"It's gotta be better than nice. It's gotta be bloody unforgettable."
The 80’s could be classified as the decade of the slasher. Freddy came after you in your dreams, Michael had issues with his family, Jason was a little over protective of his territory, and there wasn’t a holiday on the calendar that was immune from the affliction of having a maniac killer stalking you and your friends. "April Fool's Day" was one of many, but was way better than most in my opinion.
The cast was beyond stellar with Deborah Foreman, Amy Steel, Deborah Goodrich, Clayton Rohner, Ken Olandt, and Thomas F. Wilson. Really enjoyed the reteaming of Goodrich and Rohner in this flick.
April Fool's Day starts with a group of college students that have been invited to a weekend gathering to celebrate their final year. The invitation comes from a fellow classmate and heiress Muffy St. John and the festivities will take place at Muffy’s family summer island mansion that is only accessible by ferry it seems.
Loved the beginning with the shaky camcorder and the infamous line by Deborah Goodrich.
I don't want to give way too much for anyone that hasn't watch "April Fool's Day" yet, but it is a hidden gem of an 80's movie.
Let the party begin!
Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
I watched this for the first time ever a few months back when I heard all the hype about it on here. I thought it was pretty good and I will watch it again for the upcoming April 1st. The cast was awesome in this movie. I didn't think it was very scary though, but a cool flick nonetheless!
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
It really isn't scary. But, it is my top favorite 80s movie, and I never saw it in the 80s.
I deliberately opened my B & B on April Fool's Day, because of this movie.
It's funny- I have that picture of the cast-several of my friends think that is me in the picture, because when Deborah Foreman has dark hair, I think she and I do look alot alike. I don't think we do anymore. But, there's a scene in this movie, where she comes down to meet them...at the boat...she has on a yellow and gray argyle sweater- and her hair is pulled up in a barette- that looked like me....I wore my hair like that all the time.
Even at the end when she has her hair pulled up in a ponytail , and she has a bathrobe on- I have a bathrobe identical to that one, and I looked alot like her.
I always have thought that the guys in this movie were really cute. I love Ken Olandt.
I LOVE the house in this movie.
I just love the scenery, and them all goofing around for the weekend, and cooking dinner together- that's the kind of stuff I do with my friends now, and I can totally relate to that.
I remember when I first saw this movie- I loved it so much, I watched it over and over, and made a quilt watching it.
It reminds me of spring, and the weather is perfect in this movie...and I love that...because it isn't really scary-but it didn't need to be.
I love the flow of the movie.
I can't wait to watch it again.
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
Back in the day I watched this on because BTTF's Biff was in it. Now, it's known more for Deb Foreman for me. I need to own this on DVD pronto.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Okay, so we are only a week away and the response to April Fool's Day seems kind of lukewarm at best.
I think I enjoy this movie because it is a tradition that reminds me of the late night in the 80's and I only watch this flick once or twice a year now. And I skipped it last Halloween, so it has been a full year since my last viewing.
I said before I didn't want to say too much, but here's why I love this movie.
This is a very clever 80's horror with a very memorable movie poster and video cassette cover of a girl with her back to the camera, hiding a knife behind her back in one hand, toasting her friends that sit around a table, with a glass of champagne in the other hand, with her long hair tied into a noose. I mention the cover because this was what first made me rent the film. It’s a great visual image.
The story revolves around a group of nine college students staying at a friend's remote island mansion begin to fall victim to an unseen murderer over the April Fool's day weekend. They’re all going to rich girl, Muffy’s Spring Break party at her parents very isolated mansion on a deserted island.
On the way over to the island strange things start happening quickly. April Fool’s Day tricks are played, a very real accident happens, and each individual finds odd and macabre objects in their bedroom which somehow relate to them. Soon, one of the party members who has been acting strangely, disappears. The friends all come to the very certain conclusion that a killer is stalking them, and they need to get off the island. However, the boat doesn’t come for days, and who is the stalker that seems to be picking them off one by one?
The location is great, creating tension throughout the film with its creepy props. The movie constantly defies audience expectation and keeps you glued to the screen to see what will happen next. One of it’s greatest attributes is it’s darkly comic humor which makes for some great suspense.
Amy Steel is fantastic, as are all the characters, but Amy Steel has an incredibly real way of portraying fear, which sucks you in and makes you believe her performance. Deborah Foreman is also brilliant as Muffy, the head of the house, setting up her April Fool’s Day jokes and then changing in mood as things become all too real.
An excellent 80's flick!
[ 21. March 2010, 13:59: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by TNUC (Member # 3594) on :
I'm down.
Throwing it on my list from NET FLIX right now.
i've never seen it!
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Tim, I think we should get "April Fool's Day" on the New Bev schedule for next year. This movie would be blast to watch on the big screen.
Posted by philblankenship (Member # 7563) on :
quote: I think we should get "April Fool's Day" on the New Bev schedule for next year. This movie would be blast to watch on the big screen.
Ha! Anyone that has seen my schedule must have noticed that I'm OBSESSED with watching Deborah Foreman on the big screen (upcoming screenings of two of her less seen titles: Lobster Man From Mars on April 4 and 3:15 The Moment of Truth on June 2). I tried to play April Fool's Day this year but Paramount was sadly unable to find a print. I'll keep my fingers crossed that one pops up by next year.
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
Wow....I would go crazy to see April Fool's Day on the big screen.
I wrote on another thread, that Ken Olandt is coming to Chiller Theatre in April- and I wish I could go, but I am getting my friend to get me something from April Fool's Day signed by him, I am hoping he has that poster of the cover art...I love that picture too of the girl with the braid.
I can't wait to watch it.
Last weekend, the people that stayed here, it was one of the girls' favorite movies, she said I can't believe you have April Fool's Day, I said...it's my favorite all time movie! They watched it!
Posted by There'll be no morning for us (Member # 5804) on :
I watched it for the first time last April Fools Day. Really enjoyed it and will definitely be doing so again this 1st April Posted by J2ME (Member # 5728) on :
I've just picked up a copy of this, so I'll be watching it on the big day as well.
I haven't seen this in about 10 years, so I'm looking forward to it.
Posted by WolfmansGotNards (Member # 5910) on :
I cannot wait to watch this again!
I'm starting to get over being bummed out my DVD is from a later production run and has the gray artwork, mostly since the first version didn't use the exact theatrical poster anyway.
Seeing April Fool's Day on the big screen would be amazing, I lament it will probably never happen.
A while back this movie was showing ondemand on cable and I got to record the theatrical trailer!! Darn Paramount for not at least including it on the DVD.
Enjoy everyone, and for those watching for the first time, you are in for a treat Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
Tomorrow is April Fool's Day.
Is everyone watching the movie tomorrow night, or waiting until the weekend?
I still am thinking about having an April Fool's Day movie night.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
I'm watching it tomorrow night, I'll probably start it right around 10pm EST. I thought about waiting for the weekend, but decided to go forward with the night of April 1st.
Posted by Earth Angel (Member # 3301) on :
This film reminds me of Valley and Isis now....and will forever more Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
"Back to the Future" totally reminds me of you Earth Angel. And of course, the alternate ending to "Pretty in Pink" where you are making out with Duckie Dale Winton.
Btw, since I'm the broken record for mentioning my love for the movie "Valley Girl", being associated with another flick might be kind of cool for a change.
Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
It's great how I hear the name of an 80's movie and always think of someone on here or a certain post or review on here! I love it.
BTW, I'm watching April Fool's Day tonight.
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
I contacted my friends and we are going to watch it Saturday Night.
We are making posters for the Easter Egg Hunt (which I am a nervous wreck over)...it has become so huge-I can't even believe it. My friend is going to video tape it.
I have all my rooms filled with friends coming from out of town for it.
It's crazy.
So, they are helping with that, and then we are watching the movie.
We decided that we need to get together for a movie night more often, because that was a blast last weekend.
We all ate dinner together, and everyone brought stuff, and it was a blast.
If I actually had the time this weekend, I would literally do a dinner like they did in the movie...with hot dogs and baked beans, and whoopie cushions on the chairs (which I should do at least that part). And have some Ding Dongs for dessert. That would be too cool.
There are certain movies that I connect to certain people on here too.
I definately connect Valley Girl and April Fool's Day to Valley.
Posted by There'll be no morning for us (Member # 5804) on :
Well I enjoyed it even more than the first time around Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
Cool. I remember when I first saw it, I thought it was good, but I had to watch it more than once to get to loving like I do now. I totally love it, but I don't want to get sick of it, so it's cool to have an actual date that you will watch it at least once a year, and that makes you look forward to it.
Posted by TNUC (Member # 3594) on :
Had my first viewing of this movie yesterday. What an ending, haha. Deborah Foreman is such a creep-ball, complete opposite from her role in Valley Girl.
It was definitley a unique slasher! Was it even a slasher? I wouldn't know how to categorize April Fool's Day!
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
That is the beauty of the movie...it plays as a slasher with a puzzle to solve. I pick up on more stuff everytime I watch it. And while Foreman is no Julie Richman in this flick, she is excellent just the same.
I wish Deborah Goodrich had more 80's movies on her resume.
TNUC, did you enjoy it or did it just make you fear clowns-in-a-box? Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
I liked it better the second time around too. I still don't have a great love of it like some of you, but it's still a good flick I think. I agree with Goodrich....wow back then. I kinda ruined it for me when I first watched this a few months back by figuring out the ending too soon.....I saw it coming. Foreman did an excellent job as a nut. It's funny because I didn't know anything about her before joining the rewind. You guys got me to watch April Fool's Day, Valley Girl and Sundown for the first time. 2 out of 3 were good....Sundown was terrible I thought, but she looked the best in that one. With all that said, April Fool's Day is well worth buying.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
80'sRocked, I'll suggest one more Foreman flick to you....add "Waxwork" to your list. I think you would enjoy it.
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
I just watched April Fool's Day- with my friend, she loved it, she had never seen it before. It was fun. I love that house.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
I was planning on starting a new thread, but found this awesome one from last year. So with the help of pics first posted by WolfmansGotNards and 80'sRocked.. thanks guys .. I decided to expanded upon an already excellent thread.
This year marks the 7th Annual "April Fool's Day" Movie Night for The Rewind! So dust off your DVD or start your quest to find it before April 1st.. and watch it with several of us.
"April Fool's Day" still rocks in my opinion!
I love how the movie opens with the home video camera recording to introduce you to each of the characters in the movie. The more times you watch "April Fool's Day" the more you appreciate the fact that Deborah Foreman did such an outstanding job as Muffy/Buffy in this movie. Her role wasn't glamorous and it was definitely a bit spooky, but she nailed what the director was looking for in it.
Amy Steel and Ken Olandt seemed to have great chemistry together. Deborah Goodrich as Naughty Nikki was awesomely teamed up again with Clayton Rohner as Chaz. Even Griffin O'Neal, who only one year later had to deal with the tragedy of accidently killing a friend, was excellent in his role as Skip. Spooky foreshadowing indeed.
Finally, the theatrical poster with the infamous hair noose with a knife hidden behind her:
Who else is planning on watching "April Fool's Day" on the night of April 1st?
[ 21. March 2010, 14:29: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
I will definitely be watching it!
Posted by There'll be no morning for us (Member # 5804) on :
Me three Posted by Secret Admirer (Member # 3574) on :
Oh yeah, I'm in!
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
it's a Thursday! i'm in, especially since I haven't participated the last few times....and haven't watched it in awhile! im innnn!!!
Posted by Earl Keese (Member # 7986) on :
I have it and will definitely be watching, but you all will get a good laugh out of this...it never occured to me to watch this movie on April 1st! Seriously! I never really made the connection. To quote Randy Jackson..."Say What?! C'mon now!"
I always watch The Quiet Man on St. Patrick's Day, Planes Trains and Automobiles the day before Thanksgiving, Halloween on well, you get the picture and I always watched April Fools Day in October as part of some wayward month long devotion to horror flicks and never once thought to move this one out to 4/1...wow...I'm a such a half-wit I can actually feel it! Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
I've always heard of this, but have never seen it. It's actually one of my wife's favorites, and I know we had a copy on VHS, but I'm not sure if I have the DVD. I keep my horror movies in a seperate collection, so will check tonight...will definitely try to locate a copy and finally watch it.
Posted by There'll be no morning for us (Member # 5804) on :
quote:Originally posted by Earl Keese: I have it and will definitely be watching, but you all will get a good laugh out of this...it never occured to me to watch this movie on April 1st! Seriously! I never really made the connection. To quote Randy Jackson..."Say What?! C'mon now!"
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
I'm planning on watching it the night of April 1st around 9:30pm EST. If you ride on a ferryboat tomorrow.. please be safe!!
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
I'm watching tonight too....my wife is going out with the girls, so as soon as my little dude is down for bed....some decent treats and April Fools Day...my first viewing too!
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
U-guys are lame man. I'm watchin' 'West Side Story' tonight.
"There's a place for us... somewhere... a place for us. Time together with time to spare" Posted by gordongecko (Member # 4685) on :
Anyone see if this is on TV today?
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
I will be watching it around the same time as you, Valley. Gordon, I don't think this ever comes on TV much anymore....
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
I'm still in! I figure about 7:30pm west coast time Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
I always forget to mention this.. but the dolls they find in the attic are incredibly creepy and a great addition to the story.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
I hope everyone that is watching "April Fool's Day" tonight is having a blast!
Oh and if you couldn't watch it tonight.. there's always tomorrow.. April Fool's Weekend..
Posted by Secret Admirer (Member # 3574) on :
Getting into bed and starting it right now Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Watch "April Fool's Day" in HD on Showtime Extreme.. picture quality is amazing!
Posted by Tiffany (Member # 9077) on :
I watched this for the first time not too long ago. I enjoyed it quite a bit but was probably one of the few people that didn't catch on until the very end despite the title LOL.
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
Tiffany it had me fooled too........I watched it because someone on here suggested it many years ago........I think you get so wrapped up in how good the scares are and that it's a horror flick you never expect the ending...haha
Posted by Tiffany (Member # 9077) on :
I know, I just kept watching and thinking how much bad luck they were all having LOL Then at the very end I was like "oh, now I get it"
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
I didn't get the twist then and I don't get it now. Who was the murderer? WHO WAS THE MURDERER?!
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Watched April Fool´s Day yesterday. While not one of my top movies, it´s a fun flick.
Love the cast:
Goodrich is hot (love the positions when she´s doing "it" with Rohner ) Foreman is funny and weird as always, Rohner is also funny wearing those cool trousers. Amy Steel and Ken Olandt is a great couple.
The location is perfect and i also love the house.
Special Edition dvd would be nice. I would love to hear a commentary by director Walton and writer Bach.
Posted by The Pyromantic (Member # 7658) on :
wow..maybe if I'd seen this earlier..lol
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Very nice aTomiK.. I watched "April Fool's Day" with some cool friends last night. However, I kept getting reminded that I was craving a Pizza Hut thin crust cheese pizza throughout the movie for some odd reason .. ha
Love the beginning with the camcorder. Also, Muffy sets everything up for you.. but we have no clue on a first viewing.
The wicked monster-in-the-box would have freaked me out as a kid. Great expressions by Foreman playing with it.. especially at the end of the movie.
Veronica expressed interest in attending Muffy's play.. "Ghosts"
Ronnie wants to know if the fact Larry (Rob) overslept in Summer School made him late for the ferry?
Deborah Goodrich as Naughty Nikki.. very tantalizing
Kit and Rob makes a great couple! They had excellent chemistry..
Nikki is totally me .. taking any op to catch some rays!
oh and I found out where our own Muffy Tepperman got her name:
Clayton Rohner as Chaz was hilarious. He was in some great flicks .. Just One of the Guys & Modern Girls especially. His hair in this movie was definitely a precursor for Bruno X.
The score / haunting sounds were brilliantly used! Well, until Logan went all X-Files with it.
Amy Steel was great in Friday The 13th part 2.. my fav of the series. Obviously not the case for pyro.
Also, some great discussion about Griffin O'Neal and his family because of the recent threads on "The Wraith".
How many of you girls have done that magazine test? ha.. what was C? - Uh.. Ronnie choose 'F' on that one.. wait.. I misunderstood.. she actually gave me an 'F' for bringing it up.
Did Deborah Foreman just lick her lips while looking at me during dinner? - that would be a 'NO' and another 'F' from Ronnie.
"In his life of Johnson..James Boswell said: we can not predict the precise moment when friendships are formed."
That quote set the atmosphere for Foreman to vamp from Muffy to Buffy in an outstanding dual role.
Fashion Alerts: Collar up and collar down! .. Chaz's shades were 80's hot .. and check out Nikki's jewelry!
All the pranks to keep people on edge were good.. but a bit too far for Hal and Nan . come on Muff-child!
Goodrich and Rohner appeared to really be having fun making this movie. That sexual position though.. ha.. I think everyone had a comment there.
The Nikki trapped in a well was a great scene.
Oh and the creepiest part of the movie was those little figurines dressed as the characters in the film! Right Veronica and the Rewinder formerly known as SA?
So many great set-ups in the beginning that Kit and Rob give us the payoff on towards the end of the movie.
Speaking of the ending.. one of my favs.. though I didn't recognize that being Leah Pinsent for the longest time.
Another fun night at the movies!!
[ 02. April 2011, 15:11: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by The Pyromantic (Member # 7658) on :
quote:Originally posted by Valley:
Amy Steel was great in Friday The 13th part 2.. my fav of the series. Obviously not the case for pyro.
Hey!..I never said I disliked Amy Steel in Friday 2. Youre rigjt she is pretty Bad@ss. Just don't know that she'd be my fav amongst the Vorhees Survivors.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Very nice aTomiK.. I watched "April Fool's Day" with some cool friends last night. However, I kept getting reminded that I was craving a Pizza Hut thin crust cheese pizza throughout the movie for some odd reason .. ha
Love the beginning with the camcorder. Also, Muffy sets everything up for you.. but we have no clue on a first viewing.
The wicked monster-in-the-box would have freaked me out as a kid. Great expressions by Foreman playing with it.. especially at the end of the movie.
Veronica expressed interest in attending Muffy's play.. "Ghosts"
Ronnie wants to know if the fact Larry (Rob) overslept in Summer School made him late for the ferry?
Deborah Goodrich as Naughty Nikki.. very tantalizing
Kit and Rob makes a great couple! They had excellent chemistry..
Nikki is totally me .. taking any op to catch some rays!
oh and I found out where our own Muffy Tepperman got her name:
Clayton Rohner as Chaz was hilarious. He was in some great flicks .. Just One of the Guys & Modern Girls especially. His hair in this movie was definitely a precursor for Bruno X.
The score / haunting sounds were brilliantly used! Well, until Logan went all X-Files with it.
Amy Steel was great in Friday The 13th part 2.. my fav of the series. Obviously not the case for pyro.
Also, some great discussion about Griffin O'Neal and his family because of the recent threads on "The Wraith".
How many of you girls have done that magazine test? ha.. what was C? - Uh.. Ronnie choose 'F' on that one.. wait.. I misunderstood.. she actually gave me an 'F' for bringing it up.
Did Deborah Foreman just lick her lips while looking at me during dinner? - that would be a 'NO' and another 'F' from Ronnie.
"In his life of Johnson..James Boswell said: we can not predict the precise moment when friendships are formed."
That quote set the atmosphere for Foreman to vamp from Muffy to Buffy in an outstanding dual role.
Fashion Alerts: Collar up and collar down! .. Chaz's shades were 80's hot .. and check out Nikki's jewelry!
All the pranks to keep people on edge were good.. but a bit too far for Hal and Nan . come on Muff-child!
Goodrich and Rohner appeared to really be having fun making this movie. That sexual position though.. ha.. I think everyone had a comment there.
The Nikki trapped in a well was a great scene.
Oh and the creepiest part of the movie was those little figurines dressed as the characters in the film! Right Veronica and the Rewinder formerly known as SA?
So many great set-ups in the beginning that Kit and Rob give us the payoff on towards the end of the movie.
Speaking of the ending.. one of my favs.. though I didn't recognize that being Leah Pinsent for the longest time.
Another fun night at the movies!!
[ 03. April 2011, 06:44: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
quote:Originally posted by Valley:
Did Deborah Foreman just lick her lips while looking at me during dinner?
Forgot to mention this. Very sexy move, i thought that she did it looking at me Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
haha, valley that was so fun to read.
that whole pizza fiasco,.... twas not cool.
i loved how we ended up talking about Dolls and Poltergeist somewhere in there... which got no love from our Muffle-upagus. ha!
quote: Did Deborah Foreman just lick her lips while looking at me during dinner?
in your dreams, val! aTomik wins! ha-ha Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
lol!! lets not get this wrong here........Muffle-upagus says meh meh.......on Dolls........but I love Poltergeist!! Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
whoops! duly noted, muffy hehe. Posted by Logan 5 (Member # 1467) on :
quote:Originally posted by Muffy Tepperman: lol!! lets not get this wrong here........Muffle-upagus says meh meh.......on Dolls........but I love Poltergeist!!
I thought the same thing as Ronnie!
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
Dooughhh.....computer virus on Thursday (March 31), so missed out....sorry I missed you guys....probably not much fun without me, but I'm sure yas managed! Maybe it was an April Fools Virus? Didn't get my computer back until Monday....who does this anyway....little nerdy buggers with nothing better to do.....
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