Retro Review: They Live (1988)

They Live

1988

Cast: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, Raymond St Jacques

Genre: Science Fiction

Worldwide Box Office Gross: over $13 million

Plot: Nada, a wanderer without meaning in his life, discovers a pair of sunglasses capable of showing the world the way it is 

'Reasonable, Yet Underwhelming'

If Mars Attacks meets aspects of Total Recall and throws in a sunglasses gimmick, we would get something such as this. Set in Los Angeles shortly, the rich have got richer whilst the poor and lower class get poorer and become desolate; a construction worker/drifter in John Nada dons a pair of sunglasses after stumbling upon them and through its lenses, he sees subliminal and anti-societal messages and slogans and what they are truly saying about the state of 1980s western society. 

Retitled Invasion Los Angeles, it was produced on a budget of $4 million and grossed U.S $13 million; much like John Carpenter's 1986's Big Trouble in Little China, in recent years They Live has attained a strong, cult following. Based on a short story whilst the concept sounded promising, I found it lacked the subversive irony of Dead Heat, a stronger, memorable villain as Lo Pan in 'Big Trouble...' and Carpenter played things too straight here. Roddy Piper is supposed to be charismatic as the lead Nada but his character's persona isn't well developed; he seemed to have come alive somewhat in the 1990s B-movie action scene by teaming up with the likes of Billy Blanks in some of their offerings. 

The major issue I had with this film was it clings so hard on the premise but it didn't sell it well. There wasn't anything meaningful to say about it, through the main character, whom as the audience, we are supposed to turn to for that. Oddly, then-WWE wrestler Roddy Piper,- who was a hot property in the heydays of the 1980s generation alongside the likes of Hulk Hogan - as Nada seems muted for pretty much the entirety of the run-time and Keith David was okay. The twist with Holly at the end was unexpected and happened too late. It kept banging on and on about capitalism and Reaganomics but the action, and horror aspects could have been more compelling and fully emphasised.

It had a lot of potential and I do see the appeal it has with certain fans and audiences, but with this, it just didn't catch on with me; it's not just the pacing issue but it was so bogged down with a lot of stuff that was, forgettable. There just wasn't enough action sequences to justify it and to keep me invested in the story. 

Had John Carpenter given it as much effort as he did with Big Trouble in Little China, it would have been another cult classic worth remembering as a great and entertaining film. Yet again, we have a movie where it was a case that the concept was better than its execution. 

Final Verdict:

In today's political and socio-economic climate, perhaps They Live is relevant in that sense and playing it off as a cynical piece as a drama which has something to say. Its lack of balance of action, which it could have done a lot more with, characterisation, as straightforward as it is, bland and no- personality characters really ran this movie to the ground. It is a low-key effort; it is not bad but as mentioned I didn't love it as I wanted it to, given how nostalgic it is and how much it has been lauded as a cult classic. 

We could have had something along the lines of Big Trouble in Little China, Dead Heat, The Thing; at least I liked Roddy Piper's mullet in this. 

A-B-movie They Live is for sure. 

Overall: 

image credit: Bakemon

Retro Review: Pedicab Driver (1989) #Hongkongcinema

Pedicab Driver aka Kwan Lung Hei Fung

1989

Cast: Sammo Hung, Lau Kar-leung, Max Mok, Billy Chow, Fennie Yuen, Nina Li Chi

Genre: Martial Arts Comedy Drama

Hong Kong Box Office Gross: over $14 million

Plot: Two men find themselves in trouble when one falls in love with a bun maker and the other with a woman he doesn't know is a prostitute 

'A Hidden Gem Considered By Many, Yet I Wasn't Quite Sold On It'

Set in the 1930s, Pedicab Driver follows the trials and tribulations of a set of pedicab drivers in Macau: two of them have set their hearts on two attractive ladies, one a baker, and the other a prostitute. So, it is a part-romantic comedy, part drama and part action. 

This is not what I personally consider to be a favourite of mine from Sammo Hung's. Viewed purely as a film with a beginning, middle, and end, Pedicab Driver's journey from A to B isn't sloppy; instead, it is unequivocally brazen and veering all over the place, with no coherency. It was difficult to keep track of the plot throughout. Scenes oscillated between comical and silly at the start to serious and violent, to dreary melodrama which meanders on and is overemotional, in typical Hong Kong drama fashion. 

Additionally, the female characters are not written very well; here they are objectified and once, or twice, they get slapped around or are hit by a male character. That, and it doesn't look pretty. Again, in many of these 1980s Hong Kong action films, unless they are the main characters i.e., Cynthia Rothrock, or Michelle Yeoh oozing a strong onscreen presence, the women are generally portrayed as physically weak and overly emotive/emotional to the extent to which their sensitive nature is taken advantage of and mocked. I had to look away twice when one of them got kicked and punched by the bad guys (she ended up dying I think). 

It could have all gone straight to pot, but the film is just about saved by the performances and the impressive and over-the-top looking martial arts action sequences (one involving Sammo's character, Lo and Casino played by Lau Kar-Leung in a weapons duel), in the face of the melodramatics, the topsy-turvy tonal shifts and dull romance plots involving the two main characters, Max & Lo. Instead of counterpointing the heaviness of the drama with light relief in a smooth, nuanced way- something which can be detected in say, some of Robin Williams' earlier movie works that incorporate drama and comedy-, Pedicab Driver slaps the two styles together without any degree of thought as to how they could coincide with one another. 

Besides the fact that he was a right prick, I found John Shum's bad guy character so annoying. Though he fought well against Sammo, he came across as being so OTT and wicked, he was an annoying twerp throughout. Shum's characters are often silly, goofy, and playful with that snarky tone in his comedy films, - and so it was a surprise to see him play a person, whom I hated so much. 

Final Verdict:

I really wanted to love this one, given that it is highly regarded, but because of the tonal whiplash Sammo took with it, it just never quite worked out for me. It is a film that makes little to no sense and makes little to no attempt in presenting a coherent narrative for us to follow - it just so happens that it excels in the action - yet manages to be jarring. It is never a love-it or hate-it movie for me; it just falls in the middle. Had it followed on, right through from the first fight scene, by not losing sight of its direction when it came to the story and not confusing viewers by mish-mashing subplots, then Pedicab Driver would have turned out to be a terrific film. 

If you are not too bothered by the (muddled) story and are more interested in the action, that's fine.   

Overall:

10 Favourite Cher Songs

By Waiching 

Considered one of the greatest and most legendary pop stars and divas of all time, Cher's startling career spans over 7 decades (crikey): with her beginnings as one half of Sonny and Cher, she later on pursued a solo pop career. A trendsetter in fashion, music, movies and an icon, she has consolidated her place alongside the likes of Madonna, Tina Turner and countless other female pop singers; alas, there are very, very few singers/performers who have sustained longevity through a back catalogue that goes as far back as the 1960s. In 2017, Cher nabbed the Billboard Icon Award. She also made history by becoming the only artist to have a #1 single on the Billboard chart in 6 decades. 

1998's Believe was huge, but it was also autotuned. Her distinctive voice, - which in general without the dance beat and autotune-, is incredible - was autotuned; comparing that song to her efforts from the 1980s and 1990s where they were leaning towards soft-rock and she switched gears from soft-rock to Motown, briefly that is, to adult contemporary, dance and back to pop through her ABBA covers, the consensus is that her older, classic material still rules. 

I've seen a lot of comments made about Cher in regard to her having plastic surgery, moreso than her vocals. Of all the female powerhouse pop vocalists of the 20th century, I would cite Cher, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Donna Summer, and Aretha Franklin, but a couple in that list. 

Here are my selections when it comes to Cher's songs:  

1. Love and Understanding (1991) - one of the best songs written for her, produced by Guy Roche (Celine Dion's If You Asked Me To & Brandy's Almost Doesn't Count), and performed by Cher, it is hugely uplifting, and rousing, framed with orchestral strings and a rock beat; though it is not as widely known as Turn Back Time and Believe, Love and Understanding is, nonetheless, musically and lyrically fantastic. Yet it doesn't get enough praise and recognition, which is a shame. It is though my ultimate top Cher pick 

2. If I Could Turn Back Time (1989) - a quintessential power ballad of the 1980s and written by one of the greatest songwriters, Diane Warren (who was also responsible for Love and Understanding) that still stands the test of time, 4 decades later. If I Could Turn Back Time was and still, is also the iconic & grandiose anthem that propelled Cher's pop career in a big way & it helped her gain worldwide recognition. After her disco-themed work of the 1970s, tracks such as If I Could Turn Back Time and You Wouldn't Know Love in the 1980s enabled Cher to break new ground in the soft rock-pop vein.  

3. Not Enough Love in The World (1995) - the third single off It's A Man's World album originally performed by Don Henley as a soft rock song; production and vocal-wise, I prefer this one over the original. The LP itself contains several cover versions from male artists; the other notable one is Walking in Memphis. The 1995 version of Not Enough Love in The World has a more contemporary '90s- pop feel and as cover versions by Cher go, this is one of her best -yet also it is vastly (& criminally) overlooked; moving, swaying, very catchy, but also through It's A Man's World, it amounts to being what is, sound-wise, and arguably her most mature album to date.  

4. The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) (1990) - another cover made famous by Cher and was on the soundtrack of the comedy-drama, Mermaids, this version topped the charts. With her powerhouse vocals, she has always been able to belt out a song in a distinctive voice too. Motown-ish and harking back to the 1960s with the original by Betty Everett, The Shoop Shoop Song became Cher's first solo #1 song in the U.K  

5. All or Nothing (1999) - the follow-up to the massive Believe and Strong Enough, it leans more towards the former as a dance-pop number and yet compared to those two songs, isn't and wasn't as massive although it charted at #1 in the U.S on the dance club songs and did extremely well in the Czech Republic, Finland and Hungary. However, it didn't chart on the U.S Billboard Hot 100. Whilst many will opt for Believe, it is All or Nothing as my pick out of her dance-pop efforts 

6. Just Like Jesse James (1989) - one of Cher's least favourites, which is saying something as lyrically and musically, it is amazing. This country-style bop has a slower pace (it is very restrained) and it takes a while until it gets to the chorus but the production and musically, it is so polished. The title is in reference to the real-life wild West bandit, Jesse James 

7. I'll Never Stop Loving You (1991) - Heart did a version of this song as well, one year earlier and did it first; a melodic power ballad and a hidden gem that shouldn't be slept on. Its composition sounds like something that is being sung at the Olympics or on presidential inauguration day 

8.  Walking In Memphis (1995) - a cover of the Marc Cohan track, released in the mid-1990s, this rendition rocks. Never quite understood the criticism Cher received for it. Cher's take is livelier and more listenable in contrast to the original.   


9. Perfection featuring Bonnie Tyler and Darlene Love (1987) tied with Working Girl - this rocker is akin to Emotional Fire, the latter, Working Girl, remained an unreleased track, and another one that showcases Cher's vocal range 

10. You Wouldn't Know Love (1989) - lyrics by Michael Bolton, who also recorded his own version, and sandwiched in-between Just like Jesse James and Heart of Stone, composition-wise. Bolton's rendition has a little bit of soul, whereas this one goes down the soft-rock MOR, power ballad route, laced with backing vocals & a booming and rousing chorus 



Honourable Mentions: *Save Up All Your Tears, *Could've Been You, When Love Calls Your Name, *I Found Someone, *We All Sleep Alone, One by One (UK version), Believe, *Emotional Fire, Starting Over, Takin' Back My Heart, Alive Again, Real Love, Name of the Game, *Gypsies Tramps & Thieves, *Dangerous Times, Different Kind of Love Song, Still in Love With You, Starting Over, *Dov'e I'amore (remix), The Greatest Thing feat. Lady Gaga, *Woman's World, *Red, Love So High   

40 Favourite Theme Songs From Movie Soundtracks

By Waiching

Given my love for both movies and pop music, it became clear that I had to compose my own list dedicated the movie tracks. Not only can a great movie theme song can add weight and meaning to a scene - as standalone pop and R&B songs and chart-toppers, they have that 'it' factor that even without the backing of the film, they still stand out as great songs for their lyrical content and musical composition: from musical songs to numbers specifically written and produced with the film in mind, movie songs are for life...

 

The King of Wishful Thinking, 1990 - Go West (Pretty Woman) 

It Must Have Been Love, 1990 - Roxette (Pretty Woman)

 

Better Way - James Ingram, 1988 (Beverly Hills Cop II)

 

Footloose - Kenny Loggins, 1984 (Footloose) 

 

Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule The World, 1985 (Real Genius) 

 

Rhythm of the Night - Debarge, 1985 (The Last Dragon)

 

I Can Dream About You - Dan Hartman, 1984 (Streets of Fire)

 

The Name of the Game - Dan Hartman, 1985 (Fletch) 

 

Let The River Run - Carly Simon, 1989 (Working Girl)

 

Put a Little Love in Your Heart - Annie Lennox and Al Green, 1988 (Scrooged)

 

Glory of Love - Peter Cetera, 1986 (The Karate Kid Part 2) 

 

When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Gets Going - Billy Ocean, 1985 (Jewel of the Nile) 

 

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship, 1987 (Mannequin) 

 

Always Remember Us This Way - Lady Gaga, 2018 (A Star Is Born)

 

Sittin' Up In My Room - Brandy, 1995 (Waiting to Exhale) 

 

On Our Own - Bobby Brown, 1989 (Ghostbusters II) 

 

Can't Fight The Moonlight - Leann Rimes, 2000 (Coyote Ugly)

 

Jive Talkin' - Bee Gees, 1975 (Saturday Night Fever)

 

Show Me Heaven - Maria McKee, 1990 (Days of Thunder) 

 

Grease - Frankie Valli, 1978 (Grease) 

 

The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) - Cher, 1990 (Mermaids) 

 

Go For It - Joey B. Ellis, 1990 (Rocky V) 

 

End of the Road - Boyz 2 Men, 1992 (Boomerang)

Give U My Heart - Toni Braxton and Babyface, 1992 (Boomerang) 

 

Waiting For A Star (To Fall) - Boy Meets Girl, 1988 (Three Men & A Little Lady) 

 

Almost Unreal - Roxette, 1992 (Super Mario Bros)

 

I Don't Wanna Fight - Tina Turner, 1993 (What's Love Got to Do With It?)

Damn (Should Have Treated You Right) - So Plush, 1999 (Blue Streak)

 

Be There - The Pointer Sisters, 1987 (Beverly Hills Cop II)

I Can't Stand It -Sue Ann Carwell, 1987 (Beverly Hills Cop II)

 

Coming to America - The System, 1988 (Coming to America)

 

Shy Guy - Diana King, 1995 (Bad Boys) 

 

What's Love Got to Do with It? - Warren G feat. Adina Howard, 1996 (Supercop) 

 

How Deep is your Love - Dru Hill, 1998 (Rush Hour)

 

Stuck With Each Other - Shontelle featuring Akon, 2009 (Confessions of a Shopaholic)

 

Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio featuring L.V, 1995 (Dangerous Minds) 

 

Stir It Up - Patti Labelle, 1985 (Beverly Hills Cop)

 

Kiss From a Rose - Seal, 1995 (Batman Forever) 

What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful) - Backstreet Boys, 2001 (The Princess Diaries) 

 

At The Beginning - Donna Lewis feat. Richard Marx 1998, single edit (Anastasia)