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A Movie A Day: DEAD END DRIVE-IN (1986) + REPO-MAN (1984)
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with the newest October special horror run of A Movie A Day!
[For the entirety of October I will be showcasing one horror film each day. Every film is pulled from my DVD shelf, recorded on the home DVR or streamed via Instant Netflix and will be one I haven’t seen. Unlike my usual A Movie A Day or A Movie A Week columns there won’t necessarily be connectors between each film, but you’ll more than likely see patterns emerge day to day.]
Well, I have totally slacked off. I’m now two movies behind, but I have dedicated today as my catch-up day. There’s nothing else on the docket except for my AMADs.
Let’s get going with Brian Trenchard-Smith’s fun as hell Ozploitation classic DEAD END DRIVE-IN.
If you’ve been paying close attention to this site you’ll remember we all loved the documentary on Australian Exploitation called NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD (which sees release on DVD this week, I believe). There’s a great hand-made, fun-first Roger Corman-in-his-heyday quality to these kinds of films and Brian Trenchard-Smith is one of the kings of the genre.
You can always count on Trenchard-Smith, especially in this era. The dude is the George Romero of Ozploitation, always going for the fun, but makes sure to put a layer of satire so it’s not a hollow experience.
DEAD END DRIVE-IN is a Mad Max rip-off, but it’s quite obvious that Trenchard-Smith wears that badge proudly. He embraces the Australian car-culture, semi-post-apocalyptic sub-genre, so it never feels like he’s trying to pull one over on us.
The movie subscribes to the dirty, punk rock, spiky haired no good youth version of the future. The world’s economy has collapsed and the punks are running amuck. What could the Australian government possibly do to protect the wealthiest from the violent poor?
Why, trap people in a drive-in, of course!
What’d really interesting about this movie to me is that it’s not like this drive-in a prison. It’s just a regular working drive-in that is a few kilometers off the road. Unfortunately for those that pay the discounted “unemployed” rate that means that during the movie the police take a couple tires and you’re stuck. The road between freedom and the drive-in is a security road where it is illegal for pedestrians to travel.
A dude named Crabs (Ned Manning) and his cute girl (Natalie McCurry) go to the drive-in, pay the discounted price and proceed to do the nasty while their tires are removed, trapping them there.
It’s almost a social experiment and surprising how quickly people will bend to authority. They’re told a new set of rules, given meal vouchers and surprisingly most people don’t have a problem with it.
Crabs ain’t having it, but even he falls in line at first, just as I assume most of us would. But when the big picture (ie permanent imprisonment) becomes clear Crabs tries to bust out.
The film has a little LORD OF THE FLIES in it, watching various cliques form and the political game of recruiting members. Natalie McCurry is a gullible target and is easily persuaded to go with the flow by a group of hot punk chicks.
There’s also a subplot about the government busing in Asians. I’m not sure if they do it knowing the punk kids’ prejudice will keep them busy, nice and distracted, or if it’s an concentration/conferment camp allegory… I guess it could be both, but I love that it very smartly and accurately shows how those in power can so easily distract the masses from what’s really important.
As you’d expect from a good Ozploitation flick there are tons of car wrecks, fist-fights, boobs, ‘splosions, evil punks, blood and nutballs to keep you entertained.
Final Thoughts: The movie is super fun, super ‘80s (tons of neon and smoke) and super crazy with an underlying satire that is right on. Keep an eye out for glimpses at two of Brian Trenchard-Smith’s previous films playing on the drive-in screen (Turkey Shoot and The Man From Hong Kong) as well as a solid performance from Peter Whitford as the owner of the drive-in.Whitford grounds the film with an understated and strangely likable villain performance.
DEAD END DRIVE-IN isn’t really a horror film, but it’s nice to change things up a bit even during October. It’s very much a genre film so it doesn’t feel out of left field. I mean, it’s not like I’m covering Busby Berkeley musicals or Frank Capra comedies.
To that end I’m going to recommend a title that has even fewer ties to horror, but fits perfectly with DEAD END DRIVE-IN.
God, I love REPO MAN. It’s one of the weirdest, funniest most bizarre movies ever. And yes, that overly photoshopped DVD cover is shitty, but the movie isn’t, so there.
I imagine REPO MAN isn’t a new movie to most of you guys, but if by chance you haven’t given it a view yet you’re seriously missing out.
This is another movie, like The Big Lebowski, that is all about dropping the audience in an exaggerated world amongst some fucking insane characters. There is certainly a plot, in this case warring repo men try to cash in on a big get, a green Chevy Malibu that has a huge reward attached to it, but all that’s really secondary to a young punk named Otto (Emilio Estevez) learning the ropes as a repo man from some certifiably insane people.
Harry Dean Stanton is a god in this movie. “People go through life avoiding tense situations. A repo man spends his life getting into intense situations.” Cantankerous, loud, but still somehow sweet. Such a brilliant part and handled so beautifully by Mr. Stanton.
Tracey Walter (you might remember him as The Joker’s right hand man, Bob, in Tim Burton’s Batman) is also great as the kinda spiritual guy who works in the yard. His character always has something deep to say, whether it’s about car airfresheners or plates of shrimp.
This movie is incredibly quotable. Just thinking back on it now I find myself smiling and itching to put the movie on.
Also, for you punk rock fans the soundtrack is killer. You got Iggy Pop, The Circle Jerks and more for your listening pleasure.
REPO MAN is directed by Alex Cox who followed this movie up with SID & NANCY. It was a great kick. Also, the flick is produced by Monkee Michael Nesmith.
It’s such a product of its time. The humor is loud and in your face, not afraid to go bizarre, but Cox also sneaks in a lot of really smart gags. He’ll set up something as a throwaway and you’ll see call-backs to it many times during the film.
The universe of REPO MAN is brilliant and unique, a mixture of science fiction, punk rock and comedy the likes of which we haven’t seen before or since.
Here are the next week’s worth of AMAD titles:
Tuesday, October 13th: PSYCHIC KILLER (1975)
Wednesday, October 14th: THE BODY SNATCHER (1945)
Thursday, October 15th: THE LEOPARD MAN (1943)
Friday, October 16th: WOLFEN (1981)
Saturday, October 17th: MADHOUSE (1981)
Sunday, October 18th: THE HOUSE WITH THE LAUGHING WINDOWS (1976)
Monday, October 19th: THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (1945)
Still behind, but I will have all three AMADs I owe you guys delivered before I sleep. Next up is a ‘70s horror flick called PSYCHIC KILLER! Look for that review to hit in a few hours!
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
Follow Me On Twitter
AMAD Halloween Spectacular 2009:
October 1st: Nothing But The Night (& The Wicker Man)
October 2nd: Beware! Children At Play (& The Devil Times Five)
October 3rd: Cameron’s Closet (& Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood)
October 4th: Afraid of the Dark (& The Lady In White)
October 5th: The Pit (& The Gate)
October 6th: Brain Damage (& Basket Case)
October 7th: Brain Dead (& Braindead, aka Dead Alive)
October 8th: Visiting Hours (& Dressed To Kill)
October 9th: Macabre (& The Beyond)
October 10th: Private Parts (& Eating Raoul)
October 11th: Road Games (& Duel)
Click here for the full 215 movie run of A Movie A Day!
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brings back some memories...
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the TV version of Repo Man late at night!
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Is that the one where Tracy Walter says "John Wayne was a fag"..? Ah, Emilio Estevez, back when he could be cast as cool...
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Love Repo Man, and love everything Mad Max. So after reading this there will be no hesitation when I see the cover of Dead End Drive In the next time. Thank you for your work Quint!
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Just like John Wayne.
Damn right! What's wrong with that?
Greatest American that ever lived.
John Wayne was a fag.
What?
John Wayne was a fag.
The hell he was!
He was too, boys. I installed two-way mirrors in his pad in Brentwood. And he came to the door in a dress.
You're nuts. That doesn't mean he was a homo, Miller. A lot of straight guys like to watch their buddies fuck. I know I do. Don't you?
I sure do. -
TURKEY SHOOT (1982).
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Isn't that from Repo Man? I always say that when I go to get sushi, and people just look at me. Don't worry, I've never stolen any sushi in my life.
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Fucking great GREAt movie. "There's room to move as a fry cook, Otto."
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The line is "let's go get sushi and I'll pay".
Harry Dean may be God in this movie, Quint..but Sy Richardson is surely Jesus Christ. -
cool movie
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Fun movie
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It's been too long. The most vivid thing I remember, beside the Sushi quote, is all the generic food items. And that creepy guy driving the Malibu. I'll have to check out Dead End Drivein too.
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I mean "see Repo Man again" Stupid mongoloid hands.
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That movie is a total cult classic.
Anybody here seen Alex Cox's pseudo-sequel Repo Chick? I think it premiered in a couple film festivals this year.
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It is most definitely "Let's go get sushi...and not pay."
Did you notice how they were talking about committing crimes right before that line?
Your misquoting is so aggravating that I actually started this talkback account just to correct you. -
I defended El Estevez for years purely because of his association with this film and for no other reason. Because, exactly, what other reason is there? There's something so perfect about this even the brilliant + (to put it fooking mildly) independent-minded Mr. Cox must know he'll never be able to achieve again. It's so pitch-perfectly SoCal O.G. hardcore punk rock absurd and unforgettable in ever respect -- the great acting, edgy look + precisely lowrent "Edge City" locales, &c.. Easily one of the greatest films of the 80's. Incidentally, have you ever read _Diuretics -- The Science of Matter Over Mind_? Well, you better read it. And quick! That book'll change your life...
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...I blame society. Oh. Shit. Um...a life of crime led me to this sorry fate? Got it wrong again? Damn! I MUST GET ALL QUOTES TO FILMS WITH UTTER EXACTITUDE OR THERE WILL BE NO PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oct 14, 2009 6:09:20 PM CDT
Yeah, um it totally loses its edge if it's "...and I'll pay"
by soylentmean
I'm pretty sure I remember the line correctly. Now I have to watch Repo Man again to make sure...but not in October. Because Repo Man is most definitely not a Horror movie.
Sorry Quint, but I'm not straying from my formula of Horror films in October. -
Not a fan of Dead End Drive-In myself. Glad you enjoyed it though Quint.
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the Middle East for years.
"I coulda been a blender"
"Just when I think I'm out they pull my back fin"
"Yo Fabian!"
"Ames. Ames Pond."
"You can't fight in here, this is the Bohr room"
"Frankly my beer, I don't give a dram"
"Everytime a shell dings a bagel gets its rings"
"Hold onto your mutts"
"Hey shady!"
"The power of rice propels poo"
"Prions and fibers and hares, oh pie!"
I got a million of 'em! -
good job at putting my mind at ease..i know its "..not pay"
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"Repo Man" is one of those deal-breaker movies for me; if I meet someone who has seen and does not love Repo Man, then I can't ever really get very comfortable with them. One of my all-time top ten, now and forever.
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Oct 14, 2009 6:48:36 PM CDT
lets get sushi and pay with our credit cards
by nerd_rage_retard_strength
thats the line isn't it? sorry but its lame to miss-quote movies as quotable as Repo-Man. "thats no moon, its a deli". get it right.
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is a tool. bring on the haters...
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Oct 14, 2009 6:51:28 PM CDT
Darkocity, opening the trunk remind you of anything?
by nerd_rage_retard_strength
like every quentin tartantino movie?
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Sorry. I'm a dumbass. But thanks for the corrections, brethren. I still stand beside my "Sy Richardson as Jesus" view, though. So, um..you know. Suck it sideways and smile. Thanks.
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me and about 20 other people in the house...i still love that movie...fucking weird and hda is a god, and a hell of a blues man
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Once a year I have to watch these two movies as a double feature of Nesmith produced classics.
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and my favorite movie of ALL TIME is mentioned and respected. Repo Man, Big Lebowski and Aliens are the most quotable flics EVER! "But Otto, what about us?"...."Fuck that"
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but you know what?....Your All Right!
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... from another car and then just drive out?
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"That's no moon, it's a deli." Funniest thing I've read on this site in weeks. Good show, chap!Also, Quint, you should definitely check out Zeder instead of The House With the Laughing Windows. Neither are great, but Zeder is much more WTFish 80's Italian sleazertainment and has one of the best, creepiest openings of any movie ever. (Then it turns into a cheap Pet Sematary riff - and yes, I know it came out slightly before the Stephen King novel.)
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Repo Man was definitely one of the greats. And this was more new-wavey, but does anyone remember a movie called "Liquid Sky"? It was a great double feature with Repo, very trippy.
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I wonder if that's the first movie of it's kind with that premise.
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Oct 14, 2009 8:15:59 PM CDT
yeah...Liquid Sky...also goes well with "the Man who fell to Ear
by future help
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(my falling bit)
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repo man is indeed the shit.
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i was just making a comparison to repo mans trunk opening scene and the way its shot and all the trunk opening scenes that are in tarantino movies.
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That my dad bought his first VCR. Thanks Repo Man!
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Loved that movie! Me da and I would watch it often!
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Was waiting to see who would bring the roof-raising "Fuck THAT!!" line. Still makes me smile, smile, smile, this delightful movie. Alex Cox, what a wag.
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was a cool nod to Repo Man. Either that or it was Wallace's soul.
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Rules.
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I've always wanted to use that quote in a talkback.
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Driving DOES make you less intelligent.
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I need to get on that! quick Robin, to the Netflix cave!
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...was a nod to Kiss Me Deadly, a badass Alrich Mike Hammer flick.
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if Emilio Estevez ever watches REPO MAN and just weeps in his beer. I mean, he completely peaked at 18 or 20 or however old he was when he made it. He probably should have quit right then.
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"Fuck that." "You shithead, I'm glad I tortured you!" (That was one messed up girlfriend.)
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"Thanks. I made them myself.
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the HELL he was!!!
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I hadn't read the above quotes. I met Alex Cox once in the Forbidden Planet in Oxford Street, London. He was buying a collection of Steve Ditko's Dr Strange, and he was a very cool guy. It was back when he was still doing MovieDrome a cult movie series on the BBC. His intros to the films shown were very interesting, and can be found on youtube, if anyone cares. His intro to The Parallax View is particularly worth watching.
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my faith in you guys is restored, you rule
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Favourite film hands down. The TV version is even better with the overdubbed non-swearing. I wish this version would get a DVD release
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Oct 15, 2009 8:13:05 AM CDT
I love the stuttering vocal effect in the Drive In trailer
by rev_skarekroe
Very mid-80s.
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will always be Frog in my book. His character in this movie was the first person I ever heard suggest that all the disprate phenomena such as ghosts, angel sightings, UFOs, etc., may all be the same phenomena interpreted by different people.
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....was strongly influenced by Repo Man, because many of his films are full of Tracy Walters.
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Tell us his name, you little pussy!
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Thanks Quint for the kind but insightful review of DEAD END DRIVE IN. Perhaps you might review Code Red's newly re-mastered 2 disc DVD of my STUNT ROCK.
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How very apropos for you to review Repo Man since it was only a couple of days ago I learned of the two sequels to the film. One was a script about Otto's return from Mars: Waldo's Hawaiian Holiday. It was never turned into a feature, but was made into a comic last year.
The other is a spiritual sequel called Repo Chick that premiered last month at Venice. -
AAAAhhhh my face! Every moment of that movie and all the background details are perfection. Dude knitting...United Fruitcake Outlet...Paging Dr. Benway... Otto's hippy mom sucking on a joint and explaining how they gave the money they promised him to the Reverend's telethon. And of course, Harry Dean:
Do you think they give a damn about their bills in Russia? I said, DO YOU THINK THEY GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THEIR BILLS IN RUSSIA!?
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Yeah, I saw it on cable about a year ago - I had heard of it, of course, but really had no idea what kind of film to expect. I really, really enjoyed it. Such a fun movie. I'll need to check out Dead End Drive-Inn now.
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Oct 15, 2009 11:40:10 AM CDT
Goddamn-dipshit-Rodriguez-gypsy-dildo-punks. I'll get your ass.
by pappy_odaniel
God I love that movie.
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For years I had a pine tree air freshener in my car. You know,just in case.
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If you liked Repo Man you have to follow it up with his next great work Straight to hell. Same mix of bizarre and insane. -
Miller's "Shrimp/Lattice of Coincidence" speech is maybe besdt metaphysical speculation in the history of film. That's what I think.
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No christians neither."
It's still good advice. -
cool info on those alex cox intros.
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should i look into this flick?? sounds some acid i bought in the 90s
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that was then this is now..i think
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I haven't known a single soul who has seen it and not love it.
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Like a can of beer says "beer" and a can of tuna says "tuna"? Is that from Repo Man? I have heard that a movie didn't got a product placement deal so they decided to turn that into a joke and used simple description names for the cans and boxes of good and drinks. And i think that was Repo Man, but can't be sure.
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says "FOOD". Yep, that's Repo Man.
But it's also a lot like the "no frills" packaging at Pathmark. -
gets so much undeserved hate. "Mercy killing." Hah!
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..and none of you shit-sucking non-entities will give some of your precious shit.
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It's not about not getting a product placement dealBack in the pre-product placement days, companies were more worried about being sued. Pre-1980 you would see a can that looked like Coke, but they would not show the label or they would change the label to just say "Cola." It was all about the possibility of being sued by a company as the use of their product in the film might have been viewed as an endorsement. At the same grocery markets would just carry black and white label generics. I believe the plain label items in Repo Man were meant to satirize those things, primarily the movie habit of replacing labels.
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if done properly is fine. I would rather see someone drinking a real-world soda or beer, than some fictitious soda or beer with a label similar to a real one. The latter takes me out of the picture. I also like it when it's way over the top as in Wayne's World.
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I only caught it for the first time a couple of years ago and when I did, I couldn't believe it took me that long. I thought I knew all the great 80s films. I loved the labeling and fuck you attitude of it all. Now, let's go do some crimes.
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I mean how many other films, can you say that have beer cans, that just say beer, on them?
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