Monday, September 17, 2012

Butt seriously...

You never know what you'll find when searching eBay.

Being the avid Jean-Claude Van Damme fan that I am, I was searching TIMECOP movie memorabilia (yeah, da's right!) when I came across something that truly boggled my mind... a one of a kind painting/mock poster for the Van Damme-less sequel, TIMECOP 2: THE BERLIN DECISION. While I haven't seen the film, I do know that it stars Jason Scott Lee and Thomas Ian Griffith, but not Mick Jagger in a dual role as this particular artwork suggests.


The artist is South African and such works were, most likely, done to promote films at a local video store which might not have had access to the typical publicity materials. Either that or he's a huge fan of re-rendering published artwork as a pastime. Such posters weren't uncommon in decades past, but TIMECOP 2 is a 2003 film and this is the first I've seen of such works within the 21st century.

As I had suspected, there's a slew of mock posters listed among the seller's other items. Again, these are all a bit mind-boggling to me, but so extraordinarily bad (and dare I say kitschy?!), that I had to collect photos of some of the worst of the worst to share here. Happy viewing!


Not a horrible copy, yet the damsel in distress has a bad case of wonky vision.



Upon closer inspection, I don't recall Maria Conchito Alonso being in this. Hmmm...



More like CRAYONS VS. FINGERPAINTS



a.k.a. AGAINST THE PORK



Judging from the "babe" to the right, there's more than one snake threat in this film.



Co-starring Demond Wilson as Carl Weathers and Terry "Hulk" Hogan as "Big Dummy."



Never heard of this one, but I'm oddly intrigued... just not arranging-a-vacation-to-South-Africa-to-rent-this intrigued.



All this time, I thought Michelle Rodriguez co-starred in this BRUTAL FILM!



How do we trick customers into renting BLOODRAYNE 2 instead of the original BLOODRAYNE? (Pssstttt... We won't paint a "2" on the poster!)



"Hi, Valley Home Video? Yes, I was in your store earlier today and meant to pick up that Sinbad movie starring Patrick Wayne, but when I got home and opened the rental case, the tape for THE CALIF OF BAGDAD was in it's place. Apparently, it co-stars a woman who has endured several upon several brick hits to the face ...and I had my heart set on Jane Seymour. I want my 1.50 in shillings credited to my account, please."



Steve Austin or Chunk Voorhees? You decide!



"I need to commission another poster from you. Turns out that neither Johnny Depp nor Omar Epps star in BLOOD DIAMOND."



I've never heard of this one and that's the end of discussion ...2.



Fuck it. I think I'll rent LA BAMBA again.



Obviously not the Clive Barker film and it looks to be a real hack job. Gerf!



When you're IN HELL, advertising that you are "in" IN HELL is nothing short of redundant.



For the uninitiated, this represents the short-lived MORTAL KOMBAT: CONQUEST television series. I was a fan. Better than the movies, in my opinion. Anyway... well, I've got nothing. I just like MKC.



OUTSIDE THE LAW and outside the realm of possibility that we're supposed to believe that's Cynthia Rothrock.



First of all, they've confused their David Carradine with their Martin Sheen. Secondly, this one isn't that bad and a much more realistic build to Carradine's character than the U.S. one sheet boasted. A Cannon Group fave!



I've had little to no interest in seeing QUICKSILVER HIGHWAY and this certainly isn't helping.



Anthony LaPage?! Anne Parilla?! Who the fuck is Joe Gennaro?! While I love John Landis' film, I don't think I'm ready for this alternate version which apparently stars Danny Thomas and Taimak.



You ARE trying to entice viewers, right?



POTTY BREAK!



RONNY COX?!



Clearly this isn't THE ROAD WARRIOR, but I'd suspect that it's THUNDER WARRIOR instead, since that definitely looks like Mark Gregory, but that doesn't look like Bo Svenson. Ah, hell... I give up!



Alright, aside from the non-intimidating small henchman in the bottom right corner, this doesn't look too bad.



Fact: I'm a Daniel Bernhardt fan. Another fact: TRUE VENGEANCE is my favorite of his films. Another 'nother fact: Paul Le Mat does not appear in this film. One more another fact: Unless this is a composite version which incorporates scenes from Bernhardt's BLOODSPORT II: THE NEXT KUMITE, there should be no Kumite-leaping action on this poster.



I have no clue what film they're representing with this one, but ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE lawyers should take note!



Just when you thought this post was over, you've taken a second WRONG TURN and are now you're riding an inbred, big wheel nightmare in a cul-de-sac just south of nowhere. Be scared!

Monday, June 25, 2012

A Truly Odd Coupling


Yes, it seems a bit strange, but considering these were two of Paramount's biggest money makers in 1968, this double bill does seem quite fitting.

Damn, I wish I was around during that time to catch this!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The Movie Tie-In Project Strikes Again!



First off...
Nathan Fillion appeared on the cover of last weekend's issue of Parade Magazine (June 10, 2012), holding up a copy of the Bantam movie tie-in for Peter Benchley's JAWS (complete with the "Now a spectacular motion picture from Universal" stamp on the cover). In the article he discusses his love for books in their true form and digitized counterparts, but the important thing is that he is touting JAWS.

Anyhow, that article/cover coincides nicely with the latest contribution to my on-going Movie Tie-In Project, the seventh slideshow installment.

Lotsa Paul Newman fare in this edition, along with Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Michael Douglas, Jack Nicholson, Roy Scheider, Arnold Schwarzenegger, William Goldman, Aliens, the BACK TO THE FUTURE trilogy, Batman, Billy Jack, Predator, WALKING TALL, Vic & Ramona and Shaft... John Shaft.

And, now, on with the show!



I've also set up one of them fancy YouTube playlists featuring all seven installments in sequential order (with future editions added upon completion)...
THE MOVIE TIE-IN SAGA

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

I haven't been on here in... AGES!


And, this is my first post in a long time. Well, I'm back.

First of all, I'm not really interested in seeing ROCK OF AGES, but being a stickler for detail and a life-long KISS fan, I can't not make mention of the tremendous faux pas which is in plain view on the theatrical poster. My guess is that Alec Baldwin's character is not a time traveler and if this is a period film which takes place in 1987, then why is he sporting a KISS tee from their Alive Worldwide/Reunion tour of 1996?!

Lazy, folks.

To add insult to injury, Russell Brand is in the film!

That is all.
Time for some gripe water...

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Videophile Nostalgia: Magnavision Laserdisc


Quite the rarity, here is the 1981 demonstration program for Magnavox's Magnavision Laserdisc player (VH-8000) hosted by Leonard Nimoy...

PART I


PART II


PART III


Special thanks to YT user TheAisleSeatCom for uploading this gem!

Added Bonus (courtesy of pop culture archivist RobAtSea2009)...

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Behind Them Scenes: FIRST BLOOD


FIRST BLOOD
Orion Pictures Corporation & Anabasis N.V., 1982
Directed by Ted Kotcheff
Starring Sylvester Stallone

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

OU8ta2?!


DISCLAIMER:
I realize this entry is far from the beaten path of this blog's intended purpose. But, it's my damn dirty blog and I'll cry if I wanna, see?!

Not entirely certain what the purpose of this latest offering from Wolfgang Van Halen & Co. truly is, but (strictly for grins and possible guffaws) I thought I'd give the lyrics a go (my best interpretation, at least). So, in true 'read along adventure' book & record &/or tape style fashion, dig these crazy lyrics while the music video plays.
Let's begin now!



TATTOO! TATTOO!

I got Elvis on my elbow.
What I fix, Elvis jogged.
I've got hoot owls on the back of my legs.
Cream cheese who-ores when I walk.
Sleeping cherry red...
Screaming 'lectric green...
Mo-mo mountain's majesty will talk to me...
Talk to me, babe!

(CHORUS)
Swap meet salad...
Tramp's damp cat...
Mousewife to momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo...
Tattoo. Tattoo.
TATTOO! TATTOO!

Show me your dragon magic...
So, I don't buy your crappy!
Best believe that needle will hurt you.
Best decieve these true colors that follow one of your false virtues.
There's a secret to make you think.
Why is this crazy stuff we never sell poultry in ink?
Spooky Lego bread...
Explode opaque...
Mo-mo mountain's majesty, show me you, I'll show you me.

(MORE CHORUS)
Swap meet salad...
Tramp's damp cat...
Mousewife to momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo...
Tattoo. Tattoo.
WHOOO!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
Saggy dragon matches!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
So very auto-bio-graphic!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
Got a hold on may!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
People put a spell on may!
Hey-ey! Hey-ey! Hey-heah!
Brown dove! Do-ove!
???????? Ahhhh-ahhhh! Yeah-ah-ah!

(Guitar Solo)

Ol' Bo Derek had a cold tattoo...
Fe-fi-fo, the unions...
Some of us still doo.
On my shoulder is a number of the cabin he was in...
And, that number is forever like the struggle here to win.
Everybody! 

(AGAIN WITH THE CHORUS)
Swap meet salad...
Tramp's damp cat...
Mousewife to momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo...
Tattoo. Tattoo.
Tattoo. Tattoo.
TATTOO! TATTOO!
Sexy dragon magic!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
Whoo!
So very auto-bio-graphic(al)!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
Got a hold on may!
TATTOO! TATTOO! *
Put a spell on may!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
I'll be in love with you!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
Show me me, show me you!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
Look at me and look at Yor!
TATTOO! TATTOO!
WHOOOOOOOOO!

The End.

* While "tattoo" is mentioned several times, this particular verse sounds like "Type Two! Type Two!" ...or, that's just me.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Movie Tie-In A Go-Go!


Okay, it's about time I launched another batch of movie tie-ins from my collection. This installment features a few alternate editions of tie-ins which have been represented previously...




And now, on with the show...



I'm pretty proud of myself for tracking down the tie-in for WINDOWS, since it's a movie that MGM/UA has all but buried. 32 years since it's extremely brief release in theaters (January 18th to be precise) and it has yet to garner any official U.S. home video release.
(Attention: MGM Limited Edition Collection!)


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Thumb Trippin'


I found this on YouTube recently and shared it on Facebook.
But, it dawned on me...
"Why wouldn't I post this on my damn movie blog?!"
So, here it is (some vicious laughs to be had here, folks)...
Gene Siskel & Roger Ebert in TRUE PALS!



Why Siskel & Ebert never got an endorsement deal with McDonald's is beyond me.

(Miss you, Gene!)

Monday, January 09, 2012

JAWS - The Storybook

In early 1983, I was in Kindergarten and, as a school project, we made our own books. Rather than come up with something original, I thought it best to tackle something that hadn't been done before, a storybook for JAWS. Hell, if STAR WARS and THE MUPPET MOVIE could have storybooks, why not JAWS? (Not counting the children's books that were inspired by JAWS 2, which weren't true story books.)

So, my 6-year-old mind came up with some crazy hodge-podge adaptation of both JAWS and JAWS 2 (JAWS 3-D hadn't yet been released). I now present you with this fine(?) publication (limited to one copy) of my attempt at a big fish story. (Brace yourself. Logic, narrative and fine illustrations clearly weren't a priority.)


People, get ready!


So far, so good.


Blame it on the ocean spray.


I have no idea what that monstrosity is.
Certainly not albatross.


Here's my clever way of introducing a scene from JAWS 2,
while jumping immediately to the conclusion of said film.
Damn those electric sticks!


Fairly certain this wasn't the end, rather the first act
of the original film, but close enough.


Not much has changed here...


...or, here, really.

Now, if only I could find that James Bond book I made...
SURVIVE IF YOU CAN!

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Lovelozenge

Oh, Hollywood!
You never fail to amuse me with the beautifying ways of your miscastings...

For example, Amanda Seyfried as Linda Lovelace...


And, Adam Brody as Harry Reems...



(Seriously.)

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Love Possessed


This evening got me thinking about a movie which I love, Andrzej Zulawski's POSSESSION. The reason I love this film as much as I do is not only because it's a great, obscure piece of cinema, but mostly because it was branded upon my psyche at an early age. I don't exactly remember the circumstances leading to my discovery of this film, but I do recall seeing a television spot circa '82 (possibly on Showtime) for the American (butchered) release. A brief shot of Isabelle Adjani astride her other, other lover (if you've seen the film, you'll know exactly what I'm referring to) had to be the most alarming visual I could have witnessed at the tender age of five, but there it was. It took me years to figure out the title of the film, let alone who starred in it, but when I finally did (via a big boxed Canadian VHS and later in it's original form on DVD via Anchor Bay) that mystical puzzle had been solved. Strange to think I caught a glimpse of this at that age, but I did and I'm glad I held on to that memory all those years.

Anyhow, this particular post is nothing more than an excuse to chat the film up and serve this great little morsel which I stumbled upon during my recent YouTube stroll: a great tribute by MickTravisBickle, a person who, no doubt, appreciates the film, but also has tremendous taste in music (gore and spoilers abound, kiddies)...


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Behind Them Scenes: THE FRENCH CONNECTION


THE FRENCH CONNECTION
20th Century-Fox Film Corporation, 1971
Directed by William Friedkin
Starring Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider

Monday, October 03, 2011

Tatum O'Neal's Oscillating Fan


So, I had to make a trip to the post office today. As I arrived, there was a long line (not unusual for this location) and, lucky me, I got to stand directly behind the person who smelled like poop. Yes, poop. As if they had shat themselves. This Zelda Rubinstein-proportioned frog-looking woman was neither too young nor too old to be up to such a stink, but she was. Good times!

As the line diminished, "Froggy" was up next. While waiting for her turn, she placed her items on the mailing station/island in front of the service desk. There, I was able to get a closer look at what she was handling: a letter addressed to Tatum O'Neal, along with a copy of her hardback book, FOUND. Instantly, I was amazed by this woman's eccentricity. Not only does she not believe in bathing and/or wiping, but she has somehow retrieved Ms. O'Neal's address (presumably) and intends to send her a fan letter (the contents of which, I can only imagine). As for the book, at the time, I wasn't sure if she intended to send it along with a request for a personalized signature from Ms. O'Neal, or if she would perform a passage from it to the captive audience of one at the front desk. Whatever the case, I knew it would prove to be somewhat entertaining. And, I was somewhat correct. (A bit too predictable, but an entertaining time-waster nonetheless, with an accent on "time-waster.")

Froggy: (Stuttering) "I'd like to send this envelope and I'd like to send this book to the same address."
Postal Worker: "Well, ma'am, you will need to package the book and address it before we can move further."
Froggy: "But, but... Can you do it for me?"
Postal Worker: "No, ma'am."
Froggy: "But, but... Don't you have boxes back there that you can put it in?"
Postal Worker: "No, ma'am. Nothing to ship a large item with, just standard envelopes. You'll have to get a box from..."
Froggy: (Completely cutting him off, since she doesn't like what he has to say) "But, but... They've done it for me before..." (Classic line!)
Postal Worker: "No, ma'am. As I was saying, you'll have to go to the shipping station over there and select a box that is big enough for your item to fit in. You may also want to select one that's big enough to house another box, a bit smaller, that you can address to yourself, so that the recipient can send the item back to you."
Froggy: "What?"
Postal Worker: (Repeats previous statement.)
Froggy: "Uh... where?"
Postal Worker: "All the different sized boxes are over there by the copy machine. Once you're done packaging the item, we can help you further."
Froggy: (Blank stare) "But, but... okay, alright."
Postal Worker: (Motioning to me) "Yes, sir?!"
Me: (After waiting for the mumbling shambles of Froggy to pass by so that I can make my way to the desk) "Yes, I've got two items I'd like to ship. One for Tatum O'Neal, the other for her father, Ryan."
Postal Worker: (Laughs)
Me: "But, seriously..."

END SCENE.

So, there you have it.
Please keep Ms. Tatum O'Neal in your thoughts. Her fan base doesn't seem to be made up of the smartest bee stings. I'm hoping that when her novel gets published in paperback that it will be a revised edition, featuring a new chapter about the importance of hygiene.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Behind Them Scenes: THE HOWLING


Joe Dante directs a werewolf...

THE HOWLING
Avco-Embassy Pictures, Inc., 1981
Directed by Joe Dante

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Great Quotations


Today's great quotation:

"All ye suckers who are gonna get trimmed, step this way for
the big swindle!"
- Groucho Marx as Hammer from THE COCOANUTS (1929)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

More Bad Combinations


Here we have two great, fun films packaged together. The hook here seems to be that they both have Harlem in the title. What MGM forgot was that HELL UP IN HARLEM is already the second half of another double bill, since it's the sequel to BLACK CAESAR. C'mon, MGM! You own both of these Larry Cohen / Fred Williamson features and they always belong together. Of course, COTTON COMES TO HARLEM has it's own continuation, too, COME BACK, CHARLESTON BLUE. But, that's a Warner Bros. property.
Calling Warner Archive...


Okay, this is not a bad pairing. Here we have two sports-related comedies, both produced by Kings Road Entertainment. TOUCH AND GO is an alright film, more of a light romantic comedy than anything and, well, I love me some FAST BREAK. So what's the problem? Obviously, it's the cover art. First of all, the quality is total dollar shop... hell, not even that good. (One can only imagine how great the transfers on the actual discs are.) The release, itself, is quite shoddy from a company no one knows and questionably legitimate, but just HOW do you miss the mark on marketing FAST BREAK? The actor pictured here is Harold Sylvester who is definitely a large part of the film, however, he is not the star. That would be Gabe Kaplan. Remember him? Well, they obviously don't. Add to the fact that this photo of Sylvester is not related at all to the film, in fact, it was probably taken around fifteen years later. So, there you have it. A double feature of sports-related comedies featuring two comedic titans, right? Seems like a slam dunk to me, but the powers involved either missed the shot or the clock ran out.


We have a winner! Never have I seen a worse combination of two films. One is an imaginative, highly entertaining epic directed by a master filmmaker. The other is an complete shit directed by and starring a master of exactly that. Someone owes John Carpenter an apologetic hug. This is an absolute disgrace.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Behind Them Scenes: PSYCHO II


PSYCHO II
Universal City Studios, Inc., 1983
Directed by Richard Franklin
Starring Anthony Perkins