Tremors (1990)

In the Nevada desert, two handymen (Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward) discover some odd deaths that they at first believe to be the work of a killer on the loose. But it's nothing human that caused those deaths and soon everyone in what's left of the town is food! This affectionate homage to those 1950s "B" creature monster movies is both amusing and scary and is there a better combination? Acting wise, everyone is on the same page, just enough of a wink to let us know not to take it too seriously. But still with enough tension and jump in your seat moments to satisfy the most demanding of horror movie lovers. The director Ron Underwood (CITY SLICKERS) whizzes along balancing the chuckles with the screams. If I have any complaints, it's the stock annoying teen character, here played by Robert Jayne, who I suppose is supposed to be "cool" but I found myself wishing he'd get gobbled up. Reba McEntire (in her film debut) and Michael Gross stand out as a right wing conservative conspiracist couple with an arsenal of weapons. With Finn Carter and Charlotte Stewart.