Paul-Anderson Movie Reviews

It's the story about a magician's assistant, played by Fonda, who flees from her rich fiance after he apparently kills her mentor. Disappearing in Mexico, she hooks up with a quack medicine show salesman who convinces her to help him find a legendary magical formula only the ancient native people know how to make. Mix in a down on his luck reporter (Crowe) who's really working for Fonda's ex-beau, but finds himself falling for the woman he's trailing. The ending kind of wimps out, but I enjoyed the banter between Fonda and Crowe. Don't take this film seriously, but enjoy it for the romance if nothing else.

Can't believe so many professional critics heartlessly trashed this gem! As an art historian and world traveler who is especially fond of Mexico, I find 'Rough Magic' gorgeous, delightful, amusing, and romantic -- in all, utterly captivating, with flawless attention to every detail from first frame to last. Since purchasing this film recently I've watched it at least a dozen times. Bridget Fonda and Russell Crowe are a dynamic and delightful duo -- hope they'll team up for another movie. I had never seen Jim Broadbent ('Doc') before and would like to see more of his work; my lands, even the dog was well-cast! My advice: ignore the critics and follow your heart to a refreshing treat for the eye, for the soul.

I ran across this movie on cable and was pleasantly surprised. The plot is a little loose and out of the ordinary, but it kept me interested the whole way through. Russell Crowe is his usual talented self, as well as Bridget Fonda. The two have good chemistry with each other, which helps make this far out plot seem not so far out. It even ends with a little morality to ponder over. Definately a feel good movie if you're looking for it.

This is one of my favorite b-comedy movies from the 80's, but really sticks with me about this movie is the soundtrack,particularly the closing song which I can't figure out who proformed it. It's a classic 80's jam! Anyone know where I can find out?!

This is comedy ranking right up there with the Police Academy movies (picture tongue in cheek). Although most of the movie is truly terrible, there is one scene (selling atomic-powered vacuum cleaners) which is so funny my friends and I rewound and reviewed it several times in a row and were laughing so hard we couldn't speak! An absolutely PERFECT scene!! I'm purchasing the video because I think that scene is worth the price of the tape.

This video came out in theatres in January 1985, but only made it to video in 1999...and is YET to be released on DVD. This situation needs to be fixed and SOON!

On to the review. First, the cast list...a very young Paul Reiser, Robert Townshend, Julianne Phillips, Rick Overton, Richard Dean Anderson (McGyver!), Scott McGinnis and Paul Provenza. A great collection of comics and actors that seem to keep popping up in TV/Movies pretty frequently.

The movie is about a group of college buddies and what they're going to do over the summer, namely work. They start out as waiters, caddies, nuclear vacuum cleaner salesman, and movers. Of course, all of these fall apart and Max (Reiser) decides to start his own business...Maximum Moving ("Max...M-A-X...that's me..."). Max learns a little about life and moving from Wylie (Leo Burmeister), who decides that Max is a "tutti-frutti" name and states, "From now on, your name is CHUCK". Max hits the road with Wylie while working for Cabrizzi Bros moving, a company who doubles as a car theft ring. Once Max and his buddies go into business for themselves and steal some of the Cabrizzi's business, things get destroyed in short order.

The story is okay. The scenes along the way are hilarious. Some of the highlights:

--Woody isn't called Woody because of the toothpick

--Bryon lives with Dwight (Townshend) and decides he wants to fit in by talking about his parents "serious crib", grits that are actually Rice Crispies "snap crackle and pop rockin in my bowl...they spinnin on their heads". Then dons an afro wig at the dinner table.

--Dwight and Bryon work as caddies and insist an extremely elderly man who whiffs on a tee shot and throws his club through several car windows "...really has his sh** together"

--Roy visits a backwoods redneck family to sell them the Monty 2000, a nuclear vacumm cleaner. This is easily the funniest scene from the movie, a classic!

--Any scene with Wylie trying to "make Max a man!"

--Any moving scene with that "Body by Jake" guy...one in particular where he's moving a desk and pushing Max along with it..."heeeeeey, you're a pretty strong guy...you lift weights?"

Those are the highlights that I can recall off the top of my head after watching this movie dozens of times. This is one that you and your friends will revisit over and over...many of my college buddies still call each other "Chuck" because of this movie.

One more time. PUT THE DAMN THING OUT ON DVD ALREADY!

Not a bad entry into the soft core erotica listings. It has a plot and some acting that goes a step or two above the high school level. Shauna O'Brien does a decent job playing a stripper, although to my mind, her breasts have been surgically malformed through implants. Why do these women do this to themselves? It may be that producers force them to; surely the decision can't be voluntary.

typical Shauna O'Brien movie..little bit of mystery, fair amount of sex, acting wasn't too bad, worthwhile if you are a fan, which is why I bought it

Normally I wouldnt do this, but when I see a movie that stands out the way this one does I like to come here and tell everybody about it. In 1999 former Penthouse Pet of the Month January 1992 Shauna O'Brien hopped into the cast of Alain Siritzky's 4-part Cinemax treat 'Scandal'. Think of the stereotypical portrayl of sex and politics these days...you got your illicit photographs, your sleezy politicians in positions of power, and your beautiful women who ruin the lives of the honest working, usually married men who fall victim to temptation in the office. 'Scandal-The Big Turn On' and 'Scandal-Fifteen Minuets of Fame' are the only two featuring Shauna, and they're the only two worth buying. The newly posed B-Movie queen Shauna with eyes that could burn through steel and a body to match, plays the role of Holly--a stripper who gives a show to a detective and finds herself caught in scandal when pictures surface and lead to him. Forget about the story..This isnt for the disturbed people out there looking for hard-core movies with women in nurses outfits, camera angles and good editing keep it on a sexually respectfull level..giving light to the beautiful figures these girls have. Shauna O'Brien has three good scenes, I dont really care about the other few scenes with the other girls...but I think Siritzky thought of that and made Shauna the star because of it. Shauna's appeared in over 30 films since 1992. This was the first movie of hers' that I bought and if it made me want to look around for other movies of her's...this is a good DVD. Its also the best one Ive seen her in and I think a great number of shoppers here would agree (why do you think these two titles are always running out of stock everywhere?) If your a fan of B-Movie erotic plays, you cant get any better than this and it doesn't get any better than Shauna O'Brien. If you want a movie of hers on VHS, Id recommend staying away from the edited R-Rated versions and getting the Unrated copies of 'The Escort'-1997, 'Zorrita-Passions Avenger'-1999, 'The Black Widow Escort'-1998, or 'Platinum Blonde'-2000...

A beautiful blonde, whose face we don't see, is sitting atop a man, his hands tied to the bed. Sound familiar? Well, instead of an ice pick, she uses a chainsaw, and guess what? From the moment the message "This motion picture has been altered from its original format. It has been dubbed in Swahili", appears on screen, we know how serious this movie is.

The Concord Police Department investigates, with officers Dick Smoker and Harry Bates, the latter who find a clue through a wedding invitation. The blonde getting married is Montana Beaver, though via her marriage to [] architect Lyle Shotz, becomes Montana Beaver-Shotz. The exchange over this bit of info goes like this:

Smoker: It was a lovely ceremony Mrs. Beaver-Shotz.

Montana: Montana, please.

Smoker: It was a lovely Montana, Mrs. Beaver-Shotz.

Montana: The hyphen is silent.

Bates: You shouldn't try to hide it. You should be very proud to still have it on your wedding day.

Hyphen, hymen, get it? This is typical of the dialogue throughout the movie, snappy, play-on-words, but delivered deadpan a la The Naked Gun. Much of the film's strengths rest on that delivery, as well as sight gags.

Bates is very much lacking in the brain department. His former partner Henry took the death of his dog hard and is dressed up in a dog costume, but Harry takes it all in stride. "He was a good cop. Now he's a good pet."

To complicate matters, there's Dakota, Montana's "twin half-sister, once removed", who falls for Harry. She looks really nice when she has her hair like Bonnie Tyler in one scene. Meanwhile, there are a few more killings.

This is mostly a parody of Basic Instinct, down to the "no smoking in the interrogation scene", but there are pokes at
Indecent Proposal, Silence Of The Lambs (the autopsy scene involving the cadavre "Wait! There's something in his mouth!"), The Three Faces Of Eve, and The Crying Game, as well as plays on verbal references to Rear Window, Dirty Harry and 9-1/2 Weeks. Some of them are caught easily, such as the list of doctors paged over the hospital intercom--"Dr. Quinn, your show has been cancelled." Others are subtle, such as the opening scene at a restaurant, I heard a black man saying off-screen, "Nicole, tell the waiter to get me one of them big a-- steak knives." I about bust a gut laughing.

The sex scene between Harry and Dakota involving pizza is sheer hilarity, with cartoon and animal sound effects, and Dakota has a really nice pair to boot.

Michael McGaharn is simply funny as Harry Bates, aided by the two luscious blondes, Elizabeth Key (Montana) and Gloria Lusak (Dakota). A very silly movie lacking PC-ness of any kind. It'll leave you with anything but a "7-11 state of mind." Whoever thought Troma could make something so funny?

This is one of the funniest films I have seen in a long time. I literally laughed nonstop until the credits, and even they were funny. This reminds me of the Groove Tube or Kentucky Fried Movie. I can't wait to see what this Merriweather guy does next.

Wild and wacky sendup of such thrillers as Basic Instinct and Seven. Comedian Michael McGaharn is right on the money as Detective Harry Bates, quick with the one-liners and hot on the trail of a serial killer. In true B-movie fashion, Harry falls for the prime suspect, a mysterious woman named Montana, (Elizabeth Key, blonde and then some). The best part is that none of this is taken with a grain of salt. George Merriweather is the genius behind this project.

Don't buy it. I have wonderful memories of seeing this film at the movies when I was a child. I loved it so much that I even had the record album. I couldn't wait to get it on DVD to share with my children. What a disapointment! It looks like the same print they showed in the theaters back in the early 1970s. The colors are washed out and faded. Even worse, the image looks soft. I knew this was an old film and I wasn't expecting a "Snow White" quality restoration, but this was so bad that my family and I couldn't even finish watching it.
The dismal quality becomes even more apparent when you watch the "Making Of" promo included on the disc. Filmed in Black & White back in 1953, it looks crisper and sharper than the film itself.
I knew I was in trouble, though, when I opened the DVD case and there wasn't a chapter list inside. I sensed that if View Video (the distributor) didn't care enough about their product to include a chapter list, they wouldn't care about getting the best possible print (let alone striking a new one). And I was right.
Again, despite whatever fond memories you might have of this film, save your money. Don't buy it.

Purchasers who are looking for the "real" Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck should NOT by this video. This video is an adaptation which uses MOST of the music from the original but not all of it; and what IS used is not always used in the original order. This results in some sections being recast in different keys; unexpected cuts; and other anomalies (including some new vocal lines where there was previously just orchestra).

The text is sung in English and the translation is very good (almost word for word); but the concept is all wrong. Very little is actually sung: Hansel and Gretel sing about 50% of their material; the Mother sings none of it. Major set pieces like the "Children's Prayer" are spoken through with words that have nothing to do with the original.

The casting and scripting suffer from their 1950s/60s style. The worst offender in this is Constance Brigham's dual role as Hansel and Gretel. Gretel is portrayed as an airheaded giggler who is prissy, reacts to all adversity by crying, and has no control over her emotions. Hansel is rude, treats adults with disdain and his sister with contempt. (Just watch any of the classic TV sitcoms produced around this time and you'll see the same thing). The fact that the father sings all of his lines (and sings them well) and the mother speaks hers (when she isn't gasping or crying out "oh") only further adds to the incongruity.

The only thing that saves this performance from total disaster is the performance of Anna Russell as the Witch. Even with all of the impediments previously mentioned, this is the best performance of this role I have ever heard. I almost hate to say this, but the film is worth watching for her performance alone.

But for those looking for an introduction to opera or those familiar with it, be aware that this is a good film of its genre, but opera it is NOT.

I can remember seeing usually in December at the local movie theater in my hometown with my older sisters It was a big hit with us then and still is a big hit around our house. Anna Russell's performance is a classic and the way the original opera is presented makes it a little bit easier for the young ones to enjoy it. Sure this is not the sort of thing you would see at the Metropolitan Opera House, but it is a lot of fun. And this Video brings back a number of good memories!

This is Producer George Pal's (the George Lucas of the 1950s) last film. He spent the rest of his life working on the Paramount lot trying to put together a few final productions. Pal had some great source material with Doc Savage. Bantam reprinted nearly all of the Doc Savage novels from the pulp era, and Doc became something of a cult hero on campuses in the 1960s. But Pal made the mistake (possibly at the studio's urging) to go campy with this production. Campiness has not worked when working with a hallowed hero like Doc. A few years later Dino DeLaurentiis camped up Flash Gordon with similar disappointing results. It's too bad no one else has tried to make a Doc Savage movie. For now, this is all Doc Savage fans have. Despite the John Phillip Souza marches and the tongue-in- cheek patriotism, there's a few things to like about this film. Ron Ely makes a decent Doc Savage. The casting of his "Fantastic Five" assistants is really good. And the plot stays pretty close to that of the first book in the series. It's a shame that one of the pulp era's most popular creations was treated so shabbily. But it's only been recently that Hollywood has treated super heroes with respect. If Pal had treated it more like "Raiders of the Lost Ark" instead of "Batman" this might have been memorable. Maybe one day someone will remake Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze the way it should be made. Until then, this video is probably only for die-hard Doc fans. END

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The characters were entertaining, the scenery beautiful, and the plot interesting. Comparing this movie with many of today's movies on the Cable, etc., it is far superior. Doc Savage's character is flawless; he is always "cool", and morally superior. His five sidekicks (six, including the pig) are amusing, and their individual personalities make for variety in the plot. There was supposed to be a sequel, and I am still trying to find it. There is only one Doc Savage (Ron Ely), and I would like to see the sequel very much.

From his headquarters atop the highest skyscraper in New York City, Doc Savage serves the right, and wrongs no man. Trained from birth mentally, physically, and morally, Doc is a protector of the innocent and righter-of-wrongs by profession. With his five assistants at his side, he will go anywhere in the world to accomplish his goal.

Set in the 1930s, and based upon the best-selling pulp magazine of the era, this is fine, G-rated action/adventure for the entire family.

The tape arrived in only days, but when I opened the package I had been sold a broken tape that was rated by this seller as like new. It was not broken in route because there were missing pieces. This seller is deceitful.

Being a fan of Patrick Duffy this movie sure locked that feeling in good. Danielle Steele wrote a wonderful story that took a mans view of a marriage gone sour. Which is rare to see. As when this came out in the early 90's things have certainly changed a lot. Attitudes about marriage and women are so different now. But, the romance was captured in this film. Patrick Duffy gave the character "Oliver" a personality that we can feel. He was touching and made you feel for him. You just wanted to reach out to "Oliver" and tell him all will be ok. Only a very good actor can do that and his talent shines. Featured was a young Ben Affleck who surprisingly looks the same and still acts they same! Lynda Carter however acted too desperate in this movie and you sort of wish they cast someone else. She is pretty and had the star look for the role but, her acting was disappointing. Overall it was Patrick Duffy who certainly carried the story and I just only wish it lasted a little longer and focused more on his new relationship. Thank you Mr. Duffy for a wonderful performance in this movie you really made this a most enjoyable family film.

I have to confess I bought this VHS movie because of BEN AFFLECK. And I don't regret it a minute! The story is believable and the characters all seem to be like someone we know. Patrick Duffy of Dallas fame, is as always a wonderful "dad". This movie is all about love and family values. If you don't like to watch movies that speak about family commitment, love between father and children than this movie isn't for you. There are plenty of tears and heart felt moments from beginning to end. This movie isn't about it's women. Instead it shows us the pain and joys that go inside a man's heart. Sensitive and kind men I may add. The type of men women are always trying to find but never seem to get their hands on. As for BEN AFFLECK... this movie is a MUST SEE for all his fans. His delivers such a powerful performance that it is touching. Note the young actor was only 17 years old when he made this movie, though he already had the good looks he has today. The ONLY problem with this VHS tape is it's video and sound quality. The movie was taped in EP mode (the slowest recording velocity possible) and consequently the image isn't good and the sound only plays clearly on a stereo VCR. I still would buy it for BEN AFFLECK'S work though. By the way, he appears in almost every scene, his character is not a small one. You can say that he shares with Patrick Duffy the lead male role. As a matter of fact, I loved this movie so much that I will be more than happy to buy it on DVD if it ever comes out!

This film is pure nonsense. Bacon's character supposedly rides a fixed, but in the "race" scene midway through the film, it is obvious that the stunt double rides a freewheel bike. He should always be peddling, even when airborne on San Francisco hills. The lack of attention to this simple detail begs the question: why even put him on a fixed, when so many other characters ride freewheel rigs?

And don't even get me started on Kevin Bacon. I rented this because I wanted a campy, cheesy, formulaic film about bike messengers, but the filmmakers clearly had no respect for or knowledge of their subject.

BOOOOO!!!

I saw this film late last night on cable. I've got a feeling it might have glamorized the life of bicycle messengers a tad. If "Quicksilver" was meant to inspire all the kids out there who want to be couriers, I'm doubtful that it worked.

Kevin Bacon stars as a trailblazing stockbroker (Jack Casey) who loses everything. Now he does his trailblazing in another way: he becomes a bicycle courier. His failure on the trading floor dented his confidence, and now cycling around the city, delivering messages, has become his life.

Some of the camera angles with the cycling scenes were pretty good. Did Bacon do his own stunts? The movie lacks a few things such as plot and believability, but it's fairly watchable. The best part was towards the end, when Jack was gallantly leading the "bad guy" away from "the girl". The relentless car chase was funny.

Some of the filming was done in New York (I think) and also in San Francisco. I assumed the film was set in New York since the main character was a stockbroker. I read that the film was shot in three different cities but I don't know what the third was. Like some of the bicycle riders, the film stumbles. Overall the film was pretty lightweight, but it isn't as bad as "The Air Up There".

The movie is set in an unnamed city, but I live in San Francisco, and it is obvious that the movie was shot here, even though the filmmakers tried to avoid shooting landmarks.

The Pacific Exchange is located downtown and that is probably where Bacon's character works. However, the exchange's equities floor went fully electronic in 3/2002 and there is no longer a trading floor full of traders yelling at each other. The options floor is still open.

I would recommend this film to fans of bicycle movies and maybe Kevin Bacon movies. I'm a fan of cycling movies, so I own a copy and have seen it several times. I work in an office job and used to be a pretty hardcore cyclist. I used to fantasize being a SF messenger. However, I also knew that my lifestyle required more than [their salary].

The cycling scenes are fun but there are some continuity problems. In closeups, Kevin Bacon's bicycle lacks brakes and gears, which is consistent with the fashion among many messengers to ride fixed gear/track bikes on the street. However, in many of the stunt shots, when he is racing down the hills, the stuntman cyclist is clearly on a freewheel-equipped bike and probably has brakes.

There are also several scenes shot in Kevin's massive loft apartment. It might have been possible for a messenger to have his own large loft apartment in the 80's, where he can play with his ballerina girlfriend. However, that apartment probably costs [a lot more] today!

This movie is so stupid! If you love seriously bad movies, and not the so-bad-it's-good, but so-bad-it-hurts kind then fine. It's supposed to be horror, but the only horror is that I, or anyone, spent money on it. Shame on you Joey Lawrence. One star is being decent, which I can't fathom doing for this piece of awfulness. Don't belive me? You asked for it then.

This movie is finally on DVD! I can't wait! It's a funny and cool movie. I really loved Nathan Anderson(Paul). He was so funny and cool I laughed my butt off! Also Joey Lawrence(Johnny)is very cool. Just watch the movie. It's a weird plot but I liked it a lot. It's all about 3 guys and 3 girls invited to a party in Mexico and Johnny can read womens minds and he is just trying to save this girl played by Dru Mouser(Tamlyn). It's a not stop party atmospher and it hits the funnybone and just plain old funny. Watch it give it a try. You will be entertained! Believe me! Silly plot but cool!

Me and my friends saw this movie at the NY film festival two years ago and we laughed so hard through the movie. It was so funny and hilarious. So I'm glad the DVD is finally out. The cover of this DVD makes this movie looks like a horror movie, but I think it's more of a comedy movie and it plays for laughs. I think the underworld scenes are so bizarre, they are cool. Didn't care that much for Joey Lawrence but love the other main casts. My favorite is Robert Patrick Benedict, who plays a nerd in the movie. You shouldn't expect this to be a horror movie because it's not that scary. It has some supernatural elements in the movie, which I liked a lot, but it's mainly a quirky comedy with some ghosty elements, like Beetlejuice and Rocky horror picture show, but more partying. If that is what you are looking for, this is the movie to watch.

This adaptation is enjoyable, in my mind, just as much as the 1995 Root/Hinds version. Though this adaptation may not seem as dramatic as the more recent one, keep in mind that it does stay very close to the novel, and is realistic and enjoyable. The actress portraying the heroine, Anne, though she appears older than she should, does a very good job, with both witty and kind words. The leading man, who plays Captain Wentworth, is also lovable, perhaps more so than Ciaran Hinds in the '95 version. The scenery is very pretty and the supporting actors are very good as well. The only aspect of this movie that daunts is the costuming and cinematography, though this is just the same as most 70's movies so is therefore pardonable. All in all, I believe I enjoyed this well-cast, true-to-the-book version.

I enjoyed this movie, despite Anne Elliot's scene-stealin' hairdo.For the first 15 minutes,I was tranfixed by it,it seemed to have a life of it's own!(I could just hear Caroline Bingley saying,"Her hair,Louisa!")I haven't seen the version with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root to compare the two,but this version was very faithful to the book.The movie starts a little too slowly for my taste,but became more interesting as it progressed.(Hang in there,it does get better!)It probably didn't hurt that I really wanted to enjoy this movie,since I'm obsessed with all things Austen... but I think if you really enjoy Jane Austen,you will probably like this movie.

This excellent movie contains a major flaw which holds it back somewhat. In the book the character of Anne initially is protrayed as a late 20s wallflower, but as the book progresses, despite Austen's efforts to the contrary, Austen winds up with an Anne seen beautiful, energtic and extremely bright by every other character in the book. By the end, Anne dominates the book. In the movie, in contrast, the actress who plays Anne pretty much is overshadowed by the rest of the superb cast. Every actor in this movie except Anne portrays an aura of energy, enthusiam and charisma of the best actors on the stage. The women for all their empty headed Austen dialogue overcome the same with boundless projection of their personalities. The Anne on the other hand, while one would expect her to be muffled in the inital part of the movie, never fills into the part as does the Anne of the book. Less the fault of the actress here than the casting, the dress, and the dialogue given to Anne. Yet, with the exception of this one fault, if one is looking for a faithful adaption of a classic novel this is about as good as it gets. The storyline is faithfully maintained down to the dialogue, the 1800s costumes, architecture, and scenery are convincing, and overall the movie is about as interesting one might expect of the English idle rich.