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.
15 Reviews
A splendid surprise so overdue, it almost hurts to watch it.
BigGiantEyeball13 August 2011
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".
Like an ambitious student film: contains many showy images but no coherent point
guyfromjerzee15 August 2004
Anyone with a half a brain can tell this was made by a group of amateurs with a budget that couldn't be more than a couple thousand dollars. I liked the film's use of lighting, as well as the costume design, but other than that there's nothing good I can say. The story's an incoherent mess. It's one of those confusing story lines that goes in many different directions and is hard to follow, yet at the same time it's not worth following. Besides the lighting and costume design, the film is a stylistic mess. It's like one of those student films where the director is simply trying to show the professor all the different things he can do with visuals, but totally ignores the concept of making a "good film." The sound is terrible. There's one scene where we're watching two characters get out of a car, from a distance, and it sounds as if the characters are right in front of the camera (an obvious use of ADR). Some of the camera-work is shoddy as well. In one scene, two of the characters are in an amusement park, and it's shot on a cheesy home video camera. And no, it wasn't a stylistic choice. I guess the filmmakers weren't able to sneak a film camera into an amusement park, so instead they used a mini-camcorder. That's the kind of stuff you can only get away with in film school. And like in many bad films, there's a good deal of nudity. Some of the girls have pretty nice bodies, but the use of nudity is simply a ploy to distract us from the fact that this movie really sucks and doesn't make a lick of sense. Some viewers may be able to interpret something from this micro-budget flick, but I was lost. Then again, I'm not a fan of movies that jump back and forth, nonchalantly, from one reality to another, and there's no surefire way of telling what's real and what's fake ("The Matrix" being a big-budget example). I'm sorry, but I actually like to understand a movie. Is that too much to ask? There are some complicated films that are worth uncovering the mystery in subsequent viewings, but this is not one of those cases. Besides, why should I take any film seriously that's made by a director who doesn't even bother to put any effort into hiring good actors or using good cinematography?
no redeeming qualities
Scott_Parton27 June 2002
A visually stunning color-noir film set to a mind spinning Rock and Roll soundtrack? Did I watch the same movie? This movie was just total garbage. I can't find any redeeming qualities to mention. The editing, acting, and storylines were so bad it was tough for me to finish. The only reason I hung on until the end was to see how they would wrap up this terrible joke. It wasn't worth the wait. Hard to believe it cost $75,000 to make this, seems more like $5,000. One of the worst movies I've ever seen.
This one is rotten
Pole-cat9 April 2006
when you base characters on prince songs you have a problem. when you throw those characters into a plot that goes nowhere, and you end up with something that is a train-wreck of Uwe Boll proportions. I seriously wanted to find some reason to keep watching, and sadly it starts mucking up the suckiness with boring. the direction, hr mm it feels like the director just REALLY wanted to get to check out a couple of chicks stripping then making out, and somehow even that looks repulsive in this movie I'm sure some high schooler somewhere is having a fit or questioning my sexuality, but REALLY I am serious when I say that this entire movie would have been better as two minutes of music video when the end comes, and I have to note this doesn't happen soon enough by any definition, you're left with absolutely nothing but the fact that you'd just wasted your time and most likely your money hell like the other guy I bought it in a bargain pack, and STILL felt ripped-off.
This movie is fantastic
eric-79123 June 2007
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.
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.
Kill the Hippies!
tattoo-robb30 March 2003
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.
You like ´The Cramps´ you like this Movie
giggles-49 October 1998
If you love ´The CRAMPS´ you love this thrash-movie. It´s like a CRAMPS-song come true in picture and sound, it´s all that you like : catfights,cool clothing, great music(the thrash/garage/ one),a weird story and a red-haired-hell-of-a-women like Poison Ivy. This movie is great to watch with a couple of friends and a couple of six-pax !!!Lots of FUN!!!STAY SICK!!!
Very strange...
mcpierce24 August 2002
...but fun, in a sickly noirish way. It was basically a fun film filled with ninety-degree turns in the plot and strange segues into weirdness. From the Malt Liquor Angel to D'Lana (HOOFAH!) there was plenty to keep you interested in seeing what came next...
Michael Maker and Guitar Wolf AWESOME !!!
partywithroark1 September 2018
Unpopular Culture
Gorgar27 September 1998
Mad garagepunk Sci-Fi!
Jens-2812 May 1999
Being a garagepunk and trashfilm fanatic I've been waiting religiously for the European PAL release of "Sore Losers". I've heard the excellent soundtrack (with Crypt and Estrus bands) two years ago and I wasn't disappointed with the movie. Jack Oblivian (of Memphis' sadly defunct Oblivians) stars as an alien assassin who was sent to earth in '54 to kill beatniks and now he's back to kill hippies and other lowlifes. His sidekick is comicbook junkie Mike Maker (of trashrockers The Makers) and together they encounter various sleazy women who resemble an insane mix of Betty Page and Divine! The role list also includes Japanese lo-fi gods Guitar Wolf and the mighty monarch of exploitation, David Friedman (Bloodfeast, Erotic Adventures Of Zorro etc.) as The Elder. The plot is too weird to describe but if you're tired of MTV/Hollywood products and have a good taste in rock'n'roll, get your kicks with this low-budget (16 mm) wonder.
Visually imaginative
sgcim8 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I bought this DVD with a gift card I got for Christmas in a compilation called "Hotter Than Hell". It consisted of 4 horror movies for 9 bucks so we're pretty much talking about cheap thrills here. The other 3 are lousy and one of them was edited so poorly that they included one scene that was shot twice- one after the other!!
"Sore Losers" however, didn't belong with the other 3 because it had a lot of creativity, a hip sense of humor, good acting and a consistently imaginative visual style.
When the director showed anything, there was always something going on that made the scene more interesting than a realistic approach would show.
For example, in the beginning of the movie, the J.D./ alien robs a convenience store and we're shown an old guy playing an acoustic guitar and singing a country song with his eyes closed and you wonder where the heck he is. Is he in the back of the store? Does he have anything to do with the scene at all? We're never given an answer and the film goes on as if it never happened!
There are many examples of craziness such as this, and every scene is done with the director's personal touch.
If you're looking for a typically slick, SciFi Channel alien flick, you better go somewhere else.
The unconventionally beautiful D'Lana Tunnel takes care of the cheap thrills department, with scenes of her fighting in the nude with another woman towards the end, with both of them being electrocuted in the electric chair of a prison as they're fighting!
The music is basically a bunch of garage band-sounding rock with the only redeeming track being a minor-key, jazzy sounding thing with tenor saxophones that sound like kazoos.
With better music, this could've been made to seem less ramshackle, in spite of its being shot on 16mm, Super VHS, or whatever.
"Sore Losers" however, didn't belong with the other 3 because it had a lot of creativity, a hip sense of humor, good acting and a consistently imaginative visual style.
When the director showed anything, there was always something going on that made the scene more interesting than a realistic approach would show.
For example, in the beginning of the movie, the J.D./ alien robs a convenience store and we're shown an old guy playing an acoustic guitar and singing a country song with his eyes closed and you wonder where the heck he is. Is he in the back of the store? Does he have anything to do with the scene at all? We're never given an answer and the film goes on as if it never happened!
There are many examples of craziness such as this, and every scene is done with the director's personal touch.
If you're looking for a typically slick, SciFi Channel alien flick, you better go somewhere else.
The unconventionally beautiful D'Lana Tunnel takes care of the cheap thrills department, with scenes of her fighting in the nude with another woman towards the end, with both of them being electrocuted in the electric chair of a prison as they're fighting!
The music is basically a bunch of garage band-sounding rock with the only redeeming track being a minor-key, jazzy sounding thing with tenor saxophones that sound like kazoos.
With better music, this could've been made to seem less ramshackle, in spite of its being shot on 16mm, Super VHS, or whatever.
Uneven, but a lot of fun.
FF=6630 July 1999
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!
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!
So much potential...
cornjob-217 October 2002
Wow, this was disappointing. The movie starts off all right and the backstory is acceptably goofy. The movie is fun until Kerine-a shows up. Then it just gets annoying. The problem is that Kerine-a is a completely unlikable character and soon becomes the main one. If the movie had been devoid of her, it would have been better.
The other characters are interesting, but are eclipsed in dialogue and screen time by Kerine-a. Fortunately, this movie has the ultimate saving grace and the greatest trump card for making something automatically cool--GUITAR WOLF!!! Yes, the Japanese punk rockers made famous by their sound and Wild Zero (the greatest movie ever) appear twice and somehow manage to completely steal the movie with something like seven minutes of screen time total.
Sore Losers has some amusing bits and some great ideas. Then Kerine-a shows up and it goes down the drain. Really disappointing, too. It had so much promise...
The other characters are interesting, but are eclipsed in dialogue and screen time by Kerine-a. Fortunately, this movie has the ultimate saving grace and the greatest trump card for making something automatically cool--GUITAR WOLF!!! Yes, the Japanese punk rockers made famous by their sound and Wild Zero (the greatest movie ever) appear twice and somehow manage to completely steal the movie with something like seven minutes of screen time total.
Sore Losers has some amusing bits and some great ideas. Then Kerine-a shows up and it goes down the drain. Really disappointing, too. It had so much promise...
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