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Mister Boombastick

The Toxic Avenger Part II

After the events of the first film, Toxie has settled down with his girlfriend Claire.  Tromaville with it's dancing citizens and safe streets is a really nice place to live but the evil corporation Apocalypse Inc. has other ideas.  They want to use Tromaville as their dumping ground of all their waste, in turn letting them take over the world but their have an obstacle, Toxie.

After the local home for the blind is blown up, Toxie is lured away to Japan in search of his Father who left when he was a baby. He meets up with a local girl who he saves from some hoodlums and together they search for 'Big Mac' Toxie's Dad.

Toxic Avenger Part II amps up the un-PC humour and violence from the first film.  Nothing is sacred we have tasteless blind people gags, gratuitous pointless nudity, unusual and inspired kills and plenty of fighting.  In fact the film probably has some of the longest fight scenes in history.  Toxic takes on all manner of bad guys, cross dressers, ninjas, fish-men and midgets.  It's all done in the unique Troma style with silly sound effects and questionable ADR, frankly it's a real blast.  

It's not for the easily offended (get a life - it's only a movie!), but it's got a big heart in the loveable Toxie and any film where blind people find their way to the dining room using a clothes line gets my vote.

• Starring Ron Fazio  John Altamura  Phoebe Legere  
• Directers Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz
• Distributor 88 Films

Hercules

There have been a fair few Hercules movies over the years, he's been played by the likes of Steve Reeves and Lou Ferrigno.  Dwayne Johnson now steps up the mark and puts his boot to asses all over ancient Greece.

This 'Son of Zeus' is a mercenary, general bull-shit merchant and muscle for hire.  With his band of fellow mercenaries he does what is needed with no conscience for a good price and his legend gets enhanced by the colourful stories of his nephew who travels with him.  When Lord Cotys asks for his help against invaders, Herc and his pals step up to the mark.

Sword and Sandal epics are few and far between now.  This film embraces the films before it and modernises it with some modern dialogue which works as the lines are delivered either straight or tongue in cheek.  Johnson channels his inner Scorpion King, makes Herc incredibly likeble and is well supported by some fine thespian talent including John Hurt and Ian McShane.  It's got plenty of (comic book) violence, lots of laughs and cracking effects.

Stupendous entertainment and a film I shall look forward to revisiting again.

• Starring Dwayne Johnson  Rufus Sewell  Joseph Fiennes  Rebecca Ferguson
• Director Brett Ratner
• Distributor Paramount / MGM

WWE Presents True Giants

Now this is something to be treasured, a release celebrating wrestling's big men such as Andre, Yokozuna and Giant Gonzales. 

As per normal we get an almost two hour documentary on some of the most famous big guys (not Ryback) in wrestling broken down into segments.  The usual suspects are here such as Big Show and Kevin Nash but we get to see the stories about the likes of One Man Gang and others.  This is where the strength of the doc is, lesser known guys (to this generation) are covered like Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy.  This gives the set a terrific historical context as it exposes people to the work of some of the greatest wrestlers to walk the face of the earth.

It's also very touching as a lot of these men are no longer with us and the people talking about their friends passing and sharing their stories with us is generally very moving.  The Andre the Giant segment is superb and The Uso's talk fondly about their Uncle Yokozuna.  Pat Patterson talking about Gorilla Monsoon is also excellent as he was obviously friends with him and the footage of him wrestling is priceless as most of us only know him as an announcer.

The rest of the package is taken up with matches from the archives.  A lot of these are generally pretty old and this is very refreshing to see 'good old days'.  As well as the 'giants' we get the see the likes of Kerry Von Erich and Superstar Billy Graham.  Keep an eye out for a massive Superstar of today in a previous incarnation, one I have always thought had one of the best names ever.

The blu-ray exclusives are plentiful as they include further segments including Earthquake (who should have been on the main doc), as well as other matches including Rick Martel vs. Kamala.

WWE keep bringing out these outstanding releases and this one is again in a long line of quality product.  Superb for long time wrestling fans and a good introduction for 'the kids' who really only know giants such as Big Show.  This must be purchased NOW!!!

• Starring Earthquake  Sid Justice  Undertaker  Harvey Wippleman
• Distributor WWE / Fremantle

Night of Champions 2014

Night of Champions is the one PPV where all WWE Championships are defended.  It was Brock Lesnar's first (and only to date) defence of his title where he had to face Cena again.  The Tag Team title holders The Uso's took on Dusty Rhodes' boys Gold and Stardust.  Miz fought Dolph Ziggler for the IC strap and Sheamus took on Cesaro for his US belt.  The Divas title was contested in a triple threat match featuring AJ, Paige and Nikki Bella.  

Also on the card Mark Henry represented the good 'ol USA against the Russian Super Athlete, Rusev and Chris Jericho took on Randy Orton.  Roman Reigns should have been there fighting Seth Rollins but as we all know Reigns had to have an operation so Rollins won by forfeit.

Overall it was a reasonably good PPV with a couple (to me anyway) shocks but the main event was ruined by the return of Super Cena who almost beat Lesnar. Thankfully Seth Rollins poked his oar in so John couldn't be Champion.  Just weeks before, Cena was a broken man then suddenly he's back to normal.  It's predictable story telling and it's another reason for people to boo him.

The DVD features the kick off show and some exclusive interviews.  Blu-ray owners get a bit more content including a match from Smackdown.  Overall some decent bouts and well worth picking up.

• Starring Goldust  Stardust  Rusev  Chris Jericho  AJ Lee
• Distributor WWE / Fremantle

Haunting of Crestview High aka Bad Kids Go To Hell

The movie starts with a SWAT team storming a school library where they find a bloodbath.  One of the school's students Matt is stood there covered in blood, we then back track to the beginning of the day to see the events unfold.

A bunch of students convene for a weekend detention, the usual stereotypes are there and Dr. Day the school psychologist has a plan up his sleeve.  Locking the students in, they swap stories and soon enough weird stuff happens where the students are bothered by some supernatural hocus pocus.

Basically the film is The Breakfast Club (Judd Nelson is even in it) meets a horror movie.  I didn't enjoy it at all and it seemed an age to get going.  The original title is better as they are 'Bad Kids' so the retitling remains a bit of the mystery.  Whilst I don't rate it, a friend of mine who counts The Exorcist as one of his favourites has seen it and thought it was very watchable.  So the decision is up to you, have a look at the trailer below and make up your own mind.

• Starring Cameron Dean Stewart  Marc Donato  Amanda Alch
• Director Matthew Spradlin
• Distributor 101 Films

22 Jump Street

After the success of their investigation in the first movie Schmidt and Jenko are assigned a new case. There is a new designer drug in town and they have to go to college and root out the pushers.  Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) has been given a limitless budget, so they now have all the latest gadgets and weapons as well as a swanky new office.

One of the students had OD'ed on the drug and died so they start going to every possible class to try and get information.  Jenko teams up with the football crowd and Schmidt meets and falls for a beautiful art major.  Packed with low brow humour, action and plenty of colourful language 22 Jump Street is just as entertaining as it's predecessor.

Hill and Tatum once again put on a great double act but the film is stolen by Ice Cube whose outbursts and use of the 'F' word is totally inspired.  He's probably the best curser on screen since Joe Pesci.  Directors Lord and Miller show they can make great live action films and terrific animated ones (The Lego Movie) they are rather talented chaps.  

Pure escapism and like I said a great laugh.  It certainly brightened my day.

• Starring Channing Tatum  Jonah Hill  Peter Stormare  Ice Cube  
• Directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord
• Distributor Sony

Macho Man: The Randy Savage Story

Finally the WWE have put together a stellar package to honour one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.  There was a DVD set released a few years back which was okay, but wasn't good enough to respect the legacy of this great man.  Now WWE have released a package worthy of him.

There are three discs in the package with disc one comprising of a documentary detiling the life and times of Savage. The other two discs are packed with matches of serious historical importance.  The blu-ray gets more matches and some extra stories and interviews.

The matches include title defences against the likes of Bad News Brown, Bruno Sammartino and The Ultimate Warrior in their Summerslam 1992 match at Wembley Stadium.  Also are a few matches from his WCW stint including bouts against DDP and Ric Flair.

The documentary is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best WWE have done.  The Paul Heyman  one was good, but this one is first class.  Savage's school friends are interviewed, we meet his Mother and his brother Lanny Poffo aka The Genius who is interviewed extensively.  Lanny shows that he truly loved his brother and shares many memories all of them priceless.  Savage's beginnings are shown, his WWF run and finally onto WCW.  His marriage to Miss Elizabeth is discussed as is his departure from the WWF and the infamous 'Nacho Man' character.  We all unfortunately know the ending but we get to know that Randy had found happiness and passed away a contented man.

Possibly the most essential wrestling release I will ever watch, truly magnificent.  

• Starring Randy Savage  Sting  Ted DiBiase  Diamond Dallas Page  Lanny Poffo
• Distributor WWE / Fremantle

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - 40th Anniversary Restoration

For anyone who has been living in a cave for the last 40 years, I shall briefly recap the story of one of the best (horror) films ever made.

A bunch of teenagers in a VW van come across a family of maniacs including the iconic Leatherface. One by one they fall to the macabre family until one (Sally) is left and has to endue a family meal with the deranged group.

The film wasn't allowed a release for years due to the then head of the BBFC James Ferman.  As soon as he left, the film was passed, released to cinemas and then for home release.  This new version has been restored in 4K and been given a new 7.1 sound mix.  The previous blu-ray release had some excellent bonus material including a full length documentary and various trailers and TV spots.  This new release in a swanky steel case with fetching new artwork (see above) adds even more special features which include new featurettes and two brand new commentaries.

The picture for the film is simply superb and I would imagine looks just like the day Cinematographer Daniel Pearl shot it.  The new sound mix impresses but as a purist I prefer the mono mix.  Is it worth buying again?  Well I would say yes as the picture and sound is much improved, there is the new stuff included and the artwork is far better than the previous release.

If you haven't even seen Chainsaw, this is an ESSENTIAL purchase as this is a piece of cinema history and not just another horror film.

• Starring Marilyn Burns  Gunnar Hansen  Jim Siedow
• Director Tobe Hooper
• Distributor Second Sight

Trancers

In the future, Los Angeles was laid to ruin following a massive earthquake and civilisation collapsed.  A new order was established but is threatened by a gentleman named Whistler and his zombie like followers called Trancers.  Whistler was thought killed but is alive and well having travelled back in time to 1980's LA.  He starts to murder the ruling counsel's ancestors, thus them ceasing to exist. Ace Trancer hunter Jack Deth is assigned to the case and goes back in time to get Whistler.

Jack enlists the help of Leena, an LA resident.  There is an instant attraction between the two and together they set out to stop Whistler.  Complicating matters is that one of the council's ancestors is a homeless dude and Whistler knows where he is.  Jack (Tim Thomerson) is a timeless character who kills the bad guys, smokes cigarettes, wears a trench coat, cracks one liners and generally lights up the screen with undeniable charisma.  How can you not like this guy?

Trancers is one film which I have owned on every conceivable format.  I had or have it on Betamax, VHS, several DVD versions and now this HD release from 88 Films.  The DVD releases have certainly been criticised as some were from old laserdiscs complete with a Vestron Video logo.  Those rough copies have always rubbed me up the wrong way, but I am glad the film was always available. The remastering done on this blu-ray release is pretty darn good and in widescreen as well.  I noticed little things I never saw before on other releases such as the future Deth's scar on his face.  Some of the effects look a bit amateurish now, but really who cares when the film looks this good.  What I thought was great was at the beginning of the film when the new Full Moon features logo appears, the old Full Moon music pipes up and merges into the old Empire logo which brings back lots of happy memories.  Trancers is easily the best of the Empire Pictures' releases and a classic in it's own right.  I also like the new Rick Melton cover art, it's very different from the original poster and gives the film a nice fresh look.

The extras include a commentary, a featurette, some archived interviews and trailers for the sequels. Finally the Pulse Pounders sequel is included as well.  This was lost for years and is a nice addition to a terrific blu-ray release.  Basically, if you don't pick this up you're nothing more than a squid possibly with dry hair as well.  

• Starring Tim Thomerson  Helen Hunt  Art LaFleur  Telma Hopkins  Biff Manard
• Director Charles Band
• Distributor 88 Films

WWE Attitude Era Vol. Two

The archives have been mined, the old logo's are now allowed so it's time to have more Attitude Era fun courtesy of those generous people at the WWE.

Wrestling fans often pine for the Attitude Era and rightly so, as it was a creative time with plenty of daring storylines and matches.  It was also a product of its time probably never to be repeated but there is hours and hours of footage to be seen hopefully on further releases as well as the Network.

There are well over 30 matches (including blu-ray) on the compilation as well as the usual 'talking head' interviews from Superstars past and present.  For the red blooded male there is plenty of the female form on display or 'puppies' as Mr. Lawler liked to called them.  We get to see Sable with her famous painted hands on her chest as well as other risque swimsuits worn by various Divas.  Sunny is well represented on the set and she is still as awesome now as she was back in the day.  The passage of time has treated her rather well.

Anyone who was anyone is here - The Rock, The Brood, X-Pac, Ron Simmons, Gerald Brisco and one of my all time favourites The Godfather.  I always loved this character no matter how un-PC he was.  It was a blast to see him again.  Also, a massive thumbs up from me is including Mark Henry in his 'Sexual Chocolate' persona and Mae Young with their escapades on Valentines Day.  Brilliant comedy, topped off with Jerry Lawler gagging into his crown.

A fantastic compilation and a MUST for all wrestling fans.

• Starring The Godfather  Edge  Dwayne Johnson  Sable  Mr. McMahon
• Distributor WWE / Fremantle