The Sore Losers

Reading the reviews of this movie, even the positive ones, you might get the idea that this is one of those impenetrable stream of capriciousness flicks. It's not, though repeated viewings are recommended for the full effect. The film Liquid Sky presented us with a pop-culture stepping from the steamy emotional jungle of hemp and hallucinogens into the bright, shiny, scientifically specific land of cocaine and pharmaceuticals. This film symbolically dishes up the dilemma faced by hardcore anti-hippy reactionaries who dove back into the pre-Pepper past and have been stuck in two decades of time for 40 years. I'm about 15th reviewer in line, so I won't rehash the lunatic plot. From the moment a flying saucer right out of PeeWee's Playhouse Morphs into a Candy Color red '56 Chevy Bel Air on a back road in red-clay farmland, you're in for a wild ride. The world you're in is a world dead-set against Hippies from God on High to the lowest of the low, but the dang things won't go away no matter what's thrown at them!(It's significant that this is made in Memphis. Punks and freaks got along quite well in the S. East) Once we meet the protagonists, a lowbrow Americana road trip ensues, sidetracked by general mayhem, supernatural encounters, two sets of Men In Black, Zombie Mom, Bokononian foot sex, flashbacks, strip clubs, the Gubment, Hippy massacres, and X-Ray Specs. As the alien assassins stumble on, the arbitrary rules and punishments guiding their mission start to wear on them, and they begin to sound positively Hippyish themselves! (Now think of the Clash's Sandinista, or Johnny Rotten's PIL). Every scene, no matter the budget, is a delight of design. There are moments of quiet beauty as well as jarring EC Comic style violence. Pop culture references abound, slyly enriching the narrative. The women are amazing, the soundtrack inspired. This movie should have reached many more people in a timely manner. Why it took so long to arrive in my reach says much about the collapse of the creative media universe. I live for this kind of artifact. Until mom and pop rental shops closed I could support and share significant indi efforts. No longer. I'm reduced to digital dumpster diving. Watch and wonder. Sure beats the crap outa "Spun".

Jack Oblivian. Mike Maker. Guitar wolf for god's sake. I'll tell you this much, the blood of angels is Schlitz. You think about that.

This movie is not for everyone, in fact there's a good chance you'll overlook it and move along. But slow down for pete's sake, else you're gonna miss a great sci-fi action exploitation film with heart. Production issues aside, The Sore Loser's is a great, if somewhat convoluted, comic book movie with an amazing soundtrack. The music alone is well worth the viewing. I ordered a copy of this video, Jesus Christ, ten years ago (how did that happen?), and it contained a number music videos by the "Oblivians". If you haven't heard them, well you better make a to do list and get your act together. Anyway, I'm not sure if they are still included with the film (hell i don't even know if you can still get a copy of the movie at all anymore actually)

I'll tell you this much America, if you find yourself finding fault with the cinematography and sound editing, then your missing the point, but again, it's not gonna be for everyone. However, if you're someone who likes old John Waters movies like "Female Trouble" and "Pink Flamingos", then get a copy of this film.

Did I tell you about the angel's blood being Schlitz. I wasn't kidding about that.

The other person who commented on this movie is absolutely correct. This is a low, LOW budget production that manages to be entertaining despite its economic handicaps. I've watched it three times (I got that same deal with the three other movies because a former friend of mine was in one of the "Witchcraft" atrocities) and I'm still not sure what it's all about. It is difficult to watch if you are hypnotized by the gloss of big budget Hollywood nonsense. If you can appreciate some kids going out with a few thousand dollars and a lot of crazy ideas, I suggest this as a nice alternative to the crap at the local movie theater.

I picked this DVD up with several other low budget flicks at a store going out of business. It was the best $3.00 I've spent in a long time! The Sore Losers is about aliens sent to kill 12 hippies each. The only problem is, if you don't kill enough, or you kill too many, you are screwed. This movie has plenty of what most low budget sci-fi and horror fans look for, ie lots of nudity and a surreal story line that borders on nonsense.The thing that really got me is that the actress D'Lana looks an awful lot like Melissa from the reality show "Joe Millionare." I've tried to search and see if it was her, but can't really tell. If you are looking for a good way to kill an hour or so, and you like the low(est) budget stuff you can find, this film is worth it.

A very low budget film, i'm guessing not even breaking into the five-digit range. The sound is sloppy, as is the editing, with the format bouncing back and forth from S-VHS to 16mm to 8mm and back again.

But for all it's technical flaws, The Sore Losers is really a fun movie with a greaser-punk feel to it. Awesome soundtrack, featuring the Drags and Bantam Rooster, among others, and hey! Mike Maker can act! I'm surprised I haven't seen him in more films.

I really wish there were more films like The Sore Losers. We need more quirky low-budget films that are actually good. Guys, make some more movies!