Memorable, crazy movie

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Dead End Drive-In is one of those films that could only have hailed from the '80s, a neon-drenched dose of new-wave nonsense from down under, a cult oddity that dabbles in social commentary (junk culture and racism), but which works best as pure B-movie fodder, director Brian Trenchard-Smith delivering crazy characters, car crashes, shootouts, drugs, sex and rock 'n' roll aplenty.Ned Manning stars as Jimmy "Crabs" Rossinni, who takes his girlfriend Carmen (Natalie McCurry) to the Star drive-in, unaware that the place is being used as a detention centre for the nation's disaffected youth. Trapped by a tall wall topped with electrified wire, the prisoners are fed a diet of drugs, junk food and trashy movies (including a couple of Trenchard-Smith's earlier efforts), but unlike Carmen, Jimmy isn't about to sit back and accept his situation and plans to escape by whatever means necessary, with or without his girlfriend (personally, I would have stayed: McCurry, who would go on to be crowned Miss Australia 1989, is a total babe).With a neat set-up, the scene is set for lots of trashy fun, and for a while it all works very nicely, but Trenchard-Smith struggles to keep the momentum going, his script offering very little of interest once Jimmy realises the gravity of his predicament, the lad spending most of his time hunting for new wheels for his car (boring) when he could be seeing to his knockout girlfriend (not boring).Things eventually pick up for the entertaining finale, in which Jimmy makes a bid for freedom that results in lots of vehicular stunts and exchange of gunfire with the cops, although the ending does leave a rather awkward question unanswered: is Jimmy now a fugitive, wanted for the killing of a cop? If so, that's hardly the upbeat finish that Trenchard-Smith seems to be going for.

Talk about a strange movie. This one has developed a bit of a cult following and it's easy to see why. The entire world depicted here is unusual, filled with violence and hot items from the time it was released (1986) like punk music and dress. All of that being said whether you enjoy this movie will all depend on your point of view.The year is 1990 (keep in mind when this was released) and the world is in terrible shape. Violence is the theme of the day, gangs roam the streets with little fear of repercussion and cars are a commodity. In this mix is Crabs (Ned Manning), a young man trying to live the right way and working hard. One night he borrows his brother's car and takes his best girl Carmen (Natalie McCurry) for a night at the drive-in.Things seem to be going smoothly, the couple find themselves going at it only to later realize that the tires from the car have been stolen. Crabs reports this to the manager only to discover that the drive-in is not what it once was and that it was the police that stole his tires. All of them have been converted into concentration camps for the low lifes and criminals of the time. Stuck in this place with no means to leave Crabs and Carmen must learn the rules to survive.With easy access provided to drugs, food and entertainment inside this locale it seems that most inside would rather stay than face the problems the outside world now presents. The "guests" at this drive-in have made themselves at home here. They've constructed their own small buildings to live in and have formed their own hierarchy to deal with things.Crabs continues to seek a way out, trying to climb the fence that surrounds the drive-in only to discover it's been electrified. He eventually finds tires for his car only to discover all his gas has been drained. He gets gas only to find engine parts missing. He begins to suspect that the owner, who is paid a stipend for each person who stays there, is behind it all. One way or another Crabs and Carmen must find a way to escape and return to the real world.Director Brian Trenchard-Smith has said that the film was "an allegory for the junk values of the eighties" and it shows. The placated masses living in the drive-in are content as long as they have entertainment and food provided for them, never working or dealing with anything of any substance. Drugs and movies rule the day here. It speaks volumes about the kids of the time and the whole me generation as they were called.The reality of this film is that it was a low budget pictures that made the best use of their limited funds. The end result is funny at moments, has enough thrills to maintain interest and a story that seems odd but interesting. The acting is better than one would expect from something like this. Production values seem low as far as sets go but that works in its favor since this is an apocalyptic world we're talking about here. Trenchard-Smith has a firm hand on the directing of the film, a true feat since he was brought in after the initial director left.Fans of the film discovered this not in theaters or in drive-ins across the world. It gathered its following though video with the initial release on VHS. Copies were shared, discussed and loved by fans of the film for years. An initial release on DVD came out and the love for the film continued. But now that affection can grow larger still as Arrow Video has released the ultimate version of the film that should make fans of Brian Trenchard-Smith happy as well.Not only has Arrow, as they are prone to do, released the film in pristine shape with a 2k transfer from original materials, they've included some quality extras as well. Included are an audio commentary track with Trenchard-Smith, "The Stuntman" a classic television documentary about stuntman Grant Page and other Australian stunt performers directed by Trenchard-Smith, "Hospitals Don't Burn Down"a 1978 public information film made by Trenchard-Smith, the theatrical trailer and if you pick up a first pressing edition a collectors booklet.It's easy to see why Arrow Video is becoming a fan favorite for collectors of what many consider less than mainstream films. They treat each item as if it were a rare gem and in truth they are. Not many would consider a film like this should receive the special treatment that they've given it. Thank goodness they have decided to do so.

Dead-End Drive In (1986) ** (out of 4) Australian cult film takes place in the (then) future as crime, unemployment and various other issues have taken over everywhere. A variety of punks, criminals and lowlifes end up pulling into a drive in to enjoy a movie but little do they know that they'll be trapped there due to it being turned into what's basically a prison camp. DEAD-END DRIVE IN comes with a great title, an interesting concept and a likable lead but unfortunately there's very little else working in the picture. I'm not sure what the budget of this thing was but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that had it featured a bigger budget then perhaps they could have done more with it. As it stands, the film is simply interesting on a few levels but not enough to make it a complete winner or really worth watching unless you're a fan of Australian cinema. The main plot deals with a couple (Ned Manning, Natalie McCurry) entering the drive-in and getting trapped. While Manning wants to find a way out, it seems everyone else is happy with the worthless situation. The biggest problem with the movie is the simple fact that there's really not too much that happens. I'm sure having the setting in one placed helped the budget but there's just not enough going on inside the walls to make it interesting. We see the different types clash, we see Manning wanting to escape and every once in a while we'll get some exploitation in terms of nudity and silly violence but that's it. There's really no way to connect to any of the characters and it's really impossible to care about what happens to them. I thought Manning did a pretty good job in the lead role and he certainly helped keep the film moving. Director Brian Trenchard-Smith handles the material quite well but I'm sure he wishes he had a bit more money. What money was available seemed to go towards one terrific stunt at the very end of the picture, which almost made the entire film worth sitting through.

This one has it all.There's violence,sex,car chases,explosions,cheezy '80s music,a '56 Chevy,and most importantly a drive-in! In a futuristic 1990 the government is keeping the unemployed youth locked up in a drive-in and giving them snack bar food,drugs,beer,and all night movies for free.Where do I sign up? Yes it's a bit silly at times,and the premise is unbelievable,but after all it's a "B" film.You just can't expect perfection in films like these,and I (for one) wouldn't have it any other way.There's nothing like stepping back to a simpler time and place.This fine little independent film from Down Under is just like taking a mini vacation in the way back machine.Pop this one in the DVD break out the popcorn and a cold Fosters and enjoy this blast from the past....8)8/10 on the Drive-in-Freak-O-Meter...ya just gotta check this out!