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intrepidjournalist
Reviews
The Dirt Bike Kid (1985)
Sorta like... Herbie meets Motocross
This, the Karate Kid Part II, and Flight of the Navigator were the first three movies I ever had on VHS, and boy did I wear them out. This is in many ways the classic 80s kid's movie story. Evil developer/lawyer types want to pave over the hot dog restaurant, or the Goonies' house, or Ernest's summer camp, or Demi Moore's grandparents, and our heroes spring into action!
That hilarious kid who played Ralphie in A Christmas Story plays a nerd in a town where every kid inexplicably has a motorbike (even 12 y/o girls ride pink Vespas). He buys a junky old dirt bike that he fixes up in a montage scene, and the bike comes to life and can do awesome stuff on its own. Using his super-bike, Ralphie must stop a evil, greedy banker from paving over Mike's Dog House, the local hot dog joint.
It's a fun movie for kids, and the good guys win at the end.
Disneyland: Ask Max (1986)
Cool 80s Movie (for TV)
I saw this on TV in '86 (a year before I saw the Goonies on VHS), so I didn't know who Chunk was, but I remember digging this movie as a 9 year old. This kid (Jeff Cohen) builds a bike with some sort of booster on the back wheel which makes it jump 30 feet in the air, and somehow keeps the landing from killing the rider. The first one he builds is all cobbled together, but then he sells his design to a toy company. They build a really high-tech model, which he uses at the end to save somebody. I don't remember the details, but I remember thinking it was pretty good for TV. If you didn't have cable in '86, NOTHING cool came on TV.
Captain Ron (1992)
I like Captain Ron like a Sailor likes his Rum
I first saw this movie during a weekend custody visit with my dad years ago, and I loved it! It's a little dumb, and a little formulaic, so what. Most movies are to some extent. But what most movies aren't is well written, with a good storyline, well rounded characters, and beautiful cinematography. Martin Short plays a 1990's Joe Everyman, caught up in the rat race. He inherits a classic sailing ketch from his uncle, and takes the family sailing. Since they know nothing of the ocean, they hire a local captain (Kurt Russell) to skipper the boat. Also since they know nothing of the ocean, they don't realize the guy is a total loon until it is too late and they are at sea.
Russell's Captain Ron is like that crazy bachelor Uncle that your mom hates but dad always invites to Thanksgiving dinner, where he gets drunk and makes a scene. Russell's dialogue alone is worth the cost of renting this movie ("my leg's feeling a lot better, boss. I've always been a fast healer. 'Course I believe in Jesus. That helps.")
Since I first saw this movie, I have learned to sail, and now own a 43-foot ocean racing boat, and yet this movie still holds up well. The sailing scenes are well done and the terminology is accurate (though the islands the Harvey family visit are mostly fictional). Anyone with kids, a love of the ocean, or just a love of laughter will enjoy this movie.
-J
ps- "Hide the salami in the shower!" rofl!