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Halt and Catch Fire (2014)
Nostalgia driven shown that is ironically timeless...
I originally watched this show week by week when it premiered way back in the summer of 2014, and finished it when it ended in late summer of 2017. Recently I rewatched the show, but this time I "binged" the show over a 3 month period, and it actually gets better on its second viewing. This is definitely a show that benefits from binge viewing (as opposed to watching it the 8 weeks it was on every year then waiting 40+ weeks for new episodes) as there are so many "Easter Eggs" that require attention to detail, and a lot of things circle back to the beginning, as life tends to be.
The original draw for me was the 80s nostalgia factor, as there were many "historical dramas" back in the 2010s and this was no exception. Basically this tried to be a Mad Men in the 80s, or a Mad Men with computers, but it ended up being much, much more, and I'd say the Mad Men comparison hurt the show more than helped it, if the ratings at the time it originally aired are anything to believe. Thankfully AMC stuck with the show and allowed the story to be told to completion, low ratings be damned. In fact, the show ending was planned in advance so a proper ending was written to tie things together. However, I do think there is enough steam left to tell more of the story, say another 5-10 years of work drama for the characters involved. The show covered 1982-1994 roughly, with some flashbacks to the mid 70s, but I felt like they could have pushed it out to the beginning of social media to 2000 or 2004 and it would be fitting, but the ending itself was satisfying, even if there won't be a revival like all the cult shows seem to be doing these days.
This show is timeless because it could be modern day or set hundreds of years ago, and the characters would be just as believable and relatable. The backdrop is technology, but to quote the show "Its a thing to get to the thing" at its core its a business drama that any entrepreneur can relate to. At closer viewing its also a push and pull of work life vs love life and family life. The lines between business and personal are blurred, and its all a larger allegory and commentary on parenthood and child rearing. Ultimately the show leaves you asking the big questions about the meaning of life and the legacy we leave when we are gone, and those thoughts will stay with you weeks after you finish the show too.
Lastly, a quick review of the 4 seasons of the show:
Season 1--Set around 1982-1984 in Texas, this is the season that has the heaviest amount of technological jargon of all of the seasons, which probably turned off viewers at first. Overall this feels like the most unique of the 4 seasons, and feels more like an independent film in how it was shot.
Season 2--Set around 1984-1986 in Texas, this is the season where we have the footing for the rest of the series as character patterns begin to emerge and characters start to change and more importantly grow. At first viewing this was my least favorite of the 4 seasons, though I found this much stronger in the 2nd viewing.
Season 3--Set around 1986-1990 in California, the first half of the season seemed to drag a bit, but the trajectory changes abruptly after a shocking choice and an even more shocking ending to one of the characters.
Season 4--Set around 1992-1994 in California, this season was very strong, yet also deeply sad. This season also had the most realistic portrayal of grief and the many different ways people deal with loss and grief.
One last thought: THIS SERIES NEEDS A PROPER DVD RELEASE!!!! Only Seasons 1 and 2 were released on DVD, I know we are becoming a world of streaming only, but this show would have benefitted from all 4 seasons being released on DVD, with cast and crew commentaries on some of the episodes and a few featurettes on set design and the time period portrayed. Hopefully the people that worked on this show read the numerous glowing reviews of this show online and make the connection that finishing the shows run on DVD would make a sound business decision.
American Experience: Demon Rum (1989)
The best documentary on Prohibition I've ever seen...
I've seen many documentaries on Prohibition, but all have the major flaw of relying solely on interviews from historians and experts, no interviews from people who lived and drank during the period. In the case of this documentary, the only interviews are of people in their late 70s and 80s who actually lived and were either old enough to drink during Prohibition, or took advantage of it as a bootlegger or supplier for it.
All the hypocrisy of Henry Ford was laid out plainly, as well as government officials, Coast Guard, local police in Detroit, on and on. I appreciated this documentary also pointed out that even though Prohibition was an abject failure, it did reduce drinking rates in the country, something you never seen in documentaries about this period, so there was a bit of a balance, if short. This is extremely hard to find, and only released on VHS officially once 30 years back, but if you can get it, it is well worth seeing.
That '80s Show (2002)
Flawed But Not As Bad As People Make It Out To Be...
Just watched all 13 episodes of this in a single day marathon after I caught a episode here or there when it was new in 2002-2003.
I'll start by saying that the cast is not bad, of course Glenn Howerton is the centerpiece as he is big from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia but Geoff Pierson is also in this and is solid in many things before this show and after. The rest of the cast are fly under the radar actors/actresses but do well in their roles, such as they are.
Granted this is/was a sitcom, but the plot was all over the place, even bad by sitcom standards. Sophia's character (played by Brittany Daniel) starts out as being dumped by Glenn Howerton's character, then lusting after Howerton's sister (while coming out as bisexual), then being hit on and hired by Howerton's dad in a 80s style workout equipment marking company?!?!?
I will say I laughed a decent bit, many people complained about the forced humor from 80s stereotypes (though the parachute pants and cell phone gags were abysmal), yes there was a bit of that but still it wasn't as bad as a show like The Goldbergs, which is 80s reference after 80s reference. I am a fan of the Goldbergs but even that is more of a consistent 80s reference show than this one, which makes me think that That 80s Show was just a decade too early. Much like Do Over and Freaks & Geeks, the cycle of 80s (be it early or middle or late) nostalgia shows that aired in the late 90s to early 2000s were just too early. Clearly the public was ready for them but they needed more time.
VHS Massacre (2016)
Decent documentary but too preachy in regards to piracy...
I ended up watching this documentary on Amazon Prime video (ironic given the title, more on that later) because I wanted to see another documentary on the VHS format.
Maybe half the documentary actually plays service to that, the rest is video hunting of VHS tapes in stores that would go out of business before the movie would be released, and complaining about piracy ruining film as an artistic medium, specifically the making of indie films.
The thing is, most films these days (speaking in 2019) outside of major studio releases will never make it to physical media, they will go straight to Netflix, or ironically in this case, to Amazon Prime Video. The straight to VOD (video on demand) contract is similar to the straight to video in the 1980s, the only difference is lack of a physical release. Of course, when you go straight to VOD it makes it even EASIER to pirate the film and distribute on file sharing sites from simple capping of it from a digital source.
Thus we have a documentary where I appreciate the argument and the love put into it, but it just falls flat on its face as it has become already a piece of history, even though it was shot in 2014 and released in 2016.
Winners Tape All: The Henderson Brothers Story (2016)
One of the best mockumentaries ever...
...and best low budget mockumentary ever.
This film perfectly encapsulates the straight to VHS horror film genre of the 1980s, down to the bad editing, acting, and lighting. Of course, the source material is HD down converted to VHS quality, but you get the gist of it if you have ever seen the 1980s films this was based on.
The bad acting and joke references really set this film apart. Clearly the filmmakers have seen a lot of these films and have a great basis for the jokes and general style of the "fake" films that it is based on.
Big recommendation if you are a low budget film aficionado for sure.
Snow Day (2000)
If you liked Adventures of Pete & Pete...
...you will probably like this movie. In fact, in many ways it feels like a 3-part long Pete & Pete episode, though I wish it was made when it was originally intended (1995-1997) instead of years later. The reason I say that is that the dynamic of the show is intact, but the actors in all the roles are changed, which doesn't feel right.
The dynamic is there because it is a whimsical/goofy/nostalgic story of misadventures and days in the lives of teenagers. You have the younger brother (just like the show) and the best friend who just happens to be female (also in the show). Also, much of the story is told in a similar form of voiceovers like in the show (which harken back to Jean Sheppard and Christmas Story) that feel like its a 30 something year old feeling nostalgia of his youth. Lastly, two key character actors from Pete & Pete are cast in this film, which is certainly a plus, though I wish there were more.
Like the show there is a villain/bully/nemesis that kind of reminds me of Endless Mike, but he is a bit more over the top and less comedic, which is to the detriment of the movie. Of course the movie fleshed out the dad's life more than in the show, which is to be expected when they cast a star like Chevy Chase as the dad. Unfortunately "Little Pete" is not developed enough as a character in this movie, as he was some of the best comic relief in the TV show. If you have seen Pete & Pete before this movie, then sadly you will also be able to predict how it ends, its like the writers wanted to end the "will they or wont they" open ended nature of big Pete's relationship with his "friend that is a girl, but not a girlfriend".
All in all, if you've seen Pete & Pete the TV show then I recommend seeing this for completion's sake. You get the feeling the writers really wanted this to be a grand send-off of the show, as a feature length film is no better way to celebrate a successful cult show run. Now only if they would make new episodes of Pete & Pete like they've done with other 90s shows, then I would be happy!
Do Over (2002)
Great while it lasted, a show before its time?
I remember watching this show when it was new in the fall of 2002, the baseball episode with Greg Maddux really stuck out to me then, and still holds up today. Only 11 of the episodes actually aired in the US, the last 4 that were produced aired years later in Britain for a total of 15, it took me years to see all 15, and I saw the complete series again for the 2nd time recently, thanks to the magic of Youtube and torrents, as I know this series will never be released on DVD or digital due to (sadly) low interest and expensive 1980s music rights clearance fees.
Some may consider this to be a companion series to Freaks & Geeks (as both are set in 1980-1981?), and they would be right, the shows actually share 2 actors, and a certain villain from Back to the Future plays basically the same role in both shows. Freaks & Geeks leans more on drama and awkward/embarrassing comedy while Do Over is a bit more of a "traditional" family sitcom with the added plot point of What If? and regret. Plus, 1980s pop culture is a bigger focus on Do Over, from the mom predicting numerous consumer trends (to the point of being ALMOST annoying) to music (soundtrack covers most of the decade, not just 1980-81) and clothing styles.
Overall, this was quite a unique show for WB for the time which is partly why I think it failed. Also, I get the sense that 1980s nostalgia shows were too "early" for mainstream acceptance in the late 1990s-2003 period. This show failed, Freaks & Geeks failed, and so did the That 70s Show spin-off, That 80s Show. If this show would have been made around 2010 on another network it would have had a shot, after all The Goldbergs became a smashing success with some similar concepts to Do Over.
A few reviewers said this needs to be rebooted, and I agree. How about the guy/gal wakes up in 1990 this time? By 2018 we are due for some early 90s nostalgia...
American Beer (2004)
Interesting documentary, though more a piece of history considering age
I'll begin by saying that this documentary was filmed in 2002, and released in 2004. At the time there were something like 1,000 breweries and they toured 38. I have 38 breweries in a 30 mile radius from me now. In fact, I saw a documentary made in 2007 that toured nearly as many breweries in North Carolina alone. That being said, this is more a historical document than anything else, though from a cursory search of breweries they traveled to, ALL seem to be still open today. Many that they toured are still the landmark craft breweries in the USA today, such as Allagash, Brooklyn Brewery, Dogfishhead, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, Anchor, and others.
A lot of the information in the film itself is what I now take for granted to be basic information about beer, seemingly spoon-fed to an audience that probably knew little about beer besides Budweiser and Coors at the time. However, I was impressed about the information provided in the deleted scenes, and many were in-depth interviews with brewery owners, and a few provided hints as to odd fermentation styles that those breweries did. I still am curious about "open fermentation" as a homebrewer.
Though the information is a bit dated, I have to give the filmmakers a hand for decent production values on an admittedly shoe string budget. Fully deserving an 8/10 for its ambitious premise and providing me a bit of information I did not already know, oh and a historical document of the growing American craft brewery revolution.
Into the Black (1983)
One of the best low budget/no budget films of all time!
This is pretty much Jim Van Bebber's first foray into film on a large scale, and you can see how it influenced his later work, especially Deadbeat After Dawn. Oddly enough, the film has no voice or sound capturing, but an AWESOME soundtrack was overlayed, which gave the feel of an old silent movie with musical accompanyment, except this was Heavy Metal awesome. JVB should totally sell the soundtrack to this. I also would be curious to see how much was actually put into this film, as it seems like he used whatever funds he had to the utmost, especially since this film was made when he was only 19 years old. It is really too bad he never got the opportunity to work with a large Hollywood budget on an action film.
Beer Y'all: A Rock & Roll Road Trip Across North Carolina (2009)
Interesting look at the "early" development of beer in NC
I originally saw this at its premiere at Triangle Brewery in Durham, NC in the summer of 2009, and got a chance recently to re-view the film on DVD. This is essentially a last journey of seven friends as they go from their mid 20s to adulthood and move to other areas in the South. The group of 7 (half of which were in the band Rat Jackson) go from Asheville to the coast and Outer Banks and back, visiting nearly every single North Carolina craft brewery that was open in the summer of 2008. Each brewery stop includes a nice view of the facilities and a short interview with either the owner or the head brewmaster. The interviews showcase the various brewing ideas/traditions that the particular breweries espouse. This works for what it is, a road trip with friends through a burgeoning revolution in beer in one state. Even though this is only five years old, I found it to be a bit nostalgic, as probably 30 more breweries have opened in North Carolina since.
Generation Exile (2010)
Great editing but overall disjointed
Saw this yesterday at the Full Frame Documentary Festival in Durham, NC (which I believe was the world premiere).
The narrative follows the filmmaker's life as he moved from country to country, all because of political exile from his native Chile. The documentary is also wrapped around a few other individuals who the filmmaker met while he was seeking spiritual enlightenment through Sufism. Their stories of exile are also told, as many were in the same religious group the filmmaker was. Also, this same religious community harbors a dark secret which is revealed in time.
This was a heartfelt film that had some of the best editing I have ever seen in a documentary feature, especially considering he is a first time filmmaker. However, though visually stunning, I really did not get the point of this film. The filmmaker seemed out of touch and in parts selfish, in his internal and external desire to have a sense of "self" in his community. I guess the filmmaker was trying to point out that this journey has no end, or at least a satisfactory one? If anything, it feels like it is a statement on the pointlessness of belief. Is agnosticism the answer?
Hard Hunted (1992)
Did anyone notice...
Jim Lampley in the scene in the board room? He is wearing 80s glasses and a bad fake mustache. Nice attempt at a disguise, but you can easily recognize his unique voice. He is not listed in the credits (not surprisingly).
As everyone else said, this film is a bad attempt at showing T&A through bad plot, slow scenes, and horrible, I repeat HORRIBLE singing sequences. The "singer" is more off key than I was at 16, ugh. I get the sense that this is a poor attempt at being like a Charlie's Angels type movie, with all the fancy planes, cars, etc and beautiful women, minus the action and acting. Bonus points for those that notice the ugly cow/leopard/tiger prints on the clothing and even briefcase! Such bad fashion sense.
45365 (2009)
Anytown, USA
Saw this heartfelt documentary at the Full Frame Documentary Festival in Durham, NC. I say heartfelt because this documentary really epitomized Anytown, USA, through the lens of Sidney, Ohio (population ~20,000) your average small town with all its bows and blemishes. We have the local cons and screw ups, the competing law enforcement, and local high school football team. You get the sense that just like any small town, everyone knows everybody else, and the concept of nightlife or "fun" things to do is all but nonexistent.
I have a feeling that the filmmakers used the fact that they were from this town to their advantage, achieving a sense of realism and honesty that would not have been there if they were your average Hollywood documentarian, instead of hungry guerrilla filmmakers.
The Q&A after the film was one of the most informative and emotional Q&A's I have ever attended for a film. The directors went through all the technical aspects and maladies that occurred, from having to film out the side of moving cars and attracting the local police, to the hard decisions that had to be made during the grueling editing process. To give you an idea of how hard this film was to edit, they were working with 500 hours of footage that they had to pare down to a 90 minute film.
By the way, this won Honorable Mention at Full Frame under the New Filmmakers category, so that is two awards for the last two festivals this film has been in. That alone speaks wonders as to the quality of this film. Someone please distribute this!
Run Swinger Run! (1967)
Cheaply made and oh so 1960s
This film is totally a product of the drive-thru era of film-making, perfect for a teenage couple looking to see something sexual, and without much merit otherwise. You can tell the budget is is far south of about $10,000 for this movie, as it is rife with jump cuts, and the filmmakers couldn't even afford color film in 1967. The girls in this film, including the main one were mostly quite attractive, so that is a plus. For JFK assassination enthusiasts, there is a nice nod to Lee Harvey Oswald in the beginning of this film too, though the sniper is going after a bikini clad hottie instead of the President. All in all, If you would like to see a proliferation of pre-boob job breasts without much plot or artistic significance, then this is the film for you!
Sideways (2004)
A looking glass of life
I have never seen a film of recent ilk this character driven.
This film is touted as a comedy, but it really is a drama that is true to life, too true at times. If anything, the comedy comes mostly as a 3rd person observer of an embarrassing situation where you just have to laugh because it isn't you that got involved in it.
Many of us wish to achieve fame, so much that we overlook the important aspect of having just one person out there who appreciates us for who we really are. That character in this film is Miles, who blindly strives for fame, knowing he really isn't good enough to make it, but tries anyways. In his attempts he tries so hard he overlooks what is right in front of him, possibly in a rash act of avoidance of opening himself up to a new love.
Jack has had his fame, and seems to be riding the coattails of it for all its worth, yet his self worth currently is centered around his fiancé, though he would never admit it.
Miles and Jack are diametrically opposed as pessimist and optimist, maturity and immaturity, each is their own balance, and each is their own downfall. Almost like yin and yang personified.
The female characters in the film are extensions of Miles and Jack, perfect personality matches, and almost embellishments of their own selves. The circular nature of their relationships provide a sterling aspect to the film as well in a true testament to balance of character.
The Boogens (1981)
Not purely a horror film
I got a chance to see this on the big screen as a retro horror double feature with My Bloody Valentine last week, and I have to say this is one underrated 80s horror film.
Since the body count is about 6 or 7 for the whole film, this seemed to go counter to the trend of the late 70s to mid 80s favorite of the horror genre, the slasher. I do have to say that this film is a bit miscategorized when it comes to genre, as this could easily be a comedy as much as it is a horror.
I say that because honestly, one of the young male characters (was it Roger or Mark? I get the names confused) basically spent the whole film making sex jokes/comments in his dialogue. The romance between Trish and the other guy was a bit of that flirty and fun aspect as well. Also, lets not forget the dog Tiger, whose only purpose was as a cutesy form of comic relief, and produced arguably the best bit of acting in the whole movie. Last but not least, the monster itself has to be seen to be believed, it is that funny to look at (picture a turtle with tentacles instead of legs, and about 20 of them on its body, and thats it). If you are looking for a strictly scary horror film, don't come here for that fix. However, if you want a somewhat lighthearted horror flick that will produce much more laughter than chills, check it out (that is if you can find it, as I hear you either have to dig up an out of print VHS or catch it on TV).
Loaded Weapon 1 (1993)
The Best National Lampoon's Film of the 1990s and 2000s
This film is just great on so many levels. I haven't laughed this hard since Animal House. Though the film works as less of a sketch or situational comedy and more in the "farce" realm of Naked Gun, it works well for this film. In fact, many could compare this film to Naked Gun, as it is certainly a contemporary of the series.
However, this film basically is a direct parody of Lethal Weapon, and first and foremost parodies that film alone, in the character development, the plot, and the look. Secondarily, you will see parodies of Silence of the Lambs, Basic Instinct as the most obvious in this film, along with a few other film parody references.
Check out the star cameos in this film too, you have to be really paying attention to catch them all, as I counted over a dozen in the whole film, some only 30 seconds long.
All in all, strong recommendation to view this film, ESPECIALLY if you liked Naked Gun.
Secrets of World War II (1998)
Thought-provoking, educational documentary
While the series title ("Secrets of World War II") is a bit melodramatic, the educational content of this documentary more than compensates for the hype. Each episode focuses on a key topic of the war from D-Day to Stalingrad to Germany's "secret weapons" (the V-1 and V-2 rockets, etc.). The topic is presented thoroughly and with painstaking accuracy. During the program the narrator poses (again, with melodrama) several poignant rhetorical questions, such as "Did Stalin use secret reserve army divisions to stop the Wehrmacht from taking Stalingrad?" And in regard to the heroic rescue at Dunkirk, "Did Hitler purposely order his Panzer divisions to stop their advance, allowing the British and French armies to escape, because he didn't want to go to war with Britain?" The casual viewer might find this material to be a little heavy, but the student of history, especially of WW II, will enjoy every minute.
Peter Jennings Reporting: The Kennedy Assassination - Beyond Conspiracy (2003)
Good report, with some flaws
I like the scientific evidence and computer generated timelines that were created from the Zapruder film for this news special. They served to provide a different take on the shots fired and more concrete support that it was just Oswald acting and not a conspiracy.
The whole focus of this show was to make as much evidence known as possible to make it impossible that there WAS a conspiracy. However, all of the evidence itself surrounded their argument that the only bullets that struck and killed Kennedy himself were fired by Oswald. That alone does not prove that Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy, it only proves that he fired the only bullets that HIT Kennedy.
It is a fallacy in itself to assume that Oswald acted alone just because he was lucky enough to hit all 3 shots. He could have been paid off by any number of socialist/Communist organizations that he worked for, or by Castro himself. Heck, there could have been another shooter out there that day, that either fired shots and was not noticed or detected because of the actions of Oswald, or never fired shots because he realized that Oswald succeeded, and the the support help was not necessary.
There are just so many theories that were not discussed in this program. Granted, there is no way you can touch on everything in a 90 min program. Heck, you couldn't do it in a 10 hour miniseries. However, spending 1/3 of the show debunking the film JFK was not time well spent in my opinion.
Night Patrol (1984)
Simply amazing comedic fare....
I wasn't expecting much from this film, but man was I pleased. I haven't laughed this hard at a comedy in 2 or 3 years. The sight gags were dead on, the word puns were even better. My favorite gag was the "Cock Fight" one. All I have to say though is that it is a travesty how under-rated this film is on IMDb. If anything it is as good as Naked Gun, and a worthy predecessor to it.
Granted, the humor isn't for everyone, if you expect dry humor of the sophisticated, Oscar Wilde variety, watch another movie, as it isn't here. However, if you like "obvious" jokes and cheap puns like I do, this is the film for you!
Mr. Lucky (1959)
A Classy Series with Class Actors and the Classiest Musical Score
This TV series, very loosely based on the movie by the same title, is about a suave gambler, Mr. Lucky (John Vivyan), his faithful sidekick, Andamo (Ross Martin), and various guest stars (such as Frank Gorshin) who undergo their adventures on Lucky's yacht, the Fortuna II (Fortuna I sank in episode 1). Anchored beyond L.A.'s twelve-mile limit, the yacht is a center of gambling, classy dining, and intrigue. Lucky and Andamo get themselves into all kinds of danger, but always manage to get themselves out by the time the closing credits roll. While the setting is creative, the magic of this series is created by Hank Mancini's fabulous musical score. The theme "Mr. Lucky" plays throughout, as does Mancini's "Chime Time" and other lovely numbers (e.g., "Blue Satin").
Sadly, this series lasted just one season. Even sadder is the fact that these few episodes have not been reissued in DVD. Just a handful have been released in VHS mode. Maybe this will change. I certainly hope so.
National Treasure (2004)
Edge-of-the-seat thriller that beats the pants off "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
If you see this one, be sure to stock up on snacks and visit the restroom BEFORE you enter the theater. For you won't be able to leave your seat once this fabulous thriller starts. The plot concerns an historian/engineer/Navy diver's (Nicholas Gage) obsession with finding a treasure supposedly hidden by the Founding Fathers during or shortly after the Revolution. The treasure had its roots in ancient times, having been protected first by the Knights Templar (of the Crusades), then by the Freemasons (a secret society whose members included Washington, Franklin, and others). Through luck and brilliant deduction, Gage learns that the back side of the original of the Declaration of Independence contains key clues to the treasure's location. Aided by a Natural Archives archivist (Diane Kruger) and his comic foil sidekick (Justin Bartha), Gage travels from D.C. to Philadelphia to New York in pursuit of the treasure. Problem is, they're pursued themselves, by a gang of treasure hunters who would stop at nothing (including murder) to get their hands on this multi-billion dollar find.
OK, that's the plot in a nutshell. On the plus side, the film features many superb special effects (e.g., the explosion of the Arctic ship) and breakneck pacing. While prevalent, the violence is not gratuitous or graphic. And except for a brother-sister smooch or two between Gage and Kruger, the sex is non-existent.
On the minus side, the writers should have done a little better job at their historical research. For example, early in the film we learn that the first clue in the treasure hunt was provided by Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, whom (we are told) was a Freemason. That's an impossibility, as Carroll, a devout Roman Catholic, was prohibited from joining the Masons under penalty of excommunication! But such "peccadilloes" do little to dull the brilliance of this rousing mystery-thriller, against which "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "The Temple of Doom," etc., can't hold a torch.
Pledge Night (1988)
Not as bad as I thought it would be
This movie is definitely a case of its so bad its good. Coming into this film I expected it to be your stereotypical movie about frats with hazing etc etc and some humor mixed in. However, I was dead wrong, as this film is full of total cheese. Even the one liners from "Sid" were hilarious, such as "This is for Spiro Agnew" when he kills someone. The concept of a hippie monster has to be one of the most original out there and I commend the filmmakers for it. I noticed to make the film genuine they even filmed it at a frat house in Rutgers. For the budget this film was under I have to give the film company much respect. Overall, definite recommendation if you are a college student, but it might not be for everyone. 6/10
Sorority House Massacre (1986)
Paper Thin Plot
I know that horror films have a big suspension of disbelief and major plot holes are the norm, but this film takes the cake. Basically the plot centers around the fact that a college student has a mental block about the killings of her family members and the fact that the sorority house where she is now living is the place where the killings took place (nevermind the fact that a sorority would buy a murder house to begin with, thats far fetched enough).
Amnesia is one thing but its plain ridiculous that one cant remember something that life changing even when they were 5 years old. Besides my main gripe with the horrible plot, the kill scenes looked extremely cheap and fake (knife goes in chest, a little blood, if any comes out, no closeups either). If you are looking to see this in a quest to see all the college genre films out there, go for it, but if you are looking for a good horror or slasher film, just stay away.
Slumber Party Massacre III (1990)
Boring and tedious and how many hits does it take?
Warning, some potential spoilers await.
Really, how many hits does it take to knock someone silly or knock them out?
The inane female characters in this film hit the main villain not one, not two, not three, but four separate times (that I could count) in the head, then would leave the area to have him recover and go on his killing spree again within a matter of seconds.
I recognize that horror films are thin on plot, but this one is so thin on plot there is absolutely no motive as to why the killer does what he does besides his uncle who was a cop and died? Is that reason enough to go on a rampage killing a bevy of teenage kids? Obviously the writers and director thought so. Oh yeah watch out for the sly stereotypes as well, like the stupid policeman that is Irish, OH THE HILARITY!