The Stuff (1985)

B movie maverick Larry Cohen always enjoyed slipping a little social commentary into his genre pictures, and the satirical sci-fi/horror comedy The Stuff is no exception. A mix of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Blob, The Stuff is an insidiously addictive, low-calorie dessert sensation that soon wins the hearts and minds of the nation, but mostly the minds. You see, to borrow a title from another Cohen classic, it's alive.

Michael Moriarty is an industrial spy with questionable ethics and a certain moral flexibility behind his disarming drawl. "No one is as dumb as I appear to be," he informs his newest client, a snack food CEO who wants the secret of The Stuff. Needless to say he becomes the film's hero, a smart-talking everyman battling a compromised FDA and a corporate baddie who sees dollar signs in every Stuff snarfing zombie he converts. Cohen's satirical swipes at consumerism, advertising, and the ethics of corporate profit come fast and furious, if not exactly focused, and help drive the film past his--at times--sloppy direction. Moriarty's energetic performance is hilarious, and his rag-tag crew includes Andrea Marcovicci as an advertising wunderkind (who improbably falls in love with Moriarty), Saturday Night Live alum Garrett Morris as "Famous Amos" parody "Chocolate Chip Charlie," and Paul Sorvino as a commie-hating, conspiracy-spewing militia leader.

The DVD features commentary by Larry Cohen along with trailers and detailed biographies. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

Funny, yet disturbing B class movie

This movie is interesting. It takes a funny concept and plays with it, while still being gross and scary enough to justify its catergory. The plot make sense, but is comical because "the stuff" is like reactive goo that takes over people and then erupts from their mouths like the cover, not that good, but definetly unique. March 27, 2008

The Stuff

This is an extremely fun horror film from the 1980's! Directed by Larry Cohen who's done the 'It's Alive' films...Story in short is; A strange substance is found and once tasted (don't ask why they had to taste it) and before you know is being sold as a popular dessert sold simply called 'The Stuff' a young kid isnt so sure its a safe dessert when his parents start to sound like they're from a tv commercial praising the dessert. We soon find out its an addictive alien orgasm that eats people! Excellent! Watch it! January 30, 2008

Not as remembered

Have you ever had a fond, albeit vague, memory of some movie that you saw as a much younger version of your present self? Something that you recall really enjoying in your younger years? I have of course, and this movie is one of many. As it turns out, even someone who enjoys horror movies as much as myself(but 15 minutes ago I placed an order for four "fondly remembered" supposed cult classics...one of them being NIGHT OF THE DEMONS)must admit that sometimes a vague memory can be just that....very.....very vague. While I still enjoy the premise that was to be the basis for the movie, the film all together is just way too incoherent.....on varying occasions cutting to some random and crazy scene that has nothing to do with the movie whatsoever. Seems at times to just ditch the movie altogether.It literally got to the point Where I was actually calculating in my mind how much longer was left. Not a good sign to say the least fellow readers. There are cheesy movies.....and then there are those that go way beyond that border into complete nonsense. This movies happens to be one of those "Gems"

Proceed with caution:
waste of time and money awaits September 29, 2007

bad horror... not GOOD-bad though.

There were only a couple of good moments in this movie.- most of it was horrible plot buildup.
I like a lot of bad movies, becuase even if they are bad you can make fun of them with friends.
This one will leave a large group of people speechless and angry.

If you really have to see this movie- and don't want to listen to my opinion- the one scene that is worth it is the scene with Chocolate Chip Charlie at the end.
hahahahaa

Anyhow, don't get this movie... Instead, get Army of Darkness. Now, that's funny!! July 19, 2007

Yum, yum more Stuff

This classic 80's B movie is really quite entertaining over 20 years later. I first watched this movie when I was a kid and I remember how much it captivated me. It was definately one of my favorites. I recently bought the dvd version. The movie made me nostalgic for the classic B movies that were more common not that long ago. The concept behind this movie is very good. How it's played out is what makes it special.

The story is rather simple. There is somthing bubbling out of the earth. It's not oil it's some strange substance that resembles yogurt. But this substance is odd and causes people to become addicted to it. Although most people can't see any negative side effects. Actually the effects are positive. More energy and the ability to lose weight causes this products popularity to skyrocket.

I will save the story for those who haven't seen it. There is a whole new crowd of teenagers and other B movie watchers who should love it's cheesy acting and subpar special effects. Sometimes it doesn't take a multimilliion dollar budget to make a good film. Sometimes all it takes is a good storyline. This movie is well worth the $5.99 price tag and could easily become a popular title in anyones DVD library. Once you get some of the Stuff you won't be able to resist. June 30, 2007

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