gainsbarre13 Reviews

Charles Manson Superstar (1989 Video)

Throw blood in their faces and they're like HUH!?!

[8/10 · 28 August 2005]

Aside from the "Pro" Manson bent and factual errors this an excellent & intriguing documentary. The best parts (as I'm sure anyone who has seen this will agree) are the one on one interviews with Charlie himself. Sure he seems pretty nutty, but underneath some of the babble he babbles has a ring of truth to it (his thoughts regarding prison for example). At times the narration gets a little monotonous and boring and some facts are presented wrong. But still over all entertaining and it makes you think. If you're really into this s**t like I am, you should check out the 1973 documentary "Manson". The two together make an excellent double feature.

Edgeplay (2004)

so-so

[5/10 · 28 March 2005]

Though I love The Runaways very much, I didn't like this film. No Joan Jett & the lack of Runaways music definitely hurt. All you get is a pretty shitty cover of Sweet Jane & then Wild Thing. The film itself is well made but the score sucks. Kim Fowley comes across as the sleazy creep we all knew he is (gotta love a guy who can refer to a 14 year old girl as "dog s**t" or "dog c**t" oh wait a minute no not all actually), and Lita Ford keeps repeating herself. ("It all went back to that first phone call from Kim".) But then again, she's kind of lame anyway. Worth checking out, but only if you're interested in The Runaways. Not one of the great "rock 'n' roll" movies like Don't Look Back, Hard Days Night or End of the Century or something.

The Love-Thrill Murders (1971)

I just watched this today!

[12 March 2004]

I won't front, I'm interested in Manson, but I also dig 60's & 70's exploitation movies. If yr like myself, then you might enjoy this.

It's not a direct reference to the Manson story but the whole religious drug/sex cult/family deal is in effect. Lotsa cheesy hippy babble, drug taking and many naked breasts follow. Troy Donahue makes a good Manson-esque character and the music is good. (By Jeff Barry no less!) Definitely worth checking out!

White Star (1983)

Let it Rock-Hopper, David Hess, it should be great!

[11 March 2004]

Roger Corman bought the rights to this film and released it here as "Let it Rock". That's the version I've seen. This movie really has no point, but, Dennis Hopper is off the meat racks and out of his mind in this!!! He's truly demented and wonderful. But that's the only worthwhile aspect. They also use footage of TSOL from Suburbia. I read that David Hess (who's also in the movie as "the arab") said, "White Star was an interesting film-it was the story of Jesus put into a heavy metal situation! I played Judas and Dennis Hopper played St. Peter." I don't know how much different the "White Star" cut is but "Let it Rock" is not about that. All in all the music sucks, David Hess isn't seen enough, but Dennis Hopper is great!!!

Out of the Blue (1980)

Dennis Hopper Unstoppable

[10/10 · 28 February 2004]

Don't be fooled by the negative reviews. This is definitely worth watching. Linda Manz is INCREDIBLE! Come on! She was in Gummo!!! (She was also in The Wanderers and played a similar tomboy-Jackie Earle in drag (sorta) character). She gets the job done and well is all I'm trying to say. But Dennis Hopper gives an amazing performance as usual in all his psycho glory and the dude who plays Charlie is slimy as hell (good thing){note: I didn't remember it was Don Gordon who also played a sleazy dude in The Mack}. Plus Neil Young songs. What else do you need? My videotape copy has the worst quality of a commercially released video that I've ever been witness to, but I see that the great folks at Anchor Bay have released this on DVD. I'll be buying it soon. You should too.