Search - Campfire Tales on DVD

An Outstanding Round Of Horror Tales

Stephen B. O'Blenis | Nova Scotia, Canada | 04/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is, simply put, a strong contender for the title of best horror anthology movie ever made. With high-level production values throughout and a series of framing sequences that enhances the overall flow of the whole better than any anthology I can think of, "Campfire Tales" offers a pretty diverse mix of spooky/horror/suspense shorts. The most disturbing and uncomfortable of the tales involves a human predator stalking a family, with his primary target seeming to be the child. Given the subject matter, I think it was smart of the filmmakers to have regned this segment in a bit, relying on suspense and implied creepiness rather than anything overt or onscreen violent. In 99.5% of horror fiction I don't think there's any such thing as going too far, but in a case (not to give too much away) like this it could have come off tasteless if not handled with care. In the other segments of the movie the tales are given freer reign in terms of carnage and sexuality, resulting in a variety of moods. The plots of the stories are not groundbreaking - and that's in fact the point, they're designed to come off as familiar ideas that the individual teller around the likes of a campfire would put their own twists and spins on - with themes like the 'hook-handed killer' being trotted out. Despite the familiarity of the stories, the twists and nuances are there to keep them fresh and they're simply done better than most other explorations of similar ground (although the 'hook-handed killer' motif was, obviously, handled to perfection in the first two "Candyman" movies). Combined, the various segments and the 'framing' story run the gamut through scariness, appropriate humor, sexiness, eerie atmospherics, dark psychological and 'unexpected turns' territoty, with occasional dashes of 'supernatural fantasy' type moments added in as well for an even better blend. The movie certainly isn't hurt by having one of the best-looking ensembles of female cast members either. All tolled, it rises to the level of an anthology that achieves true greatness."

A Smart, Scary Movie

Sushi Girl -Laura | Gainesville, Florida | 09/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love it when I rent a movie, and I am not quite sure about it. The cover is no hint to what's inside and the back summary sounds really interesting but I have been burned before. Campfire Tales stars a lot of C and D list celebrities, and sometimes that is what makes a film good, because they don't have to overcome the familiarity factor that the A listers struggle with.
We have all sat around in our PJ's or around a campfire and told scary stories. It's a rite of passage, which sadly is dying away due to in part the practice of political correctness. This movie takes that tradition, and tweaks it in a surprisingly creepy and shivery way.
I love movies that are broken up into 3-4 smaller vignettes, it gives the filmmakers room to really pack the suspense and action in so they don't have to draw out the story to the point of boring the audience. This one is broken down into three main tales, broken up by scenes of the people telling them around a fire. There are twists and surprises, and it's genuinely scary and creepy. It takes old favorites, and blends them with modern references, with enough nostalgia to allow those of us familiar with the tales to see and feel new things. The most awesome thing about this movie is the lack of computer generated effects, like filmmakers long ago who knew how to scare audiences with shadows, story, and acting this movie excels in the beauty of an "old fashioned" scare. I completely recommend it to anyone who wants to be pleasantly frightened and entertained.
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CAMPFIRE TALES IS A FUN SCARY MOVIE!!!!!!!

sexylove | NEVADA | 08/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Campfire Tales is a great horror movie and it has a great cast which include James Marsden and Amy Smart!!!!! It's about a bunch of kids telling scary stories around a campfire and it has a great ending!!!!!! I would check this one out if you are like me and you like stuff like Tales from the Darkside or Tales from the Crypt or anything with stories in it then go and rent this movie!!!!!"

A good movie.

Sushi Girl -Laura | 09/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, "The Hook" wasn't all that good. I liked this movie, and the "People Can Lick Too" story is just creeeeepy. This movie is also has a good twist. Here's what the stories in this movie are based on:
The Hook: Based on the urban legend "The Hook". The killer's hook is often hanging from the door handle.
The Honeymoon: Based on the urban legend "The Boyfriend's Death". Mostly, the guy is killed by an escaped maniac, hanging from a tree limb upside-down, his fingernails scraping the car, or his feet, or, the psychopath is banging the boyfriend's head against the car.
The Campfire: I don't know if this story is based on anything.
People Can Lick Too: Based on the urban legend "The Licked Hand". The dog is often found decapitated, slashed to death, skinned, or throat slit, hanging from the shower head. Poor dog. The girl is also sometimes a teenager, in her 20's, or elderly.
The Locket: Based on a story called "The Green Ribbon". Usually the girl's decapitation is a mystery.
But where's Willy "The Hook" Peters?
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