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Reviews
WrestleMania VII (1991)
Very lack luster for a wrestlemania event
This in my opinion was the worst Wrestlemania event that the WWF hosted back in that era when wrestling was still good. They promoted this Wrestlemania at Wrestlemania 6, to have a crowd of 100,000, but only presold 15,000 tickets in advance, so they changed the venue from the outdoor colosseum to the arena. There were rumors that the main event was going to be a cross over event with the main event pitting Hulk Hogan against the Nature Boy Rick Flair, which would have sold out the colloseum in my opinion, but negotiations fell apart and we ended up with that terrible Sgt. Slaughter storyline instead. I can't help to think had they been able to negotiate that cross over event how much better this event would have been. Rick Flair eventually did show up in the WWF and they failed to capitalize on him facing Hogan when initially they started that storyline, but for some reason did not build it up to have them faceoff at the year's Wrestlemania. Instead had them faceoff in several house shows that ruined that story line. As for Wrestlemania 7 its one you can skip without any regrets, and also Jesse "The Body" Ventura is not with Gorilla Monsoon commutating because he no longer worked for the WWF at the time of Wrestlemania 7, which really hurt the color commentary we got because the banter between Jessse and Gorilla Monsoon was noticably missing from all the other Wrestlemania's 1-6. Very Underwhelming card with a boring main event. Enough said.
WrestleMania VI (1990)
The last good Wrestlemania worth watching.
This Wrestlemania pitted Hulk Hogan WWF Heavyweight Champion against The Ultimate Warrior the Intercontinental Champion in a unification bout, to determine the Unified Champion of the WWF. This match took place at the Skydome in Toronto, Canada to a record crowd.
The under card leading up to the main event had interesting matches. We saw Demolition regain their WWF Tag Team Championship. We saw other matches including Rowdy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, Macho Man Randy Savage, and Elisabeth who had been largely absent from the WWF. For the most part the under card was entertaining, but still lacked any really spectacular matches.
The main event was a different story. The match was fast paced and was really choreograph well. The match featured both wrestler's using their signature finishing moves. A particular unforgettable moment was when the Warrior Gorilla pressed Hogan over his head. The match ended with the Ultimate Warrior pinning Hogan giving Hogan his first Wrestlemania loss by pinfall. If you never watched this Wrestlemania give it a shot you will be glad you did.
WrestleMania (1985)
The first of its kind.
Wrestlemania was the very first mega event for the WWE which back then was called the WWF. It was held in Madison Square Garden, but seen by over one million people who watched at closed circuit broadcast in varies venues across the United States, and other countries as well. They had various matches, featuring many of the WWF top talents including Andre The Giant, Tito Santana, Junkyard Dog, King Kong Bundy, and Wendy Richter along side Cyndi Lauper. The undercard led up to the main event of the evening, pinning Rowdy Roddy Piper and Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorf vs the WWF champion Hulk Hogan and his tagteam partner the one and only Mr. T. This main event match was set up by an outstanding story line that had Captain Lou Albano feuding with Cindy Lauper claiming he was her one time business manager that made her a superstar. The resulting feud brought a combination of Rock and Wrestling to the arena of sports entertainment. As the story line progressed the baby face wrestlers favored this combination of Rock and Wrestling, but the heel wrestlers of course hated that idea. The main heel westler Roddy Roddy Piper was the most outspoken. Lou Albano and Cindy Lauper eventually made peace. At a cerimony Cindy Lauper with her real life manager David Wolfe were being presented an award for her oustanding contributions to the world of Professional Wrestling. At one point during the ceremony, Lauper called Captain Loius Albano down and presented him her very first gold album award to honor him for his fund raising efforts with her charity for MS research. Roddy Piper taking exception to this came down to ringside and attacked Lou Albano, Cindy Lauper, and David Wolfe. Hulk Hogan charged the ring but by then it was too late. This led to a televised match that aired on MTV, called "The War To Settle The Score", which pitted Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan in a title match, with Lauper, Wolfe, Albano accompanying Hogan. Mr. T was at ringside to support Hogan whom he got to know while both were cast in the Rocky Three film as the storyline went that night. The match was back and forth until Paul Orndorf interfered in the match which prompted Lauper to jump up on the ring where Orndorf and Piper surrounded her, but Mr. T left his seat and came to her rescue. This prompted the wrestlers to invite him into the ring to fight and Mr. T stepped accepted the challenge. Piper and Orndorf double teamed Mr. T which prompted, the now fully recovered Hogan to face them both, yet then Mr. T joined Hogan and faced down Piper and Orndorf which ended in a brawl inside the ring, which set up the reason for Wrestle Mania I. Thus this main event at Wrestle Mania pitting Hogan and Mr. T against Piper and Orndorf was the culmination of the Rock Wrestling Connection storyline that had spanned the last several months in the WWE. The event in my opinion was good, but some of the matches were dull and had several wrestlers that honestly were not really that popular. They were more or less just jobbers that were used to put over the top talent in the WWE back then. Also Lauper and her female wrestler she managed Wendy Richter had their own individual match where Richter regained the Women's WWF title. Lauper, Wolfe, and Albano were conspicuously absent in the main event with Hogan and Mr. T, which I found bizarre given the fact the Rock Wrestling connection centered around Lauper. Either way the main event saw Hogan and Mr. T defeat Piper and Orndorf which ended the Rock and Wrestling Connection story line. Overall Wrestlemania I was all right. It did set the standard for the wrestling pay per view attractions, and brought professional wrestling to a world wide stage of recogntion, instead of it being viewed as a fair grounds spectacle that had been divided into many seperate territories run by various independent companies. This event propelled the WWE into becoming the company that would dominate the wrestling landscape. Wrestlemania I was a unique event that would become the dominating annual event for the WWE. If you have never seen this you can view it on the Peacock Streaming Service.
The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)
It's groovy in a far out way.
It's hard to believe this movie was made almost 30 years ago. I just watched it this evening and still got a great laugh from it. The movie was a satire comedy based upon the The Brady Bunch television series that aired from the late 60's until the early mid 70's, that became a legendary show after it went into syndication. This movie was produced by Sherwood Swartz who was the orginal creator of the television series. This movie has a fanstastic cast headed by Gary Cole and Shelly Long. This movie also has cameos from the original cast members which also makes it so enduring. The show basically takes the Brady's from that 70's era and puts them in our modern era, which none of Brady's reflect the moods or feelings of the modern 90's era, which makes this movie so fun to watch. They're so retro and querky you can't help but not to laugh. Especially the interactions the Brady's have with one another, headed by Michael Brady's words of wisdom. LOL. I thought the casting was excellent, especially casting Christine Taylor as Marcia Brady. This movie was a hit and was so popular a sequel came out only a year later. If you have not seen this gem from 1995 give it a watch you will have a groovy time in a far out way.
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987)
The Nerds are back, but misses the mark.
This is a sequel to the 1984 successful, "Revenge of the Nerds". The movie brings back the original cast of Nerds we loved from the first film, and some brief cameos of Gilbert played by Anthony Edwards. The show mainly focuses on Robert Carradine and his role as Lewis who, leads the Nerds against alienation and discrimination when they are chosen to be delegates at a national fraternity conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Once again like in the original movie, the chief nemisis to the Nerds is the Alpha Betas, who's hatred for the Nerds continues to wreak havoc in their lives. Notably the only returning Alpha Beta from the original movie is Ogre played by Donald Gibb. This movie just did not capture the magic of the first film, and if anything relied on the same themes from the original movie including another musical skit aimed to foster support for them. The original movie really was a true tale about a group of underdog outcasts that struggled against society's preconceived notion of them being rejects, when in reality, despite being a little querky were just like everyone else wanting to be treated with respect and dignity. This film just seemed like they went back to the beginning totally forgetting the events of the first movie, that lead to the Nerds triumph over the discriminatory behavior of the Alpha Betas and the theme of unity, the Nerds fostered at the end of the first film. This movie just did not make any sense, thus the reason it was not received well by film goers, but in recent years has gained a more favorable following, but nothing like the original. I think sometimes classic comedic movies like this one, did not need a sequel. This film just seemed like a money grab by studios hoping to bank on the popularity of the first film. Sadly other sequels followed after this film, which in my opinion tarnished the brand of the first film even worse than this sequel. I say stick to the original film, you will be glad you did.
Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
There time has come.
This is a classic underdog story about a group of outcast guys referred to as, "Nerds". The story centers around two best friends Lewis and Gilbert who are starting freshman at Adams College. Upon arriving at the school they are immediately zeroed out by members of a fraternity called the Alpha Betas whose memership comprises all the athletes of the college, but mostly all the football players. During a party the Alphas Betas burn their house down, and by the encouragement of their dubious Coach Harris convinces the Dean of the school, who is Nerdy in his own right, to allow the Alphas to remove the freshmen class from their dorms, and live their instead. Luis and Gilbert are forced along with the other freshmen to live in the gym. The dean allows the freshmen to rush fraternities early given the housing issue on campus. The fraternities select their new members, yet Lewis, Gilbert, and a core group of outcasts like themselves are not chosen and grow frustrated having to live in the gym. During this time Louis and Gilbert along with the others are still being made objects of ridicule by the alphas and people in the community. The Nerds show strong tenacity and courage and despite their constant discriminstion persevere and fix and renovate an old broken down house and live there with their fellow outcasts. They even go further and through a series of events get revenge on the Alphas and their sister fraternity, which inspires the head of the Lambda Lambda Lambda an all black fraternity, to grant them sponsership and makes them Trilambs, which puts them on equal footing with the Alphas as a fraternity as well. The Alphas furious over the nerds success, burn a giant Nerd sign in front of their house which prompts them to get campus security involved. The campus security tells them since this a fraternity prank they need to address this with the Greek Council. The Nerds realize quickly, even though the dean of the school encourages sanctions against the Alphas, the president of the Greek council, who is an Alpha refuses to hold members of his franternity guilty but gives an empty promise to investigate the incident. Louis and Gilbert and the others realize the only way they will be treated fairly they must compete in the homecoming carnival against the other fraternities and the winners get to choose the new greek council president. The nerds with their high IQs and science backgrounds out match the other fraternities including the Alphas and win the homecoming carnival and name Gilbert as the new president of the greek council. The Alphas humiliated and encouraged by their coach, go to the nerds home and vandalize it. When the gang comes home and sees their home trashed, this enspires Gilbert to go by himself to the Homecoming rally to expose what the Alphas did. When Gilbert arrives the alphas immediately physically assault him, but determined Gilbert during the coach's introduction of his players, tries to grab the mic from him. He threatens to harm Gilbert, but the Dean who was intimidated by the coach before, stands up to him. The coach is ready to assault him when the head of the Lambda fraternity shows up with some very physically emposing members that intimidate the coach and the other football players. The other Nerds who contacted the Lambda President arrive to help Gilbert. Gilbert gives a heartfelt speech about discrimination and Lewis and the others join him. Lewis takes the mic and encourages others to join them in a show of unity, which immediately the crowd comes to them, showing the alphas the Nerds are not alone, and finally defeat them. This movie was ridiculed by many hollywood critics accussing it of stereotyping, being racists, misogynist, and crude. Well for those I do not know what movie they were watching? This movie followed the same type of themes that were comedic themes of the 80's era that were not any of those things, but a querky comedy with an underlining mesage that seems not to have registered with those critics. The movie was a financial success that spawned several sequels and 40 years later the movie is still talked about with had a huge worldwide fan base. That says it all. Please watch this film with so many unforgettable characters, you will enjoy it and remember don't take it so seriously its meant to be fun, enjoy this classic.
The Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990)
Not a proper ending for the Hulk.
This is the final installment of the made for television movie about the Incredible Hulk based upon the television series of the same name. Bill Bixby returns as our favorite gamma charged scientist Dr. David Banner. Lou Ferringo as with the others movies and television series once again portrays our favorite green skinned hero. This movies main plot focuses on Banner posing as a janitor working for a research center who has a Doctor working on the similar research that Banner was involved with that turned him into the Hulk. Banner believes this Doctor's research could possibly lead to a cure for himself. The doctor discovers Banner was the person correcting some equations he had written on a chalkboard, thus prompting Banner to confess his true identity, and reveal the accident that turned him into the Hulk. The doctor agrees to help him and takes a special interest in the Hulk's rapid healing ability which is the core essence of his research. Unfortunately there are a group of terrorists interested in the Doctor's reasearch and plan to use his research to create super human individuals. (Watch the rest of thr movie for its conclusion.) This movie stirred up several issues because the fans disliked the ending. The hulk arguably was way to powerful to die the way the film depicted. Plus the original television series had the Hulk indure a more catastrophic falling episode where he got up and recovered almost immediately, as compared to the final death scene in this film. Now this movie was never attended to be the final film. There were rumors the next film would feature iron man or possibly She Hulk. Most important we would get a version of the Professor Hulk. This never materialized because this movie received terrible ratings and reviews. As a result the network refused to produce another Hulk film. This final installment would be the only conclusion we get as fans of the original series. Now Bill Bixby did enter Into an agreement with the Fox network's to greenlight one more movie. The script was being written, but was stopped after Bixby's health declined from prostate cancer, and he passed away a few months later. This movie ended the chacter prematurely when in fact a sequel was always intended. For fans of the series I recommend watching it for nostagia reasons alone, but know this was a rather terrible way to end such a groundbreaking series.
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)
Justice is blind.
This made for TV movie stars once again Bill Bixby returing as Dr. David Banner and his quest to find a cure from his power to transform into the Incredible Hulk. This story takes place a few years later after the events of the last movie where he teamed up with Thor, yet there is no reference made to connect the two films. David still taking odd jobs moves into a large city hoping to stay off the radar while trying to find a way to cure himself. Unbeknownst to Banner he had stumbled into a city controlled by ruthless crime boss Wilson Fisk aka The King Pin. Also the city has a masked vigilante a blind superhero with extraordinary abilities called, Daredevil who is fighting to bring Fisk to justice. The story evolves where Fisk has Banner framed for a foiled attempted sexual assault that occurs on the subway with a woman that Banner saves by transforming into the Hulk. The Hulk easily stops the men who so happen to be King Pin's men. Fisk intervenes and forces the woman to tell the police Banner attacked her. Banner is arrested for the attack and is appointed legal representation, a blind lawyer named, Matt Murdock, who so happens to be the vigilante Daredevil. (As for the rest you will have to watch the movie). I found this movie actually pretty well done. I even give it a slight edge over the previous Hulk movie. I liked the script and the main villain Wilson Fisk. I thought the story had better pacing, and more of a cerebral pacing combined with good action. This was supposed to have been a pilot for a DareDevil television series that never got made, which is too bad, I think it would have made an interesting series. Of course in 2015 we got a DareDevil series on Netflix starring Charlie Cox. This movie is a much watch for those who followed the original Hulk series on CBS.
The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)
Don't make me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry
This movie revives the Incredible Hulk TV series into an action packed TV movie. It stars Bill Bixby as our favorite Gamma Scientist David Banner, Eric Allen Krammer as Thor, and Lou Ferringo as our favorite Jade giant the Hulk. The movie centers around mercanaries hired by the brother of the owner of the Lambert Institute, where David Banner develops a device that he believes will stop his transformations, but others want to take his invention and use it as a potential weapon. If that is not enough Donald Blake a former student of David Banner, finds himself bounded to a mystical hammer that allows him to summon a very powerful viking warrior named, Thor. He seeks out David's help in finding a way sever his bond to Thor. Blake summons Thor to prove to the skeptical Banner about his problem. Thor being boastful and a bit arrogant tries to intimidate and bully Banner until he accidentally strikes David which triggers his transformation into the Hulk. The Hulk bests Thor in combat and leaves. Later the mercanaries attenmpt to kidnap David, but he transforms into the Hulk and easily handles them. For that reason they kidnap Dr. Maggie Shaw a scientist who aided David in the creation of his gamma trans-sponder device, and who is also romantically involved with David. This forces David to joins forces with Thor to recue Maggie. This tv movie was a huge hit, and Eric Allen Kramer did a oustanding job as Thor, which he really steals the entire show. This movie was meant to be a pilot for a potential Thor series starring Kramer, but it never materialized. This movie has action, romance, comedy and above all a Hulk and Thor team up. The success of this movie spawned two other sequels, but they were not as popular as this film. If you're a fan of the original tv series, this is a must watch for you.
Summer Job (1989)
Fun in the sun. Hey it was the 80's.
This is one of those tongue and cheek sex comedy releases back in the 80's. These genre of beach going movies with girls, guys trying to get girls, and of course nudity was the theme back in those days. These movies were not meant to be taken seriously, instead were meant to be pointless, humorous, and light hearted fun. Summer Job fits right along in this genre. Summer Job tells the story of young college students working at an exclusive beach resort for the summer. It has gorgeous girls, studly guys, nerdy weirdos, old perverted men, so who could ask for anything more. The movie stars Sherri Rose, who so happens to be drop dead beautiful, but also has a very successful resume in Hollywood from being a writer, actress, producer, and director. She has worked with many top actors and actresses in the business, in both movies and television. The movie is fun and pointess comedy and if you like movies with the flavor of Revenge of the Nerds, Animal House, Private Resort, Lauderdale, then this movie is a much watch for you. It really is a pretty enteraining little comedy worth watching. Give it a try.
Poltergeist (1982)
It knows what scares you.
This has to be one of the best supernatural horror films ever produced. The film was written and co produced by Stephen Spielberg. The story centers around a typical suburban family the Freelings in Cuesta Verde, California, that end up having their lives uprooted by malovenent spirits that kidnap their youngest daughter Carol Ann. Also, a very evil entity referred to as, "The Beast", is responsible for the abduction of Carol Ann. The Freelings seek help from Paranormal invedtigators, who eventually seek assisstance from a paranormal medium Tangina who uses her extraordinary abilities to orchestrate a rescue to save Carol Ann from her spiritual captures, and also to help those spirits cross over into the light, to save them as well. Tangina with the help of Mrs. Freeling who goes into the portal where Carol Ann was abducted, is able to find her and get her out, yet the angered beast emerges and stares face to face with Mr. Freeling realizing Carol Ann is gone and the other spirits crossed over into the light, by instruction from Tangina. Carol Ann and her mother emerge from the other end of the portal in their living room and are safe. Tangina proclaims this house is clean, yet she is unaware the Beast is still there in the house. The freelings a few days later are preparing to move, and Mr. Freeling has to report to his office to tie up loose ends as he had resigned from the real estate company he works for and promises to be home in the evening. Evening falls and the Beast returns in an attempt to take Carol Ann again, but this time her mother is able to save her. Mr. Freeling arrives home to find the house under siege by the supetnatural forces and realizes his boss Mr. Teague, who drove him home, years ago built the Cuesta Verde subdivision on once was a cemetery, which they relocated, but only moved the headstones, and kept the bodies there, which was the reason the Freelings had been targeted by the spirits. The Freelings flee their home, and neighbors and Mr. Teague watch as the Freeling's home is pulled into the portal leaving the cemetary bare once again. This movie was scary, suspenseful, well written, and became the templet for future haunting/horror films. A MUST WATCH IF YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT.
A Fire in the Sky (1978)
A TV disaster movie which is pretty good.
This movie focuses on a Comet that is heading to Earth within a matter days after an astronomer discovers the comet accidentally when she is observing Jupiter. Immediatley she and her supervisor inform national security which informs the President of the United State. The President calls together the best minds from all different sectors including Richard Crenna's character who is an astronomer and expert in close range collisions. He informs the group that it will strike Phoenix Arizona effectively wiping it off the map. Unfortunately many disagree with his conclusions which prompts the Governor of Arizona to down play the severity of the comet's potential impact which causes a delay in people evacuating. The movie then shifts to various other people and follows their situations as the comet approaches. Richard Crenna's character is able to go on live television with the help of the station's owner, to tell the truth of the comet's impact and the resulting destruction. This prompts mass evacuations, panic, and looting. The movie concludes with the impact of the comet and everything that Richard Crena's chacacter predicted comes true. The city is destroyed and many people lose their lives including Richard Crenna's character who gets stuck at the point of impact while trying to take readings before its impact. The story concludes with many of the characters we followed in the story survive the impact, which leads to a more positive outcome given the severity of the event. I really enjoyed this movie, yet it was a little long at parts, but its suspensful and very well written. I would recommend watching this film that streams it without commercials, like I said the movie has a long run time about 2 1/2 hours. Given the cast of characters and especially Richard Crenna, this movie is worth watching.
Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style (1992)
It could have been better.
This is a Saved by the Bell movie which just seemed off to a degree. The movie focuses on the gang going to Kelly's Grandfather's resort which is struggling do to a ruthless developer trying to drive him out of business to get the land. Sadly her Grandfather's lawyer who Kelly starts falling for is actually helping the developer by sabotaging her grandfathers business, in an effort to make him sell the property. The gang helps by staffing the resort to bring tourist and has several adventures along the way. During the course of the movie Zach falls for a beautiful older girl who happens also to have a young daughter. The story unfolds and eventually the developer is stopped and Kelly learns that her Grandfather's attorney is a rat and exposes his deception. The gang saves the resort and Zach is basically dumped by the girl because she wants him to finish his highschool senior year and then maybe someday they can continue their romance. The movie was entertaining, but very predictable. I think this movie's script could have been better, but this is SBTB so its not meant to be super serious, but rather a refection of the fun campy theme of the sitcom. Lark, Tiffany, and Elisebeth were beautiful which was easy on the eyes, right guys? On a serious note, the movie delivered some laughs, some fun in the sun, yet the story was mediocre, which is why I gave it a 7.
Joanie Loves Chachi (1982)
Not so happy days.
This was a spinoff show from the original show Happy Days. The show starred Scott Bao and the late Erin Moran. They reprised their roles as Joannie Cunningham and Charles "Chachi" Arcola. The show centers around Chachi and Joannie trying to make it big as singers in Chicago, while navigating their life and love for each other. The show also features Happy Days alumni Al and Chachi's mother who are a married couple who own a bar in Chicago. They try to help and support the young couple in every twist and turn on their road to try and achieve success in the music industry, and life as well. We also get introduced to some zanny characters who make up their band. The show failed to strike a chord with audiences, mainly because the story lines were just not interesting and dull. There are some funny moments, but it just did not workout. I think one of the main reasons was the fact by the time this show debuted Happy Days had been on the air close to ten years, and it was starting to decline in the ratings, which audiences were tuning out. Thus, this show never had a chance to recapture those viewers. I think this series was created to try and spark interest in the Happy Days franchise, but it was never meant to be. This show was cancelled after 2 seasons and has been largly forgotten. Now Scott Bao would move on to another series, "Charles in Charge", that became a successful show, because of better writing. That was the main issue with Joannie Loves Chachi, the script writing was just not great, it was mediocre. Overall this show I gave it 5 out of 10 stars maybe for the nostagia of its parent sitcom, Happy Days. If I were the Fonz I would give it a thumbs down, regrettably. Watch Happy Days and pretend this series never existed, that's my best advice.
The Brady Bunch (1969)
It's far out and groovy.
The Brady Bunch is one of the most iconic shows that left its mark on television history. The show centered around a widowed father with his three sons and a divorced mother with her three daughters that form a blended family when the couple gets married. We then follow the adventures of this new blended family with all of its ups and downs along the way. The show runner Sherwood Swartz kept this show as a campy comedy that tried to keep things cheerful and upbeat even admist troubles that occur to the family. The show gave us several classic episodes and one liners, such as, "Pork Chops and Apple sauce". The show when it first ran did not really score the big ratings, but when it went into syndication it became a huge success. The Brady Bunch became as American as apple pie, and has carved it's slice into television history. It spawned several tv movies, a spin off series, a variety hour show, a updated short lived prime time adult themed television show, and a huge motion picture reboot comedy that did so well at the box office, a sequel came out a year later. This show was fun, querky, and cheesy at times, but that is what it was meant to be. This show continues in syndication not only in the United States, but also in other countries around the world. That says a lot about this little family satire comedy given the fact its been 50 years since its first episode aired and it still remains popular to a whole new generation of people.
Good Morning, Miss Bliss (1987)
The show that started it all.
I recently watched some of this series again for nostalgia. The show centers around legendary actress Halley Mills who plays a school teacher in a small town in Indiana and her interactions with her students. Of course we all are introduced to the main antagonist Zach Morris, played by Mark Paul Gossler. We also have a supporting cast including Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies, and Denis Haskins. There are other trivial characters as well. This show would set up the foundation for the reboot which became the beloved classic we all fell in love with in the early 90's. The show I thought was not bad, it had its good points. I do believe they focused too much on the Miss Bliss character which led to lower ratings initially. When the show was reformatted and focused on Zach with a better supporting cast that included Mario Lopez, Tiffany Amber Theissen, and Elisebeth Burkley, and of course bringing Lark, Dustin, and Dennis from the original show, their chemistry clicked and the show became a hit. Good morning Miss Bliss was not entirely bad it was just not engaging enough with some bad casting choices. Thankfully that was corrected and the show was successful with better writing which became Saved by the Bell. Love it or hate this first incarnation of the show started it all, so if anything we owe this little show a nod from all of us SBTB fans.
Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas (1994)
A proper send off from a iconic show that could have been done better.
This is the finale of the long loved and cherished SBTB series. This was made into a tv movie, but now replays as a 3 part episode. The premise of the show centers around Zach and Kelly and their long awaited wedding. They run into resistance from Zach's father who believes their too young for marriage, which prompts them to go to Vegas to get wed. As tradition goes the gang runs into a mini adventure that ends up with both of them getting married with the full support of both their families, including Zach's father who pays for a proper wedding. The wedding has a reunion of sorts with the original cast and some from the college years as well. Notably missing cast member from the college years series is Ann Tremko who played Leslie Burke, with no explanation, but the character Alex makes an appearance. Also Elizabeth Berkley reprises her role as Jessie Spano at the ending climax of the movie. Also, Dennis Haskins makes a cameo reprising his role as the iconic Mr. Belding. Now as I stated, I believe the movie could have been done much better, and given its rich hertiage and strong fan base it should have been done. The plot seemed rushed, and just fell flat. On the plus side, we did get to see Zach and Kelly married, and a small cliff hanger at the end when Professor Lasky (who had a brief relationship with Kelly) learns that Zach and Kelly got married. The show is enjoyable in moments, it had its laughs, but it could have been written better. An OK finale, but not a great one. Now there was a reboot that aired on Peacock, but the show was cancelled after a brief 2 seasons of 16 episodes, that really tarnished the legacy of the show. SBTB is one of those 90's teenage comedies that left its mark on sitcom television and still remains popular in syndication to this very day. A show that will never be fogotten. On a personal note RIP Dustin Diamond. You created a character that became just as legendary as Steve Urkel from Family Matters. Samuel "Screech" Powers was a character that made being an awkward nerd cool. Your performance will live on forever.
Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993)
I am standing on the edge of tomorrow.
This inception of Saved By The Bell focuses on some of our favorite Bayside teenagers now graduated from highschool and starting their freshman year at Cal. U. The show centers around Zach Morris, AC Slater, and Samuel Screech Powers, who dorm together with three new female cast members. There is also a new Dorm monitor, student advisor, and serves in the role much like Mr. Belding from the old show, named Mike Rogers. Mike is a former professional football player potrayed by Bob Golic was actually a former professional football player. He serves as an antagonist to Zach Morris played by Mark Paul Gosseler. The show focuses on the six of them adjusting to college life and the responsibilities of being young adults. The show did replace one of the girls that was cast in the original pilot episode with Saved By The Bell alumnus Tiffany Amber Thiessen, reprising her role as Kelly Kapowski, the love interest of Zach. The show also introduced other new adult characters like professor Jermiah Lasky played by veteran character actor Patrick Fabien and Holland Taylor who played Dean Mcmann. With the new cast in place the show focused on the same comedic interactions with the group much like the old show while covering some serious subject matters as well. Sadly the show just could not seem to catch on mainly because instead of being aired on Saturday afternoons admist the saturday morning cartoon era, it was aired in the adult prime time slot with fierce competition from the other tv sitcoms of that era. The show struggled and was switched and aired in various time slots and eventually was moved to Sunday. The show was not that bad and we even had cameo appearances from Lark Voorhees, and Elisebeth Berkley reprising their characters from the original show. Of course we also got to see the beloved Mr. Belding show up in an episode. Despite the early potential of this show it just seemed to miss the mark with viewers, and was cancelled after the first season. Now the show did spawn a television movie Saved by the Bell Wedding in Las Vegas, that finally gave the loyal fans of the show the long awaited wedding between Zach and Kelly. Overall I think the show was not that bad it had its funny moments, but I think the show would have faired better in its original time slot, instead of trying to make it a prime time series. Regardless, this show for all of the SBTB fans gave us our fix and we got a conclusion for the character arcs of Zach and Kelly. If you are a fan of the original SBTB then give this one a watch you will be glad you did.
Lurking Fear (1994)
What can be said about this film. I am not sure?
Well, I watched this movie, and I still cannot figure out what it was about. The movie starts out with two sisters with an infant hiding from some grotesque creatures inside the walls of a house. Then after one of the sisters gets killed by one of the creatures, we skip several years later where a priest, a doctor, a pregnant woman, an apparently the surviving sister are on quest to kill these creatures from long ago. Never mentioning what happened to the baby.
Then the movie jumps to an ex-con who gets paroled from prison and meets up with a Mortician, who was friends with his late father, and tells him of money that was buried long ago for him, at a Cemetary. For when he was free from jail.
Then after receiving a map from his father's friend, he leaves to go find the money, where it so happens it's in the very cemetery that the group of people, I talked about in the opening are setting up a last stand against the creatures, by boobie trapping the cemetery with TNT.
If that was not enough, a gangster with his two cronies shows up at the funeral home and discovers the young man who left is in possession of a 2nd piece of the map to the buried money. The trio sets off to intercept the ex-con but kills the mortician before they depart.
Then the movie unfolds into chaos and left me scratching my head in wonderment. These creatures can speak English, the priest somehow has a past relationship with them and sacrifices himself for the greater good, which proves to be futile, because the creatures kill almost everyone anyway. We discover the ex-con has some kind of mark on his body similar to the creatures. What does that mean? Is he their future ruler, or will he become like them, who knows?
I would go on, but this film just leaves you numb and wishing you did something else besides watch it.
This movie made no sense, terrible dialog, terrible acting, and those are its strong points.
Do not waste your time or energy watching this film, it will leave you with a sense of confusion and bewilderment. I just hope there is not a sequel to this film.
Parenthood (1989)
Family comedy/drama that strikes a chord.
This movie directed by Ron Howard is a very good drama/comedy based upon a typical family in Missouri, the Buckmans, and the dyconomy of their inter family relationships. The movie has an all star oscar winning cast headed by Steve Martin. The show revolves around Steve Martin's character Gil Buckman and his family, the families of his siblings, and the intertwined relationships within each one. The movie combines comedy with a serious tone about family and the struggles each face in the natural world. We have children with emotional problems, a teenage couple struggling with life and love, adults not only having to deal with their children's problems, but also their own. Howard potrays how the Buckmans struggle through the roller coster we call life with all of its ups and downs, twists and turns, yet the unity of the family brings them all together which helps them become stronger. I really enjoyed this movie with its strong cast and chemistry which really makes this movie one of Ron Howard's better films in my opinion. If you have not seen it, give it a watch because you will be glad you did.
The Bradys (1990)
Too much realism for the Brady's.
This series was originally going to be a series of television movies. The network CBS decided a weekly television drama involving the Brady Family would be more profitable. The first problem with the show was the fact it aired on Friday night up against ABC's TGIF family block of entertainment shows such as family matters and Step by Step. Second, the Brady's series was done in a more dramatic style which was a strong deviation from the campy light hearted show we all fell in love with back in the 70's. The adult subject matter, just was not a proper fit for this family sitcom. I believe the show was out of its element and viewers just did not like seeing America's favorite family being portrayed in such a seriel light. The show was green lighted after the successful ratings of a Very Brady Christmas television movie. Like I stated this show was meant to be a series of TV movies which would have done better in my opinion. Regardless this failed attempt to reintroduce the Brady family was really doomed to fail, because the magic of the original show was gone with the Brady children being all grown up. The original series came from a different moment in time and a more modern version audiences were not keen to watch with so many other dramas on at that time. Remember the original series started in 1969 and ended in 1974. The show really never had block buster ratings until it went into syndication after it had long been cancelled. Thus this version of the Brady Bunch was doomed to fail from the start. I still love the original show and I think many of you do as well.
The Sopranos (1999)
Badda Bing!
This ground breaking series is probably one of the absolute greatest television dramas of all time. The series was created by the brilliant writer and producer David Chase. What made this series so wonderful was the writing, the dialogue, the compelling episodes, and above all the performance of the late James Gandolfini. Gandolfini played the troubled, morally conflicted, and dynamic Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano. What also made this show worth watching was the great cast of supporting actresses and actors the made up the Sopranos universe. We had Edie Falco, Lorraine Braco, Steve Buscemi, Michael Imperiolli, just to name a few, and so many other great talented people who made this series happen. I mentioned the dialogue in this show which made it so fun to watch. There was always some one liners and just overall great priceless moments that made you laugh. Some of the episodes left their mark on Television history, escpecially the final episode, "Made in America." This ground breaking series has been off the air for almost twenty years, and its still talked about today. That is proof as to the brillance of this show, and there will never be a show like this again. If you have never scene this show, I suggest you get HBO Max, and watch it today. This show will not disappoint. Enjoy all the intrigue and drama this show has to offer. It truly is one a kind. Badda Bing Badda Boom!!!! P. S. There his a possible prequel in the making according to David Chase.
Step by Step: Indecent Proposal (1995)
A funny episode with a moral lesson.
This is an episode about a college professor who tries to seduce JT who is a student in her class. JT in this episode truly defines the depth of his character. When Dana overhears the professor talking about her plans to seduce JT, she informs him of her plan. JT being an eighteen year old guy has the typical response all guys would have at that age, when a beautiful older woman takes an interest in them. JT is still a virgin at this point in his life and Dana warns him about going through with this Professor's plan; that he should wait until he is truly in love with someone, that having sex involves more than just the physical act itself. JT at first brushes off Dana's advice and goes to the Professor's apartment. When he is there JT is nervous and bumbling around, but when the professor starts to get intimate with him, JT stops her advances and leaves. JT showed growth and depth in his moral character which demonstrated the true person he really is, instead of the one he shows to everyone else. JT chose to wait until he found that special girl where they would both share the same feelings, which instead of just having sex, it would be what we call it, "Making Love". This episode really taught a moral lesson that often in this current era has been lost. I really applaud the writers for this episode. A job well done. What happened to shows like this, they are no longer around and that in itself is truly sad.
Swamp Thing (1982)
A classic comic book movie that is not all that bad.
The Swamp Thing debuted in theaters back in 1982, which was directed by Wes Craven,who would a few years later bring Freddy Kruger to the big screen with a Nightmare on Elmstreet to movie audiences. Swamp Thing is based upon the comic book character appearing in DC comics. The movie stars Ray Wise, Louis Jordon, Dick Durock, and the beautiful Adrian Barbeau. The film is about a brilliant scientist named Alec Holland (Ray Wise) who is transformed into a supernatural half plant, half animal hybrid creature from a formula he invents that combines both plant and animal DNA, which enables plants to grow in harsh environments to help solve the world's food shortage problem. An evil madman named Anton Arcane (Louis Jordan) becomes aware of Holland's formula wants it for himself for his own nefarious purposes. Arcane along with his mercenaries break into Holland's lab killing all of his staff including his sister who tries to flee with the formula. Dr. Holland in an attempt to prevent Arcane from getting the formula is assaulted by one of the mercenaries, which causes Holland to fall, spilling the formula on himself. Holland's body is engulfed in flames by the formula and he runs out of the lab in a ball of fire and dives into the swamp. Arcane gathers the research materials from the lab and presumes Holland is dead. He then instructs his men to dispose of the bodies and burn Holland's lab to the ground. Arcane leaves, but does not realize he is missing an essential notebook to reproduce the formula. Cable (Adrian Barbeau) is a govenment agent assigned to Holland's research who is the only survivor of the group, manages to conficate the last note book containing the formula for Holland's research before Arcane could get it. Arcane becomes aware of the missing notebook and discovers Cable is in possession of it. He persues Cable and she is attacked by Arcane's men, but is stopped by Holland, who has been transformed into a supernatural creature of incredible strength and seemingly incapable of being killed. (Swamp Thing played by Dick Durock) Cable is afraid of the creature until she discovers the creature is in fact Dr. Holland. The movie moves forward where eventually Arcane captures them and gets the last notebook, and eventually reproduces the formula and drinks it believing it will turn him into a God, but instead he is transformed into a hideous bore like abomination. Holland has a final confrontation with Arcane and finally kills him. He saves Cable and she encourages him to continue his research in an effort to cure himself, but instead he starts to retreat back towards the swamps, but before he leaves, Alec tells Cable he will always be with her. This movie was created back in the time with no CGI, just make up and props. The critics disliked the film, but it has become a cult classic which spawned a sequel and several television series, including his appearance in several animated films of recent years . (Justice League Dark) The movie given the time period it was made in really was not bad, it could have been made better, but given it's budget constaints, its still a movie worth watching, so if you have never seen it, give it a shot, you will be glad you did.
The New WKRP in Cincinnati (1991)
Not the same magic as before.
The New WKRP in Cincinnati did not capture the same nostagia as the original series. Some of the cast members did make their return such as: Gordon Jump, Frank Bonner , Richard Anderson, and Carol Bruce. Howard Hessman, Loni Anderson, and Tim Reid made cameo appearances in this new version, but the show just did not have the same appeal as before. Notably missing was the original show's star Gary Sandy and Jan Smithers. They did entroduce new characters to this version, but they just did not have the same dynamic or chemistry like the original cast. When watching the original it felt like you were watching a dysfunctional family, but in a good wholesome way. It felt like it would have been fun to go to work there everyday with those people. This show just failed to make that connection. The reason this show was made was out of response to the high ratings the original show received when it went into syndication. Now believe it or not this new version had OK ratings, but was cancelled do to budgeting issues, but regardless the show still had problems from poor connectivity with the cast members, bad dialogue, and terrible story lines. The original series will always be #1 in my heart and I wish it would get streamed on one of these streaming services someday. "I am living on the air in Cincinnati WKRP"