A Night in Heaven (1983)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Truly Dreadful Film

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

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

When you're a teenage boy, you watch this for one reason - the sex stuff. However, as a grown man who has seen a lot of John G. Avildsen's films, you begin to appreciate what they were getting at. A lot of John G. Avildsen's films are about relationships; their beginnings, their struggles, and, in many cases, their resolutions involving one party being redeemed and receiving forgiveness from another. Examples are Rocky's and Adrian's confession of love to one another, Daniel and Myagi's constantly growing father/son friendship, and, even, Daniel earning the respect of Johnny at the end of the Karate Kid. This film is, actually, no different, but it is perhaps not as sophisticated in its execution. I can watch this movie with a greater sense of appreciation; especially, once you get to the end of the film to see a wonderful example of unconditional love and forgiveness.

I remember when the "Ladies Night" in clubs with male strippers became popular.One scene in "Mr Mom" and this entire movie made the male stripping industry for females really take off.Afterwards Every TV sitcom of the 80's on had at least one episode with the male stars doing a strip and the females stars catching them and dragging them off the stage or going crazy and spending tons of money like Peg Bundy. That said this movie was corny.Only because Christopher Atkins was the boniest,non-dancing male stripper I've ever seen.Clearly he was chosen to capitalize on the "teen hunk" factor and "The Blue Lagoon" movie which he starred.Lesley Warren is dressed like a school marm in the 1880's until she gets a make-over up by a girlfriend to hit the club and snap!She's a hot mama in a snazzy red dress with her hair down and plenty of make-up on.What she doesn't know is a student she flunked recently (Chris) is the star stripper in the club she goes to and he knocks her off her feet with a super sexy kiss.Oh yeah-She's married to a fuddy-duddy older than she is. It's an okay film to catch on cable.Just don't expect any deep acting by anyone and you'll be fine.

Here's another movie that gets a bad rep. What happens is every 10 years or so a film comes along tailor made for women (and gay men) and people (most likely straight men) go berserk. They weren't trying to remake Gone With The Wind but were simply trying to please the audience with the assets and charms of that beautiful 1980s underrated heart-throb Christopher Atkins. Forever regulated to "the blonde haired guy in the Brooke Shields movie"(the Blue Lagoon), this was his chance to shine. And he DOES! But of course, men reviewers and maybe some uptight female ones slammed the movie. It is actually entertaining with a good and subdued performance from Lesley Ann Warren not playing her usual "nervous broad" type role here. There is even a featured role by 1970s and 1980s Dance Fever host Deney Terio. The chemistry between Chris and Lesley is incredible and undeniable. Their sex scene is like a taking a peak in real life....was that a tongue he slipped her? Awesome soundtrack featuring the song Heaven by Bryan Adams and an early version of the hit song Obsession, later to be recorded by Animotion. But the real star is of course Christopher. What he is presumed to have lacked in thespian quality he more than makes up for, not only with his gorgeous looks, but also charisma. He never wanted to be Spencer Tracy...he simply wanted to entertain us...and in A Night In Heaven - he DOES! Viva Atkins!

It just cracks me right up when people mention "A Night in Heaven" and the word "plot" in the same sentence. Yeeping yimminy, take a look at the box cover! All they ever promised us was Chris Atkins in his Xanadu disco-slut-wear, pulsating and gyrating and waving his goodies at the camera. A male nudie flick. That's what they promised us, and that's what we got!Mr. Blue Lagoon prances about the entire movie wearing nothing more than a cheap self-tanner and dental floss. The direction is nothing more than an endless string of tight close-up shots of Mr. Atkins' generously lathered nether-regions. Pure smut. That's what they promised us, and that's what we got!Word of caution: This flick is where that "Obsession" song came from ("I will have you, yes I will have you..wah wah wah...") It's not the Animotion version either, it's, gasp ...even worse. It sounds like it was recorded at one of those amusement park "You be a Star!" karaoke-style "recording studios". Shudder.But that's irrelevant. As is the acting, the cinematography, the editing, the lighting and most of all Lesley Ann Warren. "A Night in Heaven" is all about an oiled-down Atkins, a few clutzy dance moves, and a skimpy boy-toy thong. That's what they promised us, and that's what we got.Yay them!