ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 21, 1996 TAG: 9609230101
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B12 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: It Came from the Video Store
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO
The recent Video Software Dealers Association convention took place just as "Independence Day" was blowing away the competition in theaters. Not surprisingly, the video people were quick to point out how similar their upcoming releases were to the mega-hit. Science-fiction is hot on tape, and it's going to get hotter. (``ID4,'' by the way, is set for a Nov. 22 home video release.) Here are six new releases well, sort of new.
B-movie fans everywhere have got to wonder how often producer Roger Corman can make "Not of This Earth." He did it in 1957 and then in 1988 and now he's done it again. Well, why not?
The story of a vampire from another planet is simple and easy to film on a low budget. It's essentially a comedy, and this version, like the others, doesn't take itself seriously. The effects range from amateurish to innovative. Michael York is a fine alien. As Nurse Amanda, Elizabeth Barondes is easily the equal of Beverly Garland and Traci Lords, who played the role before, and director Terry Winkless might follow in the footsteps of Corman himself (who directed the original) and schlockmeister Jim Wynorski who handled the first remake.
Creepy alien transformation effects, a "Predator"-inspired monster and some remarkable stunt driving are the main attractions in "Dark Breed." Jack Scalia is the soldier in charge when a space shuttle crash lands - in a nice variation on the standard lovers-lane opening - and the titular critters emerge. The performances, particularly by Jonathan Banks as an infected astronaut and Robin Curtis as a pathologist, are a solid cut above average. So are the production values and the nice little riff on the famous "toast" scene from "Five Easy Pieces."
"Nexus" is a cheerfully unapologetic copy of "Flash Gordon" in both plot and cornball campiness. It could slip right into the "Mystery Science Theatre 3000" rotation without missing a step. In this Prague production, Ming the Merciless has become the evil Tarn (Oliver Tobias) who appears to have gold battery terminals on top of his head; Flash is now Athor (Jeremy Gilley) and Dale is Zilia (Christina Goyanes). Most of the effects are done with models and miniatures. Save one fleeting nude scene, it'd be recommended for teens (who'll still like it a lot).
"Ghost In the Shell" has been compared to "Akira," and while it's certainly more sophisticated, the feature lacks the epic scope and energy of that masterpiece of Japanese animation. Based on Shirow Masamune's manga (graphic novel/comic book) it's a sci-fi adventure about identity, secret agents, and the relationship between humans and machines. Yes, comparisons to "Blade Runner" are in order. The overly ornate and unfinished plot suggests that this is the first part of a larger work with several important but vague concepts at the center. Director Mamoru Oshii sets a slow, moody pace with long introspective scenes, exaggerated lighting and evocative music. Some of the noir-tinged images are breathtaking.
"Proteus" is an OK British monster movie that shows a strong influence of TV's "X-Files." Both use the same proven tricks to build suspense: remote isolated location, dark smoky rooms and hallways, flashlights, slimy monsters. The setting is a deserted off-shore oil rig/genetics lab filled with nasty surprises. That's where a gang of young drug dealers finds itself after its boat blows up. When the monster finally appears, it's something of a disappointment. For the most part, though, director Bob Keen uses nasty-looking mucous effects borrowed from Japanese animated films to conjure up scares. In the leads, Craig Fairbrass and Toni Barry aren't bad.
Rising Phoenix-like from its celluloid ashes, the spirit of Ed Wood Jr. is reborn in "Electra," a gloriously nutty "erotic" sci-fi tale. The humor is, I think, completely intentional with cheesy effects, garish sets and atrocious acting played for alternative laughs.
A convoluted exposition establishes young Billy Duncan's semi-super powers inherited from chemist dad. The other key players are his girlfriend (Katie Griffin), his lusty stepmother (Shannon Tweed), and the Strangelovian Roach (Sten Eirik), a maniac who wants to steal the secret formula with the help of his two henchwomen (Lara Daans and Dyanne DiMarco) in their leather bustiers and thigh-high boots.
Director Julian Grant attempts to imitate the soaring fight choreography of Hong Kong magical action movies, but it's hard to soar very high on a bare-bones budget.
Next week: Carried away!
Got a question about home video or film? Contact your favorite video columnist at P.O. Box 2491; Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491, or by e-mail at 75331.2603@compuserve.com.
New releases this week:
If Lucy Fell ***
Starring Eric Shaeffer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Elle MacPherson, Ben Stiller. Written and directed by Shaeffer. Columbia TriStar. 93 minutes. Rated R for subject matter, lots of sexy talk.
Though the cast of smart neurotic New Yorkers looking for love might suggest Woody Allen, Shaeffer has a funkier comic sensibility. This film is much closer to his debut, "My Life's in Turnaround," though it lacks that cult-favorite's cheeky attitude. Instead, it's a straightforward romantic comedy about mismatched couples.
- MIKE MAYO
A Thin Line Between Love and Hate **
Starring Martin Lawrence, Lynn Whitfield. Written and directed by Lawrence. Turner/New Line. 104 minutes. Rated R for strong language, racial epithets, subject matter, nudity, sexual material, violence.
Curious combination of "Alfie" and "Fatal Attraction" is a horror/love story with Lawrence as an unrepentant Lothario and Lynn Whitfield as the goddess who turns into a murderous she-devil. The film's shifting tone suggests that Lawrence is unsure of his material.
- MM
The Essentials:
Not of This Earth **1/2 Concorde-New Horizons. 88 minutes. Rated R for strong language, yucky effects, brief nudity.
Dark Breed *** PM Entertainment. 104 minutes. Rated R for graphic violence, language, creepy effects.
Nexus ***1/2 York Home Video. 93 minutes. Unrated, contains brief nudity, silly violence.
Ghost In the Shell *** Manga Entertainment. 75 minutes. Unrated, contains violence, incidental nudity.
Proteus **1/2 Vidmark. 97 minutes. Rated R for violence, language, drug use.
Electra **1/2 Concorde-New Horizons. 85 minutes. Rated R for semi-comic violence, nudity, sexual material, strong language.
LENGTH: Long : 119 linesby CNB