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View Full Version : Toonzone Movie Club (E): "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai"



Maxie Zeus
08-30-2001, 07:45 PM
Welcome to ToonZone Movie Club (E), a forum devoted to viewing and discussing films selected and recommended by ToonZone members. For newbies and others just joining us, I'll start with a little explanation.

Each Friday we will be launching a new thread, inviting ToonZone members and visitors to watch a film selected from lists of titles we have received; we will then spend the following week discussing that film. We choose films that have not been widely seen by our members, so that the greatest number of us can enjoy a new cinematic experience, as recommended by some of our other members.

The (E) in the title of this (and future) threads stands for "everbody," films suitable for most ages and sensibilities. No film in such a thread will be rated higher than PG-13, or contain material that would merit a higher rating. The films will also tend more toward the popular end of the taste spectrum. Not all the movies will be "fun" types, and it will have its share of black-and-white cinematography and/or subtitles. But most anyone should be able to appreciate and enjoy the offerings made here (We also maintain parallel threads--the (M) threads--for films intended for more mature ages or palates.)

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Our second outing brings us a pair of films that experiment with other dimensions. Our (E) selection focuses on an adventurer. A brain surgeon. And a rock star. And all three are named "Buckaroo Banzai." Our hero is a man of many talents, and he reveals even more hidden talents as he and his Hong Kong Cavaliers perfect the Oscilation Overthruster which allows them to travel through solid matter and enter other dimensions. This draws the attention of the Red Lectoids from Planet 10 (by way of the 8th dimension), who are all named John and want to use the device for their own evil schemes. Along the way he'll meet a dead ringer for his deceased wife and a bunch of aliens who, by a staggering coincidence, look like Rastafarians.

"The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension," released in 1984, became a cult classic almost instantly. Though ultra-low budget, the finished movie contains some wonderful 80s-style special effects and an absolutely unpredictable (some would say incomprehensible) plot. A menagerie of stars got their start here: Peter Weller (Buckaroo Banzai), Jeff Goldblum (New Jersy), John Lithgow (Dr. Emilio Lizardo) and Christopher Lloyd (John Bigboote). Animation fans will surely note the appearance of Clancy Brown (Lex Luthor from S:TAS) as Rawhide.

"The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai" is available on VHS format only, and should be available in the sci-fi or comedy sections of most video stores.

Next week's selection (in case you want to get a head start): "The Man From Laramie."

The Mad Hatter
09-03-2001, 02:11 PM
It's been a long time since I've seen this one, so it was almost like watching it for the first time. I had completely forgotten how nifty the special effects were for an ultra low-budget feature made in the 80s. It seemed like working with limits forced them to be creative, unlike a lot of modern movies which slaps any sort of generic CGI up there just because they can.

John Lithgow was a heck of a lot of fun as the villian... there are few mad scientists in films that have been madder! Jeff Goldblum's befuddled cowby was fun too. But, watching it again, it seemed like Peter Weller was a bit too uncharismatic to be Buckaroo... someone who's that revered needs to be portrayed as someone with a personality that you'll instantly drop everything for and follow. I just didn't get that with Weller.

Eraserhead
09-04-2001, 04:26 PM
Its been 16 years....And I have still not seen this movie.

It all started back in the 80's when I remember seeing the previews for "Buck" on TV during its theatrical release, and saying to myself "That looks kinda cool, but I can wait for it when it comes to video". And so I waited. But never took the time to rent it.(Even though the movie was ALWAYS sitting in its same spot, waiting to be rented, at "Video Village", my town's 1st video store) Flash-forward some 10 years later and HBO starts airing the movie quite frequently. I begin to watch bits & parts of it...
But "No", I say,"I'll wait another time so I can watch the entire thing"....

And so, here we are now! Re-read the first sentence of this comment cuz I dont feel like repeating myself.

So now, fellow ToonZone friends, consider yourselves a part of a historic event because...NOW!...FINALLY!....TOMORROW!..I WILL rent this movie!!! (Now don't be clowning around and start saying stuff like "But what if it is'nt gonna be there"? Because I don't feel like gagging!!!)

Also, I'll try to look for "LoLa" tomorrow as well. But both of the video stores I go to have very small "foreign" sections. So wish me the best of luck!