H-H-He's Back! AMC Rebooting Max Headroom

There are a few things that can immediately be associated with the 80s; New Coke, (for the wrong reasons). Sony's Walkman for sure. Some of the clothes, most of the music, a few movie franchises, and Max Headroom - the fictional artificial intelligence character (played by Matt Frewer) advertised as "the first computer-generated TV presenter" and was known for his stuttering delivery and sarcastic wit.

 

Even if you weren't a fan of the two season show (ABC 1987-1988), you couldn't miss seeing Max in commercials for the aforementioned New Coke.  Before that there was his UK origin in the movie Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future and a music video show called The Max Headroom Show. He was on the cover of Newsweek magazine, starred in a video by The Art of Noise (and has cameoed and served as the inspiration for a number of parodies in TV and movies over the past 30+ years.

Now, AMC is looking to b-b-b-bring Max back.

AMC Networks is developing a Max Headroom reboot, with Matt Frewer set to reprise his role as the world’s first artificial intelligence TV personality. Halt and Catch Fire co-creator Christopher Cantwell is writing the adaptation and is attached as showrunner for the project, which is produced by Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah’s SpectreVision and All3Media.

A launch date has yet to be confirmed by AMC, but you can be sure that we'll be watching our TVs (and computers) for any forthcoming news or announcements regarding dates and details about Max's return.

8 From the 80s: Babes

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can rate one thing over another when it came from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

80s Babes

This was an incredibly hard list to come up with.  Not because filling eight spots was difficult... filling ONLY eight spots was nearly impossible. Olivia Newton-John, Erin Gray, Madonna, and Cindy Crawford are just a few that immediately come to mind.  But this is called "EIGHT" from the 80s, so eight it must be. Let's go!

8. Sean Young

Sean helped start the 80s off right with turns in the comedy classic Stripes and sci-fi favorite Blade Runner.

7. Brooke Shields

Nothing came between her and her Calvins while The Blue Lagoon and Endless Love cemented her as one of the early 80s hottest babes.

Fantasia Review: “Space Monster Wangmagwi” (1967)

"Space Monster" or "Time Waster"? Wangmagwi May Only Appeal to Kaiju Movie Completists

by Joseph Perry

Hoo, boy, this movie.

No matter how much of a giant-monster movie fan you are, black-and-white South Korean entry into the subgenre Space Monster Wangmagwi is not an easy watch. Regular readers of my reviews know that I do not take making negative comments in my reviews lightly, so please keep that in mind as you forge ahead.

In South Korea’s second giant-monster outing (the first is supposedly a lost film), a group of the least convincing space aliens you have ever seen — and among the worst of planners — drop a man-sized beast from one of their spaceships to Korea, knowing that it will grow in size as, and because, it enters the Earth’s atmosphere. Now, I prefer 1950s creature feature “science” to modern-day scientific accuracy in my monster movies, but you need to apply the maximum willing suspension of disbelief that you have for Space Monster Wangmagwi. Once the beast grows to the enormous proportions that they calculate — which is a far cry from its scale when it arrives in Seoul — it will eventually destroy all human life, and the aliens can swoop down and set up shop on Earth.

Fantasia Review: “Shin Ultraman” (2022)

Shin Ultraman Captures the Magic of the Original Series

by Joseph Perry

Watching the original Ultraman television series (1966-67) after school every weekday was practically a ritual for me and countless other kids around the world growing up. Although that original series is the one most popular and well-known in the United States, there have been new Ultraman series and films in Japan ever since that classic introductory series. Now the filmmaking duo behind the divisive Shin Godzilla has made a reboot film of the original Ultraman series, Shin Ultraman, and I am thrilled to report that, in my opinion, it captures the magic of what I loved as a pre-teen and has me hoping for more in this tokusatsu dynasty. 

Marvel Legends Series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends

While there have been a number of Spider-Man cartoons over the years, most everyone remembers three of them before any of the others; the 1967 Spider-Man series, Spider-Man from the 90s, and the one from the 80s - Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.  It's the latter that is getting a very nice looking set from Hasbro that's estimated to ship in January of 2023.

Using their fantastic powers, Spider-Man teams up with fellow heroes and former X-Men Iceman and Marvel’s Firestar to battle the world’s most dastardly villains from their secret crime-fighting lab.

These collectible 6-inch-scale Marvel Legends action figures are detailed to look like the Spider-Man, Iceman, Marvel’s Firestar and Ms. Lion characters from the classic 1980s Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends animated cartoon featuring premium deco and multiple points of articulation.

With over 80 years of entertainment history, Marvel has become a cornerstone of fan collections around the world. With the Marvel Legends action figures, fan favorite Marvel Comic Universe and Marvel Cinematic Universe characters are designed with premium detail and articulation for posing and display in collections. From figures to vehicles to premium roleplay items, the Marvel Legends Series offers elite character-inspired products for Marvel fans and collectors. Additional Marvel action figures each sold separately. (Subject to availability.)

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

Episode #125

This yellow brick road that doesn't lead to any Emerald Cities! What it DOES lead to is a world of souped-up cars, animals fighting back, dystopian drive-ins and so much more. Yep - the guys are talking Ozploitation flicks! But before that it's a "Gift, Keep, Ditch" of elementary school lunches. Throw another shrimp on the barbie - it's time for Uphill Both Ways! 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW125_Goodbye_Yellow_Brick_Road.mp3

5-25-77 (Movie Trailer)

This movie looks absolutely amazing in just about every way.

You can certainly expect to see more coverage here as the release date for this gets closer.

 

Build Up The Fun With The New Iconic LEGO Atari 2600 Set

Take a trip back to the 1980s with this LEGO® Atari® 2600 (10306) building set for adults. Enjoy a rewarding project creating all the details of this replica console, game cartridges and joystick. Gaming fans will love the 3 mini builds depicting themes from 3 popular Atari® games. There’s even a hidden 1980s scene to build for total nostalgia overload.

Popcorn Frights Film Festival 2022

Popcorn Frights Hybrid Film Festival’s First Wave Features Chucky, Slashers, and Monsters

artwork by Kent Hernandez

Can’t get enough behind-the-scenes info about Chucky?  Need more retro slasher flicks in your life? Hankering for some classic comic book art revelations? Popcorn Frights, Florida’s finest fear-fare film festival, has all this and much more in store, as it returns this year from August 11-21 with another lineup sure to make horror movie aficionados reach for their drool cups. For those unable to travel to the fest, this year’s edition of the festival features a hybrid component that reaches all across the United States. From creature features to aliens to zombies to silent classics and beyond, Popcorn Frights has something for every manner of horror movie lover. Check out the official press announcement below, and for more information visit www.PopcornFrights.com.

Coming Soon from Well Go USA Entertainment...

BABY ASSASSINS

The Action-Packed Martial Arts Comedy Streams Exclusively on Hi-YAH! July 22 Before Hitting Digital, Blu-rayTM & DVD August 16

PLANO, TEXAS (July 8, 2022) – It’s “pure fun” (Film Threat) when director Hugo Sakamoto (A Janitor, Hangman’s Knot) and action director Kensuke Sonomura (John Woo’s Manhunt, Nowhere Man, Hydra, Bushido Man) combine their talents for the critically-acclaimed martial arts action-comedy BABY ASSASSINS, debuting July 22 exclusively on the martial arts streaming service Hi-YAH! before hitting Digital, Blu-rayTM and DVD August 16 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Akari Takaishi (Distant Thunder, A Janitor) as “Chisato” and Saori Izawa (A Janitor) as “Mahiro” give “positively radiant performances” (Elements of Madness) as highly trained teenage assassins who must get “real” jobs as a cover, and—even worse—become roommates. However, after a nasty run-in with a Yakuza, the girls must band together to survive an epic fight for their lives. The cast also includes Masanori Mimoto (Enter the Fat Dragon, Hydra, First Love, Yakuza Apocalypse, God of War).

A Jury's Special Award Winner at the 2022 Fantasporto Film Festival, BABY ASSASSINS premiered at the 2021 Fantastic Fest, and played at the 2022 Glasgow Film Festival and New York Asian Film Festival. All-New Trailer to Debut July 21 During the Kung Fu Extravaganza at Comic-Con 2022.

Synopsis: 

Upon graduation, highly trained teenage assassins Chisato and Mahiro are informed by upper management that they will need to hold down “normal” jobs as a cover, and—even worse—they’ll be forced to share an apartment. However, after an unfortunate run-in with a Yakuza member, the two must band together to survive an epic fight for their lives.

Country of Origin: Japan

BABY ASSASSINS has a runtime of approximately 95 minutes and is not rated.

For more information, please visit https://www.wellgousa.com/films/baby-assassins.

Blu-ray	DVD
Catalog #: WGU03414B	Catalog #: WGU03413D
UPC Code: 810348034144	UPC Code: 810348034137
Pre-Order Date: 7/12/22	Pre-Order Date: 7/12/22
SLP: $29.98	SLP: $19.99
Audio: DTS HDMA 5.1 / Stereo	Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital / 2.0 Stereo

ABOUT WELL GO USA ENTERTAINMENT

Well Go USA Entertainment (www.wellgousa.com) is an Oscar®-nominated theatrical and home entertainment distribution label that specializes in bringing the best in action, genre and independent films from the U.S. and around the world to North America. Well Go titles can be seen across a variety of platforms, including in theaters, on-demand, via DVD and Blu-ray and on television, as well as on mobile and connected devices through martial arts movie app Hi-YAH! (www.hiyahtv.com). Well Go USA Entertainment’s corporate headquarters is in Plano, Texas, with an additional office in Taiwan.

"Fashion"

Episode #124

Bell bottoms! Giant collars! Tie-dye! Concert t-shirts! Pegged jeans! It's time for an Uphill Both Ways fashion show! Join the guys as they talk about fashion from the 70s and 80s in general and specifically what their usual style of dress was. Which one dressed like a bad guy from the Alpha Beta fraternity and who dressed like Ducky from Pretty in Pink? You're going to have to listen to find out because we're not spoiling the surprise here!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/Uphill_Both_Ways_124_Fashion.mp3

Film Review: “Fair Game” (1986)

Fair Game is an Old-School Adrenaline Ride

by Joseph Perry

Ozploitation revenge classic Fair Game delivers thrills and chills as a trio of dastardly kangaroo hunters cross the path of a young woman who runs an animal sanctuary. Nail-biting stunts and edge-of-the-seat action sequences highlight this strongly recommended slice of sordid cinema.

Jessica (Cassandra Delaney) just wants to peacefully run an animal sanctuary in Australia’s Outback. With her significant other away for a few days, she is doing so herself and on her way into town to pick up some supplies, she becomes the target of some dangerous road games courtesy of the aforementioned kangaroo hunters — Sunny (Peter Ford), Ringo (David Sandford), and Sparks (Gary Who) — who happen to go to the same shop that she does. When one of them takes an underskirt shot of her, she dumps a bag of flour on his head.

Fantasia Serves Up Ghoulishness, Gore, and Guffaws with Its Retro Fare

- by Joseph Perry

North America’s largest genre film fest, the stupendous Fantasia International Film Festival, celebrates its 26th anniversary in Montreal this summer, running from July 14—August 3. Fantasia has a tantalizing array of more than 130 feature films and more than 200 shorts from around the globe. Although the main focus is on new releases, Fantasia always outdoes itself with selecting a stunning lineup of older films, too, most of which hit right in the Uphill Both Ways wheelhouse.

Number one on my must-see list is not a new film, but its subject is one of my favorite TV heroes since childhood. Shin Ultraman reunites the filmmaking pair behind 2016’s Shin Godzilla, which I had a lot of fun with. This should be an intriguing take on the iconic Japanese superhero.

Think you have seen all of the old-school giant-monster movies out there? Think again, as Fantasia presents the restored version of 1967 South Korean movie Space Monster Wangmagwi. As a lifelong monster kid, I can’t wait to check out this creature feature. Also in the film restoration department, Blue Sunshine blew me away when I saw it for the first time, and it should be even wilder with Fantasia’s newly restored version. I have only read about the insanity of The Deadly Spawn, so I’m glad that my initial viewing will be the restored version on offer.

Fantasia is celebrating Kier-La Janisse’s book House of Psychotic Women — billed as “an autobiographical topography of female neurosis in horror and exploitation films” — with a section of shockers both classic and seldom seen. Having recently reviewed the terrific Italian folk horror possession outing Il Demonio for Uphill Both Ways, tops on my radar for this section are the Polish vampire film I Like Bats and Italian Elizabeth Taylor vehicle Identikit.

There’s plenty more to drool over, so have a gander at what classics and clas-sicks Fantasia has on tap for this summer! All descriptions are from the fest’s official press announcements. And keep eyes and ears out for reviews from yours truly right here on the Uphill Both Ways site and on our podcast!


SHIN ULTRAMAN REIMAGINES AN ESSENTIAL ICON OF JAPANESE POP SCI-FI

Following its enormously successful release in Japan, Fantasia unleashes the highly anticipated SHIN ULTRAMAN. Directed by Shinji Higuchi, famed for the special-effects work on 1990s GAMERA revival and for directing the live-action ATTACK ON TITAN films; and scripted by Hideaki Anno, the genius behind the hit anime NEON GENESIS EVANGELION. SHIN ULTRAMAN reunites the pair, who co-directed 2016’s astounding SHIN GODZILLA, to reimagine another essential icon of tokusatsu, Japan’s science-fiction TV and cinema. Debuted in 1966, Tsuburaya Productions’ giant, shiny superhero from space—and the wild array of alien monsters he confronts—have embedded themselves in the nation’s popular culture for generations. With auteur flair, unprecedented visual impact, and genuine affection for the Ultraman franchise, Anno and Higuchi now renew, as only they could, the action-packed cosmic saga of Ultraman, his alter ego Shinji Kaminaga, and his colleagues in the science police force battling endless extraterrestrial threats. North American Premiere