Tag: Jeff Kober

OUT OF BOUNDS (1986)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Richard Tuggle 

Written By: Tony Kayden 

Cinematography: Bruce Surtees

Editor: Kent Beyda 

Cast: Anthony Michael Hall, Jenny Wright, Jeff Kober, Glynn Turman, Raymond J. Barry, Pepe Serna, Michele Little, Jerry Levine 

Farm boy Daryl Cage’s parents ship him off to the big city to live with his brother, hoping he will have a better life there. After a baggage mixup at the airport, Daryl finds himself in possession of a drug cache, which a ruthless drug dealer wants back. The dealer murders Daryl’s brother and the small town boy ends up all alone in the big city, being pursued by both the drug dealer and the police, who suspect him of the murder.

————————————————————————

This comes across as Anthony Michael Hall, trying to be a more serious movie star and more of an action thriller . That works and its own way though ultimately feels typical of the time period

As the film is not asking him to be another Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger here he is more just an innocent kid brought into intrigue and is trying to find his way out of it and luckily for him is adept. As part of the action is watching this kid who no one would Suspects slowly figure things out and become savvy and trying to get himself out of his dangerous situation

The film doesn’t offer anything new. It is vicious and it’s violence, though not gory it just seems mean spirited, especially towards innocent characters and even its criminal characters who don’t exactly deserve their fates at times. 

It’s also a film that shows the glamour of LosAngeles but also the dark underside of the underground of of it at the time. 

What I would really recommend this movie for is the performance of Jenny Wright as just her fashion throughout the film and her looks is so iconic and so of that period. It’s almost like everything stops when she’s on screen and you just wanna keep watching her. She also gives the most believable performance throughout the film.

At first the film does try to show the slow and illness of the farm and seems to brighten up when Anthony Michael Hall‘s character finally gets to LosAngeles and sees all the statue ask beautiful women and flirting on the plane with Jenny Wright character.

The crime angle of the film does offer quite a few double crosses and surprises, though for the season film viewer you will probably see it coming, though it stays entertaining this film isn’t exactly an action extravaganza, which is why it leans more into thriller territory, but it is a fun watch as long as you don’t take any of it to seriously.

This film didn’t push Anthony Michael Hall’s career quite into the stardom that he was hoping for, but it was a nice attempt for the time as he tries to lean away from not only being comedic, but also the more geeky nerdish type rules. 

One can admit this is a film. I remember the posters an advertisement for back in the day and one that I always swore that someday I’m finally gonna watch it. Unfortunately, it seems like it took me 40 years to finally catch up to it though not what I expected, it does capture the time. In all its glory or despair 

Grade: C+

TANK GIRL (1995)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Rachel Talalay

Written By: Tedi Sarafin

Based on a Comic-Strip By: Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin 

Cinematography: Gale Tattersall

Editor: James R. Symons 

Cast: Lori Petty, Ice-T, Naomi Watts, Malcolm McDowell, Don Harvey, Jeff Kober, Reg E. Cathey, Scott Coffey, Ann Cusack, Iggy Pop, Brian Wimmer, Billy L. Sullivan, James Hong, Doug Jones, Stacy Linn Ramsowar 

A girl is among the few survivors of a dystopian Earth. Riding a war tank, she fights against the tyranny of a mega-corporation that dominates the remaining potable water supply of the planet.

The film successfully fills out a comic book world with vivid colors, fashions, and ridiculousness. 

The problem is that it all feels constantly staged on a set and bargain basement. The practical special effects are the only thing that is very impressive. Even later in the film Malcolm McDowell’s character’s more digital look is lackluster.

The film looks cheap and it keeps its rebellious D.I.Y. Punk attitude, but it doesn’t sell the story. It tries to remind the fans of its origins from time to time showing a scene and then showing the outcome from the panel of the graphic novel. Fans might remember how much it is not the graphic novel, but light entices newbies in the audience to seek out the source material.

The film isn’t horrible it is probably actually ahead of its time given a decade later it would probably have been treated better by the studio and audiences might have been more receptive. If made today probably would have been a successful limited series on a streaming Service 

Surprisingly I quite enjoy the film. Though wasn’t actually looking for much. Maybe it is that offbeat production and sense of humor the film has that makes it feel a little different and special. 

Lori Petty’s performance is enjoyable one of her biggest starring roles. Though I can understand if some audience members might find her annoying. While she is certainly energetic and wacky to truly be a believable action hero. Here she comes across as campier and like a demented sidekick, but maybe that is part of the appeal.

Her performance makes the action scenes a little more hard to believe. When you have this more comedic character all of a sudden being a savior and out stoic hero. 

The film attempts to be experimental with not only the comic book panel cutaways but also a musical sequence that comes out of nowhere and probably helps cement the film’s cult classic status. Not to mention genetically altered kangaroo men.

The film was clearly made to be appealing more to teenagers and a female audience. Though it already had limited appeal as more of a cult comic book. Where the filmmakers and studio at the time hoped would come out and support the film and have at least that audience. 

Anytime the film risks getting too violent. Which can happen in a dystopian apocalyptic landscape. It cuts away, there is no abundance of bad language or adult situations that are hinted at but cut short. Even a slight Beastiality romance between a kangaroo-man and the lead is more hinted at than anything 

The film is also one of the earliest appearances of actress Naomi Watts in a supporting role. 

Though credit must be given to this film for offering diversity and representation across the board in the casting of the film.

During the film and by the end it will definitely feel like you are on some kind of psychedelic or drug. Think of it as a precursor to a studio film like GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY in wackiness and heroics. 

Grade: C+