Scream

Hello Sydney. Those words single handedly booted the name Sydney from the list of possibles for my unborn daughter. I just can't say it without thinking of the Ghostface killer. With Scream 4 out today (I am EXCITED!! No Sarcasm here) I wanted to revisit the film that started it all. This film revolutionized Horror. It made the genre more mainstream with better stories behind pointless brutal killings. This film has one of the best, most intense opening sequences of all time, not to mention it features the lovely Drew Barrymore in what has to be her shortest role in a film to date. She is called by a weirdo. She thinks she is being punked, then we see it. The creepiest identity hider ever. Ghostface. Even creepier than Michael Myers in my opinion. Ghostface stalks her then brutally kills her, disembowels her, and hangs her carcass from a tree. Then the brilliant next scene is a sunny day at the high school with red Right Hand playing in the theaters surround sound. Awesome time to be a teenager who spends all his time in a theater, because this would turn out to be a real treat. I am always harping on the fact that I love movies that reference other movies throughout. This does exactly that. It closely follows a tight knit group of friends helmed by the virgin Sydney Prescott. Her boyfriend is Billy (Skeet Ulrich), and their BFF's are Tatum (Rose McGowen) and Stu (Matthew Lillard) who are also dating. The fifth wheel to this entourage is Randy (Jamie Kennedy). He is my favorite character, because he is the movie guy. He has his rules on how to survive a horror movie, and if you apply these rules, you too can actually survive a serial killer in your own town. This is a great aspect to this great film. So, Sydney's mother was killed some years back and the everyone in the small town all know the story. Her boyfriend at the time, Cotton Weary (A young Liev Schreiber-Love him) was tried and convicted of the murder, and is put behind bars. The real story behind the film is a guessing game. Who is the killer. Why is he killing? Will we be given the answers? Wes Craven always does a great job of showing something that makes you think one way, then disproving it less than 10 minutes later. If you were in High School when this came out, you watched, probably even multiple times as I did. I still thoroughly enjoy this first installment. I am going to watch Scream 4 tonight and am thrilled. Also this was the meeting place of Courtney Cox and her future husband David Arquette. He plays the Brother of Tatum and the local Deputy goofus named Dewey. He wants to keep everyone safe, but with Sydney being the main target of Ghostface's mission, he works double time. Gale (Cox) is a local news woman looking to break the next big story. She has a career to make and will let no one stand in her way. She has no shame, less than no shame actually. It's is a great thrill ride, and I think Wes Craven and Writer, Kevin Williamson wanted to write an ending that no one would see coming. Fooled me. Great all around. Much like this never ending franchise, I am positive the Cox-Arquette marriage will last forever and ever, Amen. If this movie hadn't been dragged down by two inferior sequels I would probably rate it higher, but for now.. 

NBM rates Scream - Phenomenal

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