Blue Sunshine (1977) Reviews

• Can't beat an old blue classic...

  TonyDood2005-08-15

  Some films have a way of sticking out that is inexplicable. Explaining the plot of this movie (hippies took bad acid in the 60's and the delayed effect 10 years later is making them all homicidal bald lunatics who go berserk and kill, and only one guy can stop it all but he's on the run) is NOT the way to point out the joys of this film experience that keep one returning for more. This can only be done in one way, listing the movie's virtues: **a memorable, creepy and weird theme song **a high level of tension even though there's no "mystery" to be solved **Zalman King's loony and inappropriate "method" acting **homicidal bald lunatics who go berserk and kill **puppets of Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand **a man going insane in a '70's disco **a cameo by one of the witches from "Bewitched" **camp humor. There's something really satisfying about watching a woman in a robe with a bald cap on chasing around ugly, bad acting little kids with a knife. There's something wonderful about Zalman King screaming and pounding his arms against a door frame for no known reason, then walking around going "Huff! Huff! Huff!" forever after. I love how a good chunk of time is spent on a fetish-y moment when King buys a gun and is taught how to use it. If you've seen this you know what I mean. Like...hunhhh? Or why does King's girlfriend enunciate her sentences wrong, she says "I wanna GO with you!" instead of what she means, "I wanna go WITH you." She's a terrible actress, this Deborah Sweeny, but she's so spunky and has such an interesting face I can't look away. The same with King--his intensity was better suited to raping schoolgirls in "Trip With The Teacher" or being hostile in "Galaxy Of Terror," and who encouraged his "acting choice" of constantly stuffing his hands in his pockets every few seconds? There's also very little logic, conclusions are reached too quickly and what in HELL is with the junkie in the park? It all just comes out of nowhere and leaves just as quickly... ...and that's why I love this movie. Anyone can make a solid mystery, this flick is a quirk-fest. When I was young watching this on t.v. the tension of the last 20 minutes about gave me a heart attack, now it's sleep-inducing. Movies have changed a bit since then, obviously, and this probably doesn't "work" anymore. But I return to it again and again, I'm glad they gave it a good DVD re-master and included that weird and wonderful soundtrack. Oh, and did I mention the PUPPETS??

• Yeah, disco music can cause you to go a little crazy.

  lost-in-limbo2006-01-01

  During a party a bald person goes crazy and kills a couple of people, but the wrong man gets accused of these murders. So, now Jerry Zipkin is on the run to prove his innocence. But also across town more weird murders are alarming the authorities. When trying to uncover evidence to clear his name, Jerry he finds out that 10 years ago, a group of people from the same college Stanford University have taken a new form of LSD called Blue Sunshine, which now has suddenly caused them to lose their hair and change into homicidal maniacs. Hook, line and sinker… it totally took me by surprise and made me sit up. This rewarding flick that's a very groovy slice of the 70s. Has become a cult film over the years and has been on my must-see list for ages. I was livid when I eventually came across it. Director/writer Jeff Lieberman (his debut as a director) delivered in what he set out to achieve in 'Blue Sunshine' and I wasn't disappointed in what I got, at all. He comes up with an effective and energetic shocker, that sets itself out by the excellent performances from a cast of mainly no-names (with the exception of Zalman King) and a original story, which seems to get better the more it moves along. Don't be expecting a fully loaded horror film, with gore and horror throughout. It's rather a psychological, sophisticated mystery thriller that works in some decent surprises and jabs that are spine tingling good. There's such a nice balance in this slow grinder that just pulls you along for the intriguing, but disquieting ride with our protagonist. So it's basically a well-paced story that's more a mystery with dabs of horror themes, the material isn't too shocking but some of the violence is nasty or just plain maniac, but not overly graphic. The most startling scene in the film would have to be the opening killing and some implied violence or I should call it the aftermath of a murder spot in house mid-way through the flick will cause a tingle. Crafted into it, is a tight script that doesn't sway of course, but sufficiently adds to the bigger picture. For a low-budget production is stands up remarkably well and it's rather sad it's gone by with little impact, because Lieberman shows impressive talent here. The thick 70's vibe takes real control, but the cheesiness doesn't overshadow it, with a scene occurring in a groovy disco when a bald guy goes out of control because of the music. Which it's really making fun of the type of music in doing so? Although the score doesn't fall into that same fate as it's eerie as hell, by raising the hairs on your skin. These moments definitely added to the unsettling mood that's created and help build up those scenes with the bald psychopaths becoming rather freaky. Surely it would turn you off drugs! The camera-work was highly distinctive with its many shots. The only downside for me was the abrupt ending, but that's a minor squabble compared with the rest. Ultimately a satisfying shocker that hits all the right keys. An outstanding cult classic.

• Bald and deadly

  Pookie-102002-09-18

  Here we are with yet ANOTHER fascinating and curious 'overlooked' obscurity from the 70's. It just never ceases to continuously amaze me how much originality and unique creativity came out of that decade. One overlooked film after another, the fact is, it was SUCH a creative and "pioneering" decade on SO many different levels, there literally was only so much room for the 'popular hits'. This was a curious film, funny, bizarre, crazy yet always interesting. A genuinely superb and eerie score by Charles Gross, which contributed much and deserves mention, as well as Zalmon Kings always interesting antics. King was an actor like no other, and this film is one like no other.

• Unexpectedly Creepy

  kolchak252002-10-09

  The plot of this movie features seemingly normal people going crazy and slaughtering their family and friends. The carnage is mostly off screen but there are some disturbing scenes. Zalman King is trying to find out what is happening as one of the casualties was a friend. When the first person goes crazy, their makeup- though minimal- is surprising and really creepy. In fact, if I saw someone who looked like that I would run away screaming. This movie was better than I expected and did not telegraph every single plot point ahead of time. It's got a typical 70s feel to it, but I like that. A good movie to watch with friends, but I'm telling you, when you see the first killer you will be unprepared for his creepiness - so don't watch it alone.

• Jeff Lieberman--underrated and overlooked director

  capkronos2003-05-13

  A small group of Stanford college grads, who had taken a bad batch of LSD called "Blue Sunshine," start feeling the side-effects ten years later. Instead of bad acid flashbacks, they start losing their hair and deteriorate into erratic, sweaty, screaming, zombie-like killers that hate loud sounds. Ambitious low-budgeter has decent performances, a few good shocks and an interesting plot to offset some dated aspects to the story (like an unintentionally funny attack at a disco) and a seemingly incomplete ending (that seems to suggest this is based on an actual case!). Political satire remains relevant today and when one of the affected lurks around a mall at the end, DAWN OF THE DEAD (which was made later) will instantly come to mind. Star Zalman King, also in GALAXY OF TERROR (1981), went on to direct and produce a record number of 90s erotic movies and TV series (RED SHOE DIARIES). The director also made SQURIM, JUST BEFORE DAWN and REMOTE CONTROL, all above average low-budgeters. Score: 6 out of 10