rexmaynard-739-337868 Reviews

The Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit (2008)

42 Years in the Making

[8/10 · 23 May 2010]

I'm one of those who saw "The X From Ouer Space" often on TV's Saturday matinée movie back in the 70's. I loved it then, and was eager to see if Guilala could still deliver the goods to my less imaginative, more cynical adult self.

Yes and no. This movie is played as a comedy (what else COULD they do with the giant chicken/lizard with a kitchen sink on top of its head). The comedy reminds me of "Saturday Night Live".. some clever political satire mixed in with infantile humor (try imagining Will Ferrell is playing Take-Majin, he's a perfect fit). There's even silly drug humor when Guilala gets stoned. The comedy isn't uproariously funny at any point, and does dip into absurdity a few times, but it generally works.

The movies special effects seem intentionally cheap, capturing perfectly the old school look and feel of the giant monster movies. sadly most of the monster action takes place in the first minute of Guilalas arrival. I was really looking forward to watching my old sentimental favorite monster get to fight another monster. The fight between Guilala and Take-Majin was the biggest disappointment for me. As i said earlier, it was like watching Will Ferrell in a gold leotard running around having nuclear missiles shot up his back end and exploding in his colon. If I'm drunk enough, its priceless comedy.

As you can likely guess, poor old monster X/Guilala gets his in the end once more, and he really doesn't put up much of a fight. But I loved seeing him again (I know, why?? I guess you need to have seen the first movie when you were 8 years old to understand). There were some things I really wanted to see that I was denied: 1- Guilala never used that silly looking crab claw on the tip of his tail in either movie. I want to see that weapon deployed! 2- He also never used the odd faucet device on top of his head. I long ago figured it was his "energy sensing tube" so I'll stick with that theory.

3- I'd hoped they were going to dig up some original cast members. the human story in the original was the funniest one in any of the old giant monster flicks.

Overall, if you liked the original, you already know you must see this one and will love seeing Guilala back in action. If you didn't like or haven't seen "The X From Outer Space", you will likely find a few chuckles out of this one, but little else. 7 stars the former viewer, 5 for the latter.

The Flesh Eaters (1964)

Here's the word man, this movie is kooky!

[7/10 · 21 May 2010]

If you are going to sit down to watch this expecting some top notch special effects, intense acting, and a character driven plot, you deserve to be disappointed. Movies like this cannot conceal what they are or mislead people, so to criticize it for being cheap, hokey, and cheesy is sort like complaining that Star Wars takes place in outer space.

If you are hoping to be entertained, then this movie won't let you down! A reminder of how creepy these old movies can be if you were lucky enough to see it when you were under age 12, movies like this always benefit most when the viewer can suspend their cynicism and imagine they are 10 years old. The lack of any sets used in the film is probably because the actors chewed all the scenery, the gore, for its time, was pretty darn shocking, and the monsters are somehow easily destroyed by the same thing they eat.

Yes, skeletons shouldn't remain whole when the flesh is eaten off them. True, CGI effects blow away the lousy FX. Of course, a woman wouldn't tear off her shirt while the men stood by, still in their shirts and gawking when someone needed makeshift bandages. And I agree, Nazi scientists were not hiding out on Long Island in the 1960's. If you can accept these facts, and forgive the movie in spite of them (and many, many other similar flaws), you won't be let down for one second! Also, the song playing on the transistor radio in the opening scene, performed by a band called "The Teen Killers" is so catchy you won't stop whistling it for weeks!!!

African Story (1971)

Priceless Gem of a Movie!

[10/10 · 15 May 2010]

This movie is one of the most entertaining I've ever seen. The plot, as can be determined by the other reviews, takes numerous twists and turns, and is enjoyable. What makes this movie so amazing though, are the performances turned out by two of the actors, Michael Kirner as the heroic "Rex Maynard", and Lorenz Schultz who is the mysterious character only known as "Murrays Agent". Mr. Kirner is by far the greatest "everyman" hero in movie history. His way of approaching and coping with every obstacle thrown at him in this movie make all other action heroes seem like absurd bad comic book figures in comparison. You cannot help but be swept inside Rex's head and experience his ordeal firsthand...a truly remarkable performance.

Lorenz Schultz plays the menacing, brooding bearded figure "Murrays Agent", who is a chilling shadow that stalks Rex at airports and speedways, and delivers mysterious phone messages to Rex's lovely wife, Linda. Not a major character but one played so effectively that he will remain locked in your head for weeks after seeing this. I admit I even kept thinking he was somehow out there, watching me too.... scary! The rest of the cast also shines, a testimony to director Fred Wilson, but also to the writer, Mr. Ralph Anders (why his work is not standard material in college lit. courses is beyond me). This movie is not easy to find, but is well worth the hunt for lovers of cinema.

Cycle Vixens (1978)

As Good As Bad Gets!

[10/10 · 15 May 2010]

First, look for the DVD "Young Cycle Girls", finally out there, and offering the unedited edition with the original title. This movie needs all its profanity and nudity restored. You won't regret buying this, it is an amazing experience. While it won't make IMDb's top 250 list anytime soon (a tragedy), it is every bit as much a rewarding experience to watch as any film made. The ending is the sort of shock ending M. Night Shyamalan tries to equal in his movies. the female liberation and bonding are what Thelma and Louise so awkwardly tried to portray. The acting is well... This movie should be seen under the influence, and with as many people as you can get to watch it with. There will be time for repeated viewings later to disseminate the movie itself. just enjoy the ride!