Change Your Image
Jim Sgambaty
Reviews
A Job to Kill For (2006)
Every Company should have an employee like Stacy!
I was oddly surprised by this Lifetime movie as I was fixed on Georgia Craig as Stacy. What a whack-o / bravura performance by this actress!! Her range of emotions were just amazing to watch as she switched over from confident assistant, to terrified assistant, to an emotional crying nut job. She chewed up the scenery including her co-stars! The movie stars Sean Young, but it is Georgia that steals the show. There are only a few B movies that are so bad that they are so good,,,,this is one! Nice subplots and is well paced until the end when everything is revealed too quickly. I was completely caught off guard by the final scenes as one surprise becomes another surprise....pulled off nicely!
Shattered (1991)
Shattered Past / Clever Twist!
Pretty clever mystery that will leave you gasping when the shocking twist is revealed. Tightly woven together, Wolfgang Peterson delivers a smart story about Dan Merrick, a San Francisco businessman who can't remember his past after surviving a horrific car crash. While recovering at his lovely secluded home, Dan discovers his adoring wife Judith, played by Greta Scacchi, is cheating with another man. Dan sets forth to discover that all is not what is seems to be. Bob Hoskins as Gus, the pet shop owner / part time private eye, gives a wonderful performance as well as Joanne Whalley, who knows much more than she ever wanted to know about Dan. Slick scoring by Alan Silvestri, knock out sets, and direction make this mystery / thriller a winner!
April Fool's Day (2008)
Gotta Love this....a new Camp film is born!
I thought this movie wasn't bad at all. It reminded me of something I would see on the CW or Lifetime but with some raw language thrown in. It was obvious what was happening and the kills were a bit weak (the ending can justify to why they were), but I was "blown away" by the surprise finale! The acting came off as "camp" but it was appropriate for the look, feel, and style of this movie.....camp is always fun to watch! The characters names alone were hilarious and gave me a chuckle! Taylor Cole is a hot, hot, hot as Desiree Cartier....and the poor thing gets that perfectly cut bob mussed up at the end!! :) Don't even compare this version to the original A.F.D starring Deborah Foreman and Amy Steel, you will be disappointed if you do. Except this version for what it is: A JOKE! April Fools! 7 out of 10
The Sisterhood (2004)
What do you expect??
The Sisterhood" was lame, stupid, sleazy....in a PG-13 kind of way, and poorly acted by most (not all) of the supporting cast....I will give Barbara Crampton a big break here! What do expect from director David DeCoteau?? Like Schlock and shock King William Castle of the 1950's and 60's, David has managed to become the King of today's B grade horror films. There is an "art" to making terribly bad movies that are actually fun, interesting, and entertaining. David always manages to capture this on film. On a positive note, I really liked Joe Silva's tech-no dance beat score, especially during the hot erotic opening sequence and ending credit roll. I compare his movies to that of a train wreck......so horrible, yet it is hard to take your eyes off it!! 5 out 10
Hollywood Hills 90028 (1994)
Was This Mess A High School Project?
.......because if it was, It certainly received an "F". This movie (if you can call it that) was just the worst thing I have ever seen!! I had to finish watching this because watching a "train wreck" is hard to turn away from.
1. A simply horrible and juvenile script that was so predictable - blah, blah, blah....just garbage uttered to fill up an already short 1 hr. and 12 minutes....and that was too long in my book!!! 2. The acting was a complete joke - Where were these kids yanked from??,,,,A strip mall in Culver City and the adults from a "happy hour" at the local TGIF Fridays?? 3. The film quality was so cheap - poorly lit and fuzzy! 4. How many times can the director pan to the right....pan to the left - Enough already! The camera speed was funky.....all messed up! 5. The death scenes were hilarious and the camera work just added to the laughter!! 6. The sex scene on the water bed mad me sea sick just watching it, I thought the guy playing Mike was going to either puke or at least suffocate!!- 7. Enter at your own risk!! Rated NR
Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Charlie's Angels' (2004)
Amazing Angel Casting!
This made for TV movie was a hoot to watch! The 2 hours just flew by! Nice direction, fun 70's music, and well paced. Kudos for the incredible casting! Christina Chambers as Jaclyn Smith (My Favorite Angel) was so 'dead-on' in appearance and voice, that I had to look twice in some scenes. Lauren Stamile as Kate Jackson had her voice down so perfectly that it was darn right freaky. Tricia Helfer as Farrah Fawcett Majors had the hair and smile, but lacked the shy /giddy personality that I remember.
What could possibly be next?? Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of "Fantasy Island" and "Dynasty"......God help us all!
The Glow (2002)
A Very Interesting Glow!
I saw this TV movie on Lifetime the other day and was hooked from the beginning. Great casting, well acted, nicely paced, interesting characters, and very suspenseful. It kind of reminded me of 'Rosemary's Baby' meets 'The Firm'.....better watch out for the elders hooked on brightly colored health drinks....they can really pack a punch!! Above average TV Flick ***.
Totally Blonde (2001)
Totally Like Kinda Good!
Although this movie had it's flaws, "been there - done that" plot, a "very bad" blonde wig, and a direct to video feel....it was kind of charming and funny. It appears to me the movie was used as a launching pad/vehicle for Michael Buble's singing and acting talents.....what an amazing voice. Buble really sounds like Sinatra and belts out some great tunes......check him out on the "Down With Love" soundtrack too. Don't expect too much but all-in-all it was a satisfying flick! My score **
Happy Birthday to Me (1981)
The Gifts Are Optional!
Surprise!! Happy Birthday!! This was certainly one of the better horror/slasher flicks of the early 80's. This dark and creepy flick offers one of the best and most far-fetched twisted ending in horror history. Pretty clever! Melissa Sue Anderson leaves her Prairie and heads to an exclusive school for teen brats. Pay close attention to the striped scarves around every characters neck. Some plot holes exist but the movie remains one of the best in its genre. Glen Ford and Melissa Sue Anderson have some pretty believable scenes together as Dr. and patient. If you are a fan of "The Young and The Restless" you will certainly recognize Tracey E. Bregman who still plays Lauren Fenmore to this day. Great score and final sequence!! I could see this one being re-made today!
Down with Love (2003)
Up With Fun!
This smart and clever homage to the Doris Day and Rock Hudson movies of the 50's and 60's is sure to put a smile on your face! The visually stunning sets, outrageous clothes, and high production values will take you back to time when things were a bit more simple and light-hearted. Excellent performances by all, with special kudos to the supporting cast! Funny split screen sequences, a clever twist, and a fun song and dance number during the final credits will sure to please! Enjoy!!
Valentine (2001)
Please Don't Be My Valentine!
I was expecting so much more from Valentine. A visually glossy film that fell short on substance. I thought Jamie Blanks Urban Legend was so much better. The plot, script, and acting should have been better, but worth the watch. A totally confusing ending with several plot holes left me unsatisfied!
Visiting Hours (1982)
Get Out - Visiting Hours are over!
I remember seeing this movie back in high school in the early 80's and boy was it scary! Just watched it last night, and boy was it dumb! The direction of the entire film was a mess and made no sense at all. I thought the hospital in Halloween II was under-staffed (and poorly lit) but this joint was even worse! All the action seemed to be on the ground floor towards the end of the film. Hello, this movie is called Visiting Hours, yet not even the staff, cops, or security were visiting the upper floors, except for the killer! This movie puts the "D" in dumb and "P" in pathetic....such stupid characters. Michael Ironside who plays the slime on the loose really deserves some credit for his twisted and over the top performance.
Warning: Due to viewing this classic piece of "hospital food" in other words....CRAP, you might need to admit yourself to a hospital suffering from either nervous twitching, depression, or extreme stomach pains from hysterical laughter.
The Lonely Lady (1983)
No Wonder She's Alone!!
This has to be "hands-down" the worst flick ever! What was Pia Zadora and the rest of the cast thinking when they were acting out this mess?? From the opening sequence, the movie felt as cheap and sleazy as I felt just watching it. I must admit I was shocked, amazed, bored, amused, confused, and horrified at what I was watching. I will never look at a "garden hose" in the same way - ever again! Whew!!
The steamy love scenes with Lloyd Bochner and Pia were embarrassing and pathetic (Someone should have shaved the man's back!), yet the X-rated scenes with Joe Cali (The Italian Stallion) and Pia were worth the price of the video alone!!
Many familiar faces like Ray Liotta show up. Although he was able to keep his scalp "on" for this flick, his clothes were "off", and having a much better time!!
Check this movie out for a good laugh(s) (Pia dressed as a High School girl, yeah right!!), bad acting, and just plain 80's trash.
Makes me think "Showgirls" is a pretty darn good film!!!