eat.sleep.geek.

Wow, it’s been over a month since I last did a Forgotten Film post. Don’t worry I didn’t stop, just there have been other things that had higher priorities and so I had to shelve the Forgotten Films until now. If I you haven’t heard of the name C.H.U.D. I’m am only assuming you were never a child of the 70’s or 80’s. If you don’t know what C.H.U.D stands for it’s an acronym for “Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dweller“, it’s a type of creature that lives underground, in the sewers of New York City, that feast on the unsuspecting populace. Now that you know what a C.H.U.D is does it tempt you to see the movie? I know I have been hankering (yes I use the word Hankering)for the chance to watch the movie ever since I was young, but somehow just never got to watch it.  Either there was something else that demanded my attention or I would just plain Jane forget. But this time I didn’t, I finally remembered and because of this while I was in my local movie store I decided to pick up a copy of C.H.U.D. My childhood memory of seeing the cover over and over again while I used to bike to the video rental shop came flooding back. A smile crossed my face, I put the movie down on the counter. I doubt the girl standing behind the counter really cared or even seemed old enough to know what C.H.U.D was but I didn’t care, I had my copy and it was time to get this baby home for a view.

Soho, New York. Reports of people disappearing without any rational explanation catches the attention of the New York police department who start to suspect that something is afoot. When Captain Bosch receives another missing persons report he feels he can no longer stay silent and goes on a man hunt with A.J. ‘The Reverend’ Shepherd who owns a local mission and together they uncover a secrete so horrible that it would shock the nation if it ever got out.

John Heard (The Pelican Brief,The Great Debaters) plays George Cooper a photographer who gets thrown into the mess after his homeless subjects start disappearing.Kim Greist (Manhunter, Houseguest) plays her first film role as Lauren Daniels who is the girlfriend of George Cooper. Because of George’s involvement with the homeless, she gets thrown into the mess when the C.H.U.D’s come out to play. Daniel Stern (Home Alone,Little Monsters) plays A.J. ‘The Reverend’ Shepherd the owner of a local soup kitchen who is sickened to see the disappearance of the people he is trying to help. Christopher Curry (Red Dragon,Flags of Our Fathers) plays the aggressive Captain Bosch who is out hunting for who ever is causing the disappearance of not only the homeless but other people as well, including his wive.

C.H.U.D. has nothing really going for it, It’s a mediocre horror film at best. Nothing really stands out except of the clever name of CHUD. The acting is horrid at best, even John Goodman who has only a bit part as an officers who has one line is horrible. I only give props to Kim Greist who seems like a veteran actor here. I can’t only blame the actors for such a crummy job I have to attack the writers as well. I’m sorry but if this isn’t a children’s movie or a  movie set in the medieval times the word “monster” to actually describe a monster should not be used. Instead use something like “creature” or have them say they saw “something”.

The C.H.U.D.’s were alright, I had a problem with them in the beginning of the film because they just seemed like they were a rip off of the Molock creatures from the 1960’s version of H.G. Wells Time Machine. This all changed when the creatures start to actually come out of the sewers to feast, they become ferocious and disturbing.

Now the ending is tricky to go over, I don’t want to ruin it but I want to describe how bad it was. Lets say this, it’s like watching Return of the Jedi, and having it end when they just kill Jabba the Hutt, it wouldn’t accomplish anything.

All in all this movie was a let down, I’m glad I saw it to finally get it over and done with and so I know if I ever decide to watch this movie again, I think alcohol may need to be involved.