‘C.H.U.D.’
New World Pictures, 1984

starring: John Heard, Daniel Stern, Christopher Curry and Kim Griest
directed by: Douglas Cheek

the plot: A string of bizarre disappearances attract the attention of Bosch (Curry), a cynical captain in the NYPD. When Bosch’s wife disappears, it becomes personal, and he starts an all-out investigation. For help, Bosch turns to A.J. Shepherd (Stern), an ex-con turned soup kitchen proprietor. Shepherd reports that not only have a number of his homeless clients been vanishing, but that he’s been finding strange nuclear safety gear in the tunnels underneath his building. Meanwhile, photojournalist George Cooper (Heard) is pursuing his own inquiry—his contacts in the city’s homeless community have told him about strange monsters lurking underground. Soon, the three men uncover a dastardly conspiracy involving a rogue member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and a plan to store toxic waste in the city’s abandoned sewer tunnels. But even as they try to expose the plot, the men find that they may be too late—the monsters living underground, known as “C.H.U.D.” (cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers) have found a way up to the surface and they’re very, very hungry.

why it’s good: “C.H.U.D.” is a superior ’80s B-movie, even though it is somewhat derivative of Gary Sherman’s 1972 shocker “Death Line,” about a group of cannibalistic humans stalking the subways of London. But, whatever. “C.H.U.D.” is fun for a number of reasons, including some decent acting by Stern and Heard and a pretty rocking score by David A. Hughes. The best part of the film is, of course, the C.H.U.D. themselves, a gang of monsters with snarling fangs and giant green-glowing eyes. They look kind of cheesy, but that’s sort of the point. Besides, the monsters are only on screen for a short time, which is either fortunate or unfortunate, depending on how you feel about the film. If you’re looking for some outrageous gore or some potent scares, “C.H.U.D.” won’t satisfy you. But if you’re hankering for low-budget horror flick with grand ambitions, this film fits the bill. Sharp-eyed viewers should be on the lookout for an un-credited cameo by John Goodman as a doomed cop.

why you should own it: ’80s movie fans should check out “C.H.U.D.” Anchor Bay’s DVD release contains the complete uncut film, as well as commentary from Stern, Heard and Curry, director Cheek, and writer Shepard Abbot.