Rob's ready to rumble! 'The Sunshine Happy Kpants Hour' is taking a trip to the 70's.....

The 116th episode of 'The Sunshine Happy Kpants Hour' is uploaded and now available through iTunes, Talkshoe, Stitcher Radio and streaming LIVE right here.

This week, I'm taking a trip back to the 70's and examining my roots. Topics include my new show, voicemails, the songs that had an influence and 10 things to teach your daughter before age 10. It's a jam packed show! ENJOY!

Songs played this week:

1) Foreplay/Long Time by Boston

2) Politicians In My Eyes by Death

3) The Heart of Saturday Night by Tom Waits

4) Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell

5) Which Will by Nick Drake

6) Life's Been Good by Joe Walsh

7) You're My Best Friend by Queen

my very brief thoughts on.... 'Raw Meat'

Donald Pleasence is the only thing worthwhile in this movie.... he's actually funny.... and after seeing him in all of the 'Halloween' movies being so serious, this was a nice change of pace.... other than that.... this was dull, boring, slow, uninteresting and all around lame.... i don't know where any of the good reviews came from.... i mean, it was the 70's.... but there were good movies that came out of that time period.... this just wasn't one of them.... and another thing, i like slow paced movies.... some of my top 10 favorite movies are extremely slow.... however, this was slow without a purpose.... ugh.
the last of some trapped people who resorted to cannibalism to survive in the subway system starts stalking subway riders.... there's some deaths.... the police get involved.... stuff happens and it ends.

i couldn't wait for it to end.... i was bored to tears.... 1 out of 5 stars.... not even Donald Pleasence could save this piece of garbage.... it's OnDemand if you're looking for a way to go to sleep tonight.... it's like NyQuil for moviegoers.... crap, crap, crap....

there's some paint drying, i'll watch that instead of this again.

my brief thoughts on.... 'The Silent Scream' (1980)

i don't normally write any part of a review before i've seen the movie.... but in this case i'll make an exception.... the only reason being is that i remember this movie from when it came out.... not because i saw it then.... but because of the advertising campaign.... it scared the hell out of me.... they built up the movie as being something that people shouldn't see if they have a heart condition as it's so scary.... it was a very effective add campaign for someone who's only 6 years old.... and it's saying something if it's stuck with me this long.... so finally i'm going to sit down and watch this horrific slasher movie and hope i don't die of fright.... it would seem that my 'classic' slasher trend continues thanks to Netflix OnDemand's sudden surge of OnDemand old school horror movies.... that being said.... here i go to watch and when you read the next paragraph you'll be reading my post viewing thoughts....

so.... almost 30 years later and now i can check it off the list of movies that i might just need to watch.... and let me say.... well.... i can't say it was worth the wait.... the marketing people were smart and sold it well, but they really didn't have the goods to back it up.... i do, however, give it credit for originality and style points.... but that's just because it was a somewhat different take on the traditional slasher genre film.... there were no woods, no masked figures.... i would liken it more to 'Black Christmas' (1974) than anything else.... it had a lot of the typical 80's cliches.... and the deaths were few in the beginning and most at the end.... however, i just don't know exactly what to make of this.... one interesting note.... the main police officer in this movie played one of the main bad guys in the recently watched 'Toolbox Murders'.... odd coincidence....
the plot involves some college kids boarding with a strange family.... some people start dying and via some twists and turns we find out who the killer is.... that's the basic premise....

due to the buildup in my head and the overall execution of the movie, i would give it 2 out of 5 stars.... not great, but not the worst i've seen.... it didn't hold up well with the test of time and was far from scary or anything.... it was just kind of there.... and the story just kind of played itself out like it was an afterthought.... basically, nothing to write home to mom about.... i don't ever need to see it again and now that the mystery is over, i can mark it off my childhood trauma's list.... it frightens me no more....

similar movies: 'Black Christmas' (1974), 'The Toolbox Murders' (1978) and 'Psycho' (1960) - this one being a BIG strech as i LOVED 'Psycho'.... but there are some strange similarities, sort of

my brief thoughts on.... 'Mystery Science Theater 3000: Zombie Nightmare'

i've been a fan of MST3K for as long as i can remember.... i've seen quite a number of episodes, but it's been years since i had seen one and when this popped up OnDemand, i figured maybe it was time to hop back in the saddle.... (wow, that was a long sentence.).... and as much as i love zombies, i figured it was a no brainer.... (no pun intended.).... so i invested the hour and a half and re-introduced myself to the boys.... i fogot how cheesy the inbetween stuff was.... but that's part of the charm of the show.... it's so homegrown.... now, as far as this episode went.... well.... i can't say it was genius.... there was one particular part that i laughed so hard my sides hurt.... but that was it as far as the laugh out loud moment went.... maybe i wasn't in the right mood.... perhaps this just wasn't their best episode.... who knows....? it just didn't hit the mark....

in the movie, the plot revolves around a young man who's killed at the prime of his life and is resurrected by a voodoo priestess to have his revenge on those who killed him.... there's also a subplot about the young man's father who was also senselessly murdered.... which all of it kind of ties together at the end.... that's about the entire plot....
the zombie parts are lame.... the chase scene in the health club is worth the price of admission.... because who doesn't want to see a preppy/punk girl chased around by a zombie with a baseball bat....? am i right....? the deaths are sub par.... it does have the distinguishing honor of having Adam West as a lead character.... yes, Batman himself.... he's chessy as ever.... and he plays the chief of police.... who's gun is silly.... all in all in all in all it's a mere 2 out of 5 star attempt for the boys of MST3K.... not their best, but not their worst.... one for die hard fans only, i would say....

if you like this, watch: some of the other episodes.... there's a ton of them available OnDemand on Netflix

(no trailer availble for this movie to embed.)

my brief thoughts on.... 'The Toolbox Murders' (1978)

i'm not sure if you saw the remake of this movie by Tobe Hooper.... but this movie and that one have no real connection other than the fact that they both involve tools.... that's where the similarities end.... one of the big differences is that this movie is one of those, "Based on an actual events" movies.... whether or not that's true, i didn't research.... but that's what they say.... now if you're coming into this movie expecting murders by someone with a toolbox.... well, you're half right.... for the first 20 -30 mins or so, that's what happens.... but for the remaining hour.... there is no such occurance.... it's all creepy monologues and some twists and turns.... really slow twists and turns.... this is by no means an exciting movie.... it has very little redeeming qualities and is not something i would readily recommend to anyone else.... not that the Tobe Hooper version was any better.... but at least it had Sheri Moon Zombie in it for the opening scene....

as the story goes.... someone is killing the residents of an apartment complex with a toolbox full of tools.... he's killing those who are impure.... women only.... after killing 4 women, the police have no leads and no clues.... all they have is 4 dead women and a 5th that seems to have been kidnapped.... the brother of the girl begins his own search for her as the police aren't being very helpful.... they soon reveal who the killer is and add a twist.... it kind of brings the story to a screeching halt and it sputters to an end with a whimper, not a bang.
i honestly had hoped for something more.... as this is brought up a lot in slasher movie circles.... but sadly, i was let down.... 1 out of 5 stars is all i could muster for it.... this movie just suffers from all of the bad cliche's of the 70's cinema.... and it hasn't aged well at all.... the killer is lame.... the story is confusing and dull.... the fact that it's based on actual events doesn't seem to help either.... it seems like an attempt to be like 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' or something.... uninspired, boring and not worth the hour and a half it takes to watch it.... find something more constructive to do with your time.

if you watch this, go watch something better: 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (1974), 'The Burning' or a Lifetime original movie

my brief thoughts on.... 'The Prowler'

this is a movie i've been hearing about for a long time.... Joesph Zito directed and Tom Savini did the special effects.... it's considered to be some of the best work Savini has ever done.... and it is pretty impressive.... especially based on when thi was released.... this movie, in some circles, it's considered a classic of the slasher genre.... not too mention it was released in 1980, the beginning of the golden era of the genre.... it was right when they came up with the formula.... you take a person who's wronged in some way.... they have a screw loose.... they find some kind of costume, mask or outfit and they go on a killing spree.... perhaps starting with the trigger of their rage, but then going off the deep end and they continue to kill....

in this movie, the story begins in 1945 with a woman breaking up with a G.I. via a hand written letter.... her name was Rosemary.... on the night of the Graduation Dance, Rosemary and her boyfriend go out to a secluded area where they are promptly killed by a man in an army uniform.... presumebly the ex of Rosemary.... fast forward to 1980.... the first Graduation Dance is being held since that night.... some people are wary of holding it due to what happened the last time.... but it goes forward.... meanwhile the sheriff heads off to a fishing trip, leaving only the deputy on duty for the entire town.... of course, the killer returns and people start to die.... that's as much as i'll reveal....
all in all, not a bad entry in to the genre.... i gave it 3 out of 5 stars for it's overall feel and execution.... (no pun intended).... the ending was a bit questionable.... but the special effects, the main bad guy and the hero and his girl are all likable and the movie is worth it just for those things.... one funny thing about this was the promoting of the actor Lawrence Tierney.... most of you would know him as 'Joe' from 'Reservoir Dogs'.... but as far as his role in this movie....? you see him in a long shot in a window watching the dorms.... and then he grabs a girl as she runs away from the killer.... that's it. hardly a starring role.... anyway.... long story short.... this is worth your time if you like slasher flicks.... it's above average and should be checked off your list at some point.... then make the decision for yourself about it's classic status....

if you dig this, you may also enjoy: 'My Bloody Valentine' (1981), 'Friday the 13th' (1980) and 'Madman'

my thoughts on.... 'I Spit On Your Grave aka Day Of The Woman'

first off, i just have to clarify one stupid point.... the cover of the DVD used here is NOWHERE to be seen in the movie....! it's a stock shot to sell the movie based on a sexy half naked woman.... which actually kind of defeats the purpose of what the director was trying so hard to make the focus of the movie.... the power of a woman bent on revenge.... not how sexy she looks with a knife.... but that's marketing for you.

Roger Ebert and the late Gene Siskel both felt that this was the worst kind of garbage to be ever put on the screen.... and the extra features boast their entire reviews for you to read.... i guess in a way it's kind of a badge of honor.... it also shows a list of the cast, producer and director's filmographies and for most of them, this was the only movie they ever made.... it ruined some careers.... have i peaked your interest yet....? and i haven't even scratched the surface.... this movie also has the dubious honor of having the longest gang rape sequence in movie history.... granted, it's not over 30 minutes of the poor woman being raped over and over again by the 4 evil men.... it's more of a chase, rape, chase, rape situation.... which makes it no less abhorrent.... it actually makes it that much worse in my opinion.... because every time you think that our heroine is safe, the men re-appear and do more horrific things to her.... and Camille Keaton (great grand daughter of of Buster Keaton) makes it so believable that you almost feel like you're watching a snuff film in the making.... the only other rape scene that ever bothered me more was the 9 minute unflinching rape scene in 'Irreversible'.... that one still wins the prize for most disgusting and hard to watch.... (i dare you to watch that film and not feel sick by the end.... it's purposely designed to make you ill.)

now let's take a short break from everything and talk about the plot.... a woman from New York heads out to a cabin on a lake to write her first novel.... the townsfolk all seem extremely nice.... too nice.... and over time they become increasingly more and more involved in her life and she soon realizes that perhaps it's not kindness on their minds.... one day while sunning herself in her canoe, two of the men drag her and the canoe to a remote location where they meet up with the other two men who proceed to chase, taunt, rape and brutalize her.... once it's finally over, they leave her for dead.... but what they didn't realize is that she survived the attack and for the next two weeks begins to plot her revenge.... and boy does she exact an eye for an eye.... okay.... so we've covered some of the major points of this movie, but what we haven't discussed was the director's intentions and why he made the movie in the first place.... Meir Zarchi set out to make a movie about the power of a woman.... he even called it 'Day Of The Woman' because of this.... but the studio felt that it wasn't punchy enough.... they wanted something that would sell tickets, thus 'I Spit On Your Grave'.... and as far as this movie goes.... i have to admit, despite my sickness with the subject matter of rape, i understand the point he was trying to make.... perhaps he didn't go about it in the right way....? who's to say....? ultimately the woman did hold all the power.... and she knew how to weild it.... her biggest weapon being the power of sex itself.... (and some choice weapons, including a gun a knife, some rope and a speedboat).... she used her own body and lure to get the men to trust her so she could in turn destroy them.... why didn't she call the police....? why didn't she just leave after it happened so it didn't possibly happen again....? it seems that she felt like the only real justice had to be carried out by herself and no one else.... this was her way of regaining her power as a woman.... and to prove that no man had control over her or her body....

as a movie, it is 100% 70's low budget horror/thriller.... the production values are fairly low and the film itself doesn't have too difficult of a plot.... however, it was so influencial that it started a wave of rape/revenge movies.... yet another way for Hollywood to cash in on something over the top and that caught the media's eye and pervert it into a cash cow.... it's slow in some places, but never dull.... the acting is above par.... especially Camille Keaton.... i can't say that i hated it.... but i find rape disgusting and very difficult to watch, even if it's just pretend on a movie screen.... so all in all it earned 3 out of 5 stars for me.... however, i knew a lot about it going into it, so i knew what to expect.... that's part of the reason i'd been putting it off for years.... i'd seen some of it's offspring in my youth and just never found them too appealing.... granted, i enjoy a good revenge movie as much as the next guy.... but let's leave the rape out of it.... however, i'll make an exception in the case of this movie and 'Irreversible'.... as it served a purpose and there was an end to the means.... does that make it right or does that make the actions of the women in the film right....? no.... but it gives the power back to those who've lived through something like this and never had the chance to exact their pound of flesh.

if you enjoy this: just throw a rock at a wall of 70's movies and you'll hit two more movies that are very similar to this one.

my thoughts on.... 'The Crazies' (1973)

as you all well know, i love zombies.... and anyone who loves zombies, loves George A. Romero: King of the Modern Zombie.... this all but forgotten movie of his, which was sandwiched between 'Night of the Living Dead' and Dawn of the Dead' has very similar themes.... just minus the dead folks.... a lot of people consider this to be a classic and love it like a cult religion.... and it has drawn enough attention to create a remake that is about to hit theaters.... which looks like it has promise....

the idea behind the movie is very similiar to his zombie films.... in so much that people start going crazy and killing each other due to a government screw up.... the big wigs call in the army in biohazard suits to contain the virus and start the clean up.... but soon all hell breaks loose and people start getting killed as mass hysteria adds more fuel to the already problematic fire....
i love George.... he provided me with one of my all time favorite movies and in the zombie genre can, basically, do no wrong.... however, everytime i venture outside of that realm i get lost.... his other films tend to not have the same punch.... or something just feels like it's missing.... as a matter of fact, i haven't seen a non-zombie Romero film yet that i loved.... or even liked very much.... sadly, this falls in that category.... granted.... it's not terrible.... it just seems like it might be trying to say too much about society and the government and the like.... or maybe i'm just reading too much into it.... who's to say....? but it rubbed me the wrong way....

so all in all, not something i would recommend except to die hard Romero fans.... there is hardly anything to really do with the 'crazies'.... as a matter of fact they're barely a part of the story at all.... it's more about the guys in the white suits with the guns.... and how they react to the situation.... i wish i had more positive things to say and i could tell you all to run out and see this.... however, i'm thinking that you may want to wait for the remake and give that one a try instead.... (i can't believe i just said that.).... either way.... 2 out of 5 stars.... sorry George, i love you, but just not that much.

if you enjoy this movie, check out: '28 Days Later', '28 Weeks Later' and 'The Crazies' (2010)