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Treasure Island: The Movie (1987)
Pleasant Classic Anime
I've been watching Japanese anime since the 1970's. Treasure Island: The Movie was a nostalgic experience that brought back memories of other anime from the 70's-80's era that I watched as a kid.
Treasure Island: The Movie is a theatrical film composed of episodes of a television series (original title Takarajima.) I'm not familiar with the show, so I can't speak to how the film compares with the series but I do believe they did a good job keeping the film cohesive. I've certainly seen far worse!
The animation style is fairly similar to what you'd see back in the day (think along the lines of shows like Leo the Lion or Speed Racer.) The visuals are nice, but not groundbreaking. The voice acting is really well done in the English dub. I loved the soundtrack most of all, and was pleasantly surprised when they kept the original Japanese songs that included vocals intact. There are scenes of violence that I suspect most modern parents would not want their child to see, nothing graphic but it could be upsetting for some.
I give this a 6 out of 10. It's a pleasant time passer, but no where near my favorites of the time.
Getting Over (1981)
Low Budget Indie Musical Comedy
Unfortunately, this independent effort falls flat when it comes to plot and there are few laughs to be found.
It's best to view this film as a time capsule of a small segment of a specific music scene in early 1980's LA . The filmmakers should have cut out all the various plots and focusrd on the musical performances (of which there are many to pad out the run time.)
Director/Writer/Star John Daniels doesn't bring much to the table as a director, screenwriter, or leading man. But his offscreen success is the root of this project. He founded South LA's Maverick's Flat nightclub, a popular R&B hotspot in the late 60s. Daniels also created and managed the all female group The Love Machine.
The only reason I watched the entire movie was the musical numbers. There aren't any memorable songs that will stick in your head afterwards, but they're not terrible and some of the costumes are enjoyable. Also, keep your eyes peeled for Deff Jeff Marvelous, a character clearly based on Rick James!
Getting Over is a harmless time killer if you can manage stay awake to the end. If you want to see a better "evils of the music industry" flick, check out That's the Way of the World (1975).
Min bedste fjende (2010)
Better the Devil You Know
What an amazing film. Top notch acting on all fronts (it's so well done you feel like you're a fly on the wall watching everything happen in real life.) The last movie that kicked me this hard in the guts was Boys Don't Cry.
PLEASE if anyone knows how I can get a hold of the soundtrack for this film, contact me. I searched online and was able to at least find the book this movie is based on, The Nerds' Transformation. But no soundtrack info seems to be online anywhere. The music is incredibly good and makes a beautiful backdrop to the brutality onscreen.
Cool as Ice (1991)
Proves Once and For All--The 90's Were The Worst Decade of Music
If ever there was a movie that deserved negative stars, this is it. I've watched thousands of films and this is in the top 10 of the worst movies EVER.
Ludicrous dialog. Horrible clothing. Laughable music. Shoddy script. Cringeworthy hairstyles. Unappealing, uncharismatic leads. Beloved actors agreeing to be in this bottom of the barrel dreck. All fueled by an appalling soundtrack. It's not even bad in a fun way. It's awful in a way that can't be measured with existing technology.
None of this would be made possible without support of the terrible music produced in the 90's. Yes, there was grunge. Yes, there was decent hip-hop. But there was also Vanilla Ice and other "artists" who were just as .dreadful.
How bad is it? I'd rather watch Plan 9 from Outer Space, Manos: The Hands of Fate or any Transformers movie 100 times straight than ever watch this ghastly excuse for a film ever again.
Mentor (2014)
Refusing to Acknowledge the Existence of Evil Perpetuates It
I got a familiar cold, hard and sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach watching this documentary. I recognized it immediately, even though I hadn't felt that particular dread for decades. It was the old anxiety and fear that I used to go through on almost a daily basis for several years of my life growing up in small towns. Part of the power of this film is that if you are or were a bullying victim, you can immediately identify with the all the anguish on the screen.
The fact that there were no reviews of this movie posted here even though it has a decent rating mirrors exactly how this sort of abuse thrives. People don't speak out. They see, but don't say anything.
This is a gut wrenching documentary about the evil that is allowed to run rampant in a city that is wrongfully touted as one of the best places to live in America. It is disgusting to know that there were no repercussions for all the people involved who failed these children on every level.
I highly recommend this film for everyone. Not just kids or parents or educators/administrators. Communities are responsible for what flourishes within them, not individuals.
Exploitica Rides Again (1999)
Pop Up Exploitation Good Time
Imagine a Brit version of Reel Wild Cinema with thought bubbles, sound effects and porn clips. Lots and lots of porn clips. While nowhere near as brilliant as MST3K, Exploitica Rides Again has charm and wit enough to hold your attention.
Exploitation fans will be overjoyed to see some favorites represented here, like I Spit on Your Grave, The Atomic Brain, 2000 Maniacs, and several Hammer horror flicks.
I rate it an 8 out of 10 just for the sheer weirdness factor and the wide variety of the barrage of clips and trailers included in each episode. It would be awesome to have a listing of the movies used per show.
The soundtrack is wonderfully groovy and fits well with all the on screen action.
This series needs a DVD release! There are some episodes available on YouTube for cult movie lovers who are interested, and there is a Facebook page.
The Quiet One (1948)
Beautifully Poignant Tale of an Emotionally Disturbed Child
I felt compelled to write a review for this remarkable film once I realized nobody else had bothered to do so! Even the IMDb bating of 6.7 is baffling. This is a fantastic story that was nominated for several awards...I can only equate the neglect for this beautiful piece of art with the same unfeeling neglect experienced by the child in the movie.
The Quiet One is about Donald, a poor and lonely black child from Harlem. His isolation from the world around him is two-fold--his inability to articulate himself intellectually or emotionally, and the distant treatment he receives from his grandmother, mother, and step- father. Literally, the step-father doesn't even acknowledge the boy's presence. Donald attempts to connect with the people in his life, even going so far as to try to make friends with a couple of rough older boys who rob him of his ill-gotten sweets. He isn't successful. Pain, anger, confusion and loneliness drive Donald to an act that gets him sent away for rehabilitation. Will Donald be able to overcome his emotional traumas and finally connect with others in a meaningful way?
This touching movie is a painful experience and doesn't cop out with a pat Hollywood conclusion, however it is ultimately a rewarding journey. The narration gives it a realistic feel, the locations are fantastic (especially the scenes shot in the city) and the music is appropriately moody. The characters seldom speak, but the acting is nonetheless strong enough to carry the film.
Pet Sematary II (1992)
At Least the Soundtrack is Good!
I've tried to watch this movie three times (1993, 2003, and 2015) and haven't been able to finish it. I WANT to like it. But it's just disgusting and inane. I love Clancy Brown, but not enough to sit through this dreck.
Nothing makes sense. The over-the-top gore and cruelty just comes across as sheer mean bloody-mindedness and isn't scary at all. Characters I care about in this film=0, so there is no horror at their deaths. There's an attempt at campiness, but it's too lame to make this a "so terrible it's awesome" movie.
The only positive is the soundtrack. Dramarama, L7, Jesus & Mary Chain, Ramones...I suggest you skip watching this flick and spend some time listening to the artists whose music is featured in the "film".
Hollow Image (1979)
Rare 70's Exploration of a Successful Black Woman's Personal Struggles
This 1979 made for TV film focuses on Harriet Gittens, a black businesswoman who works in the fashion industry as a buyer. Harriet's pursuit of success has taken her far from her Harlem background and past connections there--including ex-boyfriend Danny. Harriet suddenly finds herself torn between her current life "uptown" (glamorous career, fancy NY apartment, lawyer boyfriend) and the life she left behind.
A refreshing departure from 70's Blaxploitation fare, Hollow Image is still relevant today. The cast is uniformly excellent, with standout performances from Hattie Winston (Harriet's sassy cousin Ivy), Anna Maria Horsford (Danny's girlfriend who does NOT want Harriet back in the picture), and Morgan Freeman (Sweet Talk who was once a ladies' man, now a junkie.)
Highly recommended.