Reviews

After finally watching this movie with a senior citizen and reading all of the other readers' comments about how terrible this movie "is", I thought I should have my say.

First, this movie isn't the BEST comedy ever. There have been better comedies before and since this movie. True, hearing the characters calling each other by their first names every so often can be annoying at times, I am PLEASED that I didn't hear much profanity in the movie.

I would much rather hear the characters' first names in every other sentence than profanity. So, this movie is rare in the sense of NOT having profane jokes and potty humor (like Austin Powers) to encourage laughter. But, knowing how today's society is, there is still the occasional "hell", "damn", and such.

Second, when I was watching this movie, I began to think of how the characters relied on some physical comedy and some crude slapstick humor. I do think the comedic routine could've been more refined and I have laughed at "The Three Stooges", "Oliver and Hardy", "Abott and Costello", and the older classic comedies more than I did in this movie. "Dumb and Dumber" was funnier, but somewhat vulgar.

Third, the plot and the characters could've been more refined, too. It seems as though about all the characters had to do was to act silly and get overly excited about winning a fishing trip and being very naive and innocent while creating havoc. But, this movie is simple and doesn't rely on some of the other crap that other movies rely on to get a laugh.

Finally, I would suggest this movie to older viewers who do appreciate a simple comedy without all of the unnecessary violence, potty humor, and profanity as evident in most of today's movies. (If this movie could've been more refined, I would've given it an "8" out of "10", but instead I give it a "5".)

PS--I don't think that most of mainstream society would appreciate this movie as they might appreciate potty humor and profanity, which I think is worse to think about than this movie itself!

Happy Viewing!

What a great relief it was to see this rare "rocumentary" again this year....I first saw it on cable TV during the July 4th holiday in the US. Since then, I had been searching the WWW for more information for this rare film, with not much success, except from the exhaustive database by IMDB. (Luckily, it came back onto cable TV on October 14.)

I really like this film because of the music and the fashion during the 1960's. True, the Beatles, the Animals, Peter & Gordon, and Herman's Hermits were very popular during the 1960's here in the US and many of their songs have become a permanent part of our musical memories.

However, it was wonderful to see and hear some of the less popular British bands of the 1960's, such as Sounds Incorporated and the Honeycombs as well as the Rocking Berries and the Four Pennies. Each of them had their own "60's" flavor. (But, not all of those featured were bands as there were a few British solo singers on Pop Gear. They were a treat to listen to also.)

Personally, I liked the female drummer of the Honeycombs, whose name was Honey, as I found out on the WWW. I also liked the first dance routine with the female dancers and their colorful tops and gold hiphuggers. The second dance routine was interesting with the men wearing coats and ties and the women wearing short dresses.

(Today, you can't see many dancers wearing that kind of garb. But, there were a few all male bands on Pop Gear who didn't coats and ties.) The music during those dance routines is very symbolic of how unique the 1960's really was. (I can't find much of that "uniqueness" during the year 2000.)

Overall, I would definitely recommend this film to anyone who is interested in British pop, the 1960's, or is in a band. Kudos to this rare unique "rocumentary" even if the bands were staged, except for the live footage of the Beatles at the beginning and the end of Pop Gear.

"Cabin by the Lake" is an interesting movie that does have some humor in it, however, there is a dark side to it.

Also, the setting of the movie on a lake with some beautiful evergreen scenery really does provide a "quaintness" which provides an aura of nature when viewing this movie in a dark bedroom at 11:00 at night.

(I viewed "Cabin by the Lake" on Tuesday, February 1, 2000 at 11:00 PM while I was in my dark bedroom. Sort of eerie.)

First, I'll comment about the dark side. The drownings don't really need to be a laughing matter, though. I do find that to be in somewhat of a poor taste. But, at least, the movie is on national television and the scenes are relatively not as "scary" as many major box-office releases.

(One thing which did surprise me is the language and sexual/sensual comments....there is hardly any, with the exception of a few words here and there. This movie is not as vulgar as some of the sitcoms on primetime TV.)

Second, about my likes, I was drawn to this movie because of the suspense, thrilling action, and mockery of its self as the screenwriter (Stanley) is writing a script for a movie with the same name.

Another part that does have some "wicked" humor is the fact that Stanley is literally taking HIS JOB very SERIOUSLY. Too seriously in the "research" probably!

I also find it somewhat amusing of how Stanley feeds his "guests" before their departure and how he does launder their clothing. (Is this guy a little loose in the head or what?)

Finally, there is a little bit of concern I would like to share....were any of the actors/actresses injured in the production of the movie? (The chains don't really do justice.)

Also, given the state of some people today, I hope no person would really try to do the "research" Stanley keeps referring to in the movie.

Overall, on a 10 point scale with "1" being the lowest and "10" being the highest, I would give this movie a "5" and I WOULD prefer this movie to some friends of mine as a fourth choice for a "movie night."

Happy (and Sane) Viewing!!!