Lost in Translation: The Mechanic (1972)

 After covering this '70s Classic last week, I might as well get some use out of this Poster I found.

This one is from Japan and it is low key silly.

All of the pyramids- what do they mean?!?

Like many of these from Japan, it has a neat, Pop Art look to it.

Also is he compensating for anything with that giant gun barrel?

Either way, I still love it.

Tubi Thursday: The Town that Dreaded Sundown (1976)

 Another Film with a Remake (available on Tubi as well) to cover.

It is up through the end of the Month (June), so decide quickly whether you want to see this or not after you read this...

In a small town in Texarkana (the most unwieldy name for a City, no?), everything is returning to normal in 1946.

The 'great' War is over and everyone is returning to their lives.

Unfortunately, a strange, masked man is going to put a stop to that peace!

He attacks people in a car one night, but they aren't killed.

About 21 days later, the Cops- still working the case- are out on a rainy night.

One of the Deputies- from Crypt of the Living Dead- hears some shots and finds the two victims.

He narrowly misses the killer.

They keep working the case as the next deadline approaches.  At least them figuring out the pattern isn't a plot hole like in Beverly Hills Cop 2.

Sadly, the bait cars don't work, and a Couple is killed again.

Most famously, the woman is killed via knife...attached to a trombone slide!

Things continue to ramp up, but the Film still finds time for random Comedy.

In a way, it is jarring.
In another sense, I can see the logic.

That said, going from 'Cops accidentally uncovering a Cat' to 'Dawn Wells is shot and stalked by a killer' is a JARRING transition.

Unfortunately for all involved, the Case ends up being unsolved.  The Film plays coy with the whole thing, which is easy to do when the last murder was in 1946.

That said, they still got (unsuccessfully) sued over this.  The End.

A fun bit of Drive-In fare that still holds up fairly well.  This is one of those Films that I've known of and seen Reviews of for at least a Decade, but never watched until today.

The Plot is pretty good, even if they take some big liberties with it.  The Narrator says that they 'only changed the names,' but that's a lie.

I will grant you this- the changes do make the case more compelling as a Film.
For instance, the Cop nearly catches the killer on the second incident, while the real people found the car the next morning.

They also do a weird mix and match with incidents, like having the bit with Wells being taken from a different incident.

Charles B. Pierce made a memorable, if disjointed Film here that I can't really hate.  Plus, they gave the guy who made the Star Wars Concept Art (as well as designing many Characters) his breakout work (he drew the famous Poster).

I'll say this too- the Film acts like the killer was never caught, but he was right here in the Batman Opening Credits (yet another true crime I connected to this Show!)...

If viewed in the right lens (a Drive-in Flick for teens), it can be viewed favorably.  Just beware the tonal whiplash.

Forgotten Sequels?: Todd McFarlane's Spawn 2

 How have I not heard of this one?  Spawn was big in the '90s and got a Feature Film.

It... exists.  So why does nobody remember the Sequel?

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Oh right- this is just the confusing way that HBO released each Season of Spawn's Animated Series on DVD in 1999.  

And yes, I am watching at disc that is literally older than some people I work with.

How old do I feel now?

Anyhow, I read quite a bit of Spawn in the '90s and didn't happen to find Spawn 1 (I guess that's the name) where I found 2 and 3.

Can I keep up when I've missed the first 6 Episodes?  Let's find out!

Here's what you need to know if you know NOTHING about Spawn...

Al Simmons was killed and betrayed at Jason Wynn's behest.
He was twisted by a Demon named Malebogia and returned to Earth as a Hellspawn (or Spawn).

This is a blessing and a curse, as he now has powers...but is also stuck as a burnt up monster.

His Wife is married to his friend Terry, since he was dead for 5 years.

All caught up?  So now Wynn is trying to find the creature known as Spawn, not knowing who or what he is.

He sends a man named Chapel to clean up after his previous crimes, as bullet casings can be tied to his guns.

The guy shoots up the place but is soon confronted by Spawn- who shares a past with him.

It goes...poorly for Chapel.

Terry, meanwhile, goes from 'Desk Jockey' to Whistleblower...or he plans to be, at least.

He uncovers some bad intel on Wynn's guns (and missiles!) and is subsequently framed for treason.

This leads to an awkward part where Spawn has to save him, even though he 'stole his wife from him.'

He eventually remembers the truth- he asked Terry to care of her while he was dying.

So, with that knowledge, he saves the day, never showing his face yet.

The next 2 Episodes...I mean, 46 minutes or so focus on some minor filler that sort of connects to the Plot.

A Satanic group of Drug Dealers are terrorizing the Alley, driving Spawn to finally help those around him.

Followed by a racist killer- inspired by the dark voice of Malebogia- targets the Black community in the area.

This connects to Terry, who's still hiding out from the Cops/Wynn.

Spawn also learns from another man in the Alley who knows more than he once let on.

Our unseen Narrator is revealed to be this guy, who was apparently also under Malebogia's sway.
Will that get explained later?

Things all come to a head as investigations continue into Wynn without Terry's evidence, thanks to a Reporter (Ming-Na).

Wynn is also spooked by visions of the evil Clown named Violator and knows that someone is coming after him.

Spawn is warned that killing Wynn will just lead to him returning as a Hellspawn (presumably in less than 5 years this time).

He resists the power of revenge, however, choosing to keep his family safe...for now.

See you in the Sequel...er, next Season.

The End.

A pretty good and enjoyable Show, even without seeing the first batch of Episodes.  Like I said, I read a bunch of Spawn as a teenager.

This is, however, the first time I've seen this Show- other than random clips.
I can see why I did not get to watch this back in 1997-98.

The Show is not super-violent, but it definitely takes advantage of being on HBO.  It's mostly just bleak and features lots of moaning.
I'm sure that I'd be miserable in this Al's boots- no question.

I guess my issue is that the supernatural stuff doesn't come up too much here.  It makes all of Spawn's battles pretty low stakes.  He just takes out bad humans and there's not much drama to it.
The only ones come from the idea that he has to protect people- like Terry.

The Show definitely feels different- for better or for worse.

I don't know if it has the same impact in 2024 with stuff out there pushing more boundaries as far as content- especially on Channels like HBO.

I will still get my $1.99 worth out.  Sorry, Todd- I don't think any of that goes to you.

Next up, more stuff from my stack.  Will I turn back to the Remakes?  Stay tuned...

Forgotten Sequels: Beverly Hills Cop II

 Breakdown, shakedown- you're Reviewed!  

This is Beverly Hills Cop II, the Sequel (duh) to the classic '80s Film.

In the ensuing years, Paramount wanted to make this into a TV Series.  

Yes, Decades before we got Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour as TV Shows, this nearly happened.  However, Murphy was not interested in going back to TV- which he's pretty much stuck to- and we got this Film instead.

Tony Scott is here to bring his signature style and grace to proceedings.  

We also get Brigitte Nielsen here too, which is kind of funny if you know your Film History.

Basically, Sylvester Stallone was offered the spec script version of BHC and did Cobra (with Nielsen) instead in 1986.  Oh, and the two were married. 
A year later, she's in the Sequel...and they are divorced (although the two facts aren't related).

The Plot involves a series of crimes, a complex motivation for them happening and Axl called to Beverly Hills yet again when someone is shot (just not killed this time).
They surely won't do that Plot Point again, right?

Is this Film as good as the original?  Should it be talked about more?

To find out, read on...

In Beverly Hills, we see a group of robbers- led by Nielsen- who rob a Jewelry Store with precise timing to get in and out without being caught.

This is the start of the Alphabet Crimes.
How the Police know to call it this after ONE crime- which was A- is anyone's guess.

After that, we see Axel working undercover with some criminal selling credit cards...or something.
Look- this Plot doesn't matter at all.

Meanwhile, we see that he's become off-screen friends with the LAPD Chief (who stood up for him last Film).

Oh no- he's going to get...yeah, there it is.

He's shot, but will recover- just not in time to appear in this Film again.  

To be fair, he was busy making a little Film called Robocop.

Axel goes to Beverly Hills- seeming a bit less surprised by things the 2nd time- and does a long con where he tricks some workers into leaving a House under repairs with him.

A fun moment, even if him having a House barely matters to the Plot.

He joins up with his two buddy cops- who were demoted for Plot reasons- and works the case.

A shell left at the Chief's shooting leads him to a Gun Club and the Villains, but they know that he's on their case.

Hijinks involving the Pool lead to the trio going to a Strip Club- the Let's Up the Rating to R trope in full effect- and them pretending that the older Cop is Gerald Ford.

They find out more about the bad guys and...wait...is that the guy from CSI?!?

First the guy from Breaking Bad in the last one and now this!

Another B-Plot involve Paul Reiser- who was in way more '80s Films than you remember! - covering for Axl while he's away.

It doesn't amount to much.

Speaking of not amounting to much, Axel and company stop the next Robbery- the C & D Crimes- from being completed (the bad guys have to dump the loot) and follow a clue to a Fundraiser at The Playboy Mansion.

This has the group meet face-to-face for the first time...before Heff just makes them all leave without conflict.  Fun.

The Alphabet Crimes come to a head with E as they rob the Emperium Fields and kill one of the backers- Dean Stockwell as Cain- to frame him for the whole thing.

Case closed, right?

Nah.  They figure out from mud on shoes in Act 1 that they are in these fields with red mud.

A shoot-out ensues, with Rosewood famously blowing up a truck and the bad guys are defeated.

Secondarily to that, the mean new Chief is fired and the good Chief is promoted (off-screen).  

The End.

A strong Sequel- mostly due to the Star Power and Direction.

The Plot is kind of all over the place.  It moves around to do random things- like putting Axel up in a House for 2 Scenes- and features lots of distractions.  The actual Alphabet Crimes idea is great.  The execution is so-so and the villains motivations are not laid out well.

Story wise, we get weird filler and forced setups for stuff like Axel and Rosewood in a Cement Mixing Truck.

One B-Plot doesn't quite age well- at least for me.  We learn that Rosewood is obsessed with guns, having them all over his House and in his trunk.  The pay-off is him putting on a black trench coat and gleefully having a shoot-out.
I mean, I was in High School with Columbine happened, so...kind of yikes.

The late Tony Scott does a great job here.  No offense to Martin Brest (tee hee, his name sounds funny), but he's outshined here.  The Action is shot well.  The Film is lit well.

Without him, I feel like this might be a fun, but underwhelming Sequel.

Thankfully, you can breeze past the odd bits of Plot, the filler and the other things that don't mean much to enjoy Murphy here delivering a great performance.  Plus, the Soundtrack is great.
Have I listened to it in my Car multiple times?  Maybe.

It's kind of a mess, but a fun and great-looking one...that makes me stuck again on which stinger to use.
So, here's both...

They couldn't get Bronson Pinchot, but this is a great replacement, no?

***

Rubbing it in by looking at a Cobra Poster, Eddie?

Next up, let's return to my more normal fare, shall we?  Don't worry- Part 3 will get its own look soon enough.  Stay tuned...

Tubi Thursday: The Mechanic (1972)

 After doing so many Remakes, I thought it might be fun to flip the script a bit and do an original Film that GOT a Remake.

More Bronson Films too- bonus!

In a very '70s opening, a Hitman- Bronson- watches a man, takes notes, sets up an event and then executes it.

It being the man.
He blows up a guy and we get no dialog until after this happens, a full 16 minutes into the Film.

He is hired by Keenan Wynn to help him with some business, since he worked with Bronson's Dad.

He meets up with a woman- his Wife Jill Ireland- who he apparently hires to act like a sad, left-behind girlfriend...but she's actually a Prostitute.

Does this count as roleplaying for the pair IRL?

Shock twist- Bronson actually is hired to kill Wynn and does so.

He attends the funeral and forms a weird bond with the guy's adult son- Jan-Michael Vincent.

He finds that the guy is callous and, naturally, makes him his protege.

The work a hit and things don't go well.

I mean, they go well for the audience, as WE get to see a big fight, a motorcycle chase and an explosion.

Bronson's boss tells him that he broke the rules bringing in Vincent and sends him to Italy on a mission.

Before he leaves, Bronson sees that he is now a target!

They go on the mission anyways and try to kill a guy on a boat.

Things don't go well.  

To find out how badly, stream the Film now.  You've got 10 days.

A good Film- no question.  Just know that, again, this is a VERY '70s Film.

If you don't know what that means, you'll find out.
If you do know, you'll be sure whether or not to watch this.

Bronson does a really good job here, with a Script that doesn't need him to emote all that much.  That's good, since, you know, Bronson.  Joking aside, you get a sense of pathos, loss and possible redemption from the guy.

Vincent is also good here, especially when the Film asks him to do the kind of subtle emotions and expressions that Bronson can't.  I can see why someone remade this (not arguing that they should have, mind you).

You get some weird filler here meant to characterize Bronson- including a bit where he watches two guys fight- but it otherwise works well.

Let's have a compare-contrast, shall we?

A good Film that is definitely of its time.  That said, lots of the Film is timeless and great.

Remake This!: The Last House on the Left (2009)

 Letting Bob pick my next Review via RNG (or Random Number Generator) doesn't always work out.

This is 2009's Remake of The Last House on the Left.  I've never seen the Original.  I know the drill though- Violent Revenge Film, based on people seeing violent imagery every day via Vietnam War News and Wes Craven.

Speaking of Mr. Craven, he's a Producer here (alongside Friday the 13th Director/original Film Producer Sean S. Cunnigham) and wanted to see what could be done with more resources.  I mean...fair play- that's the argument made for many older Films (like those from the '50s) getting Remakes today.

Mind you, this is a dark, gritty tale of people killing each other in a rain-soaked house- how much does the Budget play into things?
Now if you're talking about A Nightmare on Elm Street- that could be improved with lots of CGI, right?

For what it is worth, Ebert hated this one less than the Original (kind of).

Is it good?  To find out, read on..

In the Cold Open, some Cops are arguing while transporting a guy in their car.

A truck hits them and the group free the man, killing the Cops in the process.

Some amount of time later, we meet our Heroes.

A young woman is driven to be an Olympic Swimmer, while her Mom tries not to set lofty goals and her Dad- Tony Goldwyn, who was a victim in Friday the 13th, Part 6) is there.

He's not a big help...yet.

She goes away from their Cabin- which is the titular location- to hang out with her friend.

Said friend trades the right to not card a teenager for him sharing their weed.

Go to his Hotel Room and hang out- what's the worst that could happen?

Oh, he's the Son of the guy from broken out in the beginning.  He arrives back with the rest of the gang, including 'Garfunkel' (of Garfunkel and Oates) and 'Jesse Pinkman' (this was filmed right around the time that Breaking Bad came out.

They think that the girls will blab and take them away to hide out in the Woods.

The Son doesn't want to take part, but does get dragged along for the ride.

The girls cause the car to crash- breaking Jesse's nose- and nearly get away.

Alas, they fail.

Her friend tries to stop the group from assaulting our Lead and gets killed over it.

The infamous Scene happens.
I will not say more about it, but you also can't talk about this Film without mentioning it.

Her second escape seems to go better, but she is shot and left for dead.

The criminals escape the rain by ending up at the titular location where the Parents don't know what they did.

Only the Son figures out where they are, but doesn't tell the group.

Lots of tense moments occur, especially after the Daughter- who survives in this version- is found.

The Parents figure out what happened- when the Son leaves the Daughter's bracelet in the kitchen- and make their own plans.

After a prolonged assault, they take down Jesse in the Kitchen.

Lots of fighting.  Someone gets shot.

Ultimately, the Son turns on the Father (what timing, eh?) and the Heroes get away.

In the aftermath, the paralyzed Dad is killed via microwave.
The End.

A Film that makes violence an accent to the main dish.  In this case, it is prolonged bits of dialog and waiting for one person to attack the other.

The Film has an interesting pacing, as it really builds up to the big you-know-what Scene and what follows it.

After that, more buildup to the finale, which has no breaks.

FYI, I did watch the Unrated Version, which is a whopping 4 minutes longer.  I don't know how I found the time.

From what I can tell, this is much more of a Character Piece than the Original, with the villains more nuanced and less cartoonishly evil.  It definitely isn't a 'happy' Film, but more good comes out of it than in the 1972 version.

I can't see myself rewatching this one anytime soon, but I don't hate that I saw it either.  I do have to ask, why wouldn't a DVD Player work with the Unrated Version?  Was that a real issue in 2009/10?

Next up, let's see if I can find some lighter fare.  I still have more Horror Remakes to go, but I'd like some variety.  Stay tuned...