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Reviews
Storm (1985)
Overacted to the nth degree
Good golly miss molly where did the storm go? I was watching this film, waiting with anticipation for the "Storm" to hit, when all I got was a mild drizzle which left me wet and miserable. To watch the acting is to watch something out of a bad "B" movie. Wait, this is a bad "B" movie. To bad the director's name, which by the way is Winning, didn't shine it's magic on this poorly crafted poorly directed mess. And the story! What a tired run of the mill attempt at suspense. One laughable line that keeps sticking in my mind as one of the characters is dying is, "It's not a game Booker". A line said out of fear and desperation and my reply is, "It's not a good movie Booker". If a movie has the audacity to use the name "Storm", then it better prove worthy of such a title. This "Storm" simply spit up a little suspense and not much else. Perhaps the title should have been "Lightly Scattered Showers".
Paradise Bungalows (1987)
A pleasant surprise
After reading the reviews regarding "The Virgin Queen of St. Francis High", I was compelled to rent the movie to see if the comments made by other viewers were justified. The reviews were so dire that I needed to see for myself if this movie was really as "inept" as others had claimed it to be. I put the tape in and began watching what was supposed to be the "worst movie ever". I was prepared to add my venomous review to the list, but what I discovered instead, was that I genuinely enjoyed the film.
The movie revolves around a nerdish type of guy named Mike (Joseph Straface), who makes a $2,000.00 bet with Randy (Lee Barringer), the most popular guy around, that he can get Diane (Stacy Christenson), the most popular girl around, not to mention the most unatainable one, to a place called Paradise Bungalows. A sort of lover's lane motel in the woods. The antics begin when Mike tries to woo and win Diane's heart with his impish charms and with the aid of his best friend Charly (J.T. Wotton).
Through his persitence, Diane begins to fall for Mike's charms and against the adivce of her best friend Judy (Anna Lisa Iapaolo), who also happens to be Charly's sister, she ends up going to Paradise Bungalows for the weekend.
Judy discovers the truth about the wager and feels it her duty to inform Diane about the deception. Now Mike must save face with Diane and save her honor as well, by confronting Randy in the climax of the movie.
I found the climax reminiscent of a Sergio Leone western and found it a most entertaining homage, as the hero and villain face off in a classic "Good, Bad and Ugly" encounter. It was a stylish ending to a stylish movie.
All in all, the Virgin Queen of St. Francis high was indeed a pleasant surprise. It was funny, enchanting and endearing. I found myself rooting for Mike as he went from a bumbling nerd to charming hero. After watching the film I had to conclude that the other critics simply missed the point and compared to the myriad of useless romantic comedies out there, I found this to be a gem. It was fresh and different. The music was great and really added to the overall experience as did the great scenery.
I would indeed wholheartedly recommend this film and give it a two thumbs up!