Episode 7: George A. Romero’s The Amusement Park (1973)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Gear up for a roller-coaster ride as we dissect George A. Ramiro's 1973 cult classic - 'The Amusement Park.' With a Rotten Tomatoes rating that will make your eyes pop, this film is an enigma wrapped in a riddle. We aren't afraid to call a spade a spade, and our candid discussion unravels the overused tropes, the ticking clock metaphor, and the roller coaster that's symbolic of life itself. We also navigate through its audio-visual elements, balancing them against the backdrop of a bygone era.

Now, what's a good ride without some bumps? We're tough but fair, and we break down the elements of 'The Amusement Park' that have not aged well. Think dated cinematography and cringe-worthy child-related content. It's no wonder this film was collecting dust for fifty years. Yet, there's more to it than meets the eye. This episode also features research citing Michael Garnick, the film's assistant camera operator, sound operator, and actor. He offers his insights into Romero's other works and the intriguing connection with Dario Argento. Get ready for an episode that will engage film buffs and casual viewers alike - it's more fun than a day at the amusement park!

Plot Summary:

An elderly gentleman goes for what he assumes will be an ordinary day at the amusement park, only to find himself in the middle of a hellish nightmare. (Taken from IMDb)

Watchability Scale

We gave it a 1 on the Watchability Scale only because we never established a zero. It’s frenetic and cacophonous and should be avoided.

Links

IMDb page

Rotten Tomatoes page

Wikipedia page

Rediscovering George A. Romero’s Long Lost ‘The Amusement Park’ With Suzanne Desrocher-Romero (Forbes)

George A. Romero's Wife Suzanne on His Horror Legacy and 'Lost' Film The Amusement Park (Gizmodo)

West View Park

Rogerebert.com review

The Guardian review

Polygon review

Screen Anarchy review