Knightriders

For some reason, I cannot get this out of my head. And it's been months. A combination of the spectacle of renaissance bikers, a healthy mix of drama/action, Ed Harris yelling all over the place, and the realization (of which constant reminding was needed) that Romero did this. All the flaws aside, it's certainly memorable.

Seemed like the King was supposed to be almost a John Galt type character, whose ideals were just too strict for him to live in the real world. The premise of this seems incredibly silly at first, but I couldn't help but feel affected by it. Certain events that I will not spoil here are absolutely unforgettable and impeccably filmed. There is some awesome cinematography in this. It's far from perfect, but I really liked it.

Kind of a perfect run time for something crazy like this - enough time for me to go from not liking it to getting oddly really invested in this troupe. There being a 17 hour first cut of this makes all the sense in the world - you know how FUN something like this was to make

I really admire what Romero is trying to say here, between all the noise from the engines. Some technical flaws and unfortunate doses of melodrama harm the overrall picture, but it has a colourful, interesting core. An interesting film from Romero, who always seem to mix the cheerful and sombre.

Although released in 1981 it is truly a 70s movie! Weird as they come, meandering and really taking its time to tell a story that is great and sad and ridiculous. If for nothing else watch it for the awesome stunts, you will not be disappointed!

63.

Somehow engaging even with a lead character I never really understand and antagonists I don’t much care about or believe in. The action drags in poorly framed, too-long sequences, and supporting characters’ arcs are resolved too quickly and with little explanation. Yet I find a few characters intriguing. Combined with Billy’s conviction and dissatisfaction, the positives outweigh the flaws and make it an unpredictably satisfying watch.

As dumb and nonsensical as it sounds, but not in an entertaining way. Not the worst I've seen from Romero, but the worst from the 70's or 80's (or 60's for that matter). It both feels like he was way overthinking things and way underthinking them at the same time. It is interesting to see Tom Savini in front of the camera so much, and refreshing that the consensus among the women in this movie seems to be that he's sexier than Ed Harris.

An interesting failure that's not without charm but suffers from its helmer's hippie outlook and his tendency to write overripe dialogue that hammers home his quasi-philosophical points. In 81, it was akin to a 'beached whale on the shore of a new decade', to directly quote Biskind's remark about Raging Bull, but even moreso given that it's effectively an ode to wayward dreamers clinging to the values of a bygone era. With more style and focus, it could have worked in more than fits and starts.

George A. Romero does a nonmonster movie. Not bad but he seems to be singing way above his range

68.000

The fact that this is 2-and-a-half hours long is insane. "What if ren-fair knights rode motorcycles" is obviously an 80-minute premise, but Romero makes it work. This movie has so much to say about modern society and says it by having the characters commit to their medieval code as thoroughly as the movie commits to its wacky premise with a straight face. Great role for Savini too, possibly the best dramatic character he ever had the chance to portray

Starts out goony enough but it won me over in the end. There really is some fantastic cinematography here, especially in the more dramatic scenes. Great final act.

Passes the time.

66.500

I certainly enjoy, on some level at least, that this movie exists, but watching it is a chore. I can image Romero being super stoned and trying to explain the plot to someone, but I can't for the life of me image someone actually giving him money to do so. Tom Savini is a total babe though, so if you were disappointed by how little of his sexy mug you got to see in Maniac before it was shot off or if you're a biker and/or are into lots of cycle stunts, check this one out.