Psycho Beach Party (2001)

Cult calssic

This movie is way Kool. It's cheezzy but way funny if u like weird and chezzy movies. I bought it vhs but maybe someday I'll get it on dvd if I can find it. May 16, 2008

Just in Time for the Summer!

Great Beach movie to end all beach Movies! A Must and a lot of fun! I bought the vhs to offset the high cost of the dvd at $20.11 compared to the vhs at $4.36! It won't last long on vhs at that price and its unlikely your local library will carry it. May 13, 2008

DVD

This is a twisted tale which borrows from the classic "Gidget" story concept, and mixes in some unique low budget horror film elements. Additionally, Charles Busch is splendid in drag as the career minded lady police detective, with a past, assigned to the misfit murder case. Lauren Ambrose (from HBOs "Six Feet Under") weighs in with all the charm of the original Sandra Dee character, lovingly dubbed "Chicklet" in this film. The surfing scenes are classicly fake and amusing. There are flashbacks and twists and turns as we explore the stories of the serial murder suspects. There is also a "Wizard of Oz" like ending that makes one wonder if the story was really all just a dream. Who can forget the catchy P..S..Y..C..H..O song that rolls with the ending credits and classic dancing go-go girl, reminiscent of the Frankie and Annette beach party series. This movie is bizarre enough to hold my interest and keep me watching it over and over again. January 23, 2008

I like this movie, but...

I like this movie, but...$31.99 !? Give me a break! July 27, 2006

Okay film, but Lauren Ambrose is GREAT in it!

"Psycho Beach Party" is a parody of teen slasher horror films, taking place in the 1960's. It's a combination of beach movie, horror film, and camp. It's really not a very good movie for the general public, but as a cheesy camp flick it has its appeal, and it's worth at least a rent, at least for people who like this kind of John Waters-esque camp. My main complaint is that it seems to try a bit too hard. But it's a great movie if you're in a certain kind of relaxed mood. Anyway, we have a copy of it in our collection, and re-watched it yesterday.

Florence "Chicklet" Forrest (Lauren Ambrose, of "Six Feet Under") is the highlight of the whole movie, and makes the film worthwhile just on her merits alone. Her character has multiple personalites, the main two being the nice, peppy Florence, but the hilarious one is her alter-ego "Anne Bowen", a dominiatrix minx. Ambrose switches back and forth seamlessly and hilariously between these two personalities (and a minor third one).

The story: Florence and her best friend Berdine (Danni Wheeler) get involved in a series of murders after Florence starts hanging out with the all-male surfers' club, wanting to be part of the group. Captain Monica Stark (played by writer, actor and novelist Charles Busch, who for some reason saw fit to be cast in this female part - he is not really funny, and the character is treated as if she were really female, instead of a obvious man in drag) is the officer in charge of the case. Add to the mix a sequestered B-horror film actress, Bettina Barnes (Kimberley Davies), Florence's picture-perfect mother, Ruth (Beth Broderick), psychology major dropout Starcat (Nicholas Brendon, of the TV series "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"), the catty Marvel Ann (Amy Adams, of "Drop Dead Gorgeous"), Swedish exchange student, Lars (Matt Kessler), Kathleen Robertson as the bitchy, wheelchair-bound Rhonda, whom you really just want to literally push out of her chair, and the supposedly omnipotent Kanaka (Thomas Gibson), a great soundtrack, and you've got a completely silly, fun film for lovers of the cheesy camp genre.
August 30, 2005

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