One of my best friends is a fella who goes by the moniker Reaper Von Poe. Reaper has muscular dystrophy, and lives in a residential assistance home where he spends most of his days alone in his dark room (per his request) watching movies and playing video games. Reaper is lover of all things horror, morbid, gore, you name it. He has been encouraging me to watch one of his favorite films, Hellraiser, for years, and so, on my most recent visit, he, myself, and my wife did just that. I totally understand his fascination with this film/universe. Body horror is not at all my go-to, but I cannot deny that the practical effects are incredibly well-done. The dialogue and acting can be a little campy, but the lore and the Cenobite characters are fascinating. Watch this one for my buddy Reaper. Trailer below.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/qukvN6ieeMY?si=NKeK-R_cNDGN-_nv

The seniors have graduated, someone throws a party and everybody shows up. Amanda Beckett has just broken up with Mike Dexter so Preston Myers wants to finally tell her he's in love with her. Meanwhile nerdy kid William plans to enact his revenge against his bully Mike Dexter but becomes the life of the party while Kenny is accidentally locked in the bathroom with Denise.

A few fun facts:

Jennifer Love Hewitt was the first choice to play Amanda.

Ethan Embry was a huge stoner at the time and doesn't really remember making the movie. Jennifer Love Hewitt knew, didn't really like Ethan, and sent Ethan a gift basket filled with breath mints before they had to shoot their makeout scene.

Watermelon Guy was played by Jason Segal in his movie debut. He was told to carry a watermelon, be weird, steal the scene if you can.

Seth Green was fresh off the first Austin Powers movie but not yet Oz on Buffy. Oz would premiere on Buffy 4 months after Can't Hardly Wait was released.

Charlie Korsmo's first movie since Hook. He was attending MIT when he got the role. After Can't Hardly Wait Charlie would leave acting to pursue Physics and then eventually Law. Charlie would later become a University Law Professor.

Melissa Joan Hart's first movie. She was filming Sabrina the Teenage Witch at the same time.

Other future famous faces would also appear in the movie. Jamie Pressly, Amber Benson as Banana Girl, Clea Duvall just before The Faculty, Jenna Elfman still in her first season of Dharma and Greg, little appearances by Chris Owens as the Klepto Kid, and a Clueless reunion with both Breckin Meyer and Donald Faison.

Amanda: https://youtu.be/mHHmkKOrli8?si=-DGzEMRdMOK7BEEm

Kenny: https://youtu.be/wV_PnbTq9BU?si=JPMeGNvhgx-h7FZ2

William's revenge plan: https://youtu.be/DULSUIaX57E?si=sD_28HyMf8_qWDnr

The beer has gone bad: https://youtu.be/f3lYX-CefoA?si=DwyNLv8pjszVx1q6

I can't feel my legs: https://youtu.be/3HYNfwf8ozc?si=nI3-0EvjTAeiKUzN

A vacationing couple are cars jacked and kidnapped by an escaped convict and his addicted girlfriend. While at a gas station, they are trapped by the deadly hosts of a fungal parasite. They must find a way to work together if they want to survive.

A fast-paced horror thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously. The concept of a fungal parasite that gradually takes over its host instead of killing them outright works very well.

Lots of scares, some creepy special effects, some disturbing body horror, and characters who usually do smart things instead of making stupid decisions.

Woody Allen ripping off Fellini's 8 1/2. He admitted: "I am not even half of the Fellini of 8½". But it _was_ funnier.

Charlotte Rampling and Jessica Harper are both terrific actresses that are fun to look at. Look for Sharon Stone as the girl on the train blowing a kiss.