Black Moon Rising (1986)

Simply Perfect

People are voting emotionally.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Here's a different kind of surprise treat for ya from the good ole year of 86. A futuristic car that outkitts Kitt. An intriguing shaped vehicle, that's spellbinding to look at. Unfortunately it's gets stolen, as part of a car smuggling ring, and unfortunately for Jones, a master thief, this causes him quite a headache. He has a another one later, where he takes quite a bashing, including a square kick to the nuts, from an ex partner, (Lee Ving-a nasty piece of work) now a rival competitor. This isn't the first time, Ving and his goons go war to war with Jones, nor is it the last. Sam Quint, (rough faced, Jones) has stolen this tape and documents from the IRS, to give to these big CIA agents, one being Bubba Smith, who springs up here, in top form, definitely someone you don't want to screw with. His top floor performance here, really impressed me. As the tape and that were hot, where Ving and his cronies were on Jones's trail, after nearly taking him out in a burst of gunfire at the film's start, Jones had stuffed the items in the pouch of this awesome looking car, the Black Moon, hence his dilemma. While happening to look out the window of this flash restaurant, The Betsy (how's the irony) Jones sees the parking lot below of cars disappear within seconds in one hell of a slickly performed operation. He flies out the restaurant on the chase. How he kept up with the Black Moon left me puzzled, and disbelieving. A high towered building, one that's fascinating to view, is where all the stolen cars are held and sold. One unhappy customer, threatening the owner of the operation (Robert Vaughn) who basically has to be himself here, makes a fatal mistake as so does one of creators of the Black Moon, a deaf kind of backward guy who gets into the building with his two other associates. This is where Jones comes in, with his master plan. Vaughn shows a few similarities here to the villain he played in the comical Superman 3, but I guess it's just a case of Vaughn being Vaughn. Linda Hamilton, the romantic element here, becomes involved with Jones as seen in a sex scene which is about as erotic as two seconds. But this movies not about that. The escaping shot of the black moon, soaring out of Vaughn's building and crashing into the neighboring one looks so cool. And again Jones meets with the enemy and the horrified owners of the Black Moon, which is now a really sick car. Watch Nick Cassavettes, (an awesome actor, turned director) as the goon who takes care of Vaughn's chafed customer. What an underrated actor this guy is. God knows why he's not still doing films. Love the line back at the Betsy, a guy uses to chat up Hamilton, Jones nearly swallowing on his drink. Guess what, it doesn't work. So he tries it on the next girl. Solid thrilling action, from a director who knows how to make enjoyable cheese, this one of his best. The only real disappointment here, you don't get to see enough of the Black Moon. Explain to me, anyone, the existence of the first scene in the liquor store.

Somewhat silly actioner here as Tommy Lee Jones (yessss) in all his mid 80's glory, goes against Linda Hamilton (whaaaaa?) and yes, Robert Vaughn to retrieve a tape he stored in a VEHICLE FROM THE FUTURE! Actually, the vehicle is a mighty fast car, and Jones stored that tape in there so that the OTHER bad guys don't find it while punching Jones silly. Meanwhile, Hamilton looks all pouty and mean in her high hair while trying to take orders from her mean boss. But Tommy Lee Jones' sex appeal is too much for her! Ha ha! Soon she's putty in his hands and joins him to get rid of Vaughn. Verrrrrry 80's here, with the clothes the music etc, so you might enjoy it for the sheer cheesiness, other then that... well..

Master thief Sam Quint (Tommy Lee Jones in peak rough'n'tumble craggy form) is hired by the government to steal data from a shady organization. Quint hides the data in an experimental supercar called the Black Moon. The Black Moon gets ripped off by sassy ace automobile booster Nina (a winning performance by the insanely foxy Linda Hamilton), who works for a stolen car ring run by the ruthless Ed Ryland (a nicely slimy Robert Vaughn). Quint has to break into Ryland's impregnable office building so he can steal back the Black Moon. Director Harvey Cokeless maintains a constant brisk pace and stages the action scenes with real rip-snorting brio. Lalo Schifrin's robust, rousing, jazzy score pumps up the tension. Misha Suslov's slick cinematography gives the film an attractive polished look. The bang-up supporting cast rates as another major plus: Richard Jaeckel as nerdy scientist Earl Windom, Bubba Smith as intimidating government agent Johnson, Lee Ving as vicious thug Marvin Ringer, Dan Shor as Windom's amiable assistant Billy Lyons, William Sanderson as sweet deaf guy Tyke Thayden, and Keenan Wynn as the ailing Iron John. Jones makes for a refreshingly human and vulnerable protagonist. The climactic break-in sequence is especially tense and gripping. Moreover, there's an amusingly sly sense of humor evident throughout. This tight, trim and witty B action thriller gets right down to brass tacks and hits the stirring spot in a satisfying straightforward and unpretentious manner.

I saw this in the theatre when it came out and remembered it fondly. I purchased a used DVD for five bucks and took it home and watched it. I knew I was in trouble when the opening screen said "strat movie" that' s supposed to be "start movie". It was pan and scan which I hate and looked like a direct transfer from video tape. It was some brand X Japanese company's version. The movie definitely had a TV feel to it. I'd forgotten that John Carpenter had a hand in it. The Black Moon of the title is an experimental super car which becomes a stash for Tommy Lee Jones' thief's ill-gotten tape of info purloined on behalf of the Gov. Linda Hamilton's character, looking a lot like Joan Crawford in some shots, steals the Black Moon along with a group of other cars for Robert(I'm The Man from Uncle, dammit!)Vaughn's Mr. Big. Tommy and Linda team up to get the car/tape back amidst hitandruns, beatings,hankypanky,and high-speed chases. I'm sorry but it just wasn't as good as I had remembered. The car itself was pretty cool and Tommy is always fun to watch. I see that there is a better version out now in widescreen so get that one and avoid the no frills cheapy. It's worth a look.