OMD: The Rocketeer

The Rockawho?

The Rocketeer - one of the films brought to you by the Wonderful World of Disney - Sunday evening movies.

Way back in the '90's ABC had this little thing called "The Wonderful World of Disney". Every Sunday evening, around 7 or 8, they would air a new film. It was usually introduced by Michael Eisner and Mickey Mouse, often giving a little taste of the movie by a quick sketch-up.

If you were a true '90's kid (or at least a true Disney-fan), you never missed these shows. The Wonderful World of Disney is the latest name of the ongoing airing of Disney movies and shows.

The name changes were thus:

Walt Disney's Disneyland (1954-58)
Walt Disney Presents (1958-61)
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1961-69)
Disney's Wonderful World (1979-81)
Walt Disney (1981-83)
The Disney Sunday Movie (1986-88)
The Magical World of Disney (1988-90)
The Wonderful World of Disney (1969-79, 1983-86, 1991-present)

Many movies were introduced into the hearts of avid Disney fans, and parents who finally found clean films to watch.

On June 21, 1991 a film premiered that drew in the wonderment of many. At only 1 hour and 48 minutes, it was a quick watch, full of action, adventure, suspense, and steampunk themes.

Today I will discuss a little of one of my favorite films:

Film: The Rocketeer
Premier Date: June 21, 1991
Director: Joe Johnston
Based on: "The Rocketeer" by Dave Stevens

Starring:
Bill Campbell - Cliff Secord/The Rocketeer
Alan Arkin - A. "Peevy" Peabody
Jennifer Connelly - Jenny Blake
Paul Sorvino - Eddie Valentine
Timothy Dalton - Neville Sinclair

Music: James Horner

Set in Los Angeles 1938, this story follows pilot, Cliff Secord. When things go awry with a shoot-out between the mob and the FBI, leaving his plane in ruins, he finds a rocket pack hidden in another place in the hanger.

With help from his mechanic, Peevy, the make a closed helmet for use of the rocket. They are forced into it when a pilot goes into the air, drunk. Saving him using the Rocket, the crowds and masses label him "The Rocketeer".

His girlfriend, Jenny, is an actress working with the famous swashbuckler Neville Sinclair, who is not all that he appears to be.

With the Mob, the FBI, and the Nazis after him for the rocket pack, what's to become of Cliff Secord and his girl Jenny?

I love the style of this film: 30's noir type, mob chases, acting, intrigue, spies, adventure, and a man who can fly!

I highly recommend watching this movie. You can rent it via YouTube if you don't want to buy it outright (though you may want to after watching it).


As for myself, I will be checking out the book it was based off of in the coming week.


Any film you think I should watch? Leave a comment below (especially if you've seen this one, or went to watch it somewhere).

Enjoy your week.

OMD: Krull

Welcome to Obscure Movie Day!
(OMD for all title's going forward.)


As promised in my post last week (or the week before, whichever) - here is the topic for the week. The movie I decided to review is one of my favorites that came out of the 1980's. It super obscure (took me months to find a DVD copy!), but it is a lovable sci-fy fantasy movie from back when the genre was still relatively unliked. I give you:

KRULL

To start off with, I was going to add some clips from YouTube, when I found THE ENTIRE MOVIE! So - there you go.

Wow - the bounds of the internet still rather amaze me.

Okay - here is the brief synopsis of the movie:

The planet Krull has been invaded by a ruthless entity known only as the Beast. Each planet his mysterious castle has come to has been overtaken by he and his knights known as Slayers. The Beast has come to break an old prophecy telling of a Queen whose son shall rule the galaxy.

The Princess Lyssa and Prince Colwyn, who are from different kingdoms, decided to marry in order to form a union to defeat the Beast. On the eve of their wedding the Beast and his Slayers attack the party, kidnapping the princess and killing all but Colwny and Ynyr, the Old One.

Together they set out to find a mystical weapon known only as the Glaive, the only weapon that can defeat the Beast. On their quest they encounter a band of mercenaries, thieves, and bandits. With their small band they seek out how to find the castle of the Beast, which relocates every day to a different part of the world.

There are two mystics who can divine where the castle will be the following day. The Emerald Seer and the Widow of the Web. Ynyr goes to the Widow of the Web, the only other one who knows where the location of the Beast's castle will be. She grants him safe passage past the Crystal Spider on his way out to tell the others.

The group sets out soon after and find the castle. And then...

I'm afraid you'll have to go and watch the film.

Since it is on YouTube, you can easily watch it now. The music is lovely, and the cinematography is absolutely stunning! The costumes are of excellent condition and set you in the period of the piece.

With music by James Horner (the man responsible for the soundtrack to Titanic), you'll be pulled into the world of Krull and all its splendor!



If you have a film you think is obscure that I should review, leave a comment below. I love watching old movies - though try and keep it under PG-13 (there's some flicks I won't touch with a 30-ft pole!).

What are some obscure movies you love that most people don't know about?

Come back next month for another exciting round of Obscure Movie Day!