Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Calum Hutton It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Marva-nova Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

James Parrish THE BOOGENS A Review by JPWhy is it they don't make horror films anymore that engage the audience to a point that they find themselves shouting at the screen? With the exception of collective gasps & jerks in "Annabelle", the last I saw that fit a "yell-at-the-screen" description was in 1998 and directed by Steve Miner – who directed some ever-present/loved scary flicks from my childhood. But the '98 film and Mr. Miner's credits are different reviews.As for "The Boogens", there was a quote from Stephen King on the cover which read "worth seeing" (the overall impression was worded a bit more eloquently). The only person I recognized from this 1981 feature was the copied & pasted "Prom Night" (1980) version of "Carrie's" nemesis played by Anne-Marie Martin (who did nicely in this as a good guy). She was admittedly a beyotch in "Prom Night" and perhaps one of the only redeeming qualities of that stinker. There was even a stinker remake… *Shudder* But I digress… Sitting back to watch "The Boogens"-which is a single letter exchange away from a laughable title (so it does prompt at least a snicker) – and going in with zero expectations, I was quickly drawn into the simple, popcorn-scary-movie plot: a long-abandoned/collapsed mine is cleared & re-opened – setting loose…"something" deadly. Two couples (2 mine workers & their love interests) lodge at a house in the super-creepy basement of which the mine is attached. And we're off! Moody music & a clear bit of effort in the cinematography department – not to mention a beautiful & ominous location – set the stage for competent, attractive (the leads at least) actors delivering believable, often humorous lines. The annoyingly-arrogant & destructive poodle was surprisingly a better actor than many humans (some on the "A" list). The story never deludes itself to be something it's not. It's proudly a monster-in-the-basement scary flick. I will admit the tension built was much grander than the payoff. Had they kept the monster off-camera for the entire 90 or so minutes, it might have remained as suspenseful—but then it would've been a tease. Having said that, this film was made in the era of practical effects, so even a sock puppet would exude more reality than most CG creations. The scares are still effective. It is not overly-gory or boob-intensive. I gave a crap for the characters, so my attention was held. Though the occasional "must-put-my-hand-in-the-obvious-red-pool" horror cliché is still present (and the "monster" that screams "LOW BUDGET!"), I would still recommend this unfortunately-titled gem to fellow horror aficionados!Grade: Better than most from that era—especially another mine-set (LOL) snooze-fest from that very year (& same distributor): "My Bloody Valentine" …Yes, I know this also has a remake. Also yes: "The Boogens" is better than that version too.

meddlecore The Boogens is a mining-related horror about re-opening a formerly operative mine, and unwittingly releasing a deadly malevolent force in the process.It's comparable to something like The Strangeness- a film clearly influenced by The Boogens- albeit with less chauvinistic humour. The only real difference between the two films is that, in The Strangeness, the group is stuck underground with the monster they've unleashed; whereas, in The Boogens, the monster is able to leave the mine, so that it can hunt and kill those who have trespassed into it's realm. Oh, and this one takes place in a silver mine, as opposed to a gold mine (like in The Strangeness).This film is not very good on any level really. The tentacled turtle-like monster is kinda budget (though certainly cooler than anything CGI has to offer); the kills are pretty weak; and the plot is relatively basic.Things start to get a bit ridiculous after two of the men find a pile of human remains- the remnants of the former miners...and the monster's dinner. Despite properly analyzing the situation, they decide to continue on, driven by greed instead of common sense.It's not until one of the locals enters the mine- armed with a warning and few sticks of dynamite- that the men acknowledge something is up. This man plans to blow the mine shut, trapping them all inside with the monster, so that it cannot completely escape.Films like this are largely predictable and always seem to end with an explosion.I mean, it's not cinemasochistically unwatchable, but it's also nothing more than mediocre. I wouldn't fret if you've missed it. The monster in The Strangeness is cooler, though, I suppose some credit is due here for it's influence.4 out of 10

Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW) Though I was too young to watch a horror movie in the theaters, the 1980's will always have the memories waiting. "The Boogens" will give you the meaning of being cautious. In a Colorado mining town, it's rich with silver. The miners come far and wide to get it. But that was back in the day. The Army had it closed down after a cave in. Or was it? The results, several of the miners were trapped with only one survivor. The rest have died. From the gases? Not likely. When 4 men decided to reopen the abandoned mine, they were better off leaving it sealed up. Back then, the mine contained something other than silver. Giant turtle-like creatures that have inhabited the mine years ago. These creatures are so deadly, not even the winter cold could stop them. Reptiles are normally cold-blooded, but "The Boogens" take cold-blooded to a whole new meaning! Here you have a pair of couples who are out to fix up a house a friend has bought, they didn't see or hear from her after she came by a get claimed by the horrible creatures. All I can say is, this movie wasn't bad at all. It could have had some more scenes to it. But it did have plenty of of "scare flair" though. Just between you and me, those men should have "mined their own business"! Get it? Great movie! 3 out of 5 stars

BA_Harrison It's not unusual for a horror film to feature one or two characters so irritating that they fully warrant a painful demise, and The Boogens is no exception, with Roger, played by Jeff Harlan, being the film's most deserving ass-hat; this particular film goes one step further, however, by even including a dog so obnoxious that you'll be cheering when it eventually meets its fate.The creatures responsible for the doggy's death are 'Boogens', vicious subterranean monsters that are accidentally set free by a group of miners when they reopen an old Colorado silver mine. Once loose, the ravenous critters crawl along tunnels that connect to the house currently occupied by Roger, his pal Mark (Fred McCarren), their pretty girlfriends Vicky and Trish (Anne-Marie Martin and Rebecca Balding), and the movie's maddening mutt Tiger.The insufferably inane 'jokes' and puerile sex-chat from Roger are enough to make you want to switch off, but with the film also dragging its heels regarding actual monster fun, it really is a bit of a chore to get to the end. The film is almost over before the creatures are shown in their entirety and, to be honest, they're really not worth the wait—rubber slug/turtle thingies with random tentacles and claws; they're so crap, one can hardly blame the film-makers for keeping them out of sight for as long as possible.Making the ride a little bit easier to bear are Martin and Balding, who provide a bit of eye-candy to prevent total boredom setting in. Balding very kindly bares her butt and boobs, but Martin keeps herself covered, even when being chased around the house wearing nothing but a bath towel.