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poguemathon
Reviews
Cocktail (1988)
look out - it's a bomb
While working at Giant Rodent Studios on another bomb called "Stella," I was told that this current nightmare still being fixed and opening in mere days had nothing on this cruise missile headed your way, which was regarded very highly as something nearly impossible to top in the "bomb in the making" post-production offices that had to deal with it. Hushed talk filled the air as I was told just how awful a film could be for this group - and "Cocktail was that winner, hands down. But I witnessed much the same with "Pretty Woman" too, as it changed names more than a few times, along with plot lines going going - go figure. Never underestimate the power of a hungry audience.
The Dirty Picture Show (1980)
a look back in the Vista's life (for L.A. theater fans)
This bit of very '70s male film does one thing for anyone doing archaeological digs in the field of adult films of this particular bent- it gives a look into what the Vista Theater once was in the day when it showed movies such as the very one as it is shown within this one. The last shot of Jim Battaglia retorting to the cashier who had asked him about the movies seen as he leaves the place: "What movies?" Go have yourself a Margaret Mead moment. As we all know, today (2006) the Vista is one of the best venues to see first-run major releases in its now refurbished and expansive seating arrangement. Local talent, such as Sam, who was a bartender at the now-defunct Detour (just down the street on Sunset), are featured.
The Secret Cinema (1966)
leave this gem alone, Mr Spielberg
Okay, you've chanced to see something that sticks in your craw after gawd only knows how many decades - much like "Eclipse of the Sun Virgin" and a few other rarities from the day of true "underground" film. So you decide to check it out on IMDb just to see if anyone else has had the same grace and seen this movie. And you find out that it has already been filtered and reduced to some pablum for the masses already, and for TV, no less. Leave this gem alone, Mr Spielberg. The black and white ORIGINAL is so powerful and fun and dark that doing anything with the content or.... needless to say, Hollywood seems to have run out of ideas, or original ideas, or any means to make a buck without investing a whole lot of energy (as I see it). This wonderful movie should be on any serious film buff's list of must sees. Are you paranoid? This movie gives credence to anyone and all of us who have felt that there ain't an inch of life left to ourselves and that your meager little life is an open book for other's amusement - and our personal horror. Love love love this film.
Ginger Meggs (1982)
Must've been something I ate ---
Having worked as a projectionist during an L.A. Film Market way back around 1982 (LA- the Tiffany on Sunset Strip), I had the thrill of showing this bit of Aussie weirdness one day. Yeah, there's quite not-so-subtle cultural differences, but who can tell what. Must've been something I ate, like mushrooms or some forbidden fruit, 'cause this oddity left me befuddled but amused by the intense (and I do mean intense) beyondo color palette employed. Quirky and surreal, this baby never made it onto the American market. Someone out there has to have seen this one, too, please tell me, anyone.... Strange but not terribly fascinating. Had the same experience with a 3-D wonder called "Rottweiller," which has somehow slipped under the radar and been on TV. If "Ginger" shows anywhere, watch this truly bizarre kids film unfold in all of its pre-Pee-Wee near Fellini-esque glory.
Nightmare Alley (1947)
when will this masterpiece be available except film?
Yeah, this is one of the great ones. "You know what a geek is, doncha?" When will someone get the rights to make this film available other than the rare television or rarer theatrical showing? What does it take for this to get released on tape or DVD? How many more great works from not too so long ago are in this same limbo? Tyrone power is at his best here. And this may be a personal favorite of Joan Blondell's work. The flavor long lost on carnies and amusement park seediness and the life and lives of those caught up in it and noire noire noire, baby. Not a happy sing-a-long affair, but one kick of a movie. One for the archives.
The Loved One (1965)
Beauty in many forms
Having seen a Playboy magazine article on the making of the film, this 15 year-old had to see it to believe it. This was in Boston, and the theater chain (Sack) had lopped off considerable footage, but I never knew of this until a PBS showing of it years later revealed a scene with the astronaut's wife that, after having seen the movie so many times that I could recite it, caught me completely by surprise. I skipped school and sat for an entire day in the glory of this perverted beauty. I received a book on the making of the Loved One, and discovered that there was a whole batch of stars, such as Ruth Gordon, who never made it to the final cut. But with or without, this one packs one hell of a punch - a scathing indictment of the '60s and all that it beheld, from a Jackie Kennedy look-alike in the opening scenes to that wonderful orgy in the casket filled chamber. Look close for a quick Jami Farr changing a portrait of The Queen at the luncheon held at the Brit exile's club. This is my all-time favorite movie, bar none.
Erotikus: A History of the Gay Movie (1973)
"Gay History 101" primer
Fred Halsted narrates this almost definitive take on gay porn. From the nudie/not quite nudies of early filmdom, to the money-shot filled feature length releases, this is a good "gay history 101" primer for those who want a titillating view of vintage footage from many films that would be difficult to amass by one's self. Halsted himself does a bit of performing, disrobing and more as the film plays. The historic factors are there, but some salient facts are left in the void, such as disclosure of some of the true pioneers in erotica, whom, it seems, prefer to remain nameless. Too bad; some great stories are there. Maybe Pat Rocco or better yet, Kenneth Anger, will do society and archivists a favor with an updated version that will truly give the full story, which should be told, warts and all. This is still a valuable bit of history, not just gay history.
Closed Set (1980)
The epitome of Gay porn pre-epidemic
Less than a full hour long, this horny little picture packs more sex per frame than any of its contemporaries. The overall professional quality is typical Gage Bros. Dialog? None. Plot? Were you really looking for that? For my standard of what gay porn should be, there is no match. A couple of familiar faces from that world, and a group that gives a good cross section of what good clean fun it all was pre-epidemic. This is time-capsule quality stuff.
Heavy Equipment (1977)
Early '70s Gay Porn in 3-D
If this is available in any form other than 16mm, make sure that the 3-D is mentioned and intact. The whole premise of this is absurd, and the intro to how and when the 3-D is about to appear makes this pic one hilarious bit of business. Plus, Al Parker fans, look close! There is one fresh appendectomy scar appearing. I'm not 100% sure, but this may be '70s gay-porn idol Roger's first film. Seeing this in theatrical release with an audience helps immensely in truly appreciating the whole of it. A gem?