Recent viewings

[Rev. Powell]

THEY CAME FROM BEYOND SPACE (1967): Alien intelligences hitch a ride to Earth on some meteorites, possess the minds of the scientists who discover them, and set them to work building a complex for their own purposes. Hard to believe this threadbare alien invasion plot and these cheesy effects represented the state of science fiction filmmaking one year before 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. 1.5/5.

[lester1/2jr]

a previously undiscovered pyramid

it was hiding behind some bushes

Marked For Death (1990) -



I was trying to figure out what Steven Seagal movie to rent and someone rec'd this. It was pretty good though it does have that "art is dead" Chuck Norris vibe, as if they're somewhat offended at the idea of making a movie and are holding their nose getting to the end of it. Seagal is an acknowledged Aikido expert which gives his fight scenes a unique look. Aikido involves a lot of counter-fighting and throws and so forth, less punching. It's not something a regular actor could bluff their way through and it's made him a good living. good for him.

A ruthless Jamaican gang has taken over the local cocaine business from the Spanish gangsters. They are very brazen opening fire on people in broad daylight. This I think would have made a little more sense if it was in Miami or something, instead of what appears to be a suburban town. The Jamaicans are pretty one dimensional and would probably be considered racist caricatures today but whatever. who cares

pretty decent. There was a kind of colorful Rasta vs Santeria thing going on at one point which was different and the villain Screwface was good. I wish these type of action movies didn't remind me of that scene in Boogie Nights when the guy editing the vhs porn says "it is what it is".

4/5

[lester1/2jr]

Lucy (2014) - Scar Jo ingests some kind of drug that causes her to start using higher and higher percentages of her brain power, which leads to unexpected craziness. If her other sci fi movie under the skin was too artsy and spare for you, this might be more up your alley. It's also fairly "weird" in places but it looks like a regular modern movie not a Vogue fashion shoot. It's kind of like that movie where J Lo went into vincent Danofrios brain. or was it the other way around? where they wore those suits that looked like red twizzlers.

Anyway, I could nitpick if I wanted. the scene with her climbing the walls at the interrogation room didn't make much sense at that place in the movie. a little comic relief wouldn't have hurt. It could have been a little longer so it could breathe a bit and maybe they could have found a way to let Scar Jo show a bit more emotion but I really enjoyed it. Cool theme, weird stuff, good times. not as good as the X men movie with J Law which is my most recent 5/5 for this general area so I'll say

4.5 /5

[claws]

The Opponent (1988)

In order to impress the strict father (Ernest Borgnine) of his girlfriend Bobby (Daniel Greene) becomes a Boxer. Now that is impressive. Tired of serving drinks at a local bar and beating up thugs Bobby pushes his coach to arrange a professional fight, but his coach thinks he ain't ready yet. So Bobby meets up with shady Boxing promoter Duranti who is impressed by Bobby's fighting skillz, and so is the girlfriend of Duranti, Gilda. Gilda is a high class semi-slut tipsy most of the time and sarcastic all the time. She's also a lounge singer. And yes, she was easily my favorite character in this movie.
Anyway, Bobby becomes a boxing sensation winning every fight. It's rags to riches, and even though his relationship with his girlfriend deteriorates there's still Gilda providing comfort and eye candy. Soon enough Duranti wants Bobby to take a dive against the heavyweight world champion, but Bobby is not having any of that...

Typical VHS fodder made in Italy and filmed in Miami. The Opponent is cheap and trashy but full of energy. Editing is choppy, and music sometimes stops before scenes end. I liked that corny uplifting theme song ("when thugs are breathing down your neck") and Gilda was fun to watch. 3.5/5

[Jack]

The Opponent (1988)

In order to impress the strict father (Ernest Borgnine) of his girlfriend Bobby (Daniel Greene) becomes a Boxer. Now that is impressive. Tired of serving drinks at a local bar and beating up thugs Bobby pushes his coach to arrange a professional fight, but his coach thinks he ain't ready yet. So Bobby meets up with shady Boxing promoter Duranti who is impressed by Bobby's fighting skillz, and so is the girlfriend of Duranti, Gilda. Gilda is a high class semi-slut tipsy most of the time and sarcastic all the time. She's also a lounge singer. And yes, she was easily my favorite character in this movie.
Anyway, Bobby becomes a boxing sensation winning every fight. It's rags to riches, and even though his relationship with his girlfriend deteriorates there's still Gilda providing comfort and eye candy. Soon enough Duranti wants Bobby to take a dive against the heavyweight world champion, but Bobby is not having any of that...

Typical VHS fodder made in Italy and filmed in Miami. The Opponent is cheap and trashy but full of energy. Editing is choppy, and music sometimes stops before scenes end. I liked that corny uplifting theme song ("when thugs are breathing down your neck") and Gilda was fun to watch. 3.5/5

I saw the female version of that movie (same name) except with Erika Eleniak in the starring role. It was more of a Lifetime movie of the week though with the boxing just providing a backdrop for all the smarmy emotional rubbish. Not recommended.

Death Mask (1998) - well Bo and Luke Duke have turned up in plenty of cheesy B movies, why not sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane? James Best stars as a disfigured circus side-show guy who carves death masks for a not-very-popular exhibit. He's befriended by Linnea Quigley, who takes him to see some witch out in the swamps. She puts a spell on him and the next death mask he carves, well anyone who looks into its eyes will die; which comes in handy since everybody makes fun of him for his disfigurement. This was pretty dull actually. Plot just moved too slow and once things finally kick into gear, it's still far from exciting. Did have occasional T&A but even that couldn't save it. 2.5/5.

[JaseSF]

Lucy (2014) - Scar Jo ingests some kind of drug that causes her to start using higher and higher percentages of her brain power, which leads to unexpected craziness. If her other sci fi movie under the skin was too artsy and spare for you, this might be more up your alley. It's also fairly "weird" in places but it looks like a regular modern movie not a Vogue fashion shoot. It's kind of like that movie where J Lo went into vincent Danofrios brain. or was it the other way around? where they wore those suits that looked like red twizzlers.

Anyway, I could nitpick if I wanted. the scene with her climbing the walls at the interrogation room didn't make much sense at that place in the movie. a little comic relief wouldn't have hurt. It could have been a little longer so it could breathe a bit and maybe they could have found a way to let Scar Jo show a bit more emotion but I really enjoyed it. Cool theme, weird stuff, good times. not as good as the X men movie with J Law which is my most recent 5/5 for this general area so I'll say

4.5 /5

Haven't seen the movie but was annoyed by the trailer that claimed people only use 10% of our brains which is completely wrong....

[lester1/2jr]

Jase- that's true. It doesn't need to be a fact for the movie to work, though. It's more an analogy for evolution and untapped potential. At the same time, I've always been one for overlooking plot holes.

The reactions to Lucy on Imdb are mixed to say the least.

this guy even works the Israel- Palestine conflict into it

6. Lucy drives like a maniac in Paris not caring about killing innocent people. When asked by the french policeman why the disregard she replies people don't really die anyway. She might have picked up this attitude in Israel a country she really admires.

It's science FICTION, people. just go with it

[JaseSF]

Still need to see the movie, sounds interesting to me but I hate they used a popular false myth to its advantage in its trailer...

Citizen Ruth (1996): Ruth Stoops (Laura Dern), a ditzy, completely irresponsible recently arrested pregnant woman with an alcohol and inhalant addiction suddenly finds herself in the middle of a war between extreme anti-abortion pro-lifers and extreme pro-abortion pro choice supporters. Ruth meanwhile pretty much just wants what she sees as best for her own self.

This movie has some pretty clever moments and manages to show and parody both sides of this debate at their worst. Honestly I didn't really find it funny but it is amusing at times. There are some memorable and pretty unique characters in this one and people will probably find moments to enjoy from stars like Kurtwood Smith (of That 70s Show fame), Mary Kay Place, Swoosie Kurtz, Kelly Preston, M.C. Gainey, Kenneth Mars, David Graf (who I remember more for Police Academy), Kathleen Noone, Burt Reynolds, and Tippi Hedren. This keeps your attention and interest and in some ways feels like watching a train wreck or an impending train wreck. It definitely has its moments yet no character proves truly sympathetic. ***1/2 out of ***** stars.

[claws]

Hack-O-Lantern (1988)

It's Halloween and little Tommy ("I like the taste of blood!") is under the influence of his Satan worshiping grandfather who drives a pick-up all day loaded with pumpkins. Tommy's Father is concerned and pays the Grandfather a visit, but is brutally killed with a hammer. Many years later Tommy has grown into a young man and is drawn to the dark side thanks to his Grandfather, who still drives a pick-up loaded with pumpkins. It is Halloween, again, and now Tommy's Mother is concerned: her daughter is getting ready for a Halloween party and Tommy is acting stranger than ever.

My first time viewing of this minor cheese classic with a sunny California setting. Standout scene was Tommy's MTV music video heavy metal nightmare. The rest was a mix of equally dull and fun cheese that reminded me of the far more superior Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare (1987). Bonus: there's full frontal nudity provided by a chick who looks like Melanie Griffith's Body Double character. 2.5/5

[claws]

Had a Brent Huff Triple Feature yesterday

Cop Game (1988)

Vietnam, 1975: During the final days of war high ranked US soldiers are being killed by a unknown elite troop. MP Morgan (Brent Huff) is investigating undercover and uncovers corruption and drug trafficking.
Solid cheese from Italian director Bruno Mattei. Lots of foot and car chases and tons of stock footage. The people at nightclubs wear mom jeans and dance to 1980s music. So much for being historical accurate. 3/5

Born to Fight (1989)

Vietnam, 1989: Female journalist hires ex-soldier (Brent Huff) to make a documentary about war prisoners. It is soon revealed that the journalist is actually searching for her father who is being held captive at some secret jungle camp.
This was surprisingly "decent" and felt like a real movie at times. Bruno Mattei added some amusing (not stupid) humor along with the unintentional humor (Brent Huff screaming in slow motion). 4/5

The Bad Pack (1997)

Mexican immigrants living in a small town in Texas are being harassed by bullies. They hire The Bad Pack for protection, former soldiers with special skills.
This was like The A-Team but not even half that entertaining. They talk too much and the rest was very dull at times. Brent Huff was the director and he has a small part in the movie where he gets his ass kicked all the time. He deserves it for making this boring pile of poo. 2/5 because Roddy Piper did tickle my funny bone.

[indianasmith]

The other night I watched SILENT RETREAT (2014), a very neat little horror film that was well-cast and well-acted.
A troubled teen is sent to a "boot camp" for young female offenders, who are given a chance to be re-educated and sent back into society as productive citizens instead of going to jail.  The camp has a number of very unusual rules, but at the top of the list is this: No one is allowed to talk.  Not the girls, not the father and two adult sons who run the camp.  Strict silence is observed at all times.  It turns out that the camp's director is brothers with the local judge, who sends him young women who have no immediate family so that he can brainwash them into being perfect Christian Stepford wives - silent, obedient, loving baby factories.
   The catch is, there is something out in the woods - "something that evolution forgot" according to the camp director.  And it hates noise.  And eats flesh.  It provides a convenient way to get rid of any girls that refuse to be rehabilitated, but it will target anyone who makes noise.

All in all, this was a chilling film that combined the worst of religious fanaticism and human cruelty with the elements of a 'creature feature' like THE DESCENT.  The combination worked surprisingly well.

[JaseSF]

Legion (1998):  In the future war has gone interplanetary. A group of prisoners (also former soldiers) facing execution are sent on a special secret mission under the command of Major Agatha Doyle (Terry Farrell of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fame) to take a fueling facility on a planet plagued by sand storms. However there's a secret twist to their mission, there's a monstrous killer among them and it's out to kill them all.

Yeah this is your typical 80s/90s style Sci-Fi low budget movie which features lots and lots of scenes of characters wandering around in what looks like a factory while being hunted by a monster or killer of some sort (usually it's an alien in most of these type of films). This manages to rip-off ideas from The Dirty Dozen and combines that with ideas ripped off from the Alien franchise with a little bit of The Thing thrown in as well. Part of what makes this one fun is the cast of familiar TV movie/TV series faces including Parker Stevenson, Rick Springfield, Terry Farrell, Gretchen Palmer, Trevor Goddard not to mention the inclusion of former child star Corey Feldman. Then there's the element of suspense with trying to guess who the killer hidden among them might be and wondering who will be targeted next. They do play into expected stereotypes in trying to create red herrings. All in all, I found this to be a surprisingly fun little watch, the type of movie the Sci-Fi Channel used to play in the 1990s and I'm pretty sure that this is where this first aired. I'll take this type of stuff any day over the crap the Asylum pumps out. For me, this was  **3/4 out of ***** stars.

Open Water (2003): Daniel (Daniel Travis) and Susan (Blanchard Ryan) are two overworked people who decide to take a sudden Caribbean vacation. However their decision to take a scuba-diving trip in open water takes a deadly turn when they find themselves suddenly stranded after their tour boat accidentally leaves them behind. Even worse for them, sharks start to appear.

This movie, reportedly based on a true story, proves rather disturbing. It shows that we as human beings are not truly masters of all domains and there are some situations where we really do not have the edge. No matter how in control we think we are, we cannot control everything in every situation. Sometimes perhaps we are subject to fate whether we want to be or not...

Some might be disappointed by this movie as it's lacking in action and rather slow-moving and our leads are not always sympathetic. Really though, this element makes the story seems even more real and thereby even more disturbing on some levels. The movie is showing we should appreciate the lives we have because one never knows what lurks beneath the surface of our futures. Only major problem is this story isn't really one that lends itself to full movie length and I'm pretty sure in reality sharks would be even more aggressive. There is a level of suspense here but the reality would likely have been even uglier than what we see here. ***1/2 out of ***** stars.

[lester1/2jr]

Coming Soon (2001) - If the idea of a movie about a girl wanting to have an orgasm is just so crazy and raucous to you then you should definitely check this out. I think most people probably don't consider girls talking about sex in coming of age movies to be very novel so we're left with judging it on it's merits. Unfortunately, there aren't very many.

A National Lampoon product, Coming Soon veers outside their usual American Pie ish zany comedy a bit and attempts to portray a late 90's version of hipsters, something they clearly know nothing about. This is like your great Aunts view of what people in New York are like ie its corny and way off. While the kids in, say, the movie Kids are irritating you have to acknowledge that at least SOME people think they're cool. ditto for Ghost World and any number of others

These kids aren't cool, though they try to be. They aren't funny either. I didn't laugh once. I think there was one time when I almost came close to laughing. most of the dialogue wouldn't be out of place on Saved by the Bell. Imagine Zack and Slater hanging out in coffee shop or something I mean come on.

The only thing that made it tolerable was the lead, a blonde named Bonnie Root who has since gone on to be on ten thousand different Law and order type shows. She was cute and charismatic. There's no nudity, no outrageous moments, no real spark here. The writer has a decent sense of how to move a story along in a logical manner which is more than a lot of these things are able to do. Mia Farrow of all people is sort of funny as the wacked out Mom. It's kind of like cinematic soft rock. nothing too edgy or wild or different to budge you from your comatose state. needless to say: no thanks

2.5 /5

The To Do List with Aubrey Plaza is a more recent and more colorful and fun version of this same thing

[Alex]

The Beast In The Cellar Low budget British horror movie from the 70's. Squaddies at a army camp are being killed by what at first is suspected to be a large cat. The film focuses on two elderly women living near the base who seem to know something more about what is going on. Found it moderately effective while the villian is off screen and worth a watch if you have a bit of spare time with nothing else on.

Minions Prequel to Despicable Me where the little yellow guys get their own movie. I figured its something kids will love, but I felt as if someone had decided to make a minions movie, sat down to make a plot and thought "Ok, lets have it about them... hmmm... looking for a super villian to work for" and that's about as far as it went with any vague ideas they had been thrown into the mix. Overall, I enjoyed it although not enough to justify the money I had to pay out to go and see it.

[Jack]

Xtro II: The Second Encounter (1990) - There's this huge scientific complex and they've built a machine to send people to an alternate dimension. Their first experiment doesn't go too well, only one person makes it back and she's a little preggy with an alien creature who soon bursts from her chest and makes its way into the ventilation shafts. Where have I heard that before? Anyhow, multi-billion dollar government facility, the Secretary of Defense was just there, so who do they send in when there's trouble? That's right, four worthless mercenaries. You know the type - the monster's already left the room but they still fire 2,000 rounds in the general direction of where it was a minute ago. There's lots of walking through dark corridors and climbing around in elevator shafts trying to kill the nearly invincible guy in the rubber suit. Lots of silly B movie nonsense like one of the merc's has the hots for the doctor so she falls for him literally in 30 seconds, etc. Oh well, it wasn't really any better or worse than most of these alien ripoffs. 3/5.