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"Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

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"Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Old 09-26-12, 11:57 AM
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"Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12






Class of 1999 (1990)



Selected by LJG765



IMDB ENTRY

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These "October Horror Movie Challenge" threads are for the discussion of the films in the 31 FILM SUBSET list.

MAIN THREAD | LIST THREAD

The plan is for everyone to watch this film on the October day in the thread title, and to start discussing it the morning of the following day.
You may start discussion early if you want, but the preferred plan is for this to be as much of a group exercise as possible, with all of us viewing it "together" and discussing after.

Of course, you are totally encouraged to participate in these threads even if you haven't watched the movie on the designated day.
Even if you haven't watched it in years, or are not participating in the Horror Challenge, please feel free to chime in.



Spoiler tags are unnecessary in here, so if you have yet to see the film BEWARE OF SPOILERS.

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Old 10-12-12, 07:48 AM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Brought my DVD of this to work today, but forgot my computer to watch it on. Doh! Youtube it is I guess.
Old 10-12-12, 09:09 AM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

I love how 1999 is so 80s.
Old 10-12-12, 12:24 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

I liked this in a 90's USA Up All Night kind of way... just a fun movie.
Old 10-12-12, 01:56 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Was writer/director Mark Lester bullied a lot in middle school or something? Maybe an unsuccessful stint as substitute teacher? I've just started Class of 1999 but between this and Class of 1984 it's hard to believe the bully/political undertones are entirely casual. I see there's even a Class of 1999 II, way to milk an idea.

Last edited by Undeadcow; 10-12-12 at 02:10 PM.
Old 10-12-12, 02:11 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12


Awful film concerns android teachers at a violence-plagued high school. Class of 1999 pretty much sums up everything that was wrong with genre filmmaking in the late 1980s--far-fetched storylines, egregious over-acting, awful costume designs, labored wisecracks…the list is nearly endless. I happened to catch this at a dollar theater when it came out in 1990, and I felt ripped off then. Even the usually-reliable Pam Grier didn’t help matters any. I was able to pretty much eradicate it from my memory until I watched it again today. I did notice this time around that there was a Nine Inch Nails song on the soundtrack (“Head Like a Hole”). I must have discovered Pretty Hate Machine sometime after I saw this movie. Watch it if you must, but I’m not recommending it.
Old 10-12-12, 02:19 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

I've never seen this. It's in a multi-pack I have in the other room. Might give it a watch today.
Old 10-12-12, 03:03 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

I've taken a break this afternoon, but I'm watching this next. I'm pretty stoked. Really enjoyed Class of 1984 which I just watched for the first time this past summer. This looks very different, to say the least. I'm also watching it via that Horror 8-pack.
Old 10-12-12, 06:34 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

I enjoyed Class of 1999. It's deliciously dated in a fun "retro" way with a classic "us versus theme" vibe. I now like to think of it as the unofficial Terminator prequel; especially with the junkyard urban warfare scene. The ending feels a little too magical with teachers just getting readily dispensed; I half expected the lead actor to walk up and just flick the next one over.

Lester's theme is a little inconsistent... In Class of 1984 kids are out of control. In Class of 1999 teachers are out of control. It begs the question, what happens in Class of 1999 Part II (on YouTube)... but that was written and directed by others.

Is anyone else confused by Homer (kid vampire) from Near Dark showing up here? I think the actor does a decent job but is just too familar (to me).
Originally Posted by rbrown498
...Awful film concerns android teachers at a violence-plagued high school. Class of 1999 pretty much sums up everything that was wrong with genre...
This from a guy who gave praise to Creature from the Haunted Sea? To each his own...

Last edited by Undeadcow; 10-12-12 at 07:19 PM.
Old 10-12-12, 07:13 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

I enjoyed it. Pretty big step below Class of 1984 which focused a bit more on character. Lester made Commando after that film, and this feels like an uneasy fusion of the two. But, that's also what makes it entertaining, along with some great practical effects...and Pam Grier's bionic ta-ta's. Easy recommend from me and the best theme-related title I've watched so far today.
Old 10-12-12, 11:27 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Originally Posted by Undeadcow
This from a guy who gave praise to Creature from the Haunted Sea? To each his own...
Yup. I don't respond well to films that are created in hopes of becoming cult favorites--they always turn out to be a bit cold and calculating in their efforts to be cool and quirky, which takes away any charm that they might have engendered. That's why I dislike Troma films so badly--they're manufactured, and they feel it. That's why I LOATHED Smash Cut from a few challenges back. Class of 1999 feels like it was made according to a recipe--take one part hideous costuming meant to evoke what fashion may look like in the future, one part rebel from the wrong side of the tracks, one part good girl who likes bad boys, half a cup of lame wisecracks, two gallons of needless explosions, etc....and eventually you end up with something like Class of 1999. It's been Frankensteined together and looks okay, but it has no soul. Creature from the Haunted Sea may look like it could have been made with the change found under your couch cushions, but at least it's alive in a way that Class of 1999 and its plastic brethren will never be.

End of rant.
Old 10-12-12, 11:36 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Originally Posted by rbrown498
Yup. I don't respond well to films that are created in hopes of becoming cult favorites--they always turn out to be a bit cold and calculating in their efforts to be cool and quirky, which takes away any charm that they might have engendered... It's been Frankensteined together and looks okay, but it has no soul...
Well said, I agree with you on that point and can see how that is one thing that is wrong with the genre. Those elements are in Class of 1999 but it did not strike me as forced as you make it seem. Maybe if Class of 1999 had more substance to it or was more provocative it would work better, even in the face of being engineered. As it stands now I enjoyed it for what it was, cheap tame trash. I wish Class of 1999 had compliments Class of 1984 better by giving a more consistent tone/theme. Class of 1984 was more menacing and mean spirited.

Last edited by Undeadcow; 10-12-12 at 11:41 PM.
Old 10-12-12, 11:54 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

This ended up being my second favorite of the day...Evolver was a damn fine killer 'bot flick. Slick and satisfying. These two were a back to back hit with me.
Old 10-12-12, 11:57 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Originally Posted by Undeadcow
Those elements are in Class of 1999 but it did not strike me as forced as you make it seem.
Well, that's my take on it--and I speak only for myself. Granted, I dislike Class of 1999 far less than I do practically any Troma film...but I still don't like it.

I will admit to being fascinated by Pam's prosthetic nipples, however.
Old 10-13-12, 12:08 AM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Originally Posted by rbrown498
I will admit to being fascinated by Pam's prosthetic nipples, however.
Spoiler:


In that case I assume you are also a fan of The Entity.
Maybe next year we can get fake boobs added as a checklist item.
Old 10-13-12, 12:56 AM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Watching this now. Seattle is always screwed up in these movies.
Old 10-13-12, 01:06 AM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Pam Grier is hot as hell in this. She can punish me.
Old 10-13-12, 02:43 AM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

You I have seen this before but forgot about and most of the scenes. Movie was ok for a crazy robot movie, Westworld did it better though. I think the bionic boobs were the best part of the movie. I thought the contractor guy would turn out to be a robot also. He just has creepy eyes because that kind of thing is cool in 1999.
Old 10-13-12, 03:11 AM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

Originally Posted by Undeadcow
In that case I assume you are also a fan of The Entity. Maybe next year we can get fake boobs added as a checklist item.
Actually, I'm NOT a fan of The Entity as a whole, but I was indeed in awe of Barbara Hershey's self-palpating nay-nays.
Old 10-13-12, 07:33 AM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

This one didn't do much for me. Lots of flash, no substance. I'd watch Creature from the Haunted Sea over this one again. But then again, I was pretty tired, and upset about being two seconds away from being able to go to the NLDS game 5 before the rug was pulled out.
Old 10-18-12, 07:00 AM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

One scen, the gym teacher says " I hate water"
a few scenes later, he is diving in.
Old 10-18-12, 04:01 PM
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Re: "Class of 1999" Reviews/Discussion - 2012 Horror Challenge: Day 12

I wasn't really crazy about this one. I enjoyed the first act all right, that 80-90s B horror movie vibe always works for me, but I didn't care for the direction the film ultimately went. Pitting the two gangs against each other didn't really work for me, I thought all of the action scenes fell flat; I would have preferred if the film kept more of a horror vibe and consisted of the cyborgs taking out students. However, it was cool seeing Pam Grier, Malcom McDowell, and Stacey Keach show up.

Did anybody else think the main character's little brother looked like a little old lady?

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