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rbclarke
Reviews
Fai caan che (1984)
Classic Slapstick
The basic synopsis of Wheels on Meals is as follows: Jackie Chan and Yuen Baio are two Chinese immigrants who run a mobile snack van business in Barcelona. Sammo Hung, also a chinese immigrant living in Barcelona, works as a very badly dressed PI. Sammo is hired by a dubious looking gentleman in a bowler hat to track down a Spanish girl, who it just so happens is the daughter of Yuen Baios dad's girlfriend. This sets the scene for, amongst other things, a bizarre retro skateboarding sequence, a ludicrous car/van chase and a top class fight at the end.
For me, Wheels on Meals represents the ultimate combination of comedy kung fu and naive slapstick humor. It's worth pointing out that this film isn't as good a Martial Arts flick as some of the earlier works that it's three main stars were involved in (Young Master, Magnificent Butcher, Prodigal Son, etc). However, the main strength of Wheels on Wheels is it's ability to get new mileage out of some very old gags, and it also proves once and for all that unusual hats can be very funny.
I give it nine out of ten.
Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby (1999)
Overrated by some, underrated by many
This film doesn't deserve the hammering it seems to be getting at the hands of the IMDB voters. Maybe Freeway II does try a bit too hard to be trendy, and Vincent Gallo is a bit irritating. On the positive side, there is some great photography, especially when the girls hit Mexico, the soundtrack is fantastic and Natasha Lyonne is awesome.
If you want to rent something a bit colorful, then you could do a lot worse.
The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
Great, if you like this sort of thing
The Legend of Billie Jean follows the exploits of a teenage trailer park resident who goes on the run after an unfortunate sequence of events revolving around her brothers Honda scooter. All this may sound a bit absurd, but don't let that put you off, this film is great fun. Helen Slater is fantastic as Billie Jean, and the off-beat locations and overall look of the film help to set it apart from the average eighties teen flick.
The Legend of Billie Jean may yet become a cult classic, and anyone who gets a sentimental buzz from eighties teen films should definitely check it out.