Change Your Image
daveclarkvibe
Reviews
Wisdom (1986)
Spoiler
Is it all a dream? This is one of the best movies ever for a sad ending thwarted by the idea that what was just seen was perhaps just a dream that only lasted a few minutes in the sub-conscious mind of the star of the film. Desperation from unemployment and early mistakes in life are taken on from the dark comedy perspective and Estevez decides to do the only job society has decided he is fit to perform, that of being a criminal. Interestingly society then becomes his largest supporter as he flees the law, until a chance encounter turns sour, and suddenly there appears only one possible outcome will prevail. Do yourself a favor and rent this one.
Untamed Heart (1993)
Love, Life, and Beyond (Spoiler)
Another of Slater's best performances ever. Marisa Tomei and Rosie Perez are both great performers in this movie and are both easy on the eyes in this film. The boy with the baboon heart steals those of the audience with this touching story of a loner (by choice) who finally is brought to life through the powerful social magnet of love. What ensues is an uplifting and ultimately sad but hopeful resolution to live for the moment that we have and live life to the fullest that we can, enjoying all that it has to offer us. This is well worth renting and is quite underrated as of yet in these rankings and overall in pop culture. One of my favorite films of the past 2 decades.
Pump Up the Volume (1990)
Free speech, teen angst, small town, fun music (Spoiler)
The story of a big city kid who relocates to a small town with his parents. He has really cool toys that allow him to broadcast his thoughts, and soon some folks start listening and responding to his outrageous music and rants. HHH is the DJ of a movement of teens who echo their version of the Network anthem "I'm Mad as Hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" When some folks cross the border of what is socially acceptable in expressing their frustration and anger, the community seeks to shut him down. Also a comedic, dark, romantic film. Christian Slater gives one of the best performances of his career, and the music is worth checking out - and I credit it for turning an entire generation onto Leonard Cohen and bringing a few bands from the fringe into the mainstream.
Singles (1992)
Excellent look at being single as an adult
This movie has an awesome soundtrack featuring the who's who of the 1990s grunge scene. It even has a cameo by the band Pearl Jam, or Mother Love Bone depending on your frame of reference. There is also a pivotal scene featuring John Coltrane's Lush Life album. Set in Seattle it tells the story of neighbors in an apartment building and their various lives as they seek love. Matt Dillon, Kyra Sedgwick and Campbell Scott give excellent performances. This movie is hilarious moments (SpaM) and touching romance ("I was just nowhere near...") and speaks to professional idealism (the train) and dating (popcorn) and passion (I love how the world looks from a bicycle). This is one of a handful of movies that I have ever watched more than once (another being the Princess Bride). Do yourself a favor and check it out.