Robert Rodriguez shows us that you don't need a fourtune, a major studio, or big name stars to make a memorable and utterly stunning film of this caliber. Rob goes for the rebel in all of us with this effective script and his signature WHAM BAM style of filming and editing. Rob gives us a great American masterpiece with a solid story and incredably on-the-point acting from Arquette and the rest of the cast. Most memorable are the fight scenes with the pounding LINK WRAY music that I can't seem to find in any record store! Look out for the ketchup bottle!
“Hell Ride” is a raucous throwback to the days of the Sergio Leone spaghetti western, with a heaping helping of testosterone-fueled chopper action thrown into the mix. Writer/director Larry Bishop takes on a third role as Pistolero, head honcho of the Victors, a group of badass bikers who are out to avenge the murder of one of their members at the hands of the 666ers, a rival gang whose actions live up to their hellish moniker. Along with his cohorts, the Gent (deviously portrayed by Michael Madsen) and the mysterious Comanche (Eric Balfour), Pistolero aims to take down the Deuce and Billy Wings, menacing leaders of the 666ers, but a mutiny looms on the horizon when his commitment to profit is questioned by a few of his fellow Victors. An even larger story unravels when previously unknown information about Comanche resurrects ghosts from Pistolero’s past.
Although there is enough sex, violence, and all-out machismo to keep grind-house fans firmly plastered to their seats, Bishop’s take on the genre strays far from exploitation as he weaves a twisting, multilayered tale of revenge, loyalty, and brotherhood that is brought to life by a superb ensemble cast, with memorable performances by Dennis Hopper, Vinnie Jones, and David Carradine. In the words of Comanche, “The road to hell is paved with anything but good intentions.”
The Big Bird Cage is a lovely movie all around. There's plenty of gorgeous and fertile *ahem* scenery. And by scenery I mean the constant nudity, as well as Pam Grier's majorly caged rack (she doesn't take it off in this one!). The Big Bird Cage is a damn entertaining movie. It's part zany, part savage, and hella impressive throughout. Both this movie and its predecessor, The Big Doll House, are in a completely different grade level than their peers in the women-in-prison genre. The Big Doll House was a huge success, grossing $10 million in theaters. The BBC followed it up strong with the same formula that made the first one great. The sets and the cast were expanded for The BBC, but each of the characters still retain the same uniquely endearing camp qualities that make the scenes memorable. Jack Hill, the writer and director of both films, has been largely credited for pioneering the women in prison genre based on these two movies.
Filmed in two weeks on a budget of 7,000 dollars, El Mariachi was one of the singular pleasures of the 1993-1994 movie season. Kind-spirited guitarist El Mariachi (Carlos M. Gallardo) simply wants to wander through life as his father and grandfather did, with a song in his heart and a smile on his lips. He wanders into a small mob-run town, guitar case in hand. It so happens that the local criminal element is awaiting the arrival of vicious hit man Azul (Reinol Martinez), who is well known for carrying his weapons in…a guitar case. Just when you think you’ve got a lock on what’s going to happen next, director Robert Rodriguez throws us for a loop, unexpectedly alternating whimsical comedy with graphic violence. Rodriguez later retooled the plot of El Mariachi for his far more expensive (and far less satisfying) Antonio Banderas vehicle Desperado (1995).
