Every once in a while it becomes abundantly apparent that I got into movies, horror movies, and low budget movies (in that order) at the wrong stage of my life. I discovered my love for film and music and other artistic endeavors way too late. I missed so many films and experiences that would have been better to have at a younger age. One of those experiences would have been exposure to movies like A Critical Madness -- a movie that has nothing left but the nostalgia factor but history would seem to indicate was a player back in the day.
The 1980s saw a change in low-budget film distribution as grindhouses and drive-ins faded into the past with the boom in the VHS market. Truth or Dare? A Critical Madness was marketed as the first direct to video feature presentation of a full-length movie. Once you see it you will realize why it never went national on the big screen. Still, it apparently did very well on the rental circuit as I keep reading about how it was a staple of store shelves during the 1980s.
Let me say right now that there are spoilers contained within. I don't feel it hurts the film; in fact, it may make you want to see it more despite how bad it is. However, if you do not want to be spoiled on anything, please see the movie and then come back.
The center of the film is Mike Strauber (John Brace). Mike has had a bad day at work and, upon arriving home early, finds his wife, Sharon (Mary Fanaro), in bed with his best friend Jerry. He takes off after his cheating wife tells him she has found a new life and he should find some good friends. So, off he goes in his Camaro.
He ends up at the beach where he contemplates his life, complete with flashbacks to tell-tale signs that something was wrong with his marriage as well as a childhood game of Truth or Dare (where the younger Mike is played by future Backstreet Boy AJ McLean). Mike briefly contemplates suicide, but then feels a better use of his time would be to pick up a hitchhiker (going anywhere he is going, of course) and go camping.
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Article comments
1 - amazed
I cannot believe how clueless and elitist the author of this review is. Tim was a teenager when he made this movie. He did a damn good job with it. It doesn't take millions of dollars and huge production values to make a good movie. Tim's film is no worse, script and idea wise, than, say, the original Halloween, which was his inspiration for ToD. You need to learn about horror, become a FAN of horror, and then think about being a reviewer. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, yes, but your review is baseless and poorly researched. The review is what's bad, not the movie.
2 - Amazed too
It looks like he isn't the only not to think it is a classic... Check out Brutal as hell's review.
Also it does appear that credit is given due to his young age and others having their hands in the pot. ANyway you slice it impressive for a teen, but not a good movie and not a classic.