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Review of Bad Dreams

Bad Dreams (1988)
8/10
Interesting horror film has some neat ideas but it's certainly in familiar territory.
24 November 2007
Cynthia (Jennifer Rubin) is been in coma for over 13 years. She's the only survivor from the "Unity Field". It's a cult group that committed suicide, when they set on fire by the leader Harris (Richard Lynch). Once she wakes up from her coma, she's been seeing visions and having strange nightmare. Which it seems that Harris is trying to speak to her from the dead. Dr. Berrisford (Harris Yulin) thinks its best for Cynthia if she placed in a group session with Dr. Alex Karmen (Bruce Abbott). When Cynthia slowly starts remembering with the incident, now the patients are dying one by one. Now Cynthia is trying to stop the madness with the help of her psychologist. It seems that the evil spirit of Harris wants her dead. Which Alex knows that Cynthia isn't crazy and tries to end her bad memories.

Directed by Andrew Fleming (The Craft, Dick, The In-Laws "2003") made an intriguing hallucinogenic horror film that has some effective horror moments and good performances by the cast. The premise seems a bit familiar to "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3:Dream Warriors" at times. Especially when Rubin had a supporting role in the "Nightmare" franchise. Dean Cameron (Best known from "Men at Work" and "Summer School") and E.G. Daily (Who's known as the voice of Tommy Pickles in the TV "Rugrats") are also in the movie. "Bad Dreams" is quite impressive for two-thirds of the way but the last act feels rushed and out of touch with the rest of the picture. Fleming, who directed his first film handles like a pro on his first feature. The main problem, the screenplay by the director and Steven E. de Souza (Commando, Die Hard, 48 Hrs) could have been much stronger at times, especially towards the last act. But still, it's well made and horror fans will enjoy it. It's worth a look, despite some flaws. From a story by the director, Michael Dick, P.J. Pettiette and Yuri Zeltser. Gale Anne Hurd also produced it. She's best known for producing movies like "Aliens", "The Hulk" and "The Terminator". (*** ½/*****).
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