Truly enjoyable flick about the sad state of affairs that guys have to live with day in and day out. I related to every character in this film in a different way because they all seem to emphasize different moods and melodramas in the world of being single and trying to find that special female. Jon Favreau (who also wrote the film) stars as Mike, a guy who can't seem to get over his ex-girlfriend although he is trying desperately to re-enter the world of dating. He is pushed onwards by his friend Trent who really wants Mike to get on with his life and who also is a major player who seems to hit on anything that moves. Trent is played by Vince Vaughn who has since went on to the not so green pastures of "The Lost World". Hopefully he will return to acting roles that he is better suited for although he was one of the best parts of the unfortunate sequel to "Jurassic Park". All of the actors are great and director Doug Liman really caught the mood of guys trying to score at various LA hotspots. The feeling that you have when you walk into a party or club with the sole intention of finding a woman and the desperation which ensues as the situation becomes more bleak really comes across to the viewer. Perhaps it was the style in which the film was shot with the camera following the characters around and generally almost spying on the situation added to the sense of realism. I can only say good things about "Swingers" and I am not saying that it is just a "guy" movie, it can be enjoyed by all.
I am not a big Dustin Hoffman fan but after this movie, I really realized what a truly gifted actor the man is. The basic story is that Donnie (Dennis Franz) runs a junk store and he is teaching a teenager named Bobby (Sean Nelson) the ways of the streets. One morning, Donnie and Bobby are planning to get a coin back from a customer who bought it from Donnie's store. After he left, Donnie realized that the American Buffalo nickel he just sold was worth a lot more than he sold it for and he intends to get it back. Donnie's friend Teach (Hoffman) gets wind of the plan to get the coin back and wants in on the job causing all sorts of tension between all involved. The movie is based on a play and shot like one as well. I really felt like I was watching a play and it gave the feeling that everything was being shot live with no retakes. Of course, it probably wasn't like this but it sure felt like it. The reason I have this new respect for Hoffman is that I am a very big fan of "NYPD Blue", a show in which Franz commands the scene whenever he is on screen. In this film, however, Hoffman commands Franz whenever he is onscreen. Quite the feat in my books. Some may say that this movie is too slow or too convoluted. I don' t, I thought it was well done and a labour of love for everyone involved.
Oh, how Pam Grier just oozes with coolness whenever you see her. Pam stars as Foxy Brown, a woman out for revenge after her man is killed by some bad people who run drugs and whores. Foxy poses as a prostitute to wreak her revenge but her cover is blown and she is sent away to be tortured and killed. When she escapes, look out because this mama is out to kick some serious white ass! Director Jack Hill ("Switchblade Sisters", "Spider Baby") triumphs again with Grier as the star as in some of his other features such as "Coffy". Another standout is Antonio Fargas as Foxy's brother Link and Juanita Brown as fellow prostitute Claudia. This is my favorite as far as the blaxploitation films I have seen in my day go. Also has one of the coolest, funkiest title sequences ever. Grier rocks my world and I am so happy that QT cast her as the lead in "Jackie Brown". I can't wait...
The best Asian actor around takes a turn from his usual suave gangster character to a completely wacko serial killer necrophiliac. Simon Yam ("Bullet In The Head", "Full Contact") stars as the nutbar who is caught by the police and tells his story through very brutal and graphic flashbacks. It seems that Yam made this movie in his prime when he was in some of the hottest movies in Hong Kong. In America, this would have been considered career suicide. It would be like Matthew McConnaughey deciding to make the equivalent of "Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer" now. Simon Yam is by far my favorite Asian actor and he once again proves his versatility in "Dr. Lamb". I don't think I have ever seen such a convincing psycho in all my years. Michael Rooker is the only one who comes close with his cold portrayal in "Henry" but Yam has certain twitches, head tilts, and grunts that make this killer really frightening. This was supposedly based on a true story. It was directed by and co-stars Danny Lee from "The Killer".
In Harrison Ford's first post "Star Wars" role, he plays the leader of a special squad sent to blow up a bridge in this sequel to "The Guns Of Navarone". The other main star is Robert Shaw ("Jaws") who is reprising Gregory Peck's character from the original "Guns". This movie has had a bad rap from critics but I thought it was a decent war movie with some twists and turns that really kept you interested. Franco Nero is especially cool as a German turned Ally who you aren't really sure about. His good looks and friendly demeanor leave you really liking him even though you know that he may be an enemy. There are some major James Bond influences also present here as it was directed by Bond director Guy Hamilton and the co-stars include Barbara Bach and Richard Kiel who were both in "The Spy Who Loved Me". Some of the cinematography and set design are very reminiscent of the early Roger Moore and late Sean Connery Bond films with the use of space and the spartan rooms. Also co-starring Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed from the "Rocky" series).
Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. (1991)
Finally a superhero for the 90's! I really like this movie from Troma Films about a cop who is transformed into a kabuki warrior out to fight crime and do battle with the "evil one". Kabukiman really has some innovative powers like flying sushi, killer chopsticks, umbrellas that blow gale force winds, and many more. Rick Gianisi is great in the lead role handling the character in a very campy yet almost believable way. There is also an appearance by Brick Bronski ("Class Of Nuke Em High Part 3") as a big oaf punk. "Kabukiman" is a very fun movie with the usual cheesy Troma effects and dialogue that have given Troma the reputation they are known for. It is great to see a good picture from Troma again as I have been getting slightly dissatisfied with all of their re-releases, directors cuts, and R-rated versions as of late. It seems that Troma is finally back on the right track.
Some grand cheese from Miss Jayne Mansfield although she shines in dual roles as both a good princess and an evil amazon leader. This lady was sure fine to look at. Mickey Hargitay also stars as Hercules and is hilarious to watch with his pseudo-stud poses and dialogue. This one has to have some of the worst creature effects that I have seen since the octopus in Ed Wood's "Bride Of The Monster". I mean, they couldn't even get the animal right. Hercules does battle with what is supposedly a hydra guarding the gate to hell. Now I am not a mythology expert but I always thought the guardian to hell's gate was a three headed dog named Cerberus. I also thought that hydras grew their heads back if severed. Well, friends, the "hydra" looks like a dead, three headed, oversized, stuffed animal dog. I don't know, I guess I am just being very picky. For a good laugh and some Mansfield action, get together with some like minded friends and check this one out.
A fine supernatural thriller from Dario Argento prodigy Michele Soavi ("Cemetary Man"). This tells the story of a church that is built over a pit of dead witches. It was built to keep the witches at bay as a church is holy ground. Well, it does keep them at bay until some idiot lets them out and then you have a bunch of people trapped in the church with evil all around them. Some people say that this movie is very similar to Lamberto Bava's "Demons" but I disagree. Sure, Argento wrote the story to both of them and it was originally supposed to be a sequel but these are two very different movies. "The Church" has the wonderful style that Soavi has adapted from Argento and then redefined it all his own. This is evident throughout "The Church" and through his later work like "Cemetery Man". I was actually frightened through much of this movie and the opening sequence of how the church came to be is exceptionally well shot and thought out. Dario's Argento's daughter, Asia, co-stars.
Blood Orgy Of The She-Devils (1972)
You either love Ted V. Mikels movies or hate them. You could either appreciate this as a movie made out of the love of making movies or you could be bored out of your mind. If you have read many of my reviews, you will probably know that if I feel that a movie was done out of love of doing it, I will generally like the movie. True in this case yet again. Mikels is a true filmmaker in that he lives and breathes film. No matter how "bad" his movies are, I cannot criticize him because I know he couldn't care less. I personally love watching his movies and this one is no exception. Basically, the story is that Mara is a witch queen who has developed her powers of black magic to large proportions. That's it. There are dancing witch follower women and a little gore thrown in for good measure. Mikels knows what a good running time is for his films and ends them before they get tedious. This is one of Mikels' classics so I suggest you check it out if you are a fan of b-movies.
Bram Stoker's Burial Of The Rats (1995)
This is a new one from the new series that Roger Corman has been executive-producing for cable. This is the first of the "Roger Corman Presents" films that I have seen and I intend to see more. The movie was well done and a good time. It stars Maria Ford ("Stripteaser") as a woman named Madeleine who is the part of a type of cult of rat-women who are lead by their queen who is played by Adrienne Barbeau ("Escape From New York", "The Fog"). The rat women kidnap a young Bram Stoker (Kevin Alber) and his is ordered to write about their exploits to invoke fear in the hearts of everyone who reads his stories. Soon Madeleine and Bram fall in love which pisses off Madeleine's friend Anna (Olga Kabo). Everything climaxes in a big slaughter which actually has some pretty nifty fight scenes. It's no "Heroic Trio" but good nonetheless. Scream queens Linnea Quigley and Nikki Fritz appear as rat women.
Of all of the Jess Franco movies I have seen, this one was a surprise. This was kind of a modern day Frankenstein tale about a doctor whose sister is brutally burned when acid is thrown on her face and she is scarred for life. The doctor then begins to look for a replacement face for her that he can graft onto her ruined one. Unfortunately for the beautiful Caroline Munro ("The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad", "Maniac"), the doctor chooses her. She is kidnapped and forced to await her doom while the doctor prepares for the operation. Well acted and well directed, this was effective as a creepy little movie that explores the dark side of plastic surgery. Co-stars include Telly Savalas ("Kojak") and Helmut Berger ("Salon Kitty") as the doctor.
A western with some serious balls. This is the story of a group of convicts who are stranded in the middle of nowhere and chained together. They must work as a team to find civilization and break out of their shackles. It doesn't take long for them to realize that they can lighten the load by killing each other as one less person on the chain means that much less weight to haul around. This is a violent, often brutal, tale of the survival of the fittest in a situation where there is no trust and someone who was your friend two minutes ago could shove a knife in your back now. I enjoyed this immensely as the level of suspense was high and it was very unpredictable in what the outcome would be as the ensemble cast consisted of murderers, rapists, and other undesirables. No one was really shown as "the leader" and death was always an option. I believe that this was made in Spain and if you are a fan of westerns or tales of survival, I strongly suggest you check this one out.
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