Rating: Summary: :-) :-) :-) :-) Review: The Spirit of '76 is GREAT. Lots of extra features, including "behind the scenes," some scenes that were cut, the Redd Kross "1976" music video, easter eggs throughout where you click on an unassuming item onscreen and get one comic or another (Paula Poundstone, Michael McKean, Bobby Slayton, Ben Stein...) talking about the 70s, and a running commentary by Carl and Lucas Reiner.The movie itself was a little bit less fun than on the first coupe of viewings (I first saw it in a theatre); the surprise of all that 70s stuff has worn off a bit, I suppose. But still pretty funny. Rob Reiner does a good turn as a Werner Erhardt-type guy. The Redd Kross guys are great as typical 70s teens. A lot of humorous moments, overall - but I think you might have to be of a certain age - such that you were sentient during the 70s and especially the bicentenial year - to truly enjoy it.
Rating: Summary: :-) :-) :-) :-) Review: The Spirit of '76 is GREAT. Lots of extra features, including "behind the scenes," some scenes that were cut, the Redd Kross "1976" music video, easter eggs throughout where you click on an unassuming item onscreen and get one comic or another (Paula Poundstone, Michael McKean, Bobby Slayton, Ben Stein...) talking about the 70s, and a running commentary by Carl and Lucas Reiner. The movie itself was a little bit less fun than on the first coupe of viewings (I first saw it in a theatre); the surprise of all that 70s stuff has worn off a bit, I suppose. But still pretty funny. Rob Reiner does a good turn as a Werner Erhardt-type guy. The Redd Kross guys are great as typical 70s teens. A lot of humorous moments, overall - but I think you might have to be of a certain age - such that you were sentient during the 70s and especially the bicentenial year - to truly enjoy it.
Rating: Summary: If you see only one movie this summer- make this the ONE! Review: This Film is the best! All I am prepared to divulge is- The film contains members of DEVO, a time machiene fueled by Visine, AND the HUSTLE!!!!!!!! What's NOT to love!
Rating: Summary: Manuki Manuki Manuki Review: This is a fun poke at 70s pop culture. It revolves around a team of time traveling scientists who come from 2176, meaning to travel to 1776, looking for The Constitution to replace theirs lost in a magnetic storm (or some sort of catastophe) so they can get on with their business of running the country. Through a mechanical malfunction, they wind up in 1976 and the fun begins!
As just a couple of examples of the satirical parody within, David Cassidy's character (one of the time traveling scientists) laments about the lame culture of 1976 while picking up and looking at a Partridge Family lunchbox.
In another scene, Tommy Chong is in a "head shop" extolling the virtues of a bicentennial bong which has pictures of the founding fathers on it's base. "See, you can learn about the presidents while you're getting wasted."
Just a few examples of the tounge-in-cheek, nose-thumbing homage to that silliest of decades. The list of cultural references goes on and on. Bicentennial fever, mile-long gas lines, pop-rocks 'n soda (remember that, Boomers?)... Too many to get into real discussion about over such a stupid (albeit painfully funny at times) movie.
The time travelers desperately need a chemical substance to get their time travel machine back up and running to return to 2176. I won't tell you what it exactly is, but it "gets the red out". You may get the tag line reference. They only knew it by it's chemical name.
The film is really hoky and not at all important in regards to real cinema, but a good waste of 80 or so minutes when there's nothing else goin' on. Certainly for anybody born between, say, 1957 and 1964, or anybody younger looking to poke fun at their elders who lived through that era of polyester, disco, mile-high afro hair and high-heeled sneakers with bell-bottoms... wait a minute, that sounds like the summer of 2004!
Forget nostalgia Gen-Y... You'll think you're looking at a film about today! History really does repeat itself.
While a flop at the box office in 1991, I think it was a victim of timing. The 70s era got a nostalgic resurgence a little later in the 90s and certainly got a big boost more recently with VH-1s I LOVE THE 70s week. If the film came out a few years later, it might have found more popularity with moviegoers. Not that it would have been any better of a movie.
Rating: Summary: Great '70s Spoof Movie, a Must See! Review: This is a great '70s spoof movie. Non-stop laughs about the decade most of us would like to forget. David Cassidy plays his role wonderfully. Rent this movie, and laugh at the inane hilarious '70s. Many cameos by '70s stars including Chong, Moon Unit Zappa, and others. Also starring Leif Garrett of '70s teen idol fame.
Rating: Summary: What a riot!!!!! Don't miss this one! Review: This is one of my all time favorite movies, but it is getting harder to find in the rental shops. Every time I watch it I find more artifacts from the 70's. It's a great look back on "the way it used to be". I hope they reduce the price soon; my copy of a rental is probably 5 years old!
Rating: Summary: Horrible film! Review: This is truly one of the worst films ever made, despite some fun looking back at some staple products of the 70's...like "Tang," "Pop Rocks," "Pinto cars" and everything red, white and blue. David Cassidy's performance is truly the low point of the film. (He looks great...but imagine Keith Partridge pretending to "stage act"...badly). Suprisingly, former teen heartthrob Leif Garrett's performance is the most engaging of the film. He seems to understand comedic acting better than the others. All said..I strongly suggest that if you want to re-live the 70's, go rent or buy "Forrest Gump" instead.
Rating: Summary: Dazed & Confused meets Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure! Review: This low-budget cheapie may not be a major cinematic achievement by any means, but it is one of the most hilarious spoofs of the 1970's I have ever seen, ranking right up there in the cultural sabotage department with "Dazed & Confused", "The Brady Bunch Movie", and Cyra McFadden's brilliant book "The Serial: A Year in the Life of Marin County". All those ridiculous fads from the 1970's that you would rather forget will come back to haunt you after watching this! Don't miss the cultural references which appear in just about every scene. The spoof of est (Erhard Seminar Training) is a riot and alone makes this worth seeing.
Rating: Summary: A nice spoof on the 70's! Review: This movie features former 70's superstars David Cassidy and Leif Garrett which is perfect, since this motion picture takes place in 1976. I met Olivia D' Abo while I was being an extra in her T.V. movie with Henry Winkler called "Dad's Weekend Off." Cast features Redd Kross rockers Jeff and Steve McDonald and many cameos and special guest appearances by Carl, Rob and Lucas Reiner, Moon Unit Zappa, Tommy Chong, Julie Brown, Devo and lots more. A good film for disco fans, others will find it a total bore with it's low budget and acting, that makes it look like a dated movie of the 70's era, but however it was given a quick theatrical release in the United States!The movie's just as clever as the "Brady Bunch Movie."
Rating: Summary: Spirit of '76 Review: This movie has to be one of the greatest movies ever made. This movie which has these guys go back in time to save this world goes back to the 70's where they discover the hippy era... well, more to know, just watch the movie. Kool dude!
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