Skip to main content

Crimewave (1986) - For the Bruce Campbell / Sam Raimi completests

"Crimewave" is a zany comedy-¿horror? movie by Sam Raimi. It is told as a flashback from the a guy who you might think you recognize from that thing, but it turns out you have never watched anything he has been in. It is about a murder for hire scheme that he ends up being framed for. Bruce Campbell plays one of his best characters as The Heel ("You get the cab baby - I don't want to break a $100" or "I've never seen you here before. I like that in a woman."). Brion James and Paul Smith play the hit men. You will recognized Smith as Beast Rabban from "Dune" (1984). Those guys are gonzo. A young Frances McDormand is in it for a couple minutes. Sheree Wilson (from Walker Texas Ranger) plays the heroine.

It was written by the Raimi + Coen Bros (which explains why Frances is in it). It is like watching an 80 minute Three Stooges film. Lots of sound effects and a jazzy score. It is PG13, so I think the 'horror' aspects comes from the the violent premise, but it is really a lot of slapstick. A bunch of car chase sequences too.

 

It is well shot with very high production value. Cast / director / sets / stunts ... all really well done. As far as 'bad movies' go, this one's issue is a convoluted story telling - I think this is a byproduct of editing which is probably a by product of budget issues during production. It is always the editor 🙂

​ 

If you LOVE Raimi or LOVE Campbell - watch it.

If you really enjoy MADTV sketches - watch it (probably in 22 minute chunks until you have had your fill)

If you are a fan of the Three Stooges - watch "Soup to Nuts" ... it is a much better movie.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

They Live (1988)

 "They Live" (1988) is a movie I had never seen until last night when I went over to my sister's place. What a gem (my sister and this movie). Roddy Piper does some of his best work - which even for a Canadian is pretty dull. If, while watching it, you imagine that he never heard the director call 'action', then his performance makes total sense. Offsetting this is any scene where Keith David or Peter Jason are in. They are acting their butts of and are enthralling. (Just so you don't get confused - Peter Jason is neither Meatloaf nor Jason Sudekis' father ... You might think he is, but he isn't). The movie itself is a 94 minute indictment on Reagonmics, and gets plenty preachy. It would be under an hour of you cut out the establishing shots of people walking. But - THE REASON this movie needs to be seen - is a fight scene between Roddy and Keith. It goes on for 5+ minutes - you think it is over at least 3 times - it has all the beats of a professional...
Post a Comment
Read more

Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958) - it is a good deal better than the remakes

I got around to watching the original 1958 comedy caper film - the one that "Welcome to Collinwood" was pantomiming. "Big Deal on Madonna Street" is hilarious. It is 25 minutes longer than the remake and never once did I feel the need to check my watch. I even paused to go refill my water glass. There will be no problem telling who is who or how the story goes - it is well shot and characters are unique. The story is a simple and fun. Comparing the "BDoMS" and "WtC" - they are identical in terms of characters and scenes. "Big Deal on Madonna Street" street is terrific, and "WtC" is a slog. The biggest difference is seen in the dialog. In "Big Deal" the people just talk, like you might expect people to talk. They are funny, but not odd. The colloquialisms happen, but they aren't hard to see through. In "WtC", they are using a vernacular to make sure you are immersed deep in an Eastern European ethnic nei...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fences (2016)

Fences (2016) is nominally a story about being black in the United States of America in the 1950's. 'Troy' is a disaffected working man that never really had a chance. He is unable to make sense of an unfair world. Viola Davis doesn't get as much screen time (this is Denzel's movie), but when she is let on the scene, she destroys. 'Rose' is setting herself aside to make a life & family despite very little prospects for measurable happiness. Based on an August Wilson play - the magic of his writing is that at its root, this story is about people who set aside themselves for "existence". All people yearn for happiness on this world from their achievements (at least to achieve 'success' & 'happiness' relative to people around them). People want to proclaim they are in control of their situations. People want to be treated generously and with respect. People think that the world, society, economy, and people around them should a...
Post a Comment
Read more