1979’s WALK PROUD followed the releases of Walter Hill’s THE WARRIORS and BOULEVARD NIGHTS. All three were films about street gangs. After violence erupted in theatres with the previous films, groups protested the release of WALK PROUD. They were afraid it would be yet another unfavorable view of gang life, especially the lives of Mexicans in L.A.
The film itself wasn’t as controversial. In fact, it is closer to ROMEO AND JULIET, or to name a more recent film CRAZY / BEAUTIFUL than it is to THE WARRIORS. It is about star crossed lovers, a Mexican gang member from East L.A. who falls for a rich girl.
While this isn’t what you would call a great film, Robby Benson isn’t bad in the lead. I know that he isn’t the first person you would think of when thinking “Mexican gang member”. I think it was in his career plan to play every ethnic group possible. He was a Hasidic Jew in THE CHOSEN, a Native American in RUNNING BRAVE, even Paul Newman’s son in HARRY AND SON. After checking off each of those roles, he was able to retire and move behind the camera.
His love interest was played by Sarah Holcomb (profiled here in a “What Ever Happened To” story). This was to be her biggest role in her four film career, and she is good.
The film was written by Evan Hunter aka novelist Ed McBain. It was directed by Robert E. Collins, a TV writer and director (MARCUS WELBY, M.D., POLICE STORY) making his theatrical debut.
Released by Universal, the film has never been released on video in any format. It recently played on Turner Classic Movies. While the print was letterboxed, it was shown with all the language edited out. It was only rated PG so it was still watchable. But since TCM usually shows films uncut, I wonder if an uncut version of the film even exits.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
FORGOTTEN FILM: WALK PROUD (1979)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Top 10 Songs From June 16, 1984
Maybe it is just me getting old, but today’s music does nothing for me.
Reading Rolling Stone, and not even recognizing most songs in the Top 10, I happened to see this list, the Top 10 Singles from 25 years ago.
Here is the Top 10 from June 16, 1984
10. “Borderline” by Madonna
9. “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen
8. “Jump (For My Love)” by The Pointer Sisters
7. “Self Control” by Laura Branigan (NOTE: The above William Friedkin directed video was originally banned by MTV. Can still see why)
6. “The Heart of Rock & Roll” by Huey Lewis and the News
5. “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger
4. “Oh Sherrie” by Steve Perry
3. “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” by Deniece Williams
2. “The Reflex” by Duran Duran
1. “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper
Is it just me or do those songs still hold up?
If only for how the #1 song inspired this:
One of the greatest movie moments of the 1990’s.
Will we still be listening to Lady Gaga (whoever that is) 25 years from now?
NOTE: This post contains Youtube clips. If reading from an outside site, click through to view.
Monday, July 13, 2009
TCM UK Recreates FAME
In order to promote an upcoming showing of FAME, TCM UK staged the world's largest reenactment of the street dancing scene. Thousands of fans participated.
I'm just glad to read the TCM is on in the UK!
LAUREL AND HARDY ON SALE ON DVD...IN THE UK
One of the biggest DVD sales I have ever seen is going on right now.
LAUREL AND HARDY - THE COLLLECTION was released on DVD in 2004 in the UK for 200 pounds, the equivalent of around $325. That would make it for serious fans only.
Currently, at the UK version of Amazon, the set is selling for, with shipping to the US, the equivalent of $55.
The set is 21 DVDs of every Laurel and Hardy silent and sound short, almost 70 of them. There are a few that are lost and they obviously aren't included. It also includes ten of their feature films, including their best known SONS OF THE DESERT. Plus, there are several other shorts that the pair appeared in, the foreign versions of some of the shorts, as well as a documentary on the duo. It is all housed in a very nice box.
Over the years, I haven't watched as much Laurel and Hardy as I would have liked. One of the sad things about them is that, in this country, no one is doing anything with the titles. There is no collection like this available in the US.
Several volumes of their shorts have been released. Most are today out of print. Some used copies of single volumes containing just a few shorts are selling for more than this box set, which includes the same shorts and a lot more! If you have the old versions, you can sell them off and buy a couple of these sets.
Many of the Laurel and Hardy features are available in the US, but since so many different companies own the rights, a collection like this is impossible. In the UK, they are all released by Universal.
I've only started to go through the set and I am happy to say, it is well worth ordering. The shorts look great and still are VERY funny. I was a bit worried I would get the set and find the duo dated. Not a bit.
The set isn't perfect.
Many of the discs include a colorized version as an extra, which is pretty much pointless. Serious fans don't want to see the team in color. And a new fan isn't going to buy a big box set like this and be put off by the black and white versions.
Plus, there is no booklet for the DVDs, and the shorts are kind of randomly assembled on the DVDs. They claim to be separated into themes. I would have rather they were in chronological order, the way I am watching them. But, some might not be as much of a geek as I am.
These are very minor points though.
These are UK DVDs, so you need to have a multi region player to watch them in the US. Players can be found for $40 at Wal-Mart, so that shouldn't be a drawback.
I have no idea how long this sale will be going on. You might just want to head over there and order one.
Now if only someone would release a set like this in the US.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
BLU-RAY AND DVD RELEASES FOR 7-14-09
Here are the DVDs releasing this week, for Bastille Day, Tuesday July 14, 2009.
A few very big titles this week.
DVDS OF THE WEEK
The State: The Complete Series
Joe Schmo 2
DVDS RELEASING THIS WEEK
Grey Gardens (HBO)
Hangin' Tough Live
The Haunting in Connecticut (Unrated Special Edition)
The Edge of Love
Van Wilder: Freshman Year - Unrated
[Rec]
Welcome To Macintosh
Karl Rove, I Love You
Take Me Home
Cheap Trick: Every Trick In The Book
BLU-RAYS RELEASING THIS WEEK
The Haunting in Connecticut [Blu-ray]
The Edge of Love [Blu-ray]
Mad Men: Season Two [Blu-ray]
For All Mankind- Criterion Collection [Blu-ray]
The Towering Inferno [Blu-ray]
Wild Pacific [Blu-ray]
The Black Crowes: Warpaint Live [Blu-ray]
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer [Blu-ray]
TV ON DVD THIS WEEK
Mad Men: Season 2
Bewitched: The Complete Eighth Season
Leverage: The First Season
Bleach Uncut Box Set, Vol. 3: The Rescue w/ Limited Collector's Hollow Mask
ER: The Complete Eleventh Season
G.I. Joe A Real American Hero: Season 1.1
Peyton Place: Part Two
Wild Pacific
Wire in the Blood: The Complete Sixth Season
Tracey Takes On... Complete Seasons 3 & 4
1,001 Classic Commercial Collection
American Gladiators (The Original Series): The Battle Begins
Click on the title to read more at Amazon.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER (2009)
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) is the valedictorian of his high school class. During his speech, he decides he doesn’t want to live with regret, so he announces “I love you, Beth Cooper”, declaring his love for the head cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere). The film follows the wild night that results from his speech.
WHO MADE IT?
The film was based on the novel by Larry Doyle, who also adapted it. Doyle is a writer for THE SIMPSONS as well as a frequent contributor to the NEW YORKER.
It was directed by Chris Columbus, director of everything from ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING to the first HARRY POTTER film, RENT and MRS DOUBTFIRE.
IS IT ANY GOOD?
The novel of I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER was one of my favorites of recent years. Yet, funny books often have trouble translating to feature films.
Look at Carl Hiaasen. He is one of the best comedy writers out there. The one film that was based on his work that has made it to the screen was Demi Moore’s STRIPTEASE. Despite being very faithful to the novel (even improving on the plot at one point) the film was pretty terrible. It was the writing that made it funny, not the plot.
The good news, while the film version of BETH COOPER isn’t as funny as the book, it is still a lot of fun.
They get the cast right. Especially the supporting roles. While Paul Rust and Hayden Panettiere are good in the leads, the film is often stolen by Jack Carpenter as Rich Munsch, Denis’ movie quoting friend who may or may not be gay. Lauren Storm is also very funny as one of Hayden’s friends, as is Lauren London. Alan Ruck (FERRIS BUELLER’s best friend Cameron) plays Denis’ dad
The film has some pacing issues. There are some dialogue scenes early on that seem to go a bit too slowly. Columbus should have stepped up the tempo. But by the end, it is all forgiven.
The book is still the better way to experience the material. For those who love the book, while this isn’t as funny, they got it right.
I saw this immediately after BRUNO. It is the better film of the two.
BRUNO (2009)
Sacha Baron Cohen’s DA ALI G SHOW is truly one of the funniest TV series in history. Rarely has a show been as consistently funny. It is where we first saw the character of Borat.
Borat I thought was an odd choice for a feature film as I always thought he was the weakest of Cohen’s characters. The film, while loved by many, I found to be a bit disappointing. Not that it didn’t have laughs, I laughed quite a bit, but I laughed even more in a typical half hour episode.
When BRUNO was announced as the follow up feature, I thought for sure this would be even funnier. Bruno was a character that he could do something with.
Sadly, the result is similar to that of BORAT. While it has its laughs, it isn’t up to the TV show.
BRUNO is an Austrian TV fashion host who travels across America. Well, mainly L.A.and Alabama. That is part of the problem with the film. It felt too small, too rushed. It runs under 90 minutes, like a lot was left out.
Some of the gags go a bit too far. Not that I was offended, but it gets a bit too extreme for most audiences.
There are two skits with Bruno from the TV series I will never forget.
One had Bruno at spring break with a bunch of drunken frat guys. He was on a beach with them, getting them to dance for his cameras. He is having them yelling promos for his TV show. Then, after all this, he tells them “Say to the camera “Welcome to Gay Spring Break”” The guys, being drunken frat guys, freak out, not realizing they were part of a Gay TV show. They turn on him and run away.
Another sketch had Bruno interviewing a fashion designer (at 3:30 in the clip above) They are talking about the theme of a fashion show. Bruno is able to manipulate the interview to show that the designer will agree with anything he says.
In both of these events, Bruno had a defined target, homophobia and the vapidness of fashion. He made direct hits at both.
The film needed this focus. He could have done so much more in L.A. attacking the culture of celebrity. Not to mention homophobia. But, the film doesn’t really go there. It is all over the place.
If you haven’t seen it, I strongly suggest going out and getting DA ALI G SHOW on DVD.
I still am interested in what Cohen will do next. Ali G was his greatest creation. Unfortunately, he only made it to film in a scripted film, ALI G: INDAHOUSE that was not a success. Can a feature film be made of him? Or is he too well known?
DEAD SPY RUNNING By Jon Stock
DEAD SPY RUNNING is already in the works to become a film franchise, with McG signing on to direct a film version and Steve Gaghan (TRAFFIC) adapting.
So, before it is even published in the US, it is already a hit.
I was sent a copy of the book by Harper Collins and have to say, this could be a great series.
DEAD SPY RUNNING opens with an exciting set up.
Daniel Marchant is an MI6 operative on suspension. His father was head of the agency until it was suspected he was working with terrorists. This accusation led to his leaving the post and, soon after, passing away without being able to clear his name.
Marchant and his girlfriend are running in the London marathon when he discovers a suspicious looking runner, with a few too many water bottles on his belt that he isn't drinking from. He is running right behind the U.S. Ambassador. Marchant confronts him only to find it is a bomb unwillingly put on his belt. If the runner falls below a certain pace, it will go off. Think of this as SPEED on sneakers.
After this event, many people suspect that it was all a set up, with Marchant being like his father, a traitor, trying to get back in good graces with the government to inflitrate them again.
Marchant has to clear his and his father's name by tracking down the terrorist responsible for everything.
This is a great read, very fast paced, made up of short chapters that just have you flipping through. Stock, a British journalist with two other novels, is clearly writing for a British audience. The bad guys are the CIA, who want to waterboard Marchant. Rush Limbaugh and his friends probably won't enjoy this book.
It is very reminiscent of Robert Ludlum's Bourne novels. The films had little to do with the books, taking nothing from them but the titles and the main character. However the books all dealt with Bourne and his rival, the terrorist Carlos "The Jackal". This series could have the same rivalry.
If you enjoy spy thrillers, this will be a great summer read.
DEAD SPY RUNNING is available in the UK from Harper Collins. So far, it is only available from 3rd party sellers on Amazon.com but I'm sure will be published here when the film is released.
Friday, July 10, 2009
AMERICAN GLADIATORS: THE BATTLE BEGINS (1990) DVD Review
Do the names Nitro, Blaze, Gemini, Titan, Laser and Zap mean anything to you?
If so, you may be interested in the new DVD, AMERICAN GLADIATORS: THE ORIGINAL SERIES: THE BATTLE BEGINS.
This is a 3-DVD set of the first season of the 90’s series. The show was so popular that at one point I remember President Bill Clinton admitting that he and Chelsea used to watch it.
Contestants would battle against a team of bodybuilders and athletes in various obstacle course style events. Events such as Assault, Breakthrough and Conquer, Human Cannonball, Joust, Powerball, the Eliminator and The Wall. The winner would go on to the next round until the end of season Final Round where a winner was declared.
This set covers episodes from the very first season of the show, 1989-1990.
WHAT IS ON THE DVD?
DISC ONE
The first disc has a Highlight Show of the first half of the season. There is also a commentary track for this episode with Dan “Nitro” Clark, Raye “Zap” Hollitt and Jim “Laser” Starr. The three do commentaries for additional episodes.
Four rounds of the preliminaries are also on this DVD. There is a commentary track for the first round.
DISC TWO
This contains Round 5 of the preliminaries, along with four rounds of the quarterfinals. Round 4 has a commentary track.
DISC THREE
This disc has two rounds of the semifinals. It also contains the finals (with a commentary track) along with "The Grand Championship".
There is one extra on Disc Three:
GLADIATOR DAYS WITH BILLY WIRTH (9:48) - Wirth, an actor and contestant on the show, looks back on what it was like to compete.
The set also contains a very nice full color booklet with interviews and profiles of the Gladiators, talking about what they are doing today.
SHOULD I BUY IT?
Whether you are interested in 10 1/2 hours of AMERICAN GLADIATORS is up to you. It is a well done set, that should be appreciated by fans.
AMERICAN GLADIATORS: THE BATTLE BEGINS will be available July 14, 2009 from Shout! Factory.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO: SEASON 1.1 DVD Review
I collected G.I. JOE toys during the 1980’s.
I’ll admit it.
I had them all. The action figures, the vehicles, the big bases and that really cool F-16. I even sent away to get the Destro figure that you could only buy from Hasbro.
I had all the Marvel comics. While my friends were collecting Conan and X-Men, I was collecting G.I. Joe comics.
Yet, I didn’t watch the G.I. JOE cartoon all that much. Not that I didn’t want to, but it first aired in the afternoon, during soccer season. I began to set the VCR to tape them, but I only taped a few before giving up. By the time it returned as a regular series, I had outgrown it.
The show was very popular for those a bit younger than me. Like THE TRANSFORMERS, they could be written off as glorified toy commercials, but they worked even if you didn’t have the toys.
Now, the first few years of episodes are out on DVD in a new set from Shout! Factory.
WHAT IS ON THE DVD?
This is a 4 DVD collection of Season 1.1, the first few years of the show when it was a once a year miniseries.
DISC ONE
The first disc contains A REAL AMERICAN HERO: THE M.A.S.S. DEVICE, the five part miniseries that aired September 12-16 1983.
This disc also contains.
LOOKING BACK WITH WRITER RON FRIEDMAN: PART ONE (7:01) - A surprisingly serious look at his writing process.
DISC TWO
The five part THE REVENGE OF COBRA, that aired September 10-19, 1984.
Also features:
LOOKING BACK WITH WRITER RON FRIEDMAN: PART TWO (7:03) - Creating the characters.
DISC THREE
The five part THE PYRAMID OF DARKNESS series that aired September 16-20 1985.
Also:
LOOKING BACK WITH WRITER RON FRIEDMAN: PART THREE (4:44) - A look at the impact of the series
DISC FOUR
Seven episodes that aired in 1985 from September 23 to October 1.
This disc contains also contains:
“KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE” (3:42) - A collection of seven public service announcements where the members of G.I. Joe talk about issues such as getting lost, lightning, petting strange dogs, treehouse and campfire safety and teach how to tread water.
ARCHIVAL HASBRO TOY COMMERCIALS (1:31) - Three G.I. Joe toy commercials from the early 80’s. And I should note, I had them all.
G.I. JOE ORIGINAL 1963 TOY FAIR PRESENTATION (9:06) - A look at the original G.I. Joe doll.
PRINTABLE SCRIPT FOR “JUNGLE TRAP” - PDF of the episode.
SHOULD I BUY IT?
For fans of the series, the only real question should be whether to buy this series, or to hold out for the COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION which will be released at the end of July.
G.I. JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO SEASON 1.1 will be available July 14, 2009 from Shout! Factory.
