Tag: Robert Romanus

PULSE (1988)

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Written & Directed By: Paul Golding 

Cinematography: Peter Lyons Collister 

Editor: Gib Jaffe 

Cast: Joey Lawrence, Cliff De Young, Roxanne Hart, Bill Durham, Dennis Redfield, Matthew Lawrence, Robert Romanus, Myron D. Healy

A visiting son tries to warn his father and stepmother that they are being menaced by a living and intelligent pulse of electricity that moves from house to house and terrorizes the residents therein.

What is interesting is that This film works sort of like the FINAL DESTINATION movies where there is no real villain. It’s like that happening. It’s just happenstance or recurrent that is focused yet random something you can’t really fight against as it has no face or human form. The people who are affected have very little defense, other than just general survival.

So that we watch the deterioration of a family that is affected by this that was already rather fragile, though at the heart of the film it also shows the strength of the family as they discover the problem and try to come together to survive and hopefully solve or defeat what is attacking them

I would say this film is more an introductory horror film as it’s a little too gruesome for children, but it plays almost like a family film with some heart elements. There is one death in the film, but it’s off screen, though the film is filled with a lot of tension.

Originally this film was meant to be a big summer release of 1988 after the executive in charge was replaced by Don Steele side of the studio. She’s seemingly did not want to really have to deal with his slate films that were left so this was released in certain territories in the Midwest before being buried on cable and then video stores whereas originally the promotion was to be a big summer release for the studio with plenty of money and budget behind. It’s promotion.

So far, this is one of the better  movies I’ve seen that Joey Lawrence has a big Role in and even managed to find a role for his younger brother Matthew, where they don’t play as related.

Well, this film might be a little more tame for a modern audience. This could’ve easily been one of the more scarier ambulance type movies where adults are involved, but it’s mostly the kids were on screen and experiencing things and there is a chance of danger for them as ambulance films play more to the adventure angle.

It does feel a little familiar to poltergeist in some ways, as well as having an older man character again, who feels reminiscent of a character from poltergeist, only dressed in Indiana Jones‘s wardrobe, for whatever reason

Is a film that does show a lot of originality and imagination, even if it doesn’t have a flare for the dramatics, nor is it as show off as it could’ve been it stays grounded, which helps it feel a little more reality based. 

Grade: C+

MURPHY’S LAW (1986)

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Directed By: J. Lee Thompson 

Written By: Gail Morgan Hickman

Cinematography: Alex Phillips

Editor: Peter Lee Thompson and Charles Simmons 

Cast: Charles Bronson, Kathleen Wilhoite, Carrie Snodgrass, Robert Romanus, Bill Henderson, Lawrence Tierney, Robert F. Lyons, Angel Tompkins, Janet Maclachlan, James Luisi 

Jack Murphy is a veteran police detective who is framed for the murder of his ex-wife. Although taken into custody, Murphy escapes from the police station handcuffed to a foul-mouthed car thief. Pursued by the police, Murphy must find the real killer before it is too late.

This is a Charles Bronson film. I was looking forward to it, as I will admit at first I thought it would be almost like a buddy comedy only with Charles Bronson with a smart ass, pickpocket, and maybe more of an action comedy. Who start off as enemies, but slowly need one another to survive their situation. That is not exactly what this film is.

While it has its lighthearted scenes, this film ultimately is very dark which is what I am finding a lot when it comes to Charles Bronson movies and characters. So there is no wisecracking as much on his part. 

As here, his main character is a sad sack police detective, who is a bit of an alcoholic, and can’t get over his ex-wife, who has clearly moved on, and has no feelings for him. Yet he still stalks her and punishes himself seeing her with new lovers and working as a stripper.

The film offers wisecracks galore, especially from Karen Wilhoite, as the pickpocket, which is refreshing compared to the eternally grumpy Charles Bronson. Her lines are hilarious, and they are even now a little outdated. Though she is the bright spot of the film and breathes life into it.

I wish I could call it an action comedy but they’re very few laughs in the film. She mainly is a comedic relief other than maybe some of the situations and scenes as the film like most Charles Bronson starring films of the 1980s seems a bit mean-spirited. Compared to other action films. Even here he lacks charisma and personality.

The female villain is over-the-top ridiculous. Yet captivating. Not for the fact that it is a female villain, but just her motivations. She is thoroughly coldhearted. Though her motivations seem a bit stupid, yet understandable. Especially if she has just stayed incognito. Though by a certain point exposes herself.

The film’s scope is surprisingly larger than expected, especially for a 1980’s movie starring Bronson. Where the locations keep changing and more and more vehicles get destroyed. 

The film doesn’t quite live up to expectations but manages to stay entertaining with plenty of action. Unfortunately, it’s not quite a fun ride but leaves you interested throughout and has plenty of fun playing with the title.

Grade: C+