Austin Movie Reviews

Perhaps I was foolish to think I'd be seeing the same quality episodes as the black & white versions with Diana Rigg. Well, actually, I was foolish, because these Avengers episodes are nothing like the ones we "fans" know and love. The quality of the picture is poor -- dark, for one thing, and when someone moves, there is a blur until they resettle into their pose. this gets quite annoying since the actors move about a lot, though rather stiffly, as if overrehearsed. You can see the camera continually refocusing in order to focus on the actors as they travel about. Everything is done in limited sound stages, in sets that are bare and hokey. The stories are also hokey, if you can understand them -- not that they aren't simple and clear but the sound quality can be quite poor, so I've even had the volume turned to max but still cannot make out everything that is being said. The acting, too, is way overdone. Imagine a Steed so jovial that he's annoying, and an Honor Blackman/Mrs. Gale so stern that she's, well, grim and uninteresting. Stick to the Rigg series if you want entertainment!

For all the fans of The Avengers familiar with the Emma Peel/Tara King era of the show, these early episodes featuring Cathy Gale and Venus Smith may come as something of a disappointment. In fact, fans of the later shows may find it hard to believe that they are even part of the same TV series!

After the initial run of 26 episodes featuring Police Surgeon David Keel and his cohort John Steed had aired in the UK in 1961/62, the producers of the program opted to bring Steed to the forefront of the action and give him a number of different "assistants." Thus, for season two, 26 further episodes were made and broadcast in 1962/63 featuring Steed abetted by Martin King, Venus Smith or Cathy Gale. Mrs. Gale turned out to be the most popular and successful foil for the suave agent, and the other characters did not return after season two. Unlike the later Peel/King stories which were all made on film, these studio based TV shows are much more reliant on dialogue and plot than visual elements, and can be somewhat heavy going as a result.

A&E is releasing these stories in a somewhat confusing order, and has started with season three. The first two sets released, Avengers 64 1 & 2, feature the LAST six episodes of season three. Next comes Avengers 63 sets 1 & 2 which comprises of the first half of the season. Next up in the release order is 63 sets 3 & 4 which precede 1 & 2 in running order and in fact feature the last seven stories from season two, plus the first from season three. Confused? Ultimately, it doesn't really matter, since thankfully there's no real reason to watch the stories in chronological order anyway.

What is interesting is the development of the production standards. 63 sets 3 & 4, featuring the latter stories from season two, are far more rudimentary in terms of production quality. The sets are extremely small and sparse; The direction very slap-hazard; Camera work shoddy; Sound is extremely poor; and the acting is negligible. With no budget for editing or reshooting, all the actor's fluffs and goofs stayed in. Steed's character is far less suave and sophisticated then he became later during his familiar role alongside Mrs. Peel, and the relationship with Mrs. Gale in particular is at first downright hostile with very little warmth between the two. He seems to get along much better with Miss Venus Smith, a night club singer who he engages at various gigs to act as his eyes and ears. Venus is a very odd character, and played strangely, but enthusiastically by Julie Stevens. She looks about 12, sings like she's forty, and dresses like anything in between. She also seems extremely naïve and it's hard to imagine why Steed engages her to help him at all. The far more intelligent and elegant Mrs. Gale does eventually warm up to Steed, and in the season three stories where she is the exclusive companion to him, their relationship develops nicely and they become much warmer and closer to each other.

The production values on season three are also much better than the earlier episodes. The sets became larger and more elaborate. The direction, lighting and sound improved greatly and the acting was much less wooden. Some editing was clearly allowed on these later stories, whereas the earlier ones clearly were broadcast as if they were live. There's a terrific blunder in "Six hands across a table," where Cathy is called "Ros" in one scene, and both actors realize the mistake, but keep going. An even better goof comes in "Concerto" when Nigel Stock forgets his lines completely and a very audible prompt is given from off camera. Terrific stuff.

The quality of the DVD's is somewhat disappointing, even accounting for the age of the material and the production values mentioned above. It may not be the case, but it certainly appears that A&E have made no attempt whatsoever to re-master the original tapes, and the flaws, jumps, scratches and sound blips are too numerous to mention. Virtually every episode on 63 sets 3 & 4 are hampered by picture and sound flaws and defects. Things do improve for 63 1 & 2 and 64 1 & 2, but the quality is still disappointing. Mind you, it appears they have done nothing to clean up the Tara King episodes either!

As a big fan of the series, I wouldn't even consider not having these episodes in my collection, but if you're looking for the wacky camp humor and the tele-fantasy of the Peel/King eras, these stories may not be for you.

'The Outside-In Man' and 'Build a Better Mousetrap' are two of the best early episodes from this series. 'The Avengers" was a popular 1960's British fantasy-adventure series that focused on the exploits of a male-female duo in the service of the British government. The series underwent several changes of its female lead but its one constant male lead was John Steed always portrayed by the debonair Patrick Macnee (Originally the John Steed had two male partners but that format eventually changed). Kathy Gale portrayed by Honor Blackman became Steed's first female partner. However, when Honor Blackman departed the series and Diana Rigg entered as Mrs. Emma Peel, the show became an international sensation. Rigg brought sophistication, wit, charm and beauty, which hid her lethal and highly visual judo and karate abilities. Macnee and Rigg complemented each other beautifully with their carefree witty and charming exchange of dialogue. The show distinguished itself with bizarre and futuristic villains and fantastic plots. Popular at the height of the James Bond craze, the show was able to distinguish itself with its simply over-the-top visual style. Laurie Johnson's catchy and sophisticated main title theme matched the visuals of the show and still conjures up an image of the series when listened to today. When Diana Rigg left the series, Linda Thorson entered as John Steed's new partner Tara King. The series soon went off the air in the United States. It was a shame because the episodes with Tara King were quite good. The King episodes seemed to be a little more down to earth and contained some very good writing and intricate plotting. In any event series definitely left its mark amongst the finest. These DVD copies are gorgeous.

I saw Catch 22 again for the first time in years. I saw it when I was a teenager in the mid 70's. I thought it was good then. I just watched it again and I couldn't believe how dated the film comes across. The movie has the feel of the anti-war movement of the 1960's. I have always been an Alan Arkin fan. Richard Benjamin was good in "House Calls", but the performances seem dated and very unfunny and very unsatirical in Catch 22. The actors seem frenetic in their acting. Time as passed this film by. It has become caught in a timeframe when many films where made from about 1966 to 1973 where they have a feel which dates them. Films like the Godfather was made in '72, but you don't get that 60's feel from it. It still holds up. Catch 22 doesn't.

O.K. Anyone who has read the incomparable book by Joseph Heller cannot even begin to compare it to this film version with any sincerity. There is no comparison - period. The vast multitude of the nuances of the satire and their subtle quirks are lost in this less than stellar film adaptation.

Although the cast is nothing short of a veritable all-star one at that, the less-than-thorough film leaves much to be desired. Alan Arkin is good as Yossarian and there are several other legit performances. That being said, I recommend reading the book a second time over watching this disjointed and convoluted effort.

Overall, the book carried over nicely to film. There is obviously no way the movie could have the same scope and depth of the book, but it did a good job with what it had. I thought that Alan Arkin was perfect. He IS Yossarian. I was happy to see that a lot of important scenes from the book made the film. However, these scenes weren't always done what I felt was correctly, and this is why I gave it 4 stars. Call me spoiled since I read the book first. This is a great movie that ranks right up with MASH as the important anti-Vietnam War films. I thought this was a very good movie, and if I had seen the movie without reading the book I probably would have given it 5 stars.

HOW COULD SOMETHING SO TASTELESS, LEAVE SUCH A BAD AFTERTASTE? WATCH THIS BEYOND BAD MOVIE AND FIND OUT. IF THEY'LL PUT THIS ON DVD. REST ASURE THEY'LL PUT ANYTHING ON DVD. SO DON'T WORRY IF THAT CERTAIN DVD TITLE YOUR LOOKING FOR HAS YET TO COME OUT. THIS GIVES HOPE FOR ANYTHING.

Teenager Johnny Dingle (Andrew Lowery) always wanted to date his long time Crush on the Beautiful-Missy (Traci Lind) by taking her to the Prom. But when he saves her life from Gunpoint from a local General Store. After Johnny dies and then unexpectedly he comes back to life & still wants to take her to the Prom! but Johnny has to eat the living to stay alive!

Directed by Bob Balaban (Parents) made a wonderful, dumb, fantasy-comedy that was a Misfire on the Release in the Summer of 1993. Lowery gives a likeable performance in this film. This film has an terrific supporting cast, including:Edward Herrmann, Mary Beth Hurt, Austin Pendleton, Jay O. Sanders, Cloris Leachman, Matthew Fox & Philip Seymour Hoffman. This might be a forgetten gem & this could be a Camp Classic. DVD's has an terrific anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) and an good-Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. Written by Dean Lorey (Jason Goes to Hell:The Final Friday) & Produced by Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th, House, The Last House on the Left). Watch for Matthew McConaughey & Renee Zellweger as Extras. Grade:A-.

I couldn't believe when I first read that this wonderful, witty, funny movie is on DVD. I now finally own it on DVD and it's just fantastic. The picture quality is really good, the sound is beautiful-no complaints. I'm so happy with it. Now some people might think that this is a silly, maybe even cheesy movie, but it's quite the opposite.The casting is perfect, I wouldn't change a thing. I absolutly LOVE TRACI LIN or is credited as Traci Lind with a d. Every film I see her in I love, She is just spectacular. She really is one of the best actress' of her time. I hope and pray that Fright Night 2' gets a DVD release. The storyline in this film is just charming and one of a kind.Johnny Dingles love for Missy McCloud is sweet and believeable. The end sequence is the cream of the crop. This is one of those films where you just feel good. There's a good feeling about this film. And it delivers on all fronts.

This movie only gets one star because that is the lowest score available.
I am a Steve Martin fan but this movie is the pits.
Did the producers or scriptwriters bother to watch the original series?Phil Silvers and his team were funny. This movie is not.
Phil Silvers was Sgt Bilko he showed timing, optimism, speed and a constant belief that he would always win out.
This movie lacked every one of these elements.

Based on the old tv show, Sgt. Bilko in my mind is one of my favorite movies. Steve Martin is an excellent actor and has a handful of other notable and funny actors such as, Steve Martin, Dan Akroyd, Phil Hartman, and Chris Rock. The jokes are hysterical and not a movie to be missed. "These men are loyal, I mean they would take a bullet for you." "Well not in the chest" "Well, no not the chest, maybe like the arm."

No, its not classy. No one uses sharp, flashy camera moves to wow the viewer. The plot line is neither deep nor inriching for the soul. Still, Sgt. Bilko is an incredibly funny movie that shows Steve Martin at his height of comedy. The story, which involves Steve Martin as a sargeant who uses his motor pool as a small casino for the soldiers on the base behind his superior's back, is outrageously funny and sends that viewer from beginning to end without becoming belabored. Bottom line: This is a great movie that cane be enjoyed by anyone!

....... I would never have bought it in the first place.
This is really a stupid movie. It is all based on sex and getting revenge.
This is definitely not my fav movie of Drew.

The movie is about this guy who is obsessed with Drew. But he's really dangerous and violent
In a way she likes it at first, but then he almost tries to rape her, and it's not all that fun anymore.
The rest I think you should see for yourself, if it only were to be because of Drew.

I am giving it only a three because Drew is in it.

A very good movie, wrongly crucisfied by the critics. I was on the edge of my seat watching this film, and you could never tell what was going to happen. Drew Barrymore proved in this film she was going to be the great actress she turned out to be.

Wow, this was an edge of your seat guessing game. I was so interested with the plot and was suprised all the way through. It is a nail biter. Drew Barrymore is the perfect example of teenagers today and Andras Jones was wonderful as the chilling "Jimmy" a beaten obsessed "manaic". Andras gave me goose bumps all the way through. Anthony Rapp was also very good in a supporting role. This is an all together great film, and i recommed it with the highest it can recieve 5 stars.

Alright, look. So many people say that this is DePalma's worst. Okay, fine. Who cares. Apparently it meant enough to you to spend your time writing a review. The bottom line is this is a cool movie. To say that this is a Psycho rip-off, is to single it out from the dozens of other films that have stolen from Hitchcock. Everybody steals from everybody. When something works, you use it. You make it your own. Get over it.

Norman Bates and Carter Nix comparison: both have a female multiple who has them wearing a dress and both dump bodies in a lake. That's it. Otherwise, they're nothing alike. A split personality is a good ailment to pair with murderous tendencies. Hollywood latches on to a lot of lame ideas that didn't work from the getgo, but this one they got right. And if nothing else, it has John Lithgow giving one of the finest performances in his career and people need to recognize that. Quite a stretch from Third Rock From the Sun, eh? Range is everything.

I was confused by the dream sequences and continue to wonder exactly how Lolita Davidovich got from Steven Bauer's hotel room back to her and Carter's home if her car ride was a dream. Bizarre, yes. Bad, no. Deserves to be seen becasue Lithgow is amazing to watch.

Lithgow's performance is the reason to own this film. Classic. I also reccommend purchasing "Riccochet" to see Lithgow spit out some of the best one-liners in movie history. Yes, movie history! This guy is/was awesome as a bad guy.

Those who expect movies to teach moral lessons ought to stay away from most of the work of De Palma (with the weird exception of "Untouchables" which the moral lesson-types will enjoy until the very last scene, when the real De Palma has the last laugh, indicating that the entire "moral drama" of the picture has been a big joke!). For those who enjoy giving themselves over to De Palma when he is at his most inspired with in-jokes, absurdly brilliant cameras moves, and bravura scares, this is a total gem. One of De Palma's best for those with a sense of humor!

Denise Austin's Tone and Tighten DVD features a cardio workout, followed by targeted toning segments, ending with a Mind-Body cooldown. The cooldown segments features stretches reminscent of Tai-Chi practices.

The Cardio routine is set on the coastline of Hawaii, overlooking the blue waters of the island. The moves to the cardio segment are reminiscent of some of Denise's older workouts: grapevine, cha-cha, and knee lifts. If you are an experienced home exerciser, there will be no surprises here. If you are new to working out at home, be sure to watch this segment through once to learn the steps.

The targeted toning sections include: abs, buns, and thighs. Each toning segment has a beginning and an advanced workout, so you can keep using this DVD as you increase your fitness level. The toning segments use in-home items such as chairs and a towel, so there is no additional exercise equipment needed. Bear in mind, however, that just because you are working an area of the body does not mean that you will necessarily lose fat from that area. Toning exercises have to be combined with cardio workouts and a low-calorie diet to see results. Just doing these toning exercises is not the whole picture to toning those "problem" areas.

While this is not a new workout, it is an effectively packaged one. The segments are easy to access on the DVD, and they build intensity, so you don't stop using it once your fitness level increases. This is a great workout for a beginner, or an intermediate level workout. However, it is not a complete fitness routine all on one disc. It is a good complement to an existing routine that includes stretching, strenth training, and cardio workouts.

i liked it a lot-but i also have to say that i skipped that aerobic workout completely. i've been to several aerobics classes before but it still was really hard to catch up on what she was doing. so i prefer to work out on the elliptical trainer or something like that and then do her exercises. i think the exercises are great and i really feel something happening in those wobbly abs :-)
now, if you want a exercise video to do some aerobic workout at home-no, don't buy it. if you just want the exercises-go for it.
she's really going to motivate you!!!

this is one of the best exercise dvd's i have ever used. i actually look forward to exercising during the week while my child naps.

all the toning segments make me feel like i'm getting kicked into shape. i do both levels of fitness each day on the abs, buns, and thighs. the 10 minute segments are great for anyone who can't find time to exercise, or who have limited time because of small children.

as for the cardio, i found it to be effective. it actually is about 25 minutes long. the moves are easy to follow as long as you are trying. she does give instructions on what's going on.

as far as someone saying they wished denise would say "this is what we're going to do", and then do it, that's what kathy smith videos are for. the cardio workout was easy for me to follow! i would recommend to those who are starting up an exercise program after a year or more without, to sit through the cardio workout and watch the moves before doing it. that way, you'll know what to expect.

denise gives me the motivation and encouragement to stick with the program that i can't give myself. i stick with the program since i feel accountable to denise and myself if i miss a day of exercise. consistency is what gives results.

all you need are a mat or large rug(or carpeted area), a chair, a pillow, and a towel.

Denise Austin's Tone and Tighten DVD features a cardio workout, followed by targeted toning segments, ending with a Mind-Body cooldown. The cooldown segments features stretches reminscent of Tai-Chi practices.

The Cardio routine is set on the coastline of Hawaii, overlooking the blue waters of the island. The moves to the cardio segment are reminiscent of some of Denise's older workouts: grapevine, cha-cha, and knee lifts. If you are an experienced home exerciser, there will be no surprises here. If you are new to working out at home, be sure to watch this segment through once to learn the steps.

The targeted toning sections include: abs, buns, and thighs. Each toning segment has a beginning and an advanced workout, so you can keep using this DVD as you increase your fitness level. The toning segments use in-home items such as chairs and a towel, so there is no additional exercise equipment needed. Bear in mind, however, that just because you are working an area of the body does not mean that you will necessarily lose fat from that area. Toning exercises have to be combined with cardio workouts and a low-calorie diet to see results. Just doing these toning exercises is not the whole picture to toning those "problem" areas.

While this is not a new workout, it is an effectively packaged one. The segments are easy to access on the DVD, and they build intensity, so you don't stop using it once your fitness level increases. This is a great workout for a beginner, or an intermediate level workout. However, it is not a complete fitness routine all on one disc. It is a good complement to an existing routine that includes stretching, strenth training, and cardio workouts.

i liked it a lot-but i also have to say that i skipped that aerobic workout completely. i've been to several aerobics classes before but it still was really hard to catch up on what she was doing. so i prefer to work out on the elliptical trainer or something like that and then do her exercises. i think the exercises are great and i really feel something happening in those wobbly abs :-)
now, if you want a exercise video to do some aerobic workout at home-no, don't buy it. if you just want the exercises-go for it.
she's really going to motivate you!!!

this is one of the best exercise dvd's i have ever used. i actually look forward to exercising during the week while my child naps.

all the toning segments make me feel like i'm getting kicked into shape. i do both levels of fitness each day on the abs, buns, and thighs. the 10 minute segments are great for anyone who can't find time to exercise, or who have limited time because of small children.

as for the cardio, i found it to be effective. it actually is about 25 minutes long. the moves are easy to follow as long as you are trying. she does give instructions on what's going on.

as far as someone saying they wished denise would say "this is what we're going to do", and then do it, that's what kathy smith videos are for. the cardio workout was easy for me to follow! i would recommend to those who are starting up an exercise program after a year or more without, to sit through the cardio workout and watch the moves before doing it. that way, you'll know what to expect.

denise gives me the motivation and encouragement to stick with the program that i can't give myself. i stick with the program since i feel accountable to denise and myself if i miss a day of exercise. consistency is what gives results.

all you need are a mat or large rug(or carpeted area), a chair, a pillow, and a towel.

Comments made about this show's second season and its decline are correct. They really could have moved this show from Saturday evening to Saturday morning, where it could have been watched by more children. After having seen these first six episodes of the second season, I thought that this show had an extremely radical departure in its overall production content from the show's first season. Season two of Space: 1999 has more in common with Irwin Allen TV shows like "Lost In Space", and "Land Of The Giants" than with the show's first season. I have included reviews of each of the six episodes in this set:

The Metamorph ** (2 Stars) -- With the radical change in everything that made season one of Space: 1999 what it was, we see a huge change in this television program. Main Mission has been replaced by a much smaller Command Center. The uniforms look different. Half of the supporting characters are gone without any mention of what happened to them, including Professor Bergman. Unlike Star Trek and ST: TNG, it isn't like Moonbase Alpha could stop at a nearby starbase and drop off and pick up new crew members. This type of discontinuity really stretches any remaining beliveability in the show. I had read in Dynamite Magazine as a kid that Professor Bergman died from mechanical heart failure, but there is absolutely no explanation of this in the first episode of the second season. The shape shifting metamorph Maya is introduced in this episode. If you can overlook the changes, this episode is fair at best.

The Exiles * (1 Star) -- I thought that the dialog that Dr. Russell shouts out after she damages the protective membrane of the exile named Cantor sounded more like a hypnotic suggestion. "You're too old to fire that gun! You're now over 300 years old! You're slowing down! Your muscles won't respond!" I was surprised to see Dr. Mathias from the first season in the first two episodes of the second season, but after this episode, he is gone for good.

A Moment Of Humanity * (1 Star) -- I have renamed this episode "51 Minutes Of Stupidity". In this episode, the androids are actually humans, and the the humans are androids. And just because they didn't know what else to do, a quick but highly erroneous version of Othello is put on by the androids, just to make Commander Koenig mad. The sound quality is muffled and really poor, but even if it were good, it wouldn't make any difference.

All That Glisters * (1 Star) -- Glowing rocks that need water and a wannabe Irish Cowboy populate this episode. Listen for Dr. Russell's impersonation of Dr. McCoy from Star Trek: "I'm a doctor, not a miracle worker!"

Journey To Where * (1 Star) -- I'm sorry, but I thought that this was a really cool episode when I saw it as a kid, but I think that it looks really cheap now and the the story just isn't very good. Moonbase Alpha receives an intergalactic transmission from Texas City on Earth in the far future. Commander Koenig, Dr. Russell and Alan are transported to Earth, but end up in the wrong time of several hundred years ago.

The Taybor * (1 Star) -- Of all the episodes that I thought resembled a typical Irwin Allen TV show, this was it. Moonbase Alpha invites a vagabond trader known only as Taybor to trade items of interest, and runs off with Maya, but decides that he doesn't want her when she transforms into an ugly old hag.

Does anyone remember the 70's Saturday morning action series, Land of the Lost? Space:1999 Season 2 becomes a Saturday morning action series, changing from a serious science fiction drama. It completely abandons the original premise of the series.

The first episode, The Metamorph, symbolically describes the deterioation of the show from the beauty it was in season one to the garbage it became in season 2. Not all Americans appreciated the mindless campiness the show became with its teeny bopper romance, its tacky plastic monsters and the characters becoming teenagers from any hometown high school. The acquisition of Maya had tremendous potential in the series which, alas was hopelessly wasted during the entire season.

The second episode, The Exiles, appears to be a weak attempt at recreating the premise of End of Eternity. However, it is very weak and Cantor and Zova are not as nearly menacing and threatening as Balor. The Sleestaks from Land of the Lost were more frightening.

The third episode trumpets the direction the series would go for the rest of the season. No longer epic stories of survival of a community, starting with One Moment of Stupidity, the stories are created and revolved around the couples of Koenig and Russell and Tony and Maya. If you enjoy Harlequin romances, then this should appeal to you. If you are looking for serious science fiction that is thought provoking and intellectual, you won't find it in season 2.

The fourth episode, All That Glisters, is just terrible. Alive and smart rocks. Need I say more? Even most die-hard enthusiatic season 2 fans consider this episode bad...bad...bad.

On then to the fifth episode, Journey To Where. Ho Hum..A time travel story. It would have been interesting to see this one done in the 1st year with some major script changes and rewriting, of course.

The last beauty in this "magnificent" set is The Taybor. A space age flea market dealer becomes obsessed with getting Maya. Too bad he did not in the end get her...boring!! Instead of becoming a contributing character, the alien Maya becomes a waif, and ingenue thoughout the series in need of protection from the other character addition, her boyfriend Tony Verdeschi.

So, on this DVD set of 6, only one episode appears to be OK..and just OK. If you are determined to see it, I advise you to go to your local library or rent it; buying it is a waste of money.

As everyone has noted, Year 2 is drastically different from Year 1. Not only is the design and costumes slightly altered, many fan favorite characters have suddenly disappeared without any explanation. Also, a corny sense of humor is injected to try disipate the tedium many Year 1 stories had. It didn't work. Though, if you grew up watching the program when it first came out, one can still find a lot of escapist fun, with Irwin Allen-type Sci-Fi explanations. The production, design and special effects are still top notch. The stories have a more action style tone to them, but the dialogue and acting is certainly questionable. the set is really a mixed bag. Obviously The Metamorph is the best of the lot, introducing Maya, the molecular tranforming sexy alien. The Exiles has it's moments. The Humanity(the one with the androids)story actually feels like a holdover from Year 1. All That Glisters, critised by the entire cast, is really a lot of fun. Martin Landau, fom what I've read, thought this was the nadir or the entire series. Journey to Where is tolerable. And The Taybor, well, you were warned.

Still, enjoyment and tolerance of this Set and the program really depends on how non-discriminating you are with cheesy Sci-Fi with a big budget.

Chuck Norris continues to pollute the screens with this mad-cap
action-adventure crud-pot. For the serious scholars of bad movies, "Top Dog" is illustrative of the early nineties trend in Hollywood of indiscriminately turning out bad movies with dog-as-crime-fighting-partner plots. I think Belushi was in the other one, but heh, I don't have my Ph.D. in Awful Movie Studies so I can't elaborate TOO much on the specifics.
You're in for a real treat when you watch this 93-minute-long uprising against good taste.

I became aware of this movie when i first got into the many action films of kickboxing champ Don "The Dragon" Wilson. My father recommended Chuck "Texas Ranger" Norris to me. This was the first movie available to me. Let me tell you, that dog is a tremendous pain in the [***] to watch. Norris is much more entertaining, especially (and obviously) when he employs his karate into the action scenes. I particularly liked the fight where Norris is in an abandoned warehouse, and suddenly finds himself surrounded by at least twenty guys, who get creamed when they approach him individually, and eventually get the sense to gang up on him. While such a fight may not go quite like that in reality, is almost poetic to watch Norris kick guys so hard that the others get scared and will only approach him at the behest of the others. Trust me, the dog's presence is how the movie shoots itself in the foot. Better if you look at the relationship between Norris and the dog as the inspiration for ME, MYSELF, AND IRENE.

Watching this movie will make you not only question your sanity, but the filmakers as well. This brutal movie comes from the same men that brought you, what will someday be considered the most utterly ridiculous televsion show ever broadcast, "Walker:Texas Ranger". I give the movie five stars for the same reason I'll buy every season of Walker when it's released on DVD:Absolute hilarity! This movie is so completely ridiculous, anyone with a sense of humor will be laughing from start to finish.