Reviews

Was anyone else bothered by the fact that a lot of the jokes in this film revolve around violence against women, and at several points, actual rape? Uh huh. That's what forcing (including drugging) someone and having sex with them is called. Seriously, the disturbing thing about this flick is that the same old stereotypes are being paraded around all over again. Even the details were so '80s: I mean, the old boys network offering a cruisy "We start at 10am" job to a undergrad - huh? Shame that such a talented cast got caught up in this garbage.

Look, say to me there's a twisted, low-budget, obscure, 'alternative', b-grade shocker to watch and I'm all eagerness. But no matter how determined I was to enjoy it, this tripe proved virtually unwatchable. Natasha Lyonne? Go find a dinner theatre that'll take you. Matthew Bright? Retire. Now.

This video was (literally) collecting dust on the shelf of the store where I work. I dusted it off & took it home to watch, hoping it might be either a) a cheesy and unintentionally hilarious grade z flick or maybe b)an undiscovered sci-fi classic. It certainly wasn't a) and I'm beginning to suspect it might be quite close to being b). Peter Nelson (v.good, and broodingly handsome) and Sherilyn Fenn (also great) had real chemistry as the lovers in Soliel, the repressive 1984-style society, and the action sequences were genuinely thrilling. Pity about the hammy support by Michael Shaner, but it doesn't undermine the rest of the movie. If you like Blade Runner and 1984, give this film a chance.

After that lame sitcom, I had given up on Bette Midler. Amazingly, this film still stands up to this day. When I recently watched it again I was surprised - just as funny as when I was eight, except now I get some more of the jokes. A buddy flick with chicks, and laugh out loud funny. If you haven't seen it, get it out some tuesday night, load up on junk food, enjoy. Pair with Ruthless People for the definitive Bette double bill.