useoncendestroy Reviews

The Last Dragon (1985)

Sho'Nuff!

[12 November 1999]

I recently saw this movie for the first time, and I actually liked it.

I think I enjoyed this movie so much because it was like a time capsule of the 1980s. I remember all those songs on the soundtrack, and I remember how popular Vanity was during that time. Mostly though, I remember the b-boys. *swoon* I can totally see this movie being a hit with kids back in the day because they'd look up to Taimak's character, and breakdancing was the BOMB... I'm sure he was all the rage then. But it's kind of a positive role model type thing for the kids too, and I can see parents really digging that, thinking that this movie is a selection that'll keep the youngstaz outta trouble for an hour and forty-five minutes or whatever.

> This is an action packed movie. There is never a dull minute from the time we see the opening scene of the Tae Kwon Do exercises, to the final "battle" between good and evil, there's something keeping you there and interested. I think Bruce Leroy's little brother almost steals the show, because he's such a scam artist. He's like a very young wisecracking Chris Tucker-type or somebody. That kid is hilarious. He's obviously hip, and aware of what's cool during that time. He's also got a crush on Laura (Vanity)... Who wouldn't? He's a red-blooded American boy!

The most meaningful part of this movie for me was the thing with the brothers... The bridging of the gap between the brothers. That was really special, because Bruce Leroy Green in all his naivete really was very different from his little bro... Like, there's a cultural GAP between them or something!

I'd recommend this movie to anyone who has a passion for the roots of hip-hop, graffiti (and there is a BUNCH to be seen around the sets) or urban culture, martial arts, or just a well told funny story. It is a comedy--it's even a comedy from the eighties, so get ready to see some multi-colored, checkerboard, neon green, and bright orange patterned madness--but know that this movie has its message too. I kinda think movies like this are quite rare. It isn't often you get to see a young man become a hero of his own accord.

But, you know... I couldn't be sure if the Sho'Nuff character wasn't really Busta' Rhymes or somebody... =P

Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)

NO MICE ALLOWED!

[11 November 1999]

"Rock 'N' Roll High School" is like, the veritable predecessor for other great films such as "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," and "Singles." It's right in that same vein... I really liked this movie instantly. Usually stuff has to grow on me, or mentally harass me till I go see it again. But this show had me SOLD upon first viewing. I think my immediate acceptance of this movie had something to do with that live concert footage, and all the subliminal stuff that goes on during the course of the movie. (Incidentally, I heard that concert went on forever during the filming of the movie to get it "just right." This is kind of funny because if you know ANYTHING about the Ramones, you know their songs are on average, about sixty seconds long, each.) It's a classic case-study of the student body rebelling against the administrative dictatorship which is enforced by the principal, other school officials, and especially the hall monitors. The student body, lead by punkadelic Riff Randall, portrayed by PJ Soles of "Halloween," (and a bunch of other movies I don't remember the names of right this instant), manages to come out on top after having been oppressed musically, and creatively by "the man," Miss Togar. Miss Togar is on a crusade to put an end to this re-emerging thing called rock 'n' roll, and she wants to make an example out of Riff and her friends. This movie has a lot of good qualities, being that it is so lighthearted, and it's actually pretty funny... I kinda think this movie might have been just a little bit before its time with some of the humor, but that isn't a bad thing at all. I can't forget to mention that there are several scenes which feature the actual band members of the Ramones (as other punk bands have come and gone, members have died or moved on, sold out or whatever, the Ramones have remained actively involved in the punk rock scene for what seems like, a REALLY long time). This makes this movie totally cool (if you're hip to the nostalgia of it) because back in those days, you couldn't just turn on MTV and see your favorite band on television. I gotta tellya, one of the best things about this movie is the fact that it has so much to offer on the soundtrack. The soundtrack is a "must-have" if you are a fan of this movie. So maybe, you could rent it, and do whatever it is you do when you watch comedies, and have a few laughs, and dig the people wearin' legwarmers in conjunction with high heels and the nostalgia of punk records...

***And DO take care not to come into contact with any exploding mice. Thanks.

The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)

Creepy, at best...

[11 November 1999]

I've seen this movie a number of times, and it always remains one of my favorites. It's probably one of my favorite Jodie Foster films, anyway... In this movie, she is quite young. I don't agree that this movie is a dark comedy although it has it's moments, but rather another suspense-thriller. True, there are a lot of dark qualities to it, but being one who has also read the book, I have a feeling that it is more of a suspense-type movie than anything. I regret to say some information contained in the book was left out of the movie. Anyhow, I liked this movie because I enjoyed seeing Rynn portrayed as a responsible, independent youth, and as someone who was in charge of how things went on in her daily affairs. She is very much an adult in this movie, and that was most appealing to me. I almost got the idea that the role of Rynn was very close to Foster herself, being that Rynn appears to be quite intellectual. I'd almost say this role was written just for her. Some of the dark attributes in this movie stand out because it's like a portrait of lost innocence. As I mentioned before, Rynn is very mature, what with taking care of the home, and other errands, she doesn't really have time to be a fourteen-year-old girl. She doesn't go to school, she has no job, and you almost get the idea that she's never really had many friends. In a way, that's kind of sad. Something else that is quite unsettling about this movie is the role of the "father," whom, in all the times I've seen the movie, I've never seen, the scene where she and her magician friend are outside in the rain, and then there's something about that cellar... All of these different components cause me to suspect that there is, in fact, something strange going on. I've never felt that the audience gets enough information as to what is really happening in this movie, and the ending is far from what one might expect, although in the context of the movie, it makes perfect sense. Even the book is disappointing that way. I wish there'd been a sequel or a pre-quel so that we could get more background on Rynn's family history, and what the deal is with this little girl who lives down the lane... Now, I don't want to discourage you from renting this film, and I don't want to say you have to be a Foster fan to appreciate this movie, as it has a lot to offer story-wise, too. It's just one of those movies that you can't talk about too much without giving it away. I look forward to seeing what others have to say about it.

What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? (1969)

Good help is HARD to find...

[11 November 1999]

I just saw this movie last night, and my, was it stirring. I "dreamt" about it. From the moment it started, I was HOOKED. The opening scenes as the credits rolled were of Geraldine's character, Clara Marrable planting a tree in her desert garden. It's quite obvious that she's meticulous when it comes to the care of her garden... This movie was very intriguing as a result of Clara's sharp wit,and even sharper tongue. (To tell you the truth, the only reason I stuck with the movie was because this woman had such a bada*s attitude! She probably should have been a Marine or somethin'...) I estimated that this movie was filmed during the mid-sixties, based on the clothing which was worn. Even then, for a woman (especially one of her stature) to be as assertive during that time was rather unusual to me. Clara's character was very masculine, with all the delicate, matronly, little touches that make her every bit the upstanding societal pillar of a lady she pretended to be. Don't get me wrong, this movie was a little bit weird. As it starts, it's hard to understand where it's all going, and how long you're going to have to sit there and wait for something to happen... Luckily, something's always on the brink of happening, so you shan't get too bored. And really, if you want to learn how to be a shrewd individual, you'd better sit down and watch this movie, and be sure to take a few pertinent notes: Geraldine has the act DOWN. Her portrayal of this cold-hearted Mrs. Marrable is really what makes this movie the sleeper that it is. I mean, everyone pretty much assumes *Technicolor* productions from the sixties are gonna have fabulous psychedelic qualities to them like, "Man, is that tree really GREEN or what?" Lest we forget the half-baked acting (A'la "Valley of the Dolls")... To a degree, this movie is no different. Clara's demonic attitude, social grace, and charm keep you on your toes as you really don't know what she's going to do next. Don't be fooled by the packaging, or the era from which it came. This is a pretty decent flick if you like suspense-thrillers...