America, Hell Yeah!

As I always do, I celebrated Independence Day by watching one of the greatest films ever made, the original Red Dawn (1984).  The communists land in America and try to take over and, sadly, they succeed to a large extent.  However, a group of high school students led by Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen refuse to go down without a fight.  Say it with me, “Wolverines!”  This film really doesn’t get the respect that it deserves.  Not only is it well-acted but, despite it’s reputation, it doesn’t glamorize war.  Most of the Wolverines do not survive.  C. Thomas Howell, the most committed of the Wolverines, loses a bit of his soul and goes from being a fresh-faced high school student to someone who can execute a former friend without a moment’s hesitation.  While evil Russian William Smith plots to destroy the rebels, Ron O’Neal comes to respect their dedication.  Still, in the end, the best thing about this film is that it’s shamelessly patriotic and unapologetically anti-communist.  “Avenge me!” Harry Dean Stanton yells and you better do it.  The film can be found on Max.

Warren Oates, Hell Yeah!

Yesterday was the birthday of the great character actor Warren Oates.  Brad reviewed two of his films and Jeff shared a scene from Strips.  I would like to recommend the enigmatic 1966 western The Shooting (1966).  Deliberately paced and philosophically-minded, this film features Oates in a leading role.  Millie Perkins and Jack Nicholson (who wrote the screenplay) make for a wonderfully menacing duo of villains.  The Shooting can be found on Tubi.

Sylvester Stallone, Hell Yeah!

Today is Sylvester Stallone’s birthday.  As far as I’m concerned, Stallone’s best performance was in First Blood (1982).  The sequels, which were a bit more simplistic and jingoistic than the first film, have tended to overshadow just how good Stallone was as a troubled veteran who just wanted to get a cup of coffee and who found himself being thrown in jail for refusing to “go across the border.”  Of course, it’s not just Stallone who is great in First Blood.  Brian Dennehy and Richard Crenna were, arguably, never better than when they played Sheriff Teasle and Col. Troutman.  First Blood was one of the first films to really be sympathetic to the plight of the Vietnam veteran.  Rambo may snap and destroy an entire town but, after what he’s put through, you won’t blame him.  First Blood is on Tubi!

Of course, if you really want a fun and wonderfully absurd Stallone film, check out the arm wrestling epic, Over The Top (1987).  Stallone is Hawk, a truck driver who makes his living as an arm wrestler.  Robert Loggia tries to Stallone’s son away so Stallone has to prove himself to be the world’s greatest arm wrestler.  I distrust anyone who doesn’t love Over The Top.  It can be viewed on Tubi.

Tom Cruise, Hell Yeah!

If you’re still in the mood to celebrate Tom Cruise’s birthday, Losin’ It (1982) features Cruise as a teenager in the 60s who goes down to Mexico with his friends so that he can …. well, lose it.  While the comedy is often predictable, Losin’ It is still an amiable enough film and Cruise gives a likable performance and his character has a really sweet romance with Shelley Long.  The great John Stockwell is also in the film.  Director Curtis Hanson went on to do L.A. Confidental.  Losin’ It is on Tubi!

It’s become fashionable to criticize Risky Business (1983), released a year after Losin’ It, for being a materialistic film but …. eh, screw that.  Between the soundtrack, the surreal direction, Guido the Killer Pimp, and Tom Cruise bringing out the sunglasses at night, Risky Business is one of the best films of the 80s and it can be viewed on AMC+’s Prime Channel.

In Cocktail (1988), Tom Cruise  is the last barman poet!  A guilty pleasure for sure but a pleasure, nonetheless.  Cocktail can be viewed on AMC+.

The Running Man, Hell Yeah!

There’s a remake of The Running Man coming out this year.  I’ll live it to you to decide whether or not that’s a necessary thing.  I will say that the original Running Man (1987) holds up very well, as both an action film and a media satire.  You can smell the cigarettes and gin whenever Richard Dawson is on screen.  The Running Man can be viewed on Tubi.

Beach Fun, Hell Yeah!

Saturday was National Bikini Day.  If you missed your chance to celebrate, you can make up for it be watching Malibu High (1979), a film from the legendary production company, Crown International.  It’s all fun and games the beach until a young woman is dumped by her boyfriend and decides to become a professional assassin.  Malibu High can be viewed on Tubi.

The End of the World, Hell Yeah!

If you’re in the mood for some end of the world action, the low-budget, independently made A Thief In The Night (1972) is currently on Tubi, along with its sequels, A Distant Thunder, Image of the Beast, and The Prodigal Planet.  A Thief In The Night is not necessarily a great film but it does have a few moments of dream-like intensity.  And it’s short!  It can be viewed on Tubi.

Click here for last week’s entry!