|
|
'Timebomb'. I've featured a few images from this TV movie quite a bit over the years but it's perennial appeal to the femme fatale genre remains undiminished. As this is the last edition it is only right to give this movie a bit more prominence. Made sometime in the mid-eighties Morgan Fairchild was somehow persuaded to take time off from her burgeoning soap career to play Renee LaSalle, surely the most beautiful revolutionary ever seen on screen. The plot is sheer hokum and centres around LaSalle's efforts to gain control of a huge bomb guarded by two American cops including Billy Dee Williams. Any deficit in story, acting or accents (you should hear Morgan Fairchild trying to do a French accent) is more than compensated for by seeing Renee in action whether its orchestrating an ambush or finishing off her redundant chief henchman. One of my favourites but still to be released on video or DVD. Film Rating 7/10 and Classic Femme rating 9/10.
'Aag Hi Aag'. Now I know that not many of you are going to be able to see this film but here is a review for any Bollywood aficionados out there. Jackie Schroff is one of the most popular and hard working Bollywood actors (and that is saying something) and this action thriller is typical of much of his work. Churned out from the Bollywood production line this is a story of a master criminal, his crimes and his ultimate demise - at least I think it is, the version I saw didn't have subtitles so I'm guessing a bit here. Anyway, as often happens in these films, he is aided and abetted by a fairly ruthless sidekick played by the Tamil actress Sneha. Yes there are loads of songs and dances but the action is fairly relentless through it's 2.5 hours running time and there are some great scenes featuring the aforementioned Sneha including a pretty amazing opening assassination scene which puts most Hollywood equivalents to shame. Bollywood Blockbuster rating 6/10 and Gun Moll rating 7/10.
'Carvers Gate'. Sucker for any sci-fi film I watched this little known effort expecting the worst as it was hidden away on a late night TV slot. As it turns out I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Many films of this ilk skimp on story or characterisation in an effort to up play special effects. 'Carvers Gate' maintains interest throughout with it's rather quirky storyline about a virtual reality game which seems to take on a life of it's own. No, it is no 'Star Wars' or 'Existenz' (it's closest relative) but then again it's no 'Battlefield Earth'. It stars Michael Pare and interspersed within the film are several ladies who ruthlessly pursue their own agendas as regards to the VR game. Film Rating 7/10 and Action Babe rating 6/10. (The film uses the classic cinematic technique of filters to differentiate game sequences from real life hence the strange colouration on some of the images)
'Final Voyage'. Let's hear it for another director who makes his living out of the 'straight to video' film - Jim Wynorski. Like Albert Pyun this guy directs film after film which for the most part are mediocre in the extreme but who obviously has enough acumen to keep the money guys happy and enough directorial flair for us to watch what is on offer with one eye open. One of my old favourites of this type of film is on offer, Ice T, who has the skill to deliver junk lines without appearing the least bit embarrassed. The story is a mish-mash of other stories of this type and is basically about the good guy (Dylan Walsh) saving the day when a luxury ship is hijacked by Ice T and his criminal gang who are after valuables in the ship's hold A big plus for me is the inclusion of Claudia Christian (who appeared in the best TV sci-fi series ever - Babylon 5) who looks pretty good as the gun toting enforcer to Ice T. Switch your brain off, have a few beers and you'll enjoy it. Film Rating 4/10 and Gun Moll rating 5/10.
