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  • Killjoy 3 (2010)

    Killjoy 3 (2010)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 2004, aspiring Canadian filmmaker John Lechago made the low-budget horror film Blood Gnome on a budget of around $20,000. The film made six times its budget, though Lechago couldn’t find the same success with 2008’s Magus. However, his output caught the attention of Re-Animator director Stuart Gordon, who introduced him to Charles Band. Band needed someone for visual effects, and since he had a background in the field, Lechago took the job. Lechago designed the visual effects for 2008’s Dangerous Worry Dolls, which impressed Band enough to give him a chance. Around this time, Full Moon was planning on reviving several franchises, including Puppet Master and Demonic Toys. One of those franchises would be Killjoy, which hadn’t seen a release since Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil in 2002. Eight years later, 2010 would see the release of Killjoy 3, aka Killjoy’s Revenge.

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    Synopsis

    College student Sandie (Jessica Whitaker) is housesitting for her professor (Darrow Igus) while he’s away on business. She’s staying with her boyfriend Rojer (Michael Rupnow), his friend Zilla (Spiral Jackson), and her BFF Erica (Olivia Dawn York). One day, a mysterious package arrives, and they open it despite Sandie’s protest, which turns out to be a mirror. Unbeknownst to them, the mirror is a gateway to another world, where the demonic clown Killjoy (Trent Haaga) rules. Joined by his accomplices Punchy (Al Burke), Freakshow (Tai Chan Ngo), and Batty Boop (Victoria De Mare), Killjoy demands blood. One by one, the college students are pulled into Killjoy’s world and subjected to different torture methods. Eventually, the professor returns and explains the situation to the students, informing them how to defeat the demon. Will our heroes survive, or will they be Killjoy’s next victims?

     

    Review

    Of the films in the franchise so far, Killjoy 3 is arguably the best one, though it’s not saying much. It’s not as good as classics like Puppet Master III or Dollman, but it feels like a return to form. While some may be disappointed by the filmmakers ditching the urban aesthetic, it’s a welcome change to keep things fresh. What also helps is Trent Haaga’s performance, as he chews up all the scenery around him and runs rampant. Unlike the last film, he’s given more free reign to deliver lines with maniacal glee and have more fun. Victoria De Mare works great alongside Haaga and has tons of fun as the seductive yet quirky clown succubus. Along with Killjoy, the character designs of Batty Boop, Punchy, and Freakshow are incredibly unique and memorable. There’s also a great mix of horror and dark comedy sprinkled throughout.

    Unfortunately, the film sadly falls into the traps of many of the more recent Full Moon films. For one, the main actors playing the college kids are flat and not as memorable as the villains. Jessica Whitaker does put in the most effort compared to everyone else, though Spiral Jackson has some fun moments. Also, even for a movie by Full Moon, the production design is remarkably cheap, and the sets look flimsy. From what I understand, filming took place at a Chinese studio, which might explain the inferior quality. There’s also the occasional digital effect, but they add to the cheesy quality and mix in with some decent practicals. At an hour and eighteen minutes, the movie flies by quickly and will make a decent time killer. Overall, Killjoy 3 isn’t quite the return to the glory days of Full Moon Features, but it’s a good time.

     

    Buy Killjoy 3 from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • The Godfather: Part III (1990)

    The Godfather: Part III (1990)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Special Review” subhead=”This review is a special request from Patreon supporter Patrick Glauber. If you’d like to support me on Patreon, click the button below.” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Visit Patreon” button_one_url=”https://www.patreon.com/filmnerd” background_overlay_color=”#f96854″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ background_color=”#f96854″ custom_button_one=”on” button_one_bg_color=”#052d49″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”25px||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]On a $13 million budget, The Godfather: Part II grossed $93 million worldwide and was 1974’s sixth highest-grossing film. Despite a mixed reception from critics, the film earned six Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. Francis Ford Coppola followed this up with 1979’s Apocalypse Now, which was another hit despite numerous production problems. Unfortunately, his 1982 film One from the Heart was a colossal flop, grossing over $600,000 on a $25 million budget. Due to the financial loss, Coppola accepted an offer from Paramount to make another sequel to The Godfather. Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, and Talia Shire agreed to return, but Robert Duvall refused due to pay disputes. With a budget of $54 million, principal photography began in November 1989 and ran throughout the following year. Sixteen years after the last installment, The Godfather: Part III premiered on Christmas Day of 1990.

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    Synopsis

    Set in 1979, a 60-year-old Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is dealing with the consequences of his rise to power. Michael meets with his now-grown children, Anthony (Franc D’Ambrosio) and Mary (Sofia Coppola), at an induction ceremony. They’ve been living with their mother and Michael’s ex-wife Kay (Diane Keaton), who’s since remarried and still resents Michael. At his sister Connie’s (Talia Shire) insistence, Michael agrees to take on his illegitimate nephew Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia). Michael makes deals with the Vatican to pay off their debts for shares in Internazionale Immobiliare to legitimize his business. While this is happening, Mary takes an interest in Vincent, and the two start a romantic relationship. Don Altobello (Eli Wallach) wants in on the Internazionale Immobiliare but double-crosses Michael when he’s refused a share. As Michael reflects on his life choices, he is pulled back into the mafia lifestyle he tried leaving behind.

     

    Review

    Despite its flaws, I felt that The Godfather: Part II was a worthy follow-up to the original classic. Unfortunately, The Godfather: Part III isn’t the stellar finale to the trilogy fans were probably hoping for. Before I go into the negatives, I want to highlight the positives as there are good qualities to the movie. For one, the performances are spectacular (for the most part), especially from Al Pacino and Diane Keaton. Also, Andy Garcia does an excellent job playing the arrogant yet loyal Vincent Mancini. Like the previous films, this one explores themes of family, loyalty, and betrayal, reflecting on the past. We see the once determined and ruthless Michael Corleone become a broken man who feels remorseful in his old age. After going through the entire trilogy, it’s interesting to see the character growth of this war hero turned mafioso.

    Now, it’s time to address the elephant in the room that’s been discussed since 1990: Sofia Coppola’s performance. Sadly, she is the weakest actor in the movie, with her line delivery coming off stilted and unnatural. Someone like Winona Ryder would’ve done a much better job, but there are some scenes even she couldn’t save. Also, there are so many subplots going on that it’s hard to keep track of what’s happening. Sure, the second film suffered from constantly switching back between the past and present, but it was easier to follow. In this film, you’ve got a plot involving the Catholic Church, finances, family turmoil, rival gangs, and forbidden romance. Even though it’s the shortest one, the movie feels so scatterbrained that it’ll feel longer than it actually is. Overall, while it has many good aspects, The Godfather: Part III is a disappointing finale to an American classic.

     

    Buy The Godfather: Part III from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f7W3nb.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

    Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

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    On a budget of $15 million, Top Gun grossed over $350 million worldwide and was the highest-grossing film of 1986. Critics were mixed, with Roger Ebert saying, “the good parts are so good, and the bad parts are so relentless.” Regardless, the film became a cultural icon that’s influenced numerous other movies and TV shows. In 2010, 24 years after the original, Paramount offered producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Tony Scott a sequel. Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer were interested in reprising their roles, but unfortunately, plans stopped after Scott’s death in 2012. In 2017, Tom Cruise announced that Joseph Kosinski, who he worked with on 2013’s Oblivion, would be directing the sequel. The film was initially scheduled for release in 2019 but saw numerous delays for additional filming and the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, 36 years after the original, Top Gun: Maverick soared into theaters in May 2022.

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    Synopsis

    Following the first film’s events, Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) now works as a test pilot. He gets assigned by Rear Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain (Ed Harris) to NAS North Island as a TOPGUN instructor. Once there, he meets with Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson (Jon Hamm) and Rear Admiral Solomon “Warlock” Bates (Charles Parnell). They tell Maverick that he’s there to train some of their best pilots for an upcoming mission. Lieutenant Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller) is among these pilots, and he blames Maverick for his father’s tragic death. At the same time, Rooster has to deal with the overly arrogant Lieutenant Jake “Hangman” Seresin (Glen Powell). As training continues, Maverick meets up with his ex-girlfriend Penelope “Penny” Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly). With pressures rising and time running out, Maverick has to pull it together to ensure the mission’s success.

     

    Review

    As beloved as the first film is, most people can agree that it’s a product of its time. So when Paramount announced a sequel made decades later, only the hardcore fans seemed interested. More often than not, sequels made years after the fact tend to never live up to the original. Thankfully, not only does Top Gun: Maverick live up to its predecessor, but it exceeds the original in many ways. The movie uses nostalgia to draw you in, but thankfully, it’s not shoved down your throat like other legacy sequels. Even though watching the original would help, you could go into this without seeing the first one without being confused. Also, this film has much higher stakes than the first film, where the only stake was making top rank. You care here because the characters are trying to prevent a nuclear explosion that could ignite another world war.

    Like always, Tom Cruise is just as energetic and charismatic as ever, but he also has moments of humanity. It’s interesting seeing Maverick racked with guilt over his friend’s death and how it puts him at odds with Rooster. Speaking of, Miles Teller is great as Rooster, who not only looks almost precisely like Goose but acts like him. The scenes between him and Cruise are some of the best, and you can feel the tension between them. Jennifer Connelly does a good job, but her romance with Cruise falls flat like in the original. Val Kilmer also gets a scene with Cruise, and while it’s his only on-screen appearance, it’s a touching moment. The aerial scenes are even more exciting, and Joseph Kosinski does Tony Scott proud with his top-notch cinematography. Overall, Top Gun: Maverick is a rare instance where the sequel outshines the original in every way.

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Buy your tickets now to watch “Top Gun: Maverick” playing in theaters starting May 27th![/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Fortress of Amerikkka (1989)

    Fortress of Amerikkka (1989)

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    After filming Lust for Freedom for Troma, filmmaker Eric Louzil flew to their New York office to pitch an idea. His concept revolved around a group of mercenaries taking over a small American town and the citizens fighting back. While some at Troma weren’t sure about his pitch, Lloyd Kaufman fully supported Louzil and told him to make it. With a budget of roughly $100,000, Louzil planned to shoot the film in Washington state, California, and parts of Arizona. Louzil would send the dailies to the Troma offices in New York during filming and would receive generally negative feedback. However, Kaufman believed in Louzil enough that he told him to keep going and make the movie he wanted. Louzil also replaced the lead role when the original actor tried faking an injury to collect the insurance. Despite these setbacks, Fortress of Amerikkka hit video stores in August 1989.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”75″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    After serving jail time, John Whitecloud (Gene LeBrock) returns home to Troma City and immediately runs into trouble. Years ago, the Sheriff (David Crane) killed his brother, and John wants revenge to put his brother’s spirit to rest. At the same time, he runs into an old flame, Jennifer (Kellee Bradley), who’s since gotten engaged to another man. Meanwhile, a band of mercenaries calling themselves the “Fortress of Amerikkka” is forming out in the neighboring woods. Led by the maniacal Commander Karl Denton (William J. Kulzer), the mercenaries kill random passersby to prepare for a revolution. As the bodies pile up, John must lead a group of civilians to take on the mercenaries. Initially, he’s met with backlash, but the citizens band together to save their town after the mercenaries kill the Sheriff. Who will win the fight, the citizens of Troma city or the Fortress of Amerikkka?

     

    Review

    While researching Fortress of Amerikkka, I saw several people saying this is one of Troma’s worst movies. Considering the company also released Igor and the Lunatics and Carnal Monsters, I wonder what movie those people saw. Admittedly, I wouldn’t call Fortress of Amerikkka one of their best movies, but it’s nowhere near one of the worst. If you go into this expecting the same outrageousness of Troma’s usual fare, you’ll most likely be disappointed. This movie does have plenty of explosions, bloody violence, and fake breasts to satisfy any exploitation fan. Aside from that, this is one of Troma’s more straight movies, which is refreshing and the film’s main flaw. The film drags as it injects plot and character development when things aren’t blowing up, and bare breasts aren’t exposed. Thankfully, only certain moments are boring rather than the whole being a drag to sit through.

    Acting-wise, everyone plays their parts as if they were in a serious action film for the most part. In the lead, Gene LeBrock has the looks and charisma needed to make John Whitecloud believable as a reluctant hero. As the Sheriff, David Crane plays a great bad guy you love to hate, though you can understand his viewpoint. William J. Kulzer is on another level with his performance, acting over-the-top just enough to come off as menacing. Kellee Bradley does what she can with the material given, but she’s the cast’s weakest link. Thankfully, there are plenty of explosions and graphic violence to keep people entertained, and the climax is the film’s highlight. It does take a while for things to get going, but this is still an underrated gem in Troma’s catalog. Overall, Fortress of Amerikkka has its problems, but it’s worth at least a one-time viewing.

     

    Buy Fortress of Amerikkka from Vinegar Syndrome: https://bit.ly/3aao4he.

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  • Top Gun (1986)

    Top Gun (1986)

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    In the May 1983 issue of California, Ehud Yonay wrote an article about an elite school for jet fighter pilots. The article caught the attention of producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, who previously made Flashdance and Beverly Hills Cop. They hired writers Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr, who previously wrote the 1985 made-for-TV movie Izzy and Moe. After seeing his commercial work, the producers picked Tony Scott, brother of Alien director Ridley Scott, for the director’s chair. Initially, the filmmakers considered Matthew Modine for the lead role, which eventually went to an up-and-coming Tom Cruise. Paramount Pictures greenlit the project for a $15 million budget, and the producers got the Navy to offer their assistance. Filming commenced in 1985 aboard actual aircraft carriers and the Kansas City Barbecue restaurant in San Diego. After some brief reshoots, Top Gun landed in theaters in May 1986.

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    Synopsis

    Aboard the USS Enterprise, pilots Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) and Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) fly an F-14A Tomcat. During a mission, Maverick defies orders to help his wingman Bill “Cougar” Cortell (John Stockwell) land amidst a panic attack. Cougar quits, forcing commander Tom “Stinger” Jardian (James Tolkan) to send Maverick and Goose to TOPGUN Naval Fighter Weapons School. Upon arriving, Maverick catches the eye of civilian instructor Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood (Kelly McGillis) after learning of his inverted maneuver. He also draws the ire of fellow student Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer), who becomes Maverick’s rival. As the two compete for the top spot at TOPGUN, Maverick develops a relationship with Charlie despite her reluctance. Unfortunately, things go south when Goose dies in a crash after Maverick and Iceman pursue an enemy jet. With his best friend gone, Maverick has to tackle flight school all by himself.

     

    Review

    Alongside Ghostbusters and Back to the Future, Top Gun is considered one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s. Like those movies, this one has some iconic one-liners, a memorable soundtrack, and eye-catching visuals that stick with you. Unfortunately, for as much style as this movie has, it’s also one of the more forgettable movies from the decade. While the visuals and cinematography are phenomenal, there’s not much substance to the characters and the story. We remember names like Maverick, Iceman, and Goose, but they’re more like character archetypes than actual characters. Maverick’s the typical hot-headed and arrogant hero, Iceman’s the rival, and Goose is the comic relief. It doesn’t help either that the story is more like a series of events than a cohesive narrative. Things happen, but it’s never clear how one scene ties into another, and it feels like a narrative mess.

    That said, there are a lot of elements that make this movie as memorable as it is. First, Tom Cruise still brings all the energy and charisma he usually brings to his 80s films. Anthony Edwards is likable as a good-hearted goofball, and the scenes of him and his family are endearing. Val Kilmer makes for a solid rival, though there’s not much interaction between him and Cruise. Kelly McGillis does the best she can with the material given, and she has decent enough chemistry with Cruise. Plus, it’s great to see character actors like James Tolkan, Tom Skerrit, and Michael Ironside show up. The action sequences are spectacular, and Tony Scott’s use of the magic hour makes the scenes much more dynamic. Overall, Top Gun is a flawed but fun 80s action movie that’s a good time despite its outdatedness.

     

    Buy Top Gun from Amazon: https://amzn.to/38Roqcy.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • The Godfather: Part II (1974)

    The Godfather: Part II (1974)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Special Review” subhead=”This review is a special request from Patreon supporter Patrick Glauber. If you’d like to support me on Patreon, click the button below.” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Visit Patreon” button_one_url=”https://www.patreon.com/filmnerd” background_overlay_color=”#f96854″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ background_color=”#f96854″ custom_button_one=”on” button_one_bg_color=”#052d49″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”25px||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    On a $6 million budget, The Godfather exceeded all expectations, grossing over $130 million domestically and over $250 million worldwide. It was the highest-grossing film of 1972 and held the record for the all-time highest-grossing film until Jaws. The film also received universal praise from critics and won three Oscars: Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture. Given the success, Paramount was eager to get a sequel out the door and even gave Coppola complete creative control. For the sequel, Coppola wanted to tell two stories: the rise of Vito Corleone and the fall of Michael Corleone. Coppola managed to bring back several original cast members with a budget of $13 million (more than double the original’s). Filming ran from October 1973 to June 1974, though panic arose when early preview screenings called the film a disaster. Nevertheless, The Godfather: Part II had its NYC premiere in December 1974.

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    Synopsis

    After his father’s death, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is the new Don of the Corleone crime family. He has to take on running an organized crime league while also caring for his current family. Unfortunately, things go south after Michael and his wife Kay (Diane Keaton) survive an attempted assassination while in bed. In response, Michael goes to Nevada and meets with mobster Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg), who he suspects of the assassination. While this is going on, the film shows how Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) rose to power. In addition to his children being born, we see how Vito eliminated Don Fanucci (Gastone Moschin) in his conquest. Back in the present, Michael contends with duplicitous partners, a Senate committee cracking down on crime, and his wife miscarrying. As the power and responsibility of being a don get to Michael’s head, his family life begins to crumble.

     

    Review

    Given the critical and commercial success of the original, The Godfather: Part II had a lot to live up to. For the most part, this sequel manages to be as good as the first film, but it has its problems. On the one hand, I’m glad Coppola had more creative control to make the movie he wanted to make. On the other hand, he might’ve gone overboard with packing in as much material as possible in a 3-hour runtime. The plot jumps back and forth between Michael’s story and Vito’s origin throughout the movie without any rhyme or reason. This jumping back-and-forth makes it challenging to follow what’s going on and keep track of both stories. Still, it’s interesting seeing how Vito maintains his family while becoming powerful, contrasted with how Michael’s family is falling apart. It’s a shame there’s not much cohesion between both narratives.

    Much like the original, this film showcases some of the best actors the 1970s had to offer. Not only is his character further expanded upon, but Al Pacino delivers an electrifying performance as a broken man. You feel how the pressure of being the Don affects him and his loved ones, especially in his outbursts. By contrast, Robert De Niro gives a calm and levelheaded performance as the young Vito Corleone. Even with limited experiences, you feel like this guy is in control of the situation and knows what he’s doing. The rest of the performances are exceptional, particularly Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Robert Duvall, John Cazale, and Lee Strasberg. The production design is phenomenal, Gordon Willis’ cinematography is solid, and Nino Rota’s score is just as epic. Overall, The Godfather: Part II has its problems, but it’s a worthy successor to the original classic.

     

    Buy The Godfather: Part II from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FV6xWt.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Transformations (1988)

    Transformations (1988)

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    Jay Kamen was an assistant story editor at American International Pictures when he got a call from producer Bob Wynn. Wynn served as a producer on Cellar Dweller for Charles Band’s Empire Pictures and needed a director. Kamen made a short film that won awards at the Miami Film Festival and the Festival of Festivals in Houston. Since this would be his first feature-length film, Kamen took the job and flew out to Rome for a meeting. He met with Charles Band, who gave him a script written by Mitch Brian, who previously wrote 1987’s Night Screams. The screenplay was about a space parasite that infects the lead and quickly spreads as an allegory for AIDS. Kamen cast Rex Smith for the lead role because he was a fan of his from The Pirates of Penzance. Armed with a small budget, Kamen filmed Transformations in the Empire Studios in Rome.

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    Synopsis

    Wolfgang Shadduck (Rex Smith) is a smuggler floating through space when a mysterious creature invades his ship. The alien shapeshifts into a beautiful woman (Pamela Prati), who seduces him and infects him with a deadly virus. In addition, the creature damages the ship, forcing it to crash land on a nearby prison planet. Wolfgang is recovered and nursed back to health by the prison doctor Miranda (Lisa Langlois), who immediately falls for him. Meanwhile, a group of prisoners – Calihan (Christopher Neame), Antonia (Cec Verrell), and Stephens (Michael Hennessy) – hatch an escape plan. They plan on taking Wolfgang hostage and forcing him to use his ship so they can escape the prison planet. Unfortunately, the disease starts consuming Wolfgang, turning him into a sex-crazed mutant who goes on a rampage. Will Wolfgang be cured, will the prisoners successfully escape, and where did the alien come from in the first place?

     

    Review

    With Transformations, it’s a movie that will be hard to review since not much happens in its 80-minute runtime. The opening scene checks off all the boxes of low-budget science-fiction: gratuitous nudity, weird-looking creatures, and minimal set design. Once Wolfgang’s ship crashes on the prison planet, the film grinds to a halt until roughly the last half hour. The production design is surprisingly decent in this movie’s defense, considering this was towards the end of Empire Pictures. Jay Kamen does a decent job for a first-time director, though most of the camerawork is substandard. With the creature effects, John Carl Buechler’s assistant William Butler does some good work considering the limited resources. Admittedly, we don’t see the whole alien creature except for the beginning and near the movie’s end. Aside from that, there are some decently gross prosthetics and gory death scenes sprinkled throughout.

    Rex Smith makes a decent lead, though he doesn’t come off as a believable space smuggler like Han Solo. Lisa Langlois is alright as the female lead, though her dialogue sounds cliche, and there’s not much chemistry with Smith. Neame and Verrell are okay, but their characters aren’t that interesting, though Hennessy seems to be trying too hard. Despite his brief scenes, Patrick Macnee takes the material seriously and gives a performance that’s too good for this movie. The prison planet could’ve offered many opportunities, but the film doesn’t do much with this setting. Additionally, not much is explained, such as where the creature who infected Wolfgang came from or its ultimate demise. Despite these questions, this is a decent throwaway sci-fi monster movie that’ll at least kill some time. Overall, Transformations is fairly forgettable but it’s still worth a watch for Empire/Full Moon completionists.

     

    Buy Transformations from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3x0lvXc.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • American Psycho (2000)

    American Psycho (2000)

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    In 1991, novelist Bret Easton Ellis’ third novel, American Psycho, was published and immediately drew controversy from women’s rights groups. Many people condemned the book for its graphic violence and what they perceived as a misogynist view. Despite this, the book caught the attention of producer Edward R. Pressman, who purchased the film rights in 1992. Initially, the producers considered Stuart Gordon and David Cronenberg to direct, with Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt set to star. Eventually, they hired up-and-coming filmmaker Mary Harron, who received rave reviews for her debut feature, I Shot Andy Warhol. She brought on writing partner Guinevere Turner to helm the screenplay, eliminating any psychological backstory from the lead character. While the studio wanted a prominent actor like Leonard Di Caprio for the lead, Harron insisted on casting Christian Bale. With a $7 million budget, American Psycho hit the silver screen in April 2000.

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    Synopsis

    Investment banker Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) spends much of his time keeping up appearances with his fellow Wall Street brokers. Despite hating most of them, Bateman wants to appear sophisticated and like a big shot to his peers. Though he has a fiance, Evelyn Williams (Reese Witherspoon), Bateman picks up some hookers, brutalizes them, and eventually kills them. He and his coworkers flaunt their business cards during a meeting when Paul Allen (Jared Leto) wows them with his. Enraged by this incident, his lifestyle, and getting a reservation at Dorsia, Bateman kills Allen while playing Huey Lewis. Later, private investigator Donald Kimball (Willem Dafoe) interviews Bateman about Allen’s disappearance, and Bateman pretends not to know what happened. At a lunch meeting, Kimball tells Bateman that he’s no longer a suspect, which relieves him and makes him nervous. As his paranoia grows, Bateman’s sense of reality begins to crumble.

     

    Review

    American Psycho is a movie that is still relevant despite being set in the past, specifically the 1980s. While current audiences view that decade with nostalgia, this film almost seems like the antithesis of the time. This movie deconstructs all the excess, culture, and social status of the 1980s and shows its horror. The film exemplifies this through Bateman’s monologues about popular songs from Robert Palmer, Phil Collins, and Whitney Houston. When he’s discussing Phil Collins’ Sussudio, it sounds less like an academic dissertation and more like the liner notes. Much like the book, Harron can abruptly cut from these darkly comedic moments to the more gruesome scenes of murder. The violent, more horrific scenes starkly contrast the intentionally drab, almost hollow look of 1980s glamor. Ordinarily, these radical shifts in tone and genre would be a detriment, but here, it works perfectly.

    Speaking of working perfectly, Christian Bale nails it as the psychopathic and hateful yet charming and suave Patrick Bateman. By all accounts, he’s a terrible person, but Bale injects so much life into his performance that you accept it. Bale can go from haunting to charming to deranged to panicked so effortlessly, and you buy every second of it. You’ve also got a great supporting cast: Willem Dafoe, Reese Witherspoon, Chloe Sevigny, and Justin Theroux. Even minor appearances from Cara Seymour, Matt Ross, and co-writer Guinevere Turner stand out in their brief moments. Along with the catchy soundtrack, there’s also the haunting score by John Cale that contrasts perfectly with the upbeat songs. My only major complaint is that the movie can drag at times, and the ending will leave audiences confused. Overall, American Psycho is a hilariously frightening satire on 1980s culture punctuated by an iconic performance.

     

    Buy American Psycho from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3z1xqqn.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Waitress! (1981)

    Waitress! (1981)

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    Made on an estimated budget of $150,000, Squeeze Play proved to be a hit for the burgeoning studio. After premiering in Norfolk, Virginia, the movie was financially successful and earned positive reviews from The New York Times. With a winning formula, Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz decided to start cranking out more sex comedies. Like their last film, the team decided to base their next movie on the rising women’s liberation movement. Kaufman and Herz chose to use a restaurant as the setting for their next sex comedy. They chose a local restaurant called Marty’s in Manhattan for filming locations, which presented a new set of problems. The crew wasn’t allowed to shoot during work hours, so they had to wait and film throughout the night. While filming wrapped in 1981, “Waitress!” premiered at the Cannes Film Market in 1982 and New York later that year.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”50″ bar_bg_color=”#E09900″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Andrea (Carol Drake), Jennifer (Carol Bevar), and Lindsey (Renata Hickey) are struggling waitresses working at a high-class restaurant. In addition to the insanity of food service, each has personal problems outside of work they have to deal with. On top of her boyfriend Jerry (Jim Harris) being the restaurant’s manager, Andrea is an aspiring actress looking for work. Jennifer is working as a waitress to interview people for an article she’s hoping to get published. Lindsey’s father, Mr. Bellerman (Ed Fenton), happens to be the restaurant’s owner, and he’s making her work as punishment. Everything at the restaurant gets topsy turvy as the staff goes crazy and the patrons flee. There’s an alcoholic cook, a medical student working as a bartender, and an over-the-top cowboy, among other wacky staff and diners. A complete course meal of zaniness with some hilarity will be served in this madhouse of a restaurant.

     

    Review

    It feels like Kaufman and Herz tried to go all out with “Waitress!” to recreate the success they had before. Unfortunately, they created a movie that tries so hard to be funny that it’s too chaotic to follow. There are so many gags and jokes sprinkled throughout that it’s hard to understand what’s happening. For instance, one scene will have pratfalls, hot food jokes, and rolls flying happening all at once. There will often be a joke that works, but they’re so few and far between. I feel like Kaufman and Herz just threw whatever gags they thought of against the wall and saw what stuck. Later Troma movies like Terror Firmer would have tons of background gags, but they at least had more focus. This movie, however, is such a chaotic mess that it’s more confusing than it is funny.

    Like Squeeze Play, the cast comprises relatively unknown actors who haven’t done much else before or since. Among the cast is soap opera star Hunt Block, Tony Denison from The Closer, and Chris “Mr. Big” Noth. Considering that Block and Denison went under pseudonyms, something tells me they’re not too proud of this. The rest of the cast do the best with the material and play their parts exaggeratedly. Carol Drake, in particular, really goes for it as an actress who’s desperate to play Joan of Arc. On top of looking like a bootleg Billy Crystal, Jim Harris has some of the funniest lines in the movie. The movie goes by quickly at slightly under 90 minutes, though it’s so hectic that you won’t know what happened. Overall, “Waitress!” has its moments, but it’s more of a mess than a hidden comedic gem.

     

    Buy Waitress! from Amazon as part of The Sexy Box: https://amzn.to/3lojFtq.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Evil Bong (2006)

    Evil Bong (2006)

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    While having dinner with his two youngest sons, Charles Band tossed around the idea of a weed movie. His mindset was to make a wacky stoner movie about a bong that teleports people to an alternate dimension. Essentially, he just wanted an excuse to, as he described it, “silliness and naked chicks,” so production got rolling. Since Band loved the idea of crossovers, he decided to add characters from previous Full Moon movies. He included characters from classics like Trancers and Demonic Toys and newer movies, The Gingerdead Man and Doll Graveyard. Because of the subject matter, they hired Tommy Chong to make a small appearance in the movie. The movie is also notable for being cinematographer Mac Ahlberg’s last credit before his passing in 2012. After a brief 7-day shooting period, Evil Bong made its way onto video store shelves in 2006.

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    Synopsis

    Nerdy college student Alistair McDowell (David Weidoff) has just moved into a new apartment with drop-out Larnell (John Patrick Jordan). Larnell lives with his two roommates, the stereotypical surfer Bachman (Mitch Eakins) and the stereotypical jock Brett (Brian Lloyd). Except for Alistair, all the guys are stoners, and Larnell decides to buy a new bong from a local listing. Supposedly, the original owner of the bong claimed it had supernatural powers and was cursed, but they smoke it anyway. After hitting the bong, each guy ends up in another world where demonic strippers kill them. The bong grows stronger with each new victim and starts reverting to its original look. Soon enough, the original owner, Jimbo Leary (Tommy Chong), arrives to destroy the bong and rid humanity of its evil. It’s one hell of a trip as our heroes must contend with Eebee (Michelle Mais), the Evil Bong!

     

    Review

    Going into this movie, you’ll know whether or not you’ll enjoy it based on the title. If your first reaction upon hearing Evil Bong is to groan, you’ll want to avoid this. This film scrapes the bottom of the barrel, even by Full Moon standards, compared to movies like Subspecies and Dollman. Still, unlike Puppet Master: The Legacy, this at least is a whole movie instead of a glorified highlight reel. You can tell this is a far cry from the Paramount era just by how cheap this movie looks. There’s only a handful of characters, most of it takes place on one set, and the puppet’s mouth doesn’t move. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the movie’s budget went to having Tommy Chong and Bill Mosely appear. I’m sure whatever was left was used to get Tim Thomerson to show up for one scene.

    Tommy Chong seems to be having fun swinging a chainsaw at the titular bong to his credit. He delivers the usual stoned-out performance you would expect from his Cheech & Chong movies or That 70s Show. Sadly, the same sentiment can’t be said for the rest of the actors, who range from mediocre to stiff. Instead of playing three-dimensional characters, each cast member plays the most exaggerated stereotype you can think of. For instance, Mitch Eakins is playing a dollar-store version of Dante from Grandma’s Boy, which came out the same year. Weidoff seems miscast as Alistair, looking less like a nerd and more like a jock who’s dressed like a nerd. In fairness, this movie isn’t trying to be anything more than a dumb stoner horror-comedy for what it’s worth. Overall, Evil Bong is far from Full Moon’s peak, but there are worse ways to kill 90 minutes.

     

    Buy Evil Bong from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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