When a comet passes close to the earth, machines all over the world come alive and go on homicidal rampages.
A group of people at a desolate truck stop are held hostage by a gang of murderous 18-wheelers. The frightened people set out to defeat the killer machines…Or be killed by them.
General Audience Vibe
Maximum Overdrive is largely seen as a love-it-or-hate-it experience – for some it’s a hilariously ridiculous slice of ’80s genre schlock with a killer soundtrack, and for others it’s an incoherent, overblown mess that only works if you embrace its absurdity.
My Take on Maximum Overdrive (1986)
I really don’t get the hate on this movie. It’s brilliant. Sure, the director (Stephen King) was coked up, and some of the acting is over-the-top (“we made you!”), but this is a brilliant premise with great execution.
It’s totally 80s, but that’s a strength, not a weakness.
It also has a killer soundtrack by AC/DC.
Over to You
What do you think of Maximum Overdrive? Chaotic Masterpiece or one better left buried? Let me know in the comments below?
Before she became a horror icon in the torture-porn Saw movies, Shawnee Smith played all sorts of parts in various movie genres.
I do have a soft spot for Shawnee Smith. Ever since seeing her as the head cheerleader in The Blob (1988), I have been trying to see all her 80s movies – and there are quite a few to watch.
Below is a list of Shawnee Smith’s 1980s movies for you to seek out and enjoy watching.
Grab the popcorn!
Iron Eagle (1986)
A young pilot plans a rescue mission when his father, an Air Force Colonel, is shot down over enemy territory and captured. IMDB
Action | One-Person Army Action | Thriller | War
Stars: Louis Gossett Jr., Jason Gedrick, David Suchet, Shawnee Smith
Easy Prey (1986)
A young girl with Stockholm Syndrome becomes a companion for a dangerous man posing as a photographer to pick up his victims. IMDB
Biography | Drama
Stars: Gerald McRaney, Sean McCann, Susan Hogan, Shawnee Smith
Summer School (1987)
Freddy the gym teacher has to teach remedial English in summer (high) school, if he wants tenure. As he can only teach gym and his students want fun, emphasis is on “field trips” – until he’s fired unless all his students pass the test. IMDB
Comedy | High Concept Comedy | Quirky Comedy | Romance | Romantic Comedy | Teen Comedy
Stars: Mark Harmon, Kirstie Alley, Robin Thomas, Shawnee Smith
Bluegrass (1988)
A woman tries to be successful in the male-dominated horse racing business. Intrigue, greed, power games and love trying to put stones in her way. IMDB
Drama
Stars: Cheryl Ladd, Wayne Rogers, Diane Ladd, Shawnee Smith
I Saw What You Did (1988) – TV Movie
A group of pranksters unintentionally gets the attention of a serial killer who soon starts targeting them. IMDB
A deadly entity from space crash-lands near a small town and begins consuming everyone in its path. Panic ensues as shady government scientists try to contain the horrific creature. IMDB
Stars: Shawnee Smith, Kevin Dillon, Donovan Leitch Jr.
Who’s Harry Crumb? (1989)
Harry Crumb is a bumbling and inept private investigator who is hired to solve the kidnapping of a young heiress which he’s not expected to solve because his employer is the mastermind behind the kidnapping. IMDB
Bumbling Detective | Comedy | Mystery | Slapstick
Stars: John Candy, Jeffrey Jones, Annie Potts. Shawnee Smith
Over to You
What was the first Shawnee Smith movie you ever saw, and do you think she’s the most underrated scream queen of the decade? Let me know in the comments.
Joseph Ruben isn’t a director with a household name like Steven Spielberg or George Lucas, but he directed two of my favourite movies from the 1980s – Dreamscape (1984) and The Stepfather (1987).
Below is a list of his 80s movies, but he also directed some fairly well-known flicks in the 90s, as well – but that’s another post.
These movies are not as well known as Mad Max (Road Warrior) (1981) or Robocop (1987), but they show the future as a dystopian landscape.
The films below range from a musical to fast cars and big trucks to human hunting to savage worlds, but they all have something in common: a dystopian future.
David Bowie is known mainly for his music – over the decades of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and into the new millennium, he managed to capture old and young alike with his unique sound.
During the 80s (and late 70s) Bowie starred in many movies as well. Some, like Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, were big hits; while others, like Into the Night were cult favourites; while some, like Yellowbeard, were just weird.
