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  • Crawlspace (1986)

    Crawlspace (1986)

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    Though it wasn’t a hit at the time, Tourist Trap has since developed a cult following among hardcore horror fans. Following its release, filmmaker David Schmoeller moved onto what was supposed to be his big breakthrough into mainstream Hollywood. 1982’s The Seduction, featuring Morgan Fairchild in her feature film debut, unfortunately received negative reviews and earned three Razzie nominations. Looking to bounce back, Schmoeller turned to Charles Band, who had since formed his production company, Empire Pictures. Schmoeller had a script about a former POW in Vietnam building a homemade prison camp, but Band had other ideas. Band promised he’d get character actor Klaus Kinski to star if Schmoeller changed the script to be about a Nazi. Schmoeller agreed, but nothing could’ve prepared him for how much of a disaster working with Kinski would be. After a very troubled production, Crawlspace was finally released in May of 1986.

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    Synopsis

    Lori Bancroft (Talia Balsam) is looking into a new apartment and meets with the landlord Karl Gunther (Klaus Kinski). After he gives her a tour and talks about the apartment, Lori decides to move in, much to Karl’s delight. Turns out Karl has some dark secrets, as he regularly kidnaps and tortures his female tenants in the attic. He has various crawlspaces and passageways within the building that he uses to spy on and kill his tenants. One day, he’s visited by Josef Steiner (Kenneth Robert Shippy), whose brother was a patient of Gunther’s that he killed. Steiner has been working to try and prove that Gunther was responsible for the deaths of several other patients. Soon, Gunther’s already warped mental state starts deteriorating, as he kills the other tenants and embraces his family’s Nazi roots. What horrors will Lori stumble across as she navigates her way through the crawlspace?

     

    Review

    Crawlspace is a film that works despite its production problems, most of them revolving around Klaus Kinski. According to David Schmoeller, Kinski had started six fistfights with the crew after only three days of filming. It got to the point where the Italian producers were even considering killing Kinski for the insurance money. All of this and more is detailed in Schmoeller’s 1999 mini-doc Please Kill Mr. Kinski, which I highly recommend watching. That said, while it’s easy to villainize Kinski for being so troublesome on set, he still delivers a great performance. Even when he’s trying to act normal and charming, he comes off creepy and menacing, like something’s wrong with him. His performance is almost on par with Jack Nicholson’s performance in The Shining, though not quite as off-the-wall. Still, Kinski manages to be captivating even when there isn’t much happening on screen.

    Talia Balsam, as our protagonist, fills her role pretty well, coming off as fairly normal and somewhat demure. Her shyness perfectly contrasts with Kinski’s creepiness, and she’s easy to root for when things start going crazy. The other female tenants, played by Barbara Whinnery, Carole Francis, and Tane McClure work well together but aren’t very memorable. It’s easy to side with Kenneth Robert Shippy as Josef Steiner given his situation, but his subplot doesn’t go anywhere. Fans of Charles Band will recognize the set as being the same apartment set used for John Carl Buechler’s Troll. In terms of Schmoeller’s direction, it’s not as atmospheric as Tourist Trap, but there are some effectively foreboding moments. At 80 minutes, the film gets in and out fairly quickly, and it does its job without overstaying its welcome. Overall, Crawlspace is an effective horror/thriller that succeeds despite its troublesome, though talented, star.

     

    Buy Crawlspace from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wIHPDo.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Crawlspace (1986)

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  • Elite Squad (2007)

    Elite Squad (2007)

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    After attending Oxford University, up-and-coming filmmaker José Padilha started his production company, Zazen Produções, in 1997 with classmate Marcos Prado. Padilha’s first film was the 2002 documentary Bus 174, about a bus hijacking in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards and ending up on several best film lists. However, the film was not without controversy, some feeling that Padilha was sympathizing with the criminals and demonizing the police. For his next film, Padilha turned to Elite da Tropa, a book about the Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais (BOPE). The BOPE are essentially the Brazilian equivalent of the American SWAT, only they’re considered more aggressive and brutal. Rodrigo Pimentel, who co-wrote the original book, penned the script with Padilha and City of God writer Bráulio Mantovani. Despite being leaked online before release, Elite Squad was released in October 2007.

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    Synopsis

    In 1997 Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento (Wagner Moura) is an elite BOPE officer who’s looking for a replacement. Not only is the stress getting to him, but his wife Rosane (Maria Ribeiro) is pregnant with their first child. Coincidentally, BOPE is putting together an operation to secure the slums at Morro do Turano in preparation for the Pope. Meanwhile, longtime friends André Matias (André Ramiro) and Neto Gouveia (Caio Junqueira) join the police force, unaware of the corruption. Turns out the majority of the police force is paying off the local gangs, extorting protection money, and even stealing. Seeing the corruption firsthand, Matias and Neto decide to join BOPE alongside Captain Fabio (Milhem Cortaz), who’s a corrupt cop. Despite a gruesome training course, Matias and Neto pass, making Nascimento confident in finding a suitable replacement. However, all that training can’t prepare our heroes for what’s coming.

     

    Review

    Elite Squad has divided audiences since its release, and it’s easy to see why it earned such controversy. Every criminal is treated as the lowest form of scum and the BOPE are seen as good and virtuous. Additionally, the police aren’t shown in the brightest light, either screwing over each other or turning a blind eye. However, the point the film is trying to get across is how life in Rio de Janeiro can be unforgiving. It shows how a broken system can lead to violence and corruption, and how extreme measures must be taken. While we’re shown the BOPE taking out drug dealers, there’s also a grey moral area to what they do. We see them torturing suspects, verbally and physically assaulting people, and kill criminals and cops without a second thought. It makes you question just who the real good guys are.

    In terms of filmmaking, some might be put off by the shakiness of the handheld camera and quick-cut editing. Still, this helps add a sense of intensity and uneasiness throughout, putting you right in the middle of the action. You start to feel just how on-edge and stressed-out the characters are with how up-close and personal the film gets. In a way, it’s somewhat similar to RoboCop, but here it’s presented in a more realistic and less fantastical setting. It’s easy to see how this launched Padilha into superstardom as a director and how he moved onto bigger projects. Acting-wise, everyone delivers an excellent performance, with Wagner Moura, André Ramiro, and Caio Junqueira easily giving the best performances. As stated before, you’ll either love or hate this film depending on your ideologies, but regardless, it’s still powerful. Overall, Elite Squad is an engaging and haunting depiction of life in Brazil.

     

    Buy Elite Squad from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mruz1o.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Elite Squad (2007)

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  • Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. (1990)

    Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. (1990)

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    While filming The Toxic Avenger Part II in Japan, Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz were approached with a lucrative deal. Apparently, The Toxic Avenger was very popular in the Land of the Rising Sun where it was a major hit. Tetsu Fujimura and Masaya Nakamura from Namco approached Kaufman and Herz to develop a film about a kabuki-themed superhero. Supposedly based on an idea from Kaufman, Namco agreed to put up half a million dollars for the budget. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned early on, as there were disagreements between the filmmakers and the producers. Namco and Herz agreed to make a family-friendly film for kids, but Kaufman wanted it made as another Troma movie. After premiering at the American Film Institute in 1990, the actual film didn’t see a wide release until 1996. So, with that out of the way, let’s examine Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.!

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    Synopsis

    Harry Griswold (Rick Gianasi) is a New York police detective who enjoys fast food and is pretty clumsy. One night, he attends a Kabuki show, when suddenly the actors are gunned down, prompting Griswold to intervene. During the gunfight, he’s forcibly kissed by one of the dying actors, which gives him special Kabuki powers. The next day, his superior Captain Bender (Noble Lee Lester) chews him out claiming that Griswold shot at security officers. Griswold suspects that wealthy businessman Reginald Stuart (Bill Weeden) is somehow involved, but he’s got connections to discredit Griswold. When his partner Connie LaRosa (Pamela Alster) is attacked, Griswold transforms into Kabukiman, wielding tons of Asian-inspired powers and weaponry. Unfortunately, Connie gets killed, Griswold is suspended, and it seems like Stuart has gotten away with it all. With some help from the nubile Lotus (Susan Byun), Griswold harnesses his powers to fulfill his destiny!

     

    Review

    Despite having a troubled production, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. is much more fun and enjoyable than one would expect. First off, while not as iconic as Toxie, Kabukiman is still a uniquely fun character that works on his own. Not only does he have a very colorful design, but his goofy demeanor and random abilities add to his charm. Also, Rick Gianasi makes for a flawed but likable lead as Detective Griswold, as well as playing a cartoonish character. With its darkly-lit night scenes and even some line deliveries, it feels like a parody of 1989’s Batman at times. Even the scene transitions playfully reference the scene transitions in the 1960’s TV series, adding to the cartoony feel. What also makes it funny is how much of the cast play it straight, especially Susan Byun and Bill Weeden. They feel like they’re plucked from a mainstream superhero movie.

    Admittedly, some of the production problems mentioned before do creep their way in, though it doesn’t hurt the film. For instance, a fight scene will be goofy and silly, but then someone’s head will get stomped on. Also, there’s a fair amount of nudity here and there, and even an attempted rape scene, causing some tonal dissonance. Granted, violence and nudity mixed with cartoonish humor are Troma’s bread and butter, but here, there’s an odd disconnect. Still, the film is relatively tame compared to movies like The Toxic Avenger and Class of Nuke ‘Em High. While I think the original Toxie is perfect for Troma beginners, this might be better for those more squeamish. In terms of comparing this to Troma’s other films, this lies somewhere between the Toxie and Nuke ‘Em High sequels. Overall, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. is a fun superhero spoof worth investigating.

     

    Buy Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3cVsbNt

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  • Godzilla (2014)

    Godzilla (2014)

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    TriStar had acquired the rights to Godzilla for a 1998 film that was a critical and commercial flop. Soon after, Toho rebooted the franchise with Godzilla 2000, kickstarting a new series that culminated in 2004’s Godzilla: Final Wars. That same year, Godzilla vs. Hedorah director Yoshimitsu Banno acquired the rights intended to make a 3D IMAX short film. Through a series of connections, the project was proposed to Legendary Pictures, who green-lit a new 3-D theatrical film. They entered a partnership with Toho and signed on with Warner Bros. to co-produce and co-finance the project. Gareth Edwards, fresh off the surprise hit Monsters in 2010, was hired to direct this ambitious and very risky project. The overall team spent years developing their concepts to make sure they got it right and wouldn’t upset the fanbase. After years of development, the new American Godzilla was released in May 2014.

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    Synopsis

    Fifteen years after losing his wife due to a nuclear reactor breach, Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston) is searching for answers. He believes that something’s going on that’s being covered up much to the chagrin of his son Ford (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Ford reluctantly agrees to go with his father to the site where it happened, the Janjira Nuclear Power Plant. While there, they discover that a secret organization called Monarch has been studying a mysterious chrysalis feeding off the radiation. Two scientists, Dr. Ishirō Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) and Dr. Vivienne Graham (Sally Hawkins) are leading the research team. Eventually, the chrysalis shatters, releasing a MUTO (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism), which goes on a rampage seeking its mate. If the two reproduce, it could spell doom for the world, so Ford teams up with Monarch to fight them. Eventually, Godzilla emerges and it culminates in a fight in San Francisco.

     

    Review

    While the 1998 film was a massive failure, the 2014 Godzilla is a major improvement in every way imaginable. First off, while that film had a small, scrawny-looking lizard, this one has a massive, towering beast of radioactive fury. Not only that, but the film does a great job giving a sense of just how enormous the monsters are. Though purists might be turned off by some of the liberties taken with the design, it’s still better than expected. The MUTOs have a very unique design that still makes them feel like monsters you’d see in a Godzilla film. Admittedly, Godzilla doesn’t show up until an hour in, and he’s not given much screentime till the last act. Still, when he is on screen, it’s a feast to the eyes and ears when he roars his mighty roar. It’ll have you on the edge of your seat.

    Unfortunately, except for Bryan Cranston, most of the human characters come off a bit on the bland side. While he has arguably the best character arc in the whole movie, Cranston’s character sadly dies at the 40-minute mark. Granted, that’s par for the course with most Godzilla films, and none of the other actors are necessarily bad. Ken Watanabe makes up for it by offering genuine pathos, particularly when he shows his connection to the Hiroshima bombings. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is alright as the lead, and Elizabeth Olsen works well as his wife, but they’re pretty unremarkable. Ultimately, the real stars of the film are the monsters, and this film delivers them in spades and then some. Though it doesn’t come close to the original 1954 film, this still ranks as one of the series’ best. Overall, Godzilla 2014 is a kaiju blockbuster that lives up to its expectations.

     

    Buy Godzilla from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ungjcP

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  • Trancers 5: Sudden Deth (1994)

    Trancers 5: Sudden Deth (1994)

    [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=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]At this point in Full Moon’s history, many of their productions were moving over to their new Romanian studios. After Subspecies and its sequels proved to be huge hits for them, more were being filmed at Castel Films. Speaking of the saga of Radu, Full Moon was filming sequels to their other franchises back-to-back around the same time. Originally one film, Puppet Master 4 and Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter were filmed a year apart. This approach seemed to work since, after Trancers III: Deth Lives, the next two sequels would be filmed back-to-back. However, by this point, Full Moon was starting to cut costs as their partnership with Paramount was soon ending. According to screenwriter Peter David, many sequences from his Trancers sequels were being cut left and right to save costs. With that in mind, let’s discuss Trancers 5: Sudden Deth.

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    Synopsis

    Picking up where the last film left off, Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) is looking for a way back home. With some help from former trancer Prospero (Ty Miller), Jack learns of the “Tiamond”, an object capable of interdimensional travel. To retrieve it, Jack must venture to The Castle of Unrelenting Terror and pass its many difficult challenges. Meanwhile, Lord Caliban (Clabe Hartley) has been brought back and is after the Tiamond, which will give him unbridled power. As they venture towards the castle, Jack must learn to accept Prospero for who he is if he’s to succeed. Eventually, they find the Tiamond, only for Caliban to use it to launch an assault on the Tunnel Rats. As Shaleen (Terri Ivens) and Harson (Jeff Moldovan) defend the castle, Jack and Prospero race to stop Caliban. Will he be stopped, and will Jack be able to return to his own dimension?

     

    Review

    Much like its predecessor, Trancers 5: Sudden Deth doesn’t feel like it’s from the same franchise as the first three. Much like Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter, this film opens with an extended recap sequence to extend the runtime. After that, it’s the same DTV-esque sword & sorcery as the last film, which is still shockingly flat and dull. Tim Thomerson delivers the same wise-ass attitude we’ve come to expect, but you can tell he’s growing tired of this. That said, you can tell that he’s still a consummate professional and makes the most of the material he’s given. Like the last film, David Nutter’s direction adds to the flatness on screen, though that could be his TV background. While the film opens on a somewhat exciting action scene, it quickly dips into slow exposition and dialogue-heavy scenes. It’s a film struggling to reach feature-length.

    Aside from Thomerson, the rest of the acting is pretty dull, though there are a few decent moments. Probably the best sequence is when Prospero is confronting Jack about how he hates him just because of his background. It’s a well-written and well-acted scene that questions Jack’s black-and-white morality and is better than this movie deserves. Most of the runtime is Jack and Prospero riding through the woods and walking through the Castle of Unrelenting Terror. Oddly, they work well together and have some decent chemistry, which makes this slightly better than the last film. But then you get to the other actors, notably Clabe Hartley and Terri Ivens, whose delivery is very stilted. It’s pretty easy to see why this was the last one Thomerson appeared in since this series pretty much died. Overall, Trancers 5: Sudden Deth isn’t nearly the swan song Jack Deth deserved.

     

    Buy Trancers 5: Sudden Deth 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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  • Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

    Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

    [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 was requested by Patreon support JacksJD. 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=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” 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=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In August 2004, Portland-based publisher Oni Press published Scott Pilgrim, a series of graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Upon its publication, the series was widely praised, earning several awards and being put on various lists of best comics. Following the publication of the first volume, Oni Press reached out to producer Marc Platt about adapting it to film. Through Platt, Universal picked up the rights and hired Edgar Wright, who just finished Shaun of the Dead, to direct. Wright and writer Michael Bacall had O’Malley on standby working on the script to make sure they stayed faithful. At the same time, Wright was working on the screenplay for what became Ant-Man, but he put it on hold. Filming took place from March to August 2009 before getting a wide theatrical release in August 2010. So, with that backstory out of the way, let’s discuss Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

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    Synopsis

    Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a 22-year-old slacker from Toronto who plays bass for an indie band called Sex Bob-Omb. He has a 17-year-old Chinese girlfriend named Knives Chau (Ellen Wong) much to the chagrin of his bandmates and friends. One night at a party, Scott meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), an American girl working as an Amazon deliverer. Scott instantly falls in love with her and they start dating, but dating her comes at a price. For them to continue dating, Scott must defeat her seven evil exes in a fight to the death. These include movie star Lucas Lee (Chris Evans), superpowered vegan Todd Ingram (Brandon Routh), and leader Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman). Despite the odds being stacked against him, Scott decides to take on the challenge to prove his love for Ramona. But will love be enough to complete this task?

     

    Review

    Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is one of the most uniquely imaginative and entertaining films of the past decade. Much like Edgar Wright’s other films, the quick cuts and breakneck pacing keeps thing moving so you’re never bored. Each of the action sequences is well choreographed and filmed in such a way that you can follow along. Much like the comics, the fights are stylized after classic beat ’em up games like Street Fighter and Double Dragon. The cast is great, too, each of them feeling like they were taken straight out of the comics. Cera, who was known for playing this type of character at the time, works as the likable loser Scott Pilgrim. While he sometimes comes off somewhat self-centered and snarky, you get a sense that there’s some deep-seated depression. Like many of us in our early 20s, he has a lot more to learn.

    Mary Elizabeth Winstead, on top of being the punk rock chick archetype come alive, works as our female lead. On top of having great chemistry with Cera, she proves to be more than a damsel in distress. In fact, some of the best action sequences in the film involve her showing off her impressive fight moves. Each of the Seven Evil Exes is memorable in its own way, clearly having fun playing such over-the-top villains. There’s also Mark Webber, Alison Pill, and Johnny Simmons, who are also fun as Scott’s bandmates and friends. Even the minor supporting characters have their moments to shine, including Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, and Brie Larson. The soundtrack perfectly complements the video game/punk rock aesthetic, the visuals are spectacular, and it’s a moving story. Overall, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is almost the definition of a modern-day cult film.

     

    Buy Scott Pilgrim vs. The World from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AsmwNk.

    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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    Where to watch Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

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  • There’s Nothing Out There (1991)

    There’s Nothing Out There (1991)

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    At an early age, Rolfe Kanefsky was drawn to films starting with his love of the Abbott & Costello movies. Recognizing his aspirations, his father, editor Victor Kanefsky, got him a job working at Troma before he entered college. He worked as a production assistant on Troma’s War, which gave him a taste of how tough filmmaking can be. While in high school, Rolfe saw the Siskel & Ebert “Women in Danger” special, where they criticized popular slasher films. Rolfe wondered how easy writing a teen exploitation film was, so he watched tons of horror films and started writing. He started getting frustrated at all the tropes and cliches, so he decided to make it a self-referential horror-comedy. With help from his parents, Rolfe was able to amass $100,000 to film what became his feature-film debut. Shot in 1989, There’s Nothing Out There finally saw release in 1992.

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    Synopsis

    For their Spring Break, a group of high school students decides to go to a house by the lake. One of them, a horror buff named Mike (Craig Peck), is paranoid and thinks the worst may happen. While his friend Nick (John Carhart III) puts up with him, the rest of the group is annoyed to death. Unbeknownst to them, a small alien creature is roaming through the woods and is making its way to the house. After getting into a fight with the lunkheaded Jim (Mark Collver), Mike gets locked in the basement for the night. Soon enough, the creature makes its way to the house and starts picking off the teens one by one. Thankfully, Mike makes his way back to the house after breaking out and helps the survivors fend off the creature. They’re gonna needs tons of shaving cream to survive against the creature!

     

    Review

    There’s Nothing Out There is a clever horror-comedy that manages to achieve that perfect balance between the two genres. What helps is that the movie remembers to be a horror film first and have the comedy be secondary. This could work as a standard creature-feature, but the addition of the Mike character makes it an effective spoof. It also helps that the film doesn’t talk down to its audience or seem insulting to the horror genre. Speaking of Mike, Craig Peck does a great job playing essentially the audience’s avatar, saying what the viewer’s thinking. While he can seem snarky and rude, he comes off as likable since he just wants to keep everyone safe. Also, whether intentional or not, the film seems to make a point about how media consumption can warp someone’s reality. It’s much smarter than you’d expect from a low-budget creature-feature.

    The rest of the cast fit their roles well, though many of them are more the typical horror film archetypes. Thankfully, none of them are particularly annoying or so awful that you’re waiting for them to die. Also, for such a low budget, the creature effects are fairly impressive, the alien creature having a very unique design. What helps is that they hide the creature just enough so you can still see it while still building suspense. There’s plenty of gore and nudity to satiate any fans of exploitation, as well as some great fourth-wall gags. The funniest gag is when a character sees the boom mic and uses it to swing away from the creature. Moments like these help elevate the film past its low-budget trappings into an enjoyable horror-comedy alongside Evil Dead II. Overall, There’s Nothing Out There is worth seeking out.

     

    Buy There’s Nothing Out There on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Pk7YI3

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  • The Day Time Ended (1980)

    The Day Time Ended (1980)

    [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=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Writers Steve Neill, Paul Gentry, and Wayne Schmidt came to producer Charles Band with an ambitious concept. Neill and Gentry had a working relationship with Band, having done effects work on End of the World and Laserblast. Their concept was, as Schmidt described, “an intergalactic Death Race 2000“, but Band turned it down, deeming it too expensive. However, Band offered to produce a film for them if it could be done cheaply using one or two locations. They quickly banged out a script called Vortex, and they hired director John “Bud” Cardos from Kingdom of the Spiders. The script was rewritten twice: once by David Schmoller and J. Larry Carroll and again by someone Cardos had hired. At some point, distributor Irwin Yablans insisted that the title be changed after receiving a cease-and-desist from Disney. Finally, in late 1980, the film was released as The Day Time Ended.

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    Synopsis

    The Williams family has relocated to the Sonoran Desert to stay with grandparents Grant (Jim Davis) and Ana (Dorothy Malone). While there, the young Jenny (Natasha Ryan) finds a mysterious object glowing green behind the farm, but nobody believes her. That night, a UFO lands near their house, and mysterious aliens start making their way to the house. Turns out a triple supernova that exploded 200 years ago has opened a rift in time and space. Soon, giant alien monsters start invading the house, many of them with the intent to kill the family. Meanwhile, Richard (Christopher Mitchum) tries to make his way back to the house after hearing the reports of the supernova. Soon, Jenny is taken away by the extraterrestrial visitors, and the family must fight to survive against the strange monsters. What will become of the Willams family during this, the day time ended?

     

    Review

    It should come as no surprise that The Day Time Ended is near impossible to summarize given the synopsis. There’s hardly any kind of explanation given as to why anything is happening, who/what the aliens are, etc. Ordinarily, not having everything explained to you can work if what’s presented is interesting enough that you can follow along. Here, unfortunately, there is so much dead air and filler that makes it hard to really care what’s going on. Given this film was written by visual effects guys, it’s clearly meant to be more of an effects showcase. In their defense, the effects are the best part of the film, mixing stop-motion animation and optical effects. The stop-motion was done by the late great David Allen, who also did the stop-motion on Laserblast. His effects, as well as the many opticals, help carry the film despite the literal nothingness on screen.

    The cast does the best they can given how little material and direction they’re given to work with. Jim Davis, who sadly passed away shortly after filming, is a consummate professional despite delivering some laughable dialogue. Dorothy Malone gives little to no reactions to all the crazy stuff going on around her, even the gigantic aliens. Natasha Ryan is ok as a precocious young child, but she can get aggravating at times with her high-pitched voice. Christopher Mitchum and Scott Kolden are alright if somewhat bland, though they have some decent scenes with Davis. Marcy Lafferty, who starred in Kingdom of the Spiders with then-husband William Shatner, is above average even with little material. In terms of Band’s 70s output, it’s somewhere between Laserblast and Tourist Trap, so take that for what it’s worth. Overall, The Day Time Ended has ambition but is otherwise a confusing mess.

     

    Buy The Day Time Ended 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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    Where to watch The Day Time Ended (1980)

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  • The Karate Kid (1984)

    The Karate Kid (1984)

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    At age seventeen, screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen was assaulted by bullies, so he started studying martial arts to defend himself. His first teacher tried training him to use martial arts for violence and revenge, so Kamen switched teachers. His second teacher was a Japanese man who didn’t speak English but was a practitioner of Chōjun Miyagi. Years later, his mentor Frank Price introduced him to producer Jerry Weintraub, whose credits included Nashville, Oh, God! and Diner. Weintraub had optioned an article about a single mother’s kid who earned a black belt to defend himself against bullies. Kamen decided to combine elements of his own life and the article into a screenplay that Weintraub would produce. They hired John G. Avildsen, who had earned an Oscar for Best Director for the 1976 classic Rocky. After a roughly three-month shoot, The Karate Kid was released in June of 1984.

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    Synopsis

    Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his mother Lucille (Randee Heller) have just moved from Newark to Los Angeles. He befriends high school cheerleader Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue), much to the ire of her ex-boyfriend Johnny Lawrence (William Zapka). Over time, Johnny and his gang, the Cobra Kais, continue to bully Daniel, so he decides to practice karate. During one beating, Daniel is saved by Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita), who works as a handyman at his apartment. Daniel asks Miyagi to train him, but he instead takes him to the Cobra Kai dojo to resolve the conflict. The sensei, John Kreese (Martin Kove), turns them down but agrees to a deal so Daniel will be left alone. Miyagi will train Daniel for an upcoming karate tournament so he can fight the Cobra Kai on equal terms. With so little time, Miyagi’s gonna have to whip Daniel into shape.

     

    Review

    From how I summarized the plot, The Karate Kid comes off as somewhat cliche and something we’ve all heard before. Of course, there’s the fact that it’s from the director of Rocky, which shares a very similar plot. However, its predictability is more so a product of how there have been so many similar films made since then. What helps is that this film works not only as an underdog story but also as a coming-of-age story. Daniel goes through the sort of issues many teens do: bullying, rejection, feeling isolated and alone, and acting out. Ralph Macchio plays the part like an actual teenager, not so much that he’s annoying but enough that’s he likable. However, Pat Morita steals the show as the wise yet eccentric Mr. Miyagi, who has great chemistry with Macchio. Despite not having many lines, he has some of the most quotable lines.

    Martin Kove does a great job as the villainous John Kreese, relishing every moment he gets to intimidate people. William Zapka works as the prototypical bully, but even he cowers beneath Martin Kove and has moments of fear. Though she isn’t given much to do, Elisabeth Shue is a fine love interest and has good chemistry with Macchio. Additionally, there are some great appearances from notable character actors like Larry Drake, Frances Bay, and Larry B. Scott. The soundtrack has some memorable tunes, including “Cruel Summer”, “Moment of the Truth”, and the iconic “You’re The Best.” Speaking of, Bill Conti’s score helps accentuate the mood, whether it’s the calmer training scenes or the intense championship. For over 30 years, this film has remained a classic of 80s cinema, and it more than deserves that status. Overall, The Karate Kid is one of the ultimate feel-good movies

     

    Buy The Karate Kid from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vNla8C

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  • Class of Nuke ‘Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid (1994)

    Class of Nuke ‘Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid (1994)

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    Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz enjoyed working with and were trying to make a star out of wrestler-turned-actor Brick Bronsky. He was hired to play the lead in the 1991 sequel Class of Nuke ‘Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown. While The Toxic Avenger sequels were filmed back-to-back, the Class of Nuke ‘Em High sequels were filmed over three years. Both were directed by Eric Louzil, who previously directed Lust for Freedom and Fortress of Amerikkka as previously mentioned. He also produced 1981’s Malibu Hot Summer, which was rereleased as Sizzle Beach USA and featured a then-unknown Kevin Costner. For the sequels, Louzil decided to not follow the original and instead go off in his own direction. Neither had the original cast or filming locations. Class of Nuke ‘Em High 3: The Good, The Bad, And The Subhumanoid was released three years after Part 2.

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    Synopsis

    After the last film, Tromie the Nuclear Squirrel has been dealt with and peace has returned to Tromaville. Meanwhile, Roger Smith (Brick Bronsky) is in the hospital with his girlfriend Victoria (Leesa Rowland) because she’s giving birth. Unbeknownst to him, Dr. Slag, Ph.D. (John Tallman) from the Nukamama Corporation has his eyes set on Roger’s sons. Alongside Professor Melvina Holt (Lisa Gaye) and a new cretin gang, they kidnap his son Dick (Bronsky) after he’s born. Later, Roger’s son Adlai (Bronsky) is born and raised to be good-natured while Dick is raised to be bad. Adlai attends the Tromaville Institute of Technology like his dad and has a girlfriend named Trish (Lisa Star). Soon, Dr. Slag, Ph.D.’s plan comes to fruition when Dick wreaks havoc on Tromaville, and Adlai is blamed for it. Will Adlai be able to stop Dr. Slag, Ph.D., or will Tromaville become a nuclear stockpile?

     

    Review

    Class of Nuke ‘Em High 3: The Good, The Bad, And The Subhumanoid is more of the same from before. It’s got the same goofy sound effects, the same obvious ADR, the same emphasis on T&A over gore, etc. Interestingly, this film was apparently based on Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, though with that extra Troma touch. Bronsky, though not a terrible actor, is clearly stretching it with having to play three roles at once. He’s surprisingly pretty intense as Dick, though it seems like he might be trying too hard at being intimidating. As Adlai, he’s basically repeating his performance as Roger from the last film, even wearing the same outfit. When he’s playing Roger, who’s also the mayor, has some fun moments getting to free up some more. Though he’s not the best actor, it’s a shame his acting career never took off after these two films.

    Lisa Gaye, much like Toxic Avenger 2 & 3 and Class of Nuke ‘Em High 2, is wonderfully over-the-top. She spends most of the runtime either smoking a cigar or eating snacks, but she still has some fun moments. John Tallman delivers a surprisingly straight-laced performance as Dr. Slag, Ph.D., mostly underacting though still coming off as mildly intense. Effects-wise, it’s what you’ve come to expect from a Troma film: tons of melting, goop, and rubber suits. What stands out the most are the subhumanoids, which have unique animal-like designs, such as a wolf, a lizard, etc. Also noteworthy is that this would be the first appearance of Ron Jeremy, who would become a Troma regular. While it has its moments, there are better Troma films to start with. Overall, Class of Nuke ‘Em High 3: The Good, The Bad, And The Subhumanoid is average at best.

     

    Buy Class of Nuke ‘Em High 3: The Good, The Bad, And The Subhumanoid from Amazon: https://amzn.to/31cofks

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