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'Max Knight - Ultraspy'. Once again I came across this TV movie by accident. I'm not sure if it is based upon a computer game or not but the story has that kind of feel to it. Max Knight (Michael Landes) is a kind of super hologram who can do his good deeds only as long as his power pack lasts. He is employed by Ricki (Rachael Blakely) to find her genius kid sister Lindsay who has fallen under the influence of evil computer hacker Zack (nicely played by Christopher Morris). He has dreams of living in cyberspace ruled by himself. Unfortunately for Max and Ricki, Zack also has a legion of hip acolytes willing to enforce his will.
Of course Max and Ricki are pursued relentlessly by Zack's most trusted molls but you'll be surprised to learn that they avoid getting killed and finally infiltrate Max's secret lair. Lindsay finally sees the error of her ways after her big sister is threatened with oblivion when Zack shows his true colours. Max rescues the world after confronting Zack in cyberspace and everybody (except Max and co.) live happily ever after. This movie was filmed in Australia which explains it's glut of Aussie actors (most notably Rachael Blakely). It really is a lot better than it sounds, just about transcends it's limited budget and I enjoyed it a lot. Nobody takes themselves too seriously and is one of the better lightweight action cyberspace films I've seen. Film Rating 7/10 and Cyberspace Babe rating 7/10.
'Cecil B Demented'. I had my reservations before watching this film. It is directed by John Waters and I've never liked his films. In general I like quirky film directors but I'm afraid the art of Mr. Waters haas always bypassed me. In 'Cecil B Demented' he has obviously got a bigger than normal budget to play with as he has some high profile actors including Melanie Griifith in the lead role. The story was also written by Waters and obviously has some kind of wish fulfilment element to it as it concerns the adventures of a maverick film maker Cecil B Demented (Steven Dorff) who kidnaps a Hollywood film star Honey Whitlock(Griffiths) and forces her to appear in his low budget film production.
After successfully kidnapping Whitlock from one of her film premieres she is whisked off to Demented's hideaway to meet his followers and her future film crew. Most of the rest of the film involves Demented and his crew gatecrashing or hijacking mainstream film shoots and forcing Whitlock to act out his script. The more Whitlock is forced to appear in Demented's film the more she comes to appreciate his artistic skills which are unrecognised by mainstream Hollywood. Okay, the film has some anarchic moments and probably has something worthwhile to say about the conservatism of modern day film making but I found the film a bit too self indulgent and repetitive. Film Rating /10 and Grffiths Gunmoll factor 6/10.
'Netforce'. Let's finish with another TV movie. This one is based upon a Tom Clancy book. To cut a (very) long story short the plans of a mad computer magnate are foiled by the Netforce who's best agent is Alex Michaels (Scott Bakula). There are a few twists along the way, which is just as well as the film seems to last forever, including a subplot involving a glamourous hitbabe (see MPEG to see her in action). I can't really recommend this film from any angle and it's long running time does it no favours. Film Rating 3/10 and Hitbabe Rating 4/10.
