EXECUTIVE ACTION (1973)

Now here's an interesting movie.  Released for the 10-year anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination, EXECUTIVE ACTION tells the story, from the conspirators point of view, of the justifications and preparations for JFK's murder.  When it was released (Nov. 7, 1973) there was such a backlash that it was quickly pulled from the theaters.  After that it sat unwatched for a number of years before finally being released on VHS in the 80's.

The presentation style is pretty neat because it smoothly blends together old news footage and photographs with acted out scenes.  When the film starts, we're brought into a secret meeting of some government, intelligence and industrial string-pullers talking about the evils of the Kennedys and how if they're not stopped now the entire country is screwed.  Two assassination teams (three shooters each) are put into training.  Now all they have to do is find a fall guy.  Lee Harvey Oswald is selected and a body double is assigned to go around Dallas making memorable impressions of himself at places like a gun store and a shooting range.  Finally the fateful day comes and things go off without a hitch.

I have no opinion on the Kennedy assassination, but this film is thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.  Quick pace, fascinating subject material, great acting by an outstanding cast.  Even four plus decades after it's release, EXECUTIVE ACTION still has the power to get your brain to thinking.  Recommended.

BAD DREAMS (1988)

1975, California.  The Jim Jones-like leader of a love cult, Harris (Richard Lynch), gathers 30 or so of his flock into the living room of their old house.  He softly says stuff like "I say to you all now, to all of you, that this will be the ultimate joining..." while poring gasoline over them "There is no shame, no sin, no guilt.  It's just the final break with the old world." and then lighting a match "Come to eternal bliss."

One young girl (Jennifer Rubin) barely escapes the inferno and goes in a coma.  Thirteen and a half years later she wakes up in the hospital.  She has no memory of the incident, so to help kick-start her brain she's placed in group therapy.  Suddenly, people in the group start dying gruesome deaths at the hands of a burnt up Harris searching for his "love child".  Is this really happening?  Has Harris come back from the grave, is it her imagination or is something (or someone) else causing the bloodshed?

Solid acting by a strong cast, mild blood, zero nudity, good pace, a completely out of place Guns N' Roses song, story reminiscent of the previous year's A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS (which also starring Jennifer Rubin in a therapy group with a dwindling population), hand stabbing, Chainsaw (from SUMMER SCHOOL), the insult: "Doctor Addictive Buttface", not enough screen time for Elizabeth Daily and a script that a little bit too discombobulated for it's own good.

While I was entertained for the most part, I am curious as to why the story was the way it was.  In the extras, somebody mentioned that the studio was looking to create a new franchise(!!!), but yet the story completely came off like it was a singular film with a closed ending.  If they were looking to make a franchise...then the killer should have been more memorable and direct, the casting should have been changed around some and the story should have been way more straight-forward and with a ending that suggested a sequel.  Also, some added blood and nudity would have helped.

As it is though, it's an entertaining 80's supernatural medical thriller that's worth checking out.