Surfs Up!

Like Mad Max has returned to the cinema, I have returned back to my website in the same, high octane fashion. This month, I thought I would take a look at some great, and not so great, movies that have yet to surface on dvd or blu ray. And since it's the beginning of summer, I'm going to kick it off with Surf II.

Eddie Deezen, the great nerdy actor from Grease, Zapped!, and 1941, stars as Menlo Schwartz. Menlo has created Buzz Cola, a toxic soda that turns surfers into punk rock zombies. It's up to Chuck and Bob, two teenage surfers, to put a stop to him.

Some might see this as a mindless t&a romp, and they're right. But it is so much fun. The hysterical Deezen is backed up by a game cast. You have Eric Stoltz as Chuck. He has the stoned surfer down pat after his role in Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Most of the grown up cast is made up of tv and movie actors from the 70's. It's like the casting director kidnapped the guest stars from an episode of The Love Boat. There's Ruth Buzzi from Laugh In, Johnny Carson regular Carol Wayne, and Terry Kiser from Weekend At Bernie's as the worried of the parents. Cleavon Little from Blazing Saddles as Principal Daddy-O. Peter Isacksen fro CPO Sharkey as the science teacher helping Chuck and Bob. Wonder Woman's Lyle Waggoner as the police Chief Boyardie and Welcome Back Kotter's Ron Palillo as his deputy Inspector Underpants. All seem to be having a blast. And with character names like that who wouldn't?

Then there's the soundtrack. The Stray Cats, Thomas Dolby, The Beach Boys, Dick Dale, The Circle Jerks, Wall Of Voodoo, Split Enz, and Oingo Boingo. I think Oingo Boingo was contractually obligated to have a song in every 80's soundtrack though. Not only does this deserve a dvd or blu ray release, but a soundtrack needs to be put out as well. This could be the main reason this hasn't seen the light of day on dvd, with copyrights and such.

If you see this one on YouTube or late night cable, check it out. It's mindless fun.