Sunday 19 August 2012

Tremors (1990)


Actors: Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward and Finn Carter
Director: Ron Underwood

What can beat an underground blind prehistoric hungry monster that responds to vibration?
Not very much. This is a fun action movie before CGI. The monster is this slimy snake like being that moves fast under the surface and likes to eat people. 
The sleepy village of Perfection gets invaded. The heroes are the two overgrown handy men of the village. They try to get out and into the big world. 
Obviously nothing is explained and in the end a happy ending. All of a sudden people start to get eaten. The scenario is a remote part of USA surrounded by mountains and only one road out. Of course the road gets blocked and the good people of Perfection is stuck. 
There is some wonderful characters in this film. The couple who have built their own fortress with a basement full of all sorts of fire arms. The elephant rifle is proving to be very useful in the end. 
The two main characters are the epitome of how americans like to see themselves. Resourceful and in the end without any external support they save the towns people. Or at least the once that survives. 
One could find so many flaws in the film but that is beside the point. It is sheer good old action. No real thought is required and one can simply rest and just enjoy the film. 
Stable one knows that in the end it will be a happy ending.
This is before CGI so the special effects is a full size monster built up. It is great fun. No trying to even remotely look realistic and one can almost see the seams in the costume. As an added bonus when the monsters get blown up it is sheer orange gunk that is splashed all over.
I hope anyone that watches this good piece of action will enjoy it as much as I do.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Sunday 5 August 2012

Edge of seventeen (1998)


Actors: Chris Stafford, Tina Holmes, Andersen Gabrysh and Stephanine McVay
Director: David Moreton

This near perfect coming out movie is wonderful. It is set in 1984 Ohioo and it gets everything right.
The era, music, props and plot.
It is one of the most realistic and tender films. It does not offer a sweet ending and that is just one of the many strength of the film.
Confusion, sex, love, orientation, pivotal moments and wanting to please all and no-one.

Eric is a high school student who is dreaming to get to New York. He and his best friend Mag take a summer job at a restaurant at the local fair ground. The other guy is there. Amongst confusion and the shake of some whipped cream it is soon official.
Who am I this film oozes and never really answers. Some amazing acting and pivotal moments stays and one only wants to jump in and say; Hold on, do the right thing.
They do not do the right thing.
The confusion that enters everyone is so real and not to be forgotten.
Who am I, who are your, who are we?
Questions that is in all families of teenage kids growing up to fast. The thrill of finding one self is evident and so steeped in a sense of loss.
One of the strength is that it captures the mid 1980's so perfectly. Music, fashion and social attitudes all combined.
Is the main character a hero? Not sure about this. However he breaks a woman's heart so hard it will give him nightmares for a long time. He has just convinced to consummate the so call relationship. No words except him repeating "I am sorry" manifest how she has gulled both of them to think this is it. She is betrayed and he knows he has done this.
Once he has come out to his mother more hardship. He gets a hug however no love from his mother. The movie is wonderful. Full of spot on music and fashion. The storyline is with depth and integrity. A must see.
Rating 4.5 out of 5