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16 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :- God bless Lloyd Kaufman!, 18 May 2003 Author: capkronos (capkronos00@hotmail.com) from Ohio, USA
Indy directors schooled in shock had two options when Hollywood stepped in and stole their thunder with bad taste comedy hits like THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY and American PIE.1. Become like John Waters, lose your edge and deliver much tamer (and much more bland) stabs at the establishment or...2. Up the ante in terms of nihilistic gore, nudity, amorality, cruelty and cheap toilet gags.Lloyd Kaufman has, with this film, undoubtedly established himself as the poster boy for the latter. So possessed is this man to disgust, offend, shock and give viewers an alternative to good, decent, Speilbergian entertainment, he has whipped out a film that includes, but it certainly not limited to, dismemberment, decapitation, impalement, castration, breast mutilation, urination, scat, puking, incest, rape, child molestation, drug use, cheesy sound effects, flatulence, deformed sex organs, full nudity (male and female), a fetus ripped from a womb, soft core sex and gore-dripping overkill in any and every other possible department. I must say, that it's a hectic, erratic, messy film, but I was never once bored while watching it.Since the story takes place around the set of an independent movie (invaded by a hermaphroditic serial killer who hacks his/her way through the cast and crew in an effort to shut down the production) we also get some commentary on how the film industry works (and how it doesn't) and on the comedic virtues found in the lowest of low human behavior.All four of the leads (Will Keenan, Alyce LaTourelle, Trent Haaga and Debbie Rochon) are great. Kaufman himself also shows considerable on-screen appeal as Larry Benjamin, the aloof director of the film in question, who also happens to be blind, an idea copied by Woody Allen for his acclaimed (but apparently not all that original) film Hollywood ENDING in 2001!Fair enough to say that not everyone will be able to endure TERROR FIRMER, but be grateful someone has the audacity to slap Tinseltown in the face by beating them at their own game. The video and DVD both contain deleted scenes and outtakes and are available in uncut or R-rated versions. Watch for a cameo by SOUTH PARK creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Motorhead's Lemmy during an amusing end credit sequence.
15 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :- Disgusting, Sick, Perverse but Oh so Funny!, 5 July 2005 Author: NateManD from Bloomsburg PA
It's hard to describe "Terror Firmer". Think "Living in Oblivian" with Lucio Fulci style violence, filmed by the "Vienna Aktionists" on the set of "Sweet Movie" directed by Groucho Marx and John Waters. Those unfamiliar with the 60's shock artists the Vienna Aktionists; will be surprised at their similarities to troma. The Vienna Aktionists were a group of anarchist stage performers from the 60's, who would put on live surreal sex shows. They would take food, urine, feces, vomit and semen and create shocking works of art. When I think of Troma, I'm reminded of the Vienna Aktionists. Troma's films are so sick and gross, that they teeter on artistic brilliance. O.K, so "Terror Firmer" defies description. Troma is a company dedicated to gore hound freaks and fans of guilty pleasure b-movies. I am one of those fans. Terror Firmer can definitely be considered a surrealist film. It lacks a traditional narrative, it has grotesque imagery and mocks many institutional standards. It's also one giant middle finger to Hollywood. The plot concerns a psychotic, hermaphrodite serial killer; who is killing people off in the most morbid ways imaginable, on the set of a troma movie. Lloyd Kaufman plays Larry Benjamin, a blind movie director who continues filming even though his cast keeps getting murdered. He wants to get his bizarre artistic vision out there. It seems like "Terror Firmer" tries to outdo "Pink Flamingos", "Cannibal Holocaust" and "Salo" in shock. The first five minutes of the film contain a leg decapitation, an abortion, death by corn flakes and a suicidal shot in the head. This film is almost guaranteed to even make the most jaded viewer cringe. Your either laughing or disgusted with shock. There is ridiculous amounts of sex, full frontal nudity and of course "big breasts". Almost every imaginable bodily function or fluid is present, including crap eating. Also the films obsession with pickles is quite disturbing. After viewing this film, you'll never think of pickles the same way again (guarenteed). As repulsive as the subject matter is, the film is pretty damn funny. Just be prepared to squirm too. I appreciate Troma, because after watching "Terror Firmer"; I searched for other bizarre films. I also became interested in surrealism. So if it wasn't for Lloyd Kaufman, I may of never appreciated Bunuel, Godard, Greenaway, David Lynch, Fellini, Jodorowsky, John Waters, Salvador Dali, Jan Svankmajer, Tekeshi Miike, Dusan Makavejev or David Cronenburg. I love Troma, even if their films are sometimes a bit much. They opened up my mind and imagination to new ideas. I know one thing Otto Muehl and Dali would be proud. Now let's go make some art!
11 out of 17 people found the following comment useful :- lloyd kaufman is a genius... no, THE Genius., 10 October 2002 Author: marrymetoxie from near philly, pa
one of my all-time favorites now, this movie is definitely not something you want to watch with your parents (unless, of course they have a perverse appreciation for the eccentric filmwork that lloyd kaufman is THE master of...) it has an amazing cast (i am always willing to watch debbie rochon) and an equally amazing soundtrack (the lunachicks rock my socks!) its a twisted murder mystery/horror/black comedy that will gross you out and tickle your funny bone all at the same time! try to see if *you* can figure out who is murdering the crew on the movie set... and who IS that mysterious woman?! if you love blood and gore, crazy food sex, fetus-ripping, exploding breasts, cross-dressing, frat parties gone wrong, and pickled unmentionables, you'll love terror firmer... :) 10 outta 10!
4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :- Mon Dieu, 9 April 2007 Author: pestilences from United States
THIS IS THE MOTHER OF ALL B-MOVIES. It combines the fun and arts of film making with that of complete heresy of what should be seen by the human eye. The film has lovable characters and a message behind the love of twisted b-movies. It is for anyone who thinks outside the standard of what good movie making is and for anyone who appreciates the ridiculousness that can fit into one film all in the name of fun. I haven't seen a movie that satisfied my love for gore and shock value all while making me laugh. It's also a good watch when your drunk. The moral of the story: Don't trust psychotic hermaphroditic Spielburg lovers.
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :- There's something here to offend and/or disgust everyone!, 16 February 2001 Author: The Dude- from Salem, Virginia
(my comments are based on the 114 min. unrated director's cut)After the disappointing (but still funny) Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., Lloyed Kaufman and the gang at Troma regained their footing with 1996's great Tromeo and Juliet.Well, Terror Firmer takes everything that great about T&J, multiplied it by 100 and added a ton of new gross out gags. This is easily the funniest, goriest, sexually explicit, extremely violent and politically incorrect movie in existance. If you weren't a Troma fan before, this film isn't likely to convert you. It was made purely for the longtime Troma fans and the heart, honesty and energy put into it are apparent in every frame.A true cult classic that is hilarious and shocking in equal doses."LET'S MAKE SOME ART!!!!!"Rating: 9
4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :- Holy Crap! A fat naked guy!, 16 November 2005 Author: ResidentHazard (romerodawn@yahoo.com) from Plymouth, MN
Terror Firmer (Quickie Review) This is a Troma gem we've got here. And we all know what that means, right? It's likely going to be bizarre, violent, absurd, ridiculous, offensive... whathaveyou. And this film is all of those things--and then some. It revolves a film crew, led by a blind director (played by Troma founder, Lloyd Kaufman), making another Toxic Avenger movie. But the film crew is constantly plagued with problems, foremost among them is a psychotic killer doing in people throughout the film in humorous and gory ways. And, in typical Troma fashion, there's insults and spoofs galore, including repeated verbal attacks on Spielberg and a mocking of Seinfeld. Lloyd Kaufman really seems to have a hatred of fellow entertainment business Jews, it would seem... At any rate, the acting, at times is surprisingly good, the gore quality is about average--sometimes, however, laughably weak, entertaining and surprising nudity, and the story is somewhat ridiculous. Bizarre and shocking ending, to boot! Ron Jeremy has a small starring role as an abusive father... sort of...So, who should watch this thing? Well, gorehounds with an interest in crazy movies will enjoy it, Troma fans will enjoy it--that's almost a given. A unique film, however you look at it. Recommended strongly to curiosity seekers with a tolerance (or love) for weirdness, violence, gore, nudity, and independent film fans. 7/10www.ResidentHazard.com
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :- Perfect example of narcissistic and over-the-top exploitation cinema, 22 June 2009 Author: blakepatrick91 from Brisbane, Australia
Terror Firmer is an exercise in bad taste; self-indulgent bad taste mind you. Don't get me wrong, I love the trash and exploitation films like John Waters'; yet at least in his bizarre mind he makes his movies innocent and genuine and behind them all is actually pure brilliancy in character and script. With Terror Firmer, director/producer/egotistic actor Lloyd Kaufman goes to prove that he can push the boundaries of filth to infinity; so far in fact that it becomes seemingly irritating and noticeably self loving. With hyperactive actors (example: Toddster) and an over written script Terror Firmer packs itself up with as many obscene and vile scenes as possible; a foetus being ripped out of its mothers belly, a man eating faeces from another's anus; a hermaphrodites scarred bits. It's just too much and it doesn't want you to not realise it. Terror Firmer is a two hour, self indulgent, egotistic pile of crap with an in your face "look how much of a disgusting and vile independent film I can be" attitude. Make a vulgar and repugnant film by all means, but never go too far and too cocky as Terror Firmer does.
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :- Hey, baby, do fries go with that shake?, 26 July 2008 Author: lastliberal from Florida
Debbie Rochon as a blond? Wow, this is something different! Of course, this whole movie is something different. Lloyd Kaufman has really pulled out all the stops to give us the grossest film I could ever imagine. No, I would be Lloyd Kaufman if I imagined this stuff - this is waaaay beyond my imagination.Extreme amounts of blood and gore and body fluids and solids. This was the ultimate in gross, but you had to look.Once again, there was a perfect part for me. I coulda been a contenda in indy film.Not for those with a weak stomach.
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :- One of the most extreme films ever made. It's up there with EL TOPO, SALO, VISITOR Q, and BLUE VELVET in terms of shock, 10 July 2008 Author: tonymurphylee from USA
This is considered to be a Troma masterpiece. After seeing it, I suppose I can see why. A Troma film is usually cheap, bloody, and hilarious. This was all that and more. There is literally no limit to the blood, guts, excrement, vomit, explicit sex, death, female full frontal nudity, and male full frontal nudity herein. The film is graphic, horrific, shocking, brutal, and explicit from beginning to end. Is this pornography? Well, not quite. Sure, many may consider it to be, but to me, it's just another major milestone in gross-out cinema. However, can it be topped? I really don't know. I can't really think of many films that feature this much sex and gore in equal amounts. Still, this is entertaining! Sure, it's deeply depraved and shocking, but I enjoyed it. The film wasn't meant to be anything more than what it is. Overall, I'm happy I saw it and I'd happily watch this with my friends, provided that the friends I watch it with are prepared to bare witness to the endless grotesques on display herein. I recommend it, provided that you can handle it.PROS: -Very entertaining and unpredictable -It's never boring, even for a second -People looking for a really gory or really sexually explicit film, look no further.CONS:-Terrible acting -The editing is occasionally WAY too fast -the film is not exactly very well made, although that's not the point.
3 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :- troma at its best, 13 October 2001 Author: motown_23 (jewbo23@aol.com) from Norfolk, England
terror firmer is a great film but i guess you have to have a taste for troma to enjoy it. i showed a friend it and he said it was the worst movie he had ever seen. Lloyd is great as the blind director larry (he is kinda playing himself in this movie. I also thought that his daughter was good in the film too. there is a lot of very fake gore like legs getting ripped off and escalators eating fat guys. but overall its a great film and the best troma have ever made.8/10
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