Logan's Run (1976)

Imagine a perfect world with limitless pleasures, there's only one catch.... You won't ever see your 31st birthday. This is how society operates in MGM's Logan's Run (1976). Director Michael Anderson, gives us a science fiction experience that has now been remembered for 40 years. Over the Summer, I was finally able to get a copy of this film on Betamax in a large lot of films that I purchased. What I viewed in my dark room in the middle of the night was the reason I watch and collect films from this era.

Meet Logan (Michael York) a Sandman. He is part of an elite police force that prevents "Runners" from leaving the confines of this new society, where individuals live until they reach 30. After investigating evidence from the most recent runner Logan terminates, Logan himself is driven to do the same thing he has been trying to stop his whole life, RUN. 

At Logan's side is the beautiful Jessica (Jenny Agutter) She has promised Logan that she will take him to Sanctuary. A place outside of this new society, where they can live forever. Along the way Logan is on the runner from other Sandmen trying to stop them from leaving the dome, as well as a half man, half robot who tries to freeze them to death!! Everything from the practical effects, to a cameo from Farrah Faucet-Majors is a real draw. I love big productions when they are handled by MGM. They always seem to have such a grand set design and real pride in their films back then.

A wonderful score by Jerry Goldsmith brings it all together. The ploy may seem hokey to some now, but I was thoroughly impressed with the film. The ending wraps everything up nicely, in a way that you may feel your eyes well up a bit and a deep feeling in your chest. I attribute that to a wonderful plot combined with the moving score by Jerry Goldsmith. Stay up late, pop some popcorn, turn out the lights, and throw in a copy of Logan's Run. This is what it's all about!! 

For some extra fun, check out this featurette on the making of the film!

Wall Street (1987)

Few movies give me a feeling of excitement on a first initial viewing. Fresh from the post office and into my Sony Betamax lands Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Money, greed, women, and the flashy lifestyle of a Wall Street high roller, is unfolding on my screen as I type this. Along with excitement, I felt the need to begin writing this post 52 minutes into the feature. Michael Douglas as Gordon Gecko brings charisma unmatched and makes Leonardo DiCaprio's characterization of Jordan Belfort look like a Wells Fargo Bank teller. Charlie Sheen, as the student of the master seduced by Gecko's wealth and power gives a good performance.

Enter Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) an up and coming account executive working at a firm on Wall Street. He spends his days with his moderately successful career, and giving his phone a workout calling the office of his hero Gordon Gecko, a major Wall Street player. After finally scoring a brief meeting with Gecko, Bud takes a chance and gives Gecko a tip on a court decision affecting his father's company in a positive way. Gecko is impressed with Bud and gives him the opportunity to generate more and more leads. Bud becomes wealthy under Gordon, as enjoying perks such as sleeping with an interior designer named Darien (Daryl Hannah).

These big gains and profits eventually start to gain the attention of the SEC. As part of a new idea Bud pitches to Gordon, Bud becomes president of his father's company Bluestar Airlines. Gecko takes advantage of Bud's plan and plans to liquidate Bluestar leaving Bud's father unemployed. Feeling betrayed this leads Bud to devise a plan of his own to get back at Gordon. Eventually it leads to Bud getting arrested for insider trading and a final confrontation with Gordon Gecko that is sure to be remembered.

Oliver Stone's Wall Street is almost as close to a perfect drama as you can get. The film definitely shows its age, but still shares some of the same dreams and desires we are seduced by even to this day. Money, success, and power are all things people have thought of throughout their entire lives. Wall Street shows the rise and fall of greed, wealth, and power. As Gordon Gecko says, "Greed is Good", but is it really? I guess that is up to the viewer. 

Sharky's Machine (1981)

Now that it has been around my 4th or 5th viewing of this Burt Reynold's vehicle, I think I can finally review it proper. When I think of an early 1980's cop drama, "Sharky's Machine", continues to come to mind now again and again. In June of this year, I purchased a Sony Betamax machine. As a favor to me, a friend of mine picked it up and played back some tapes on it for me. I also asked for a dub of "Sharky's Machine". Just making sure the machine worked alone, I viewed this title a handful of times as background noise. After the second or third viewing, I began to actually sit down and take this film in.

After recently getting knocked down to vice from homicide, Tom Sharky (Reynolds), begins to monitor a vice case full of corruption. Drugs, prostitution, and murder, litters the streets of Atlanta, leading all the way up to the election of the Governor of the State. Sharky starts surveillance on a call girl Domino (Rachel Ward). As time goes by we discover a crime lord Victor (Vittorio Gassman) has been controlling Domino's life ever since she was a young girl, but now she wants out. After a botched murder attempt on her by Victor's hitman, Billy Score (Henry Silva), she goes under Sharky's protection.

As you can imagine, feelings develop and what we are given is an action packed climax that leads to one of the single greatest stunts ever put onto film. This is a gritty Burt drama that leaves you wanting more of the same after the credits roll. Luckily this was one of a multi-picture deal that Reynolds signed with Orion pictures, with a few more films throughout the 1980's that would be considered a return to form. This comes highly recommended from me. With great shots of early 80's Atlanta, and a top notch score put together by quality musicians, such as "The Tonight Show's" Doc Severinsen, "Sharky's Machine" will keep you glued to your seat, and reaching for the tape again and again after your first viewing.