Remember Phoebe Cates' swimsuit scene in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High?" Replace her with a dude. Doesn't seem right. Does it? Welcome to the mildly homoerotic world of David DeCoteau and his films.
Click here to go to the Review (http://www.badmovies.org/movies/leeches/)
OUCH!
This film sounds really, really bad!
There is no way I'll ever subject myself to this movie.
NEVER!!!
Andrew, you truly went through some torture to bring this movie to our attention.
I applaud you my good sir! :teddyr: :thumbup:
Bravo!!
Thanks for the review, Andrew. And virtual karma to you for making it through this film, sir! :smile:
A cinematographer friend of mine worked with David DeCoteau on the TV film The Raven and said that the director was an OK guy to work with.
PS: Is it just me or is that leech in the last still slightly penis-like? :buggedout:
I've been waiting for this review since you annouced it back in Feburary or March. I have been curious about this one for a while and I do like any film with a mutant animal, insect, or whatever a leech is. However, I think it would be in my best interest to stay away from this crapfeast. While I agree that this film is probably targeted at the female population like you hint at, I do find it strange that the director would use giant leeches in it. I'm not sure many women would want to watch this, even with all the shirtless guys.
Nearly three skulls in a row :buggedout:. You're a helluva trooper!
I remember seeing this movie on TV and being annoyed with myself for not only finishing it but for having stayed up late enough so I could watch it; cable summaries are not your friend. Months later I was ask by, of all people, my mother if I'd ever seen this movie with giant mutant leeches that squeak. I blinked until she mentioned "guys running around in speedos", at which point I said with a great amount of disgust that I did in fact know the title she was talking about.
I've been following your website for years and in all my time I have never been visibly bothered by any of the movies except for now. Man this movie this incredibly awful! I want to hurt this movie, but I can never hurt it the way its hurt me. Congress should pass a bill to ban David DeCoteau from making films.
Quote from: InformationGeek on June 09, 2009, 07:10:38 AM
While I agree that this film is probably targeted at the female population like you hint at, I do find it strange that the director would use giant leeches in it. I'm not sure many women would want to watch this, even with all the shirtless guys.
Errrr...ummm...how do I say this? "Leeches!" is not targeted at the female population. It does feature lots of young men in tight swimsuits, and the movie does play out like a titillation flick, but the target audience is the other group of people who like to watch that sort of stuff - not the girls.
Quote from: SynapticBoomstick on June 09, 2009, 08:03:28 AM
Nearly three skulls in a row :buggedout:. You're a helluva trooper!
Looking back at the past 4 movies I reviewed, I wondered what the heck I was thinking. Maybe I'm turning into a masochist.
Quote from: Trevor on June 09, 2009, 01:42:29 AM
A cinematographer friend of mine worked with David DeCoteau on the TV film The Raven and said that the director was an OK guy to work with.
PS: Is it just me or is that leech in the last still slightly penis-like? :buggedout:
He might be a really swell fellow, it's just that all of his recent films seem to share a common theme, and that theme causes me great anguish.
Quote from: Ash on June 08, 2009, 10:49:54 PM
Andrew, you truly went through some torture to bring this movie to our attention.
I applaud you my good sir! :teddyr: :thumbup:
Am I allowed to watch some fun bad movies for the next few reviews? Please? PLEASE?
I watched Leeches last summer with my in laws, while drinking beer. We'd bought a copy of the film out of the bargain bin dumpster. The homoerotic element really made my father in law very uncomfortable. My mother in law and I joked about it. And like you, I found the homoeroticism the only really amusing part of the film.
LEECHES ARE KILLER PENISES! THIS MOVIE IS ABOUT AIDS OR SOMETHING!
Even though I'm a straight male, I found the film enjoyable. it's easy to imagine straight boys seeing this film, feeling creepy and grossed out, without ever realizing it's because of the hidden gay agenda. Maybe the insane preachers are right? ;-)
Well, why shouldn't gay directors "indulge" themselves as much as straight male ones? That said, I doubt I'd see this even if it involved women.
"Reply #8. Posted on June 09, 2009, 11:22:35 PM by Cindylover1969
Well, why shouldn't gay directors "indulge" themselves as much as straight male ones? That said, I doubt I'd see this even if it involved women."
Because when I rent a horror movie I want to watch a horror movie, not homo-erotic porn hidden under a very thin layer of "horror." I once rented "Final Stab" that was directed by this guy because I didn't know who he was and I thought I was renting a slasher. Once again it was the same deal as "Leeches" and most of his other movies and left me queasy. Blech! I avoid anything with his name on it like the plague now.
As a gay horror movie fan, I think the little boys on here complaining about seeing scantily-dressed males is hysterical. The prior poster said he wanted horror, not "thinly-disguised gay porn" or words to that effect. Funny, he doesn't seem to mind the hundreds upon thousands of horror films that are basically excuses to show teen sex and bare lady-boobs. I've sat through a lot of such movies and never ssw a reason to whine about it. I defy this poster--or any other poster--to tell me why a very small number of horror films that show men as sex objects for a change make them THAT uncomfortable.
Now, if you want to complain that the director is just not all that good, I'll back you up on that. But agqain, there are a lot worse directors out there--and most of them cover up their inadequacies by uncovering women's chests.
Usually, the reviews on this site are funny and entertaining, but this one is just whining that one guy saw another guy when he wasn't fully dressed. Get over it; junior high was a LONG time ago!
I watched this with my mother a couple years ago, and we both thought it was hilarious, the gay undertones and cheesecake shots were so blatant that we couldn't help but laugh at them. I probably wouldn't want to watch it again, but I think I can say I enjoyed it.
And no, I'm not gay.
One wonders if David DeCoteau ever watched any "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," which began in 1997, before he wrote the screenplay for this film.
In one of the more memorable episodes of the show, the school swim team, like in the film, was given steroids, like in the film, to make them more competitive, like in the film. And like in the film, there was a genetic mutation. But, this time, it was not the leeches who mutated, but the swimmers themselves.
And, oh yes, like in the film, males appeared in Speedos, including Xander.
Other than that, I can't remember any similiarities between the two.
No truly naked people?
:bluesad:
Pass.
Thanks for torturing yourself for us, though.
Quote from: Midnight on June 11, 2009, 03:56:18 PM
As a gay horror movie fan, I think the little boys on here complaining about seeing scantily-dressed males is hysterical. The prior poster said he wanted horror, not "thinly-disguised gay porn" or words to that effect. Funny, he doesn't seem to mind the hundreds upon thousands of horror films that are basically excuses to show teen sex and bare lady-boobs. I've sat through a lot of such movies and never ssw a reason to whine about it. I defy this poster--or any other poster--to tell me why a very small number of horror films that show men as sex objects for a change make them THAT uncomfortable.
Now, if you want to complain that the director is just not all that good, I'll back you up on that. But agqain, there are a lot worse directors out there--and most of them cover up their inadequacies by uncovering women's chests.
Usually, the reviews on this site are funny and entertaining, but this one is just whining that one guy saw another guy when he wasn't fully dressed. Get over it; junior high was a LONG time ago!
I am so glad someone said it I myself AM gay and have found many of these comments extremely offensive and homophobic.Maybe I shouldnt have joined this site beginning to think I made a mistake a big one.
Personally, I am all for gay-exploitation horror films. Many, many horror films are "thinly-disguised porn." Most of them are not very good, and as Midnight said, Leeches falls into that category. Even horror movies that are decent often throw in random gratuitous nudity, and I don't think I've ever complained about that. So if a movie wants to court the gay male (or female yaoi enthusiast) audience by throwing in some dude's tighty-wighty garbed crotch, I say go right ahead.
I'm not going to watch it, but I wasn't going to anyway. I also imagine straight women and gay men are not lined up to watch any film with a title that includes "bikini" and "carwash."
However, in defense of the review, I must say there is something singularly unpleasant about a person who is not sexually attractive acting in an overtly sexual manner, or just being naked in general. If you would like to see another review that is completely along the same lines, but involving females, here is Andrew's review of Sextette (http://www.badmovies.org/movies/sextette/). Or any number of reviews where the "totally hot" female star of the show is decidedly less than that.
Anyway, I'll be starting up a company that specializes in producing "thinly-disguised senior-citizen porn" horror movies. (I'd tell you the first idea of a plot I thought of, but I think I just horrified myself.)
Quote from: horrorfanatic on June 23, 2009, 09:25:53 PM
Quote from: Midnight on June 11, 2009, 03:56:18 PM
As a gay horror movie fan, I think the little boys on here complaining about seeing scantily-dressed males is hysterical. The prior poster said he wanted horror, not "thinly-disguised gay porn" or words to that effect. Funny, he doesn't seem to mind the hundreds upon thousands of horror films that are basically excuses to show teen sex and bare lady-boobs. I've sat through a lot of such movies and never ssw a reason to whine about it. I defy this poster--or any other poster--to tell me why a very small number of horror films that show men as sex objects for a change make them THAT uncomfortable.
Now, if you want to complain that the director is just not all that good, I'll back you up on that. But agqain, there are a lot worse directors out there--and most of them cover up their inadequacies by uncovering women's chests.
Usually, the reviews on this site are funny and entertaining, but this one is just whining that one guy saw another guy when he wasn't fully dressed. Get over it; junior high was a LONG time ago!
I am so glad someone said it I myself AM gay and have found many of these comments extremely offensive and homophobic.Maybe I shouldnt have joined this site beginning to think I made a mistake a big one.
Midnight and horrorfanatic, I hope you feel welcome here. This is an open forum, and I don't believe this board is any more homophobic than the general population. The regulars really do try to be respectful of each other here. I myself will occasionally tell what I consider an inoffensive "gay joke" (for example, teasing a fellow presumably straight board members about some unintentionally homosexual double entendre). Nothing is intended to offend.
I think you have to expect that some straight men will be "grossed out" and made uncomfortable by homoeroticism, and that reaction doesn't necessarily indicate hostility or hatred towards gays. As Mofo points out, the same sort instinctual reaction occurs with sexy senior citizens, or the depiction of any sort of sexual activity that's just not our bag. I have not noticed anything on the board, including Andrew's review, that
I would consider mean-spirited or nasty towards homosexuals, or any other group.
I am certainly NOT this movie's target audience. Are there others who will like it? Yes, certainly, but that does not mean I have to feign any sort of appreciation. There really is not much in the way of giant killer leeches running amok and the acting is just competent enough to be bland, which means the only reason I might enjoy this film is for the male titillation - but that's not my thing. Believe me when I say that David DeCoteau's recent films make me appreciate my wife's point of view when I watch Andy Sidaris movies (although she does occasionally find a source of amusement in one of those breast extravaganzas).
Not to mention that my history with David DeCoteau's films reveals that I tend not to like his films, even back when he was making low budget movies that did have scantily clad (or less) young women. The only movie of his that I can remember liking is "Dr. Alien." Otherwise, whatever he does with film seems to pain me. I will say that Mr. DeCoteau's near-copying of the style that usually works in mainstream teenage sex comedies was exceptionally well done in "Leeches." That's probably why it disturbed me so.
Finally, yes, I've been known to hide under furniture during certain parts of Sextette (http://www.badmovies.org/movies/sextette/). I also have a review written, pending proofreading, for "The Pink Angels," which is a movie about a transvestite motorcycle gang. Reading through that article, what seems to have traumatized me the most was a very old, very blubbery, female prostitute. I actually refer to her as Shub-Niggurath.
I have not posted here in years but Leeches forced a response. Especially after you just reviewed Teenage caveman. These are my two least favorite movies of all time. They have placed a mental scar on me and my friends. To this day I get blamed for Leeches on a monthly basis. This movie has become a part of our lexicon as a form of a hate and insult between friends. (Along with the phrase "Nemesis 4?, what were you thinking"). We don't even speak of Teenage Caveman as the thought of it still cause bouts of rage.
I look forward to the day when a camera lingering on an attractive male happens just as often as a camera lingering on an attractive female, so that even if someone isn't interested in that sort of body they won't freak out about the "inversion".
And dude, all that whimpering about hot young men fresh out of the pool and you only have one screenshot of guys in tiny swim trunks? Tease!
Quote from: horrorfanatic on June 23, 2009, 09:25:53 PM
Quote from: Midnight on June 11, 2009, 03:56:18 PM
As a gay horror movie fan, I think the little boys on here complaining about seeing scantily-dressed males is hysterical. The prior poster said he wanted horror, not "thinly-disguised gay porn" or words to that effect. Funny, he doesn't seem to mind the hundreds upon thousands of horror films that are basically excuses to show teen sex and bare lady-boobs. I've sat through a lot of such movies and never ssw a reason to whine about it. I defy this poster--or any other poster--to tell me why a very small number of horror films that show men as sex objects for a change make them THAT uncomfortable.
Now, if you want to complain that the director is just not all that good, I'll back you up on that. But agqain, there are a lot worse directors out there--and most of them cover up their inadequacies by uncovering women's chests.
Usually, the reviews on this site are funny and entertaining, but this one is just whining that one guy saw another guy when he wasn't fully dressed. Get over it; junior high was a LONG time ago!
I am so glad someone said it I myself AM gay and have found many of these comments extremely offensive and homophobic.Maybe I shouldnt have joined this site beginning to think I made a mistake a big one.
Don't say that! We accept all types of people on this board!
You should get the Nobel Peace Prize for watching a movie like this! Your humor, though, kept me reading your article. Great job!
Call me crazy, but have I not had to sit and watch countless numbers of boob action and ass shaking on any number of media outlets. I can't even watch a commercial without having to see some beer commercial that features scantily clad women fishing beer out of a lake, or something to that affect.
I think (more as a feminist than a gay man) that a movie that objectifying men is fantastic. Also, isn't there some pop-psych theory that the more disturbed you are by something - the more you feel you can relate to it? Just throwing it out there. Oh yeah, and there are some psych studies that back up the homophobic person is more aroused by queer porn than even the homosexual person.... Again, just throwing it out there.
That all being said, this film (i agree) is nothing but faux queer porn. In one scene in particular, the leech is crawling this dudes leg seemingly toward his ass... haha
Essentially I'm just saying... SUCK IT UP p***y!
Quote from: myrrdnemrys on October 24, 2009, 03:34:34 PM
Essentially I'm just saying... SUCK IT UP p***y!
Is your argument that my review should have praised the film because, while I did not like it, you did?
To me, the point in writing a review is to entertain the reader as I convey how the movie made me feel and what it made me think about. I did not like "Leeches!" Nor did I like "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" or "Nail Gun Massacre" (and the latter film had lots of girls showing off their funbags). Reading those reviews should give the reader a good idea of how I felt about the movie, and perhaps whether they should avoid it themselves.
If you would like to read another review with comments that also attack my opinion of the film, because the film's view (and the commenter's) is not how I see the world, perhaps check here:
The Trial of Billy Jack
http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php/topic,111919.0.html