MovieChat Forums > Shock Treatment (1981) Discussion > As a Die Hard RHPS Fan / Ex Cast Member,...

As a Die Hard RHPS Fan / Ex Cast Member, I Love Shock Treatment More!

posted 11 years ago by electronicoffee
34 replies | jump to latest

Shock Treatment was far, far ahead of it's time, but the fact that it
mirrors the world we're living in post 2000s, is absolutely horrifying.
Our world today is nothing but media misinformation, commercials,
reality television, tv doctors and psychologists, and talk shows.
This movie completely foresaw the corrupt, disgustingly corporate world
we have become as mass consumers of the drivel that the media and the
entertainment division of television and movies have promoted as reality.
The Industry sucks in these small town folks and turns them into stars
before spitting them out like used chewing gum; with reality television
anyone can be a 'star' for fifteen minutes, while later making appearances
on all kinds of shows that cater to body health, mental health, or talk
shows which often are just drama based emotional pornography. Aside from
it's cultural context, it's amazing music (pure 80s liquid gold) is just
so superior to RHPS, in my personal opinion. I LOVE the music from RHPS
but as much as I enjoy 'Rock Operas', I love the neon glow of the 80s
even more, and the music from start to finish is a perfect album of the
70s music fading and evolving into the cheese awesomeness that makes the
80s so wonderfully special and unique as an era. The first time I watched
the film, when I was already a die hard RHPS show fan and a cast member,
I honestly didn't 'get it'. It didn't appeal to me with the same candor
and decadence of RHPS and how much that screamed liberty to the teenager
in me, but as I've gotten older and seen it many more times and listened
to the soundtrack, I've found that Shock Treatment has a much stronger
impact on me, from the subject matter, to the music, and the psychology
behind the whole shebang. We need a third part and it needs to be set
in the 90s. This will complete the full transition from 70s to 80s to 90s.
Let's make it happen! :D

'Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] agenericperson 11 years ago

I enjoyed reading that. I unfortunately don't have much more to add but in case you check back here know it was not all in vain.

I agree to much of what you said. This movie struck a much stronger chord with me and as many of the ideas in here have come to fruition, that chord is getting stronger.

I am a bit of an oddball when it comes to Rocky Horror though. I have a love hate relationship with it. Some of it I find amazing and some I find outright terrible. The songs are it's strongest point but I think even Shock Treatment managed to top those.

I'm not usually a fan of changing the cast in sequels but I think they did a good job here. I even think I prefer this version of Janet.

I do agree I would like to see a third one that goes in a different direction. Though I don't know about the 90s. Much time has passed so it could be anywhere between this one and present.

Do you think the reason this one wasn't as successful was it was too ahead of its time? People just didn't get it?

[–] VinnieRattolle 11 years ago

Nobody got it. Pat Quinn commented that she and Barry Humphries were questioning what the film was about on the set. Leonard Maltin's oft-published review says, "Brad and Janet find themselves contestants (or more appropriately, prisoners) on a TV game show -- spoofed far more successfully in 'Melvin and Howard.'" (Loosely based on a true story, there's a game show sequence in 'Melvin and Howard,' but the similarities to 'Shock Treatment' begin and end right there!) Fans were appalled that Rocky Horror didn't show his high heels, and it was too WTF for anyone else to comprehend since reality TV didn't exist at the time (with the glaring exception of PBS's "American Family").

Personally, I didn't get it when I first saw it in 1990, but I knew I liked it. It wasn't Rocky but it had an awesome soundtrack (which I spent over a year scouring used record stores to find), it was great to see most of the cast reunited and the movie was charmingly off the wall. My viewings steadily increased over the years and, sometime around the point when the DVD was released (not so coincidentally when we were first being heavily bombarded by reality TV) I finally got it and continue to be amazed by how utterly prophetic it was. I started out a diehard Rocky fan too, but I rarely watch it anymore. "Shock Treatment," however, remains in regular rotation on my TV.

And about the cast change, maybe I've just seen it too many times, but I can't envision Sarandon in this film at all and surmise she would have thoroughly mutilated the songs that Harper sang so beautifully. Bostwick would have been fine, but DeYoung did alright with Brad (who had virtually nothing to do) and he made Farley lovably sleazy.

[–] jlgreenlee 10 years ago

Frankly, I didn't "get" either Rocky Horror or Shock Treatment the first time. Of course, I saw RHPS for the first time at 10 or 11. But both films benefit from repeat viewings. I would never call either film a masterpiece, but I love them both dearly. And the music in both is really fantastic.

But truly, neither movie seems like it was intended for a mainstream audience. RHPS got lucky. As for casting, I agree that I can't picture Sarandon in Shock Treatment, and Bostwick would have given away the Farley/Majors twin plot. Cliff de Young looked so different, I never knew it was the same actor until the end.

[–] electronicoffee 10 years ago

I agree. At first the cast changes were hard to swallow but after watching so many times, I honestly prefer this version of Janet, who's a little more evolved and in touch with reality rather than being do-eyed and led around like Sarandon's version, but such is the evolution of 'janet' going from innocent to corrupted (RHPS) to jaded (between the movies) to discovering how much she really does love and need brad (ST). Barry Bostwick as much as I love him (and drool over him) couldn't have played the villain role as well, so I'm glad there was a different brad (Deyoung) to fill those shoes.

'Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] electronicoffee 10 years ago

I think people a. didn't get it, b. were expecting RHPS (ie: frankenfurter) and just couldn't move on. It didn't have the amount of sex / decadence that RHPS had so that may have turned off the deviants, but I feel that it did have a huge amount of sexuality in my opinion (lullybye, looking for trade, the jerking off to me of me, etc.) -- It's just a different flavor of soup and subjectively I think people wanted more of the same, but I wish the third movie had been made because it's definitely a bridge between RHPS and shock treatment - have you read the script? ( Revenge of the Old Queen ) It's awesome!

'Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] Morbius_Fitzgerald 10 years ago

Do you mind if I ask what part you played in Rocky Horror?

I have always valued my lifelessness.

[–] electronicoffee 10 years ago

Oh jeez, I played Brad mostly being a geeky, nerdy thing in my teens ( still am ) - but occasionally, I'd do a little goth drag and play Magenta when my female friend (who normally played magenta) wanted to do a gender bending 'episode' that night. We'd gender bend the whole cast and it would be great fun. Some of the best memories of my teen years.

'Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW: 6/10
SHOCK TREATMENT: 1/10

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

If you consider Shock Treatment a 1 out of 10, then you're officially an idiot.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

If that's how you treat everyone who doesn't like the movie, then you're officially an idiot. Not only it's acceptable for someone to dislike any movie, but this is one that was dismissed by critics, audiences and even Richard O'Brien.

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

No dumbass. Saying it's 1 out of 10 shows you're a dishonest buffoon.
Maybe it's not a 9 or 10, but it's certainly NOWHERE near a 1, especially
if you're considering the music, the sets, and the actors. Cry more, loser.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

I did consider the music, the sets and the actors.

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

Then you're just dishonest and your opinion means nothing. Thanks. <3

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

Why do you keep talking like your opinion is the truth?

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

My opinion is truth. Your opinion is a lie. Claiming this movie is a 1 out 10
makes you a dishonest person. Your scale of 1 to 10 is either flawed horribly
or you're just lying to try and be 'cool' and 'snarky'. Not gonna fly with me.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

My opinion is truth. Your opinion is a lie.

You should change your signature for that sentence. Other users in another threads need and will need to be warned of the kind of close-minded and immature person they are and will be dealing with.

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

Nope. Only a dishonest moron would claim a movie is 1 out of 10.
Nice try buddy, there's a reason even being considered widely a 'flawed film',
it still has a 5.9 rating on this website (a website known for giving very
low ratings to films in the first place) so 5.9 means 'not bad' actually.
Try being a little less emotional and a little more objective next time, kiddo.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

Only a dishonest moron would claim a movie is 1 out of 10.

So every movie is good? It's one thing to defend a movie one is a fan of to the point of being a jerk to others... but that's just being plain delusional.

even being considered widely a 'flawed film', it still has a 5.9 rating on this website (a website known for giving very low ratings to films in the first place)

What are you talking about? Bad movies get higher ratings than they deserve here all the time. Why do you think the Bottom 100 isn't the Bottom 250? The reason is that this site isn't very trust-worthy when it comes to rating. Users have admitted in several forums to vote for an unobjective reason. The systems in sites like Rotten Tomatoes (where this movie has 40%) and Metacritic aren't perfect, but they're much more reliable.

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

Even if the movie isn't 'good' it's still not a 1, which is why you're dishonest.
Your opinion means literally nothing. Away with you. I didn't even read the rest of your post.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

What's with the quotation marks? Is there something wrong with saying that a movie is good? You obviously don't even have a clue when it comes to filmmaking if you think no movie can be a 1. In a way, that's fine. I mean, a person has the right to say "I don't judge movies the same way critics do; I judge them based on how they make me feel". However, you brought up the technical quality (music, sets and actors). So you do judge a movie properly when it behooves you in an arguement. How pathetic.

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

You're dishonest. The actors are amazing. The sets were amazing. The music was awesome. So you're full of *beep* buddy. Nice try though.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

Can I give you an advice for the next time you try to do this? Say "You're wrong" instead of "You're dishonest" or "You're a liar". You'll still come off as a jerk, but a jerk that's aware of his surroundings. Right now, you sound like those people who cover their eyes and scream because they're too afraid to be wrong.

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

No. I'm saying what I'm saying because it's the truth.
Jessica Harper is a *beep* gem. Riff, Magenta, Columbia all reprise their roles and have even more fun. Cliff De Young is a great singer and actor. Barry Humphries is hilarious and is probably his finest role aside from Dame Edna. Rik Mayall took what was a background role and really stood out with great body language and few lines until his breakout lyric in Look What I Did To My Id. And I could go on. You're dishonest when you call this film a 1 because you are trying to sound cool and edgy. Sorry honey, not gonna fly with me. If you said a 3 or a 5 you could defend it (poorly), but claiming a 1 just shows you have little to no objectivity and are completely ignoring the good qualities of the film in order to justify your bias *beep* I win.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

Riff, Magenta, Columbia all reprise their roles

No, the actors are playing different characters. A die-hard fan should know that.

You're dishonest when you call this film a 1 because you are trying to sound cool and edgy.

How would that be cool and edgy?

claiming a 1 just shows you have little to no objectivity and are completely ignoring the good qualities of the film in order to justify your bias

Movies don't become classics for not having cons and they don't become anti-classics for not having pros. That would be impossible, since every single movie has both. Viewers can feel that the positive aspects overshadow the negative ones or viceversa.

*beep* I win.

Go ahead. Keep saying things only a bratty child would say and expose yourself as a jerk who doesn't care about others' opinions (and therefore, has no place in a public forum). It makes it easier for me.

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

First off, you're an idiot. The characters Riff, Magenta, Columbia are in disguise and pretending to be human assistants. This is QUITE obvious and any REAL fan would know that. You're obviously quite dense or unimaginative. It's always 'cool and edgy' to pretend to be a bitch. But not to people with actual class, like me. I can see through your BS easily. Your point didn't dismiss the fact you're a liar and an idiot for ignoring everything good about this movie and claiming it's a 1. If you didn't care then you wouldn't be replying to this weeks later. You must still be quite mad.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

The characters Riff, Magenta, Columbia are in disguise and pretending to be human assistants.

Congratulations! You came up with a theory! It makes no sense (are BRAD & JANET other people disguised as them?), but at least you did it all by yourself!

This is QUITE obvious and any REAL fan would know that.

Then why is this the 1st time I've read that?

It's always 'cool and edgy' to pretend to be a bitch.

Only a real one can spot a faker. And only a real one constantly uses quotation marks for no apparent reason.

But not to people with actual class, like me.

People with actual class don't refer to themselves as such.

If you didn't care then you wouldn't be replying to this weeks later. You must still be quite mad.

Care about what? Proving that you're a close-minded person? I don't. You can do whatever you want with your life. Exposing you as a close-minded person? I do, for the benefit of your potential next victims. Also, you're replying too.

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

TL;DR. Thanks for playing but you're out of continues and quarters.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

If you're so stupid you don't realize Cosmo and Nation are aliens, who are also brother and sister Riff Raff and Magenta, then you're clearly a complete and total idiot.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

I thought you were a die-hard fan. If I was defending something I love, I wouldn't treat it like a game (arcade or not).

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

I thought my post was too long and you didn't read it. Geez, what a way to contradict oneself. Also, why did you post twice? Are you so stupid that you don't even know how to use the edit button?

Cosmo and Nation are aliens, who are also brother and sister Riff Raff and Magenta

Then why don't BRAD & JANET recognize them? And why do BRAD & JANET look different?

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

Different actors, you idiot. If you were too stupid to tell, that's on you. Pity.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

That's what I'm getting at! 2 characters look different from before just because they're played by different actors. Why can't 2 characters look the same from before just because they're played by the same actors?

[–] electronicoffee 8 years ago

Cosmo and Nation are aliens, who are also brother and sister Riff Raff and Magenta; they are masters of disguise and it's 'movie magic', just like superman's glasses. You really suck at this game.

Cause I ride like Kelly Bundy, Yo I keep that *beep* nasty~ (Spank Rock)

[–] IMDB_Vits 8 years ago

You should change the title of the thread to "As a die-hard fan of sodas"... because you're really grasping for straws here.