Imagine this: A basement in complete darkness, a group of children full of childish belief in things that go bump in the night, then a dare...
...say Bloody Mary 13 times into a mirror in the dark. After the thirteenth utterance a woman will appear behind you in the mirror, the scar on her face opening before your very eyes, as her scar opens so shall a scar on your cheek...
I think this was the underlying reason why
Candyman affected me so much. In the back of my mind I remembered this urban legend and I also remember the real fear I felt as I sat before that mirror, unable to complete the dare.
Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candyman...ok, ok even now I can't finish with the fifth because somewhere deep inside I believe that bad things will happen if I do! Just like when I played the infamous Bloody Mary game as a kid (never to completion!) saying
Candyman five times is something I cannot get myself to do! Deep down, I know it's just a movie but that doesn't change the creeping dread I feel when I've gotten to the fourth recitation.
The great thing about Candyman is the fact that they took one part urban legend, one part rich vs. poor and one part curiosity killed the cat and wove it into an intricate fabric of classic horror movie. This film has enough blood, guts and gore to satisfy but it does not go over the top with it. The real core of the movie is underlying theme that some things are just not meant to be messed with and if you decide to mess with them...buyer beware!
If you enjoyed Candyman, here are reviews of other recommended movies:
Re-AnimatorEd Gein
Candyman Movie Cast and Credits
Director
Bernard Rose
Writers
Clive Barker (story The Forbidden)
Bernard Rose
Cast
Virginia Madsen .... Helen Lyle
Tony Todd .... Candyman
Xander Berkeley .... Trevor Lyle
Kasi Lemmons .... Bernadette 'Bernie' Walsh
Vanessa Williams .... Anne-Marie McCoy
DeJuan Guy .... Jake
Carolyn Lowery .... Stacey
Barbara Alston .... Henrietta Mosely
Sarina C. Grant .... Kitty Culver
Michael Culkin .... Professor Philip Purcell
Stanley DeSantis .... Dr. Burke
Marianna Elliott .... Clara
Ted Raimi .... Billy
Ria Pavia .... Monica
Mark Daniels .... Student
Lisa Ann Poggi .... Diane
Adam Philipson .... Danny
Eric Edwards .... Harold
Latesha Martin .... Baby Anthony
Bernard Rose .... Archie Walsh
Glenda Starr Kelly .... Crying Mother
Kenneth A. Brown .... Castrated Boy
Caesar Brown .... Tough Guy
Terrence Riggins .... Gang Leader
Gilbert Lewis .... Detective Frank Valento
Rusty Schwimmer .... Policewoman
Baxter Harris .... Detective
John Rensenhouse .... Attorney
Mika Quintard .... T.V. Reporter
Doug MacHugh .... 1st Orderly
Carol Harris .... 2nd Orderly
Diane Peterson .... Nurse
Michael Wilhelm .... Priest
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Fred Sanders .... Cop (uncredited)
Caron Strong .... Nurse (uncredited)Based on a story by Clive Barker in The Books of Blood Volume 4, 5 and 6 titled The Forbidden and released in the US under the title
In the FleshMore Candyman Movie Reviews and Information
Candyman Movie Review from FeoAmante's Horror HomepageThe Internet Movie Database page for Candyman Movie Reviews and Information
