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glenmusher
Reviews
Kwagga Strikes Back (1990)
check in your thought policeman before viewing
POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD.
For non- South Africans this movie may come across as a little confusing, something of an in-joke that your not in on.
It satirises the handover of power in what was South West Africa from South African control to becoming the State of Namibia in 1989, at times none to subtly! It concerns the handover of power in a African state called Nambabwe to a majority rule from white Afrikaans rule, and the arrival of silly and naive United Nations soldiers to implement the peaceful transition of power which does not go down well with some of the locals,most notably indomitable and resourceful Kwagga (Leon Schuster) a local white farmer with a skill for disguises and impressions. Much hilarity ensues as he takes his revenge on the interlopers, some of which seems pretty cruel. Racial stereotyping abounds here (an Indian called Rashid, in a Sihk turban!)but if you check in your thought policeman at the door you may still enjoy this.
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Celluloid immortality for Arnie...
I really liked this movie,it revived the whole "sword and sandal" genre that was popular in the sixties and has recently been given a new lease of life with movies like "Gladiator",more recent Arnie movies have been far slicker in their production values,but it's fun to see the movie that started this versatile performer on the road to celluloid immortality!I really think it would be great if some enterprising film maker would have a stab at adapting that other great barbarian,Lin Carter's "Thongor" series, with the current vogue for fantasy movies eg Lord of the Rings",they could make far worse choices!
Hired to Kill (1990)
Good voyeuristic fun!
This is a movie with cult potential.Brian Thompson(in a rare leading role.)is the misogynistic soldier of fortune called on to lead an army of seven beautiful fashion models/ mercenaries to rescue an imprisoned leader from a despotic regime.Good supporting cast in the shape of the late Oliver Reed and Jose Ferrar.It also features a gay kiss scene(of sorts) between Reed and Thompson!The dialogue is cliched, but the action is good.The girls look as if they escaped from a Robert Palmer video.Good voyeuristic fun!
Jason and the Argonauts (2000)
Real standout was Brian Thompson.
I was really impressed by the quality of this TV movie,sure it isn't the 63 Harryhausen version,but it stands up well own.The cast are all fairly good.London makes for a fine,slightly bland hero.Hopper excells at being evil as Pelias,Henstridge got a billing here out of proportion to her small role.The real standout among the cast was Brian Thompson as Hercules,this is an actor often sadly wasted in villainous parts in poor movies,maybe they would consider a Hercules TV show with him?Sergei Kozlov's photography and the Turkish locations were both good.
Dreamscape (1984)
Nostalgic for the eighties.
I first saw this movie in 85 in South Africa in my teens.when I saw it again a few years ago it made me feel very nostalgic for the eighties!Sure the FX are not up to CGI standards,but they have their own sort of charm,there is also a young Dennis Quaid and a sultry Kate Capshaw,plus a host of familiar TV faces.Veterans Plummer, Von Sydow and Albert compliment the (then) newcomers Quaid and Capshaw nicely.Jarre's synthesiser score, is both jazzy and eerie and suits the film perfectly.