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Reviews
Used Cars (1980)
One of my all time favorite funny movies!
Saw this back to back with the "Blues Brothers" in 1980.
Was in the same vein as that movie, as well as "Animal House". Sophomoric, with lots of in-jokes, and little things that you catch upon re-viewing.
Lots of cool actors in supporting roles including "Grandpa" Al Lewis, Wendy Jo Sperber(RIP), Lenny & Squiggy.
Listening to the commentary on the DVD is quite revealing and enjoyable. The actors and directors can still crack each other up after all these years.
Trivia: The bartender is played by lead actress' (Deborah Harmon) father.
Over the Edge (1979)
Time capsule
This movie for me is a time capsule. I grew up in Aurora, Colorado where this film was shot, and I was almost 13 at the time. Seeing what my town looked like back then brought back many memories, and I have to admit I knew lots of kids like the ones in the movie. Matt Dillon epitomizes the good lookin' kid who is popular at school, all the girls want him... but he's such a brat! He's the guy you LOVE to HATE! Somehow he pulls off snottiness like no one else!
This movie... although not very good in my opinion, will take you back to the times of sneaking out, feathered hair, skating rinks, Leif Garrett/Shaun Cassidy records of your sister's.
Probably really popular with teens and pre-teens due to the theme of empowerment. What would it be like if the kids were in charge? LOL
Zorro (1975)
Loved it!
For us that grew up in the '70's... THIS was our Zorro film!
It was kinda campy, but then again... so was Batman reruns. Watching it again now, it's hard to compare with films made nowdays, but I still enjoyed it. This time around I got the subtle jokes (Zorro sticks his foot in front of Garcia and says, "Have a nice trip").
The common themes of Zorro are there - The freeing of the slave labor, the little boy that assists Zorro in slapping the soldiers around, the priest, the Diego character. Also all the familiar swordfighting cliches (i.e, the candle cut, the jump up on the table).
I recently found this at Wal-Mart for $4.99, so I bought it not expecting much. From the moment I heard the silly Zorro theme song, I knew that this was the Zorro movie from my youth!
Get this and enjoy it!
Just One Night (2000)
Quirky, but interesting
I caught the last half of this movie, but thought it was quirky enough to watch it finish... I intend on renting it to see the entirety.
I especially liked the animation between major scenes, looked like painted representations of the building, or vehicle the cast were in...
The female lead in this is, well, hot... hot....hot!!!!!! Poetic way to depict how two people can be drawn together for a night even though they may never see each other again... gives us a taste of that magic.
I'm going to rent it, you should too!
The Duellists (1977)
Great Historical Piece
This is one of my favorite period pieces. Based on the Joseph Conrad's book (also wrote Heart of Darkness..Apocalypse Now was based on this novel)
Already a fan of swordfighting flicks ala' Dumas/Lester, this gave me a feel for the Napoleonic Era, and what is must have been like to be a Prussian soldier at this time. I love films like this that will take the extra 20-30 seconds of precious film to show you what is was like to open a wine bottle, or prepare a meal in those times! I liked the dreary settings, and in many scenes I could feel the cold Russian winter, or the heat of the fire in the German Gasthaus.
Carradine and Keitel give a great performance, depicting the importance of honor in that time, and what lengths you would go to to preserve your honor.
Check it out!
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977)
Catch early performances of other actors
Check out Dennis Quaid as the baseball pitcher, and Ron Howard's little brother as the catcher. Also credits at the end of the movie for "The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo" with Dan Elfman. This is the earliest public mention of that entity that I know of...This is Danny Elfman of course from Oingo Boingo(Dead Man's Party/I like little girls), who now does movie soundtracks such as Batman, TV shows "The Simpsons", and "Tales from the Crypt". He is also Jenna Elfman's(Dharma and Greg) uncle. Have fun with all the degrees of separation here.