The Kreuch Brothers Weigh In On The Worst Film of All-Time
Matt and Steven Kreuch, the official Brothers of Dubious Quality, weighed in after my post about Kong--King of Atlantis.First, from Matt:
As someone who ranks Ishtar fairly high in my all time favorite movies list, I have to share with you a movie my brother Steven and I highly endorse. If you haven't seen Gymkata, stop what your doing and rent it now. In fact it's probably playing this moment on TNT or USA or some other random cable channel. I think, per FCC regulation 1469B, it has to be playing on some channel every moment of every day. It's truly a classic. Whenever I channel surf and stumble upon it, I'm totally hooked.
Here's what you need to know: Gymnast Kurt Thomas, karate, a town of crazy's, a long lost father, a country called Parmistan.
Must see scene in Gymkata: Kurt Thomas gets surrounded in the town center by a mob of crazy's but thankfully the structure in the town center is shaped like a pomel horse. Kurt proceeds to kick some crazy town ass with scissor kicks and flairs, etc. (see trailer!)
Here's the trailer.... it says it all:
Gymkata trailer
IMDB listing:
IMDB
Next, from Steven:
GymKata and Beastmaster must have a home in everyones home video library.
Check out this fantastic user review from amazon.com of Gymkata:
A Carefuly Scripted & Subtle Cold War Commentary, June 12, 2005
By Vic G. Sarjoo "VicSarjoo" (New York & New Orleans) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gymkata (VHS Tape) Extremely reminiscent of cold war sleepers like "Gorky Park" and "Reds", Gymkata is one of the most carefully scripted and brooding commentaries on American foreign policy during the Reagan years. The film is more like a documentary than a work of fiction in its deep attention to historical accuracies and avoidance of hyperbole.
Robert Clouse's directorial adaption of Dan Tyler Moore's Pulitzer-shortlisted novel manages to capture timbre of the times and the voice of the decade in a script of intricate complexity. Kurt Thomas's portrayal of the hero across from Tetchie Agbayani's heroine is one of the most dynamic and surprising chemistries since Bogart and Bergman's 43 years before.
However, where "Casablanca" fell far short of documenting the spirit (and fears) of the times on a granular level, Gymkata and its cast is unafraid to take this plunge.
In characterizations deeply respectful, and yet photo-accurate, regarding world cultures and global motifs, Gymkata manages spell the poly-sided views of complex conflicts that occurred during the final grey gasps of the Cold War.
Amazingly Gymkata manages a foreshadowing the rise of the Neo-Cons some 20 years later in its depictions of the United States use of aggression in strategically important hotspot regions -- and as well -- the film is able to show that the nationalistic concerns of the competing sovreignties (both ally & foe) remain unchanged despite which decade these events play themselves out in.
A timeless film, Gymkata should be a core film study in every graduate level political science class.
Dear Mr. Sarjoo: you are a genius.
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