CMT - The Running Man

There are a lot of ingredients a film needs, for it to stand out amongst its peers as an example, of the best that the art form has to offer. In regards to that, the story is of the utmost importance. If the script is weak you begin the production, of what is essentially a house, with flawed foundations. Also integral to the process, is the careful selection of the builders, or the actors. Nearly every member of the crew in fact, is important to make a great film; but f you just want a movie that makes a lot of money, then the requirements are  totally different.

Classic Movie Trailers: “The Running Man” (1987)

Opinions are going to differ, regarding Arnold Schwarzenegger’s acting ability. I enjoyed his performance as Dutch in “Predator”, and I found him to be more believable there, than as Ben Richards in the “The Running Man”. I’d note however, that regardless of what role he plays, Arnold is still Arnold, and the fact that I think of his work in this way, is telling. That’s not to say that Arnold was a bad actor in his day, but it might suggest that he was merely a competent one.

One of Schwarzenegger’s greatest challenges as an actor, is his accent. There are words of dialogue, that you can give to almost any professional actor, but you can't give them to Arnold with a straight face. “Meat grinder” in “Predator”, is a good example of this; they're more careful of that in this film. More talented actors, are able to change their accents convincingly, but I’d never claim that Arnold wasn’t talented, though he obviously wasn't as skilled.

He was serviceable in the eighties, and when I watch his later performances, as in “True Lies” for example, I feel the same way. He wasn’t a great actor but he certainly wasn’t bad, and I’d say the same regarding The Running Man’s other elements. The story wasn't poorly done and generally speaking, neither was the dialogue. The effects are decent to look at, as are the rest of the visuals.

Maria Conchita Alonzo and Richard Dawson gave the best performances; I consider the rest of the acting to be merely serviceable, for the most part, but that’s what you need. Everyone involved should, at the very least, perform competently. As long as the budget is adequate and there is a quality marketing campaign, you’re likely to produce something that’s successful financially, if not as much so, critically,

There’s still an essential piece of the puzzle to discuss though. If you want an adequate budget and a quality marketing campaign, you’d better have a star on the team. Studios and investors won't put up a lot of money, unless there’s someone in top billing that can put butts in the seats. Arnold put butts in the seats, and whatever you say about his work, you can't deny that.

Schwarzenegger was, unquestionably, the biggest name in action. He played lead roles in over two dozen Hollywood films, and he was at the top of the card for both “Predator” and “The Running Man”, which debuted in the same year, five months apart. Arnold was hot, and I doubt there was a decent script in the business, at that time, that didn't somehow find its way, to his agent's desk.  

Ultimately, that's how the business works; that's how the movies get made. It isn't how they’re dreamed of or conceptualized, but in the nitty-gritty, dollars and cents reality, it's how they are born. Wonderful words on a page are just that and no more. Pretty pictures and set designs are nice but, most people go to the movies to see other people and if you don’t have someone they want to see, you probably won’t have a hit.

Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in plenty of hits, though I don't consider "The Running Man" to be one of them. It's an average popcorn film, that looks like it was adapted from a comic book, instead of a Stephen King novel. To that end, it is staffed with villains that actually look capable, of giving Arnold a hard time and that makes it an enjoyable experience. This particular film didn't set the world on fire, when it debuted; but the studio recouped the cost of the production, investors made a little extra cash and the Hollywood machine kept running, fueled by one of its biggest stars.                 

Trailer Here

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CMT - The Toxic Avenger

Sometimes, while watching a film, an important moment arrives; it's the moment when we realize that we're not enjoying it. You might suddenly remember a task to be done, or some other reason to pull out your smartphone. You could daydream right into real dreams, and wake up during the credits. Some people talk right over a movie, since it isn't entertaining on its own, and these are all tell-tale signs.

The most significant thing you can do in those situations, is to acknowledge the problem and make a conscious decision. One of the best options you have to choose, is to simply choose something else. Often however, you might be tempted to "stick it out", in order to see if it "gets better". When that happens you should be extremely wary; it just might be the worst thing you could possibly do.

Classic Movie Trailers: The Toxic Avenger (1984)

There's no need to critique the film. There are people that get paid to do that. There's also no need to justify, the cost of the ticket. Time is a much more precious commodity, than the price of admission, whatever it is.

Why tie ourselves, or our loved ones down, to seats we'd rather leave? Why text a friend instead of meeting that friend, to do something that's actually enjoyable? Why do we try to hide the truth, when it's so blatantly obvious? I wonder how many relationships would benefit, from each party acknowledging, that they can't possibly agree on all entertainment.

The wonderful thing about films, if you fancy them, is the fact that there's something for everyone. Let's say that there's a picture you've seen, that you loathe. You dislike it to such an extent, that you can't understand how anyone could possibly enjoy it. Personally, I think that if movies don't occasionally leave us with that feeling, there's an audience somewhere that's not being served.

By that same logic, if we're wasting time, hanging onto a subpar experience, what else are we missing? "The Toxic Avenger" taught me two things; one is "Quit while you're ahead",  and the other is, "There's an audience for almost everything". That audience can be very big, or it can be minuscule, but it's there. If we aren't a part of that audience, then finding another club is probably ideal.

Trailer Here

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CMT - Batman '89

Bruce Wayne has fared a lot better than Clark Kent over the years, at least in film. I'd even argue, that Batman is the more popular of the two. The Caped Crusader is arguably on par, with recognizable characters such as James Bond, Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes, if he hasn't outright surpassed them. Regarding Superman, it's fun to imagine ourselves with that much power, but it's also much harder to believe.

Classic Movie Trailers: Batman (1989)

I'm not a huge Batman fan, but I do love what he represents. If you separate the character from the other DC Heroes, such as Superman and Wonder Woman, and just looked at his entourage and his main rogues gallery, nothing there is unbelievable. It's not necessarily realistic, to assume that one man could do as Wayne does and survive even one year at it, but Batman doesn't ask that you throw logic out of the window. He asks that you suspend disbelief.

Instead of frequently crossing the line into fantasy, Batman spends most of his time in a world that, though fantastic, is conceivably possible. As a kid I understood this, and it made the fiction so much more accessible and enjoyable. There was also a level of authenticity to the character, and to Gotham, that couldn't be overlooked. Most of The Dark Knight's adventures were not "kiddie-fare"; regardless of the medium, you took the stories seriously.

In 1989, Hollywood was in a different place, than it is today. Superhero blockbusters were not on the regular menu, and they certainly weren't mass produced to such an extent, that multiple films of the genre would be seen within a year. Taken on its own however, "Batman" is not a superhero film. It is a film of over-the-top characters and amazing situations, but it keeps itself grounded, with a very plausible story.

Bruce Wayne is depicted as a real man, with a real history, real motivations and shortcomings. Since the subject of the picture is treated with such respect, we are treated to a film, that lets us see it as truth. There have been Batman movies released since, that did not have the same gravitas, and were not as deserving of our admiration. However, you could argue that similar films emerged later, with the same tone, and that they yielded better results; but even if that's so, all of those films owe their existence to this one.

"Batman" proved that the genre could work. It proved that such a production could be revered, as much as it revered its characters. More importantly, it showed that, at least during the running time, both man and child could stare with the same wild-eyed amazement. The Batman was real, and we all believed it.

Trailer Here

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CMT - Tombstone

Most are keenly aware, of their own talents and passions. For many of us, those passions have to be put aside, at least somewhat, in order to live practically. Ask yourself, how many restaurant waiters are really actors, waiting for a break? How many employed in retail stores are songwriters or singers, or rap artists or composers?

There are millions of us, that fit those or similar descriptions. Of that multitude, some portion is still actively pursuing their goals. Others have become despondent, and have yet to return to them. Still others, have entered into a state of denial. Since they believe that their dreams aren't possible or desirable enough, they imagine that they are, or can be, someone else entirely.

Classic Movie Trailers: Tombstone (1993)

I'd really like to be a card player. I had a lot of fun years ago, playing poker with friends, and watching Hold 'em played professionally, really endeared me to the lifestyle. It's exciting, watching them make gutsy calls, for hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. I can't tell you how often I daydreamed about sitting there with them.

In reality, I'm not a card player at all, and I doubt I could ever be a serious one. The profession requires a firm grasp of mathematics, and I don't even have a loose grip. If I chose, I could dedicate myself to learning, what I should have picked up in higher education, but this would ultimately be an act of self-denial. I'm a writer, and an artist, and to deny that is to deny the world the scope of my abilities.

What I do, my gifts, are not necessarily practical or marketable. If I walked into a job placement firm, I would be considered an "unskilled worker", when just the opposite is true. Knowing this, I have often fallen into the traps of despondency and denial: the dream killers. But, like Popeye says, "I am what I am, and that's all that I am".

Popeye... What a brilliant philosopher he turned out to be. And, he's absolutely right. We can learn, and grow and become better people, but I believe that there's a part of the individual, an identity, that remains constant. We can try to change it, in pursuit of fame and fortune, but that's not what we really want. We want to be rewarded for being ourselves.

According to "Tombstone", Wyatt Earp was a born lawman. He was sincere though, in wanting to give up that life, and I can sympathize with that. Beyond the pursuit of financial reward, escaping the life of an officer is to escape the dangers, and the ever-present responsibility, that I'm sure can be tiresome. In the end however, the journey back to ourselves is inevitable.

Being who we are, that's another responsibility and it would be detrimental to us, to try to avoid it. Whether our chosen path, leads to the life of a pauper or a prince, the path is what it is. We can try and turn from that path, but we would defeat ourselves, regardless of the outcome. Please keep in mind, and take this from my writing if you take nothing else: there is no clear path to success, no matter what you choose to do.

So knowing that, and taking that into account, wouldn't you rather enjoy the ride?

Trailer Here

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CMT - Scarface (1983)‏

I think we can all recognize, the typical villain. They sneer, and laugh maniacally. They plan world domination, and of course, they twist their long moustaches. The bad guys have to have those long, dark moustaches; it's a cultural thing. Just like "beady-little eyes" and "furrowed brows", the bro'stache is inherently evil.

For "Scooby-Doo Mysteries" or "Pinky and The Brain", those kinds of criminals are fun. Admittedly though, antagonists have a lot more going for them, and good bad guys make for great entertainment. Personally, I think that fiction is the world's best teacher, but only when it isn't ham-fisted, and obviously pushing morals onto us. It's been said, that art imitates life. So by getting a closer look at art, we get a closer look at life, and criminal psychology can be a very enlightening part of it.

Classic Movie Trailers: Scarface (1983)

There are a number of reasons, why certain people spend most of their lives incarcerated. It's easy to imagine, that the most aggressive and impulsive of us, would be in and out of jail. In the heat of the moment, if you act first before thinking things through, a lack of restraint inevitably leads to physical restraints. Undoubtedly though, there are those of us that act, while fully aware of the possible consequences.

That leaves a few possibilities. It could be, that the type of person we're considering, simply doesn't fear jail. They could live, or have grown up in such a dangerous environment, that prison is less of a deterrent, or even the safer alternative. In some neighborhoods, bullets are an all too constant threat, and death could literally be around the corner.

It must also be said, that career criminals choose to accept the dangers, because of limited options. In a world where income inequality is an inescapable reality, the allure of fortune and a greater quality of life, is worth it to some of us. First-time offenders may believe that they're special, and that getting caught isn't a real possibility. In fact, people may be motivated by a combination, of all of the factors listed above.

There is one mindset at least, that is still worth mentioning. Returning to nurture, or the environment where we learn and grow, it's certain that many people adopt a moral code, that is not in agreement with the legal one. Good and bad, and right and wrong, are still present in those of us that are mentally healthy; however, the definitions we have vary, significantly. Who's in the right, and who's in the wrong, is always a matter of perspective.

Trailer Here

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CMT - Reservoir Dogs‏

Racism still exists today, and that's definitely without question. What is questionable though, is whether or not the bigots actually believe what they're saying. Of course there are some real idiots out there, but I'm willing to bet, that the majority of people that use hate-speech, and recite racist jokes, give no credibility to those ideas whatsoever. If they're guilty of anything, they're guilty of indifference towards the troubles of others.

Classic Movie Trailers: Reservoir Dogs (1992)

I find that many people disregard issues, that don't affect them. Why would a young white man care, about the struggles that are faced by African-Americans? Why would he care about a woman earning seventy-five cents, for every dollar he gets? Those things don't affect his life much, if at all.

He's concerned about his bills, and his car breaking down, and his beer money, and his personal life. Whether or not gays can legally marry, makes no difference to him at all. So when that email comes around, with those jokes in it, he laughs and forwards it along and why not? It's funny.

If those people have a problem with it, it's their problem. If she don't like her pay, she can quit. Latinos can get stopped and harassed, and asked for documentation until the cows come home. What does that matter?

These are the guys that tell racist and anti-semitic jokes. These are the guys that use the N-word liberally amongst themselves, and who's to say otherwise? It's a free country. They can do what they want.

Plenty of people hate, and deride being "PC". Political correctness sickens, and angers a lot of people. They don't care, and they don't want to act like they care. So they tell other people to "man-up", or "get a life", and they'll verbally attack anything, that shows any sort of sensitivity or social consciousness.

They don't realize the privileges they have. When they get promoted, they're not thinking about why, and who else got passed over. Why would they? All they know is, they don't have enough for that bike they want, and their girlfriend just dumped them last week.

They know full well, that there are millions of intelligent black people everywhere. There's famous musicians, athletes and politicians; one of them even got elected, twice! And all of those blacks make more than most whites, so screw those people. There are advantages to be used, and if they can get that black boy, or that jew, or that immigrant away from that woman they want, they'll say or do whatever it takes.

You see, it's all about "me", and that eventually turns into "us" versus "them". It's not a "white thing", or even a guy thing. Women get together all the time, to scoff at those with less and criticize others, and what's behind that is the same lack of empathy. There's an inability or unwillingness, to care for others that are dissimilar, and it's evident throughout mankind.

What I like about "Reservoir Dogs" is it's honesty. In other films, people are way too politically correct; this is what people are really like. I do recognize however, that there are tons of people that do care. There are guys that will fetch you a doctor and fight to save your life, despite their outward callousness; I'll give you that. Even so, there are just as many or more, that'll simply leave you to bleed.

"And I'm very sad about that, but some fellas are lucky and some ain't".

Trailer-Here

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CMT - Desperado

There is a haunting precedent, hanging over the running time of every action film. In the greater majority of them, the hero is going to survive until the end. I'm sure this is a shock, to those of you reading this, but let's talk about that fact. The most important questions to ask are, how much can they get away with while adhering to this precedent and how can they keep it entertaining?

Classic Movie Trailers: Desperado (1995)

So here's a familiar scenario: a lone man faces off, against multiple gunmen. Hammers are cocked back, shotguns are racked and bullets start flying, in every direction. At the end of the scene, our hero walks away unscathed, leaving a pile of bodies in his wake. It's a familiar conceit, used thousands if not millions of times.

How do you keep it interesting? I've rolled my eyes at the end of plenty of those sequences, but sometimes I don't think of it as much. That may be because of tolerance, for the common nonsense that perpetuates the genre. Though when I do find, that I'm painfully aware of the strings behind the curtain, it's often due to the fact, that the action is pushed to ludicrous levels.

I've seen a man ride a motorcycle off of a roof, and onto the ground, with barely a change in stride. I've seen another motorcycle rode off a cliff, and into a plane's cargo hold, so that the hero could grab the controls and fly the thing over a mountain. I maintain, that if you're laughing at the end of such a stunt, the filmmaker's made a mistake. There's amusement to be had at those things, for certain, but suspense is the target being missed here.

One solution, is to avoid those scenes completely. With imagination, and problem solving, it's possible for a hero to take out a large group, or escape in a plausible way. When this happens in film, take note of it. No scenes of this nature come to mind.

There's also another way around the problem. If you make the action as outlandish as possible, you may be able to dazzle the audience with footwork. That is to say, that we'll be so focused on the spectacle, and so eager to watch the craziness unfold, we'll forget that the whole thing is preposterous. "Desperado" does a good job, at this.

The film does make a mistake however, by cutting a key action scene off short. If you're going to do the genre, you simply have to deliver all of it. If you're lucky, you'll be able to convince everyone, of the hero's superiority. If you're not, hopefully the action's so intense they don't mind. Should all else fail though, there's one more thing to do; take a risk, buck the trend, and kill him off.

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