely got the extra cheese but I think its awesome. In this day and age of politically correct horror movies, it's refreshing to go back to this movie every once in awhile, crack open a few beers and just sit back and enjoy it.

The story: An old rich millionaire bastard who doesn't like frogs, but lives on an island estate in the middle of a huge Southern swamp full of frogs and other various reptiles, decides to throw a big birthday party at his mansion. Actually, his whole family hates frogs, so much that they always spray pesticides all over the island, which pisses the frogs off something awful.

There's scene after scene of frogs hopping (and worse yet, CROAKING!!!!) which isn't so menacing, but pretty hilarious. But pretty soon, the other reptiles of the swamp like snakes, turtles and crocodiles join in the fight against the humans. Little by little, family members go into the swamp but don't come back. The frogs keep moving closer and closer to the house.

The acting is pretty much what you'd expect from a cheesy 70's B-flick, from horrible to mediocre performances. The special effects are the same.

Anyway, don't expect much from this extra cheesy pizza. It's a incoherent and sloppy film but it still deserves a view. There's some really funny stuff. Dead bodies that are still breathing, a few actors that look like they're about to break out laughing at any moment, animals that are not native to swamps. It's really ORIGINAL how the film emphasizes the threatening nature of the animals by zooming in on their faces with the camera.

One of the most famous scenes is near the end of the film where they're taking over the house and one of them is spinning around and around on the record player.

So what are waiting for? Get off your ass you lazy bastard and go rent FROGS!!! Better yet, BUY IT!!! You can get used from Amazon for a buck!!! FFFRRROOOGGGSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!