Graveyard Shift (1990) - July 28, 2020

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by hungrywives

I'm still not entirely convinced that Stephen Macht and Fred Ward are two completely different people.

[Han Solo 1977]

Yes! Been waiting for this one, hoping Scream Factory would eventually bring it to Blu! And the original poster art looks amazing!

[trevanian]

Originally Posted by hungrywives

The more responses I read the more I think this film doesn't get the credit it deserves. It is absolutely filled with character and, while heightened, these don't feel like "Hollywood" actors playing textile workers but the real deal. Even the female lead, while certainly pretty, doesn't look like a starlet or supermodel. This movie just has this grimy, sweaty charm to it from start to finish. My one complaint is that the horror stuff is admittedly pretty back-loaded with the real monster mayhem saved for the last twenty minutes or so. But it's such a quick watch and filled with such unique atmosphere that it hardly bothers me. Plus Stephen Macht and Brad Dourif are both a real hoot in this and seem to be having the time of their lives with their characters.

I remember seeing this in the theater and coming away thinking that the whole thing really FELT like King's writings in terms of character and environment. (I had read Macht was a prime contender to play Picard on TNG -- he had a decent guest shot early on DS9) and that may have contributed to my seeing it too.)

Saw it recently streaming, and except for a couple of badly timed/printed matte shots, the whole thing seems to hold up very well. My wife rolls her eyes everytime I start talking about staying up late, because she knows I'm going to do Macht's 'the graveyard shift' intonation.

[Vixen of the Night]

There was a lot added to the TV version from what I remember. It rarely gets shown anymore. The last time I saw it was about 10 years ago. I noticed how long it was in the two hour time slot. Most of the footage is padding you could say. But there were some nice bits that fleshed out sub-plots and characterizations more and the extended ending which I missed in the theatrical cut. So, I hope they can locate this version of the movie to include as an extra feature.

[redrayz]

Oh wow never knew there was anything extra in TV version, cool to learn.
So glad to see this and Tales from the Darkside coming, I've always loved this flick!

[hungrywives]

From what little research I've done it seems like the TV version is six minutes longer than the theatrical but it is cut for language and violence. There are at least a dozen additional scenes including the extended ending.

[ramboraph]

Love this film for a variety of reasons.

1. The atmosphere. You could feel the heat/dirt/grime of the textile mill, and the underground caverns have some nice/claustrophobic feels to it.

2. The monster. I'm perfectly fine with the amount of screen time the monster gets...too much and it can ruin it. It's well done practical FX and it's an intriguing design that one hasn't seen much throughout other motion pictures.

3. The cast. David Andrews is perfectly fine as the straight-forward, soft spoken loner. Stephen Macht is a lot of fun as the 'guy you just Love to Hate' as Warwick the evil boss...and his accent brings an entertaining 'over the top' personality but at the same time (to me) it doesn't become parody or cornball. Plus it helps when he says like 'next we'll get you on STAR SEARCH!'). Brad Dourif, for the little bits he's in the flick, is very memorable. You even have Andrew Divoff, the Wishmaster himself, in a supporting role.

4. The score. Subtle but very creepy score...plus the 'ending song' is both 'totally 90s' yet weirdly catchy (in a strange way).

5. The Blue Collar Mentality. I'm a sucker for these creature-features that deal with normal looking, blue collar characters that some of us could relate to. You never see that anymore...whether in horror flicks in general or creature-features. But back in the day, I grew up with flicks like this one, Leviathan, Alien, Tremors and more which featured these types of characters...

[Luke Dodge748]

I want to watch this, but I can't wait for the Scream bluray. I need to watch the DVD tonight. It really is a fantastic, atmospheric good time.

[nothingtofearmusic]

Originally Posted by Dragon78

I have never seen this one, is it any good?

I'd say not, but if the posts prior to yours aren't being facetious then I'd say there's a possibility you might disagree.
It's your typical horror movie. And I don't mean your typical CLASSIC / ICONIC horror movie. I mean, when you consider everything that Blockbuster carried back in 2005 when video stores still existed, in their horror film section, you'd find the same quality of filmmaking in 9 out of 10 of those movies. So unless you have loads of time to sit through every single movie ever made, I'd say you have better options.

[hungrywives]

Make no mistake, Graveyard Shift is no masterpiece... although you may think I feel otherwise based on the number of times I've commented in this thread. But I have always thought it was a scrappy and efficient little monster movie with a lot of character that's never really gotten credit for the things it does very well.

[superbura9]

Gaaaaaaaaaaaah! Bought this sucker as an import literally days before the news of a release from Scream. F*ck it...!

Oh well, will buy it again from Scream. It's a very underrated little horror flick, with several leads chewing up the scenery and great practical effects to boot. A real gem from the 80's, and no hint of any horrible CGI, thank God.

[Luke Dodge748]

Couldn't sleep, watched it last night. Hoped it help me fall asleep, instead I stayed up...just to hear that snazzy credits song.

[nothingtofearmusic]

Originally Posted by superbura9

Gaaaaaaaaaaaah! Bought this sucker as an import literally days before the news of a release from Scream. F*ck it...!

Oh well, will buy it again from Scream. It's a very underrated little horror flick, with several leads chewing up the scenery and great practical effects to boot. A real gem from the 80's, and no hint of any horrible CGI, thank God.

1990 is the 80's? I get 1988-1991 kinda bundled up in my heart, since a lot of the movies I like from 1987/1988 were sequeled the following decade. And then of course music wise a lot of what was popular in 1989 didn't just wash up as soon as Nirvana wrapped up touring for BLEACH.

[jtrinc]

Great news! A long time ago I read that there was an extended cut somewhere. Maybe it aired on TV at some point. I wonder if this edition will include that version or at least some deleted scenes. As long as the PQ is decent, I will get it.

[Resident Evil Labs]

I really need to stop buying HD versions on prime of movies I think will never get a blu ray release. I bought this like 3 months ago digitally now it's coming from scream which is great. Do you think the picture will be way better than the stream? I prob will double dip for Scream tho.

[Big-D]

Extras are up:

NEW - Filmmaking In King Country/Working The Night Shift – Two Interviews With Producer/Director Ralph S. Singleton
NEW - Back Off Man – An Interview With Actress Kelly Wolf
NEW - We're Going To Hell Together – An Interview With Actor Stephen Macht
NEW - Let's Go Surfing Now – An Interview With Actor Vic Polizos
NEW - Yes, Mr. Warwick – An Interview With Actor Robert Alan Beuth
Theatrical Trailer
Radio Spot.

https://www.shoutfactory.com/product...roduct_id=7401

[agenda]

Originally Posted by Resident Evil Labs

need to stop buying HD versions on prime

That's probably the BEST desicion anyone can do with the movies these days. DEATH to streaming, support physical format any way you possible can!!!!!!!!!

[bryantburnette]

Originally Posted by agenda

DEATH to streaming, support physical format any way you possible can!!!!!!!!!

Plenty of room for both. Don't be a ****ing idiot.

[MuffySimba]

Originally Posted by Dragon78

I have never seen this one, is it any good?

A fun midnight creature feature. Nothing fancy. I'm definitely buying it before it's OOP!

[hungrywives]

Got this today and to my eyes it looks pretty great. Seeing this in HD for the first time really made me appreciate what a sweaty movie this is. The whole thing is kind of beautifully dirty and grimy all the way through and I love it for that. The interviews were more entertaining than usual for Scream Factory as of late, especially Stephen Macht, but Justin Beahm really needs to get a new editor. His special features are just so sloppy and unprofessional. I don't know if they've always been like that or they just cut the funding in the last year or so and they just have to pump these out without any time or budget for a proper QC. Oh well, I guess it doesn't really matter because the movie looks better than it ever has on home video and I'm so happy to finally have it.