Clevercell Very disappointing...

Freaktana A Major Disappointment

Bergorks If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Catangro After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

GL84 Appearing in a small-town for a concert, a rock group is initially prohibited from playing only to be granted the opportunity to perform once nobody realizes their a threat, but when the truth is revealed and their Satanic purpose is explained a teacher tries to stop their deadly plans.This was an enjoyable and intriguing genre effort. One of the more interesting elements present in this one is the rather strong sociological storyline featured here. The ability to make a connection between the desire for freedom and the oppressive nature of the townspeople through their constrictive laws and rules creates a nice contrast here and sets this up on a far more noteworthy setup than expected. That plays into how the students begin to change and react to the appearance of the band which slowly begin to worm it's way into the small town as it begins with them being lethargic and uninterested in their studies before turning into far more violent and vicious behaviors. As well, this also has the rather exciting and enjoyable action scenes being featured throughout, from the concerts they play that features the band turning the audience into the demonic creatures through their music to the different inserts of the townspeople being beaten up or brutalized. The different scenes of the creatures having an influence on the townspeople is nicely broken up by the scenes of their other influences including the creature appearing from the speaker system to attack others or the series of kids going wild killing others in town by running them over, bashing them with ceremonial artifacts or other such antics. When it raises the stakes with their rampage across town using their possessed forms, this one offers a lot of cheesy fun with the creatures running wild in several rather fun brawls leading into the wild and frantic finale that has plenty of likable elements. Moreover, the influx of practical effects here gives this a lot to like and there's plenty of fun creatures and transformations to be had showcasing all these rather impressive scenes. Coupled with the cheesy tunes, there's a lot to like to hold it up over the few minor flaws. The main flaw with the film is the fact that there's just not a whole lot of motivation given here for what the point of the group is supposed to actually be doing. Initially, it seems to be a simple case of youthful corruption but then it turns out that the students are turning into murderers followed by them becoming monstrous killers with no real sense of coherence available for telling this story. There's nothing even given in the lyrics of their songs since there are so many different songs passed off as original works of this band so it doesn't really offer a message at all. Had this one been able to really settle on what the point of the bands' appearance in the town would've been, it had a chance to really approve since the lack of any reasoning with them being here holds this one back considerably. Likewise, there's also the film really having some cheesy good times here that makes for somewhat challenging times to get through with the puppets and latex prosthetics coming off goofy more than terrifying. However, it's not nearly as problematic as the other problems.Rated R: Graphic Language, Graphic Violence and Nudity.

metalrage666 As a heavy metal fan while I sat through this I found that I was asking myself what is this movie really trying to say.To me it appears as a very disjointed attempt at either showcasing what's wrong with heavy metal, thereby siding with those who oppose heavy metal, or an equally weak attempt to make fun of those same opponents by pointing out that their very opposition to this style of music is as stupid as it is portrayed in this movie.Either that or the whole thing is just having fun with the ideology of heavy metal bands versus sanctimonious America. In any case this is a very silly movie.Glam metal band, Black Roses decide to get out of the studio and perform a number of shows in this smallish American town. It's the kind of town where nothing much happens, it's full of good God-fearing, church going folk and heavy metal is nothing but the devil's music. So despite the objections by a number of concerned citizens about the impending damnation of the towns' youth, the band comes along anyway.Black Roses are an unremarkable straight-up clichéd glam metal group, except that the drummer is none other than Carmine Appice himself. (If you don't know who that is, look him up). The other, very notable exception is that they are in fact demons posing as a metal group and their sole aim is to corrupt young impressionable minds so they can become the bands soulless minions. Sounds simple enough and after a while they begin to succeed by turning many of the teenagers against any kind of authority figure, even their own parents. As a result many adults end up killed through various means and in the end it's general anarchy in the once quiet streets of town.There are subtle changes that take place throughout the movie as the more heavy metal they listen to, the more disengaged with life they become. Eventually the teens go from being energetic, colourful and relatively diligent in school, to more sombre, melancholy, withdrawn, wearing darker colours, different hairstyles and generally adopting the stereotyped heavy metal image. It turns out that many of these teens are in fact now possessed by demons, so throwing people out of windows or running a car over their own parents doesn't appear to bother them so much.The whole thing comes to a relative end, when one of the teachers decides to actually pay attention to what's going on around him and he confronts the band at their gig. He tries to set fire to the stage and so the lead singer reveals himself as the demon he is and this then results in some kind of weird punch-up on stage. I've never seen a person actually manage to land punches on a demon so this is perhaps the weakest demon I've ever seen. The fire eventually takes hold, the demon stands there howling, (although I have no idea why, fire should be its bread and butter), suddenly the teens come out of their stupor and run out of the place. We learn at the end by way of a news broadcast that the band survived the fire, (duh, they're demons), and they're embarking on a tour of London.The whole premise of the film tends to be a self-deprecation of the heavy metal industry along with a big middle finger salute to the PMRC which formed only a couple of years prior to this films release. It briefly showcases the 2 opposing schools of thought on heavy metal music, but with the so-called evil influences being so over the top coupled with the fact that the band are actually demons, it just illustrates the narrow-mindedness of people in real life who like to oppose anything they don't understand for no real reason. When the upcoming Black Roses concert is being debated in an assembly hall, there's the obligatory reading of some "evil" lyrics and naturally the parents are all horrified and opposed. However when an opposite view is presented that this is just music and provides examples of The Beatles & Elvis Presley etc. as equally hated by authority in their time, the parents all nod along in agreement. So just as the teens are brainwashed by the evil of metal, the parents are just as brainwashed by anyone who'll tell them what to do and how to feel. (Sounds just like church).It's not a bad movie as such, but it's hardly a horror movie, it would barely rate as a thriller it's simply too ridiculous, but if you want to hear some generic glam metal and see a bunch of corrupted possessed teens running riot, then don't let the cheesy effects, poor costumes and lame ending turn you away from giving this a go.

varialectio "Black Roses", although it is labeled as a horror film, is actually not horrific. It's pure 80's cheese from beginning to end. I personally found it quite fun. I loved the metal band, loved their goofy hair and costumes, loved their music. I think it's a shame that the "Black Roses" soundtrack is so expensive on EBay; this is one film, like the classic "Fright Night", that deserves a DVD release and their soundtracks being re-released on CD. I also find it interesting to examine the film's plot in light of the whole "Satanic Panic" Satanism and Ritual Abuse scares that were going around in the 80's. I researched the history and lore of this phenomenon last summer, and "Black Roses" utilizes many of the clichés inherent in Satanic Panic/anti-rock 'n' roll literature: rock music being inspired by demons, rock music being addictive and controlling people's minds, teens driven to destruction by rock. I think that "Black Roses" is a parody of the clichés, but I could be wrong. Whether it's a deliberate parody or not, "Black Roses" will be a fun treat for anyone with a love for the 80's, cheesy horror, and hair-metal. I've been listening to an unholy amount of DOKKEN since I watched this film. ;)

lt3074 I think this is a terrible movie. The acting and the storyline are both bad. The special effects leave a lot to be desired. But I enjoyed it anyway. If you like to watch late night b-movies on the weekend,than watch this one when it comes on at 2:30 A.M. sometime. The music is great(Lizzy Borden, King Kobra, etc.) and it has all the awful special effects and plot that you expect. Not a good movie(I wouldn't buy or rent it) but enjoyable.