In my protection, I used to be left alone.
Simply me and the canine. I instructed her we’d spend some high quality time collectively on the sofa through the holidays. She likes to snuggle.
What’s streaming tonight?
First film: What’s extra American than racing automobiles from coast to coast? How about racing from coast to coast whereas killing harmless bystanders?
Welcome to “Dying Race 2000,” a 1975 dystopian thriller starring David Carradine (“Kung Fu,” “Kill Invoice” and others earlier than dying from asphyxiation involving a twine wrapped round a couple of a part of his physique). Additionally on the invoice: a pre-“Rocky,” pre-“Rambo,” pre-“Cobra,” pre-“Tango & Money” Sylvester Stallone.
Becoming a member of the forged: well-known Los Angeles disc jockey Don Steele, additionally notable for his appearances in “Rock ’n’ Roll Excessive College” (an American masterpiece) and “Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park” (not an American masterpiece).
The film’s premise? The 12 months is 2000, and 5 groups have entered the Transcontinental Street Race. Bonus factors are awarded for confirmed kills, but oddly, the precise mechanics of the factors system aren’t defined. (No mercy is proven to the younger and the previous.)
However that is greater than a mere race/killing spree: The subplot–or perhaps it’s the principle plot–facilities round toppling the totalitarian regime working the U.S. for the reason that World Crash of ’79. (What, you don’t recall that?)
Don’t wish to give all of it away, however anticipate loads of explosions, one-liners, and each butts and boobs (male and feminine).
Automobiles? Sure, after all there are these. Themed automobiles, even, and perhaps there’s one thing for IMSA to think about. Largely VW-based creations that bob and weave like these six-wheeled Amphicats pushed by the Banana Splits. (I think medication may need been concerned through the scripting for each productions.)
There’s some comedy, too, type of. As an example, you’ll depart with a brand new interpretation for the time period hand grenade. (I’ve stated too a lot.)
Spoiler alert/closing verdict: Who wins? America. Most likely definitely worth the 80 minutes to seek out out how.
Second film: Someplace there’s an unwritten rule that coast-to-coast automotive races begin on the East Coast and finish on the West Coast. (I don’t make the foundations, I simply drive the truck.)
“Cannonball,” although, bucks that development, with contestants on this 1976 “comedy” racing from Los Angeles to New York Metropolis. Take that, custom. (I’m calling it a comedy as a result of Wikipedia does.)
And amongst these drivers? Hey, it’s David Carradine. Additionally within the forged? Sylvester Stallone as an uncredited robust man.
The plot of this one: Assorted randos, together with Carradine, freshly sprung from the joint for against the law he didn’t commit, race throughout the U.S.(illegally) for a cool $100,000. (Greater than half a mill in in the present day’s Enjoyable Bucks.) Ought to he win, he will get a contract with an actual race group.
The automobiles lack themes (boo), however the drivers have (some) character–like, there’s a German dude in a jaunty cap driving a Pantera, a middle-aged man with a mustache in a Chevy Blazer, and a younger couple very a lot in love together with her dad’s Corvette.
And, after all, Carradine’s archnemesis is on the grid. He drives a black Dodge Charger, full with KC lamps hanging beneath the bumper and a really un-’70s rear wing. Driving shotgun: a rustic singer and his supervisor. Hey, it was the ’70s and nation was massive.
Carradine’s trip: a second-generation Trans-Am sporting arrest-me pink, a blue and yellow heart stripe, and “Cannonball” lettered down the door. Sponsor stickers on the entrance fender additional let you understand that this can be a race automotive. A lot for being refined.
“Cannonball” accommodates all the things you’d anticipate of a ’70s motion flick: fisticuffs, chest hair, awkward PG-rated romance scenes, and occasional hooting and hollering. Tremendous bonus: a showdown between a inexperienced Mustang and a black Charger that isn’t “Bullitt.”
Spoiler alert/closing verdict: I’m all for crash-’em-up films, however this one fell quick. It’s no “Hooper,” “The Gumball Rally” and even “Gone in 60 Seconds” (the unique). “The Blues Brothers” demolishes “Cannonball” concerning plot, pileups, jumps, jokes, coolness, character growth and Ray Charles appearances.
However the canine appeared to benefit from the snuggle time.
Feedback
And I feel we confirmed Dying Race 2000 in class. Perhaps?
I used to be a part of the coed union group that ran the varsity’s movie show. We did midnight films Friday and Saturday. It was superior. All of it.
Primarily based on the trailer and some display grabs, Dying Race 2000 is definitely…fascinating.
In reply to Colin Wooden :
I’d watch it once more.
In reply to Colin Wooden :
It is like Cannonball. It is so dangerous it is good.
I noticed it within the theater in 1975 as a 13yr previous, and simply noticed Cannonball once more not too long ago.
Each Paul Bartel films, so a bit of on the market
LeMans (1971) and Grand Prix. (1966)
I would want The unique Italian Job together with the Gumball Rally.
For about 6-7 years my spouse would purchase me crap B film CDs and on New 12 months’s Eve I would have some buddies over to observe them.
Dying Race 2000 was a fan favourite; my son was about 14 on the time and he stated “this films sucks so dangerous it is good”.
My double function pairng can be On Any Sunday and the Little Fauss and Large Halsey.
ShawnG
MegaDork
1/6/25 6:33 p.m.
Smokey and The Bandit.
Hooper.
You do not see Stallone bare in both of these.
Tom1200 stated:
Dying Race 2000 was a fan favourite; my son was about 14 on the time and he stated “this films sucks so dangerous it is good”.
I can see that.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
For years my brother and I quoted what number of factors issues have been price…………..
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