Here's another backlogged mini-review from February, 2025, regarding Phantasm. a late 1970's cult classic that is as fascinating and entertaining as it is divisive.
Finally viddied Don Coscarelli's 1979 Phantasm. No regrets! A sweeping dream, or nightmare, with Fred Myrow and Malcolm Seagrave's haunting Tubular Bellsesque score. Stunning performance from androgynous teen A. Michael Baldwin. Logic gaps you can drive a 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda through. Utterly enjoyable-more than it has a right to be.
Some shots are startlingly beautiful shots such as the ‘Cuda coming down the road through a heat mirage. Coscarelli steals Jawas from Star Wars (released the previous year), making them monstrous, but also from Dune and lays the dream groundwork for future original slasher A Nightmare on Elm Street. There’s Bill Thornbury as the hunky but too laid-back older brother Jody, Reg6gie Bannister as brother’ bestie Reggie, an ice-cream-truck river and offensively talented musician pal Reggie, and Angus Scrimm as the over-the-top Tall Man.
Phantasm’s dreamy feel either works for you, or it doesn't. So sit down, strap in and enjoy the trip.
