The Rocky Horror Picture Show
7.5/10
Decided to do a Rocky Horror/Little Shop double feature one night and while Rocky Horrors production values are pretty low budget B movie that's part of the charm. The film seems to be a perverse musical nod to the cult classic horror and B movies from the 30's to the 60's.
The cleverness of the musical numbers is where the film really shines. Tim Curry is a bizarrely hilarious spectacle to behold in this movie. I totally forgot Charles Gray was in this.
Little Shop of Horrors
7.5/10
On the technical level is where this film really impresses most but its still very funny and enjoyable. The "outdoor" street sets look like just that--sets--but for some reason it works. Maybe because the film was partly based on a stage musical (which was itself based on Cormans original 60's films). I just love the retro/60's look throughout the film. Like Rocky Horror its also a kind of nod to B movie horror of a bygone era. The opening crawl seems like something out of a 50's B movie.
The Audrey II puppet really does come to life thanks to a combination of great puppeteering work (from creation to control) and the voice work of Levi Stubbs. The guys voice work gave me a good laugh because it gave Audrey II so much character that wouldn't have been there with another voice actor.
The entire cast turns in great work. Rick Moranis is very believable in his role but its Steve Martin and Bill Murray that give the craziest performances.
I think LSoH is probably one of Frank Oz's most fun films.
Enemy Mine
7.5/10
LOVED this film as a kid and it still holds up. There's a great message of gaining mutual respect and learning to work together and peace through understanding. Its funny how much this movie reminds me of the later made episode of Star Trek TNG called "Darmok." They aren't exactly the same but there are a few similarities. I guess its an age old story thats been recycled the way The Most Dangerous Game has been.
I think Enemy Mine has some of Dennis Quaids best work from the 80's. He makes for a great genre hero. Davidge has a realistic arc but he provides some of the films best humor as he and Jerry first begin to learn about each other. Special credit has to go to Lou Gossett Jr as Jerry the Drac. He shows what a true actor can do with a role like this. He doesn't just play it as some guy in a suit. His voice and mannerisms sell Jerry as what he is: a being from another race. Both their characters run the gamut of emotions as tensions rise and fall during their fight just to survive the harsh conditions of the planet.
The film has a really interesting retro sci fi feel in places while at the same time having an unmistakable 80's feel. I've always enjoyed the kinds of locations Wolfgang Peterson can come up with (either on sets or locations) and how he shoots them. The alien planet Davidge and "Jerry" crash land on.
I think the film could have gained from being a little longer. Once we get to the last third of the film the evil miners/scavengers part of the story feels a little cliche and rushed but its still solid. I've always felt this movie has been overlooked and under-appreciated over the years but its a pretty cool sci fi adventure from its time. Its the moral of the film that makes it stand out.
