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stargeek99
Reviews
Skateboard (1978)
Lowbudget fun
I have a weird history with this movie. When I was a kid, I came across the book adaptation of the movie in a used book store. As a young skateboarder in the early 80s, I enjoyed the book quite a bit. Then to my amazement I caught the movie played on Saturday afternoon television and also enjoyed it quite a bit.
Then about 20 years pass and I've long outgrown skateboarding, and what do I come across being played on late night TV? Skateboard! I settle in for a nostalgic return to my youth.
It's obvious that this film had to be mostly improvised by the cast, but to me that's part of the charm. It definitely feels more like a documentary than feature.
Yeah, the skateboarding is completely archaic, but sheesh, this movie is 30 years old. Vert ramps hadn't been invented yet.
If you get a chance to catch it on late-night TV, I definitely suggest a look.
Terry (2005)
Good inspiring film, but omits large chunks of Terry's personality.
As a kid growing up I can remember Terry Fox. I can also remember taking part in the first Terry Fox run at my school when I was in grade 2. I think it's great that he's left such a legacy.
This is the second movie about Terry Fox I've seen. The first, "The Terry Fox Story" (1983) makes no bones about Terry's complicated personality and his sometimes strained relationships with those around him. It was well known that what drove Terry to take on a challenge such as this also made it difficult to be around him.
Fox's story in "Terry" seems accurate enough, but with the glaring omission of the more controversial sides of his personality. I think this is a shame, as it doesn't take away from his accomplishments at all but makes him more real, and to that end more people could connect to him rather than some nostalgic saintly version of him.
Terry Fox is a true Canadian hero and his story should continue to be told. Overall a fine made-for-TV movie, but check out the other version as well.
Porky's (1981)
Deserves a higher IMDb score
Porky's was one of the originators of the teen-sex genre and remains one of the best. Since it takes place in the 50's, I find it's not as dated as a lot of 80's films, especially with this mostly unknown cast. I was too young to see the film in the theaters when it first came around, but I can imagine the entire audience rolling out of their seats with laughter through virtually every scene.
Any fan of American Pie owes it to themselves to see what started it all, and in many ways delivers far more. Tons of nudity, profanity and laughs make this an R-rated treat.
Recommended.
Private School (1983)
A bad 80s teen flick
I had to laugh when I saw that another reviewer learned of this movie from Electronic Games magazine in 1983. I must have had the same issue kicking around my bedroom for years, and the ad always stuck in my mind (must have been Phoebe Cates in that leotard). I didn't see it myself till the mid-90's however, so there's nothing for me to be nostalgic otherwise about the film.
The scene of Modine and his cronies pretending to be women while sneaking around is so bad it has to be seen to be believed.
The film represents the more forgettable of the 80s teen flicks, and when you consider at the same time we had Porky's and Revenge of the Nerds, 2 of the genre's best, this was put out as a complete cash grab.
Pets or Meat: The Return to Flint (1992)
A must see for any Roger & Me fan
I caught this on PBS years ago following a showing of Roger & Me. In it Michael Moore follows up on all the people he featured in the original doc. One nice thing I remember from seeing it was that Moore paid for 2 years of rent for everyone who was shown getting evicted in Roger & Me.
And they do follow up the Rabbit lady, and she now raises her Rabbit's for another use that's almost as shocking as watching her skin that rabbit the first time.
I have no idea how difficult this is to track down these days, but I'd say it's a must-see for any fans of the original Roger & Me.