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Reviews
Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Seen better seen worse!
Seen better seen worse! Maximum Overdrive was a cool but different concept. Machines try to take over the world, like the Terminator, except the villain's are not from the future, but outer space. What works: The started out environments introduction of machines in everyday life gave a good feel. The cool drifter, Kings uses such a theme often, creates a stir/interest. The Pepsi machine attack, and the clown headed truck are cool. What does bit work: Maximum Overdrive becomes more of a movie of mechanical accidents, which was less scare more flair. The gas station part of re filling the vehicles was lame. Really no one would do that! The rest was just action vs Machine which was more like a video game than movie. Being in grade 11 and rented this oldie back in the day I was mmm just watch this once. On re watch I feel the same. 5 stars.
Mischief (1985)
More teen Mischief!
Mischief another raunch teen 80's movie! Porky's, American Pie clone of the geeky teens which want to get laid with the un attainable dream girl. The teen boys angst story line. Formulated script with the kicked out of another town cool kid meets up with the awkward teenager. High school rivalries, pranks, awkward moments, parents etc mixed in with low brow humor was lame, but the buddy part and learning the dream gal not what you believe she was pushes the story further. Watched it during covid, or late night, but Mischief was a copy of a copy of all those 80's teen raunch movies. Six stars out of ten.
Jerry Maguire (1996)
One of Cruise better movies.
I remember coming back from holidays in the U S and a co worker says you gotta see to Jerry Maguire!?! What a romance movie? Sports and romance mix? What? Well my wife just could not wait to go see this Hallmark Network style movie! Great casting and great characters pushes Jerry Maguire's story into a classic. Tom Cruise character (Maguire) Lawyer agent playboy life style, lots of money. Renée Zellweger the over emotional, widowed single mom with dreams and emotions. Kelly Preston as the vamp ex of Maguire, and Cuba Gooding Jr as the the hard to manage full of attitude athlete all mix into a perfect story! Maguire is a money make sports agent, lot's money, lot's women, a legend of agents, but all of the sports agents life is based on being a winner. Maguire does not care for the clients all is fraudulent emotionally for a empty life which hits Maguire hard as Preston's character love/relationship dies with the one word loser. The character Maquire hates himself and the redemption of the protagonist soul in a quest of finding what's real in life. Zellweger character is so un everything the old girlfriend is. The new love is with someone who actually cares for Jerry. Gooding/Maguire relationship involves into a friendship which builds each other up. Gooding's attitude about keeping it real it's not an attitude it's real conversation/relationships. The relationships saves Maguire's soul! The lost love, and dip in the new business storyline was intriguing. The you had me moment in front of the women's group of the real man that the group wants to see is just classic ending. 8 stars.
The Twilight Zone: Four O'Clock (1962)
The parrot episode!
Four O'clock aka the parrot episode! Ahead of it's time for cancel culture. People get fired, troubled, and harassed for dunks texts, actions, dated things said and past mistakes, by the questionable interpretation of the rambling un balances agitators. Imagine what the Oliver Crangle character could do with social media? Cringe worthy! Four O'clock was ahead it's time which was a weak point. Like todays cancel cutler, Theodore Bikel character was just be another incoherent ramblings of an out of touch unbalance guy who spits venom. Hard to watch in the one room, one on one stage format of many of the TWZ episodes. What works was the likeable parrot with Rod Serling. The ending was lame, but my wife would wonder who would feed Pete the parrot or would Pete chewed on Oliver at the ending? Well, four starts, but I like the parrot.
Secret Admirer (1985)
Perfect 80's teen comedy!
If you are going to watch an 80's teen comedy Secret Admirer was the perfect 80's teen comedy! What Secret Admirer was not: The over the top sex jokes like Porky's. And or the over the Top characters of Losing it with Tom Cruse. Many of those 80's teen comedies did not age well. Secret Admirer differs, and is the exception to the over the top/ grade b comedy rule because: the story was like a social experiment. Lori Loughlin (Toni) writes a from the heart love letter for Michael (Thomas C Howell) Everyone who accidentally get the letter thinks the pure love from the heart letter was for them and reacts different. Kelly Preston has a humorous/relationship lesson take of the letter as Michael fake letter give a lesson about infatuation. Fred Ward, the harden Cop and other parents have a mid life crises take which was comic gold. Secret Admirer's comic gold was the sub stories mixing into bubbling comic tension which tie in nicely for another sappy 80's romantic, just epic, ending. 9 stars for a perfect cast.
Vega$: Touch of Death (1979)
A different take on the series.
Touch of Death was a different take on the series. What works: There was a break from the usual mobsters, pimps, and con schemes. Dan Tanna was working on a missing persons case with a twist. The difference was everyone says there was no husband and Dan looks deeper. The harden Dan Tana character of kindness, and justice was driven into a nefarious government plot. What like of the tough and smart/innovative Tana was the landman scene. Pissing off the P I was a mistake. Got to admit Tanna creative detective work gets down and dirty. What did not work: Formulated plot gaps of were does Tanna know know what to do; seems Tanna must be lucky guesser. 7 stars.
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Better than average!
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers well, ummm, is better than average. Considering a part 5 movie not as bad as most part 5's but could of been much worse. Here's what worked: Lot's of good jump scares. Michael appearing out of closets, bushes etc. Relatable characters, the good looking gal in destress , little girl, jerk etc. The parties, and hot couple with the mix of a killers was entertaining. What did not work: Lot's of running around. Formulated jump scares. The usual plot twist ending. Well, Donald Pleasence over acting steals scenes and saves the movie. Is it worth watching during Halloween of course. A horror classic no. 6 stars.
Speak No Evil (2024)
Best movie of the year so far!
Best movie of the year so far! In the age of woke movies, Speak No Evil, has a anti woke message intertwined with a scary film. A good mix between Wolfs creek and Vacancy. Speak No Evil has a charming, but strange couple with both Wolfs creek and Vacancy story of a trap of sadism for the protagonists. The holiday friendships a trap for the vulnerable couples who go for a weekend visit. Well casted crew for the intense ride. If Liam Neeson was younger Liam would have been casted for the Neeson formula of tension and impossible situations. A underlying message in the era of racism, sexism, ageism etc and being worried of offending others the couple just keeps ignoring warning signs of this guy is weird, this situation is off etc. (The bad guy even mentions the targeting of woke families) When the coupe goes to the middle of no where, the strange babysitter, odd comments, etc the viewer screams run/don't go back, just get out of there etc. Finally the victim familys wife tells dad to man up and the audience says finally do just get out of there! The two stories feed on each other for a good conclusions. 8 stars.
Traffic (2000)
Not a bad movie!
Traffic(2000) was not a bad movie! Well acted and directed here is what worked: Strong casting of Douglas, del Toro, Quaid etc helps push a long movie forward. Budget helps with a long complicated movie' With great sets and locations. What did not work: Traffic had too many working parts with all sub stories. Too many main character to keep track of. Following the characters and stories made Traffic exhausting too watch. What made Traffic even more difficult to watch was the raw, and heavy stories of addiction, corruption, and malice from the American drug epidemic. I did not mind watching Traffic, but only one time. 6 stars.
The Savage Bees (1976)
Just another 70's disaster movie!
The Savage Bees was just another 70's disaster movie! The 70's had it all, earth quakes, exploding blimps, airplanes disasters and Killer Bees. I remembered watching The Savage Bees, another 70's movie of the week, as a child. Loved it! Well another disaster covid, made me watch the disaster movies over again, while stuck in the house. The formula of discovering of a impending disaster; then the impending disaster gets found out and the hero's come up with the solution formula got old quick! What's good was the biggening the bee's come over via freight. The bee's attack on a farm, then a country event etc make the first third believable. What kills The Savage Bees was the taking the queen with the super dome temperature ending was implausible. Not one bee escaped!?! I think my tastes in movies has change from when I was 7. 6 stars.
The Twilight Zone: The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank (1962)
Starts out strong and ends strong!
The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank starts out strong and ends strong! But but the middle was so slow! The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank starts out strong in the 1920's at a church funerial Jeff Myrtlebank jumps out of the coffin. Fear and loathing hit but people believe that Jeff is not Jeff. The middle part starts with flowers dying in Jeffs hands etc, and the doctor saying Jeff was dead dead dead. The theory of Jeff body being possessed by a evil spirit causes town gossip. The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank turns into town gossip and gets slow, slower and slowest and kills the episode. Ends strong with a implied threat to the town and if I am Jeff you have nothing to worry about. In the end the way a cigar lights we get the answer. Cute but boring 6 stars.
Vega$: Everything I Touch (1979)
Did not mind this one!
Everything I Touch was more like A B C movie of the week show then a Vegas episode. No wonder Robert did so many of those old movie of the week for A B C. What works was the spicy hot story. Every gal Dan Tanna has a romantic involvement with or perceived romantic involvement becomes a victim of the strangler. There was the old movie of the week murder and romance story mix. The tension grow as Tanna become a target of another psycho. Every third episode Tanna has some out to get him! There was the usual movie of the bizzarro, twisted, plot ending. Formulated, and the usual 70's style ending, but I like the plot twsit. 6 stars.
The Twilight Zone: No Time Like the Past (1963)
experimental episode which loses itself over time!
No Time Like the Past was an experimental episode which loses itself over time! Well I remembered watching No Time Like the Past back in grade eleven. The family got a V C R and I final got to tape the 3 in the morning Twilight Light Zone episodes. With great anticipation I finally got to watch a T W Z episode during the day. After I watched No Time Like the Past I thought this was lame; not like the Shatner air plane episode or the To Serve Man episode which says it's a cook book classic memorable ending were classics. This episode has the old film style with the words before talkie films was experimental with a twist but annoying after a while. The present was funny with the fish out of water, but the old school slap stick just got annoying after awhile. If your going skip a T W Z episode skip No Time Like the Past. 3 out of 10.
The Twilight Zone: A Quality of Mercy (1961)
Probably a better short story then a t v episode!
A Quality of Mercy was probably a better short story then a t v episode! What works: Serling was a Pacific vet and the anti war movement started with vets. I get it the baker, the mailman etc all had to do horrific and experience the horror of war. Against others ordered to do the same. The turn around of the officers was a good ploy. What did not work: The anti war message has been done many a time a copy of a copy of a copy. A Quality of Mercy more like a short play or short story. There was a twist, but light on material, and budget. More conversation and less on budget. The actors did the best with the material of the episode. 3 stars.
Life Is Worth Living (1952)
Not bad for a Religious/service broadcast!
I always heard about Fulton Sheen from my dad and my uncle. A well known Catholic broad cast. Such a legendary show grabbed my attention, and because of the modern day technology of Youtube I got to catch the show. Not bad for a Religious/service broadcast! I was wonder if Life Is Worth Living would age well? Would we fall into the screaming and antics of 80's television evangelism? What make Life Is Worth Living a cut above the rest is: There was a good parable story for the audience mixed with strong theological arguments too believe which keep your attention. Instead of dramatic acts Sheen contains the audience with tone, voice and somber talk. Sheen was a good teacher which made Life Is Worth Living a classic. 7 out of 10 even if you not into religious T V.
Vega$: Ghost of the Ripper (1979)
Not bad but not great either!
Ghost of the Ripper was not a bad episode, but not a great episode either. What works: A strong start with a older guy who kills a women with gloves on. Creepy start which has the viewer guessing. Tanna's the macho type who takes the persona of the Private Eye at odds with the police department for good drama! What does not work: Well the professor with the Jack the Ripper theory was a typical made for t v cliche. The Ripper angel gets your attention but so so cheesy. Ghost of the Ripper has a trap set for the killer which was the predictable T V formulated climax. Felt like a murder mystery show with a hard to believe ending. Could Tanna get in the room in time to save the detective/girlfriend? I doubt it. Good by cheesy episode. 6 stars.
Vega$: The Pageant (1978)
Vegas was hitting it's stride.
The Pageant starts out strong, with a women being attacked. Dan Tanna was on the case. The Pageant slowly unravels about rape, the police department and Tanna's ethics as an investigator. The Pageant characterizes Dan Tanna's personal side as a caring man who has the power to help people. The Pageant stories divulges into the investigation and trap to catch the serial rapist. Well, the ending was likable red meat of the strong Tanna character who rushes into a violent situation, while others run. Well, written, directed and acted. The Pageant created Dan Tanna character personification. Seven stars.
Vega$: Lady Ice (1978)
Getting better.
Vegas series started to work the formula working. Directed, acted, and scripted for entertainment. There was a mod style diamond heist with sheiks, at a Roth big style Vegas party. There was a Tanna love interest. What work was the big heist plan and Tanna gets played. Will Tanna figure the thieves out? Good casting for mob and Kim Basinger the viewer see the potential star power she would become. I like Tanna's back tracking and leg work to set the trap. Mixed with the bitter sweet romance of Basinger creates a soap opera style for a mix of action for the alpha male protagonist and the softer side for the romance side for the series. Lady Ice does it well. 7 stars.
Vega$: Mother Mishkin (1978)
Well the series was in a developmental stage.
Mother Mishkin shows the series was in a developmental stage. Vegas was trying to get a feel for the characters and stories. What works: The over top stuff with the gorilla suit guy, snakes trying to grab the audience got my attention. The Danny character as the humorous guy trying to do a repo job on a caddie was comic relief. What did not work: The over top stuff with the gorilla suit guy, sneaks trying to grab the audience works when I was a kid, but now so cheesy now! The old lady plot twist was sappy! The cowboy clowns with the fire part was real dumb. Mother Mishkin was the Vegas series trying to find it self. The Dan Tanna character developed well, just all the other parts were out of place. 4 stars.
Vega$: Centerfold (1978)
Well not as good as the Rockford Files!
Centerfold well not as good as the Rockford Files! Tho the Rockford Files had some bad episodes. What worked: Much T & A followed by protecting a beautiful model who got drugged with and blackmailed got the male audience salivating. Finding the lost lion with the iconic Lion in the car scene added hot sauce for the series. What did not work: Well, the Rockford Files had a few thin on script shows, but I found Centerfold more sizzle than steak. Like the cheap Vegas casino meal deal it get you in but there not much meat in the script. The bad guys and the black mail part was more of an excuse to show pretty gals. 6 stars okay to watch.
Vega$: High Roller (1978)
Well better when I was a kid!
High Roller was the pilot episode. What I liked: the Dan Tanna character development. A popular man who everyone needs. Three stories the Casino cheat, which build the Casino security contract side of Tanna's work and relationship with slick. The guy lives in a storage house with a flashy car was original. The intro duction of Tanna's buddies and Danny for comic relief was likable. What I did not like: Simple plot: The dead hooker, knocked out pimp main story started out strong but the the credit card ending was weak. The T & A and the story was more childish in a lame way. Not bad, but not what I liked as a kid. 6 stars.
S.W.A.T. (1975)
Loved this show as a kid.
S. W. A. T. loved this show as a kid. I was banned from watch it by mom; snuck around and watched it anyways. S W A T started with the music, team members jumping threw windows, going down ropes, kicking in doors just got me jumping. Probably the reason mom banned the show. Well it got taken off the air cause all us kinds played S W A T and fell off out of trees. Mark fell of the garage roof back on my street, which got the mom's talking. Well, I watched S W A T many years latter to see if the forbidden show was any good? Actually, S W A T aged well. Good budget, interesting scripts, and decent actors. There was the exciting problem at the beginning, mixed with a personal story to get the viewer interested. Then the music started, there be an action sequence and a exciting climax. A memorable classic! I can see why S W A T was a iconic show. Even if S W A T only lasted for two seasons. Darn those letter writing mothers.
Cop Land (1997)
One of Stallone's better ones.
Cop Land was one of Stallone's better ones. Cop Land has an over weight Stallone who rescued his love and lost hearing in one of his ears. Stallone's pathos drives a story of a New Jersey town with so many cops the town is called Cop Land. There is the under dog story of Stallone's character who has a lost love married to a corrupt cop. There is police corruption with a bubbling story with great supporting actors Liotta, Keitel, De Niro etc pushing a evil under current that small time Sheriff Stallone must confront. The abused Sherriff Stallone has on old West style show down was a great memorable ending. Not a Rambo action film, but a well crafted drama which turns into a action film. 7 stars.
Huckabee (2008)
Run of the mill!
Huckabee I did not mind the show. Common sense, conservative values, Huckabee has a nice mono tone voice. That works fines. In the 90's Huckabee would have been hit in a sea of Liberal media. Regrettably, there was/is so much of the same with conservative media. Out rage, followed by common sense conservatism, and red meat story's the center right loves. Stories of stupidly, corruption, and decent stories of faith and freed to up lift for all the negativity the show is the red meat viewers conservatives love. Huckabee, is like Kilemeade and Levin etc which is a sea of others on Fox and news Max. Many of the conservative shows has become of blur of the same old same old. Not a bad show, but compared to Bill O'Reilly and Rush if I was going watch Fox style shows I would watch the others. There just too much on Fox to watch everything. Huckabee was another copy of a copy of a copy. 3 to 5 stars. If your a Fox fanatic you will like this, but casual viewer no.
The Twilight Zone: Caesar and Me (1964)
So memorable there was a movie made from Caesar and Me!
I remember watching, form Block Busters a rented V H S series, Twilight Zone classics Caesar and Me! Caesar and Me. Caesar and Me was so memorable there was a movie made from Caesar and Me! (Magic (1978)) What worked, Magic and Caesar and me both have a struggling lounge act protagonist who gets hot with a ventriloquist act. The protagonist believes the dummy was taking over the protagonist. Is the problem psychological or the dummy real keeps the viewer watching/intrigued. What works was the plot twist of trying to attacked the dummy. The over acting of the characters makes Caesar and Me over rated. Well, the end, predictable, was memorable. Better than average. Seven stars.