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Reviews
The Rapture (1991)
One of those movies where you have no idea where it's going.
A film full of surprises... Daring... One of the biggest shockers you are ever going to see. And I dont mean the ending; I mean the mother-daughter relationship. The best thing Mimi and Will have ever done! Patrick Bauchau, Carole Davis, Mulder... The friggin apocalypse is staged so simply and imaginatively...
Shadow Builder (1998)
About as good as direct-to-video gets.
With direct to video, you always have lowered expectations. So this one really grabs you. Good to see Michael Rooker playing a Good Guy. Thats part of what works. He has that capacity to turn evil at any moment. An as-kicking, devil-whomping priest!
Again with this type of movie you don't expect the best special effects, you have to appreciate the sense that people cared enough about this story to do it as well as they did it on a button buget.
Circuitry Man (1990)
One of the best direct to video movies
For a button budget, the imagination really shows. Great B casting, great B acting. Very colorful characters, every looks like they're having fun. One of my favorites for this genre. The DVD even has a Filmmakers commentary. The 2nd one, while not nearly as tight clever, does have Deborah Shelton go topless.
Born in East L.A. (1987)
One of the greatest opening credits in film history.
Only three memorable things about this movie: Neith Hunter in a painted on dress that comes down no further than a bathing suit, in four inch spike heels, walking across some city streets. And then standing over Cheech as he comes out from under her car. Oh, my god. Jan Michael Vincent, no longer The Worldest Greatest Athlete. Now perfectly cast as a puffy, dim-witted, horrifying example of the wastes of alcohol. The theme song's not bad.
Shatter Dead (1994)
More Zombie Than Zombie
I dont see how anyone going into this movie could be disappointed. You wouldnt even bother with this movie if you didnt like zombie movies. So if anything your expectations should low. Then to be greeted by the mysterious poetic first image and have this followed by a grossout shootout and be lead along the path of these characters and this plot is such a treat. About 5 minutes into the movie you know you are not going to need the fast forward, that you have not wasted your time putting the tape in the deck and that you have no idea where the story will take you. On it's own level, this is a perfect movie.
Alien Cargo (1999)
Expect the unexpected
The beginning is an example of corporate tinkering. They felt they needed a formula hook so they editted one up front. But after that it really keeps you awake. Like an early Roger Corman film ("House of Usher") about half way thru, you realize they have been keeping the story going with smoke and mirrors, just 2 actors in this case carrying the whole film. But it works because the acting, the dialog, the direction, are great and the basic concept is solid and they dont screw it up. Then at the end you realize they arent going to cop out and it's really going to go where you never thot it was going to go. I really appreciate the minimalism and what they did with it. Story, characters, action... common sense in a dire situation.
9 stars out of ten.