Rating: Summary: Wonder why you hate professional critics? Review: Here's why you hate the so-called pros.Buckaroo is a cult flick from the ground floor up. And the secret of cult movies is getting all those little details right. Would Rocky Horror's Frank N Furter wear nylon hose instead of silk fishnets? Would Jack from "Big Trouble In Little China" not make a move on the girl? And would a REAL fan of Buckaroo Banzai's call it "OPERATION Overthruster"??? Tell the sleepwalking "professional" movie reviewer that it's the OSCILLATION Overthruster. Then, and only then, will we care what the pros think -- even if they're in agreement with us. In the meantime, put on a skinny leather tie, turn up the collar of your bright Polo shirt, watch this movie -- and for the love of Whomever, tell me what the deal is with the watermelon.
Rating: Summary: No matter where you go, there you are Review: I have loved this movie since the first time I saw it! Pure fun from beginning to end, with some great performances and amazing writing, there is really nothing else like this film. The thought process behind this story is probably unimaginable and bizarre, so I am looking forward to the DVD extras, especially with my NUON DVD player! I doubt there will ever be another movie that captures the same spirit. Either you will watch this film over and over again, or you will be one of these people who just doesn't get it. Take a chance that you will be one of the former!
Rating: Summary: You must buy this movie! Review: I put this movie in the same genre as The Big Hit, and Big Trouble in Little China. Fun, fast paced movies that are a blast to watch, and don't take themselves seriously. Peter Weller as the Rock Star/Neuro-Surgeon/Astrophysicist/Engineer/etc. and his Banzai Irregulars save the world from Rastafarian Dreadlocked Aliens in this Sci-Fi romp. A long time favorite an the Con's, it's great when the audience answers.... "Where are we going?" PLANET 10. "When are we leaving?" REAL SOON. This is the flick that coined the term "Wherever you go, there you are!" John Lithgow is in training for his over-top high commander on 3rd rock. John Smallberries. John Bigbooty. John YaYa. Man, this is a good movie.
Rating: Summary: The #2 Cult Film Of All Time! Review: This odd-ball hit has been crying out for a DVD for decades now. Any they have finally obliged. First of all this film is probably the #2 cult film after Rocky Horror, but in some ways it has a broader appeal than that rather weird horror-comedy-musical. This film is an action-adventure-sci-fi-comedy, sort of a cross between Doc Savage and Dr. Strangelove. I'm sorry: that is the best description I can give of this film. It is basically your average film about a child prodigy whose parents are killed by an Asian criminal mastermind, and who grows up to finish their work in particle physics and manages to cross into the 8th dimension, where he inadvertently starts a war between extra-terrestrials. Simple, huh? This film takes several viewings to understand, and I recommend reading the novel to smooth out the gaps. The DVD is fully loaded, and has the deleted introduction that would have helped the film out. Included are the deleted scenes from the editor's cut of the film that have been floating around in bootleg for several decades. The quality of the deleted scenes is not good, but they are good enough to get the idea across. There several interviews with the creators and cast-members, plus many of the production stills and designs used in making the film. There is a widow with some wisdom from Dr. Banzai himself. One of the Easter-eggs is an explanation of the watermelon in the steel press hunt around for them! This is a great film for insomniacs or children of the "80s's who are hungry for nostolgia. The costumes and outfits are a hoot!
Rating: Summary: Buckaroo, where are you? Review: (...) This is one of my all time favorite sci-fi movies. It balances fun, humor, and some surreal, all out bizarre story lines. John Lithgow is superb as the quintessential bad guy from a different dimension...and those congniscenti who are up on their sci-fi will adore the various references to classic sci-fi, most notably "War of the Worlds". The pace is good, the storyline is totally comic book (or should I say visual fiction?) and glorious fun...I give it a hearty recommendation - pop up some popcorn and buckle your seat belt!
Rating: Summary: This move was the progenitor of 3rd Rock's craziness! Review: When I first viewed this movie, I was kept off-balance until I realized, I just needed to go with it. What a wild and crazy ride! It really doesn't make sense, but what FUN! John Lithgow is fabulous as a deranged alien. There are lots of familiar faces playing totally "out of character" parts. The off-beat portrayal of dread-locked aliens as the good-guys is a real twist. Watching Buckaroo break through solid matter in his race car and emerge intact was really a thought provoking premise. If you are a kid at heart, you will enjoy this movie.
Rating: Summary: camp or real art Review: It is not easy to uncover the spiritual matrix of this movie, the archtypes are there, inter-dimensional travel is possible, even necessary for evolution. Also like American Graffitti, Banzai made stars of a few of its players.
Rating: Summary: Two Words: John Bigbootay Review: Frantic and often incoherent, this films weaknesses are also its strengths. You could spend several sittings just grasping the storyline, several more on all the goings-on in the background. Campy, but all the more fun because of 'serious' tone; anyone who's read comics will recoginze a 'Crisis'-level adventure. Defining element; Rastafarians are from the 8th Dimension (which I already knew...). (...)
Rating: Summary: Best. Movie. Ever. Review: The following is quoted from the Official Buckaroo Banzai website, and should be taken as canon. These guys work with the facts, and I hope this helps people who are on the fence about buying the DVD edition... "Wow - we've just gotten our hands on the revised and final list of specs on MGM's upcoming The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Special Edition (street date 1/1/02), and you guys are gonna flip for it! These come straight from the amazing Mojo, who was an associate producer on the project. The disc was produced by Michael Arick, whose other recent work includes Forrest Gump and The Magnificent Seven. So here goes... special features on the DVD will include a brand new anamorphic widescreen transfer (presented for the first time on home video in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio), remixed Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, 2 versions of the movie (the theatrical cut plus a special extended version with restored opening sequence starring Jamie Lee Curtis), feature audio commentary from director W.D. Richter and Reno from the Banzai Institute, a behind-the-scenes documentary and retrospective, 14 deleted scenes, the original teaser trailer, an all-new "Jet Car" special effects trailer, extensive interactive menus with new material from Buckaroo Banzai screenwriter Earl Mac Rauch, special 'watermelon' Easter eggs, Pinky Carruther's Unknown Facts subtitle track, the Banzai Institute Archives, a Banzai Radio segment, original production designs, Jet Car secrets revealed and a still gallery with never-before-seen photos. SWEEEEET! I actually ran into Mojo at the recent Studio Day event here in L.A., and from what he told me, this may be one of the coolest discs in a long time! Everything on this thing is done up as if the disc was produced by the Banzai Institute itself, and there's a ton of new and original film-themed material produced by the folks who worked on the movie. If you love Buckaroo Banzai as much as we do here at The Bits, this is a must have title if there ever was one. ... It's a adventure/sci-fi/comedy in the same vein as Big Trouble in Little China, and it's just plain fun. Don't miss it..."...
Rating: Summary: One Wacky Interdeminsional Ride! Review: Right from the first few minutes of this film, the viewer is very dryly let on to the fact that The Adventured of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the Eighth Dimension is a film that if taken with a grain of salt and a good warped sense of humor, will prove to be delightful entertainment. Peter Weller (Robocop) stars as Buckaroo Banzai, a neurosurgeon, rock star, physicist and two-fisted defender of justice who also protects the President along with an assorted group of heroes who are also his band mates. In an attempt to break the interdemensional barrier, Banzai accidentally opens the flood gates for a bevy of bad-guy aliens who have been hiding incognito on earth since 1938, when Orson Welles' famed "War of the Worlds" radio address proved to be a hoax. Now he must stop them from returning to their home planet or lose the planet to nuclear annihilation. All of this, plus he has to save the girl! Director W. D. Richter does a wonderful job keeping the acting tongue-in-cheek, which leaves the audience guessing at whether or not these people are actually serious or just the best poker-faced jokers in history. Hilarious supporting roles also aid in the fun, including Ellen Barkin as the femme fatale Penny Priddy, Jeff Goldblum as the quintessential urban cowboy New Jersey, Christopher Lloyd as irritated alien John Bigboote (that's pronounced big-boot-TAY, by the way) and the always over-the-top John Lithgow as the half man/half alien Lord John Whorfin. Also with Dan Hedaya, Carl Lumbly, Clancy Brown, Vincent Schiavelli, Ronald Lacey and Billy Vera. It's great fun that the entire family can enjoy. Rated PG for mild violence and light profanity.
|