Feb

25

“American Beauty” tosses off Lovecraft reference: “Reanimator”

February 25, 2007 |

Sitting here watching American Beauty on the sometimes underestimated Turner Movie Classics, I’m appalled to think to myself, “I could wind up like this guy if I’m not careful.” Life’s dangerous– we have to remain able to surprise ourselves. (On the other hand, I should comfort myself in that I’ve owned the car I always wanted… twice. Including the Spyder.)

On the subject of surprises, though, Sam Mendes caught me off guard by working into his movie a throwaway reference to a true slice of American cheese called Reanimator. A grisly spectacle based on an old HP Lovecraft serial about scientist Herbert West’s experiments in restoring life to the dead, the film quite deliberately overflows with a rainbow mixture of gore, black humor, and syringes full of “Reagent,” a Day-glo green-yellow-hued flourescent serum that brings back the dead… after a fashion. (Dead cats, bone saws, severed heads, and “parts” all find their uses in the mayhem that ensues.)

Reanimator isn’t for the weak of stomach, but it’s worth experiencing once, probably, if you can tolerate it. In the category system that shapes this site, though, it’s probably best characterized as Cheez Whiz.


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