Review of Gremlins (1984) by Steven H — 14 Jun 2011

In the early to mid-80s, there was an onslaught of horror movies dealing with little......things trying to get you. Critters (little things that roll into spikey balls and chase you), Troll (little things that will turn you into plants) and Ghoulies (little things that come out of your toilet.

....I wish I was making that up), these were just a taste of the "little things" genre. But among all these movies, the one that has outlasted all the rest is Gremlins (although Troll 2 has gained a huge following.

Go figure). These "little things" start out as adorable Mogwais and when the sacred rules are broken, they become Gremlins. This movie scared the POOOOOP out of me when I was a kid ( the gremlin exploding in the microwave didn't help) and I hid my eyes so many times.

And yet, I had a Gizmo doll that I drug around the house on a daily basis. I guess a cute, fuzzy "little thing" is easier to adore than the ugly, green, scaley counterpart. This movie has so many good set pieces: Giz getting wet for the first time and "birthing" his bad bretheren, Mrs.

Deagle flying out the window in her motorized chair, the bar full of drunk Gremlins, etc. People also forget that this is technically a Christmas movie, albiet a Christmas movie where a picture-perfect town gets attacked by little.

.....things. I love this movie. And the fact that Gremlins merchandise is starting to crowd the stores only makes me love it more. Every holiday season, I make sure that I don't miss it. So, look me up this Christmas season and we can watch some "little things" ( that's what she said.

.........wait.........).