Presented by Lisa Frankenstein, 1989 Week is dialing the clock back to the crossroads year for the genre with a full week of features that dig six feet under into the year. Today, Rachel Reeves lists the five baddest teen queens of 1989.
Bridging the gap between the ’80s and ’90s, 1989 was an interesting year for horror. With a robust roster of strong slasher icons to lean on, innovative sub-genres and a thriving physical media industry, 1989 desperately clung to the last gasp of the ’80s while tentatively experimenting with what the ’90s might bring. Along with a wealth of later-entry franchise sequels, this indecisive decade straddling also resulted in some eclectic representations of all-to-familiar tropes, including the “bad girl.”
The allure of the bad girl is one of the most enduring tropes in horror film history. Whether labeled as a witch, vampire, monster, sexually promiscuous, uppity or any other brand of stigmatizing language,...
Bridging the gap between the ’80s and ’90s, 1989 was an interesting year for horror. With a robust roster of strong slasher icons to lean on, innovative sub-genres and a thriving physical media industry, 1989 desperately clung to the last gasp of the ’80s while tentatively experimenting with what the ’90s might bring. Along with a wealth of later-entry franchise sequels, this indecisive decade straddling also resulted in some eclectic representations of all-to-familiar tropes, including the “bad girl.”
The allure of the bad girl is one of the most enduring tropes in horror film history. Whether labeled as a witch, vampire, monster, sexually promiscuous, uppity or any other brand of stigmatizing language,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Rachel Reeves
- bloody-disgusting.com
Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI reached the 37th anniversary of its theatrical release on August 1st. Four days earlier, July 28th was the 34th anniversary of the release of Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. And the folks at Sadist Art Designs have decided to celebrate both of these films by unveiling new Jason Lives and Jason Takes Manhattan T-shirt designs!
Both shirts are available with or without side seams, and while the Jason Lives shirt is only available in black, the Jason Takes Manhattan shirt comes in a variety of colors. Prices range from $26 to $32, and the options and be viewed (and purchases can be made) on the Sadist Art Designs website. A couple sample images of the shirts can also be found at the bottom of this article.
The Jason Lives shirt shows iconic slasher Jason Voorhees with iconic rocker Alice Cooper, who...
Both shirts are available with or without side seams, and while the Jason Lives shirt is only available in black, the Jason Takes Manhattan shirt comes in a variety of colors. Prices range from $26 to $32, and the options and be viewed (and purchases can be made) on the Sadist Art Designs website. A couple sample images of the shirts can also be found at the bottom of this article.
The Jason Lives shirt shows iconic slasher Jason Voorhees with iconic rocker Alice Cooper, who...
- 8/4/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
When you think slashers, your mind immediately goes to the Final Girl. While the term wasn't coined until 1992, it was a prevalent trope throughout the '70s and '80s, namely through such works as "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (Sally Hardesty), "Black Christmas" (Jess Bradford), and "Halloween" (Laurie Strode). These trendsetting heroines cemented the idea that women could be the heroes of their own stories. In many cases, the Final Girl just happened to be the last woman standing through sheer luck; in others, they slashed their way to triumph all on their own. One of the franchises most known for its many Final Girls is "Friday the 13th," which dominated the 1980s and showcased some of the slasher genre's most iconic protagonists.
Throughout its run 一 from the 1980 original to the 2009 remake 一 the series' Final Girls have run the gamut. Some are tough-as-nails warriors from the get-go,...
Throughout its run 一 from the 1980 original to the 2009 remake 一 the series' Final Girls have run the gamut. Some are tough-as-nails warriors from the get-go,...
- 3/18/2023
- by Bee Delores
- Slash Film
The Arrow in the Head Show hosts John “The Arrow” Fallon and Lance Vlcek are clearly two guys who are after my own heart. I say this because Friday the 13th is my favorite franchise, so I find that I can never go too long without watching a Friday the 13th movie. The Arrow and Lance seem to be right there with me, because they talk about Friday the 13th movies with some frequency – and in the latest episode of The Arrow in the Head Show, they’re taking a deep dive into the 1989 sequel Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (watch it Here)! To find out what they had to say about Jason Takes Manhattan, check out the video embedded above.
Written and directed by Rob Hedden, Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan has the following synopsis: Mass murderer Jason Voorhees is resurrected from the bottom of Crystal Lake.
Written and directed by Rob Hedden, Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan has the following synopsis: Mass murderer Jason Voorhees is resurrected from the bottom of Crystal Lake.
- 2/5/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
It’s time for a new episode of our Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie? video series, and in this one we’re looking back at a poorly-received entry in a beloved slasher franchise. A movie that marked the end of an era. The horror movie covered in this episode is Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (watch it Here), which was not only the last Friday the 13th to be released in the 1980s (since it came out in ’89), but also the last one to be distributed solely by Paramount Pictures. After this one, there would be a four year break between films while the franchise moved over to New Line Cinema. Why was Jason Takes Manhattan so underwhelming that Paramount gave up on Friday the 13th? Find out by taking a look at the video embedded above.
Written and directed by Rob Hedden, Friday the 13th Part VIII...
Written and directed by Rob Hedden, Friday the 13th Part VIII...
- 10/21/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
[We're celebrating some of the most memorable horror and sci-fi movies of 1989 this month in Daily Dead's Class of 89 retrospective series! Check back on Daily Dead throughout the rest of August for more special features celebrating the 30th anniversaries of a wide range of horror and sci-fi films!]
Whew! Now, that is a long movie title! We can't close out the 1980s without discussing Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. Coincidentally, Part VIII would be the last movie released in Paramount’s original Friday the 13th timeline, and it was released in 1989, the last year of the decade. But, let's not talk so much about the end and focus instead on celebrating what I believe to be one of the most Gif-able slasher movies ever.
Rob Hedden's Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan follows the senior class of Lakeview High School as they set sail towards the bright lights of New York City. It's not long after the Lazarus takes off that good ol' Jason boards the ship to do what he does best: terrorize and kill the unsuspecting passengers on board. Side note: I can't help but notice that the ship's name...
Whew! Now, that is a long movie title! We can't close out the 1980s without discussing Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. Coincidentally, Part VIII would be the last movie released in Paramount’s original Friday the 13th timeline, and it was released in 1989, the last year of the decade. But, let's not talk so much about the end and focus instead on celebrating what I believe to be one of the most Gif-able slasher movies ever.
Rob Hedden's Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan follows the senior class of Lakeview High School as they set sail towards the bright lights of New York City. It's not long after the Lazarus takes off that good ol' Jason boards the ship to do what he does best: terrorize and kill the unsuspecting passengers on board. Side note: I can't help but notice that the ship's name...
- 8/21/2019
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
The "Friday the 13th" franchise's crop of Final Girls are known for their keen survival instincts onscreen, but the careers of the actresses who played them? Not quite as impressive. When was the last time you heard the name "Amy Steel"? Dana Kimmell? Melanie Kinnaman? In celebration of Friday the 13th, here's our brief rundown of the post-"F13" careers of every Final Girl in the (original) franchise, from Adrienne King to Lexa Doig. "Friday the 13th" (1980) Adrienne King (Alice Hardy) After briefly reprising her role in the film's 1981 sequel, King became the victim of a stalker (the man ultimately pulled a gun on her). Shaken by the experience, she didn't return to acting until the 2010 low-budget horror/sci-fi film "Psychic Experiment." "Friday the 13th Part 2" (1981) Amy Steel (Ginny) Steel actually has two claims to fame in the horror genre, as she also starred in the 1986 pseudo-slasher "April Fool's Day.
- 3/13/2015
- by Chris Eggertsen
- Hitfix
It's October so you know that we have plenty of treats up our sleeves to share with you guys, including your chance to win the mammoth sized Friday the 13th The Ultimate Collection on DVD! Dig it!
To enter, just send us an E-mail Here including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.
From the Press Release
Take a ride down memory lane with everyone’s favorite psychotic killer Jason Voorhees in the to-die-for DVD set Friday The 13th The Ultimate Collection arriving just in time for Halloween on October 4, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. When the original Friday The 13th debuted in 1980, it captured audiences’ imaginations and permeated our collective psyche. 31 years later, the iconic machete-wielding killer continues to haunt, fascinate and terrify a new generation.
This comprehensive set includes every murderous moment from Friday The 13th-Uncut Deluxe Edition, Friday The 13th Part 2 Deluxe Edition,...
To enter, just send us an E-mail Here including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.
From the Press Release
Take a ride down memory lane with everyone’s favorite psychotic killer Jason Voorhees in the to-die-for DVD set Friday The 13th The Ultimate Collection arriving just in time for Halloween on October 4, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. When the original Friday The 13th debuted in 1980, it captured audiences’ imaginations and permeated our collective psyche. 31 years later, the iconic machete-wielding killer continues to haunt, fascinate and terrify a new generation.
This comprehensive set includes every murderous moment from Friday The 13th-Uncut Deluxe Edition, Friday The 13th Part 2 Deluxe Edition,...
- 10/19/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Home Invasion is a weekly article that we post to compile all the DVD & Blu-Ray Releases for this week that might be of interest to you. Included are links back to Amazon.com to purchase the item(s). We also included the descriptions and Specifications of the discs – if provided.
DVD & Blu-Ray Releases for October 4th, 2011:
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters: Season One
Scary doesn’t get any sillier than Season 1 of the hit Nickelodeon show Aaahh!!! Real Monsters! These monsters-in-training make fright a hoot as they try to learn the tricks of the scary monster trade. Check out Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm and their herculean efforts to master The Gromble’s class on proper scare techniques. So pull up a seat in the Monster Academy, the scariest (Not!) place under the city dump, and get ready for lessons so bizarre, they’re scary!
Buy the DVD @ Amazon...
DVD & Blu-Ray Releases for October 4th, 2011:
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters: Season One
Scary doesn’t get any sillier than Season 1 of the hit Nickelodeon show Aaahh!!! Real Monsters! These monsters-in-training make fright a hoot as they try to learn the tricks of the scary monster trade. Check out Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm and their herculean efforts to master The Gromble’s class on proper scare techniques. So pull up a seat in the Monster Academy, the scariest (Not!) place under the city dump, and get ready for lessons so bizarre, they’re scary!
Buy the DVD @ Amazon...
- 10/3/2011
- by Andy Triefenbach
- Destroy the Brain
Release Date: Oct. 4, 2011
Price: DVD Tbd
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
Paramount’s Friday the 13th The Ultimate Collection DVD set includes 31 years of the 13th movies, plus special features and a collectible hockey mask.
All eight horror films featuring machete-wielding killer Jason Voorhees are included in the set, which will be released in limited edition of only 50,000 numbered boxes worldwide. The boxes also contain an eight-page booklet.
Here’s the lowdown on all the special features on the discs:
The Friday the 13th Uncut Deluxe Edition DVD (widescreen; Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround; English, French and Spanish subtitles):
commentary by director Sean S. Cunningham with cast and crew“Fresh Cuts: New Tales From Friday the 13th”“The Man Behind the Legacy: Sean S. Cunningham”“Friday the 13th Reunion”“Lost Tales From Camp Blood – Part 1″trailer
The Friday the 13th Part 2 Deluxe Edition DVD (widescreen; Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround; English,...
Price: DVD Tbd
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
Paramount’s Friday the 13th The Ultimate Collection DVD set includes 31 years of the 13th movies, plus special features and a collectible hockey mask.
All eight horror films featuring machete-wielding killer Jason Voorhees are included in the set, which will be released in limited edition of only 50,000 numbered boxes worldwide. The boxes also contain an eight-page booklet.
Here’s the lowdown on all the special features on the discs:
The Friday the 13th Uncut Deluxe Edition DVD (widescreen; Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround; English, French and Spanish subtitles):
commentary by director Sean S. Cunningham with cast and crew“Fresh Cuts: New Tales From Friday the 13th”“The Man Behind the Legacy: Sean S. Cunningham”“Friday the 13th Reunion”“Lost Tales From Camp Blood – Part 1″trailer
The Friday the 13th Part 2 Deluxe Edition DVD (widescreen; Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround; English,...
- 7/28/2011
- by Sam
- Disc Dish
You read that right. There's yet another boxset on its way from Paramount for the Friday the 13th series, and it's home to all sorts of cool stuff. The only problem? It's DVD only. Umm ... Something wrong with Blu-ray, guys?
From the Press Release
Take a ride down memory lane with everyone’s favorite psychotic killer Jason Voorhees in the to-die-for DVD set Friday The 13th The Ultimate Collection arriving just in time for Halloween on October 4, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. When the original Friday The 13th debuted in 1980, it captured audiences’ imaginations and permeated our collective psyche. 31 years later, the iconic machete-wielding killer continues to haunt, fascinate and terrify a new generation.
This comprehensive set includes every murderous moment from Friday The 13th-Uncut Deluxe Edition, Friday The 13th Part 2 Deluxe Edition, Friday The 13th Part 3-3D Deluxe Edition (with two pairs of 3D glasses), Friday The 13th...
From the Press Release
Take a ride down memory lane with everyone’s favorite psychotic killer Jason Voorhees in the to-die-for DVD set Friday The 13th The Ultimate Collection arriving just in time for Halloween on October 4, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. When the original Friday The 13th debuted in 1980, it captured audiences’ imaginations and permeated our collective psyche. 31 years later, the iconic machete-wielding killer continues to haunt, fascinate and terrify a new generation.
This comprehensive set includes every murderous moment from Friday The 13th-Uncut Deluxe Edition, Friday The 13th Part 2 Deluxe Edition, Friday The 13th Part 3-3D Deluxe Edition (with two pairs of 3D glasses), Friday The 13th...
- 7/27/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
This Tuesday, Paramount will complete their series of Friday The 13th Deluxe Edition DVD's with the release of Friday The 13th Part VII: The New Blood and Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan.
To celebrate said release, the studio sent over 3 copies of each, and now we're giving them to some lucky Fangoria readers.
Want a copy to round out your Friday The 13th collection? Enter below!
Bonus features as follows:
Friday The 13th Part VII: The New Blood
Killer Commentary by director John Carl Buechler and actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII Mind Over Matter: The Truth about Telekinesis Makeover by Maddy: Need a Little Touch-Up Work, My Ass Slashed Scenes (with intro) Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
Killer Commentary by writer/director Rob Hedden and actors Jensen Daggett and Kane Hodder New...
To celebrate said release, the studio sent over 3 copies of each, and now we're giving them to some lucky Fangoria readers.
Want a copy to round out your Friday The 13th collection? Enter below!
Bonus features as follows:
Friday The 13th Part VII: The New Blood
Killer Commentary by director John Carl Buechler and actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII Mind Over Matter: The Truth about Telekinesis Makeover by Maddy: Need a Little Touch-Up Work, My Ass Slashed Scenes (with intro) Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
Killer Commentary by writer/director Rob Hedden and actors Jensen Daggett and Kane Hodder New...
- 9/14/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (James Zahn)
- Fangoria
Director Rob Hedden and actors Jensen Daggett and Kane Hodder offer a feature-length commentary on Paramount's forthcoming special edition of Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan . We've got a select clip from the disc - which streets on September 15 - which finds Jason delivering some poisonous punishment to Peter Mark Richman. Hodder provided his commentary via phone from the set of Adam Green's Frozen . Also arriving on the 15th, Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood .
- 9/11/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Over the past few weeks, one of the most-asked questions hitting the mailboxes here at Fango has been "Will Paramount be releasing Friday The 13th Parts 7 & 8 in Deluxe Editions?"
Today we have the answer, and the answer is Yes!
On September 15th, Paramount will unleash their final batch of Deluxe Edition F13 DVD's. Msrp is $16.99 each, but you can pre-order 'em for $11.99 each through Amazon.com by clicking here and here.
Bonus features as follows:
Friday The 13th Part VII: The New Blood
Killer Commentary by director John Carl Buechler and actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII Mind Over Matter: The Truth about Telekinesis Makeover by Maddy: Need a Little Touch-Up Work, My Ass Slashed Scenes (with intro) Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
Killer Commentary by writer/director Rob Hedden and actors Jensen Daggett and Kane Hodder...
Today we have the answer, and the answer is Yes!
On September 15th, Paramount will unleash their final batch of Deluxe Edition F13 DVD's. Msrp is $16.99 each, but you can pre-order 'em for $11.99 each through Amazon.com by clicking here and here.
Bonus features as follows:
Friday The 13th Part VII: The New Blood
Killer Commentary by director John Carl Buechler and actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII Mind Over Matter: The Truth about Telekinesis Makeover by Maddy: Need a Little Touch-Up Work, My Ass Slashed Scenes (with intro) Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
Killer Commentary by writer/director Rob Hedden and actors Jensen Daggett and Kane Hodder...
- 6/18/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (James Zahn)
- Fangoria
It’s a great time to be a Friday the 13th fan. The slasher classics are slowly making their way to Blu-ray while the Deluxe Editions of Parts IV-vi are equipped with better extra features than I ever thought possible. And hot on the heels of these awesome releases, Paramount has announced the specs for the last two Crystal Lake killing sprees, The New Blood and Jason Takes Manhattan.
DVD Times reports that the final two Deluxe Editions will be available to own on the 15th of September, and you can pre-order them both below.
The New Blood specs:
2.0 Surround, Mono, 5.1 Surround English, French, and Spanish audio/subtitle options Portuguese subtitles Commentary: - Killer Commentary by director John Carl Buechler and actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII Slashed Scenes with Intro Mind Over Matter: The Truth about Telekinesis Makeover...
DVD Times reports that the final two Deluxe Editions will be available to own on the 15th of September, and you can pre-order them both below.
The New Blood specs:
2.0 Surround, Mono, 5.1 Surround English, French, and Spanish audio/subtitle options Portuguese subtitles Commentary: - Killer Commentary by director John Carl Buechler and actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII Slashed Scenes with Intro Mind Over Matter: The Truth about Telekinesis Makeover...
- 6/18/2009
- by Masked Slasher
- DreadCentral.com
On September 15th, Paramount wraps up their Friday the 13th reissues with deluxe editions of Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood and Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan . We now have special feature details and artwork for both titles. Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood . Commentary: - Killer Commentary by director John Carl Buechler and actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder . Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII . Mind Over Matter: The Truth about Telekinesis . Makeover by Maddy: Need a Little Touch-Up Work, My Ass . Slashed Scenes Intro . Slashed Scenes Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan . Commentary: - Killer Commentary by writer/director Rob Hedden and actors Jensen Daggett and Kane...
- 6/18/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Anchor Bay Entertainment gave Fango the word that it will release the documentary His Name Was Jason: 30 Years Of Friday The 13th on DVD February 3, 2009. The exhaustive saga of Voorhees cinema will then have its broadcast premiere on Starz Friday, Feb. 13.
Directed by Dan Farrands (screenwriter of The Girl Next Door and Halloween: The Curse Of Michael Myers) and produced by Anthony (Halloween: 25 Years Of Terror) Masi and Thommy Hutson, His Name Was Jason is hosted by Tom Savini (pictured, who created the trendsetting gore FX of the 1980 original Friday and returned to the series for 1984’s The Final Chapter. The docu showcases interviews with dozens of contributors to the Friday saga, including actors Betsy Palmer (the original), Adrienne King (the first and second films), Larry Zerner (Part III), Bonnie Hellman, Judie Aronson, Lawrence Monoson and Camilla More (The Final Chapter), Shavar Ross and Debbisue Voorhees (Part V...
Directed by Dan Farrands (screenwriter of The Girl Next Door and Halloween: The Curse Of Michael Myers) and produced by Anthony (Halloween: 25 Years Of Terror) Masi and Thommy Hutson, His Name Was Jason is hosted by Tom Savini (pictured, who created the trendsetting gore FX of the 1980 original Friday and returned to the series for 1984’s The Final Chapter. The docu showcases interviews with dozens of contributors to the Friday saga, including actors Betsy Palmer (the original), Adrienne King (the first and second films), Larry Zerner (Part III), Bonnie Hellman, Judie Aronson, Lawrence Monoson and Camilla More (The Final Chapter), Shavar Ross and Debbisue Voorhees (Part V...
- 11/8/2008
- Fangoria
After the major misfire of a sequel that was 1994's "Major League II", you'd think that any subsequent attempt, no matter how misguided, would have to look better by comparison.
You'd think.
But even a decent ump would be hard-pressed to make that call with the arrival of "Major League: Back to the Minors," a bland, poorly paced effort that takes its regressive title to heart.
A very pale imitation of the lively -- if never exactly inspired -- original, this third and likely final outing takes a half-hearted swing and fails to make any contact.
Final attendance figures will be disappointing, though series fans might take their chances during video postseason play.
While Charlie Sheen and Tom Berenger have long since hung up their cleats, Corbin Bernsen returns as Roger Dorn. Currently the owner of the Minnesota Twins, Dorn is looking for someone to manage his farm team, the South Carolina Buzz; that someone turns out to be burnt-out minor league pitcher Gus Cantrell (Scott Bakula).
Reluctantly, Gus takes the gig, only to find out that the triple-A team might as well be called the Bad News Bores. A decidedly motley crew with a lousy attitude, the Buzz might appear as a hopeless task to some, but not to Cantrell, who knows a thing or two about never saying never.
Not only does he put the team back in the winning column, but a personal feud with vain, smug Twins manager Leonard Huff (Ted McGinley) leads to a minor league-major league grudge match with entirely predictable results.
As written and directed by John Warren, the picture goes through its generic paces with a scarcity of spark and spirit. It would have done well to take heed of one of Cantrell's pep talks.
The cast does the best it can with what it was given. Bakula, saddled with a tired, screen-cliche of a character, nevertheless conveys an easygoing amiability, as does Bernsen, for the little time he's onscreen.
"Married ... With Children" vet McGinley plays his adversarial part with the requisite broad strokes, while Dennis Haysbert (as Cuban voodoo outfielder Pedro Cerrano), Takaaki Ishibashi (as highly spiritual teammate Taka Tanaka) and Bob Uecker (as enthusiastic play-by-play man Harry Doyle) all return for more of the same.
Handed the token female role of Bakula's girlfriend, Jensen Daggett ("The Single Guy") fulfills her character demands by always looking pretty and supportive.
***MAJOR LEAGUE: BACK TO THE MINORS
Warner Bros.
James Robinson presents
a Morgan Creek production
Director-screenwriter: John Warren
Producer: James G. Robinson
Executive producers: Michael Rachmil,
Gary Barber, Bill Todman Jr.
Director of photography: Tim Suhrstedt
Editors: O. Nicholas Brown, Bryan H. Carroll
Music: Robert Folk
Color/stereo
Cast:
Gus Cantrell: Scott Bakula
Roger Dorn: Corbin Bernsen
Pedro Cerrano: Dennis Haysbert
Taka Tanaka: Takaaki Ishibashi
Maggie Reynolds: Jensen Daggett
Rube Baker: Eric Bruskotter
Harry Doyle: Bob Uecker
Leonard Huff: Ted McGinley
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
You'd think.
But even a decent ump would be hard-pressed to make that call with the arrival of "Major League: Back to the Minors," a bland, poorly paced effort that takes its regressive title to heart.
A very pale imitation of the lively -- if never exactly inspired -- original, this third and likely final outing takes a half-hearted swing and fails to make any contact.
Final attendance figures will be disappointing, though series fans might take their chances during video postseason play.
While Charlie Sheen and Tom Berenger have long since hung up their cleats, Corbin Bernsen returns as Roger Dorn. Currently the owner of the Minnesota Twins, Dorn is looking for someone to manage his farm team, the South Carolina Buzz; that someone turns out to be burnt-out minor league pitcher Gus Cantrell (Scott Bakula).
Reluctantly, Gus takes the gig, only to find out that the triple-A team might as well be called the Bad News Bores. A decidedly motley crew with a lousy attitude, the Buzz might appear as a hopeless task to some, but not to Cantrell, who knows a thing or two about never saying never.
Not only does he put the team back in the winning column, but a personal feud with vain, smug Twins manager Leonard Huff (Ted McGinley) leads to a minor league-major league grudge match with entirely predictable results.
As written and directed by John Warren, the picture goes through its generic paces with a scarcity of spark and spirit. It would have done well to take heed of one of Cantrell's pep talks.
The cast does the best it can with what it was given. Bakula, saddled with a tired, screen-cliche of a character, nevertheless conveys an easygoing amiability, as does Bernsen, for the little time he's onscreen.
"Married ... With Children" vet McGinley plays his adversarial part with the requisite broad strokes, while Dennis Haysbert (as Cuban voodoo outfielder Pedro Cerrano), Takaaki Ishibashi (as highly spiritual teammate Taka Tanaka) and Bob Uecker (as enthusiastic play-by-play man Harry Doyle) all return for more of the same.
Handed the token female role of Bakula's girlfriend, Jensen Daggett ("The Single Guy") fulfills her character demands by always looking pretty and supportive.
***MAJOR LEAGUE: BACK TO THE MINORS
Warner Bros.
James Robinson presents
a Morgan Creek production
Director-screenwriter: John Warren
Producer: James G. Robinson
Executive producers: Michael Rachmil,
Gary Barber, Bill Todman Jr.
Director of photography: Tim Suhrstedt
Editors: O. Nicholas Brown, Bryan H. Carroll
Music: Robert Folk
Color/stereo
Cast:
Gus Cantrell: Scott Bakula
Roger Dorn: Corbin Bernsen
Pedro Cerrano: Dennis Haysbert
Taka Tanaka: Takaaki Ishibashi
Maggie Reynolds: Jensen Daggett
Rube Baker: Eric Bruskotter
Harry Doyle: Bob Uecker
Leonard Huff: Ted McGinley
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 4/20/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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