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aerosmithandwesson
Reviews
My Bloody Valentine (1981)
yet another Paramount classic!
During the late seventies and early eighties, Paramount Pictures began a streak of quality horror films paralleled only by the Universal Films of the thirties and forties. Exemplified by the Friday the 13th series, My Bloody Valentine, Silver Bullet, April Fools Day, Tourist Trap, and many others, these films, though headed by diverse directors, presented a singular atmospheric moodiness, attained through a mandated set of production techniques. As a result Paramount was able to consistently release films that seemed vaguely familiar in a comforting way, yet dealt with a wide variety of unique subject matters within the expansive slasher genre.
My Bloody Valentine is an exploration of the environment and lives of modern day miners, an idea rarely touched by the horror genre. The easygoing feel of the town (almost stephen king-esque) is rocked by a holiday slasher, climaxing with an exciting chase through the mineshaft with few survivors. Superb acting by a well-selected cast, whose characters are given a chance to develop is the highlight of this top rate horror gem. A movie so good that one of the best bands ever borrowed their name from the title! See it now!
Tourist Trap (1979)
continuing Paramount's streak of atmospheric gems!
During the late seventies and early eighties, Paramount Pictures began a streak of quality horror films paralleled only by the Universal Films of the thirties and forties. Exemplified by the Friday the 13th series, My Bloody Valentine, Silver Bullet, April Fools Day, Tourist Trap, and many others, these films, though headed by diverse directors, presented a singular atmospheric moodiness, attained through a mandated set of production techniques. As a result Paramount was able to consistently release films that seemed vaguely familiar in a comforting way, yet dealt with a wide variety of unique subject matters within the expansive slasher genre.
Tourist Trap evokes the carnival imagery of Tobe Hooper's The Funhouse, yet brings it within the guidelines of the Paramount Films from this era. The dark settings and unsettling mannequins and masks lend a scary non-human atmosphere to the film that belies it PG rating. The acting is consistently solid as can expected from Paramount films from this era. The characters are even likable, making their deaths all the more tragic and shocking when they inevitably occur, a rarity in the films of competing studios such as New World or Vestron during the same era, where deaths are treated as a comic or joyful event. Under-appreciated in its day, and nearly forgotten now, this film has truly withstood the test of time and has become a classic in the eyes of those who are lucky enough to revisit it. Do yourself a favor and pay a visit to this incredible "Tourist Trap".
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Don't believe the detractors, this is brilliant!
People are so tied up in plots and settings, the important thing is that this movie is hilarious, and hilarious in a fresh and satisfying way. Yes the people are dressed like its the 80's, and there are also characters using the internet. Have any of you people been to Idaho? If you have been to Idaho you would understand that this movie is set in the present, and that there are no contradictions whatsoever. Also, lack of a plot? Come on... This is a coming of age story, not unlike many before it. It may lack the obvious conflicts and relationships that one would find in a typical Hollywood blockbuster (thats fine by me), but in the end its about nerds finding their own niche and being comfortable in their own skin. By the end of the film, each main character has overcome some adversity through the use of his or her own "skills", and I was rooting each of them all the way. All of that aside though, I was laughing throughout the entire film and so was everyone else in the theater. As long as you can put your bogus pretensions aside, you will too.
The Stöned Age (1994)
The ultimate party movie!
After seeing this movie, you may never drink a short can of beer again! (I know I haven't) This film is sure to evoke memories of your greatest moments, out on the town and on the never ending quest to get "drunk, stoned and laid". The characters are perhaps the most real and well developed in the history of cinema. The repellant, yet vulnerable and sympathetic Tack is the archetype of dude who will always be wormed out of his chicks, and Joe is the ultimate antihero on the path to personal discovery and inner strength. Maybe I'm delving a little too deep....but this movie is a source of inspiration in an otherwise bland and meaningless era of moviemaking (the 20th century). Do yourself a favor...grab a load of tall cans, gather your buds and watch this movie. You'll never regret it.
Last Resort (1994)
Psychedelic Comedy Masterpiece!
60's psychedelia meets 80's party movie in this forgotten 90's gem! I can't really describe what happens in this movie because it makes no sense at all, but to tell you the truth, I don't care. I can see why people hate this movie, it really is ridiculous, however, I can't help but be impressed with the sheer amount mayhem that was packed into this wonderful film. I've certainly seen nothing like it ever, and likely never will again. This was the eighties sexy comedy genre making its last gasp and going out with one hell of a bang. Be there to watch it....and cry.
Hollywood Zap (1986)
Wow! They don't make em' like this anynore.....
Ah....the eighties! A time where anything goes....and anything does in this classic eighties adventure. A boy moves from the country out to the wild streets of L.A. to find his father. While there he befriends a psychedelic homeless man and a "sexy" young punk rocker. Hilarity and hijinx ensue. And boy do they. The film descends into a spiral of extreme despair as our protagonist gets nowhere near finding his real dad. Instead madness grips the cast as they take out their anger on the city with the oddly menacing punk pounder. I'm telling you, this movie may make you feel a little weird after watching it, but its rare that a movie can evoke a feeling like this. See it today!
Delinquent School Girls (1975)
classic psycho-sexual terror!
This has to be one of the most disturbing movies I have ever seen. The director taps in to some of society's greatest fears as escaped mental patients wreak havoc on a small town and its young female residents. It is not often that a movie can get under your skin the way this one does. Recent ones I can think of are "Happiness" and "Requiem for a Dream". Movies of this sort are difficult to produce today and copies of this classic are rare. Do yourself a favor and find a copy of it soon!