Tag: 1980

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Movie Review

Prom Night (1980) Movie Review

Prom Night – Movie Review

Prom Night is an easy-to-watch 80s slasher film about a masked killer targeting teens linked to a past tragedy during prom night.

First Reaction – Prom Night is an easy to watch slasher movie.

Director: Paul Lynch

Writer: William Gray, Robert Guza Jr (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: At a high-school senior prom, a masked killer stalks four teenagers who were responsible for the accidental death of a classmate six years previously.

Runtime: 1 Hour 32 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Prom Night starts when Kelly (Rubens), Jude (Thompson), Wendy (Martin) and Nick’s (Stevens) prank ends in tragedy. They keep it a secret between themselves while the victim’s family never know the truth. Her family Mr Hammond (Nielsen), Kimberly (Curtis) and Alex (Tough) continue their lives as the teenagers prepare for prom.

On the eve of prom, a dangerous man escapes captivity, and one of the four friends get killed in the same location as the accident. The detectives try to keep it quiet, but they have a target and decide to use the prom to get revenge.

Verdict on Prom Night

Recap

The movie follows a high school preparing for prom, when an unstable killer escapes. They have a connection to an incident in the past, and the people involved become the targets. Who can survive the night, and who is the killer after them?

Best Parts

This has the mystery about who the killer is, which drives the story forward. We know some people will have a connection, but it is never clear who is behind it. The 1980s feel is strong, giving us the same feeling as many others of the time.

Worst Parts

The movie does take a while to get going, which spends a lot of time on high school politics. We don’t focus on any of the regret the kids felt for the incident even if they become the target for the killer.

Final Thoughts –Prom Night is a typical 80s slasher movie.

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Movie Review

Virus (1980) Movie Review

Virus – Movie Review

Virus depicts a post-apocalyptic scenario where Antarctic survivors unite against a deadly virus, showcasing human conflict and resilience.

First Reaction – Virus is a chilling reflection of viral outbreak.

Watch Virus on Tubi.

ABC Film Challenge – Disaster Movies – V

Director: Kinji Fukasaku

Writer: Koji Takada, Kinji Fukasaku, Gregory Knapp (Screenplay)

Writer: Sakyo Komatsu (Novel)

Cast

Plot: After a virus devastates the global human population, survivors in Antarctica desperately try to find a cure and save the human race.

Runtime: 1 Hour 49 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Virus starts when a virus is unleashed in the world. It devastates the population with only the residents of Antarctica surviving the outbreak. The survivors are in different stations run by different nations and must learn to survive and work together. However, not every country wants to play fair.

As the countries come together, they face new threats but know they must keep their numbers up and stay away from the virus. However, the supplies will run out and finding the best solution causes tension.

Verdict on Virus

Recap

The movie follows the world after a deadly virus wipes out most of the population. It follows a small group of survivors living in Antarctica who must put aside their differences to survive. However, they face bigger risks that put everything in danger.

Best Parts

The idea behind the viral spread hits a lot harder now than it did when the film was first released. It shows the panic and devastation left behind and the helplessness people faced. The bleak future is chilling and the fact people will fight for the remaining resources shows the primal behaviour of the human race. We get a massive cast who get their moments to shine through the destruction.

Worst Parts

Despite having a massive cast, we get left wanting even more from the story. It feels like this could be turned into a mega long dealing with the subject matters unfolding.

Final Thoughts –Virus is a captivating journey through a viral outbreak.

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Movie Review

The Fog (1980) Movie Review

The Fog – Movie Review

The Fog is a chilling horror film about a small town attacked by vengeful spirits emerging from a mysterious fog.

First Reaction – The Fog is creepy and outstanding.

Watch The Fog Here.

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ABC Film Challenge – Favourites – F

Director: John Carpenter

Writer: John Carpenter, Debra Hill (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Local legend tells of a ship lured on to the rocks of Antonio Bay being enveloped by a supernatural cloud as it sank; the myth says that when this mysterious fog returns, the victims will rise up from the depths seeking vengeance.

Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Fog starts when a small fishing village gets covered by a deep fog. When people get caught in it they get attacked and killed by something in the shadows. Local radio host Stevie Wayne (Barbeau) investigates the local legends and makes a disturbing discovery. Elsewhere, Elizabeth Solley (Curtis) and Nick Castle (Atkins) tackle the threat on the streets.

The village must come together to unlock the secrets behind the attacks. However, they learn more about a mysterious legend which has haunted people for years.

Verdict on The Fog

Recap

The movie follows a small fishing town that comes under attack by something lurking in the fog. It sweeps into town and collects their victims, leaving the town fighting to understand what is wanted by the visitors.

Best Parts

The movie shines from the creepy threats lurking in the fog. It uses the mystery behind the town to drive the story and shows the community coming together to survive. Nothing is played out at an aggressive pace, which helps the uncomfortable side of the story come to life. We get brilliant performances and great set pieces. The creep factor shines, an all-time classic in the horror collection.

Final Thoughts – The Fog is a fantastic, creepy and atmospheric horror.

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Movie Review

The Changeling (1980) Movie Review

The Changeling – Movie Review

Read a compelling review of the movie 'The Changeling' - a haunting tale of loss, ghosts, and the power of music.

ABC Film Challenge – Favourite – C

Director: Peter Medak

Writer: William Gray, Diana Maddox (Screenplay)

Writer: Russell Hunter (Story)

Cast

Plot: After experiencing tragic personal losses, a music professor rents a Seattle mansion, haunted by a slain boy.

Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Changeling starts when music professor John Russell (Crowe) loses his family in a tragic accident. He tries to rebuild his life, with a family friend Claire (Van Devere) showing him a mansion to rent. As John settles into his new home, he starts hearing things around the mansion.

John turns to professional friends to guide him, who send him to a psychic. This unlocks a disturbing story of a slain boy living in the mansion, trying to communicate with John. John must unlock the secret to his death, to life the curse following him around.

Verdict on The Changeling

The Changeling is a horror mystery following a grieving father and widow who rents a mansion. However, he starts getting hauntings around the home and turns to people to help him. Sadly, this makes things more serious, and he must unlock the mystery of the spirit haunting him.

This movie deals with grief and creates a connection to the supernatural. It has a mystery which has become a far more traditional ghost haunting story. The movie uses the haunting to guide someone, which creates a bigger mystery to watch unfold. There are great haunting moments, which help the story evolve into a much bigger threat. We get brilliant performances that carry the mystery further as it takes a much more serious crime to the table.

Where to Watch

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Final Thoughts – The Changeling is an excellent paranormal mystery.

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Movie Review

The Long Good Friday (1980) Movie Review

The Long Good Friday – Movie Review

Discover the intense and thrilling storyline of The Long Good Friday, a British crime film featuring a powerful gangster facing a mysterious threat.

ABC Film Challenge – Set in the UK – H (Harold)

Director: John Mackenzie

Writer: Barrie Keeffe (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: An up-and-coming gangster is tested by the insurgence of an unknown, very powerful threat.

Runtime: 1 Hour 54 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Long Good Friday starts when London gangster Harold (Hoskins) looks to expand his firm. He has connected with an American gangster with his weekend meant to be the deal getting done. However, Harold finds his firm attacked by an Irish firm picking off his major holdings.

As Harold leads his trusted generals in search of who is trying to take him down. He discovers a much more serious problem he has been dealing with. Now, he must figure out the best solution to make it work for his profitable future.

Verdict on The Long Good Friday

The Long Good Friday is a crime thriller following a gangster trying to figure out who has caused problems for his firm. He is on the verge of expanding his firm, but the problems are causing major issues that could ruin him.

This movie shows the ruthless nature of the gangster’s life as one man tries to make more of his life. However, it does something different to what we see in modern cinema. That being following the leader seeing things getting out of hand, rather than a small-time member trying to get out. It keeps you guessing and is filled with twists and turns. Bob Hoskins is fantastic in the leading role, dominating the screen.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – The Long Good Friday is a great British gangster movie.

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Movie Review

Superman II (1980) Movie Review

Superman II – ABC Film Challenge – Comic Book Movies – Z (General Zod) – Superman 2 – Movie Review

Superman II

Director: Richard Lester

Writer: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman (Screenplay)

Writer: Jerry Sigel, Joe Shuster (Characters)

Cast

Plot: Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

Runtime: 2 Hours 7 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Superman II starts as Clark Kent (Reeve) has continued to keep his secret identity from the world. However, Lois Lane (Kidder) is starting to believe he is Superman. Elsewhere, Kryptonian criminal General Zod (Stamp) and his sidekicks have escaped and set their sights on conquering Earth. Meanwhile, Lux Luthor (Hackman) also escape prison and learns of General Zod and looks to be their connection.

As General Zod starts to make a bigger impact with his presence on Earth. Superman is left with a difficult decision, give up his powers to be with Lois or not. With Clark giving up his powers, he is left to navigate the world as a mortal, with General Zod’s presence causing problems for his future.

Verdict on Superman II

Superman II is the bigger sequel with new enemies. It sees Superman dealing with his own decisions, wanting to be with Lois and asking whether to give away his powers. However, he needs them to fight back against the latest threat heading to Earth.

This does bring the popular hero back and gets to focus a lot more on his human problems in life. It has a new threat coming to Earth and Superman needs to face consequences if he changes himself. The action does look pretty weak throughout, but the human aspect of the film turns everything around.

Final Thoughts – Superman II is a solid sequel that brings back the popular hero.

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Movie Review

The Final Countdown (1980) Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – Action – F – The Final Countdown

The Final Countdown Poster

Director: Don Taylor

Writer: Thomas Hunter, Peter Powell, David Ambrose, Gerry Davis (Screenplay)

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino, Ron O’Neal, Charles Durning

Plot: A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.

Runtime: 1 Hour 43 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Final Countdown starts when Captain Matthew Yelland (Douglas) finds his aircraft carrier thrown back before the Pearl Harbour attack in 1941. Government figure Warren Lasky (Sheen) is on the ship, becoming the suspect behind the incident.

The crew are left with an impossible situation. Whereby they could attack the Japanese fleet heading to Pearl Harbour. Thereby stopping the attack in the first place. Even with the minor help they offered, they have changed history, only how much have they changed.

Thoughts on The Final Countdown

The Final Countdown is an action sci-fi movie revolving around tiem travel. The story follows the concept that an aircraft carrier has travelled back in time to the outskirts of Pearl Harbour. Leaving the crew with the impossible discussion. Should they prevent the attack on Pearl Harbour attack or not. If they attack, they start the war on Japan, if they don’t thousands of lives will be lost.

This is a movie that challenges time travel on the highest level. Where the time travel itself is unexplained, the cause-and-effect discussion is massive. Other movies have discussed the idea of preventing a disaster in the past. Some people actually change causing bigger problems down the line. This asks the big question, without wanting to get into too much detail about it.

The performances in the movie are strong. Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen will show the conflict about the bigger decision going on within the movie.

Final Thoughts – The Final Countdown is an interesting movie that is filled with bigger questions.

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Movie Review

Saturn 3 (1980) Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – S – Saturn 3 (1980)

Saturn 3 is a sci-fi horror that dives into the primal fears of survival in an isolated location.

Director: Stanley Donen

Writer: Martin Amis (Screenplay) John Barry (Story)

Starring: Farrah Fawcett, Kirk Douglas, Harvey Keitel, Ed Bishop, Roy Dotrice, Stephanie English

Plot: Two lovers stationed at a remote base in the asteroid fields of Saturn are intruded upon by a retentive technocrat from Earth and his charge: a malevolent eight foot robot.

Runtime: 1 Hour 28 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Saturn 3 starts when Benson (Keitel) and his eight-foot robot are sent to a remote based in an asteroid field near Saturn. Where Alex (Fawcett) and Adam (Douglas), two lovers live.

As the pair are trying to figure out Benson. They find themselves in a difficult situation. as it appears that he has come here to replace them. Leading to the pair needing to keep their home safe from an outsider.

Thoughts on Saturn 3

Saturn 3 is a sci-fi horror that is looking to capture a mix of the isolation of space and technology taking over. Having its own free will. This is a film that will focus on the primal fears of survival in a world where not everything is as it seems. The film will use the station near Saturn. Which will be a fully liveable location for the people habituating it. Will show how it works wonderfully for creating what is needed.

The performances in the film are great, with Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett and Harvey Keitel in the key three roles. where none of them look out of place in what this vision of the future could be.

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Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – Action – O – Any Which Way You Can (1980) Movie Review

This is under O because of Clyde being an Orangutan.

Director: Buddy Van Horn

Writer: Buddy Van Horn (Screenplay)

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis, Williamm Smith, Harry Guardino, Ruth Gordon, Michael Cavanaugh

Plot: A trucker turned prize fighter, his brother and their pet orangutan have a series of misadventures involving the mob, corrupt cops, motorcycle gangs and pretty dames.


Tagline – Faster, funnier and wilder. It’ll knock you out.

Runtime: 1 Hour 56 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Any Which Way You Can starts as we meet trucker Philo Beddoe (Eastwood) and is partner in crime Clyde the orangutan, as they take on different fights for money, ones he will always come up the winner in.

When Philo accepts a high value fight for a group of gangsters, he is talked out of it by his friends and family, only to learn the gangsters aren’t going to take no for an answer.

Thoughts on Any Which Way You Can

Thoughts – Any Which Way You Can is an action comedy that will see Philo and Clyde getting into a range of troubles, that they will always find a way out of along the way. This is until he finds himself in a fight he can’t just walk away from, needing to put his fighting together to fight the deadliest opponent this of his career. This is a sequel that will see the two get into more trouble, but will need to find a solution that isn’t on the same level as many people would expect, which might add into extra levels of the comedy. The running gags of the biker gang and cops always trying to catch Philo will get laughs, despite taking away from the main story going on. Clint Eastwood does a great job in the leading role, showing a lighter side to his performance, which we don’t see too often. This is an easy to watch action comedy that will get the laughs when needed and hold the serious side together too.

Final Thoughts – Any Which Way You Can is a fun easy to watch action comedy.