re_zuleta Reviews

The Big Bus (1976)

In the tradition of "Airplane!," Get Crazy," & Bachelor Party"....

[8/10 · 15 January 2007]

If you enjoyed (loved) those cult-favorite comedy classic from the early 80's, "Airplane!," "Get Crazy!" and "Bachelor Party" then you're in for a treat. "The Big Bus"(also known internationally as: "Cyclops, The World's Largest Bus") is a mid-70's comedy spoof. A bit similar to "Zucker/Abrahms" comedy "Airplane!," but perhaps not as funny. I remember watching this film as a kid (approx. 8 or 9) and could never forget the scene where they show a swimming pool enclosed in a dome on top of the bus, and the classic scene where a kitchen alley is filled cupboards high with soda pop.

REZuleta

The New Adventures of He-Man (1990 TV Movie)

Oh man!!! I thought I was the Only One ....

[1/10 · 20 June 2006]

I vaguely remember watching this 'attrocity' when it first aired that one and only time on syndication. I never did figure out why they (the people in charge) canceled the original 'He-Man' series, bring about the awful 'She-Ra: Princess of Power' spin-off; and later sell-the rights to the character to some other animation studio to re-imagined it in a really bas and distasteful way. ***** POSSIBLE SPOILERS ****** I do remember, or thought at the time ... that 'Eternia' was sort of depicted as an ancient barbaric times set in an Earth-like past. Later, 'He-Man' is sent on a mission to aid someone - to whom I thought was in the same planet - but in the future. This new version (incarnation) of 'He-Man' had non of the original 'Conan' barbaric bravaso to him. Nor any of the spunk from the future re-imagining in 2002. I'd be really, really surprised if this ever surfaces as a BONUS in some future DVD-Collection of The Best from the Classic 'He-Man'(1983), or its' re-imagining 'New Beginning'(2002) incarnation.

Flush (1982)

"Its a Mad, Mad World - Part 2"

[5/10 · 5 April 2006]

Has anyone else, out there (besides me), seen this film? Is one of those rare-gems, b-movie type of stuff ... but it's hilarious. It features this actor, who looks a lot like that 'Doctor Who' guy, Tom Baker (the 4th Doctor) ... and he drives around in this overloaded-septic tank cleaning truck, shaped like a giant bumble bee. The trucks is mainly used for extracting all kinds of contaminants inside of septic tanks. The driver (and main-character)has the kinda annoying good olé'boy style of voice. He's main weapon to use, while driving around in this pile o junk (truck), is triggering this air-pressured hose (located int eh back of the truck). Remember what's stored in the back of the truck. That's exactly what the vehicle, and driver in the rear, gets hosed down with.

Doorways (1993 TV Movie)

I remember watching this!!!

[10/10 · 6 March 2006]

This show preceded SLIDERS, at least by a year or two. It deals with a somewhat similar premise. Sliding thru parallel worlds, alternate realities, where it's the same time, date, continent...but somehow things are just not the same.

I also remembered, in one segment of this 2-hr cable movie...the story was sorta similar to the world of 'Kevin Costner's THE POSTMAN;' in this version, in order to cure some oil-spill catastrophe in the world's oceans...scientists had created this petrol-cured oil eating bacteria. But when they unleashed it...things got outta control, and it consumed all the oil-supplies in the world. So, now supposedly everything went back to being kinda the old west. Traveling in horse pulled buggy-coaches. Horse back riding. Seeing abandoned luxury cars on the side of cracked freeways.

Interesting premise. Too bad it didn't turn into a series. There's this other film with a similar title, starring RUGER HAUER...I think it called: CROSSWORLDS, which uses a similar plot.

REZULETA

House (1985)

I Loved the Orig. Two "HOUSE" films !!!!

[24 December 2005]

I loved the original first two "HOUSE" movies, produced by SEAN S. CUNNINGHAM. They both seemed to have a little bit of comedy mixed in with a bit of timmid horror. And can't forget the addition of two of CHEERS favorite guests. GEORGE WENDT in the first one, and JOHN RATZENBERGER in the second film. But then came the easily-dismissable, and badly titled: THE HORROR SHOW (aka."HOUSE 3: The Horror Show") which had little if anything to do with the formatting of the "HOUSE" movie-series formula-let alone the story treatment of the previous two movies. Then, and lastly came the okay "HOUSE 4" which attempted to revive the series bringing back WILLIAM KATT as 'Roger Cobb,' but a whole 'nother' and different 'Roger' than the one introduced in the original film. Plus, they kill him off.

I wish they would've stuck with the original formula of at least attempting to include a CHEERS guest, here and there and leaving the humoristic-horror as a big part of the story.

REZULETA

Herbie, the Love Bug (1982)

Why won't 'Disney' Release this on DVD?

[27 June 2005]

With the release of the 'SPECIAL EDITION' DVD of "THE LOVE BUG"(1968/9), and its companion: "HERBIE, THE LOVE BUG" Movie Series DVD-boxed set - featuring all four-original 'Disney' films: "The Love Bug,""Herbie Rides Again,""Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo,"Herbie Goes Bananas"- ... why won't 'Disney' release this rare, nearly forgotten, short lived series - "Herbie, the Love Bug" - on DVD? Plus, with the theatrical release of the newest entry/chapter in the "Herbie" movie-series -- "Herbie: Fully-Reloaded" -- the DVD for this 'Gem' would be gladly received. Then we would only need to wait for the fifth-entry to the series, the 'Made for TV Movie'(remake) 1997's "The Love Bug"(TV), starring: 'Bruce Campbell'- from the 'Evil Dead' movies.

The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission (1985 TV Movie)

The Real-Life Story/Events Film Was Based On

[9 October 2003]

According to an article written many years ago, the original "The Dirty Dozen" novel was actually based on real life story. US military convicts were offered pardon in exchange for similar suicide missions in Nazi occupied France. They agreed, but after the drop they turned their tails and spent the rest of the war in neutral Spain. In real life, use of pardoned convicts as soldiers is rather common phenomena, as experiences in former Yugoslavia indicate. In WWII Red Army and Wehrmacht employed such practice. The operation that actually resembles this movie the most was conducted by Germans. In May of 1944, frustrated with unsuccessful attempts to chase down and destroy the core formations of Yugoslav Partisans, German High Command planned the daring parachute raid on the headquarters of Partisan leader Tito and trained entire battalion of convicts for that very purpose. At the end of the day, Tito, although initially surprised, managed to get away and the convict paratroopers, decimated in a hellatious battle, took only Tito's freshly tailored Field Marshall uniform as their only trophy.

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

The Real-Life Events/Story Behind the Orig. Novel/Film

[10/10 · 9 October 2003]

http://www.all-reviews.com/videos-5/dirty-dozen.htm

According to an article written many years ago, the original "The Dirty Dozen" novel was actually based on real life story. US military convicts were offered pardon in exchange for similar suicide missions in Nazi occupied France. They agreed, but after the drop they turned their tails and spent the rest of the war in neutral Spain. In real life, use of pardoned convicts as soldiers is rather common phenomena, as experiences in former Yugoslavia indicate. In WWII Red Army and Wehrmacht employed such practice. The operation that actually resembles this movie the most was conducted by Germans. In May of 1944, frustrated with unsuccessful attempts to chase down and destroy the core formations of Yugoslav Partisans, German High Command planned the daring parachute raid on the headquarters of Partisan leader Tito and trained entire battalion of convicts for that very purpose. At the end of the day, Tito, although initially surprised, managed to get away and the convict paratroopers, decimated in a hellatious battle, took only Tito's freshly tailored Field Marshall uniform as their only trophy.

Raisins Sold Out: The California Raisins II (1990 TV Short)

The Sequel/Follow-Up to the Documentary-Film "Meet the Raisins [1988]"

[5 October 2003]

I remember vividly one day, finding this film -for the first time- at a local video store, circa 1990. Until this time I thought the "California Raisins" were almost forgotten [defunct] from the Will Vinton 'Claymation' commercial adds and mass marketing campaigns of the mid-late 1980's.

And I also remember that following the success of Documentary-Short Film: "Meet the Raisins," the film-spinned off a cartoon series continuing the adventures of the Raisin characters from the film.

Then a year or two later, the Second-Short Film: "Raisins Sold-Out: The California Raisins II" debuted. The film picks-up "almost" exactly where "Meet the Raisins" leaves off. It tries to fill in the time-gap between the 'Ed Suquatash Show'- at the ending [conclusion] of the "Meet the Raisins" and the over the top success -skyrocketing fame -the Raisins achieved following their phenomenal performance.

Before appearing in all the magazine covers, front-pages of multiple newspapers, top-album sales. Before releasing hit after hit records.

I highly recommend this film to all the hard-core 'Raisins' Fans out there; and encourage viewing of this short-film for what it is. "One of those great" cherished Will Vinton 'Claymation' films, similar to the ones most of us grew up watching during the Holidays.

One of the things I enjoyed the most out this film and its predeccesor was watching the Motown sounds the "California Raisins" performed on-stage. I wish they'd bring them back one of these days.

Meet the Raisins! (1988 TV Special)

Loved it! Highly Recommend it!

[4 October 2003]

I love this Documentary film!!!! I remember watching it when it first aired in the Fall of 1988.

It even spinned-off a mildly-popular, short-live cartoon show called: "The California Raisins [1989-90]," which continued the adventures of "Stretch, Red, A.C., and the bassist.

The Documentary "Meet the Raisins" also spun-off a Sequel of sorts, titled: RAISINS SOLD-OUT: The California Raisins II [1990]."

The sequel honestly wasn't as good as the original ....sequels hardly always are .... but it does share some goods parts here and there.

Valerie (1986–1991)

To Clear-Up Somethings

[18 September 2003]

First of all, back in late-1985, early 1986, NBC was originally gonna name the show "The Hogan Family," but later changed their mind and opted for a name that reflected its original famed star "Valerie Harper." Thus, it was retitled "Valerie."

After, the famed contract dispute over her salary, Valerie Harper left the show, or was fired - depending who's side of the story you hear- thus the show was renamed "Valerie's Family: The Hogan's." This angered "Valerie Harper" very much, and she sued the producers for still using her name as the title of the show without her permission.

Thus, the producers opted to revert back to the original suggested production title: "The Hogan Family."

In reality they were always 'The Hogan Family.'

Kull the Conqueror (1997)

'Conan 3: The Conqueror"

[5 April 2003]

I am aware that Robert E. Howard created all three 'characters,' CONAN, RED SONYA, and KULL. However, if you research deep into the making of KULL:The Conqueror,the movie, not the character, you might be surprised to discovered references to 'CONAN," and how this movie was Originally supposed to be the third chapter in the CONAN-Movie Series. However, after many years of waiting for 'Arnold S." to wear/put on the wig and carry on the sword, they rewrote the story for Kevin Sorbo to carry the torch.

Makin' It (1979)

A TV Series version of "Saturday Night Fever"

[5/10 · 3 April 2003]

The other night I happened to be watching a brief biography of 'David Naughton,' the infamous "Dr. Pepper = Piperman" (I'm a Pepper, she's Pepper, So wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too), and became aware that besides that infamous jingle, and his brief-stint as the "American Werefolf" he also starred in this television series,"Makin'It" inspired or based on "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER." In it,'Naughton'played the 'Travolta'(Tony Manero) role of Disco King. Too bad the series only aired for a few episodes, not even a full season; and its THEME was an even bigger hit than the series. 'Naughton' went on to co-star with 'Pam Dawyer'(Mork & Mindy)in "My Sister Sam."

Riverworld (2003 TV Movie)

A Look in to an Alternate After-life

[22 March 2003]

I just watched the Premiere to this "Sci-Fi" Channel's Original: RIVER WORLD -Based on the Roleplaying Game [GURPS Riverworld] by J.M.Caparula, Edited by Steve Jackson.

This Movie is rumoured to be a possible 'Pilot' for a T.V. Series. and if does get picked up, it has incredible potential far beyond those of 'FARSCAPE,' and 'STARGATE: SG1' to succeed

The story is so intricutely clever, and reccomend it t those fans of gothic tales, mystical themes, stories of an alternate afterlifes.

Waterworld (1995)

'Waterworld' 4 hr Television Version

[22 March 2003]

There exists a 4 Hr exclusive television version of 'WATERWORLD", which includes both re-edited and previously unreleased footage, that adds new dimensions to the characters and story.

It airs regularly on the "Sci-Fi Channel." And to my knowledge-this version and additional footage - is not available yet on DVD nor any other format in the US.

I strongly recommend you watch this version -that like David Lynch's "DUNE [4 hr Version]- this 'Waterworld' is sooo much better.

The Stuff (1985)

An Absurd-yet Entertainting 80's Marketing Documentary-Comedy

[8/10 · 16 March 2003]

I remember watching this film for the first time, back in the Late 80's on television, and although they edited out the some of the explicit regurgitation scenes, I had a good glimpse and idea at the absurdity of the Theme/Concept to this "Roger Corman" Produced Classic.

Is it just me, or did they borrow some of this material from "Food of the Gods? The notion of some 'white-hokey,' gooey stuff coming out of the ground. But instead of "augmentating" the size of insects, bugs, or rats -which was the case in "FOOD.." - "The Stuff" delivers a delicious, white consumable substance - eventhough the substance is never screened for possible harmful natural ingredients, much less, side-effects, an evil-corporation begins pumping it out, placing it in containers, and distributing it out in the public, almost immmeditaley

All around an entertaining film --recommend it to any fan of "Roger Corman" films, and cheesy- "Mystery Science Theater 3000" laughable effects.