A Boy and his Dog (1975)

lester1/2jr · May 16, 2009, 09:32:46 AM

somewhat western themed pulp sci fi novel ably brought to life though i guess too weird for the mainstream sci fi cannon as it is pretty obscure indeed even with a young Don Johnson as the star. the plot is familiar but stronger and much less corny than it could have been and that's thanks to it's creator Harlan ellison, a sci fi author of some reknown. I really enjoyed it. Delightful ending. If stuff like 1984 and Twilight Zone floats your boat this is a can't miss.

here's the intro, I'd avoid the full trailer as it kind of gives away alot of stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ6ONr362Ng

this netflix reviewer feels differently

Quote

Do Not rent this pathetic movie! The best parts are when the dog dialogs with Don Johnson - but not the other way around! A terrible film built around apocalyptic USA sometime after a nuclear battle. Really a pathetic stinker - Oscar goes to the mind reading telepathic police dog, Runner-Up to the lovely Australian girl who walks around in her underwear and the gameshow award to don john---whats his name????

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Jack · May 16, 2009, 09:46:26 AM

I saw that back in the early '80s. didn't really do anything for me, it was a minor chore to make it to the end

lester1/2jr · May 16, 2009, 09:49:48 AM

there were lots of strong against opinions at netflix . I was also messing around with a keyboard while I was watching it so maybe it woul have been more boring had I been facing forward at full attention like Alex Delarge.

meQal · May 16, 2009, 11:56:42 AM

It was reviewed some time ago by Andrew on this site.

http://www.badmovies.org/movies/boyanddog/

I have seen it and shook my head at a lot of things in it. Mostly the one society's desire to wear overalls and clown make up.

lester1/2jr · May 16, 2009, 12:21:11 PM

damn I missed that

The Burgomaster · May 16, 2009, 01:41:43 PM

I originally saw this during a theatrical re-release in the 1980s and I loved it. I watched it a couple times after that on videotape, but probably haven't seen it in at least 20 years. It's time for another viewing, I guess . . .

Neville · May 16, 2009, 03:46:58 PM

Saw it a few years ago, because of its cult status and the names involved. I enjoyed the beginning, but once Don Johnson meets that underground society the whole thing degenerates quickly into an un-funny mess, and the ending only makes it up to an extent.

lester1/2jr · May 16, 2009, 04:04:52 PM

the underground stuff wasn't stunningly original

Neville · May 16, 2009, 04:14:36 PM

Nope. Except the deal with turning Don Johnson's character into a... uhm... well, you know, it was pretty much excruciating.

Rev. Powell · May 16, 2009, 06:03:39 PM

I remember really liking this one. Like Burgo it's time for a second viewing for me.

Dennis · May 17, 2009, 10:18:07 AM

The wife and I saw this one years ago, I liked it, she thought the dog was cute, I think I've got it on VHS, have to watch it again. I'm pretty sure it will still be enjoyable and even if it's not as good as I remember the telepathic dog will still be cute.

schmendrik · May 17, 2009, 10:20:16 AM

This was current when I was in college, and it was pretty popular with the college crowd. I heard a lot about it but I've actually never seen it. It's on my (mental) list of stuff I always meant to get around to watching. Time to put it on the actual Netflix list I guess.

Jim H · May 17, 2009, 01:55:13 PM

I agree that the underground stuff is the weakest aspect of the film, but I don't think it is quite a total loss. It's so weird and surreal I liked parts of it (Jason Robards is cool). Plus, as I recall, it actually isn't an overwhelming part of the film - isn't it like a half hour or so of the 90 minute film? But yeah, if it had maintained what it was doing for the first half all the way to the end, I think it could have been a truly great film. As is, it's just a good film, with one of the most satisfying endings in any film I've seen.

8/10 from me.

As a post-note, there are some comics written by Harlan Ellison that I believe continue the storyline of the film. Apparently they're very depressing, and I like the two lead characters enough that I haven't ever quite gotten around to reading them.

lester1/2jr · May 18, 2009, 09:06:00 AM

another awesome though far less substantial early Don Johnson film is Ski Lift to Death aka Snowblind. A dumb disaster movie from like 78

trekgeezer · May 23, 2009, 10:48:45 PM

Great cult film, and sorry but the bizzare left turn into the underground Republican land is actually quite hilarious.