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ricecakes
Reviews
The Other Side of Hell (1978)
Farview, not Fairview
Just making a point - the hospital mentioned in other reviews and about which Wendell Rawls Jr. wrote is Farview, not Fairview.
This hospital is still in existence today though it is no longer known as Farview (except for us locals who will always call it that.) It is SCI Waymart.
There appears to be some controversy over whether this film was about Farview or some other mental hospital. I wish someone could clear it up.
I drive by Farview often. It is a creepy looking place now - I can't imagine how ominous and awful it must have looked 40 or 50 years ago when these atrocities were still going on.
Playing for Keeps (1986)
Small Town Cheese, Corny But Kinda Fun
Well, I grew up and still live near in the town where this was filmed. I saw part of this film on TV first. It was pretty unnerving to flip the channel and see familiar streets and buildings being broadcast; like being in the Twilight Zone.
The only reason I purchased this movie was because of where it was filmed. The town has undergone some changes since the movie was made, so it's a nice nostalgic scrapbook of sorts. The movie itself is cheesy, corny, and rather poorly done like most teen oriented films of the 80's, though it had a LOT of potential... I must say, I'm quite surprised to see it out on DVD - wish I had known that before going to eBay and buying it on VHS!
If you like cheese, small-town people made to look like dumb hicks, and teen power, then this is a must see. Otherwise, if you're not from the area it was filmed, it's almost a waste of time.
Almost...it *is* pretty funny as long as you're not taking the movie seriously and considering it a drama like the little sticker on the box says....
Alaska (1996)
Okay, the kids like it...
I was not disappointed in this film; basically I knew going in what it would be, very formulaic.
My only real gripe is the bear helping at the end - that was just too much. Well, the entire movie was a stretch in reality, but pulling on the rope was even too much for my kids to accept.
Also, when they got the dad over the cliff, he was barely up there and they started hugging. My wise seven year old said "They shouldn't be so close to the edge when they do that." We then imagined a different ending to the movie: bear rescues family, family hugs for joy, whoa....AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! they go tumbling to their deaths, and the final shot is of the bear, looking over the edge...
Good cheesy family flick. Not one I'm going to keep, but I don't feel cheated by watching it. I would be surprised if the kids ask to see it again.