Reviews (63)

Two on, two out, Bonds is up again....
This movie was panned by the critics (as I recall it was on Roger Ebert's Worst list that year) and sank without even a bubble at the theaters. Why? I have no idea--I have watched this movie about 10 times now and I just love it! Kelsey Grammar is perfect as a think-outside-the-box Naval officer with "Welcome Aboard" tatooed on his docking probe. Bruce Dern is the by-the-book admiral who doesn't want Grammar's character promoted to sub captain. Admiral Rip Torn has other ideas, wanting to use Grammar in a naval exercise. Dern tries to sabotage Grammar by sending him the worst crew he can find: inexperienced diving officer Lauren Holly, the guy who played the psycho in Something About Mary is the sonar man, and a way-over-the-top Rob Schneider as the Exec. San Francisco's own U.S.S. Pampanito stars as the rust-bucket Fleet Sub they're all assigned to. This is a fun, goofy movie that does not take itself too seriously. There are a number of hilarious scenes (IMHO) that quite frankly depend on sophomoric humor. Who cares! It's not as gross as Animal House, and the plot moves quicker. Give Down Periscope a shot.

The Studio Must Think We're Idiots
I love this movie. I've seen it 20 times on tape at least. So when the DVD arrived this morning I couldn't wait to put it in the player. But wait, as the widescreen version (both are allegedly included on the DVD) played, it didn't look right to me. I started flipping between the widescreen and standard versions, and it confirmed my worst fears: THE STUDIO CARVED THE WIDESCREEN VERSION OUT OF THE STANDARD VERSION! I have never seen this done before on DVD. You will see the tops of everybody's heads cut off in the opening scenes. Later in the movie when captain Kelsey Grammar accuses dive officer Lauren Holly of being "almost out of uniform," the joke is completely ruined by the cropped view of Holly's uniform. This magnifying of the screen lowers the contrast and makes it look grainy. Did the studio think we wouldn't notice? I think this really shows contempt for us, the customers. When I buy a widescreen DVD, I expect to see what I saw in the theater! But here, you'll see more by watching the standard version. This is inexcusable.

The audio is presented in 5.1, which adds a great deal to this movie. However, better use could have been made of the surround speakers; the background is not well separated.

Now the movie: Kelsey Grammar is a "think outside the box" naval officer given command of the Stingray, a World War II Vallejo class Diesel sub. His assignment is to try to outwit the nuclear navy and run a blockade. To sabotage his efforts, Admiral Bruce Dern gives him the worst crew he can find including diving officer Holly, sonar man Harlan Williams, and an electrician who's taken "a lot of volts." Down Periscope was sunk by the critics when it came out--Roger Ebert put it on his worst of the year list. The humor is sophomoric and silly, and therein lies the charm of this movie. It has a good heart. Grammer is perfect as a goofball captain who is really very, very good at his job. This is kind of movie that will either work on you or it won't. If you like silly movies, give Down Periscope a shot. As for the butchering of the widescreen version of this movie on the DVD, let's hope this doesn't start a trend.

a unique comedy
Down Periscope is hilarious from beginning to end. It is one of those movies that has a serious plot invaded by superb humor. I laughed almost every couple of minutes while watching this movie. Down Periscope is one humorous movie that anyone can pretty much agree on. What is amazing to me is that this movie did not do well at the box office. I definately think it was good enough to spawn a sequel.

IT ***IS*** IN WIDESCREEN!!!!
I really hope the last reviewer comes back to see what else has been said. This is one of my favorite movies and I was a bit dissapointed that I wasn't going to be upgrading my poor, overwatched VHS tape that is hanging on by a thread, for a full Widescreen DVD with all the bells & whistles. I got the DVD anyway and noticed that one side is printed with "Side A Full Screen" while the other side is blank...cusriosity got the best of me and I figured that if it has "Side A" there must be a reason...so I put the DVD in on the other side...and the movie is there...AND IN WIDESCREEN! Apparently they forgot to print the label for side B, but it most certainly exists :)

I Think It's Funny!
I watched Down Periscope when I ordered it from Direct TV on the Satellite and I thought it was a good movie. I'm not really a fan of fart jokes but even I have to admit that the scene when the people on the ship were listening in on the submarine and someone farted and the sound was magnified and the guys on the ship couldn't figure out what the loud noise was was actually funny. Down Periscope is a 3 1/2 star movie that I recommend and I will have to think about buying the DVD which has both a widescreen version and a pan and scan version. I would definitely prefer the widescreen version! ... Read more

Reviews (82)

Magnificent, deeply moving parable
Every so often, a movie comes out of nowhere which touches you so deeply, on so many levels, that it stays in your heart forever. "Powder" (1995) is such a movie.

The premise is deceptively simple: Following the death of his last remaining adult guardian on their isolated farm, a young albino man nicknamed 'Powder' (Sean Patrick Flanery) is taken into the custody of local authorities. But his genius IQ and ability to harness electricity - leading to spectacular displays of apparently 'magical' behavior - arouses the suspicions of frightened townsfolk, and while he's able to change some people's lives for the better (and how!), others are too consumed by hatred to accept this strange, unique outsider. Thus, the stage is set for potential tragedy...

Writer-director Victor Salva (also responsible for the superb "Rites of Passage", 1998) has constructed a modern parable which works both as a simple entertainment and as a powerful meditation on the nature of Good and Evil. Episodic in structure, the narrative pitches Powder's strange appearance and gentle manner against some of the worst aspects of the human condition - bigotry, mistrust, cruelty - and though Salva makes a brave attempt to portray these shameful characteristics in various shades of grey, his script acknowledges that some people are defined by their hatred and cannot easily be changed. That said, whilst the film doesn't flinch from the rough stuff, it's ultimately a joyous celebration of the human spirit: Though evil flourishes, goodness prevails.

"Powder" contains a wealth of memorable moments, but some scenes are truly outstanding, such as Powder's first appearance as a ghost-like figure hovering in the darkness of the cellar where he's been hiding since his grandfather's death; the beautiful/terrible moment in the dining hall of the reformatory when Powder realizes he's never going to be accepted by his peers, no matter how hard he tries; the emotionally devastating sequence with the wounded deer (absolutely unforgettable!); and the sheriff's (Lance Henriksen) last desperate attempt to communicate with his terminally-ill wife (a touching, wordless performance by Dannete McMann). Few other 'fantasy' films of recent years have been so deeply, profoundly moving as this.

Production values are top-notch all the way down the line: From Jerzy Zielinski's beautiful, flawless cinematography, to Jerry Goldsmith's low-key score; from Waldemar Kalinowski's unobtrusive production design, to Dennis M. Hill's expert editing - this is the work of talented craftspeople operating at the top of their game, perfectly in tune with the director's intentions. But the real magic is conjured by a superb cast: Top-billed Mary Steenburgen and Jeff Goldblum are quietly effective in virtual supporting roles, while Brandon Smith underplays the part of a bigoted deputy sheriff whose life is changed forever by his encounter with the title character. As always, Lance Henriksen (who also played the lead in Salva's earlier "The Nature of the Beast", 1994) distinguishes himself as a humane but disillusioned lawman whose convictions are thoroughly shaken by Powder's remarkable abilities. Look out, also, for terrific turns by Bradford Tatum (as the leader of the bullies who make life a misery for Powder), Missy Crider (the potential love-interest) and the always-wonderful Susan Tyrrell (the sheriff's well-meaning but narrow-minded housekepeper) in small but crucial roles.

But the heart and soul of the picture is, of course, Powder himself, played with heartbreaking sensitivity by Sean Patrick Flanery. Almost unrecognizable beneath an unusual makeup job (by industry veterans Thomas R. Burman and Bari Dreiband-Burman) which preserves much of his natural beauty whilst also emphasizing the characters' appealing otherworldliness, he plays Powder without any trace of self-pity; instead, he highlights the kindness and vulnerability of a Christ-like figure whose greatest curse is his total comprehension of the world and its inequities, and by his understanding that he'll never be a part of it (when a vicious thug whispers in his ear: "You really think you can be like us...?", you half-expect Powder to reply: "Who'd WANT to be?!"). Powder embodies many of the qualities which are largely absent from our own lives - goodness, compassion, and an appreciation of Nature in all its rich diversity - and Flanery captures those qualities with vivid grace. Of all the fine performances in this exceptional film, his is the most dignified and triumphant.

Though aimed at the widest possible audience, "Powder"s theme of the persecuted loner will strike a real emotional chord with anyone who's ever found themselves on the sidelines, watching the rest of the world go by. This is a movie which speaks loudest to the outsiders amongst us, the disenfranchised and the dispossessed. It will be warmly embraced by anyone who's ever reached out to others and been rejected...anyone who's ever felt lost and afraid, or found themselves alone in the dark...anyone who's ever believed that the world has turned its back on them because of WHO and WHAT they are...anyone who's ever stood aside from the crowd and refused to relinquish their ideals in the face of overwhelming odds..."Powder" is THEIR movie, their glimmer of hope. Once seen, never forgotten.

Hollywood Pictures' region 1 DVD surely deserves a major overhaul. The letterboxed image (1.85:1) is beautifully detailed but prone to all the drawbacks of non-anamorphic encoding, while the uncomplicated 5.1 soundtrack merely serves to reinforce the drama. The disc - which runs 101m 32s - is captioned, but there are no other extras, not even a trailer, which is disappointing. Because of the unfortunate events surrounding the original theatrical release, Salva may not be willing to revisit the picture for any future special edition, but an audio commentary with the director and Flanery - much like Salva's fascinating collaboration with Jason Behr on Wolfe Video's superb DVD edition of "Rites of Pssage" - would be more than welcome. All in all, five stars for the movie, two for the DVD.

My favorite character in all of Film
Although this movie earned mixed reviews, and forever seems doomed to mediocrity(like all good art), Powder is one of those movies that is completely unforgettable. After you watch the movie, you will ruminate over it for days. It is that powerful.

Powder is our hero, a teenager who is misunderstood and unloved, even by his own family. When he emerges into our world from his grandparents' basement, he cannot even comprehend how cruel people can be every day.

Some films have various layers you have to get underneath before they go to your heart, like Forrest Gump. Powder is a film that will go straight to your heart, and will not leave.

The setting in which the movie takes place is rural middle America, but seems like another world. The entire movie is akin to a dream. It will probably wont make you cry when you see it, but rather when you have time to fully digest what you have just watched.

The best part about this movie is it provides deep emotion without being visually disturbing or graphic. It keeps a very respectable PG-13 rating. You can even feel sorry for the antagonists in the film, and soon you start to empathize with Powder. You could call it a teen Forrest Gump, although Powder's character is less real, but more beautiful than Forrest.

I highly recommend this movie. I have talked to ruffian-type teenagers who saw this movie and they despised it. This is because they saw themselves in the antagonists so vividly, that it deeply disturbed them. I liked that. This movie is 10 stars, all the way. Watch it, think about it, treasure it.

Good.
'Powder' is a good movie. It comes on T.V. fairly often so check it out.

Chowder!
The only reason I wrote this review is because I wanted to say "Chowder!" Three stars, movie was neither good nor bad.

1 star is way too generous.
This is easily one of the worst movies i have ever seen in my life. I am all but shocked that they even financed this movie to dvd.

Avoid like the plague. Stay as far away as possible from this movie. Much like young ones should stay as far away as possible from the director. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

One of the funniest movies ever
The movie starts and ends with the two main characters, Joe and Hubbs, out on a Friday night trying to get drunk, stoned, and laid..... Yeah, not too deep, but can't you identify with at least part of the concept?

This movie has so much great dialogue that I cannot even start to get into it, as I'll go on all night.

The director and co-writer commentary is outstanding. Every saying, character nickname, song selection has a story behind it. I'm surprised James Melkonian, the director has not been involved in more projects.

This movie blows away 9/10 teen movies since 1982 easily.

What can I say about the cast of characters (where did they come up with these guys): Tack, Dixie Cup Dean, Lanie, Mike Dick, Mike New York, Hanky, Jill's Dad, Crump's Brother, The Narly Eyeball, The Samoan Dude. It goes on and on...

The music is great, even though they couldn't afford the Zeppelin/The Who tunes. Black Sabbath, Montrose, T-Rex, and of course BOC make this movie great.

The dvd case has a reviewer quoted as saying "Better than Dazed and Confused". I 100% agree - D&C while a good film, is too boring - does every movie of the genre have to make you think about your future? Thought movies were there to help you escape a little. For once, a movie about cutting loose for a night - The Stoned Age.

Don't fear the reaper!

Will not win an oscar.. but will never go out of style.
I waited up till 2 in the morning to first watch the Stoned age after hearing good things about it. I was not dissapointed. The movie is a cult classic and is better then that darling of critics "Dazed and Confused"(which is saying something).

The basic premise of the movie is well... take a friday night in Torrence, California, with two stoner friends/their equally braincell deprived buddies, and add a couple of chicks. Although it sounds lame and usual, the movie is best in that it does not take itself seriously. The movie doesn't try to make a few teenagers sound like english graduate students at 18 like present day envogue teen movies, instead it simply lets the characters... well be kids. It seems every character on the movie reminds me of someone I knew in High school. The most hilarious thing about the laughs in the movie, is the fact that they don't appear to be trying to make you laugh. Like dazed and confused, they simply find away to make you snicker almost every minute.

The two main Characters, Hubbs and Joe, make a hysterical pair, but to me the most memorable character is "Tack". Tack(played by Clifton Gonzalez-Gonzalez)is such a loser(meant in a good way) its funny. The two "chick" roles(not counting the "buffalo butts girls") play outstanding as the counterparts to Hubbs and joe. Party girl Laney and walflower(and moody) Jill provide probably two of the most hilarious scenes of the movie when both of them pound Joe.

The gist of the movie is, Joe and Hubbs only mission in life is to get as they so eloquently put it "Drunk, stoned, and laid". When the two find out about Laney and Jill from Tack,they see their night perfect and set out to fulfill the "night of our life" trifecta. However it seems everyone from Cops, Disco dancing store clerks,loser friends/cocky jocks, overzealous/pervert dads, and big samoan guys stand in there way. This intermixed with Joe "Wierding out" and scaring off chicks with his constant "Narly eyeball" remarks. Oh and did I mention a big, violence prone older brother that has personally eyed Laney and Jill as "his chicks".

In the end(not gonna spoil the movie) Joe is still a wuss, and Hubbs is still the tough guy. However at least Joe drives the Blue Torpedo now(have to see the movie to get it) and finally stands up to Hubbs. Look for guest appearances by Frankie Avalon and Jill is none other then Grace Slick's daughter(there is your star power right there).

Give it a try.. and when you start to find yourself offended by the movie... remember.. its just a movie and supposed to be fun.

Worst flick ever
I had heard of this movie for years, and when it came on cable, I decided to watch it. Biggest waste of time. No plot, crappy acting, and little to no pot smoking in the entire movie. Go stare at a wall, and you will be more entertained than watching this P.O.S.

Just Cruisin'
I saw this in the theater(yup, it actually had a theatrical release for a day or so) at the perfect age-17. Anyone who went to high school can recall the years of 16 and 17 to be the years of that mindless activity called "cruising"(of course, I know some losers in their 30s who continue to do this, I'm sure you do too). At that age you could drive, but you couldn't buy cigarettes, liquor or get into a bar, so what could you do? Go cruising! The idea was to meet girls with varying degrees of success. If you can relate to that, you'll get some degree of entertainment from The Stoned Age which starts off with this premise. This film is over exaggerated but ironically very realistic at the same time. Everyone knew someone like Tack-some annoying schmuck who would usually find his way into your car somehow. Everyone's also ended up at a party thrown by a bunch of idiots from a totally different "class" or "scene" than you. And who didn't know a couple of "Buffalo Chicks?" If you were one of those guys who took the "nice guy" approach to getting women, you'll totally identify with Joe. You can literally feel his frustration as he desperately attempts to woo the amazingly sexy Laney, only to have her jump in the sack with a sexist jerk who seduces her through...well....acting like a jerk. If you were a womanizing jerk like Hubbs, then you'll relive fond memories as you watch him get the chick through the most juvenile tactics available. I didn't grow up in the 70s, but it was the perfect setting for this film. The lingo is accurate, the music great, and the issues and concepts are still relevant today; The rich disco kids and their hatred for the lower/middle class hard rock stoners for example. Cruising, of course. People should really stop the comparisons to Dazed and Confused. That quote on the box was a bad idea, the director even says so in the commentary track! Two different films, folks. The only thing they have in common is the time period and some stoner characters. Would you compare Monty Python and The Holy Grail to Excalibur coz they take place in the same time period and have a few similar themes? Back to the music I mentioned before, I was very impressed with the soundtrack. In the commentary, the director mentions that this whole film was to be strictly Led Zeppelin songs, but it couldn't be done financially. Thank God for that! That would have been way too cliche. This movie works so much better with a soundtrack with no Led Zeppelin. God forbid there were other bands in the 70s other than Zeppelin, alot of them better, believe it or not. In this film we get songs by Ted Nugent, Deep Purple, Focus, Montrose, references to the Scorpions, and The Blue Oyster Cult takes center stage. That's cool coz BOC don't get the respect they deserve anymore. The cast of unknowns does a decent enough job. I'm not sure why the character of Jill is refered to as an "oinker" and "hoagley". Throughout the film, we keep getting reinforced the notion that Jill is supposed to be unattractive. Well, just watch the film and see if you think Jill is unattractive. Sure, maybe she doesn't leap off the screen like Laney, but she is one good looking woman. Of course, Laney is always dressed skimpy while Jill is isn't. Jill also looks the most 70s, Laney doesn't. Anyhow, this film is a sure gem to discover if you did the cruising thing in high school or were a teenager in the 70s. Also, to really enjoy this, totally disregard that Dazed and Confused quote on the box.

Great movie...
It's just a feel good.... brings you back kind of a movie. Always great for a laugh. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Stinging Good Fun
When looking for a fun action film, a good choice would be a film called Black Scorpion that stars Joan Severance. This movie was followed by a sequel and a television series.

Black Scorpion is the story of a young girl raised by a policeman father whose tactics cause him to ruin his career. Later in life as a cop herself she finds herself in a position where she needs to find justice and the Black Scorpion is born. Using some clothes from an undercover gig as a prostitute, and a few other additions, a costumed vigilante is created. Just as she starts to make her mark a super-villain called The Breathtaker threatens the lives of everyone in the city. It is up to Black Scorpion to save the day.

This movie is a well-balanced mix of action, adventure and humor. The police chief and a con called Argyle (played by Garrett Morris) really help to make this a very enjoyable movie. At the movie's end the viewer is left wanting to see more Black Scorpion adventures. Unfortunately, this is the best that the series gets. This is an R-Rated film for good reason so despite its comic-book feel, this is not one for children.

Black Scorpion Can Sting Me Any Time!
If you love B-movies, comic books, or women dressed in bondage gear who fight crime this is your lucky day!You'll love this one! This is the perfect flick when you're looking for escapist fun as super heroine Black Scorpion battles the evil Breathtaker and his army of asthmatics the wheezing warriors! It's a blast! Joan Severance is fantastic, seductive and beautiful and her commentary and interview segment on this DVD are a delight. She is so cute and seems like she really had a blast making this movie. If you enjoy this one check out the sequel and the tv show. This is fun stuff!

great escapist fare
Black Scorpion always makes me smile. It's a fun movie with a great leading lady and a good sense of fun. I've watched this on more than one rainy Sunday afternoon. A black leather clad superheroine battles the Darth Vader like Breathetaker who wants to make the entire city asthmatic. Silly and sexy cult entertainment.

a blast
Sexy Joan Severance puts on black hooker clothes to battle crime as the super-heroine Black Scorpion complete with her own super-powered car. This is great stuff if you love comics and B movies.

There are TWO editions of this movie!
Please be warned that there are two different editions of this movie on DVD and I've yet to find a retailer who can confirm which they're shipping. The one with "Roger Corman Presents" accros the top of the cover DOES NOT include the interview or commentary. ... Read more

Description

The ultimate predator...unleashed! The countdown to the end of the world has begun. As a runaway moon hurtles through space on a collision course with Earth, only a small team of interplanetary miners stands in its way. Their mission to alter the moon's course is halted when a fossilized alien is unleashed from its subterranean hibernation. The indestructible creature now stands between them and their determination to save humankind from certain extinction. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

STANDARD SCI FI FARE
One of the main problems in this low budget sci fi flick is its failure to show us the monster in full detail. A combination of ALIEN and ARMAGEDDON, WITHIN THE ROCK offers us a mining crew on a strange moon that is hurtling towards the earth. A doctor is on board to help divert the orbit of the moon. What they don't know is that the moon is harboring a million year old demon imprisoned by an alien civilization. The monster cannot function in oxygen-saturated air, so the crew decides it must battle it with nitrogen. The cast includes Xander Berkeley in his typical villain role as the money-grubbing manager of the mine crew; Caroline Barclay in a lifeless portrayal of the doctor; Brandon Tatum and Brian Krause as the gungho brothers--they're actually pretty good; Calvin Levels in his typical brother role; and Michael Zelniker as the computer nerd Archer, who is also quite good. The direction is amatuerish and the movie moves a little too slowly;it is also atrociously edited and lit. Not a horrible film, just not a good horror film.

Let's be honest
Not too bad for a B flick. But, spend your money elsewhere.

Completely Horrific!
What a horrific movie! It's scary and bloody. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It's worth watching over and over again no matter how many times. ... Read more