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It's not too surprising that Shag flopped on its 1989 release butfound a devoted cult following on cable TV and home video. This featherweightcomedy looked like a waste of space on the big screen, but it plays very cozilyon the tube, where it lends itself to popcorn breaks and pajama parties. (Thelousy title must have had something to do with the movie's initial failure, aproblem worsened by the film being marketed as Shag: The Movie, a trulydumb idea.) Shag is in the tradition of Spring Break pictures, athoroughly formulaic stroll through the conventions of the minigenre:beachsideromance, a wild party, one tender deflowering, and lots of rock & roll. The timeis 1963, as three gal friends trick their soon-to-be-married pal (Phoebe Cates)into one final all-girl fling in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Cates is engagedto a local well-bred stick (Tyrone Power Jr.), but soon she's tempted by a beachboy (Robert Rusler) bound for Yale (mm-hmm). The so-so material is buoyed bylovely Annabeth Gish, as the supposedly pudgy one in the group, and BridgetFonda, as a prematurely sophisticated sexpot. After a while it's easy enough torelax and enjoy the girls' breezy adventures, which are served up without thesoap opera melodrama of the similarly tooled Where the Boys Are. Oh, andAustin Powers notwithstanding, the title refers to the dance, not somethingelse. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (67)

Fianlly, on DVD!! I want my own Chip!!
Like many here, I found the transfer of this movie to VHS to be awful (grainy,bad color). Thus, the DVD is a relief--crisp picture, letterbox format, just like in a theater! The music on the soundtrack is the same that I've always remembered (Stagger Lee, Alley Oop, It Will Stand, etc.), so those who say it had different music, please e-mail me and tell me what it was. The music now is so perfect for the film, I can't imagine anything else! Thew film itself is a delight, a great "summer film." If you have girlfriends, definitely gather them up to watch it on a summer night. The performances are great (esp. by Phoebe Cates and Annabeth Gish), and my first great crush was Scott Coffey as the sweet Chip. (BTW--My God, is Robert Rustler (Buzz) tan in this film, freakishly so. When Buzz goes off to Yale, he'll either have to pale out or buy some sun lamps to stay that red!) This film is a must see for anyone who enjoyed "Mystic Pizza," "Dirty Dancing" or "Footloose." Watch it soon! ("It's the most fun!")

You will marry Bullwinkle and have 3 kids!
Okay...you all think you are fans? My friends and I loved this movie so much (it released to VHS when we were in high school) and watched it so many times that we had our own last fling before going off to college and spent a week in Myrtle Beach. (Unfortunately, life isn't always as fun as a movie but we still had a good time!) Yes, the movie is cheesy, but everyone in it is so completely likeable. The music, the dancing, the outfits, the southern drawls...what's not to like? Even my mom loves this movie! It definitely fits under the category of "Chick Flick" but we all need movies to watch with our girlfriends... what ever happened to some of these fun actors? If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend you try it out!

GRITS
This movie has got to be the best movie (along with Gone With the Wind) ever! I have actually worn out my VHS tape because my girlfriends and I (all from South Carolina) get together to watch it at least once a week! I went to Senior Week (as Sun Fun weekend is known to graduating seniors from SC) four years ago, as did every graduating senior in SC, as did our parents before us. My mom loves to watch it because it reminds her of her Senior Week (in 1963)! Those who don't like it, are usually guys or those who don't know what shagging is or how to do it (people not from SC or the South, basically). So give it a chance, don't just rent it, you have to buy it!

NO SELF-RESPECTING SOUTHERNER SHOULD BE WITHOUT IT
Ah, Shag! This is one of my favorite movies for so many reasons. The movie is definitely lightweight, but also very memorable. The perfect casting had one thing to do with that. Everyone in this movie, down to the late Carrie Hamilton, is made-to-order. The "Southern" details of this movie are also dead-on. As a North Carolinian who's spent a heck of a lot of time in Myrtle Beach (though in the '90s, not in the '60s) the accents, expressions, music, and clothes are all correct for the time and place. The story is simple, but most great movies have simple plots when you get right down to it. What makes Shag shine is great acting, fantastic period details, and quotable dialogue. Watch this movie with another Southerner or anybody else who could appreciate the humor and the fun of this great movie. Whether it's your first time or your 100th time watching it, Shag is absolutely the "most fun"!
By the way, though this is not the original motion picture soundtrack, it's still pretty darn good. For those of you who didn't see the early VHS version of the movie, let me explain: some of the songs were in the original version of the movie and are still in this version; others were added later. The original movie soundtrack, which I still have, contains new versions of old songs, plus a couple of original ones. I don't know why it was changed, but I'd sure like to have a copy of the DVD with the original soundtrack, which includes songs by K.D Lang and Randy Newman, to name a few.

Loved Scott Coffey
ok the movie was just like every spring break movie you had ever seen even the characters were the same the prim one, the slut, the one that used to be a duckling and became a swan, they all go to the beach to have one last fling before they go their own ways.the movie wasn't bad it just wasn't all that memorable. but all throughout the movie i kep screaming how much i loved chip (scott coffey) his character was so lovable. i wish i could find more movies he was in. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

So-So!
I like James Garner and Jack Lemmon but do not feel this was their best work. They are both ex-presidents whom we find doing various jobs after their bout in the White House. One writes books that no one reads, one does speeches that no one listens to, and of course they hate each other.
Thrown together by circumstances making them the bad guys, they run for their lives and are forced to see America through each others eyes and the eyes of the people.
I would like to say it is enemies made friends, but I'm not sure that is how this movie ended. I didn't like some of the talk that went on and didn't feel it needed to be as crude as it was, I felt it took away from the movie. However, the two men as usual do a fine job of portraying their characters, I will give them that much! I have seen better but I have seen worse!

Stereotypes at their best
In a day and age when politics absolutely shape our country, it's nice to see someone taking the time to point out all the idiosyncracies between the parties. Many people view this as a road movie, but you can't take it as that. If you look at it as a political farce, then you'll be thrilled. The road trip is a side-show within the comedy.

Jack Lemmon and James Garner are perfect as the republican and democrat (respectively) ex-presidents. Granted, the plot is far-fetched, but if you're looking for great jokes, this is a stop you'll be glad you made.

Comic SLEEPER with Muskrat Love to boot!
The same Reviewers who are kind to MY LIFE have missed the boat on this frenetic comic messterpiece. MY FELLOW AMERICANS is a funny ...sometimes archly funny...flick that blows pretense out of media-driven blowhard politics.James Garner--reviving his MAVERICK-cool persona--is former Democratic Prez,Matt Douglas. Jack Lemmon is arch rival,former Republican Prez,Russell Kramer.A banana bunch of classy supporting actors(including Lauren Bacall and Conehead Dan Aykroyd)keep the pot/plot bubbling with inane set pieces;wicked-wit dialogue;and a bogus story comprising multiple assassination attempts and enough scandal/nefarious conspiracy to glut-up Michael Moore.

That the plot is "pointless" is beside the point. The august majesty of THE PRESIDENCY is the Wallmart target taken for a satirical ride here,and it works. High point of MY FELLOW AMERICANS is that there is no high point in what amounts to sloppy collection of hysterical skits. Jack Heard(a wacky, decisively second string Vice-Prez)makes the MFA Sound Track a collector's item with his stirring(as Funeral valediction/hymn) rendition of soft-schlock rockers,AMERICA's goofy ballade: MUSKRAT LOVE. What more can discerning viewers want? Blue,Red or Indie Green;this load of Americana is yuk-filled shot-in-the-dark at POLs and their Homies everywhere.(50 stars minus 46)

"Our dreams are our children."
The story covers several years and three presidencies. First Lemmon, then Garner and now Aykroid. Vice President Ted Matthews (John Heard) is a dunce. Turns out rumors of a scandal are surfacing and the now president is having thoughts of pining the scandal on Lemmon who was president at the time. Joe Hollis (Wilford Brimley) the head of the opposition party wants to pin it on the present administration. Col. Paul Tanner will protect the secret at any cost. There are many more players, too numerous to mention. Seems that someone has determined that Lemmon and Garner are best dispatched. Will this happen? Can they clear their names? And not just who is behind the plot, but what is the plot? Watch out for Blinky.

This movie has a sound mystery base to get us through the twists and turns with lots of "who's behind it" moments. However the interaction between Garner and Lemmon is so much fun that sometimes we forget the plot.

Good but not the greatest movie for these stars
Lots of good laughs in this movie. My entire family enjoyed it and we have wildly varied tastes. Yes, some of jokes are a bit of a reach, but the movie never lags and it actually maintains a certain amount of suspense in addition to the humor. It's just a good simple popcorn and family movie. Goes to show that high school sex comedies aren't the only source of humor. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Big Bad Mama II, not what you were looking for
If you were hoping for a skin flick, this is not it. A couple of minutes of long shots of the young girls swimming topless and one real nice look at Julie McCullouh (...), in bed, is not enough too qualify. The acting is awful. Angie looks great for her age. Still not enough.

Good Entertainment
This does not live up to the first Big Bad Mama, despite havingsome of the same gun-fight scenes spliced in. Angie Dickinson in fulltheatrical make-up while doing laundry on the range is a must-see, however, as is Culp narrating her plight on the radio all alone in the desert. Of course, Angie's daughters, one played by a much-grown up Danielle Brisbois, miss no opportunity to frolick in the nude. Interesting, funny, and sometimes insightful. Angie does not disappoint! END ... Read more

Description

Pandora: a top secret experimental U.S. military peacekeeping device with the capacity to destroy organic matter while leaving inorganic matter unharmed. When Pandora is stolen by renegade commando Bill Stenwick (Richard Tyson), John Lacy (Daniel Baldwin) is sent to recapture it. Lacy is the smartest, toughest agent from Secret Operations, and he also happens to be Stenwick's former mentor. When these two adversaries face off against each other, the fate of the world hinges on the outcome. DVD includes additional footage. Daniel Baldwin, Erika Eleniak, Richard Tyson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nothing I haven't seen better countless times before
The sole reason I watched that movie was that I usually like Daniel Baldwin's acting regardless of the quality of the film he's in. Afterwards I felt severely let down.

The plot is a sorry mix of what made up a couple of first-rate and lesser action movie these past years: a disappointed special agent turns, steals an ultra-secret army device which disintegrates people but not buildings and takes a city hostage. Still do-goody ex-partner tries to get device back and kill baddie with a James-Bond-like license issued by more-secret-than-secret inner government circles.

Can it get more cliched? No. And the oneliners, the distractors (must all would-be wives be silly non-supportive chicks who make you wonder why a 'super-hero' even is interested enough for marriage?) and the other characters are even more cliched.

This movie is a lot like zapping wildly through a couple of channels all showing direct-to-video action flicks. You know every action and reaction, the special FX are from the can or look like US army ads, the plot has twists which are telegraphed a mile ahead and the absolutely ridiculous car chase at the end is the lowest common denominator of them all.

I might have excused all this if I'd liked the acting, if there had been 'some' spark, some thing genuine and distinct in that movie. The impression however was of actors just moving through the set for the money, uncaring, not directed -- animated GI Joe and Co. show more acting ability.

The whole feel is tired, pre-fab, uncaring. Not recommended. ... Read more

Description

Hillary stayed late at the office--that was her first mistake. Young architect Hillary White descends the elevator of her self-designed office tower, tracked on the building security monitors by an unseen presence. As she reaches the parking garage, she climbs into her car and heads for the main exit, only to be intercepted by Craig Fulson, her longtime boyfriend and the other half of a failing relationship. Craig breaks their date for the evening in favor of a business meeting. They begin a lovers' quarrel, unaware that someone is closing the building down with them inside. They are trapped in a nightmarish game of cat and mouse, pitting their mutual desperation and sophisticated knowledge of the hi-tech building against one another to gain a final upper hand. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lower Level
Handsome made thriller has Elizabeth Gracen running for her life when she stays late at the office and is trapped in the building she designed by a security guard who has a fixation on her, who also knows all the ways to activate (and de-activate) the computer controlled elevators, gates and doors of the high rise. All acting is top-notch. Gracen turns in a great performance, as does David Bradley as the psycho guard and Jeff Yagher as Gracen's boyfriend. Although clichéd and often categorized as a reversal of "Fatal Attraction," this thriller generates enough thrills, chills and false alarms to keep the viewer solidly entertained. Great script and direction too.

very thrilling,keeps you glued to your screen. Bravo!
I first caught this made for direct to video gem on cable in 1990. I was not expecting what was eventually delivered by this film. The acting was first rate, and I was kept in suspense during the entire film. Ms. Gracen turns in a stellar performance. There is no signs of her former Miss.America connection in this sexy, dark suspense/thriller. She certainly established herself in my book as a seriously underated actress.This film is certainly worth a look. ... Read more

Description

One sweet cost and twice the laughter with "Caddyshack 2" and "My Fellow Americans"! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nothing I haven't seen better countless times before
The sole reason I watched that movie was that I usually like Daniel Baldwin's acting regardless of the quality of the film he's in. Afterwards I felt severely let down.

The plot is a sorry mix of what made up a couple of first-rate and lesser action movie these past years: a disappointed special agent turns, steals an ultra-secret army device which disintegrates people but not buildings and takes a city hostage. Still do-goody ex-partner tries to get device back and kill baddie with a James-Bond-like license issued by more-secret-than-secret inner government circles.

Can it get more cliched? No. And the oneliners, the distractors (must all would-be wives be silly non-supportive chicks who make you wonder why a 'super-hero' even is interested enough for marriage?) and the other characters are even more cliched.

This movie is a lot like zapping wildly through a couple of channels all showing direct-to-video action flicks. You know every action and reaction, the special FX are from the can or look like US army ads, the plot has twists which are telegraphed a mile ahead and the absolutely ridiculous car chase at the end is the lowest common denominator of them all.

I might have excused all this if I'd liked the acting, if there had been 'some' spark, some thing genuine and distinct in that movie. The impression however was of actors just moving through the set for the money, uncaring, not directed -- animated GI Joe and Co. show more acting ability.

The whole feel is tired, pre-fab, uncaring. Not recommended. ... Read more