The Rocky Horror Picture Show (DVD, 2002, Single Disc)

Rocky Horror is an artistic phenomenon. People who see it usually want to see it again. It has been a staple in many movie theaters for midnight movies in college towns for decades. The music in it does not show age.

The production started as a stage play about the heroin and drug culture in London. It was there but it wasn't unless you happened to open the door. Cultures within cultures, life not as we know it, pleasure unknown, fear of the new and fears even within it born of it, different systems of belief and ethics and philosophies that the normal world finds impossible and prefers invisible. Like most mysteries in stereotype, the butler wrote it, of all things. It's incredible even deacdes after it became a vehicle for the relatively new talents showcased, most household names or familiar in the modern entertainment industry. The leads all have become stars in their own right, with Meatloaf a musician recognized internationally in days nearly demanding cover boy skinny looks for stars.

Artistically the root in the subculture within another which was so obvious is significant. The heroin subculture really existed in London. Today England has a modern attitude toward heroin use and that kind of subculture is not so obvious. Yet the reality is that even without that extreme obviousness, every culture, every community, has cultures within its larger description. An advertisement for sociology and cultural anthropology awareness on the local level.

Artistically also a description of a system of belief which is a description of the artist angst and energy feeding the vision and hope of a group. An echo of Robert Browning the poet being described as a leading light of his society of the time (light at the end of the tunnel reference). To participate with the art is to have that end of that tunnel there before one gets there .... And sometimes, the art is the only statement of hope that some do have in their lives.

The DVD out now has the straight play of the movie as one might see it in a theater plus a version with audience interaction in costume. I've seen the rocky horror picture show so many times, and I've seen movie star bodies in dress doing this. In Phoenix in 1979 a person actually had a flame thrower that could do a ten foot flame when the song would say "there's a light, over at the Franken .. etc" . No one was ever hurt. A statement itself. Different is not always danger. This version is not necessarily the groups who go out to movie castings during the week and then do the show weekends. It's normal people. A letdown for some, but reality is what it is. The show itself is not a letdown. A classic worth having on one's shelf. Never look at the world the same way again is the invitation.

There has never been another musical or movie like the Rocky Horror Picture show, not even the semi-sequel -- SHOCK TREATMENT -- comes close. The first time you watch this movie you think it's the oddest, dumbest thing you've ever seen. However, with each subsequent viewing, the brillance of it becomes apparent. Campy, Sci-Fi send up? Absolutely. Social commentary? You bet. Pure fun? Without a doubt. VERY interesteing to say the least and the songs will last an eternity. Check it out and view with an open mind - COOL!!

Not to mention these BONUS features that give this edition of RHPS that EXTRA FLARE!!

* Multi-story (U.K or U.S version) View the ORIGINAL cut OR the NEW edition with musical sequence "Superheros" edited back in.

* Commentary by Richard O'Brian and Patricia Quinn.

* The Theatrical Experiance: View Rocky Horror as you would in the theater, complete with introduction from RHPS fan club president Sal Piro. View audience reactions and performers in front of the screen at certain points throughout the film.

* Prompter: "When do I squirt my water pistol and when do I scream?" This subtitle track will tell you.

Time to add RHPS to your collection.

Who doesn't love that song?? Written by Richard O'Brian who plays Riff Raff..this film stars Tim Curry (Pennywise in "Stephen Kings It") Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick in the title roles also stars Patricia Quinn as Magenta and MeatLoaf as Eddie..Film opens on a Wedding Brad takes his chances and propses to his love Janet..she says yes of course while ogling her engagement ring I love the line "it's better then the one Betty Munroe had" next scene they're traveling down a old dirt road in the dark, during a bad storm on their way to visit an ex Teacher in who's class they first met..a flat tire and a song away they find the castle..that's where the fun begins..filled with music comedy dancing and laughter this movie will delight everyone who watches it..and yes it is a strange one..I do not recommend this film to anyone under the age of 18..purely due to the sex rather the hint of sex involved in this film..

Considering that Rocky Horror was released in 1975. The picture, and sound are just amazing, not to mention that this Multi-story is just hilarious! From two college sweet-hearts just intending to thank the man (whose) class they met in (Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick).

They find themselves in a creepy castle, with a creepy Vampric butler, and maid. Right along with other aliens singing 'Folk' music. It can't top off a powerhouse performance from Tim Curry as Dr. Frankfurter as he strips to the awesome theme of: Sweet Transvestite. Or even the innocent, naive, muscle man 'Rocky' and Hot Patootie MeatLoaf are a good Mix to this movie.

So whether you are a musical fan, or just part of the awesome Rocky Horror cult-This movie is a must! Also the Broadway Musical itself is a MUST SEE!! A++ On this DVD, it also has tons of extra features such as: DVD ROM games, Prompters for the in movie experience, a Theatrical version to see people actually acting out scenes through the movie. Commentaries and so much more!

This film is not for everyone. You may question its morality, and the second half lags, as if the scriptwriter had already exhausted all the really great ideas in the first half and decided, "Let's put on a show!" The floor show kind of doesn't fit with the plot, and the viewer is left wondering if Frank, the transvestite mad scientist who creates a studly boy toy for his absolute pleasure, was right or wrong. But let's face it, Brad and Janet were just TOO uptight to enjoy life before they met Frank, the songs are incredible, and Tim Curry's performance as Frank is nothing short of brilliant. The contrast between Frank, who looks disturbingly sexy in fishnets and a corset, is so far removed from Curry's usual masculine upper crust British characters that one suspects he might have a secret bisexual twin who stepped in to play the wild, uninhibited Frank N. Furter. Watching this film on DVD, you will miss all the audience comments, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. When you aren't getting soaked by water or pelted with hotdogs, you can concentrate on the movie, which is a great spoof of horror film cliches. SEE IT --- you will either hate it, or become a big fan.