Repo Man

The last time I saw this movie was on Super TV with my dad. I must have been twelve-years-old or so. I remembered that it was really weird but I liked it. Still, I was mostly in a Last Starfighter mode at that age so I doubt I fully appreciated it. Stone Groove undoubtedly thought it was "okay."

People have been raving about this film for years but I hadn't seen it for a second time until this past weekend when Jim brought it over. We ordered some pizza, drank some beer, and enjoyed us some Emilio Estevez. I was surprised that I remembered so many of the visuals from the last time I had seen it.

Twenty plus years later, I still am not quite sure what to make of this movie. I was tired while watching it so that didn't help. It is so damn strange. What the hell was going on in the minds of the filmmakers? Repo men, punk rockers, and aliens - an obvious mix. The movie is so deadpan brilliant. Youthlarge pointed out that the music is very Assault on Precinct 13. L.A. is an amazing wasteland in this film and a perfect setting.

I feel like I need to see this yet once again when I'm not so tired to fully appreciate it and revel in the stellar dialogue. It also makes me want to see Suburbia again because both that and Repo Man seem very much cut from the same cloth to me.

DVD
1984

Kansas City Confidential

I can't believe that Film Forum had a six week Film Noir series and this was the only one I went to see. I've really slowed down my movie pace this year and I've realized that life does indeed go on even if I don't average two or three films in the theaters a week. I'm glad this was the one I saw because it was great. Definitely low budget and a little silly, but the dialogue was amazing. Line after line of campy noirspeak brought big smiles to Mooney, Ezra, and me.

Like any good film noir, many of the lines would seem absolutely ridiculous out of context. The plot is completely absurd but it works with the absurd dialogue. Lee Van Cleef is great but Jack Elam is the best thing about the movie. For fans of film noir you will not be disappointed with this one.

Film Forum
1952

The Great American Pastime

This movie was an enjoyable but completely lightweight little nugget of silliness with a 1950's Leave It to Beaver type setting. But hold the presses. The dad doesn't spend enough time with his kid. So he jumps at the chance to manage a Little League team when he is asked.

Lo and behold though, his son is on another team! What? And his son's team is a win at all costs powerhouse. Dad's team is a sorry sack bunch of losers with a bunch of parents pressuring him to win, win, win! Craziness follows. A bizarre film but well worth seeing especially if you aren't looking for much. I'm glad Youthlarge found this while searching the listings for Jimmy Stewart flicks.

TCM
1956