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Gwendoline (1984)
Keep your expectations low, and you won't be disappointed
Yes, it's dumb, and campy, but if you're in the mood for brainless entertainment, this might fit the bill. It's an example of the schlock-action-boobs niche that actresses like Sybil Danning and Shannon Tweed were well known for in the 80's.
The basic plot is an adventure that riffs heavily on the Indiana Jones motif, but it serves mainly to get the women to take their clothes off. Considering that the director was previously involved in "mainstream" porn like "Emmanuelle" (1974), "The Story of O" (1975), and "Lady Chatterley's Lover" (1981), this really shouldn't come as a surprise. This also helps explain the casting choices, as the female roles are filled with actresses who are lovely to see, but otherwise awful at acting.
The single best part of this film is a sexy young Tawny Kitaen, prior to her days as the resident "babe" in Whitesnake music videos.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
Unbearable Longness Of Boring
Harsh, yes, but I call 'em like I see 'em.
I saw this in the late 80's, and it was truly one of the most awful, boring films I've ever forced myself to watch.
Yes, the cinematography is lovely. The Czech settings are truly stunning. The political backdrop is enticing, but unlike similar "historically set" stories (e.g. _Dr. Zhivago_ (qv)), this one failed to make the politics relevant to the story, or even interesting.
Sure, Olin and Binoche are beautiful. But this film manages to make even "erotic" scenes plodding and slow. I'm all for romance, but this movie was so boring, I started hoping the Russians would shoot them all and put an end to my misery.
I'm sure if I'd read the book, the story would have made a bit more sense. However, life's too short to expend any more time on this one.
The Squeeze (1987)
Odd, but interesting
I remember watching this years ago. It was one of several comedies Michael Keaton made in the 80's, but you can see him beginning to stretch a bit beyond his cornball comedy roles (e.g. Night Shift, Mr. Mom, Gung Ho, Johnny Dangerously). You can just see a hint of the dramatic (and dark) flair he would reveal a few years later in Beetle Juice and Batman.
The movie itself is pretty contrived, although it has a great supporting cast. It was fun to see Meat Loaf (whose character is always sweaty, and carries around a battery-operated fan to keep cool) and John Davidson (who essentially plays...himself!).
The Good Life (1975)
Stands the test of time
I remember watching this show on PBS in the early 80's and loving it. However, I hadn't seen it in nearly 20 years, and wasn't sure how much of my "wonderful" memory was simply nostalgia.
So I was thrilled to discover that my local library has a few episodes on VHS, but it was with a bit of trepidation that I checked them out. Would the show be as good (unintentional pun) as I remembered? I can happily say that yes, this show stands the test of time. True, most of Jerry and Margo's wardrobe is horribly dated, and the typical American wouldn't get a few of the jokes. However, by and large this charming sitcom is still big on laughs, in a very family-friendly way (except for some light innuendo, and the occasional drink, there's virtually nothing to offend here).
Oh, and even wearing a raincoat and wellies, Felicity Kendal is still one of the loveliest ladies I've ever seen.
The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie: Strange Brew (1983)
Dumb, dumb, dumb.
I remember seeing this in the theater. I remember it as one of a very few movies I have ever regretted paying for. It's lame, crude, and just plain stupid. If you're thinking of renting it, find something better, like "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo". If you find it on TV, change the channel (even that channel marked "Off" is more entertaining).
Cast Away (2000)
Stark soundtrack
Much has been made of a few elements of this movie: the importance of the volleyball; the extended period in which Tom Hanks is the sole character (except for his schizophrenic conversations with Wilson); the package he returns at the end.
However, what struck me most about this film was the score--or, more accurately, the lack of it. There are some standard pieces during the beginning segment (Elvis tunes, Russian symphonic/choral pieces, Christmas songs) but otherwise, there's no incidental music for about the first 1 1/2 hours of the movie, and no music at all during the extended island sequence. The first real appearance of the score is when Chuck leaves the island and reaches the open sea. Even more remarkable is that the score stops during large portions of the credits, for just a recording of the pounding surf.
In short, this movie is almost as short on score as Shindler's List was on color. Good movie, and one that dares to break with some of Hollywood's most sacred conventions. Zemekis is a rebel.
Class of '86 (1986)
Ahh...the 80's
Ahh...the 80's.
Yuppies, AIDS, Perrier, Reaganomics, and gourmet ice cream. Therapy was "trendy", music videos were creative, and consumerism was king.
All these topics, and more, are spoofed in this all-too-short romp in comedy and music. Using a narrative framework of a pair of flower children who dropped acid and didn't wake up for 17 years, the 80's are put under a microscope--one that holds up amazingly well, considering that this performance was done when the decade was in full swing.
MDs (2002)
A contemporary spin on "M*A*S*H"
Watching the premiere of this show, I couldn't help but get a feeling of déja vu. Although it's set in a modern city hospital, MDs borrows liberally from the spirit of "M*A*S*H" (1972).
Drs. Kellerman and Dalgety are skilled doctors--among the best in their fields--employed by a hospital that is being squeezed by the HMOs. It is this clash which most strongly recalls M*A*S*H; instead of fighting the Army, these doctors are fighting the administrators and insurance auditors. The pilot wasn't nearly as irreverant as M*A*S*H got (especially not the movie), although it did feature such hilarious touches as an autopsy performed on a live patient, and a hospital director who can't stand the sight of blood.
Walking the line between the melodrama of "ER" (1994) and the inanity of "Scrubs" (2001), MDs has a lot of promise--and big shoes to fill.