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Movies / On DVD / Candyman
Candyman

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Candyman (1992)

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Reviews Counted:38

Fresh:28

Rotten:10

Average Rating:6.3/10

Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: Folklorics graduate student Helen Lyle's (Virginia Madsen) thesis research leads her into the urban underworld of Chicago's Cabrini-Green housing projects, whose residents are genuinely terrified... Folklorics graduate student Helen Lyle's (Virginia Madsen) thesis research leads her into the urban underworld of Chicago's Cabrini-Green housing projects, whose residents are genuinely terrified of "Candyman" (Tony Todd), a legendary figure with a hook for a hand. Skeptical, she "summons" him in front of a mirror and discovers with horror that he's real and wants her to join him in his "mythic" world; when she refuses, he murders those in her wake, leaving her to be charged with the crimes. She tries to explain who the real culprit is, but her efforts fail, and authorities commit her to a mental hospital. This taut horror thriller is based on "The Forbidden," by Clive Barker, who also executive-produced. [More]

Starring: Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Vanessa Williams, Xander Berkeley

Starring: Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Vanessa Williams, Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons

Director: Bernard Rose

Director: Bernard Rose
Composer: Philip Glass
Story: Clive Barker
Producer: Steve Golin, Sigurjon Sighvatsson, Alan Poul
Screenwriter: Bernard Rose

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Candyman

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Candyman is atmospheric and visually stimulating enough to satisfy gore-hounds as well as being an intelligent social commentary.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/17/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One of the best sustained horror movies for some years.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

At its heart, Candyman terrifies because of its ideas. It sinks its horrific foundations very much in the real world of poverty and racial alienation.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Adam Smith
Adam Smith
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Candyman is an uppper-register horror item that delivers the requisite shocks and gore but doesn't cheat or cop out.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
09/17/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Serious, straightforward cinematic terror is always hard to come by, but this literate shocker ranks among the best horror movies of the '90s.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
09/17/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Like so many post-Val Lewton horror films, this 1992 feature starts out promisingly while the plot is mainly a matter of suggestion, but gradually turns gross and obvious as the meanings become literal and unambiguous.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
09/17/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader

No review available.

comment Comment
02/18/07
Jake Euker
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

comment Comment
09/16/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

No review available.

comment Comment
07/01/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Reheats old material and serves it as if it were bold and original.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
01/31/05
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

The enduring resonance of Candyman, adapted and directed by Bernard Rose, has to do with its respect for and investment in specific and real events.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
12/19/04
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
PopMatters

One of the best of the end-of-the-eighties/start-of-the-nineties body mortification films.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
10/18/04
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

The Candyman is a svelte, sexual monument, far removed from the silent brutality of your average serial slasher.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
08/03/04
Eric Henderson
Eric Henderson
Slant Magazine

No review available.

comment Comment
08/02/04
Nicolas Lacroix
Nicolas Lacroix
EnPrimeur.ca

Very clever, well-made and unpredictable.

Full Review Source: Slasherpool | comment Comment
03/03/04
Andreas Samuelson
Andreas Samuelson
Slasherpool

No review available.

comment Comment
02/27/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
02/10/04
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

No review available.

comment Comment
01/24/04
Spence D.
Spence D.
IGN Movies

No review available.

comment Comment
12/03/03
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

No review available.

comment Comment
09/23/03
Michael Szymanski
Michael Szymanski
Zap2it.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Candyman

August 18, 2008: Sony Dares You to Say "Candyman Remake" Five Times Opens in new window
In the best piece of news Tony Todd's agent has heard all year, Shock Till You Drop is reporting that Sony is considering a Candyman remake. More...

August 15, 2008: Weekly Ketchup: Kung Fu Panda 2, Wheel of Time and more
This week's Ketchup bottle brings news about Kung Fu Panda 2, Madagascar 3, development news about the Wheel of Time series, and casting news about Mike Myers and Billy Bob... More...

February 07, 2006: "Shrek" Helmer Catches Barker's "Thief"
The Hollywood Reporter brings news of a new partnership that should please all the Clive Barker fans out there: Seems that "Shrek 2" co-director Kelly Asbury will head... More...

August 25, 2005: Bernard Rose Returns to Horror for His Own "Amusement"
"Candyman" director Bernard Rose will return to the genre fare to helm "Amusement" for New Line, according to Variety. More...

See All

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