GREASE 2 (SteelBook): A Prime Example of '80s Sequel-itis

GREASE 2 (Blu-ray SteelBook Review)

1982 / 114 min

FROM PARAMOUNT

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😾

To those who believe Hollywood is currently glutting theaters with unnecessary sequels, allow me to introduce you to the glorious ‘80s.

Truly the decade when nothing was sacred, the ‘80s were rife with sequels absolutely nobody asked for. The Sting II, Butch and Sundance: The Early Days, Caddyshack II, Staying Alive, Death Wish II and Arthur 2: On the Rocks arguably rank among the most contrived, pointless sequels ever made. Perhaps the most notorious of them was Grease 2.

Like many of those aforementioned films, Grease 2 was produced without the participation of anyone who made the original interesting. Instead of the onscreen chemistry of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, Maxwell Caulfield and then-unknown Michelle Pfeiffer struggle in vain to fill their shoes (though Pfeiffer comes close). Elsewhere, the rehashed story, forgettable songs and conspicuously-exuberant cast confirm Grease 2 was always more of a financial decision than a creative one. Audiences didn’t buy it and steered clear in droves.

But unlike those other superfluous sequels, Grease 2 slowly developed a surprising cult following over the years. One possible reason could be Pfeiffer, who’d soon become a superstar. And admittedly, watching her effortlessly outclass her co-stars has a certain appeal, especially since it was the comparatively bland Caufield who was supposedly the ‘next big thing’. 

Guess which T-Bird had one-too-many espresso shots this morning.

Some of its appeal could be at its own expense. Grease 2 never descends into pure camp, but it quickly becomes apparent the overachieving eagerness of the hungry young cast is completely at odds with the assembly line approach to the rest of the film. The futility of their collective effort to fill such big shoes is kind of amusing.

But let’s not forget good old fashioned nostalgia, which has people of a certain age carrying a torch for all kinds of weird ‘80s artifacts (how else can you explain Maximum Overdrive’s enduring popularity?). Nostalgia would certainly explain this new SteelBook. Such packaging is usually reserved for films that have achieved at-least some kind of classic status, if even among a niche crowd. Said-crowd might be disappointed that there are no bonus features other than a digital code, and while the SteelBook is nice, the artwork is almost identical to previous releases.

The film itself remains emblematic of ‘80s-era sequel-itis…slickly made but completely  unnecessary, which might ironically be part of its oddball appeal to nostalgics and cultists. But I think even they would agree it’s no Grease.

EXTRA KIBBLES

DIGITAL COPY

FORTRESS: SNIPER'S EYE: A Sad Swan Song

FORTRESS: SNIPER’S EYE (Blu-ray Review)

2022 / 87 min

FROM LIONSGATE

Review by Tiger the Terrible😾

Since Bruce Willis has announced his retirement after being diagnosed with aphasia, it looks like Fortress: Sniper’s Eye will end up being one of the last films. Considering how many modern classics he’s been a part of, it’s a sad swan song to what was once a great action career.

The first Fortress (released last year) was emblematic of the video junk he’d been prolifically cranking out for the past decade, and some of us writers have made great sport of his willingness to collect paychecks for glorified cameos and lethargic performances. Most of those movies would have been terrible even without his participation, and with poignant hindsight, it’s obvious he simply wanted to keep acting, even if in a diminished capacity.

But not only is Fortress: Sniper’s Eye even worse, the pall of Willis’ condition hangs over everything. The story has him bedridden for a good portion of the running time, and during some of the one-on-one conversations with other characters, his scenes appear to have been shot separately. Knowledge of his illness, and watching him noticeably struggle with each line, is a depressing experience. 

Bruce Willis: Staring contest champion.

Filmed back-to-back with the first film - and apparently the second part of a trilogy - Fortress: Sniper’s Eye has the exact same plot, with the exact same disgruntled bad guy (Chad Michael Murray) attacking the exact same officers’ retreat for the exact same reason (nabbing some cryptocurrency). Essentially a remake with the exact same cast - plus a bitchy teenager thrown-in for good measure - the film is an indifferently-directed medley of low-wattage action, dull performances and silly dialogue, though Robert (Willis) does eventually get out of bed to shoot some bad guys.

Where we once chastised Bruce Willis, I suppose one could now draw some inspiration from what turns out to be unwavering dedication in the face of adversity. Too bad it’s in the service of such a terrible film. I hate to see him go out like this. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

“MAKING FORTRESS: SNIPER’S EYE” - Your standard promotional featurette where the cast and crew talk-up the film as if it’s one of their career highlights. 

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ERASER: REBORN: No Arnold? No Problem!

ERASER: REBORN (Blu-ray Review)

2022 / 103 min

FROM WARNER BROS #InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Tiger the Terrible😼

I know what some of you are thinking: A sequel to a 26-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger movie…without Schwarzenegger? What’s the point?

To address the second question first, Eraser: Reborn hails from a long tradition of studios cranking out scaled-back direct-to-video sequels to hit films (which don’t require A-list star power to turn a tidy profit). Some of them - such as Sniper and The Marine - have since-become mini franchises, with sequels threatening to run into the double digits. 

Dusting off Eraser makes a lot of business sense. No Arnold? No problem! The title offers enough brand name recognition to give Eraser: Reborn a little more attention than the usual straight-to-video action fest, especially since it isn't really a sequel. Instead, it’s a conceptual remake of the original film. The characters and situations are different - as is the technology - but the basic plot remains, albeit with action and special effects reflecting a much smaller budget. 

This time, US Marshal Mason Pollard (Dominic Sherwood) is assigned to protect Rina Kimura (Jacky Lai), the wife of a vicious mob boss. The FBI wants her to testify against his organization, but since she’s also stolen millions in cryptocurrency from them, Rina’s an immediate target. Mason fakes her death, arranging a new life and identity in Cape Town, South Africa (where most of the story takes place).

Extreme high-five.

However, fellow marshal and good buddy Paul Whitlock (McKinley Belcher III) informs him that the identities and locations of all their “erased” witnesses have been compromised. And apparently, most of them are also located in Cape Town (which doesn’t seem very bright, does it?). In reality, Paul has actually turned and is now working with the organization. He and revenge-minded Marco (Nathan Castle) recruit a small army of mercenaries to kill Rina and get back the cryptocurrency codes.

As these things go, I’ve seen worse. The action is plentiful and, considering the budget, sometimes impressive. While it isn’t always plausible, you gotta appreciate any movie that manages to work angry hippos and rhinos into the action (even if clumsy CGI renders them laughable). Elsewhere, Sherwood makes a serviceable protagonist, but nothing more. That might not be entirely his fault, since Pollard isn’t a particularly complex character to begin with. Belcher, on the other hand, is terrific fun, displaying sadistic, unrepentant ruthlessness as Whitlock.

Though capped off by an out-of-the-blue, eye-rolling romantic coda, Eraser: Reborn is a decent time killer, meant to be enjoyed in the moment and forgotten soon after. Director John Poque - no stranger to direct-to-video sequels - doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel here, earning his salary by putting together an economical action flick that more-or-less meets tempered expectations.

EXTRA KIBBLES

“THE WARRIOR AND THE WITNESS: MAKING ERASER: REBORN”

DIGITAL COPY

THE GUILTY and HIGH TIDE: A Damn Good Double Feature

THE GUILTY and HIGH TIDE (Blu-ray Review)

1947 / 143 min (2 movies)

FROM FLICKER ALLEY

Review by Mr. Paws😻

Released the same year, The Guilty and High Tide are excellent examples of low budget film noir, both produced by ambitious entrepreneur Jack Wrather. Not only have they been rescued from obscurity with great restorations, this set includes a big batch of substantial bonus features that are just as interesting as the movies themselves.

In The Guilty, Mike Carr (Don Castle) recounts the story of an unusual relationship between himself, troubled ex-war buddy & roommate Johnny (Wally Cassell) and twin sisters Estelle and Linda (both played by Bonita Granville). Estelle is essentially the “bad” girl who’s tumultuously involved with both men, but Johnny eventually falls in love with “good” girl Linda (which Estelle selfishly tries to disrupt). When Linda turns up murdered, Johnny is naturally the prime suspect, especially since he suffers from PTSD and is prone to blackouts. Though he declares he’s innocent, Johnny goes on the run, while Mike does a little investigating of his own. With an intriguing story, economical direction by John Reinhardt and excellent performances - especially Castle - The Guilty is a crackling little thriller with a great twist ending.

"I told you not to text & drive."

Wrather taps Reinhardt & Castle once-again for High Tide, this time with Castle playing cynical private dick Tim Slade, hired to protect unscrupulous newspaper editor Hugh Fresney (Lee Tracy) from the wrath of local gangster Nick Dyke, the subject of an upcoming bombshell news story. But it becomes a murder investigation when the paper’s owner, Clinton Vaughn (Douglas Walton), is killed. Though Dyke is a primary suspect, one can’t rule out Vaughn’s money-grubbing trophy wife, Julie (Julie Bishop), with whom Slade once had a relationship. Like The Guilty, this one is presented in flashback and features another nifty twist ending, but boasts a more intricate storyline with intriguing plot turns along the way. Again, Castle makes an excellent protagonist. Speaking of which, it’s a shame he didn’t have a bigger career. His resemblance to Clark Gable notwithstanding, he had a naturalistic style all his own which certainly suited film noir. 

But Castle’s back story is only one of many featured among this set’s generous collection of bonus material. Though not always related exclusively to these movies, they’re of great historical interest, especially the life and career of producer Jack Wrather. He and wife Bonita Granville made a remarkable team beyond movies and TV. There are also features on others involved in these films, including the eclectic career of director John Reinhardt. So not-only do The Guilty and High Tide make a damn good double feature - belying their Poverty Row origins - the stories of the people behind them are equally interesting. For film noir lovers, this set is a must-own.

EXTRA KIBBLES

INTRODUCTION - By film noir historian and TCM host Eddie Muller.

JACK WRATHER: A LEGACY OF FILM AND FRIENDSHIP - A rarity in Hollywood, this is an affectionate profile/tribute to a b-movie mogul who appeared to be a genuinely nice guy. This also features extensive info and anecdotes about actress Bonita Granville (Jack’s wife) and actor Don Castle, a longtime friend of Jack’s and the star of both of these films (unfortunately, his own story ends tragically).

NIGHTMARE: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF CORNELL WOOLRICH - An engaging doc about prolific crime fiction writer (The Guilty is based on one of his stories).

JOHN REINHARDT: DIRECTION WITHOUT BORDERS - An appreciation of this largely unheralded director, despite helming dozens of films in various countries and languages.

LEE TRACY: THE FASTEST MOUTH IN THE WEST - A look at the career of actor Lee West, who co-stars in High Tide and was best-known for playing cynical, fast-talking newspaper men.

AUDIO COMMENTARIES - The Guilty, by Jake Hinkson; High Tide, by Alan K. Rode.

SUPPLEMENTARY BOOKLET - An essay for each by Brian Light; photos, stills, poster & lobby cards; restoration credits.

REVERSIBLE COVER - Features original artwork for both titles.

BLU-RAY & DVD COPIES

SCARF FACE is a Fun Little Freak Show

SCARF FACE (DVD Review)

2021 / 77 min

FROM INDIEPIX FILMS

Review by Fluffy the Fearless😺

An amusing title sequence parodying 1983’s Scarface sets the tone for this look at the goofy world of competitive eating. For the most part, Scarf Face takes this so-called “sport” far less seriously than its participants do. What’s great about the film is that it doesn't set out to make these people look like fools. They manage that feat well enough on their own. 

Much of the focus is on the MLE (Major League Eating), an organization run by jingoistic promoter George Shea, who comes across as an aggrandizing composite of Vince McMahon, Donald Trump and a carnival barker. Ruling the MLE with an iron fist, he expects complete loyalty from his eaters, doesn’t suffer competition or criticism too well and pretty-much ostracizes anyone with the balls to question his authority. And of course, he declares competitive eating to be a legitimate sport worthy of the Olympics (though his own wife shows up to disagree, admitting that this is a weird way to make a living). Several MLE dissenters - usually former contestants - add their two-cents over Shea’s unscrupulous tactics.

Joey's Brando impression never fails to amuse.

But the meat of the film - no pun intended - are segments featuring the eaters themselves. For some reason, a lot of these folks have extraordinarily high opinions of themselves, displaying hilariously-misguided arrogance regarding their “talent.” Most appear oblivious to the fact their chosen profession - yes, some of them do this for a living - is essentially a freak show.  Especially amusing is Joey Chestnut, apparently the Michael Jordan of hot dog eating contests. In true Rocky fashion, the film treats us to the drama of Joey losing his title one year, leading to personal crises, career introspection and even a training montage before his big comeback. From the moment we meet him, it’s obvious Joey considers himself a true athlete.

The unexpected deaths of a few eaters notwithstanding, Scarf Face is a highly amusing documentary that cleverly subverts the self-importance displayed by its subjects. But even if one shares the opinion that gorging on dangerous amounts of food somehow qualifies as a sport, the film is a fascinating look at what makes these people tick.

EXTRA KIBBLES

INTERVIEW THE WALT HICKEY - Hickey is a writer who often covers competitive eating events, and humorously questions the claim that Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has really been going on for 100 years.

INTERVIEW WITH ED “COOKIE” JARVIS - A former MLE competitive eater who’s lost a ton of weight and has no love for the MLE.

OUTTAKES WITH ACTOR DAVE SWEENEY - Outside of his appearance in this film, I don’t know who he is either.

COMPETITIVE EATER DEATH SEGMENT - One which was featured in the film, one which wasn’t…a radio station water drinking contest which resulted in a woman’s death.

EXTENDED GYOZA-EATING SCENE

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By directors Joseph Ruzer & Sean Salter

TRAILER

THE CONTRACTOR and the Egg McGuffin

THE CONTRACTOR (Blu-ray Review)

2022 / 103 min

FROM PARAMOUNT

Review by Tiger the Terrible😼

I enjoy Egg McMuffins. They don’t rock my world or anything, but every now and then, I wake up with the urge to grab one on the way to work, already anticipating exactly what it’s gonna taste like. Say what you will about McDonalds’ increasingly automated business model, at least you aren't likely to be disappointed by the food, providing you have reasonable expectations of what you’re getting. Sometimes there’s comfort in that kind of predictability.

The Contractor is a lot like the Egg McMuffins I occasionally crave. Watchable without ever being particularly inventive, the film stars Chris Pine as James Harper, a decorated Marine who’s unexpectedly discharged for a drug violation. He’s invited by old war buddy Mike (Ben Foster) to join a private military group run by Rusty (Keifer Sutherland), which does government-sanctioned mercenary work around the world. Being in financial dire straits - with a wife and kid to support - James reluctantly takes the job.

James, Mike and a few others on the team are immediately sent to Germany. Their mission is to kill a scientist suspected of working for ISIS and grab a computer containing his biological data. The mission doesn’t go as planned and most of the team is killed. After Mike fails to meet him at the rendezvous point, Chris is on his own, pursued by assassins. Of course, the viewer will accurately figure out - long before Chris does - that the mission is more nefarious than they were led to believe and they’ve been set-up by Rusty. Naturally, Chris wants revenge, especially after learning the real contents of the computer data.

Chris learns his car warranty is about to expire.

But really, the data is just a McGuffin. It could just as easily be a mysterious briefcase, a cache of diamonds, the Maltese Falcon or the Ark of the Covenant and the narrative would pretty much remain the same…the mission, the conflicts, the betrayal and the payback. We’ve seen this scenario in so many other mid-budget action films that we can anticipate every plot turn before it happens.

Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. After all, what makes an Egg McMuffin such dependable morning cuisine is that has the right amounts of classic comfort food efficiently assembled in a portable, easy to consume package. Similarly, The Contractor is a slick, skillfully-made composite that meets expectations without ever exceeding them. The same can be said of Chris Pine’s performance. Like such peers as Mark Wahlberg and Jason Statham, he’s a perfectly reliable action hero without having to work that hard at it.

Though devoid of surprises or originality, The Contractor is an agreeable time killer for undiscriminating action fans, a film meant to be consumed, enjoyed and forgotten shortly afterwards. In that respect, I suppose you could consider it the Egg McMuffin of action movies…with an Egg McGuffin to drive the narrative.

EXTRA KIBBLES

DIGITAL COPY

KINKY BOOTS: The Biggest Surprise is No Surprise

KINKY BOOTS (Blu-ray Review)

2006 / 106 min

FROM PARAMOUNT

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😽

A few aspects of Kinky Boots came as a bit of a surprise.

First, I was always under the impression it was a musical. That assumption probably stemmed from the fact it was later adapted for Broadway, which gained a lot more attention (at least here in the States) and won several Tony Awards. Upon learning the film was simply a British comedy, my oldest daughter, who adores all-things-Broadway, decided to opt out. 

Personally, I think she should have stuck with it. While nobody breaks into song & dance on the streets - or in this case, a factory floor - she missed out on Chiwetel Ejiofor belting out standards as “Lola,” a popular drag performer whose shows pack ‘em in at a nightclub in London. Bold, brash and wildly entertaining, these musical numbers are…well, fabulous. More importantly, Ejiofor totally nails the role without portraying her as a stereotype. 

I was also surprised to learn Kinky Boots was inspired by a true story, that of a British shoe factory that began making women’s style shoes for men. I’m certain that’s where the similarities end, since the remainder of the film adheres to tried-and-true story elements we’ve seen in countless other “against the odds” comedies. In this case, Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) suddenly inherits the family shoe factory after his father dies. Though they’ve been making the same reliable men’s loafers for decades, Charlie learns the company is struggling and he ends up being forced to lay off some workers to keep things running.

"Hey...that's my mug."

During a visit to London, Charlie gets knocked out while saving a woman from attackers. He wakes up in the dressing room of that woman, who turns out to be Lola (Simon, when not in drag). Though Lola loves performing, she’s always breaking her shoe heels and bitches that they can’t support a man’s weight. This gives Charlie an idea: If his company’s traditional shoes are no longer in demand, how about designing and creating a line of shoes for a niche market he never knew existed? 

That unusual idea notwithstanding, Kinky Boots tells a fairly straight-forward story, most of it more charming than truly funny. Affable performances by Edgerton and Ejiofor offset the assembly line of familiar plot elements…misunderstandings, mild conflicts, moments of introspection, learning to respect the differences in others, the protagonist risking it all against great odds, and of course, the big finale where everything is at stake (in this case, a make-or-break fashion show in Milan). 

The fact that it’s all so unsurprising may be the biggest surprise of all. Though constantly predictable, Kinky Boots puts a congenial spin on things, largely due to engaging characters, good performances and a considerable amount of reverence for the alternative culture it depicts. That-alone might make it worth checking out, even without its own showtunes.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - “The Real Kinky Boots Factory” (an interesting 15 minute look at the company that inspired the film); “The Journey of a Brogue”

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Julian Jarrold, actors Joel Edgerton & Chiwetel Ejiofor

DELETED SCENES

DIGITAL COPY

THE POOP SCOOP: Go Vikings!

😺THE NORTHMAN - On Digital June 6 & 4K, Blu-ray June 7 from Universal

After witnessing firsthand the murder of his father, a Viking prince (Alexander Skarsgård) devotes his life to avenge his father’s death, save his mother and reclaim his kingdom in THE NORTHMAN, available to own for the first time with exclusive bonus content on Digital June 6, 2022 and on 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Edition, Blu-rayTM Collector’s Edition and DVD June 7, 2022 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Visionary director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse) creates “an absolute beast of a movie” (Phil de Semlyen, Time Out) with his latest film, boasting an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Featuring epic action sequences and “packed with phenomenal performances” (Ross Bonaime, Collider) by Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, and Ethan Hawke now with exclusive never-before-seen bonus features including nine deleted and extended scenes and exclusive behind-the-scenes featurettes. The film is written and directed by Robert Eggers, and stars Alexander Skarsgård (Godzilla vs. Kong, The Legend of Tarzan), Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies, Moulin Rouge), Anya Taylor-Joy (Queen’s Gambit, Emma), Willem Dafoe (Justice League, Spider-Man), Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Before Midnight), Claes Bang and Björk (Dancer In The Dark).

😺RED DAWN 4K Blu-ray Coming 8/16 from Shout Factory

From legendary director and screenwriter John Milius (Apocalypse Now, Conan The Barbarian) comes the tale of what-could-have-been, had the Cold War gone another way. When Communist paratroopers descend on a Colorado high school football field, a group of the school's students wages an all-out guerilla war to save their town — and their country. Featuring an all-star cast, including Patrick Swayze (Road House), Charlie Sheen (Platoon), Lea Thompson (Back To The Future), C. Thomas Howell (The Outsiders), Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing), Powers Boothe (Tombstone) and Harry Dean Stanton (Alien), Red Dawn "comes up like thunder" (New York Post)! Includes 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs, as well as numerous bonus features.

 

🚑AMBULANCE on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD 6/14 from Universal

In this action thriller directed by Michael Bay, veteran Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Candyman), desperate for money, turns to his adoptive brother Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal, End of Watch) for help. A career criminal, Danny instead offers him a huge score. But when their heist goes awry, the desperate brothers hijack an ambulance with a wounded cop and paramedic (Eiza González, Fast and Furious Presents Hobbs & Shaw) onboard. Will and Danny must evade a city-wide law enforcement response, keep their hostages alive, and somehow try not to kill each other, all while executing the most insane escape LA has ever seen. Directed by Michael Bay, the action maestro behind high-octane blockbusters such as Transformers and Armageddon, comes an "over-the-top thrill ride" (Nick Schager, The Daily Beast) featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González. Ambulance is being touted as "Bay's best" (David Sims, The Atlantic) and is now packed with never-before-seen bonus content including six behind-the-scenes featurettes.