Teeth Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
High school student Dawn works hard at suppressing her budding sexuality by being the local chastity group's most active participant. Her task is made even more difficult by her bad boy stepbrother Brad's increasingly provocative behavior at home. A stranger to her own body, innocent Dawn discovers she has a toothed vagina when she becomes the object of violence. As she struggles to comprehend her anatomical uniqueness, Dawn experiences both the pitfalls and the power of being a living example of the vagina dentata myth.
| Jess Weixler | Dawn |
| John Hensley | Brad |
| Josh Pais | Dr. Godfrey |
| Hale Appleman | Tobey Cobb |
| Paul Galvan | Teen Boy |
| Trent Moore | Mr. Vincent |
| David E. Rogers | Family Member at Movie |
| Timothy L. Rogers | Family member at movie |
| Taylor Sheppard | Mr. Griffith |
| Ashley Springer | Ryan |
| Hunter Ulvog | Young Brad |
| Lenny von Dohlen | BILL |
| Adam Wagner | Phil |
| Vivienne Benesch | Kim |
| Leslie Dawn Forsyth | Nurse |
| Mitchell Lichtenstein |
5.90 out of 10 (316 votes)
Visitor Reviews
slow, boring, and just plain rubbish
posted on 15 Aug 2009I've just finished watching this huge turd of a film; and I've been drawn into commenting for the first time. I love horror films, both old and new. i consider myself to be a fan of indie films and will hunt out the more unseen titles.I'm sure there was a good film in here somewhere but it got lost under all the bland directing and acting that would make most soap opera 'stars' look like Oscar winners.there is nothing redeeming about this film and please don't make my mistake and watch it out of morbid curiosity.i only hope that none of the cast or crew ever work again.
Amazingly Bad
posted on 11 Aug 2009The premise of the movie made me think that this film could be interesting, but boy was I wrong. It starts out really slow paced, story/drama about a girl who meets a boy, and has a crazy brother and the mother is sick. Well until now you have nothing special. You get stuck in this part of the story for almost 30 minutes, and then when you think things will start to pick up everything changes from a drama to a really bad comedy/horror movie. They had a nice premise but the plot goes nowhere, and the acting is so bad that I almost ripped my hair out. Jess Weixler is bad, and Hale Appleman is even worse. In the first scene that they meet/talk, it was the worse piece of acting/direct that I have ever seen. And for the rest of the movie Hale only has one expression on his face, at least Jess has two different expressions. Movie gets 2, acting gets 0.5Basically don't see this movie, it's not Horror and definitely not Comedy. Skip it.
A smart, tasteful and sexy thriller
posted on 01 Aug 2009This slick, clever thriller doesn't disappoint. There are plenty of scares as well as some poignant insights into the human condition; and if there's one thing director Mitchell Lichtenstein knows its subtlety. The movie's message makes you think without being heavy-handed or cheesy. And the character development is masterful: by the end I really felt like I knew our heroine, and I was rooting for her the whole way. The dialog was Terrentinoesque, as was the action. This one might not be for you gore-lovers out there, but there are plenty of 'Teeth' grinding moments. Don't miss out on this future classic; bring the kids! And don't give away the surprise ending!
cult classic? purely classic
posted on 26 Jul 2009A conservative ideology dominates gender roles within the genre of horror. A feminist perspective can be uncovered on an individual level in film, but often with a counter argument. Only a handful of films dare to transcend the commonplace. Teeth marks a milestone in the history of horror, ousting the over used 'male gaze.' Teeth joins the ranks of Joseph Ruben's The Stepfather (1987) and Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) in the film's portrayal of the feminine.Teeth is both clever and original, demonstrating the genre can grow in more ways than 'shock value.' The film succeeds in implementing more than just excess gore, as the narrative is complex in it's definition of monstrosity.
thoughtful, thought provoking and timely
posted on 24 Jul 2009a tongue-in-cheek commentary on today's values, sexual dynamics and fear. jess weixler (winner of a special jury prize at sundance) gives an outstanding performance in this coming of age story with a twist . . . as her step brother, john hensley is disturbingly convincing and frightening. a thoughtful adaptation of a esoteric myth that seems particularly relevant to our time on several levels. mitchell lichtenstein's writing and direction constantly test the limits of taste on the surface, while the underlying current is profound and heartening.a memorable story told in a way that suits the material. destined to become a cult classic.
Not really a horror movie?
posted on 16 Jul 2009'Teeth' is not your conventional horror movie. Considering the topic I never expected to see such a well-made and enjoyable film. This picture takes time to introduce the characters and set the atmosphere. It does not rush the story and the first gore to be seen is about halfway in. I think this may have something to do with why so many horror fans are disappointed by 'Teeth'. This movie is intelligent and fun. It has some gratuitous moments for sure but nothing that has not been seen before in slasher/horror films over the past 20 years.The acting across the board is very good, especially by Jess Weixler, the teenager with the vengeful teeth. Her performance is quirky yet convincing. She finds the right tone for every scene and is the reason the films holds together so well.The direction is assured. The cinematography is excellent. The musical score is just right. The editing is smooth and crisp. The subject matter may seen controversial but in these times what isn't?
Heads will roll...
posted on 16 Jul 2009Some movies you just see once. Teeth is one of them.It's every guy's nightmare onto the big screen and in fact it's the first of it's kind I've seen. The story is rather unsettling and gruesome at some points but still somewhat original which makes this actually worth the 1,5 hours. As an indie movie you can rely on the story to be short and straight foreward without the big twists. But I don't mean that in a bad way. It's a nice movie for an lazy weekday evening. Just don't expect too much of this one because it's good in it's own subtle way.Despite the underlying overly feminist view-points, aggression towards the male sex and abstinence-themed atmosphere, it can be quite interesting even for a guy (like me) to watch with its blend of sinister, awkward and selfish characters. Even though all the men in the movie eventually turn out as antagonists it's still makes a guy cheer for the motley heroine.Overall a quite good movie but not one suited for anyone who wants a fairytale or a heartwarming story. It's a movie you will remember but only want to see once. It's a movie you only need to see once...So if you're up to it, see it. I guarantee heads will roll... quite literally.
Brilliant film, brilliantly acted by Jess Weixler
posted on 10 Jul 2009I saw this film at the Melbourne International Film Festival. It was packed and the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowd loved it; it is not hard to see why.The story is relatively simple (coming-of-age story), the film contains stock-characters (sick mother, bad-boy brother etc), and the cinematography and special effects are basic: which some people here have whined about. As it happens, none of this matters.Jess Weixler is outstanding as Dawn; brilliantly and believably portraying an ostracised adolescent driven by her fear of sex to champion purity pledging. Dawn's first sexual encounter goes horribly wrong, her ambivalent exploration turning, unexpectedly, to assault and dis-memberment (I do not need to explain Dawn's special powers). Weixler convincingly portrays an utterly traumatised Dawn who (quite reasonably and, therefore, quite unexpectedly in a 'horror' film) turns to the Internet and then a doctor for help. The doctor, alas, is unprofessional. The audience expect something to go awry and it does, spectacularly and unforgettably. This gynecologist will never play the piano again.At this point, Dawn turns to a minor male character, a would-be suitor who has been sympathetically portrayed. So, although the audience is expecting more blood, when things go well for Dawn, really well, the audience is delighted. Weixler radiates joy, relief and contentment. And this is where the film really hits its stride. In the remaining encounters, the entire story is told by the expression of Weixler's face. She is hurt, she retaliates, and then regrets her actions. She gets angry, plans, and then carries out, her revenge, and so on. She is perfect.For me, the two most memorable scenes are, first: the moment when Dawn first uses her teeth intentionally. She has gone from joyful, to hurt and confused, to angry and then vengeful in about thirty seconds. As soon as the audience sees the look of the steely resolution on her face they know, your ****** (i.e., in trouble); second, the moment when Dawn presents the evidence, as it were, to her victim, confirming the terrible truth of what has happened to him. Brilliant.
Juno, eat your heart out....
posted on 26 Jun 2009Teeth could be the ultimate coming of age tale, Dawn is going becoming a woman and she is finding it all the more harder to keep herself abstinent until her wedding night. To Dawn women represent beauty, purity and grace, well unfortunately for Dawn(and most unfortunately for any heterosexual male who comes close to her vagina) Dawn is cursed. She has the legendary condition "Vagina Dentata"(Shark teeth deep within her oh so special area) Before you can say castration Dawn becomes sexually active and severed penises fill the screen.I'm either hypocritical or very manly because Teeth's gore genuinely sickened me when I consider myself to be an avid viewer of this new Saw brand of horror film which is affectionately called "torture porn" by Richard Roeper and his fellow critics. I didn't have an idea of where my line was drawn in the sand until I saw one of the teens in Teeth hold their blood covered penis in their hand crying for their mother. I go to movie to be entertained and well speaking as the man that I am, I don't find it entertaining in the least bit to see, well do I dare repeat myself? Even the most brutal film gore is tolerable if the story is intelligent or if it is interesting, Teeth is neither.The problem with Teeh is that it is a stupid movie which thinks it is an intelligent black comedy. The speeches about abstinence and evolution are done with a wink in their eye as if the filmmakers are trying to say "Look aren't we clever" Fans of this film tend to say it is a cunning satire for growing up, but I really think that the teens in this story are so far fetched to begin with that we can't even identify with them even on a suspended belief level.Our heroine lacks any real character development or arch. She is portrayed as the ultimate abstinence proponent but she is quick to give up her virginity.(The scene is meant to look like rape but we know she secretly wanted this) After being mortified by killing her would be boyfriend and ripping off the digits of her gyencologist, Dawn has no problem with having sex with a cliché teen she wasn't even friends with. Eventually she decides to punish her half-brother who is one of the most horribly written characters in recent horror films. We are supposed to find it funny that this jerk has his pierced penis eaten by a dog like a frank but really even though this Brad was little more than a shaved ape I felt sorry for him. After doing this Dawn leaves her home and is about to make love to an old man. Our ending leaves us to believe that Dawn will become a seductress and that she now enjoys her condition.Despite the fact that Dawn is a poorly developed character I cannot completely condemn Teeth our her character simply because of the performance by Jess Weixler. She gives 110% to this role and her performance succeeds despite the weak material. Credit must be given where credit is due. Maybe the film would have been somewhat better if the rest of the casting had been as good. Hale Applemen looks like he's staring into space and stoned for the whole movie
Disappointing even for low expectations
posted on 16 Jun 2009The general formula for getting a new movie recognized in America nowadays tends to be by means of a clever gimmick or craft in advertising and hype (Cloverfield, The 300, etc.). Teeth is an interesting addition to this formula, as it is a B-horror movie that is generally marketed to an indie comedy audience. Iif you're interested in seeing it it's almost guaranteed you know what it's about before walking into the theater. Unfortunately for Teeth, it manages to give you just that and absolutely nothing else for 90 minutes, and I mean that in the worst possible way:The movie is about a teenage girl who discovers teeth in her vagina.That's it. You can basically write the rest of the story yourself.Yep, there's pretty much nothing else to the movie beyond that. The film milks its premise of the audience knowing what's going to come for nearly 45 minutes before anything involving the plot actually happens. By the time she discovers her problem, half of the movie is gone and any opportunity for interesting character development, sexual commentary, dramatic tension, or remote intelligence is thrown out the window.Teeth milks as many plot devices for cheap comedic payoff as possible as well: the young, innocent Christian girl who takes a vow of chastity, the boyfriend who wants her to break that vow, the difficulties between being either a prude or a slut in high school... without ruining whatever story there actually remains to ruin. There's a subplot involving her negligent and completely cookie-cutter character of a brother being a jerk to her parents as well, but it fails to develop that at all for the sake of throwing in more jokes about biting and vaginas than Mr. Freeze has jokes about ice in Batman & Robin.By the time her character is thrown any interesting development and drama in the way of this bizarre plot, it's already turned into a generic rape/revenge B-movie and the credits have come up the screen. I've heard some women say they felt "liberated" by this movie and to those women I would advise them to seek therapy as soon as possible. To say that is no better than saying as a sexually frustrated male I felt "liberated" watching pornography, which of course cannot be said due to political correctness.It could've been an interesting study of womanhood, of growing up, of men's sexual fears and the relationship between loving someone and having sex with them... but it's not. It's a sleazy, stupid exploitation flick that doesn't spare any opportunity to show its violent acts in gory detail. It also proves, sadly, that indie movies suffer from the same marketing gimmicks and worn-out clichés as mainstream movies. If you want something better but along similar thematic lines, I would recommend Hard Candy, Lady Vengeance, and of course the classic Virgin Spring. But please, avoid this at all costs unless you just enjoy dumb, sick thrills.
A good idea... that lacks bite!
posted on 14 Jun 2009Castration in cinema is a rarity and normally not a topic that draws audiences, but Director Mitchell Lichstenstein's Teeth is very different to the previous genre offerings that have tackled castration as both an anxiety and fear. The film begins with two step siblings playing "you show me yours I'll show you mine" in a paddling pool, only for Brad (John Hensley) to mysteriously sever his finger. The truth of the matter is Dawn (Jess Weixler) has a mutated condition, referred to in mythology as Vagina Dentata, thus explaining Brad's bleeding finger. The film immediately cuts to twelve years later and Dawn is now the prominent figure of a chastity group, thus conveniently explaining why she would still be unaware of her condition.As the film progresses Dawn becomes curious of her body and is forced to confront her mutation during a rape. She inadvertently castrates her attacker and upon realising what she has done is equally as horrified. The man, bleeding profusely, flees the scene leaving her distraught. The scene, and several of the ones to come, are horrific and if watching with others you will notice that the males in the audience will be the ones wincing and cross-legged. Teeth is a film that reverses the predisposed stereotype of a female victim meeting her doom via the means of a phallic shaped object, usually a knife. Penetration, it seems, is a favoured form of execution in many horror films but here it is dismemberment by the means of castration. Having said this, it should be noted that Dawn is not a character that revels in her "ability" she is horrified upon learning her condition and seeks to discover more. She doesn't wield her power, and neither is she bent on revenge – unlike the films Carrie, I Spit on Your Grave or Baise Moi. In Teeth is a female character that has yet to determine what's best for her, only the final reels of her dealing with her step brother hints at what she has become or what she will be become - it could also be alluding to a sequel. Teeth struggles to establish itself, yes we know it's a horror, but it feels more tender and heartfelt than perhaps it should. Audiences are likely to feel compassion for Dawn and empathise with her condition, more than perhaps the makers were intending. In doing so the film amounts to tender portrayal of young girls' journey in dealing with sexual awareness.Ultimately Teeth approaches male castration in probably the most primitive of fashions. It retells the perpetuated myth of the fear of the unknown to men, the vagina, and the mysteries that can lurk in its depths. It is a myth that has been told and re-told for generations and through civilisations, examples of it can be found in Greek mythology and artifacts that date back thousands of years. Feminists believe that its very existence is verification for an innate fear of women. For many psychoanalysts male castration anxiety is a favoured topic of exploration and investigation, some even cite it as being at the very foundations of all horror. Because the film tackles such a subject, and in this manner, it has raised some eyebrows as some critics believe the film to be derogative of men. This is due to it depicting them either craving sex, being violent, weak or as focal points of humiliation. Admittedly there are no strong male characters in this film, but give me a pen and paper and I'll a write a very long list of all the films in which there are no strong female characters, most of which will be horrors. The fact that the male is the victim in Teeth merely facilitates its story, it being about a toothed vagina.Many of the film-making aspects of the film are, if anything, competent. Directorially though, the film is enjoyable. The camera doesn't shy away from the severed members as they fall to floor and nor does it restrain from showing the blood. One scene that illustrates this and through doing so sticks in my mind is the young man that, after being castrated during sex, ejaculates blood from his messy stump. Any mediocre horror will have a scene that plays on in the audiences mind after the end credits and for Teeth, it is that one.Despite the fact I welcome Teeth to a genre littered with misogynistic films and weak female characters, I can't help but feel that it could have been better. For me Teeth fails living up to the promise of its premise, it is not the intelligent horror that some may have hoped for as it neglects to investigate or explore the myths. Instead it opts for a modern rendition tainted with teenage angst. Overall the film meanders along at slow pace, at 90 minutes in the length the first castration occurs almost 40mins in, and there are only 3 in total. I like the fact that the film is reactionary to the recent spate of torture porn films, but it is not as shocking and for some probably not as scary. Dawn is an interesting character and the manner in which her journey of discovery is told is also interesting, but that's it. Teeth is just a fun horror not to be taken too seriously, which is a shame because in doing so (pardon the pun) it lacks any real bite.
Vagina Dentata – One of the Most Refreshing Horror Tales
posted on 17 May 2009In a small town nearby a nuclear power facility, the chaste Dawn (Jess Weixler) is raised with her dysfunctional stepbrother Brad (John Hensley) by her mother that is sick and her stepfather. Once in high school, she participates of a meeting called "The Promise O" that preaches purity and virginity for the members. When the newcomer Tobey (Hale Appleman) arrives in town, the naive Dawn feels that he is her soul mate and stays close to him. The proximity becomes attraction and Tobey does not control his hormones and forces Dawn to have intercourse with him in a cave in an isolated lake. However, he is castrated by her vagina and vanishes in the lake. The desperate Dawn runs to the library and discovers that she has the mythical "Vagina Dentata" and only a hero can rescue her."Teeth" is one of the most refreshing horror tales that I have recently seen. The story of a chaste teenager that finds that she has a "Vagina Dentata" is simply hilarious and surrealistic. The legend does really exist, and in accordance with the Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagina_dentata), "various cultures have folk tales about women with toothed vaginas, frequently told as cautionary tales warning of the dangers of sex with strange women and to discourage the act of rape". There could be also a subtle interpretation that could be the difficulty of Dawn to self-adjust to the womanhood, but I believe the intention of the author was simply uses the myth to make a gem of dark humor. The beauty of the sweet Jess Weixler is awesome. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): Not available
Sexist, Misandrist Filth
posted on 07 May 2009TEETH appears to be the most offensive, misandrist film in history. I'm certain that those of us who express outrage at a male-genital-mutilation fantasy will be accused of not having a sense of humor. To those who say that I shall ask what their opinion would be of a film whose protagonist went around destroying women's vaginas. If they would find that as disgusting and sexist as I do then they should think the exact same thing about this film.It's fine if someone wants to make a movie with an anti-rape message, but gleeful, "fun" treatment of the destruction of men's bodies is a direct attack on ALL men and boys.
Joss Whedon could've done this so much better
posted on 05 May 2009Graphic and gross; super slow and ridiculous! Teeth could've been executed so much better given its propensity for amazing shock value but its mythological roots was married too clumsily with modern-day black humor. Writer/director Mitchell Lichtenstein should've learned a thing or two from someone who has perfected this combo, Joss Whedon.Dawn (Jess Weixler) is an abstinence advocate who is privately torn with battling her own awakening teenage desires. It doesn't help that her home situation is crazy: despite having the quintessential loving parents, her stepbrother Brad (John Hensley from Nip/Tuck) is the complete opposite. And, yes, discovering that her vagina has teeth.The exposition is slow; the plot is super thin; really painful to watch till the end. My curiosity got the better of me; I also wanted to believe it can redeem itself in the end but Teeth tanked very early on. Super creepy old guy at the last scene is particularly disturbing.
Another Sundance Stinker
posted on 27 Apr 2009Its not that this movie is graphic. I'm fine with that. It was just a bad movie.The writing was amateurish at best.The direction and cinematography was worse than the writing.What you really have here is a clever idea without the substance to back it up.Only thing saving this movie is the solid performance by John Hensley as the troubled brother. We will be seeming more good things coming from this guy.Really disappointed by Josh Pais. He phoned in his portrayal as the doctor. He misread the need for overacting and stood out as being somehow out of sync with the rest of the cast.I can't believe this movie sold for $2.5M I'm quite sure that the people buying didn't watch it or didn't car because they could make some money just on the topic.It generated a lot of buzz just because the topic makes you curious to see it, but you will be disappointed when you do actually go and see it.
part crafty and topical satire, part crazy 'feminist' horror story
posted on 25 Apr 2009I was a little worried about this going in, even as I loved the joke that was the premise: a vagina with razor sharp fangs inside the walls. How much could be done with something like this? As I found out, a lot more than I expected, but especially surrounding it as a nifty satire on the world of abstinence pledgers in high schools. There can never be enough room to make fun of these 'abstinence-only' folk who wear the "Promise Rings" and are amid a self-made desensitized cult that, in essence, dissuades those who do have romantic connections from giving in to their desires. And there's mythology to boot! If anything, the burgeoning relationship between Dawn (Jess Weixler) and Tobey (Hale Appleman) shouldn't be something they should ever have to avoid. But they do for "purity" sake, despite each others' curiosity about each other's bodies. The first attack is the most savage, and perhaps though the most anticipated, and with a sweet twist: it's a shock to each of them, as she has no idea what is "down there" (all the sex-ed textbooks have the vaginal area censored, this despite the penis right in diagram, a possible reference to how it turns out in visual-style in the picture as men may grab their crotches in unified pain).To be sure, some of the satirical jabs and slight plot twists aren't totally effective. While the brother character (effectively played as scum by John Hensley) is needed to move the plot along at a crucial point, there's never much explanation to how he's such a sex-psycho with a big dog. There's also a touch of familial drama that feels a little forced (though, again, as part of disbelief that must be upheld throughout). What I liked, and at times even loved, as the pure abandon, like a talented filmmaker tackling the sexploitation genre with some juicy under-cutting to the society that this springs out of. Somehow this guy in his 50s- his first feature no less after years of acting gigs- has crafted some of the funniest penis jokes that could never be fathomed by, um, most people. To say it's a guilty pleasure doesn't do it justice, be it the most obvious jabs or the visual gags and symbolism (the cave opening, the phallic rocks, etc).One more note: this is truly a "breakout" performance as Weixler plays Dawn for all its worth as a character who truly has an "arc", if you could call it that. Whether it's the sexually confused innocent early in the film, to the totally mind-f****d soul who realizes an old myth called Vagina Dentata may be why she has this via nuclear radiation, and then onward as someone who can use that tunnel of love for all its worth. She's someone to look out for in the indie world, and leads this film along like it's worth every minute. 7.5/10
Oh you know what's scary? A ladies naughty valley!
posted on 17 Apr 2009At some point in the production of this idiotic film they must have had a planning meeting that I imagine went something like this.Studio boss: OK guys we have completely raided our back catalogue and remade every horror film we can think of. Our market research shows that teenagers are easily pleased and like horror, therefore we will make a horror film. Any ideas? Try to think of something really scary. Lets try to avoid too many bar scenes though because Ben Affleck and J-Lo are shooting the remake of Casablanca on that set.Writer: Oh you know what's super super scary? Putting your penis in a woman.Studio boss: Well, personally I can only become aroused by being choked by a guy in a Tom Hanks mask while listening to the soundtrack of At Long Last Love while sprawled on a bed surrounded by M Night Shylaman scripts so I really can't comment. Sounds like a winner though, here's the back of an envelope to write the story on lets get it filmed in a week remember we only need 30 seconds of good footage to put on the trailer and the jobs done, the rest can be as rubbish as you like.And so here it is, teeth. A story that goes nowhere and offers plot twists you can see roughly ten minutes in advance. They took a limited idea and ran with it as far as it would go, but that isn't very far at all. It doesn't really work on any level and it isn't very funny either, though it thinks it is.I hope a small percentage of the profits from this movie went to getting the writer some therapy or an understanding and patient hooker.
Watch out boy, she'll chew you up ...
posted on 15 Apr 2009Writer/director Mitchell Lichtenstein at least deserves some sort of symbolic award for coming up with one of the most original and refreshing new horror concepts of the last 10-15 years. In a time and era where the horror genre is dominated by remakes of older classics and vile torture-porn movies, Lichtenstein thought up an old-fashioned and tongue-in-cheek parody with mythological influences and a small-town-folks atmosphere. "Teeth" is a splendid little film and of the most pleasant surprises I encountered in a long while, especially because it successfully blends comedy and nostalgia with a handful of disturbing themes and uncanny gore effects. "Teeth" isn't the textbook title for the umpteenth wannabe eccentric vampire movie, but a modern day processing of the Vagina Dentata myth, which handles about women with teeth inside their vagina in order to scare off random men whilst waiting for the one right hero. Dawn's teenage years aren't the easiest ones. She lives with her terminally ill mother, stepfather and insufferably rebellious stepbrother Brad in a remote little town. She's a devoted believer of sexual abstinence and even encourages her fellow schoolmates to wait with sex until marriage. Her own principles are heavily challenged when she meets and falls for new kid in town Tobey, but she still manages to control her desires. Tobey can't, however, and he painfully experiences Dawn's physically build-in defense mechanism. The poor girl's in shock when she first sees the effect, naturally, but she gradually learns to use it as a protective tool against all the abusive and malignant men out there. The Vagina Denteta folklore tale mixes terrifically with the more typical drama themes in this film, namely the 'coming of age' chronicles and the 'dysfunctional family' portrait. This really isn't just another random horror movie, but a wide variety of relevant and identifiable stories with loads of genuine fears and sentiments. Dawn's abstinence beliefs as well as her mental restrictions and problematic family situation are extendedly portrayed before the toothed vagina even plays a role in the script. Once the first victim is castrated, "Teeth" definitely becomes more a more light-headed, gruesome and fast-paced film. Although definitely not being the bloodiest movie ever made, "Teeth" is likely to make a lot of (male) viewers squirm and squeal in their seats! The castration sequences are quite uncomfortable and they gradually more sadist. For obvious reasons the toothed vagina never gets shown, but I imagine it to look somewhat like the jaws of the Kraken monster that attacked Johnny Depp at the end of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest". The young cast is stupendous, particularly Jess Weixler as Dawn and John Hensley as her messed up stepbrother, and the film is literally crammed with unique little jokes and witty observations. For example, it's emphasized numerous times that Dawn and her family lives very near to a nuclear plant, and you're almost forced to assume the pollution will have something to do with the girl's condition, yet it's never confirmed or even hinted at any further. "Teeth" is a very good and innovative new film and comes highly recommended to all open-minded fans of cinema.
Gross!!
posted on 01 Apr 2009I went to the movie thinking that it would be a comedy...but I just forced myself to laugh at maximum 2 incidents. The movie is gross, senseless and does not give any entertainment, laugh or message. I thought ending would be better...but there was absolutely no proper handling of the issue. I would have preferred cleaning dishes for entertainment then going to this movie.There are some loopholes also..for example the guy and girl goes inside the water pond and the color of guys underwear changes from green to black.In short....Don't waste your time, energy and money on this movie.
Coming-of-age
posted on 29 Aug 2009The trailer for this one went viral faster than the swine flu. In the world of horror movies, it's surprisingly rare to find a genuinely original concept--this one based off of an obscure archetype and proto-myth that shares in many cultures and directly relates to fear, the fear of men over women's sex. I saw the trailer and said to myself, "Sign me up, I'm there." Unfortunately, not very many copies of it were available to rent for the longest time, and I didn't want to buy it if Lichtenstein ended up messing up the original concept.Well, it was everything I wanted it to be, I must say! It starts a little slow and hokey, with an absurd Saved-like class of mindcontrolled kids preaching abstinence while Dawn eggs them on. However, the acting of Jess Weixler is immediately apparent (she knows her stuff), and eventually once things get going, the movie never fails to please.There are a few things of some importance here: 1) Werewolf movies are sort of like coming-of-age movies in the horror genre for men. Now we may have stumbled upon the perfect similar concept for women. 2) The movie does not shy away from showing freshly and violently castrated genetalia--which would have been assuredly a way to completely lose the concept if it did. 3) In horror, character development is relatively rare (sadly enough...), but here you get to journey with this girl from shy and brainwashed girl unknowledgeable about herself, to empowered woman who knows how to take care of herself. SWEET! 4) The movie "explains" how the vagina dentata come to be, but not within the dialog or plot, which is great.Thus, this movie is highly recommended to any fan of horror, girls coming-of-age, and people with a sense of humor and a stomach for gore. In my opinion, this movie stands to be a classic of American cinema.--PolarisDiB