REAL GENIUS

Starring: Val Kilmer, Gabe Jarret, William Atherton, John Gries, Michelle Meyrink

Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) is a new student on the campus of Pacific Tech (the movie version of Caltech). Mitch is a super serious 15 year old science prodigy recruited by Professor Jerry Hathaway (William Atherton, the classic ‘80’s movie a-hole from Ghostbusters and Die Hard) to work on a revolutionary laser project. Mitch is assigned a dorm room with Chris Knight (the great Val Kilmer), a genius senior who is supposed to be working on the laser project but prefers to party and goof off. Chris sees much of his younger self in Mitch, as he also arrived, scared and all business, but after burning out, and seeing his friends crash due to pressure, Chris finally decided that there is more to life than just work (cliché alert!). Eventually, Chris teaches Mitch how to balance his stressful studies with the requisite '80s movie college-fun scenes.

 

The film also features an interesting motley crew: Jordan (Michelle Meyrink), a super hyper, very cute, extremely quirky student that becomes Mitch's love interest; Lazlo Hollyfeld (the excellent John Gries, Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite!), who appears and disappears via Chris' closet, and teaches the students a real lesson about patience and perseverance; and Kent, Professor Hathaway’s butt-kissing assistant, who plots against Mitch and Chris at every turn. Unbeknownst to the students, they are tricked into developing the ultimate assassination machine for Professor Hathaway, and when they discover the monstrosity that they have created, the revenge they exact is clever, and unique, and makes a great mid-80’s statement about the Cold War and our obsession with the Military-Industrial Complex. Top-notch direction from Martha Coolidge and a script full of memorable one-liners adds to the film’s brilliance.

The film's soundtrack was a great mix of cool songs by really good, but lesser known bands ("The Pleasure Seekers" by The System and “The Walls Come Down” by The Call), and big '80s' hits ("Summertime Girls" by Y&T, “One Night Love Affair" by Bryan Adams, "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" by Don Henley, and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears).

Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." - John 4:10

CAN'T BUY ME LOVE

Ronald "The Lawn Boy" Miller (Patrick Dempsey) is the typical '80s movie high school nerd. He mows lawns all summer long in his Tucson neighborhood to save up the 1000 bucks to get a telescope, and while looking through it before buying it at the mall, he spies Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson), "the hottest girl in school" (of course!). Cindy is freaking out after spilling wine on her mom's best outfit and finding out it will cost $1000 to get it clean (again, of course!). The original title of the script was Boy Rents Girl, and that's basically what Ronald proposes: Cindy is to be his entry into the "cool crowd" by pretending to be his girlfriend for a month., in hopes that it will make him popular.

 As the plot must move forward, Cindy reluctantly agrees (partly because she is in a long-distance relationship with Bobby, the star football player who's struggling at college), and after undergoing the requisite 1980's throw-your-credit-cards-down, clothes-and-haircut makeover, overseen by Cindy, Ronald slowly starts neglecting his loyal geek squad, and morphs into one of the shallow, self-absorbed popular students. Because they must be seen together, Ronald and Cindy start sharing the same space and actually start getting to know and appreciate each other for their respective traits. While Ronald is squarely focused on becoming popular, Cindy starts to develop feelings for him, but her hopes are dashed as the month ends and she and Ronald have a dramatic "break up" in front of the whole school. Cindy in genuinely hurt, and Ronald is genuinely an ass.

Ronald further alienates his real friends by hanging out with the jocks (who are always portrayed are jerks) and dating the hot chicks (who are always portrayed as sluts), and then, the ultimate insult: in one of the most emotionally overwrought scenes in the film, Ronald inadvertently goes in with the jocks, on the flaming dog crap prank on his best friend on Halloween. Later at a New Year's Eve party, Bobby pays his old high school buddies a surprise visit and discovers Cindy's "infidelity" with Ronald. Bobby's anger causes him to break up with  Cindy, which in turn, hurts and angers Cindy enough for her to divulge the secret agreement she made with Ronald to all the party guests. As his classmates learn just how truly pathetic Ronald is, he is ostracized by not only the Cool Crowd, but the Nerd Herd as well.

Ronald's moment of redemption comes when he defends a nerd from a jock and shames the student body by pointing out they were once all friends, before the scourge of popularity splintered them into cliques. Upon seeing this heartfelt display, Cindy catches a glimmer of the Ronald that she was falling for, all those months ago and the end of the film finds she and Ronald literally riding into the sunset (on his lawn mower), as a certain Beatles' tune plays to fade out.   

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. - Isaiah 40:11

THE LAST STARFIGHTER

Starring: Lance Guest, Dan O'Herlihy, Catherine Mary Stewart, Norman Snow, Robert Preston, Norman Snow

Alex Rogan (Lance Guest), is a teenager enjoying all the fun and glamour of life in a trailer park with his mother and little brother. Alex is the Dwayne Schneider of the trailer park, and instead of spending his free time with his cute girlfriend, Maggie (Catherine Mary Stewart), he spends tons of quarters and hours on Starfighter, an arcade game.

Players of Starfighter, must defend "the Frontier" from "Xur and the Ko-Dan Armada" in a space battle. Soon after Alex becomes the highest scorer ever, he is approached by the game's inventor, Centauri (Robert Preston) who invites him to take a ride. Just as Alex does so, the car turns into a spacecraft, and the alien Centauri spirits him away to far away planet of Rylos. Back on Earth, Centauri has left an Alex replicant (Beta the android) in his place so Alex's family won't notice his absence.

When they reach Rylos, Alex is told and realizes that Rylos is losing a war (against the Ko-Dan Armada) and the plot, territories, images, and all other aspects of the Starfighter game are real and that the game was designed as a test to find those "with the gift." Alex proved himself time and again while playing the game is expected to pilot an actual Starfighter warship, the Gunstar.  Aghast, Alex resists initially, but is reminded that once then Ko-Dan Armada finishes conquering Rylos, it will surely move on to taking over other planets, with earth (of course) being one of them.

A great little film, which was groundbreaking in its use of CGI special effects; it has a nice score, good plot, and a possible SEQUEL!

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. - Psalms 119:1

THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN

Starring: Helen Slater, Christian Slater, Yeardley Smith, Peter Coyote, Martha Gehman, and Barry Tubb.

Billie Jean Davy (Helen Slater) and her younger brother, Binx (Christian Slater) are teenagers in Corpus Christi, Texas.  High school bullies steal Binx’s scooter, forcing Billie Jean, Binx, and their friends Putter (Yeardley Smith) and Ophelia (Martha Gehman) to report it to the police.  After they talk to Detective Ringwald (Peter Coyote) about it, and are not taken seriously, Binx takes matters into his own hands, and ends up getting severely beaten, and getting his scooter trashed.

As Hubie Pyatt is the bully that damaged the scooter, Billie Jean, Binx, and Ophelia go to his father's shop to get the money to get the scooter fixed. However, Mr. Pyatt tries to sexually assault Billie Jean and Binx accidentally shoots him in the shoulder. The teens take off into the night. Shortly after, Detect. Ringwald is beginning to realize that his lack of action set into pay a chain of events that is spiraling into chaos.

Just like Timmy the paperboy in Better Off Dead who just wanted his two dollars, Billie Jean just wanted the six hundred bucks to fix her brother’s scooter…and an apology from that dirt-bag Pyatt. But she becomes a symbol of the teen angst of the 80’s: not being taken seriously by adults, having to do for yourself when there is no one to help you do it (whatever “it” is/was), and living in an anti-John Hughes trailer park world.

Great film. Killer cast. Excellent soundtrack. The Legend of Billie Jean.


The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. - John 1:4

FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH
Release Year: 1982

A funny, heartfelt, observant, wise-before-its-time script by Cameron Crowe and crisp, thoughtful direction by Amy Hecklering make Fast Times at Ridgemont High the best teen film of the eighties. Period.

Cameron Crowe was 22, but still looked like a teenager when came up with the idea to pose undercover as a high school student and write about his experiences. He had been writing for Rolling Stone magazine as a freelancer for a few years, but now wanted to tackle a book. After Simon & Schuster bit at the idea and awarded him a contract, Crowe moved back in with his parents and enrolled at Clairemont High School in San Diego as Dave Cameron.

The novel Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story came out in 1981, but was optioned for a film even before publication. Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the film, was released in 1982, featured no big-name stars, and lacked the backing of its studio. Nevertheless, it became a hit in late summer just due to word of mouth of teenagers that snuck into theatres to see it.

 Fast Times at Ridgemont High launched the careers of some of the previously unknown actors, including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, and Anthony Edwards. Additionally, its cast boosted three future Oscar-winners: Nicolas Cage (using his birth name, Nicolas Coppola), Forest Whitaker, and Sean Penn (a two-time winner). Crowe himself would go on to be nominated for writing Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous and winner for the latter.

Fast Times is really the story of two freshmen, Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) and their struggles to get together, as several obstacles (namely, their friends) get in the way. Stacey’s older friend Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates) is sexually experienced and dates college guys, and Rat’s older friend, Damone (Robert Romanus), is a know-it-all wise guy ticket scalper who nearly ruins several lives and their friendship. The film’s subplots involve Stacey’s brother, Brad, “the fast food king,” Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn), the almost always blazin’ surfer, and of course, Mr. Hand (Ray Walston), the history teacher whose time will NOT be wasted. Plus, "Somebody's baby" by Jackson Browne

A little more than a decade later, Amy Hecklering would direct (and write) another teen classic, 1995’s Clueless.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. - Psalm 37:23

JUST ONE OF THE GUYS

Release Year: 1985

Starring: Joyce Hyser, Clayton Rohner, Billy Jacoby, Toni Hudson, Leigh McCloskey, and William Zabka (The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid II, National Lampoon's European Vacation, Back to School)

"Terri Griffith is about to go where no woman has gone before."

Terry Griffith (Joyce Hyser) is a High School senior and aspiring journalist living in the Arizona suburbs, ticked off because her teachers dismiss her articles because of her good looks. After failing to get her dream job as a newspaper intern, she blames sexism and schemes to go undercover as a boy at the rival high school to prove her point.

Terry's only confidants are her sex-obsessed loudmouth little brother, Buddy (Billy Jacoby) and her best friend Denise (Toni Hudson), check in on her throughout the experiment. At the new school, Terry she meets Rick (Clayton Rohner), a nerd with a heart of gold (cliché alert!) who becomes her pet project. After getting to know Rick, giving him an "eighties-cool-guy" makeover, encouraging him to talk to girls (even scoring a date with the most popular girl in school), Terry starts to fall for him (wouldn't ya know it!).

Director Lisa Gottlieb's film is one of the 80's best teen comedies. The jokes are a cut above and the script is filled with a huge range of pop-culture references: Kurt Vonnegut, J.D. Salinger, Tootsie, Elvis Costello, James Brown, Yentl, Chris Evert-Lloyd, bodybuilding, Cyndi Lauper, Wimbledon, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and so much more. It also has good early performances from Sherilyn Fenn and Arye Gross, and the villain is 80’s teen bad guy extraordinaire, the great William Zabka (“Cobra Kai!”). The soundtrack is filled with a diverse group of artists: Lindsey Buckingham, Midnight Star, Berling, Shalamar, Dwight Tilley, and Paul Shaffer's band, Private Domain.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! - Isaiah 26:3

LABYRINTH

Release Year: 1986

Starring: Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, Frank Oz, Warwick Davis

15-year-old girl Sarah Williams is shocked to learn that her little brother, Toby, is missing after her anger makes her “wish the goblins would come and take you away. Right now."  Her shock only deepens when an owl flies through the open window and transforms into Jareth, King of Goblins. Jareth tells her that he taken Toby, as she requested, but if she can traverse successfully through his great maze, the Labyrinth, within thirteen hours, she can have Toby back. If not, Toby will be turned into a goblin and Jareth will keep him forever.

The audience is then treated to such Jim Henson/George Lucas inspired wonders as Hoggle, the grumpy dwarf guide, Sir Didymus, a chivalrous, fox-like knight, Ludo, the gentle beast, The Fire Gang, the Bog of Eternal Stench, and Jareth's killer multi-dimensional castle, which looks like something created by M.C. Escher or the production designer from Inception.

A fun, imaginative film with a great, atmospheric score by Trevor Jones and some excellent voice work by Bowie on the songs “Dance Magic” and “As the World Falls Down.”

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  -  1 Corinthians 13:7

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN HUGHES!!!!!

Not really much to say about John Hughes that the world doesn't already know: he grew up in Northbrook, Illinois (for his films, he created a fictionalized version of Northbrook called Shermer, Illinois and Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, and National Lampoon's Vacation are all set there).

He dropped out of Arizona State University to be a fulltime comedy writer after selling jokes to Joan Rivers and Rodney Dangerfield. His article for National Lampoon Magazine was then turned into Nation Lampoon's Vacation and the Kevin Bacon/Elizabeth McGovern film, She's Having a Baby is very close to his real life with his wife, Nancy. Before hitting it real big with teen-oriented films, Hughes wrote Mr. Mom (a big hit), Nation Lampoon's Vacation (a bigger hit), and the pirate move, Nates and Hayes (a huge flop). And then came Molly Ringwald…and the rest was History 101, I mean, just history. When I say “Eighties teen movies,” people usually say “John Hughes!”

·         Sixteen Candles (1984) (he also directed)

·         The Breakfast Club (1985) (he also directed)

·         Weird Science (1985) (he also directed)

·         Pretty in Pink (1986)

·         Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) (he also directed)

·         Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

After great success in the 80’s, Hughes wrote Home Alone in 1990, and struck gold again. He later wrote films (Beethoven, Maid in Manhattan, and Drillbit Taylor) under the pseudonym Edmund Dantes, the name of the hero of Alexandre Dumas's novel The Count of Monte Cristo.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Mr. Hughes! Thank you for all the memories, and R.I.P.!

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. - 1 John 4:12

TEEN WOLF

Release Year: 1985

Starring: Michael J. Fox, James Hampton, Susan Ursitti, Jerry Levine, Lorie Griffin

TEEN WOLF TOO

Release Year: 1987

Starring: Jason Bateman, Estee Chandler, Kim Darby, James Hampton, Paul Sand, John Astin

Scott Howard (Michael J. Fox), a 17-year old high school basketball player, is sick of being an ordinary student stuck on a crappy team (the Beavers) His dream-girl, Pamela (Lorie Griffin), is dating Mick, a jackass from a rival high school team (of course), the Dragons.

Scott begins to notice weird changes to his body, until ultimately, he transforms into a werewolf. Scott's dad, Harold, knows what is occurring and presents himself to Scott as a werewolf as well, stating that he never told Scott about the Howard family curse condition because "sometimes it skips a generation." Scott is publicly outed at a basketball game after getting piled on. Naturally, the crowd is initially freaked, but he wins them over by finishing the game with a quadruple double.

Scott then learns how to transform at will, and starts using his alter-ego, "The Wolf" to become popular and wins the heart of Pamela while ignoring the affections of his best friend, Boof (Susan Ursitti), who has loved him since childhood (teen flick subplot #211).Scott's other best friend, a sleazy entrepreneur-type, Stiles (Jerry Levine), cashes in on Scott's new popularity, selling Teen Wolf T-shirts and other merchandise.

By the end of the film, Scott is put into positions where his "friends'" loyalties are tested and he comes to find out who he can really trust. ABC Afterschool Special stuff aside, TEEN WOLF is a silly, goofy, fun time-waster that doesn't take itself too seriously (or at all). Some clever jokes, a good cast and brisk direction complete the mix. Plus, Scott dumps Pamela and hooks up with Boof at the end.

When TEEN WOLF opened in August of 1985, it was the #2 film. The #1 film that week? BACK TO THE FUTURE!

The sequel, TEEN WOLF TOO, was released in 1987, starred Jason Bateman as Todd Howard, Scott's cousin, and was a flop, but not a bad film, relatively speaking. Plotwise, it is pretty much the same as the first, except instead of basketball, Todd is on the boxing team. Plus, there is more emphasis on the love story between Todd and Nikki (cutie Estee Chandler).

The was a another sequel planned with Alyssa Milano planned, but that never materialized.  However, MTV is now filming a new Teen Wolf T.V. show to air this summer.  MTV syas that it will not be a comedy show, but a reimagining "with a greater emphasis on romance, horror and werewolf mythology". Here's waht the new TEEN WOLF looks like:

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. - Romans 15:1

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

SECRET ADMIRER

Release Year: 1985

Starring: C. Thomas Howell, Lori Loughlin, Kelly Preston, Dee Wallace, Casey Siemaszko, Fred Ward and Corey Haim

On the last day of school before Summer, Michael Ryan (C. Thomas Howell) receives a love letter in his locker from a secret admirer. His best friend, Roger (Casey Siemaszko), convinces him that the letter is from class beauty Deborah Ann Fimple (Kelly Preston).

Michael writes Deborah Ann an anonymous love letter in return, and asks his female best friend, Toni (Lori Loughlin) to give it to her. Toni rewrites the letter, which is found by different people, most notably some idiot ‘80s movies parents and all manner of hilarious misunderstandings and sitcom hi-jinks and wackiness ensues.

This is the type of film where the protagonist’s gorgeous, long-suffering best friend (Toni) is in love with him, but he is totally oblivious until the romcom race to the airport, um, I mean race to the docks (Toni is leaving for a study abroad program).

An excellent supporting cast, great jokes, unique situations, and a young Corey Haim set this teen romantic comedy apart from the pack.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. - Psalms 34:15

BREAKIN’

Release Year: 1984

BREAKIN’ 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

Release Year: 1985

Starring: Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quiñones, Michael Chambers, Ice-T, Christopher McDonald (from Grease 2, Thelma And Louise, and Happy Gilmore)

Two films produced by The Cannon Group, known for their low budget b-movies that were made to cash in on the latest pop culture craze (Ninjas, Cyborgs, Barbarians, and in this case, break dancing).  Although initially greeted with jeers when first released, because of Cannon Films’ reputation of putting out cinematic trash, Breakin’1 and 2 grossed almost $75 million against tiny budgets and have become cult classics (the first more so than the second, but still…) because of their energy and vitality.

The plot of the first film (such as it is) involves Kelly, a struggling young dancer (the radiant Lucinda Dickey) who meets up with two breakers, Ozone (Adolfo Quiñones) and Turbo (Michael Chambers – my sister Mylee and I went to school with him) and her attempts to enter the burgeoning hip hop subculture.

As Kelly (now christened, “Special K”) immerses herself in Ozone’s and Turbo’s lives, she discovers that they have a bitter ongoing rivalry with another dance crew, Electro Rock, and when her talents help her new friends defeat their poppin’ and lockin’ adversaries, she becomes their hero and a big hit on the streets and clubs of Los Angeles.

The first film boasts groundbreaking choreography, a killer, platinum-selling soundtrack, the first performance by Ice-T, and cameos by then unknown stars Lela Rochon and Jean-Claude Van Damme.

BREAKIN’ 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO, released less than a year later, involves our three protagonists from the first film helping some kids keep their neighborhood community center open and blah, blah, blah…

The plot is still threadbare thin, the dialogue is still flat, and the budget is still low (even lower than the first?) but the soundtrack and dancing are still on fire.

 

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength. -Proverbs 17:22

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN

Release Year: 1985

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, Shannen Doherty, Lee Montgomery, Jonathan Silverman

Before So You Think You Can Dance, America's Best Dance Crew, and Live to Dance, there was Dance TV, the show that born dancer and Army Brat Janey Glenn (Sarah Jessica Parker) will do anything to appear on.  When she meets fellow Catholic school girl kooky Lynne Stone (Helen Hunt), nothing will stop them from going to downtown Chicago to audition for the show (even Janey’s father’s strict rules).

Complications ensue (of course): Janey makes the cut, Lynne does not, and Janey meets natural dancer Jeff, who butts heads with Janey initially over dancing styles, but the two naturally fall for each other in the end.

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN is basically a mash-up of Footloose, Flashdance, and a precursor to Hairspray.  And that’s NOT a bad thing.  It is a charming film with earnest performances from its leads, and good supporting work from Helen Hunt and T.V. actor Jonathan Silverman (what the heck ever happened to him?), and even Shannen Doherty, who steals some of the scenes that she’s in. There are the requisite “competition movie” clichés, such as the evil, rich bit@# who tries to use daddy’s money to win, the stern, uncompromising father who changes in the end (Janey’s dad, played by the great Ed Lauter) and the enlightened, supportive father (Jeff’s dad, played by Tim Burton regular, the fantastic Biff Yeager).

Famous KROQ DJ Richard Blade has extended cameo in the film, and its soundtrack contains the New Wave dance classic Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop) by One-Hit Wonders,Q-Feel and a decent version of Martha and the Vandellas’ Dancing in the Street by Animotion (Obsession).


Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. - Proverbs 4:23

BAD BOYS

Release Year: 1983

Starring:  Sean Penn, Esai Morales, Ally Sheedy, Reni Santoni, Clancy Brown, Alan Ruck

Seering performances by Sean Penn, Esai Morales, Ally Sheedy, and the always fantastic Reni Santoni punctuate this violent, realistic, and thoroughly engrossing drama about the lengths that two hardened, yet heartbroken young men go to for justice (or is it just plain old revenge?). As with most "prison-type" films, Bad Boys does contain its share of scenes involving physical and emotional abuse; but never is the film exploitative or leering. These scenes are even more impactful because they involve children and influence the formation of what really is a future adult.

 

When Sean Penn's character, 16-year-old Mick O'Brien attempts to rob a rival hood, Paco Moreno (Esai Morales) and instead accidentally kills an Paco's kid brother, all hell breaks loose (cliché alert!). Mick is sent to Rainford Juvenile Correctional Facility, which does not seem to rehabilitate the juveniles, but just makes them angrier and more prepared for a life of crime as adults. Outside of Rainford, Paco sexually assaults Mick's girlfriend J.C. (Ally Sheedy) to get revenge for his brother's death (and also to get sent to Rainford to confront Mick).

The showdown between Mick and Paco is emotionally-charged and the climax of the film is relatively uplifting and surprisingly satisfying; the scene in which Sean Penn fills a sock with cans of Coke to use a weapon is clever, disturbing, and obviously quite memorable. One key to the film's success, aside from the immense talent and commitment of its actors, and the measured, even-handed direction, is the way the script always ensures that ever violent blow, every seemingly over-the-top response, and every act of self preservation has honest motivations. Bad Boys is one of the best dramas of the eighties.

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. - Romans 12:18

THE WRAITH

Released: 1986

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Sherilyn Fenn, Nick Cassavettes, Randy Quaid, Clint Howard, Griffin Dunne

Charlie Sheen is Jake, the new kid in school (cliché alert!). He arrives around the same time a phantom racer in a Dodge M4S sports coupe is burning up the nearby highways. This phantom, known only as "The Wraith" systematically destroys members of Packard Walsh's gang in lethal road race after another.

Who, or what is The Wraith, and what does he/she/it want? Is it a coincidence that Jake seems to bear strange similarities to Jamie, an innocent killed by Walsh's gang? Is it a coincidence that Jake falls for Keri (a striking Sherilyn Fenn), the girl Jamie was dating when he was killed?

Great cars, a great soundtrack (Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, Billy Idol, Robert Palmer), and a creative, above average script for a sci-fi/action b-movie. The film borrows heavily from other films, such as High Plains Drifter, Shane, and The Road Warrior and was influenced by true events, in which a teen involved with illegal street racing caused four deaths here in Arizona.

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. - Psalm 147:3

The NeverEnding Stroy

Release Year: 1984

Starring: Barret Oliver,  Noah Hathaway, Tammy Stronach, Moses Gunn, and Gerlad McRaney

Wolfgang Peterson's film version of  Michael Ende's 1979 fantasy novel was the most expensive German production ever at the time of its release.

11 year old Bastian (Barret Oliver), a quiet bookworm "borrows" an "unsafe" book from grumpy bookseller, Mr. Koreander and hides in his school's attic to read. As Bastian reads The Neverending Story, he learns that the fantasy world of Fantasia is being threatened by an all-consuming entity, known as "The Nothing,"

 

Fantasia's world of the Empresses, Oracles, heroes (Atreyu, Falcor the luckdragon),  villains (Gmork the wolf), the Rock-biter, and countless other creatures is far more interesting a place than Bastian's existence, where his bullied, pushed around, and told to get his head out of the clouds. In the end, Bastian's imagination is the very thing needed for a happy ending.

Director Wolfgang Peterson (the director of 1981's incredible submarine film Das Boot) would eventually come to the U.S. and make many other films; some great (In the Line of Fire, Air Force One), some good (Troy, Outbreak, Enemy Mine, The Perfect Storm), and a really bad one (Poseiden). Limahl, lead singer of the defunct Kajagoogoo ("Too Shy"), would have a major pop hit with the film's self-titled theme song.

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! - Isaiah 12:3

CHINA GIRL

Release Year: 1987

Starring: Richard Panebianco, Sari ChangDavid Caruso, Russell Wong, James Russo, James Hong

“He’s Italian. She’s Chinese. Their gangs are sworn enemies. They are secret lovers…caught in the crossfire.”

That sums it up pretty well. Controversial director Abel Ferrara takes on Shakespeare, but transports the teen lovers to Manhattan’s Little Italy and Chinatown, and then borrows a David Bowie tune title.  Ironically, the film turns out to be much closer to West Side Story as the teen protagonists’ families and friends battle for dominance on the streets of New York, with an overtly heart-wrenching and violent ending.

An excellent cast of up-and-comers, such as David (I’m Too Good For N.Y.PD Blue) Caruso, Russell Wong and James Russo. Strangely, the two leads, Richard Panebianco and his Juliet (or Maria), Sari Chang, really did not do much else in Hollywood after this film. Abel Ferrara went on the make even better, more outrageous films in the nineties, such as King of New York, Bad Lieutenant, and The Funeral.  

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. Ephesians 3:18