Watch Popcorn

Popcorn is a 1991 horror-comedy directed by Mark Herrier and Alan Ormsby. The story revolves around a group of film students at a local college who decide to revive a defunct horror movie theater to raise funds for their filmmaking projects. They manage to secure the abandoned theater, which was the site of a terrible tragedy decades ago that claimed the lives of several people.

The students are led by Maggie (Jill Schoelen), who is a budding filmmaker and the brains behind the fundraising idea. Her boyfriend, Toby (Tom Villard), is the technical genius behind the project, handling the audio-visual equipment and special effects. The other members of the team are Joanie (Dee Wallace), a mature student who acts as the group's mother figure, and Mark (Derek Rydall), a horror movie fanatic who owns a huge collection of rare horror films.

The students encounter a number of obstacles as they prepare the theater for its grand reopening. They discover that the theater's previous owner, a sleazy filmmaker named Lanyard Gates (Ray Walston), is still using the studio in the basement to shoot his latest horror film. They also encounter a strange masked figure who appears to be stalking them, wearing a bizarre mask made of human flesh and wielding a wicked instrument made of metal spikes.

The group begins to experience strange occurrences, such as unexplained power outages and unexplained noises coming from the creepy abandoned basement. While investigating, they discover a hidden room filled with cursed film, which they unknowingly screen on the opening night, unleashing an ancient evil into the theater.

The rest of the movie is a classic horror film filled with twists and turns, as the students must fight for their lives against the supernatural forces unleashed upon them by the cursed film. The villain is revealed to be a deranged former projectionist named Lester (Tony Roberts), who was driven mad by years of being surrounded by horror movies.

Despite the gruesome horror elements, the film does not take itself too seriously, often going for comedic elements in a way that feels unique and refreshing. The characters are well-drawn and engaging, each with their own quirks and personalities that make them feel like real people. The film's self-awareness and willingness to poke fun at horror movie clichés feel ahead of its time, with nods to classic horror films like Halloween and Night of the Living Dead.

The film's soundtrack is also worth noting, featuring a mix of classic rock hits and original music by Paul Zaza, who composed the music for several prominent horror movies of the '70s and '80s. The score perfectly captures the energetic spirit of the film, with a synth-heavy sound that adds to the classic feel of the proceedings.

Popcorn has since become a cult classic among horror fans, often cited as a forgotten gem of '90s horror. Though it did not perform well upon its initial release, it has gained a dedicated following over the years through word-of-mouth recommendations and home video releases. With its unique blend of humor and horror, Popcorn is a film that's not to be missed for fans of the genre.

Overall, Popcorn is a fun and exciting horror-comedy that is sure to please fans of the genre. Its blend of humor and horror elements feels fresh and exciting, and the characters are engaging enough to make the audience care about their eventual fates. The film's unique approach to the horror genre, with nods to classic horror films and an energetic soundtrack, make it a must-see for horror fans looking for something different.