Shane R. Monroe
04-19-2005, 09:32 PM
Amazingly enough, this little cult film finally hit DVD - a true wonder of our day when movies like these end up in the DVD catalog without some cross over film or TV remake to push it (thanks to Anchorbay for this AND for Greatest American Hero).
The film stars a couple of knowns like Jamie Gertz (settle down - small part - and they dorked her up good),Catherine Mary Stewart, Kelly Preston and my man Terry O' Quinn (which gets like 1/10th of the screen time he deserves) and some great performances by some lesser knowns.
The 1985 film follows the coming of age of small town (circa Ohio 1956) America's eternal virgin and just-moved-from-Chicago motocycle ridin' bad boy as they do what all teen boys do; look to get laid.
Mischief is a classic R-rated 80's teen flick with a little classic flair. Don't let the fact that its set in 1956 scare you off; like Back to the Future - once you're there, you forget - horny kids in the 1950s aren't much different. The period piece works.
Jonathan plays the hopeless geek, taken under wing by the all-wise rebel bullsh*tter Gene that backs his mouth with his fists. Jonathan's perfect innocence sets the perfect stage for the great one/two liners the show delivers regularly - but is never overdone. Of course, you have to throw in the hot wet chick that's dating the town a'hole (coveted by Gene). Gene and Jonathan make a wager that Gene can't get him laid in a month.
The movie moves from scene to scene - some so damn funny you'll rewind it a couple of times at least - some pretty damn touching. Set to great 50's music often, you never get bored or watch the clock. Some of it has been done before - but never as well set up and as funny. When Jonathan throws up his collar like James Dean and gives the "smoldering" look - I practically fell off the chair. And Gene explaining why Jonathan needs tight jeans so his nuts bulge out - priceless moments in cinematic history.
My tape is practically worn to the bone - I've been enjoying the VHS for years. Being Dolbly Stereo and full screen - I've been drooling for months over the Widescreen 5.1 DVD. Let's take a look at the DVD.
Video
We have a double edged sword here. First off, this baby was SHOT 1:33 to 1, which means - you got it - its matted. If you've been watching the full screen edition, enjoy missing 25% of the video now. Those of you waiting to get a "downstairs" shot of Kelly Preston on DVD - sorry; better keep the VHS if you want that titilating scene in full. I'll say this though ... the transfer is AMAZING for an old cult catalog title. VERY clean transfer ... its a bit dark looking to me, but its so clean, you'll forgive it. You'll see some artifacting here and there, but not unless you're looking for it. This is NOT anamorphic, unfortunately.
Audio
The DVD features a new 5.1 audio track which while clean, isn't anything to get excited about. The audio stays front and center like most older flicks. Occassionally the audio nips to the back - but again, don't expect much. I'll say this; when you flip between them - you'll immediately notice how much better the 5.1 track is in terms of raw quality. The music, thankfully, was preserved to the best of my knowledge. You know how it is when an old flick is LOADED with great music; the DVD gets half of it dumped and/or replaced. The classics are all in place as you remembered them; right down to several tunes by The King. I'm sure there has been some redubbing on both tracks (I could be remembering wrong - but I've seen this movie A LOT - the audio track might have just been horrible on my tape). I'll be capping the VHS to DVD so I can have my original aspect ratio copy.
Extras
None. Nil. Null set. Zed. Zero. Not even subtitles. Fortunately, it retails for $13.
Overall, you can't miss the film - and if you liked the movie - you can't miss the DVD. My only real bitch is the lack of an OAR presentation (if you're going to matte, folks - you better at least make it anamorphic) which monkeys with my appreciation just like a P&S of a widescreen film does.
Mischief was a good time in 1985 - and its still a good time 20 years later.
The film stars a couple of knowns like Jamie Gertz (settle down - small part - and they dorked her up good),Catherine Mary Stewart, Kelly Preston and my man Terry O' Quinn (which gets like 1/10th of the screen time he deserves) and some great performances by some lesser knowns.
The 1985 film follows the coming of age of small town (circa Ohio 1956) America's eternal virgin and just-moved-from-Chicago motocycle ridin' bad boy as they do what all teen boys do; look to get laid.
Mischief is a classic R-rated 80's teen flick with a little classic flair. Don't let the fact that its set in 1956 scare you off; like Back to the Future - once you're there, you forget - horny kids in the 1950s aren't much different. The period piece works.
Jonathan plays the hopeless geek, taken under wing by the all-wise rebel bullsh*tter Gene that backs his mouth with his fists. Jonathan's perfect innocence sets the perfect stage for the great one/two liners the show delivers regularly - but is never overdone. Of course, you have to throw in the hot wet chick that's dating the town a'hole (coveted by Gene). Gene and Jonathan make a wager that Gene can't get him laid in a month.
The movie moves from scene to scene - some so damn funny you'll rewind it a couple of times at least - some pretty damn touching. Set to great 50's music often, you never get bored or watch the clock. Some of it has been done before - but never as well set up and as funny. When Jonathan throws up his collar like James Dean and gives the "smoldering" look - I practically fell off the chair. And Gene explaining why Jonathan needs tight jeans so his nuts bulge out - priceless moments in cinematic history.
My tape is practically worn to the bone - I've been enjoying the VHS for years. Being Dolbly Stereo and full screen - I've been drooling for months over the Widescreen 5.1 DVD. Let's take a look at the DVD.
Video
We have a double edged sword here. First off, this baby was SHOT 1:33 to 1, which means - you got it - its matted. If you've been watching the full screen edition, enjoy missing 25% of the video now. Those of you waiting to get a "downstairs" shot of Kelly Preston on DVD - sorry; better keep the VHS if you want that titilating scene in full. I'll say this though ... the transfer is AMAZING for an old cult catalog title. VERY clean transfer ... its a bit dark looking to me, but its so clean, you'll forgive it. You'll see some artifacting here and there, but not unless you're looking for it. This is NOT anamorphic, unfortunately.
Audio
The DVD features a new 5.1 audio track which while clean, isn't anything to get excited about. The audio stays front and center like most older flicks. Occassionally the audio nips to the back - but again, don't expect much. I'll say this; when you flip between them - you'll immediately notice how much better the 5.1 track is in terms of raw quality. The music, thankfully, was preserved to the best of my knowledge. You know how it is when an old flick is LOADED with great music; the DVD gets half of it dumped and/or replaced. The classics are all in place as you remembered them; right down to several tunes by The King. I'm sure there has been some redubbing on both tracks (I could be remembering wrong - but I've seen this movie A LOT - the audio track might have just been horrible on my tape). I'll be capping the VHS to DVD so I can have my original aspect ratio copy.
Extras
None. Nil. Null set. Zed. Zero. Not even subtitles. Fortunately, it retails for $13.
Overall, you can't miss the film - and if you liked the movie - you can't miss the DVD. My only real bitch is the lack of an OAR presentation (if you're going to matte, folks - you better at least make it anamorphic) which monkeys with my appreciation just like a P&S of a widescreen film does.
Mischief was a good time in 1985 - and its still a good time 20 years later.