Tag Archives: 1980’s

Somewhere in Time

30 Wednesday Oct 2024

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Neglected upon release and not appreciated, the romantic fantasy Somewhere in Time has thankfully developed a cult following over the years. And with good reason because it’s a lovely, touching and tear jerking experience with stunning performances and a simply divine score from John Barry.

In 1972, theatre student Richard Collier( Christopher Reeve)has just celebrated the debut of his new play. At the opening he is approached by an old lady who pleads with him to find her again. She gifts him a gold pocket watch before leaving a bewildered Richard. Eight years later, Richard has become a successful playwright , but is now struggling with a baffling case of writer’s block.  He is drawn to The Grand Hotel, which he has always meant to visit but has never found the time to. Richard decides to escape there to see if he can regroup and get his brain working. While searching the old building, he comes across a striking image of actress Elise McKenna(Jane Seymour), who was prominent around 1912 . Immediately he is infatuated with her and he sets out to discover more about her. It transpires the old woman who approached Richard years before was an elderly Elise, who subsequently died the evening she gave him the watch. Convinced that they have connected somehow in the past and after talks with his old college professor on the prospect of time travel, Richard attempts to go back in time to meet Elise. At first it doesn’t work because he hasn’t fully surrounded to the idea and made everything reminiscent of the time he wishes to visit. But once he develops more faith, he finds himself back in 1912. Here he meets the beautiful Elise and they form a very quick bond, which becomes an all consuming and deeply passionate love for one another. Various obstacles such as belief, trying to stay in the past and Elise’s possessive manager William Fawcett Robinson(Christopher Plummer) who seems to control every inch of her life, stand in their way of fulfilling a love that goes beyond time and space.

The direction from Jeannot Szwarc is achingly romantic and has the right amount of wistfulness. For any fans of nostalgia, Somewhere in Time is the movie for you. I think that most people can relate to wanting to go back in time or experience a different era from their own. The relationship between Richard and Elise is brief but it is all consuming and shows the true, unexplainable power of love. And even if you have a hard heart or rather bleak disposition when it comes to the nature of romance, I think it’s safe to say  you may be bewitched by this truly beautiful romantic fantasy. There are some shots resemble a painting; the world of Monet spring to mind as we watch by a lake in a hazy, frighteningly romantic state and are enveloped by it all. Now the cynic in me might wrestle with a film that is unabashedly sentimental, but the charms and the intimacy of Somewhere in Time truly won me over. As lovely as it is, Somewhere in Time is also a darn effective heartbreaker. Especially in the home stretch, you’ll be reaching for the tissues. And if you’re not, I suggest a body examination to check if your heart is still working properly. Somewhere in Time is the kind of film that will have you haunted by it’s story and imagery; to say it makes an impact is an understatement of the highest order. One of the best elements ofthis film is the magical score from John Barry. For me, John Barry is one of the finest composers who ever took part in cinema and this ranks as one of his finest achievements. The warm, stirring and wistful tones of his music, coupled with an alternating ache of melancholy, really aid Somewhere in Time in its rumination on the impact of love and its evergreen power .

The cast of is relatively small, but extremely well assembled. Christopher Reeve has such a boyish charm and quiet desperation to him, showing there’s more to him than just Superman . When it comes to the real moments of drama, Reeve succeeds and makes you believe how deeply he has fallen in love. Aiding him is the exquisite Jane Seymour, who turns in a lovely performance . As well as being almost supernaturally beautiful( which goes a long way in how easily we can understand Richard falling for her) , she subtly gets across the longing of a woman in a gilded age who is awakened to possibilities by this love across the time divide. Reeve and Seymour share a truly lovely chemistry that is present from the first moment their eyes meet.  Without their chemistry this film wouldn’t have the same emotional impact. So it’s a good thing that they share such a convincing bond throughout the film. Christopher Plummer, who for my money always delivers, rounds out the main trio as the antagonistic manager . The character is a possessive one who is like a dog with a bone when it comes to Elise, but Plummer lets you sense that his opposition to the romance is actually for fear of losing Elise. It could have been a cartoon villain, but Christopher Plummer adds dimension.

Evocative, truly beautiful and heartbreaking, Somewhere in Time is a film to treasure and one I’d highly recommend for the romantic out there.

Firestarter

19 Tuesday Apr 2022

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Based on the Stephen King novel, Firestarter is something of a mixed bag when it comes to it. A thriller with some science fiction leanings, it generates some suspense and has a good cast, headed by a young Drew Barrymore. It just has a few inconsistencies that stop Firestarter from rising to a level of major greatness

Andy McGee( David Keith) is on the run with his young daughter Charlie( Drew Barrymore) from a nefarious government agency known as The Shop. We learn that when Andy was younger and a student, he met Charlie’s mother Vicky(Heather Locklear) in an experiment conducted  by the mysterious agency. After being injected with a dose of a hallucinogenic compound, they developed strange powers. Andy can manipulate people through mind control to do what he wants, while Vicky is telepathic . When Charlie was born, she too had powers. In her case, she can cause fires with her mind, often brought on by stress and anger. Andy’s power also weakens him because it uses up so much of his brain function and needs to be controlled as often as possible . With the government onto them and observing them, Vicky was murdered and Charlie was briefly kidnapped . Following his retrieval of his daughter via mind control, Andy is now wanted and on the run. Andy wants to tell the papers about what they’ve been through and expose the nefarious organisation that won’t let them rest. This in turn puts him and Charlie in dangerous territory as they can never really trust anyone. The Shop wishes to use Charlie’s powers for their own ends and are headed by the slippery Hollister(Martin Sheen).  He sends crazed and extremely dangerous assassin John Rainbird ( George C. Scott) on their trail. The assassin has his own disturbing agenda for wanting them captured, in particular little Charlie . Once captured, Andy and Charlie are experiments on by Hollister and sinister Dr. Pynchot(Moses Gunn) . But it’s only a matter of time for as Charlie’s powers continue to grow,  no one is going to be safe from what she will unleash.

Mark L. Lester does a pretty decent job of adapting the Stephen King material and sprinkling memorable moments in there. Yet his control over timing and other areas is less assured. The decision to start the movie in medias res causes Firestarter to loose steam as it continues into the story. Though it is redeemed by a rather eventful and truly explosive finale , Firestarter shoots itself in the foot with its decisions and contrivances that make you scratch your head. The opening half is watchable and has tense moments , but the middle part sags because it wants to have its cake and eat it . Which brings me onto the pacing of the film. I find that Firestarter looses some steam in the middle section  because the story gets repetitive and could have been tighter. As the film goes on we are gifted to moments that do generate some considerable suspense . I’ve seen people group into the genre of horror but I’d put it more as a thriller of paranoia and in the realm of science fiction in some areas Where the movie does score high point is on the effects, which still hold up for their age and just how explosive they do get. For reference, check the climactic scene if you wish to see a lot of fire and destruction .  It’s pretty fantastic and truly memorable stuff and it’s a blast seeing practical effects too. The score by electronic band Tangerine Dream is pretty wonderful; evocatively though a pulsing soundscape evincing danger, hope and action with a lot of style. It adds to the atmosphere of the piece and raises Firestarter up a few notches on the watchability scale.

What sparks Firestarter into life is the main cast. A pint sized Drew Barrymore brings strikingly mature conviction to a role that is quite challenging for someone of such young years. Barrymore gets across the feeling of trying to control something she never wanted, while also showing just how powerful she can be when pushed to the limit. In the emotional stakes she doesn’t miss a beat and is immediately sympathetic to the audience. A lot of Firestarter hinges on Barrymore and though the film is a mixed bag, Barrymore is incredibly impressive and does the heavy lifting of conveying innocence and danger with ease. David Keith is a little  histrionic as her father,  but once he settles into the part he is great and finds a certain groove to play. Kieth has a weariness and intensity about him that shows the fatigue and his “gift has caused him but how deeply he also cares for his daughter . Barrymore and Keith work well together and you do believe in the father daughter bond they share, which I find goes a long way. George C. Scott who I find always delivers, is on sensational form as the extremely creepy assassin who tries to win Charlie over. Scott is as slippery as a reptile and cunning as a fox; you can tell he’s relishing playing a nasty piece of work and he plays it for all it’s worth. Also on slimy duty is Martin Sheen who is reliably villainous and like Scott, having fun being nasty here. Rounding out the villains is Moses Gunn, who has a level of charm and niceness that really disguises cruel and unusual intentions. Evil when it’s presented with a smily face is rather unnerving and Gunn definitely understands the assignment. Art Carney makes the most of his role of man who takes Andy and Charlie in and risks his life in the process. It’s Louise Fletcher and Heather Locklear who are shortchanged with roles that don’t often much in the way of memorability. Both women are good actresses so it would have been nice if they’d be gifted with something to work with. And the same could be said about Freddie Jones, who is only really there to show that some in The Shop have become disillusioned with the practice and to suffer a rather grisly death.   

So overall, Firestarter is a film of good and bad.  But it can be commended for its evocative score, some standout sequences and wonderful cast, especially Drew Barrymore as the eponymous girl with Pyrokinesis

Poltergeist

27 Saturday Nov 2021

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A horror movie with a heart, Poltergeist provides the chills and thrills as a family is beset by a mysterious presence. With a strong story and a mixture of creepiness and wonder, Poltergeist lingers in the mind.

The California town of Cuesta Verde is an ideal looking suburban town of nice lawns and high standard of living. It’s a planned community where everything looks strikingly similar. We are introduced to the Freeling family; real estate developer father Steven( Craig T. Nelson) , loving and devoted mother Diane(JoBeth Williams), eldest daughter Dana(Dominique Dunne), only son Robbie(Oliver Robins) and adorable five year old daughter Carol Anne(Heather O’Rourke) . One night when the television broadcast finishes and the static appears, little Carol Anne awakes from her sleep, approaches the set and starts communicating with something. Then various phenomena start in the house like chairs rearranging themselves and cutlery bending. At first the family sees it as something funny yet unexplainable, but events soon take a very dark and sinister turn. On a stormy evening, all manner of supernatural and startling terror unfurls and Carol Anne is snatched through her bedroom closet. The family search for her, but can’t physically find her. Then they start to hear the voice of the kidnapped little girl. It transpires she can communicate at times through the static on the television as she is in another dimension. Terrified and uncertain of what to do, Diane and Steven contact parapsychologists headed by Dr. Martha Lesh( Beatrice Straight) about this . Lesh and her co- workers are intrigued and want to help but find even their open minds challenged by this haunting and kidnapping they come upon. That’s when they call in the small but powerful physic Tangina( Zelda Rubinstein) who goes about attempting to figure out what snatched into another dimension. Darkness descends as the family, Tangina and the paranormal investigators do battle with the restless spirits that have an axe to grind in order to bring Carol Anne back to them.

Tobe Hooper is in the directing chair and though it’s often debated whether he was the sole director or if Steven Spielberg was more a part of it, he deserves credit for what he fashions here. His direction is pacy and allows for the opening to appear a little spooky but innocuously wholesome and then allowing the onslaught of scary encounters that are wonderfully executed. It’s a rollercoaster that’s akin to a fun ride with added jolts of scary material. The film may be almost two hours but the content and story carry everything along to a satisfying degree that pulls you in. Long shots are used that capture the little details of the house and how the haunting envelops it with an insidious glee. It’s all in aid of the intense set pieces that show the special effects which are mainly ones that hold up now( some have dated a fair bit naturally) and are used to maximum effect. From the static hands reaching out from the television, the attack of the monstrous tree on Robbie, one of the poor investigators having one squirm inducing hallucination, a clown doll that’ll give you a many jolts terror and the filling of the swimming pool during a storm with corpses after Diane falls in, it’s dazzling and horrifying in equal measure . With a screenplay by Steven Spielberg( who you can see the influence of in the film with the blending of spectacle, awe and tension), the film while frightening and thrilling has some real depth and drama to it. Plus there’s also a deliciously ironic take on television culture and also how suburbia isn’t all it’s cracked up to be considering some of the foundations it’s literally and metaphorically built on. Also of note is how the characters act in situations; with most of them being grown ups there’s a level of maturity that’s sometimes missing in films that focus on teenagers. The family reacts in a very believable manner to the shock and mind blowing events befalling them and it adds to how much we care for their plight. Jerry Goldsmith contributes a sensational score that has a spry innocence at first before layering on the spooky vibes as the haunting continues.

As mentioned earlier, the cast is very convincing. JoBeth Williams heads proceedings with a commanding performance of maternal determination and strength in the face of adversity. She’s human and relatable, acting wonderfully alongside the stalwart Craig T. Nelson as her husband.  Nelson contributes a strong performance as a hardworking man thrown into a hellish ordeal and attempting with his wife to stay above it instead of sinking. The two stars create a believable bond as husband and wife and crucially as parents. Beatrice Straight exhibits the right amount of compassion and shock as the parapsychologist called in, while the dynamic Zelda Rubinstein  steals her scenes as the medium with a lot of power and eccentric manner about her. Both ladies contribute a lot to the film as memorable supporting characters, particularly the highly entertaining Rubinstein. By far one of the most memorable things in Poltergeist is the presence of the cherubic Heather O’Rourke. With her wide eyes and genuine sense of wonder combined with terror, she provides most of the memorable moments in the film. And considering she’s not in the film as much as you’d think, O’Rourke definitely makes a huge impact in her scenes and is iconic, especially for her delivery of the line “They’re Here” . Dominique Dunne as the eldest daughter also makes her presence felt. On a sad note, Dunne was murdered after the film was released, leading to the belief in their being a curse on the film and the inevitable sequels. Oliver Robins is also extremely impressive as the traumatised son going through one hell of an ordeal.

Spooky, thrilling and certainly memorable, Poltergeist is a great staple film as we reach Halloween. With its invective imagination and soulful story of family against the odds, Poltergeist is a must.

Clash of the Titans

07 Friday May 2021

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Taking basis from Greek mythology and past fantasy/swords and sandals, Clash of the Titans is one entertaining film. Not without flaws, but glowing with a sense of adventure that can’t be denied or not enjoyed.

In Ancient Greece, King Acrisius is angered when he discovers that his daughter Danaë  had a child that was fathered by the all powerful God Zeus(Laurence Olivier). he imprisons his daughter and her son Perseus in a box and has them thrown into the sea to die . The powerful God Zeus is infuriated by this and orders the destruction of the King’s realm. Danaë and Perseus are spared and wash up on another island. Years later, Perseus( now played by Harry Hamlin) is an athletic young man who is good at horse riding and adventure. And it’s adventure that awaits him as the unpredictability of those on Mount Olympus transports him to the city of Joppa . This is done by Thetis(Maggie Smith) who is angered by the fact that Zeus has persecuted her rebellious som Calibos. Her offspring destroyed the group of legendary flying horses (leaving only the iconic Pegasus) and for his wickedness was transformed into a hideous beast. Calibos was betrothed to the beautiful Princess Andromeda(Judi Bowker) but now has fled to the swamp. Andromeda is under a curse that makes her unable to marry unless her suitor solves a magical riddle. Into this melee comes Perseus, who immediately falls in love with Andromeda. After figuring the riddle out and subduing, Perseus asks for Andromeda’s hand in marriage. In retaliation for the treatment of her now deformed son and also stinging with anger when Andromeda’s mother dares speak ill of her , Thetis decrees that Andromeda shall die at the hands of the beastly Kraken in thirty days. Realising the severity of what is happening, Perseus sets out to discover a way to save his beloved from an untimely death. Aided by some of the Gods, an elderly but comic sidekick Ammon(Burgess Meredith) , winged horse Pegasus and a golden replica of the Owl Bubo , it’s a whole new adventure for Perseus. This entails encounters with wicked, vicious two-headed dogs, the Gorgon Medusa and the legendary Kraken. It’s one hell of an adventure for Perseus as he does battle with this assortment of creatures to fulfil his destiny and save Andromeda.

Desmond Davis is on directors duties and does a commendable job of laying on the challenges for Perseus and letting it flow. Some missteps are there it has be said , but it’s definitely very watchable as a fantasy film . Events looks amazing as do the sets that transport you to Ancient Greece in all its glory. A shot of pace might have benefited the middle section that does honestly drag things out a bit. But Clash of the Titans recovers in the finale as a glorious throwback to the old school adventure movies that where popular in decades gone by. And I frankly love it for that. Clash of the Titans is an imperfect film, but the nostalgia and feeling of adventure truly sweeps me as well as the audience along. Clash of the Titans is all about the work from special effects and stop motion wizard Ray Harryhausen. This was to be his last hurrah before retirement and he doesn’t disappoint with the array of creatures he crafts for the big screen for Perseus to face . The best among these are Medusa and the Kraken . The scaly and slithering Medusa is a terrifying creation that is part of one of the finest sequences here. Suspense abounds as Perseus attempts to slay Medusa while avoiding being turned to stone by the beast. And the last part with the Kraken is high on adventure and tension as Perseus swoops into the rescue. Both creatures on display make the movie that something special. It’s Harryhausen who is running the show here and whenever his touch is felt, it’s something to behold .The pace may get leaden in areas and the story is not exactly what you’d call the most cohesive, but as sheer entertainment it scores very high points. And the rousing score is another excellent addition to this action packed movie. 

Clash of the Titans isn’t exactly what you’d call an actors movie, but the cast is pretty good. Harry Hamlin is hardly the most expressive star out there, but he is nonetheless suitable and physically impressive in the part of the heroic Perseus. Judi Bowker is also hardly winning any awards but her stunning beauty makes it convincing that a man would risk life and limb for her. Burgess Meredith clearly has fun as the loyal best friend of our main hero, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Laurence Olivier, with his Shakespearean training and sense of indomitable majesty is ideally cast as Zeus. Intimidating yet charismatic, it’s a blast seeing Olivier bring his theatrical talents to the screen in this fantasy yarn. The always excellent Maggie Smith has a ball as the vengeance seeking and silver tongued Thetis, whose meddling sets in motion a lot of events. Smith brings with her a sense of commanding power and playfulness, which she lends well to the film at hand. Sadly, Claire Bloom and Ursula Andress as goddesses are relegated to the sidelines as and don’t particularly register as a result. 

So while not quite up there in the echelon of fantasy films of yesteryear, Clash of the Titans is very close and boasts an immense amount of charm and nostalgia. Plus it’s a fine showcase for the Ray Harryhausen and a great final flourish for him. 

Conan the Destroyer

13 Wednesday Jan 2021

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With Conan the Barbarian being a success, it was inevitable that a sequel would follow. And while Conan the Destroyer has its good moments, it doesn’t quite compare with its predecessor.

The warrior that is Conan(Arnold Schwarzenegger) is still alive and mourning the death of his lover Valeria. He is now joined by clumsy Malak(Tracey Walter), a thief who can’t help but get himself in trouble because of his magpie like love of jewels. He comes across the mysterious Queen Taramis(Sarah Douglas)who offers him a deal. She will using her magical powers being back the love of his life on one condition. Conan must escort her niece, the naive and virginal Princess Jehnna(Olivia d’Abo) , to retrieve a magical gem that will lead the way to the horn of an ancient God. Jehnna must do this as it is her destiny and Queen Taramis insists on it. What no one realises is that the ruthless and sly Taramis is in fact plotting to sacrifice Jehnna in order to use the power of the horn for nefarious purposes. She assigns her trusted Captain of the guard Bombaata(Wilt Chamberlain) to join the quest, but kill Conan once the jewel is obtained. So Conan, Malak and the rest of the venturing group begin their journey to find the fabled jewel. Along the way, Conan frees a fighter called Zula; who he finds being tormented and forced to scrap in chains with brutal villagers. As thanks for setting her free, the feral Zula joins Conan’s quest and proves to be a vital ally. The quest is perilous and fraught with danger, especially when Conan uncovers the deceit at the heart of it. Now it’s a battle to stop the evil power of Taramis from taking over.

In the directors seat this time is Richard Fleischer, who at least manages to make this film watchable and reasonably entertaining. Although the tonal shifts are all over the place, Fleischer is at his best with the action scenes and danger, which does help in the long run. While no one would consider the first Conan movie high art, it at least had some form of grit to it. I’m fine with incorporating humour into films but it feels a bit much in Conan the Destroyer. It starts pretty well with humour and action benefiting each other. Then things go south as idiotic occurrences happen and mount up. The first film had some humour but it was controlled and it felt a little more brutal than your average fantasy outing. It wasn’t deadbeat drama throughout, but it at least had some sense of stakes being high. Conan the Destroyer seems to forget this and just chuck things at us in ridiculously rapid speed. Yes I did say that the first film was overstretched with its runtime, but this sequel is too quick and rushed. And events feel a bit watered down and not as brutal as before, which does hamper events in this movie as it feels a bit too light and humorous. I believe behind the scenes there was a conscious decision to tone down the gore in order to increase box office takings, I think they still could have been successful even with more bloodshed and brutality on show.  Now things aren’t all bad in Conan the Destroyer, there are actually moments of greatness to be discovered. I’ll admit sometimes the goofy atmosphere is fun and once again the set pieces are rather fantastic. One in a hall of mirrors is very well executed, thanks to sterling production design and action present. This movie is most enjoyable when it’s serving up action and fantasy, instead of trying to make the film more child friendly.The score doesn’t let the audience down, providing boundless adventure and majesty to the film courtesy of Basil Poledouris. It’s again a highlight for how it immerses us in this fantasy world. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger is once again an imposing presence as the titular fighter on another quest. He gets the and when the humour lands , he succeeds while still casting a long shadow of skill in the fighting department. Though it is very strange to hear Schwarzenegger talk as much as he does. Previously, he only speaks a number of lines which adds to his impact as we are more focused on his actions. Though this is a niggle, Schwarzenegger is still an amazing Conan and delivers the goods you want. Grace Jones, of striking bone structure, agile yet rippling physique and high top fade hairstyle, acts as a great asset to Conan and the movie. Her very stare projects a menace and aggression of a warrior, complete with the fact that she’s always on the prowl. Jones lends her unique look, wild abandon and electric being to Conan the Destroyer and lights up the screen every time she’s on it. Wilt Chamberlain, who was a basketball player of immense height, has the physical goods to deliver a slippery turn as the wavering Captain who you just know is going to stab you in the back if you’re not careful. Tracey Walter is passable enough as Conan’s latest sidekick, though his clumsy antics get a bit repetitive as the film continues. More effective is Mako, returning as the wise and all seeing wizard who balances seriousness with some levity. However Olivia d’Abo is pretty grating and irritating as the innocent princess, mainly because she’s so naive and the character is pretty bland to begin with. This isn’t helped by her delivery of lines which is stilted and without resonance. I get that she’s supposed to be sheltered and immature, but she mainly comes off as a pain. Sarah Douglas does villain shtick very well while being darkly seductive at the same time. 

Conan the Destroyer has bright spots to it and has a fun, goofy quality, it just feels rather redundant and watered down when it could have been better

Conan the Barbarian

13 Wednesday Jan 2021

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Based on the character in pulp comics and featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger in an early role that put him on the map just before he hit superstardom , Conan the Barbarian is nothing if not a dazzling, testosterone filled action-adventure fantasy that has its share of problems but is still riotously entertaining and a fun ride to experience.

In Ancient times, a young boy by the name of Conan is the son of a blacksmith and a loving mother. Unfortunately, brutality strikes when the followers of the evil cult leader Thulsa Doom( James Earl Jones) attack his village. His father is wounded and then mauled to death by dogs, while Doom himself hypnotises Conan’s mother before beheading her in front of her terrified son. Doom then takes a powerful sword owned by Conan’s father before leaving the carnage in his wake. The children of the village are spared and sold into slavery, being charged with pushing a giant wheel in back breaking fashion. Over the years of pushing the wheel, Conan( now played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a muscle bound mountain of a man with incredible strength. He becomes a gladiator of immense renown and is taught many things by his master. Later he is set free into the wild, which is where he starts trying to track down Thulsa Doom, where he discovers an ancient sword, a strange prophecy and encounters three important people in his quest . Firstly he meets thief and archer Subotai(Gerry Lopez) , then he encounters beautiful and lethal bandit Valeria(Sandahl Bergman). Lastly there is Akiro the Wizard(Mako), who provides the narration for the film. Valeria and Subotai are soon faithful friends and in the case of Valeria, a romantic interest who assist Conan on his journey, while Akiro instils wisdom and prophecy. The trio of wonderers hear of a jewel that they decide to steal, mainly because the snake symbol is something that Conan believes will lead him to his nemesis. They are then summoned by the old King Osric( Max Von Sydow), who knows they stole the jewel but doesn’t wish to imprison them, he actually wants their help. His daughter has fell under the influence of Thulsa Doom and he wants Conan and his friends to retrieve her for a good reward. They decide to accept this offer as Conan continues on his path of vengeance hoping to meet Doom and enact brutality upon him as retribution for what he did to his family.

John Milius and his work here are the definition of macho and it’s perfectly suited to this kind of film. He’s the well appointed director of Conan the Barbarian and he keeps events ticking over, even when it gets a bit laboured and indulgent towards the end. got what you want from a swords and sorcery; lots of violent action( standout being the opening raid on Conan’s childhood village), unusual fantasy, well muscled heroes and buxom ladies, alongside traps, tricks and magic. And it’s unapologetic and upfront about it too which is rather refreshing in that way, especially as the violence isn’t sugarcoated . The action set pieces are staged with verve and efficiency, making them very memorable as Conan fights his way across a desolate land. Now at two hours, Conan the Barbarian does feel a bit longwinded in the grand scheme of things and that is a flaw. But for the majority, the adventure, excitement and brutality of the movie is done to a high standard. You don’t need to invest intellect into the story as it’s pretty much what you’d expect. Though that, in my book at least, is not something that should be seen as a fault. Sometimes it’s great to go into a movie that takes you to another place and doesn’t require you to think about it deeply. And I for one don’t mind when a movie does that when it does it as well as Conan the Barbarian. Sure it’s not going to stimulate your mind in a sense of depth, but who can begrudge this swords and sorcery concoction that simply wants to thrill? Saying this however, it feels more rough and gritty than some fantasy and that does make it stand out a bit from the crowd. It’s not Shakespeare by any stretch of the imagination, but nor is it trying to be. So sit back and lap it up the best way you can with enjoyment in mind and thrills by the minute . The largely practical effects are decent for their time, though looking through modern eyes they look rather dated. Still at least the film isn’t overblown when it comes to effects, instead when they are used in scenes of the spirits healing but also attempting to snatch our hero away and a fireside vision by a seductive but lethal witch, they are impactful. And the look of Conan the Barbarian is one of its strongest aspects with the vast open spaces, mountainous terrain and creepy atmosphere of the opulent Snake Cult rendered with great detail. Things feel epic here and this contributes well in keeping the whole highly charged atmosphere alive. One of the finest elements of Conan the Barbarian is the stupendous score from Basil Poledouris. With thundering drums aplenty and a sweeping scope that benefits the action, it’s one score you won’t forget in a hurry.

Arnold Schwarzenegger heads proceedings as the eponymous warrior out for revenge and makes quite an impression. Physically, he is a hulking being that is intimidating and strong from the moment we see him and the fact he doesn’t speak a lot adds to this feeling of immense presence. Schwarzenegger isn’t known for being the finest actor out there, but his work here is an example of fantastic casting as he exudes strength, intense vengeance and physicality throughout. I can’t imagine anyone else filling the role of Conan quite as effectively as Schwarzenegger. Embodying an eerily menacing villainy, James Earl Jones is the ideal counterpart to our hero. He’s got such a chilling presence( mainly through that iconic voice)throughout that comes from his seeming calmness that belies inner psychopathic tendencies. Gerry Lopez provides some comic relief and sense of friendship as the skilled thief Subotai . He works well against with Schwarzenegger; the two of them being opposites physically but in terms of mindset definitely on the ball and understanding of each other. Ferocity and athleticism is provided by Sandahl Bergman with added doses of sex appeal to boot . Though not what you’d call the most versatile or nuanced performer, Bergman nonetheless contributes a physical charm and action to that can’t be denied . Mako and his off the wall appeal that is twinned with his impressive narration adds a layer of epic awesomeness to Conan the Barbarian. The only person who feels wasted is the great Max Von Sydow as the elderly king. Someone of his calibre should at least have been given more to work with, even if his role is small.  Most of the acting isn’t what you’d call award worthy, but not is it trying to be. The cast is called upon to play these characters in a certain way and they each do what the film demands handsomely.

So aside from some flaws along the way, Conan the Barbarian still stands out as a fantastic spectacle of action and fantasy that is enjoyably full of action set pieces and sweeping spectacle.

The Black Cauldron

27 Thursday Aug 2020

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Often forgotten in the wide spectrum of Disney movies and more frequently than not misunderstood because of its willingness to be dark, The Black Cauldron is in fact a rather excellent animated fantasy film.

In the mythical land of Prydain , Taran( Grant Bardsley) is a teenager who works as an assistant pig keeper with his guardian, the wise Dallben . Taran is a dreamer with ideas of being a warrior, but is often naive and foolhardy. One of the pigs he takes care of by the name of Hen Wen gets special attention, which Taran doesn’t understand at first. Though it becomes clear why Hen Wen is treated with such care when Dallben reveals a secret to the curious teenager . Hen Wen has the power of clairvoyance which puts her in a dangerous predicament. The ruler of Prydain is The Horned King( John Hurt), an evil demon who has his eyes set on discovering the mythical Black Cauldron. If he gets his hands on it, he can raise an army of the dead that will aid him in truly taking over the world.  fears that The Horned King would use Hen Wen to unearth The Black Cauldron and act out his diabolical plan for domination. sends Taran into hiding with Hen Wen, but Taran’s immaturity leads to Hen Wen being kidnapped by The Horned King’s minions. It’s up to Taran to rescue the pig. After infiltrating the castle inhabited by The Horned King, Taran helps Hen Wen escape but himself is captured. Thankfully along the way, he meets a host of characters who either aid him in his journey to stop the barbaric villain. There is the plucky Princess Eilonwy(Susan Sheridan), washed up and unlucky bard Fflewddur Fflam( Nigel Hawthorne) and unusual, fawning creature Gurgi( John Byner). Throw in dragon like creatures, three marsh witches and a group of underground fairies and the stage is set for adventure. 

There’s a rather epic feel to The Black Cauldron that’s reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings, and the two share a few similarities. A certain grandeur is here that adds levels of majesty for what it a film that’s really overlooked. I hope with this review I can bring The Black Cauldron to more notice among movie fans. While underrated, The Black Cauldron is far from flawless. At points, the tone can get a little scattershot and not quite know what to do with itself. Plus, some of the attempts at humour fall a bit flat and feel old hat. The story itself is standard swords and sorcery, but that shouldn’t be held against it because this movie is unabashedly dark and not afraid to be strangely mature and horrifying. Overall though and despite little foibles, it’s an undiscovered dark gem of a film that deserves a second chance and a new audience to appreciate what it was going for. The small quibbles shouldn’t detract from a Disney film with an overt difference and one that is often forgotten. When it goes for the creepy and menacing factor it definitely succeeds, due in no small part to the beautifully eerie animation and particularly The Horned King. The colours are moody and more subdued than most of Disney’s output, but is technically beautiful in their bleakness and sense of foreboding, with just enough light to bring hope. Scary and unnerving sequences abound in The Black Cauldron, it was after all the first animated film from The House of Mouse to revive a PG certificate upon release. Chief among the spooky and nightmarish scenes is the army of the dead. Anyone who has seen the film knows exactly which sequence I’m referring to and it still holds up as very disturbing and visually dazzling and dizzying. I’ll admit, The Black Cauldron is one of my favourite Disney films and mainly because it had the idea to go for something more grown up and not just pandering to little kids. The great Elmer Bernstein contributes a soaring, moody and wholly appropriate score that fits the fantasy like a glove. When the score hits the eerie heights, it’s really a thing of chilling beauty that doesn’t ignore the more rousing elements of the film.

A voice of largely English and upper crust voices bring their characters to life, though sometimes it can be a little too posh. Grant Bardsley is appropriately curious, adventurous and scrappy as our hero, while the soft voice of Susan Sheridan provides warmth and courage to the Princess Eilonwy. Nigel Hawthorne brings out distinction and humour as the bumbling bard swept along on the journey after being rescued from the dungeon; his voice is a case of it being amusing that he speaks so well and is so unlucky. John Byner uses an eccentric yet lovable voice to give life to the wild creature of Gurgi, who more often than not speaks in rhyme. He really gets the ups and down of the character well, showing both a cowardly nature and a growing loyalty. The voice you’ll remember the most though is the deep, gravelly tones of John Hurt as The Horned King. His voice booms with a menacing aura of authority and is truly spine chilling to hear. Without him as the voice, The Horned King wouldn’t work as a truly evil villain. Thankfully, the voice of John Hurt truly brings the monstrous demon to life to honestly scare the living daylights out of the viewers.

While immensely dark for a movie from a company marketed towards children, The Black Cauldron is definitely that but also a rousing fantasy adventure that maybe quite mature and shocking but has enough to make it a film that needs some re-evaluation.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

29 Wednesday Apr 2020

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Action/ adventure was given a new lease of life in Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark ; a rollicking, entertaining tribute to old adventure serials with a classic turn by Harrison Ford and all the right ingredients for an energetic blockbuster. Raiders of the Lost Ark is truly one of those iconic films that never gets boring no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Trust me, this movie is simply irresistible.

The year is 1936 and rugged Indiana Jones(Harrison Ford), often refereed to as Dr. Jones or Indy, is an archaeologist/adventurer with a dry sense of humour, skill with a whip, fear of snakes and ability to think quickly on his feet. He works as a college professor when he’s not facing immense danger around the globe. We first meet him in the jungles of South America where he procures an artefact, faces down danger and meets his slimy rival René Belloq( Paul Freeman), who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Back at the university he teaches at, his friend Marcus Brody(Denholm Elliott) a museum creator approaches Jones with two American agents. As Indy has knowledge of ancient relics and cultures the U.S government wants his help in dealing with the growing power of the Nazis. It’s come to their attention that the Nazis are fixed on discovering the burial place of The Ark of Covenant; an ancient and innumerable chest that according to the Bible held the two stone tablets bearing The Ten Commandments. Also housed in it is immeasurable power that the Nazis wish to harness to further advance their cause. Jones worked with Abner Ravenwood, his old mentor and had a relationship with his daughter Marion(Karen Allen). Travelling to Nepal, he meets the tough talking Marion once more and learns her father is dead. She is now in possession of a headpiece that when used properly shows the whereabouts of the Ark. She isn’t too pleased to see Indy as he romanced her and then disappeared, which leaves him with a hell of a punch across the face on their reconnection. The fact that Marion has the key to discovering the Ark puts her in the firing line for trouble. This in turns leads the Nazis to her door, headed by the very creepy and sadistic Gestapo agent Arnold Toht(Ronald Lacey). Escaping and discovering the Nazi’s, along with Belloq are digging in Cairo, Indiana and Marion head there intent on stopping them. With aid from loyal digger Sallah( John Rhys-Davies), it’s up to Indy and Marion to stop the Ark falling into Nazi hands and being wielded as a devastating weapon on the world. 

Steven Spielberg directs this action adventure classic with panache, wit and a rip-roaring sense of entertainment and it ranks as one of his best films. You can clearly see the love and feeling of breathless action he infused Raiders with to make it so rightfully iconic. His infectious enthusiasm to recreate 30’s adventure serials transfers to the audience who are swept along with Indiana Jones in his quest to retrieve the eponymous artefact from the clutches of evil. Raiders of the Lost Ark bristles with excitement right from the celebrated opening and continues on with breathless action that also houses great characters and many instances that have become synonymous with pop culture. You’ve got that opening with Indy retrieving a golden idol from a cave that’s laced with booby traps( including one menacing boulder), a journey into the resting place of the Ark which is littered with snakes, Indy hilariously shooting a show off swordsman in a nonchalant manner, a scintillating truck chase sequence that puts the A in action and the unveiling of the Ark itself. It’s hard to just talk about one moment but I’ll do my best. The cinematography has a warm glow of yesteryear and just adds further to this exciting and escapist adventure that never leaves you. The visual effects still hold up and make the finale a sight to behold in both wonderment and shock. And one of the finest and most fondly remembered parts of this movie has to be the score from the maestro that is John Williams. I’ve long been a fan of his work and his score here is one of the reasons why. I mean you only need to hear a few notes of the now famous theme to feel chills on your neck and know you’re listening to greatness that embodies adventure, danger and just that giddy feeling of something magic at work.

Essaying the role of Indiana Jones is the incomparable Harrison Ford. He’s got the humour down, the intrepid feeling of adventure, plus charm and smarts to burn. Ford is compelling and it’s pretty damn impossible to imagine anyone else playing the part because he makes it his own with star quality, wit and a certain level of old school, heroic cool. It’s hard not to warm to Indiana Jones with Harrison Ford in such fine form and creating one of the most recognisable heroes of the silver screen. Aiding him is the beautiful but strong presence of Karen Allen. She portrays Marion as feisty and not afraid to rough and tumble; thankfully she has more to do that just a be a love interest. Not that her chemistry with Ford isn’t impressive( it’s extremely good), but it’s great to see that she serves a purpose here and can take charge when needed. A slimy turn from Paul Freeman makes Belloq a cultured yet rotten to the core adversary for Indy, while is creepiness personified as the Nazi agent with the most unnerving demeanour. Humour and a certain lovable nature comes courtesy of John Rhys-Davies, making the most out of his supporting role as loyal friend. The refined Denholm Elliott also stands out in a small role with his well spoken air and sense of a gentleman. Watch out for a young Alfred Molina in the opening scene as a treacherous tour guide who meets a grisly end after showing his true, deceitful colours. 

With compelling action, imagination, fine acting and a masterful director at the helm, Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the most rip-roaring pieces of adventure entertainment you’re likely to see and trust me, you’ll never tire of it.

Steel Magnolias

30 Monday Mar 2020

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Laughter, tears, joy and tragedy befall a group of Southern women in Steel Magnolias; a satisfyingly involving story of strength of friendship and celebration of women. Sporting a splendid cast of leading ladies and drama that’s peppered with comedy, Steel Magnolias has you laughing one minute and crying the next( and that’s what is so great about it.) Opened up from it’s stage setting, you have one beautiful movie.

In the Louisiana town of Chinquapin Parish; a group of women go through life’s ups and downs together, often in the local beauty salon. The women are no-nonsense mother M’Lynn Eatenton( Sally Field) , her spirited, type one diabetic daughter Shelby(Julia Roberts), beauty salon owner Truvy Jones( Dolly Parton), elegant widow Clairee Belcher(Olympia Dukakis), embittered and acidic grouch Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine) and new in town wallflower Annelle Dupuy( Daryl Hannah) . The film begins on the wedding of Shelby to lawyer Jackson( Dylan McDermott). Despite Shelby experiencing a hyperglycaemic shock in the morning, she is helped by her mother and friends and the wedding goes wonderfully. Meanwhile, Clairee and Ouiser spar constantly even though deep down they are close friends. Annelle goes through numerous changes, first from shy, woman child to more confident and sassy then overly zealous. Truvy has to contend with her husband Spud(Sam Shepard) being out of work and not showing her much in the way of affection. The big news is that Shelby decides to have a baby, despite the difficulties it could have on her body. M’Lynn is worried about her daughter’s health and isn’t exactly thrilled when Shelby announces her pregnancy. Shelby’s father Drum(Tom Skerritt) is happy for her and to an extend M’Lynn is, though the maternal terror she feels is still nagging at her as she comes around to the idea of it. Shelby gives birth to a baby boy, but tragedy may lie ahead for this wilful young lady. Through the tribulations of life, the Southern Belles band together with support, wisdom and a shoulder to cry on as they live up to the title of being as beautiful as flowers but tough and resilient when the occasion calls for it. 

Herbert Ross is on hand for sensitive direction and a feeling of genuine care for the source material, that opens out the original play setting effectively. He shows great affinity for fleshing out these fascinating women and all that they go through. These are the kinds of characters it’s easy to warm to as you can more often than not, see something of yourself in each of them. Yes you can argue that the film knows to manipulate emotions and does have sentiment, but since when is that actually a bad thing? Steel Magnolias earns the laughs and tears because of its excellence in terms of characters and feelings. I don’t mind things being weepy or sentimental, as long as they do it with style and are well executed( which this movie definitely is.) I think it’s unfair to just refer to it as a chick flick, as it has a lot more going for it than just that label. For one, it’s a celebration of women’s strength and unity in times of crisis that truly knows how to move the audience. And the humour, which is plentiful, goes alongside the more serious stuff nicely. Both compliment the other and know how to really impress the audience in this drama about how friendship can get you through the tough times and sometimes laughter and tears do mix. It’s pretty impossible not to get swept into the dramas and events of Steel Magnolias; it’s an emotional but rewarding ride that is peppered with nice humour and it’s heart being firmly in the right place. Seriously, if you don’t shed not one tear during this movie, your tear ducts have clearly been removed or you’ve got a swinging brick where your heart and compassion should be. A gentle yet well suited score really benefits Steel Magnolias and goes along efficiently with the big occasions the film covers, from wedding to Christmas and then Easter. 


One of the finest assets in Steel Magnolia’s arsenal is the sublime cast of mainly women. Here’s a group of actresses clearly relishing these relatable and well drawn characters that they breathe great life into. Heading things is the ever impressive Sally  Field who truly shines in her dependable way and gets to display the full gamut of feelings. She’s got the varying emotions of her character just right from deep love for her daughter to grave seriousness, immense strength and tenderness in the face of tragedy. Field has always been great at playing motherly characters and she doesn’t disappoint here with a performance that ranks up there as one of her finest, particularly in a late devastating scene that will move even the hardest of hearts. Seriously, Field truly gives it her all as an opinionated yet caring mother terrified of what might happen to her frail daughter. Julia Roberts, who was a year away from super stardom and following memorable work in Mystic Pizza, is beautifully vibrant, genuine and vulnerable as the frail Shelby, who doesn’t want to let her medical condition rule her life and takes drastic action despite warnings of what it could do. The character could have been too much of a martyr, but Roberts wonderfully avoids that with a wilful, delicate and passionate performance that showcases her undeniable star charisma and ability. A lot of the humour is derived from an on form Shirley MacLaine, who spits out bitchy one liners with relish and feeling. You’ll definitely have fun watching her as the town’s meanie who is actually a lot more caring than she cares to let on. Backing her up in sassy fashion is Olympia Dukakis, who is a hoot as the classy but not above fun Clairee. MacLaine and Dukakis obviously enjoy working together as their characters clash often but then make up in often humorous ways. Dolly Parton adds pearls of wisdom and an infectious exuberance and optimism that only she can provide. It’s a treat seeing the multi talented Parton here. Daryl Hannah, decked out in gawky glasses and coltish demeanour, provides laughs and a certain homespun set of foibles. Her character is always changing but her heart is always there and Hannah plays that splendidly. As the women are so indomitable and cover most of the film with their stories, the men are relegated to the sidelines. Though saying that, Tom Skerritt gets quite a number of fine moments to shine in naughty fashion, while Sam Shepard has a fine scene opposite Dolly that’s truly touching. Dylan McDermott is unfortunately saddled with a part that really doesn’t ask for much except being a handsome suitor to Shelby. 

Heartfelt, bittersweet and brilliantly acted and scripted, Steel Magnolias is a sensational production that makes you feel so many different things. I wish you all a great time with this gem of a movie that truly touches you, makes you laugh and is enjoyable. 

The Blue Lagoon

03 Friday Jan 2020

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A romantic drama that is more remembered for the skin shown and hidden from young Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, The Blue Lagoon is hardly what you’d call intelligent viewing. It gained negative reviews on release but was a big money maker at the box office. The cinematography and music are the big highlights here, but The Blue Lagoon is the kind of movie you’d call something of a guilty pleasure though the flaws shown are noticeable.

In the Victorian era, young cousins Emmeline and Richard are on a boat. They are journeying across the ocean but a fire onboard soon interrupts it. The children are separated from Richard’s father and end up in a rescue boat with boozy cook Paddy( Leo McKern) . After days of drifting, they come across a desert island. Exploring, it appears they aren’t alone and that a tribe resides on the other side of the island. Paddy forbids both children to visit there, while teaching them survival skills in the process. They are left to fend for themselves after Paddy has a drunken binge and drowns. Years later, the two have grown into athletic, attractive teenagers( and are now played by Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins). They’ve learned to be self-sufficient and have fashioned a hut to live in. Richard spends most of his days hunting fish for food and exploring, while Emmeline admires the beauty of her surroundings. With both not having much education and having been marooned from civilisation for a long duration, they often don’t understand what they are feeling in any shape or form. This is most prominent in terms of attraction to each other, as they don’t know how to deal with their raging hormones and changes in their bodies. Puberty is hitting for Emmeline and Richard, though they are not really aware of what entirely it is. Yet as their feelings grow into love and they discover the joys of sex, they aren’t prepared for pregnancy or even a chance of survival from the outside world.

Randal Kleiser, of Grease fame, is the director of The Blue Lagoon. He does a decent job, though his overall approach is uneven and choppy. I feel like big parts of the story have been cut out and that the adventure which was promised in pasts wasn’t there. The main point everyone mentions is the sexual content between Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins. Shields was 14 at the time of filming and Atkins was 18. Atkins did his own nude scenes, while Shields had a body double and had her hair stuck to her chest to cover her modesty. While the sexualisation of the two is questionable and would certainly not be allowed today, it’s the fact that film wants to be a showing of natural love but is clearly peek a boo stuff involving young people that stands out. Sex in itself is something natural but The Blue Lagoon treats it in a way that’s on a pedestal yet attempting to seem to be classy . In actuality, The Blue Lagoon is not classy because of the film not having much in the way of realism or sense and is obviously wanting box office returns with the promise of revealing content. I don’t understand how it expected to be one thing when it’s actually the other, marketing might be to blame. The Blue Lagoon wants to be sexy and somehow chases and discovers it can’t be. It’s not difficult to see why the film raised eyebrows on release and is still spoken about now. I must say while there is nudity on show, large parts of it are obscured and films nowadays definitely display more than what is shown in The Blue Lagoon. But I can understand the stir of this film back in 1980, I doubt something like this would be made today.

The script is pretty risible, trying to almost be a sexier Swiss Family Robinson while promoting itself as being a natural and free expression of burgeoning desire. It leaves the stars uttering lines that raise laughter rather than sweetness or sexiness. Plus, certain plot points like the tribe that are on the other side of the island are practically all but forgotten and blink and you’ll miss it. It’s as if someone just cut out that part and thought it would help( in reality, it doesn’t). The best things in The Blue Lagoon are the cinematography and music, which actually provide some feeling of atmosphere. Néstor Almendros is the cinematographer and his use of natural lighting is inspired at capturing the romanticism of paradise and supplying us with an array of breathtaking vistas. He breathes life into the film and shows the set location of Fiji to beautiful effect. Aiding the cinematography and the film itself is the lush music that is simply gorgeous. It has such a sweeping and intoxicating aura to it that is better than the film it belongs too. That can be said of both aspects as you do have to admire them, but obviously wish the film had more to involve us.

The acting from Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins was lambasted on release. Yet while neither is perfect or especially earth shattering, they aren’t horrendous and have some moments to shine. It’s the writing that doesn’t give them a lot to do, often making the characters sound unconvincing. I know they are supposed to be uneducated and unaware of things, but they come off as dim witted. Thankfully, Shields especially has enough charm and presence to compensate this. Not amazing by most standards, Shields, with her prominent eyebrows and dazzling eyes, at least suggests her character’s changing mindset and unsure feelings with some semblance of conviction, As I’ve said, Shields is hardly delivering Oscar worthy work here, but is decent enough and her face is made for the camera. Christopher Atkins comes off less well, mainly seeming overly petulant or over the top . I think both where cast for their attractiveness that is hard to deny, but they are stranded with a story that doesn’t allow much for them to work with. At least they are both watchable (Shields in particular) , considering the main focus of The Blue Lagoon is on them and they are mainly required to be attractive and lounge about in tropical surroundings. Both became stars, with Shields becoming a face of the 80’s and teen idol in the process. Leo McKern, in the time he’s seen in the film, has bluster and fear but most importantly he does move the often slow movie forward.

So thanks to delightfully arresting cinematography, gorgeous music and wonderful setting, The Blue Lagoon has at least three things going for it. Despite its dopey logic and wanting to have its cake and eat it, the film is at least watchable and has the handsome pairing of Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins.

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