Teen Wolf

Teen Wolf stars Michael J. Fox Family Ties, Back to the Future) as highschool spaz Scott Howard. Scott plays on the losing basketball team, is in love with super popular Pamela Wells (Lorie Griffin of Cheerleader Camp), and hangs out with ultra cool Rupert ‘Stiles’ Stilinski (Jerry Levine of Iron Eagle). Scott is slow to learn that his best friend Lisa ‘Boof’ Marconi (Susan Ursitti of Defense Play) has a crush on him.

Scott wants Pamela, the most popular girl in school. However, he has a problem; she doesn’t notice him. She has a totally jock boyfriend and knows that she is the bomb. What Scott needs is a way to stand out. How convenient that he is an heir to the family curse; turning into werewolves. Armed with a life changing transition, he finds himself big man on campus. He gets the girl, the basketball championship, and tons of respect.

Soon Scott learns that success, the girl and life as a top dog isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  

Great lines include:

“I was hoping it (the werewolf curse) would pass you by”

“Well dad it didn’t pass me by. It landed on my face”

“Listen son. You're going to be able to do a lot of things the other guys aren't.”
“Oh yeah, like chase cars, and bite the mailman?”

Awesome sunglasses, 80’s jackets, vests and parachute pants bring Teen Wolf back to the best of times.

I give Teen Wolf 3.5 alligators for script, clothes and teen angst. The bogus soundtrack is a drawback.

Teen Wolf is rated PG

Tightrope

Tightrope stars Clint Eastwood as New Orleans Police Detective Wes Block. Block is a father of two girls and a man unable to get past his divorce. A man in pain, he is frequently in the company of the working ladies.

Armed with dozens of red ribbons, an unknown killer is strangling women through New Orleans. To make matters worse, Block knows the victims and is the last to see them alive.

Beryl Thibodeaux is a rape counselor and self-defense instructor and wants answers. She and Block form a tentative relationship moving quickly from consulting to romance. Somewhere in between Block calls on her to help him cope with the murders, divorce and raising two girls. The murders become more personal and soon the killer is after his family and Thibodeaux. Block will stop at nothing to protect those he loves.

Jazz oriented music tracks this film, but it’s rare. There is hardly any accompanying music, even in the action scenes. Though filmed in 1984, it seems that just like Charlie Bronson, Eastwood brings a 70’s theme. There are several 80’s memorabilia relating to the decade. People drink Perrier with their meals, wear members only jackets, fluff their hair and use 80’s technology like reel to reel answering machines. However, preteens don’t usually listen to generic keyboard and guitar solo music on the radio. They would be listening to Howard Jones, Thompson Twins, Duran Duran, or Def Lepard.

Look for appearances by Dan Hedaya (Nick Tortelli from Cheers)

Tightrope is rated R for violence, adult situations, and nudity.