April Fool's Day (1986)

At a glance:

Before there were slashers like Scream (1996), there were already plenty of other movies where a beautiful teen cast would find themselves in a murder mystery, usually in a holiday cabin of some sort - but probably none took itself less seriously than April Fool's Day (1986) did. I should imagine this was a lot of fun in the cinema with friends in those days. There's Valley Girl Deborah Foreman as a prank-lovin hostess, surrounded by colourful white friends, like Thomas F. Wilson (Biff from the Back To The Future films) as a beefy jock and Deborah Goodrich (pic) as a titless but nonetheless commandin blonde. The lot of them go about crackin sex jokes and playin practical jokes on each other throughout the whole film, strangely displayin a presence that is stronger than, say, the pretty cast of any Final Destination flick.

Bad news on the doorstep:

Perhaps one twist too many, when each seemingly horrific deed turns out to be a practical joke. This movie is also known for a very big twist endin that didn't endear itself to too many.

Reminds me of:

Friday The 13th movies, the gold standard of 80s slasher flicks it seems.

Most memorable line:

Nikki: Something about myself? I wanna work with handicapped children. My parents are my best friends. I start convent school next semester and I fuck on the first date. April Fool's!

Amacam joker, berapa bintang lu mau kasi?

Appeal is probably limited since it appears rather dated to anyone who can't identify with its 80s cast. Love Jerry Whitman singin 'Too Bad You're Crazy' at the end credits, though.★★

Highlander (1986)

At a glance:
There can be only one, indeed, as this was the 1986 Russell Mulcahy camp classic that spawned four further Highlander movies, two TV series, an animated series, an animated movie, an animated flash-movie series, 10 original novels and 17 comic book issues - all of which doesn't hold a candle to it. Many decisions in the franchise disappoint but this only goes to show how attractive the original Connor MacLeod idea is - a Scottish clansman who cannot die, as he lives on to discover others like him.
Bad news on the doorstep:
It's been a quarter of a century but there is still talk of efforts for a new movie, namely Summit Entertainment's 2008 announcement about Highlander: The Reckoning but Fast And Furious director Justin Lin seemed to have been dropped out of it now with no further word on a replacement helmer.
Perennial wonderment:
How is Christopher Lambert (pic) the boyfriend of Sophie Marceau?
I can't remember if I cried:
Every time I hear Queen's Who Wants To Live Forever, a song reportedly and believably tailor-written by Brian May to match scenes from the movie, especially those depictin the immortal protagonist's doomed romance for a lover who will eventually outlive him. Of course, this song is now a staple at funeral parlours.
Most memorable line:
There can be only one.
Amacam joker, berapa bintang lu mau kasi?
I don't think this movie has aged one bit. Hope they get the fifth movie out sometime before the end of this century. ★★★