Summer of '84

"Summer of '84" (2018, François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell, Brightlight Pictures, Gunpowder & Sky) is an homage to the '80s.

Following on from the nostalgia laden genius of "Stranger Things", "Summer of '84" brings in elements of many of the 80s' genre greats including: "The Goonies", "The Monster Squad", "Fright Night", "Stand By Me" and "The 'Burbs". And while it doesn't quite match up to Stranger Things' fine crafted blend of nostalgia and pacing, it was far from a bad film.

We meet teenager, Davey Armstrong (Graham Verchere), and his friends, Dale "Woody" Woodworth (Caleb Emery), Tommy "Eats" Eaton (Judah Lewis) and Curtis Farraday (Cory Gruter-Andrew). They decide to follow their own investigation into a local kidnapping spree and their suspicions lead them to Davey's neighbour; police officer Wayne Mackey (Rich Sommer).

The boys begin hunting for evidence that the jovial Mackey is actually harbouring a deep, dark secret. But they'll face challenges on the way... and possibly some serious repercussions.

A fun film that suffers from a few pacing issues but enjoys some serious jolts, a gripping ending and a believable recreation of the era. The characters have enough quirks and backstory to keep them feeling rounded, and the plot keeps a good sense of mystery where one minute we think the lads are right on track and the next we think they may be making a huge mistake.

Pleasant viewing with a bit of darkness around the edges.

[Image: Gunpowder & Sky, et al]

Hani 

Garbage Pail Kids

"Garbage Pail Kids" (1987, Rod Amateau, Atlantic Entertainment Group, Topps Chewing Gum, Atlantic Releasing Corporation) is the live action movie based on the popular 80s parody trading cards.

A spaceship shaped like a metal trashcan somehow ends up under the protection of an antiques shop owner, Captain Manzini (Anthony Newley). It's never really explained how this comes to be. Manzini befriends a local kid called Dodger (Mackenzie Astin) who is getting relentlessly bullied by a group of older teens who look old enough to have mortgages. Dodger accidentally sets the garbage pail kids free during a scuffle with the bullies in the store, introducing us to seven of the kids: Greaser Greg (Phil Fondacaro & Jim Cummings). Valerie Vomit (Debbie Lee Carrington), Ali Gator (Kevin Thompson), Foul Phil (Robert Bell & Chloe Amateau), Nat Nerd (Larry Green & Jim Cummings), Windy Winston (Arturo Gil) and Messy Tessie (Sue Rossitto & Teri Benaron).

Together, Dodger and the gruesome kids attempt to help the girlfriend of one of Dodger's bullies on whom he has a crush. But Dodger is soon to learn that ugliness is not always on the outside...

A cheesy film full of disturbing puppets and toilet humour. It boasts a pretty flimsy plot and a sing-song that goes on way too long. I'm not sure what kind of bet Newley lost to be in this film, but I have to say that it kind of gives me a different kind of respect for him, really.

A film so bad that you just have to shake your head and wonder who the target audience really was. On one hand it is definitely not the kind of film most parents would want their kids to watch and on the other its humour does not really appeal to most adults. A really strange concept by all standards.

[Image: Atlantic Entertainment, et al]

Hani