Omega Cop (1990)

A waste of time, 18 November 2020

In yet another post-apocalyptic future, a cop works to bust up a band of slave traders and save a few women along the way.

In all honesty, Omega Cop probably deserves a 1/10, but it’s saved from that rating because it was so stupid in parts I was mildly entertained on occasion. So what very little entertainment I got out of this thing was purely unintended.  Star Ronald Marchini may have been a martial arts expert, but it didn’t translate well to the screen.  He’s too wooden and unnatural.  The rest of the movie is filled with equally poor acting, poor special effects, poor fight choreography, and poor everything else.  And I’m convinced that Adam West had no idea what movie he was making.  His character is so out of touch with the action in the rest of the film, it was often laugh-out-loud funny.  Finally, I sort of felt sorry for Stuart Whitman.  He made some bad career decisions, but this might have been the worst.  Did he need a job this bad?

The makers of Omega Cop didn’t try real hard on the whole post-apocalyptic thing.  People with dirty faces, weird haircuts, and trash blowing across an empty parking lot was hardly convincing and just plain lazy.  

 2/10

Freddie Steps Out (1946)

The second in the Teen Agers series, 17 November 2020

Our old pal Freddie Trimball is mistaken for singing heartthrob Frankie (not sure of the last name) who’s gone missing.  The misunderstanding is natural as both characters are played by Freddie Stewart.  When Frankie’s wife and baby show up and Freddie’s high school, it naturally leads to much hilarity.

Freddie Steps Out is the second in Monogram’s Teen Agers series.  And, these “kids” aren’t getting any younger.  Don’t misunderstand, June Pressler looks great, but she aged quit a bit between Junior Prom and this movie.  

As with Junior Prom, Freddie Steps Out is all harmless enough.  I had some of the same problems I had with the first film, however – dull musical interludes and lame comedy.  I was especially annoyed by all the baby shenanigans as every character in the film exhibited the brain power of a sponge.  Had one person stopped to honestly analyze the situation, everything could have been resolved in seconds.  But then again, I suppose that wouldn’t have been much of a movie.  

I see that there are several more films in the series.  I suppose the actors will be approaching middle-age and still playing teen agers.  We shall see.

4/10

Junior Prom (1946)

From a more innocent time, 16 November 2020

The father of one of the students running for class president promises to buy new football uniforms if the school administration can guarantee his son will win.  Fortunately for the other candidate, Freddie Trimball (Freddie Stewart), the principal balks at the plan.  But with a musical show to get ready, a prom to plan, and endless singing in the school’s Teen Canteen, does Freddie have enough time to campaign?

Junior Prom is filled with harmless enough “high school” shenanigans from a much, much more innocent time.  I put “high school” in quotes because it’s obvious that most of the actors are way past high school age.  I might have enjoyed it more had it not been for some of the duller than dirt musical numbers and the lame comedy from man-child Murray Davis (What did Dunne do? – Arrrrgh!) that I found excruciating. June Preisser and Noel Neill give it their all, but a lot of their good work is undone by male lead Freddie Stewart.  He’s just so bland.  I can’t imagine how anyone thought he could carry a movie.  

I know that 1946 was a simpler time, but were the kids really jazzed about music like that in Junior Prom?  I can’t imagine any high schooler being excited over some of the elevator music featured here.  

4/10

52 Pick-Up (1986)

“So long, Sport”, 16 November 2020

Successful businessman, Harry Mitchell (Roy Schieder), finds himself the target of blackmail after he has an affair.  The situation escalates when he refuses to pay up.  The blackmailers turn the tables on Mitchell making him the prime suspect in a murder.  Can Mitchell get out of his hopeless situation?

Wow - what a nice discovery!  Overall, 52 Pick-Up is a really strong film.  Based on an Elmore Leonard novel and screenplay, director John Frankenheimer created an extremely effective, tension-filled noir-like film.  It’s the kind of movie where no one gets off easy and everyone comes out damaged in the end.  The murder of Mitchell’s mistress was much more brutal than I was expecting.  And the scene where the baddie breaks into the Mitchells’ house - what an amazing sequence.  It was all so much grittier, dirtier, and raunchier than I could have imagined.  Other than a shot or two of Mitchell’s house, I don’t remember seeing a film that portrays Los Angeles in such a negative light.  We see the seedy side of LA in all its glory.  Instead of movie stars and mansions, 52 Pick-Up is filled with back alleys, adult movie houses, and abandoned warehouses.  It’s really a well-written and well-directed film.

The film's baddies epitomize nastiness. John Glover is Alan Raimy - a smarmier dude never existed.  He’s the kind of guy you’d like to punch in the face the minute you meet him.  Robert Trebor is Leo Franks - the weak-link in the group. He may seem like a clown, but I wouldn’t turn my back on him.  Finally, there’s Clarence Williams III as Bobby Shy.  He’s the muscle and the last guy you’d want to meet in a dark alley.  Schieder and Ann-Margret may be the “names” in the film, but Glover, Tregor, and Williams (and the city) are the real stars.  Also, pay attention to 80’s icon Vanity in a small, but important role.  I never imagined she would be this good.  

Finally, I’m confused as to why Doug McClure is even in this film.  He has about 30 seconds of screen time and about 10 words of dialogue.  Did he need the work that bad?

Other than a couple of minor contrived moments near the film’s climax, I’ve got nothing to complain about.  A strong 8/10 from me.

8/10

Psych “Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark” #4.9 (2009) (TV)

“Are you wearing childrens pajamas?” 28 August 2020

While investigating a crime involving an ice cream truck, Shawn is shot and kidnapped.  Gus, Juliet, Lassiter, and Henry team-up to find Shawn, bring him home safely, and take down the baddies.

As I make my way through Psych for the third or fourth time, I’m putting together a Top Ten list.  As is evident by my rating, Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark will not doubt make that list - and most likely will be #1.  It’s an unusual episode.  Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark doesn’t feature nearly as many laughs or banter or the nonsense you’ll find in most episodes.  Instead, this one is a tension-filled, action-packed ride.  The final chase scene is as good and thrilling as anything you’ll find in Psych.  As a plus, this episode gives each of the main characters more to do than the normal episode.  It’s not all about Shawn.  Gus, Juliet, and the rest get a real chance to shine and show their strengths.  

Don’t misunderstand, while the comedy often takes a backseat to the drama in Shawn Takes a Short in the Dark, there are still some wonderfully funny moments.  Gus wearing pajamas, Shawn’s apartment and browser history, and the initial meeting with Garth (played by the wonderful MIchael Rooker) - some really top-notch stuff.  

Overall, one of Psych’s best.  While it’s probably not a good jumping-on point for someone not familiar with the series, for long-time fans, it’s a winner.

10/10

Psych “Tuesday the 17th” #3.15 (2009) (TV)

 “Shawn! What are we doing here?”  27 August 2020

An old friend asks Shawn and Gus for help.  He’s reopening the old summer camp from the boys’ youth.  One of his new counselors has gone missing.  Before you can say “pineapple”, Shawn and Gus find themselves face-to-face with an axe-welding maniac.  

What an absolutely wonderful episode!  As a long time fan of Friday the 13th, Tuesday the 17th hits every mark perfectly.  From the title sequence, music cues, various set-pieces,  the camp setting, the filming style, jump scares, and the storyline, the slasher tropes are played to perfection.  Not only does it take elements from Friday the 13th, but old-school horror fans will undoubtedly notice bits from April Fool’s Day long before Shawn points it out.  And, if I’m not mistaken, there’s even a small bit from Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  It’s easily one of the creepiest, and most fun, episodes in Psych’s run.  

9/10

Psych “Scary Sherry: Bianca’s Toast” #1.15 (2007) (TV)

“Wanna split a pineapple?” 19 August 2020

Shawn and Gus agree to help Juliet investigate the apparent suicide of a young sorority sister who may have thrown herself from the window at a supposedly haunted and abandoned asylum.  The girl’s death is eerily similar to one Shawn and Gus witnessed years earlier at the same location.  Meanwhile, Lassiter is forced to work with the world’s worst rookie officer.

I’m slowly working my way through Psych for about the third or fourth time.  I can’t seem to get enough of it.  From Season 1, “Scary Sherry; Bianca’s Toast” just might be my favorite episode.  Why?  Well, first of all, the subject matter appeals to me.  A lot of the horror movie tropes I enjoy are here - a maniac with an axe, a spooky old asylum filled with lit candles, and a ghostly figure.  Add to that Shawn and Gus screaming like little girls at the first sight of something weird, Juliet getting too into her undercover persona, Shannon Woodward in a supporting role, the truth behind one of Santa Barbara’s most notorious urban legends, and the clever title, and you end up with a real winner.  The comedy here is first rate.  For instance, I think I laugh-out-loud everytime I watch the frightened Gus getting trapped all alone in the creepy asylum   Finally, there’s the bit with Lassiter and Detective Goochberg.  Mercedes Ruehl is a riot!  Overall, one of the best.

9/10