jasonforno Reviews

From Beyond the Grave (1974)

British Horror Anthology Inspired Abrams/Zucker/Abrams

[6/10 · 11 October 2023]

It's hard to believe that no one has written on here about the all-to-obvious inspirations in the second story that wound up in the 1984 Val Kilmer film 'Top Secret'. "Cigars, Novelties, Party Tricks..." Although Donald Pleasence's ex-solider is humbly selling faulty shoelaces and matchsticks, the reference is astoundingly clear. It first hit me with reading that Peter Cushing's character was the proprietor of an antique store, I felt that it smacked of his unusually large eyed bookstore owner in 'Top Secret'. I don't think we'll ever be treated to such a unique mashup of film genres until some creative, enterprising filmmaker decides to cram together a concoction of different decades into one amazing film.

Someone please add the 'Top Secret' references to the "connections" portion of this film's page. Thank you kindly.

5-25-77 (2008)

Falls short of what it advertises

[4/10 · 12 February 2023]

If seen a ton of low/no budget films over the years, and this one fell into all of the typical tropes you see time and time again. Honestly, it would've worked better as a short, because Johnson's story isn't altogether that incredibly interesting, outside of his handful of days being shown around the sets of 'Close Encounters Of The Third Mind' and 'Star Wars'. These moments, for me, we're the highlights to the film, all the rest was just weak teen coming-of-age bluster that's been done better and to greater effect in other films/stories. Johnson's anecdotal experience of have the pure luck of being at the right place at the right time, really doesn't amount to anything more than just a, "cool story, bro." moment. Given the title is laser-focused at the release of 'Star Wars', but the protagonist doesn't even get to see the film on THAT DATE not only lessens the impact of the title being relevant, it just further aggravates the audience. There's a point in the film where the protagonist is confused as to whether or not the film is even playing in his own town, but later is taken to the film at the same theater that was somehow mistakenly showing a Chuck Norris film instead. As other reviews have deftly pointed out, I feel like the whole film suffered from endless tinkering. Ironically something everyone gives George Lucas tons of grief for. I would recommend this film as a "how not to" endlessly overanalyze your pet project. Make sure you really have a worthy story to tell, also, make sure you have any ending that is impactful. Something I feel 'The Fabelmans' fell short on too...