Circus of the Dead (2014) Reviews

• as if you weren't afraid of clowns as it is!

  cdm728802014-08-11

  I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Papa corn (played by Bill Oberst Jr.) has a way of getting into your head. From the very beginning, the quote "clowns can get away with murder," starts making you think. I have always had a fear of clowns. Never have I thought of them coming to my house until COTD. That being said, I find myself wanting to sympathize with Papa Corn as he teaches Don (Parrish Randall) the ultimate lesson. The way he goes about choosing his victims is unique, the acting, fear, soundtrack, and shooting all are done in a unique way. I loved the movie. It was nice to have a fresh approach. I thought it was wonderfully shot and would watch again.

• You do not watch this film, you endure it.

  devlinarmsco2018-03-20

  "CIRCUS OF THE DEAD" The Review. I am a fan of horror. I have been a fan of horror since I was a child. As a consequence I have never been a fan of clowns. Not because of horror films, or stories, but from an illfated trip to a circus where I absolutely hated the notion of grease paint on disgusting and smelly human beings. I have horrible associations with clowns, mostly due to the fact that I have encountered ZERO who made me laugh. Which brings me to my viewing of Circus Of The Dead. If you have not seen this film, and just want a brief summary, here it is. Bad things happen to bad people, and good people and it is a tale of incomprehensible violence and insanity. Please watch it. If you have not seen this film, and want to read a full review, here it is. You do not simply watch this film. You are a victim, and or a passenger on this ride into clown caused hell. The film opens with unspeakable violence. It is not pleasant to watch. Eventually we get to the protagonist Donald, who takes his family to the circus. It is this choice that he made that brings attention to him, and his lovely family from the eyes of Papa Corn. Papa Corn is the lead clown in this film, and I think that in all honesty that if there were someone who should be auditioning for the Joker Movie, it is this man. Papa Corn, and his clown gang fake a grand prize in order to go after Donald and his family. Donald is escorted off stage and gives his personal information to Papa Corn and that begins the set up for probably the most horrible set of circumstances to follow. Corn and company go to Donald's house where they catch Donald's Wife in a torrid love affair with a police officer. Corn and company decide that it is a good time to act, and put an end to Donald's Wife's infidelity. Bad things happen. Worse things happen when Donald gets home. Donald is kidnapped and essentially forced to do the bidding of Papa Corn, and from there the story seems to meander a bit taking us in a few different directions of homicidal madness culminating into an ending that quite frankly left me a bit shocked. Which I will not spoil for you here, as I would really like for you as a movie viewer to rent or buy this movie for yourself. The Good of this film, is that it has a very surreal color palette, that makes it feel lived in, and at points horribly grotesque. Especially the sequences where there aren't any clowns. There is a veneer to everything that hides things that quite frankly could be more diabolical than a band of killer clowns. The story itself had a lot of good going for it, but I think that I would have liked to have seen some things happen with the characters that would have made it more powerful. Because there is this card game that plays a part and essentially drives the main villain Papa Corn to deliver "Justice". With the Donald Character being an essentially good person, albeit unhappy with his life, I would have liked to have seen a different approach to that character, and how his story line ends. The Bad, I think the editing was decent enough but there were parts of the film where it seemed to drag a bit. Some of the interspersed sections with the police look like placeholders for the scenes that involved the clowns and the violence. The sound quality I think could be improved. The setting of the scenes and camera work had moments where the action was not framed the way it should have been, and I blame no one for that, because in all honesty it made the film feel less like a movie, and more like you were an unwilling participant or an accomplice to the horror you were watching. Here is where I discuss the actors. Ryan Clapp, whose character Noodledome The Clown, does some physically demanding things and in all honesty was probably the most unsettling of the clowns, due to the fact that he is a very big clown, and has a very imposing presence. His giggling will probably be the thing that gives me nightmares. Bill Oberst. I have seen him in other things before. I am not entirely sure where he went to school for acting, but if you were to show this film to a medical professional, I would bet money dimes to donuts that they would say Bill is not pretending to be crazy in this film. This is why I believe if there is an actor alive right now that should audition for the new "Joker" film, it is this man. Not kidding. The man is absolutely terrifying in this film. Parrish Randall. His character Donald was actually very sympathetic and there were moments where you had some very good acting that was convincing. I think in my estimation had he adlibbed his lines instead of sticking with the script that maybe his performance would have been more organic and that is what I want to see in a protagonist. On a scale of one to ten, I gave this one an eight. Because I think with a bit of editing and a couple minor tweaks, this film could be tightened up and reach its full potential. I enjoyed it, and absolutely hated it simultaneously but in a way that can only be attributed to having seen something repugnant as hell. A good horror movie isn't about jump scares, or scary monsters eating people. It's not about the maniac chasing you down the hallway. A good horror movie leaves you feeling like you have witnessed something against your will, and makes you ill to think about what you sat idly by and watched. This movie holds your soul for ransom and eventually lets you go, in order to make you think about what you did. Some people might disagree with me, it's a free country. They can think as they choose. This movie is upsetting, and will likely leave me with a nightmare or two waiting for me when I sleep.

• These clowns left out the fun

  gerilovesmovies2017-03-21

  I really wanted to enjoy this movie. There have been some good reviews and I can understand how people had a good time, but I guess I just felt like it didn't go far enough in many ways. Violence for the sake of just making the film disgusting just doesn't work for me, and given how barren of humor this film is, I just felt nasty and bored. Many deaths seem similar and for a film like this, didn't really shine. Bill Oberst Jr. is very good here and he really carries the film. Otherwise, the clowns can be creepy, but they lose their scary steam and there seems to be no consequences and no connection to reality. The film is polished and it looks like they spent some money. It has some nice camera and lighting work and I think this director can do well in the future. Maybe come up with a more compelling story with less torture and more suspense.

• Circus of the Dead Will Make You Think Of Visiting One Again.

  pdulski2018-12-31

  To start this off I'm gonna say, this is one Circus you might want to just skip. Otherwise you'll be like poor Donald and his family within this "delicious" nightmare. The way the film was written, Clowns that take pleasure of killing, sex, and well eating or if not showing those the "way of the path" I'll say for lack of a phrase. From winning the prize to putting down there address on a piece of paper for "Government" use, the Clowns hunt and kidnap you down, or worse. Papa Corn, the leader and mind behind the clowns seek out those by cards. There not just any cards though, there like "bingo, but from Mexico." as Papa Corn would say. Once a specific card is drawn or just skimmed through, if it matches up to someone or in this you, you might as well consider yourself dead. Maybe I should add how screwed up these Clowns really are, especially when it comes to Papa Corn, who was acted by Bill Oberst Jr. Papa gets pleasure out of, well everything. If it involves raping, slitting, marking, torture or even sexual appearances, you'll be finding Mr. Corn touching himself. If he isn't chasing you bare bottom as well, oh yeah he does that too. Noodledoom, a large man with a mallet. You know the hammer you use to try ringing the bell, oh yes, you wouldn't want to run into this particular Clown. Who loves to eat flesh of any sort, even your cut off tongue. Mr. Blister seems to be a chill out Clown that likes to play games, and only kills when needed it seems. Jumbo, he's one clown you need to keep an eye on. He's like a dwarf that could easily not be seen inside of a vehicle to end your demise. Pepe the Mime, well add Leatherface idea to this Mime and juggling and you should understand this Clown already. Finally, Doll Boy, I wouldn't say he's a Clown, but someone who wears a Doll's face as a mask and his choice of weapon, sledgehammer. You may be wondering the inspiration for Circus of the Dead, well maybe the beginning quote just might be the clue of this unnatural and messed up circus that we witness, at least it's on a screen and not actually inside of it. Because Papa Corn, may be watching you already while looking through his deck of cards for a match. John Wayne Gacy, a real life serial killer who sexually assaulted, tortured and murdered at least 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978 in Cook County, Illinois. Gacy became known as the "Killer Clown" because of his charitable services at fund-raising events, parades, and children's parties where he would dress as "Pogo the Clown" or "Patches the Clown", characters he had devised. Circus of the Dead uses great practical effects with no CGI, as to what I can tell. It's all practical and nothing added by computer. The kills are just bloody amazing, and the story, well let's just remind you like I stated at the beginning. You might want to skip this one to spare your life, if not your entire families. Clowns, they're suppose to be entertainment. We aren't suppose to fear them, but then again Clowns can be scary. Don't forget, watch past the credits.

• "Welcome to the greatest show on earth!"

  jodifavish2018-03-15

  This modern day horror show filled with guts and gore and terror will not disappoint. I had no expections for this film and really no idea what I was getting myself into. Everything was perfect, from the effects, to the makeup, to the magnificent acting (Papa Corn steals the show!). Sometimes in horror movies you get lost in the actual story line. Not this time! Papa Corn keeps you interested, on the edge of your seat and more than wondering who his next victim will be, you are left wondering what he will say and how he plans to continue on his rampage. These creepy clowns will certainly haunt you for a few nights at least!! Bravo!