Over the course of a film career that stretches back 50 years, Charles Band has produced nearly 400 projects and directed several dozen – and in his memoir Confessions of a Puppetmaster (pick up a copy Here), he says that one of the movies fans mention to him the most is the 1983 sci-fi film Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn… which happens to have fun connections to both Jaws 3-D and the sitcom Night Court.
Directed by Band from a screenplay by Alan J. Adler, Metalstorm has the following synopsis: On a desert planet, warlord Jared-Syn is trying to convince a tribe of mutants that he’s their messiah and gain unlimited power hidden in a crystal. Ranger Dogen and explorer Dhyana, who’s father was murdered by Syn, must stop him.
Band and Adler also produced the movie with Band’s father Albert Band.
The film stars Jeffrey Byron, Michael Preston, Tim Thomerson,...
Directed by Band from a screenplay by Alan J. Adler, Metalstorm has the following synopsis: On a desert planet, warlord Jared-Syn is trying to convince a tribe of mutants that he’s their messiah and gain unlimited power hidden in a crystal. Ranger Dogen and explorer Dhyana, who’s father was murdered by Syn, must stop him.
Band and Adler also produced the movie with Band’s father Albert Band.
The film stars Jeffrey Byron, Michael Preston, Tim Thomerson,...
- 7/21/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Back in the 1980s, the term “home video” actually referred to movies that had been transferred to honest-to-goodness analog videocassette tape. Keen-eyed genre mavens would excitedly trawl the aisles of their local emporium, often choosing between titles based on little more than lurid cover art and advertising hype.
One of the premier purveyors of the most cherished low-budget, unabashedly lowbrow entertainments was Charles Band’s Empire Pictures, staffed by a tightly knit “band of outsiders” whose names crop up time and again across the studio’s roster of deliriously enjoyable sci-fi and horror films. As it happens, Empire was a pure product of the decade, founded in 1983 and defunct by 1989, when it made way for Band’s next (and still flourishing) endeavor: Full Moon Features. Now, the fine folks at Arrow Video have gathered together a bumper crop of Empire’s output in their lavishly produced box set Enter the Video Store: Empire of Screams.
One of the premier purveyors of the most cherished low-budget, unabashedly lowbrow entertainments was Charles Band’s Empire Pictures, staffed by a tightly knit “band of outsiders” whose names crop up time and again across the studio’s roster of deliriously enjoyable sci-fi and horror films. As it happens, Empire was a pure product of the decade, founded in 1983 and defunct by 1989, when it made way for Band’s next (and still flourishing) endeavor: Full Moon Features. Now, the fine folks at Arrow Video have gathered together a bumper crop of Empire’s output in their lavishly produced box set Enter the Video Store: Empire of Screams.
- 6/26/2023
- by Budd Wilkins
- Slant Magazine
Remember the shelves of your local video store? Of course you do. Announced today, Arrow Video is tapping back into that nostalgic experience with a brand new Blu-ray release.
“Freshly restored for the digital era with a wealth of new and archival extras, these films have never looked better,” Arrow Video teases the set this morning, which is loaded with a collection of retro films from Charles Band’s Empire International Pictures.
Arrow explains, “In 1983, entrepreneurial producer and director Charles Band founded Empire International Pictures, which would go on to make some of the most memorable and beloved genre movies of the 1980s. Empire became a mainstay of video stores across the world with their catchy titles, outlandish art and Band’s wholehearted belief in giving audiences a good time.”
In The Dungeonmaster, computer programmer Paul Bradford is sucked into a fantasy world by Mestema, a demonic sorcerer in search of a worthy opponent.
“Freshly restored for the digital era with a wealth of new and archival extras, these films have never looked better,” Arrow Video teases the set this morning, which is loaded with a collection of retro films from Charles Band’s Empire International Pictures.
Arrow explains, “In 1983, entrepreneurial producer and director Charles Band founded Empire International Pictures, which would go on to make some of the most memorable and beloved genre movies of the 1980s. Empire became a mainstay of video stores across the world with their catchy titles, outlandish art and Band’s wholehearted belief in giving audiences a good time.”
In The Dungeonmaster, computer programmer Paul Bradford is sucked into a fantasy world by Mestema, a demonic sorcerer in search of a worthy opponent.
- 3/31/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
On the JoBlo Movies YouTube channel, we will be posting one full movie every day of the week, giving viewers the chance to watch them entirely free of charge. Today’s Free Movie of the Day is the 2018 haunted prison film Devil’s Acid, and you can check it out on the JoBlo Movies YouTube channel, or you can just watch it in the embed at the top of this article.
Dead Voices was directed by William Butler, whose name you might know as the man responsible for the Baby Oopsie phenomenon. Dead Voices stars Lochlyn Munro (Scary Movie) and writer-actor Jacob Kyle Young.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Two sisters discover a dark secret while making a documentary about mediums for a college final.
The film also stars Angelica Briones, Lauren Albo, Jack Buckley, Naama Silver and Cody Anderson.
Director William Butler’s got a pretty legit filmography, and...
Dead Voices was directed by William Butler, whose name you might know as the man responsible for the Baby Oopsie phenomenon. Dead Voices stars Lochlyn Munro (Scary Movie) and writer-actor Jacob Kyle Young.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Two sisters discover a dark secret while making a documentary about mediums for a college final.
The film also stars Angelica Briones, Lauren Albo, Jack Buckley, Naama Silver and Cody Anderson.
Director William Butler’s got a pretty legit filmography, and...
- 10/6/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Click here to read the full article.
Venetia Stevenson, a model, actress and daughter of Hollywood luminaries who appeared in films including Darby’s Rangers, Island of Lost Women and Horror Hotel after being labeled “the most photogenic girl in the world,” has died. She was 84.
Stevenson died Monday at a health care facility in Atlanta after a battle with Parkinson’s disease, her brother, actor and photographer Jeffrey Byron, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Stevenson’s parents were Robert Stevenson, the Oscar-nominated director of Mary Poppins who earlier helmed King Solomon’s Mines and Jane Eyre, and her mother was Anna Lee, who starred in How Green Was My Valley and portrayed the matriarch Lila Quartermaine for a quarter-century on General Hospital.
The screen siren was married to actor Russ Tamblyn from Valentine’s Day 1956 until their divorce in April 1957 and to Don Everly of The Everly Brothers from 1962-...
Venetia Stevenson, a model, actress and daughter of Hollywood luminaries who appeared in films including Darby’s Rangers, Island of Lost Women and Horror Hotel after being labeled “the most photogenic girl in the world,” has died. She was 84.
Stevenson died Monday at a health care facility in Atlanta after a battle with Parkinson’s disease, her brother, actor and photographer Jeffrey Byron, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Stevenson’s parents were Robert Stevenson, the Oscar-nominated director of Mary Poppins who earlier helmed King Solomon’s Mines and Jane Eyre, and her mother was Anna Lee, who starred in How Green Was My Valley and portrayed the matriarch Lila Quartermaine for a quarter-century on General Hospital.
The screen siren was married to actor Russ Tamblyn from Valentine’s Day 1956 until their divorce in April 1957 and to Don Everly of The Everly Brothers from 1962-...
- 9/27/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
1979: Brian and Paige were married on The Edge of Night.
1983: Kim Zimmer debuted as Reva Shayne on Guiding Light.
1995: General Hospital's Sonny said goodbye to Stone.
1996: Gh's Edward had a Thanksgiving nightmare."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1966: On Dark Shadows, Matthew (Thayer David) had just begun to strangle Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) when Liz (Joan Bennett) burst into the cottage.
1975: The final CBS episode of The Edge of Night aired. The network also aired the last half-hour episode of As the World Turns,...
1983: Kim Zimmer debuted as Reva Shayne on Guiding Light.
1995: General Hospital's Sonny said goodbye to Stone.
1996: Gh's Edward had a Thanksgiving nightmare."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1966: On Dark Shadows, Matthew (Thayer David) had just begun to strangle Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) when Liz (Joan Bennett) burst into the cottage.
1975: The final CBS episode of The Edge of Night aired. The network also aired the last half-hour episode of As the World Turns,...
- 11/28/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
On September 13th, Scream Factory sets their sights on the starry depths of space with their Blu-ray release of Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn, and we've been provided with three copies to give away to Daily Dead readers.
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn.
How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Metalstorm Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on September 18th. This contest is only open to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted.
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Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn Blu-ray: "Experience the future in 3-D!
Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn is the science fiction battle of the ages with giant Cyclopians and an intergalactic magician...
————
Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn.
How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Metalstorm Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on September 18th. This contest is only open to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted.
————
Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn Blu-ray: "Experience the future in 3-D!
Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn is the science fiction battle of the ages with giant Cyclopians and an intergalactic magician...
- 9/12/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Before Charles Band's Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn Blu-ray hits shelves, check out the two high-def clips and an official trailer released by Scream Factory.
Bonus features for the Blu-ray include a high definition transfer in 2-D and 3-D as well as interviews with the cast and crew:
Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn Blu-ray: "Experience the future in 3-D!
Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn is the science fiction battle of the ages with giant Cyclopians and an intergalactic magician in this futuristic adventure set on the desert planet of Lemuria. A miner and his daughter Dhyana (Kelly Preston, Death Sentence, Christine) fall prey to the evil dictator Jared-Syn's reign of terror. Dogen (Jeffrey Byron, The Dungeonmaster) the brave peacekeeping ranger, must save Dhyana and the rest of her planet from the brutality of Jared-Syn (Mike Preston, The Road Warrior), his son, Baal (R. David Smith, T-Force), and the hideous Cyclopian warlord,...
Bonus features for the Blu-ray include a high definition transfer in 2-D and 3-D as well as interviews with the cast and crew:
Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn Blu-ray: "Experience the future in 3-D!
Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn is the science fiction battle of the ages with giant Cyclopians and an intergalactic magician in this futuristic adventure set on the desert planet of Lemuria. A miner and his daughter Dhyana (Kelly Preston, Death Sentence, Christine) fall prey to the evil dictator Jared-Syn's reign of terror. Dogen (Jeffrey Byron, The Dungeonmaster) the brave peacekeeping ranger, must save Dhyana and the rest of her planet from the brutality of Jared-Syn (Mike Preston, The Road Warrior), his son, Baal (R. David Smith, T-Force), and the hideous Cyclopian warlord,...
- 9/8/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Created as part of Justin Lin’s Yomfyom contest, Jimmy Lui’s (of Black Mast Studios) The Hopping Dead aims to terrify its audience to the bone. Read on for more details and to watch the short film in its entirety. Also in today’s Highlights: Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn Blu-ray release details as well as preview pages and cover artwork for Prometheus: Life and Death #3.
Watch Jimmy Lui’s Short Film The Hopping Dead: “The film was shot for Justin Lin’s Yomfyom filmmakers competition. It’s an homage to cult John Carpenter films like “Big Trouble in Little China and “They Live.” There’s also a nod to the classic old martial arts films featuring Sammo Hung. Lin’s competition had 2 rules. The film had to be less than 3 minutes running time and we could only use 4 lines of pre-selected dialogue — other than that there were no stipulations.
Watch Jimmy Lui’s Short Film The Hopping Dead: “The film was shot for Justin Lin’s Yomfyom filmmakers competition. It’s an homage to cult John Carpenter films like “Big Trouble in Little China and “They Live.” There’s also a nod to the classic old martial arts films featuring Sammo Hung. Lin’s competition had 2 rules. The film had to be less than 3 minutes running time and we could only use 4 lines of pre-selected dialogue — other than that there were no stipulations.
- 8/1/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Dean Israelite’s Power Rangers movie won’t hit theaters until March of 2017, but Funko’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (the original team) Pop! vinyl figures hit shelves and potentially your hands this August! Also: details on Scream Factory’s upcoming Blu-ray release of Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn, plus two photos and a clip from this Friday’s episode of Syfy’s Wynonna Earp series.
Funko’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Pop! Vinyl Figures Photos and Release Details: From Funko: “Go Go Power Rangers!
The original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers are ready for battle!
Between the Green Ranger’s martial arts skills, Black Ranger’s strength, Yellow Ranger’s quick wit, and Blue Ranger’s intelligence, there’s nothing they can’t overcome!
Complete your Pop! Power Rangers collection this August!”
To view the entire Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Pop! vinyl figures collection, including the previously released Red Ranger,...
Funko’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Pop! Vinyl Figures Photos and Release Details: From Funko: “Go Go Power Rangers!
The original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers are ready for battle!
Between the Green Ranger’s martial arts skills, Black Ranger’s strength, Yellow Ranger’s quick wit, and Blue Ranger’s intelligence, there’s nothing they can’t overcome!
Complete your Pop! Power Rangers collection this August!”
To view the entire Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Pop! vinyl figures collection, including the previously released Red Ranger,...
- 6/8/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
In their ongoing quest to bring most of Charles Band’s Empire Films from the ’80s to Blu-ray, Scream Factory is releasing another double feature containing two of the studio’s better efforts: 1984’s The Dungeonmaster (aka Ragewar) and Eliminators from 1986.
Though omnipresent in the horror genre since Dead of Night in 1945 (or even Waxworks in 1924 if you’re willing to count it), the anthology film has rarely extended into the realm of sci-fi or fantasy—Heavy Metal aside, of course. One of the rare exceptions is The Dungeonmaster, an anthology that assembles the all-star team of Empire Pictures in the mid-’80s: Charles Band, John Carl Buechler, Dave Allen, Ted Nicolaou, Pater Manoogian and several others.
Originally intended as a single story that was expanded by necessity into an anthology, The Dungeonmaster follows computer programmer Paul Bradford (Jeffrey Byron, star of Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn), inventor of a...
Though omnipresent in the horror genre since Dead of Night in 1945 (or even Waxworks in 1924 if you’re willing to count it), the anthology film has rarely extended into the realm of sci-fi or fantasy—Heavy Metal aside, of course. One of the rare exceptions is The Dungeonmaster, an anthology that assembles the all-star team of Empire Pictures in the mid-’80s: Charles Band, John Carl Buechler, Dave Allen, Ted Nicolaou, Pater Manoogian and several others.
Originally intended as a single story that was expanded by necessity into an anthology, The Dungeonmaster follows computer programmer Paul Bradford (Jeffrey Byron, star of Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn), inventor of a...
- 1/5/2016
- by Patrick Bromley
- DailyDead
A wicked wizard seeks a worthy opponent and a mandroid goes on a vengeance quest in Scream Factory's double feature Blu-ray release of The Dungeonmaster and Eliminators. With the double bill hitting shelves today, we've been provided with three Blu-ray copies to give away.
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of The Dungeonmaster / Eliminators double feature.
How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “The Dungeonmaster / Eliminators Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on December 21st. This contest is only open to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted.
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From the previous press release: "The Dungeonmaster (Aka Rage War) – Unrated Version
Paul, a young computer ace, is forced to...
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of The Dungeonmaster / Eliminators double feature.
How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “The Dungeonmaster / Eliminators Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on December 21st. This contest is only open to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted.
------------
From the previous press release: "The Dungeonmaster (Aka Rage War) – Unrated Version
Paul, a young computer ace, is forced to...
- 12/15/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Eerie boarding school students, a wicked wizard, and a vengeance-seeking mandroid will be released on home media next Tuesday from Scream Factory. Ahead of the respective Blu-ray debuts of Zombie High and The Dungeonmaster / Eliminators double feature, we have high-def clips and trailers from the films.
Zombie High Blu-ray: "I used to be normal…happy…well-adjusted…but that was before… On December 15, 2015, Scream Factory proudly presents Zombie High in a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack, for the first time on either format. A brand new high-definition transfer highlights the incredible story of a hard-working student and the warped way of life that made her go wacky!
Virginia Madsen (Candyman, Sideways) and Richard Cox (Cruising) star in this humorous thriller about the bizarre happenings that occur in a prestigious boarding school. It seems to Andrea Miller (Madsen) that the upper-classmen act like robots. They’re the perfect students – dedicated, involved and loyal.
Zombie High Blu-ray: "I used to be normal…happy…well-adjusted…but that was before… On December 15, 2015, Scream Factory proudly presents Zombie High in a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack, for the first time on either format. A brand new high-definition transfer highlights the incredible story of a hard-working student and the warped way of life that made her go wacky!
Virginia Madsen (Candyman, Sideways) and Richard Cox (Cruising) star in this humorous thriller about the bizarre happenings that occur in a prestigious boarding school. It seems to Andrea Miller (Madsen) that the upper-classmen act like robots. They’re the perfect students – dedicated, involved and loyal.
- 12/11/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
A wicked wizard seeks battle and a mandroid goes on a vengeance quest in Scream Factory's upcoming double feature Blu-ray release of The Dungeonmaster and Eliminators. Ahead of the double bill's December 15th Blu-ray debut, we have a look at the release's cover art and list of special features:
Press Release: Scream Factory presents a double dose of science-fiction fun with The Dungeonmaster & Eliminators in their Blu-ray debuts on December 15, 2015. This release comes complete with a new interview with director Peter Manoogian.
The Dungeonmaster (Aka Rage War) – Unrated Version
Paul, a young computer ace, is forced to pit his physical and mental skills against unimaginable odds when a hulking wizard looking for formidable opponents picks Paul as his next challenger. Paul faces a series of seven spectacular and death-defying challenges and must survive not only to save his life but that of his girlfriend's too! Jeffrey Byron (Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn...
Press Release: Scream Factory presents a double dose of science-fiction fun with The Dungeonmaster & Eliminators in their Blu-ray debuts on December 15, 2015. This release comes complete with a new interview with director Peter Manoogian.
The Dungeonmaster (Aka Rage War) – Unrated Version
Paul, a young computer ace, is forced to pit his physical and mental skills against unimaginable odds when a hulking wizard looking for formidable opponents picks Paul as his next challenger. Paul faces a series of seven spectacular and death-defying challenges and must survive not only to save his life but that of his girlfriend's too! Jeffrey Byron (Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn...
- 11/5/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Scream Factory continues to pack the home media release calendar, as they recently announced four more upcoming Blu-ray titles, including Zombie High and The Brain That Wouldn't Die. The diligent distributor has also stirred up some ’80s nostalgia with their new cover art for The Garbage Pail Kids Movie Collector's Edition Blu-ray.
Initially announced at San Diego Comic-Con, The Garbage Pail Kids Movie Collector's Edition Blu-ray is slated for a December 8th release. Special features are expected to be unveiled before Halloween, and we'll be sure to share the news with our readers as soon as it hits. In the meantime, we have official details and a look at the cover art, below:
From Scream Factory: "Your favorite grime bandits come to life with all the farts, snot and vomit you can take in this hilarious film full of gross-out humor. Based on the wildly popular and irreverent trading cards,...
Initially announced at San Diego Comic-Con, The Garbage Pail Kids Movie Collector's Edition Blu-ray is slated for a December 8th release. Special features are expected to be unveiled before Halloween, and we'll be sure to share the news with our readers as soon as it hits. In the meantime, we have official details and a look at the cover art, below:
From Scream Factory: "Your favorite grime bandits come to life with all the farts, snot and vomit you can take in this hilarious film full of gross-out humor. Based on the wildly popular and irreverent trading cards,...
- 9/15/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Over at Ugo they’ve got the trailer for Final Destination 4 (aka The Final Destination), which is supposedly the last installment in the Fd franchise. In the trailer, and in the movie, we’re treated to the usual gang of people who’ve temporarily escaped death only to be confronted with their demise later once death realizes its mistake and comes to collect.
Oh, and there’s one other twist this time around: its in 3D. I’m not sure if that will help or hinder the proceedings but even if its a dismal failure, rest assured others will still try to make and release movies in 3D because they think that’s what the audience wants. Didn’t Hollywood try this stunt a couple times before in the early 50’s and mid 80’s and it failed miserably?
I seem to recall a little movie called Jaws 3: 3D...
Oh, and there’s one other twist this time around: its in 3D. I’m not sure if that will help or hinder the proceedings but even if its a dismal failure, rest assured others will still try to make and release movies in 3D because they think that’s what the audience wants. Didn’t Hollywood try this stunt a couple times before in the early 50’s and mid 80’s and it failed miserably?
I seem to recall a little movie called Jaws 3: 3D...
- 6/5/2009
- by Chris Ullrich
- The Flickcast
Alan Rudolph's "Afterglow" leaves a disappointing aftertaste, an aesthetic recipe gone stale from overuse.
Packed into much the same tin as Rudolph's classic "Choose Me", this outing shown at the Toronto International Film Festival is a disappointing example of style dictating story and theme. Still, there are delights, particularly Julie Christie's disciplined, dizzy performance as a faded actress.
Rudolph's deservedly high reputation will certainly ensure a successful art house opening, but once out of those welcoming confines, "Afterglow" will have to shine one its own merits, which are dim.
A relationship roundelay centered on two modern-day, Montreal couples, "Afterglow" is an escapade that is transparently blueprinted. In this schematic scenario, it intertwines the lives of two different couples, one downtown and one out in the boonies.
Downtown, we find Jeffrey Jonny Lee Miller) and Marianne Lara Flynn Boyle) yuppie-ing away in their trendy apartment. Marianne is a dreamer who wants a baby; Jeffrey's a workaholic who doesn't even like paintings on the wall. Not surprisingly, their marriage is coming apart at the core.
Away from the city, there's Phyllis Mann (Christie) and Lucky Mann (Nick Nolte). Phyllis whiles away her days on the couch watching her old movies and conjuring up illnesses, while Lucky goes about his business as a handyman.
With his flowing blonde hair and tight-jeans look, Lucky seems to embody the fantasy of every high-rise woman with a battery in her vibrator; namely, a blue-collar guy who's just stepped out of a beer commercial. And, yikes, Rudolph has wired the screenplay with, seemingly, every "tool" double-entendre known to locker rooms. He's hammered in the most basic of plots: Lucky is called to Jeffrey and Marianne's apartment to perform a fix-it. Neglected Marianne greets him as a conquering hero, and before you can say oil-and-drill, they're body-locked.
Well, this goes back and forth for a while and then flip-flops as, just as conveniently, the other spouses link up. Phyllis, finally admitting her jealousy and insecurities with her open, nonmarriage to Lucky, crisscrosses with Jeffrey at the Ritz, where he's spying on Marianne.
While one can concede there may be some retro-hipness to this minimalist, jokey storytelling, "Afterglow" is a general burnout. After a while, one's interest is only professional: does the sax sound more like the score for "Trouble in Mind", or does the music more closely resemble the smudgy trumpet in "Choose Me"? Do its brownish hues more resemble "The Moderns" or "Mrs. Parker"? In short, "Afterglow" is of interest only as a term paper.
Complementing Christie's wonderfully edgy performance as the rattled actress and lover, Nolte's gruff swagger is terrific. His lionesque squint and swagger are entertaining and revealing, lucky for audiences given the puny dimensions of the character. Boyle is a proper bundle of hysterics as the neglected young wife, while Miller is well-cast as an ice cube.
Tonally, Rudolph is ever masterful. The technical contributions are inspired and well-realized. Francois' Seguin's evocative production design, both sterile and messy, conveys aptly the mind-sets of the characters, while Mark Isham, once again, charts some aptly musty music for this minor movement.
AFTERGLOW
Sony Pictures Classics
Moonstone Entertainment,
Sand Castle 5, Elysian Dreams
A film by Alan Rudolph
Producer Robert Altman
Screenwriter-director Alan Rudolph
Co-producer: James McLindon
Executive producers Ernst Stroh, Willi Baer
Director of photography Toyomichi Kurita
Editor Suzy Elmiger
Production designer Francois Seguin
Costume designer Francois Barbeau
Music Mark Isham
Associate producer Rebecca Morton
Color/stereo
Cast:
Lucky Mann Nick Nolte
Phyllis Mann Julie Christie
Marianne Byron Lara Flynn Boyle
Jeffrey Byron Jonny Lee Miller
Donald Duncan Jay Underwood
Running time -- 113 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Packed into much the same tin as Rudolph's classic "Choose Me", this outing shown at the Toronto International Film Festival is a disappointing example of style dictating story and theme. Still, there are delights, particularly Julie Christie's disciplined, dizzy performance as a faded actress.
Rudolph's deservedly high reputation will certainly ensure a successful art house opening, but once out of those welcoming confines, "Afterglow" will have to shine one its own merits, which are dim.
A relationship roundelay centered on two modern-day, Montreal couples, "Afterglow" is an escapade that is transparently blueprinted. In this schematic scenario, it intertwines the lives of two different couples, one downtown and one out in the boonies.
Downtown, we find Jeffrey Jonny Lee Miller) and Marianne Lara Flynn Boyle) yuppie-ing away in their trendy apartment. Marianne is a dreamer who wants a baby; Jeffrey's a workaholic who doesn't even like paintings on the wall. Not surprisingly, their marriage is coming apart at the core.
Away from the city, there's Phyllis Mann (Christie) and Lucky Mann (Nick Nolte). Phyllis whiles away her days on the couch watching her old movies and conjuring up illnesses, while Lucky goes about his business as a handyman.
With his flowing blonde hair and tight-jeans look, Lucky seems to embody the fantasy of every high-rise woman with a battery in her vibrator; namely, a blue-collar guy who's just stepped out of a beer commercial. And, yikes, Rudolph has wired the screenplay with, seemingly, every "tool" double-entendre known to locker rooms. He's hammered in the most basic of plots: Lucky is called to Jeffrey and Marianne's apartment to perform a fix-it. Neglected Marianne greets him as a conquering hero, and before you can say oil-and-drill, they're body-locked.
Well, this goes back and forth for a while and then flip-flops as, just as conveniently, the other spouses link up. Phyllis, finally admitting her jealousy and insecurities with her open, nonmarriage to Lucky, crisscrosses with Jeffrey at the Ritz, where he's spying on Marianne.
While one can concede there may be some retro-hipness to this minimalist, jokey storytelling, "Afterglow" is a general burnout. After a while, one's interest is only professional: does the sax sound more like the score for "Trouble in Mind", or does the music more closely resemble the smudgy trumpet in "Choose Me"? Do its brownish hues more resemble "The Moderns" or "Mrs. Parker"? In short, "Afterglow" is of interest only as a term paper.
Complementing Christie's wonderfully edgy performance as the rattled actress and lover, Nolte's gruff swagger is terrific. His lionesque squint and swagger are entertaining and revealing, lucky for audiences given the puny dimensions of the character. Boyle is a proper bundle of hysterics as the neglected young wife, while Miller is well-cast as an ice cube.
Tonally, Rudolph is ever masterful. The technical contributions are inspired and well-realized. Francois' Seguin's evocative production design, both sterile and messy, conveys aptly the mind-sets of the characters, while Mark Isham, once again, charts some aptly musty music for this minor movement.
AFTERGLOW
Sony Pictures Classics
Moonstone Entertainment,
Sand Castle 5, Elysian Dreams
A film by Alan Rudolph
Producer Robert Altman
Screenwriter-director Alan Rudolph
Co-producer: James McLindon
Executive producers Ernst Stroh, Willi Baer
Director of photography Toyomichi Kurita
Editor Suzy Elmiger
Production designer Francois Seguin
Costume designer Francois Barbeau
Music Mark Isham
Associate producer Rebecca Morton
Color/stereo
Cast:
Lucky Mann Nick Nolte
Phyllis Mann Julie Christie
Marianne Byron Lara Flynn Boyle
Jeffrey Byron Jonny Lee Miller
Donald Duncan Jay Underwood
Running time -- 113 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 9/11/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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