Blu Review – 4/5
Freedom
Director – Joseph Sargent (Jaws: The Revenge, Nightmares)
Starring – Mare Winningham (Torchwood, Six Feet Under), Jennifer Warren (Slap Shot, Mutant), and Peter Horton (Children of the Corn, Children of the Dark)
Release Date – 1981
Rating – 3/5
Earlier last year, If I’m remembering correctly, Vinegar Syndrome announced the partnership with a new label. The label, Fun City Editions, started with a bang and since then has released some seriously underrated and almost forgotten films ranging the romantic drama Jeremy about underage love, to an early 80s gangster film, and even a western comedy starring Jeff Bridges. They may not focus on the genre that brings all of us together but they are still a label that I look forward to.
When Vin Syn announced the release of FCE’s Primetime Panic I was fucking hooked. Sometime back Vin Syn announced a made for television box set and it was one hell of a good time so I couldn’t wait to see what FCE had in store for us. As soon as I could pre-order it I did and decided that now was the best time to check it out. The first film in the set in the 1981 drama Freedom starring Mare Winningham and Peter Horton.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows the teenaged Libby (Winningham) who resents her wealthy upbringing. She wants to explore life while her parents, long since divorced, struggle with how to raise her. Her mother, who is about to remarry, wants her to remain in her home and be a model daughter and teenager while her father has nothing to do with her until she is in trouble wants her to live life as he did during his teenage years. Eventually, she is emancipated and hits the road before joining a traveling carnival. Life seems fine for a short time but she soon learns that free love is not for her and begins to regret leaving her mother and little sister. **Spoiler Alert**
Freedom is the kind of film I would have never went out of my way to see. That’s why I’m really digging these Vinegar Syndrome partner labels so much. They are bringing films that I would normally skip over to my attention and I’m really digging these non-horror titles. I had a lot of fun with Freedom and I think that many of you horror fans would like it as well.
The acting in this one is great. Winningham was brilliant in the film and carried the entire production on her shoulders. That doesn’t mean the supporting cast wasn’t great, because they are, but Winningham is the star of the show and for good reason. I also enjoyed seeing Horton in a non-genre flick. I grew up on Children of the Corn but Horton appeared in several made for television movies in the 80s and 90s that I enjoyed growing up.
The story for this one is a coming of age tale from the standpoint of a young and privileged girl who is often rebellious and ungrateful before going out into the world to learn some life lessons. The romantic drama, broken family, and life on the road aspects delivers a lot of character development and works very well. I found myself fully invested in the story and enjoyed it thoroughly.
Finally, the film doesn’t have any blood or gore which should be obvious at this point. It has awesome locations that fit the story and focuses more on character and story progression over effects. Overall, Freedom was a very enjoyable experience and one that would have slipped under my radar had Vin Syn’s partner label Fun City Editions had not released it. I loved this release and this is a great addition to the Primetime Panic set.
Dreams Don’t Die
Director – Roger Young (Rome, Alfred Hitchcock Presents)
Starring – Ike Eisenmann (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, Escape to Witch Mountain), Trini Alvarado (ABC Afterschool Specials, The Frighteners), and Israel Juarbe (Angels in the Outfield, The Night Before)
Release Date – 1982
Rating – 3.5/5
Tagline – “She’s trapped on a street going nowhere. He’s young, deadly, beyond the reach of the law. Using other kids to do his dirty work. And he’s promising her a way out. But his price could be her innocence…or her life”
I’m seriously impressed by the films that are being brought to light by the ever growing partner labels from Vinegar Syndrome. I’ve added some seriously fun films to my collection thanks to this. When Vin Syn’s partner label Fun City Editions announced the release of the Primetime Panic box set I was all about it. I quickly ordered it but couldn’t make time for it until now. After watching the film in the set, Freedom, I quickly jumped on the second film which was the 1984 crime drama Dreams Don’t Die starring Trini Alvarado who many of you may recognize from Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows graffiti artist Danny (Eisenmann) and his girlfriend Teresa (Alvarado) who struggle to agree on their futures. Teresa wants to leave the city for a better life but Danny wants to stay because of the respect and admiration his pieces give him. Teresa is approached by the underage drug pusher Kirk (Juarbe) who propositions her to help him distribute drugs before she turns 16 because she can’t be prosecuted as an adult. She agrees in hopes of saving enough money to move. However, Danny spots her with him and tries to warn her of the dangers she is facing. She refuses to listen and Danny goes back to painting trains before he is busted by a cop. The officer wants to help Danny and tries to encourage him to go to art school. Around this time that same officer busts Teresa and Kirk with a small amount of pot. He tries to scare Teresa straight and succeeds for the most part but Kirk has it in for the officer and soon hires someone to kill him. Heartbroken, Danny and Teresa set out to help the police bust Kirk. **Spoiler Alert**
While I really enjoyed Freedom I found myself in love with Dreams Don’t Die. It’s not horror but as a fan of gangster crime films I found myself pulled into this one. It could have used a little more of the gangster/drug pushing angle but it was still brilliant as is.
The acting in this one is great. Eisenmann and Alvarado are great together but the star of the show for me was Juarbe. His portrayal of the young drug pusher was so much fun. He brought so much energy to his role and the character is unforgettable. I also enjoyed the small role from Paul Winfield. He never disappoints and really liked his take on the passionate police officer.
The story for this one is a teenage coming of age drama set against inner city struggles and the constant rise in teenage drug trades. I really enjoyed the drama and harsh realities city life brings but I would have loved a little more depth into the crime aspect of the story. It was fun but a little tweaking would have made the film feel completely different but just as fun.
Finally, the film, much like the other films in the set, are character driven with no real body counts or bloody practical effects. Overall, Dreams Don’t Die is a must see if you are a fan of 80s cinema. It has some seriously fun performances and the story is great. This is another great entry in the Primetime Panic set from Fun City Editions.
Death Ride to Osaka
Director – Jonathan Kaplan (Night Call Nurses, In Cold Blood)
Starring – Jennifer Jason Leigh (Single White Female, Twin Peaks), Ann Jillian (The Twilight Zone, Killer in the Mirror), and Thomas Byrd (Twilight Zone: The Movie, Young Guns II)
Release Date – 1983
Rating – 3.5/5
Tagline – “Enter the frightening reality of the Japanese mafia and the white slave trade”
I knew the Primetime Panic set from Fun City Editions was going to be fun but I never expected to love these films as much as I did. Freedom was a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyable but Dreams Don’t Die was absolutely fantastic. I could see myself revisiting that one again very soon and never tiring of it. I was curious about the third film in the set and assumed that it would be the weakest link in the set after seeing how much fun the first two films were. I was dead fucking wrong. Death Ride to Osaka, aka Girls of the White Orchid, was a fantastic film and probably my favorite of the set. Fun City Editions did an amazing job and fucking slayed this release.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows the young and gullible Carol (Leigh) who is an aspiring musician living in LA and working at a small diner. She responds to an ad from an agent searching for talent and finds herself heading to Japan to perform several times a night in an upscale club. However, when she notices that many of the other ladies are sleeping with the rich business men that frequent the club she tries to leave. She soon learns that her passport has been stolen and the money she is promised is used to cover her room and board. Broke, and distraught, she turns to the American embassy who refuses to help her and when she turns to the police she finds herself on the wrong side of the law. Cornered, with nowhere to go, her former boyfriend arrives and tries to help her leave but the Yakuza has other plans for her. **Spoiler Alert**
Death Ride to Osaka was just sleazy enough and crime filled to completely pull me in. I found myself completely mesmerized by the story and the cast. Honestly, I feel like this could have easily been a VS release but it fits in perfectly in the Primetime Panic set.
The acting in this one is great and probably my favorite in the film. I know that a lot of cinema fans love Jennifer Jason Leigh but this was the first film I’ve seen her in that I actually enjoyed. She fucking delivered on the character and it was a fantastic experience to watch each and every scene with her. The same can be said about Ann Jillian. I’m not too familiar with her myself but she was seductive and fucking killed in every scene she was in. The supporting cast was solid but these two ladies stole the show and mesmerized the viewer.
The story for this one is a bit different than the other three films. It’s not a coming of age teenage drama. It’s centered for adults and features nudity, prostitution, and a forced sex trade. I like how it mixed with Japanese mafia and wasn’t that predictable. Sure, you know exactly where the film is going but it takes a different path to the destination you suspected. I thoroughly enjoyed it and could see this same story get a more modern adaptation and still be just as fun.
Finally, the film has a little blood and some decent make-up effects but don’t expect a bloody flick. It’s focuses more on the character and story aspect over a body count. Overall, Death Ride to Osaka was fucking fantastic and a highlight of the set. I highly recommend Primetime Panic just for this film alone. Check it out.
Special Features:
3-disc Region A Blu-ray Set
All films newly scanned and restored in 4K from their 35mm original negatives
DEATH RIDE TO OSAKA:
Video interview with director Jonathan Kaplan
Audio commentary with Lars Nilsen
Video essay by Chris O’Neill
DREAMS DON’T DIE:
Audio commentary with Dino Proserpio and Jonathan Hertzberg
Booklet essay by Justin LaLiberty
FREEDOM:
Video interview with Andrea Adams
Audio commentary with Amanda Reyes
Booklet essay by Cristina Cacioppo
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
