A Bunch of Great Movies pt 2

Deathrace 2000


Another great bad science fiction movie from that era is the David Carradine / Sly Stallone kicker,Deathrace 2000.

Director Paul Bartel manages to come up with a perfect Roger Corman chase film. Fast, action packed, and witty as hell. A truly funny movie where you just can’t help but cheer as the drivers rack up point after point.





The Man Who Fell to Earth


When David Bowie popped onto the scene in the early 1970’s he truly did seem like an alien. In the era of long hair, beards and blue jeans, Bowie was this thin, plae, sort of sicky looking dude who wasn’t like anyone else you had ever seen before.

Which is why he is so perfectly cast in director Nicolas Roeg’s quiet, tragic and truly weird science fiction parable about a guy who has come from a long way away to get just a little bit of Earths most valuable possession to save his families lives.

And what humanity does to him in the end makes for one of the most meaningful movies from and amazing era.







Logan's Run


In November, I will be 45 years old.

Both of my daughters turn 25 next week and the grandkid turns 6.

So these days, Logan’s Run has lost some of the luster it had when I was 14 and had the whole world in front of me, and 30 was a long way away.

Still great performances by 70’s action movie icon, Michael York, the sexy and talented Jenny Agutterand American actor Richard Jordon, plus some fun set pieces make for a great adventure.

Bit of trivia, my daughter Jessica is named after Jenny Agutter’s character in the film.







The Andromeda Strain


I am a big fan of the Robert Wise filmed version of The Andromeda Strain, one of the great true Science Fiction with the emphasis of on Science with a capital “S” ever made.

A strong story about a lethal disease brought back from outer space and the scientists brought together to combat it. Told in a documentary style with a cast that actually looked like a bunch of middle aged college professors, the story still manages to remain gripping throughout with a seat of your pants ending that might seem sort of tacked on, but really works anyway.

There are only a few hard Science films ever made and The Andromeda Strain is probably the king of them all.






THX 1138


Speaking of George Lucas, he is a man who in the end disappointed me.

I have to say right up front, that while I really loved Star Wars as a kid and still hold a lot of affection for it, I didn’t like any of the numerous sequels and as for the first film (and don’t give me any of that weird numbering stuff fanboy), I haven’t really cared to see it in years.

But I loved both American Graffiti and THX 1138. Graffiti was a beautiful one night slice of life character study that had depth and warmth and real value as an American film. And THX 1138 was a brightly lit piece of dystopia with brilliant performances by both Robert Duval before he picked up that Southern accent, and the always enjoyable Donald Pleasance.

It’s hard for me to believe that the man who made this film, is the same person who gave us Jar-Jar, it just doesn’t make sense.