Road House

Released last month as a Deluxe Edition DVD, ROAD HOUSE is a film that is almost impossible to ignore. Whether considered good or bad, it is one of the few pictures that is easy to watch all the way through by almost any one who comes across it. It is a rare gem. The phrase "it's so bad that it's good" doesn't apply to ROAD HOUSE. It isn't so bad it's good, it's so bad it's great. It is the very definition of a guy movie. It contains brutal and bloody fist fights, frequent nudity, a rock n' roll sound track, some of the best cheesy dialogue ever written, fancy cars, gun-play, knives being thrown, and explosions. As a movie for guys, it's a 10, as a movie to be taken seriously, it's a 5. Every attempt at drama flounders, though it never completely ruins what is going on.

Although considered a box office failure when released in 1989, ROAD HOUSE quickly became a cult hit once it reached video. Finally giving in to the cult mania, MGM's new DVD version of ROAD HOUSE contains two commentaries: one from director Rowdy Herrington and one by filmmakers Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier who were called in to do the track after talking ROAD HOUSE on the tenth-anniversary DVD of CLERKS. Both commentaries are fun to listen to. Herrington's commentary is for those who want to know more about the flick and the Smith/Mosier commentary is for those that want a nice laugh at the expense of this cinematic marvel. Also included on the DVD is a look-back documentary and a short featurette on the direct-to-video sequel.

As an actual film: 5/10 As a campy guy film: 10/10

Patrick Swayze kicks ass, takes names, & loves the ladies!

Great action flick for Swayze to strut his stuff.

How has it taken me this long to see this film?

OK, this isn't Oscar material, it garnered six Razzie nominations instead. The acting leaves a lot to be desired, and the dialog is pure corn, but it fills the "guilty pleasure" category like a glove.

While others like Dirty Dancing, this movie will always define Patrick Swayze to me. In his memory, I will watch it over and over.

It will be the movie that reminds me of how attractive Kelly Lynch is.

It will remind me why I like Sam Elliott.

It will remind me why Ben Gazzara is perfect as Boss Hogg.

It's not art, it's pure entertainment, and why I will always remember Swayze.

Besides, it has one of the best soundtracks around.

Love it. No idea why but I keep coming back. Utter cheese but Swayze is awesome.

Maybe a guilty pleasure for me but during my childhood and to this day I really enjoy this movie.

A Patrick Swayze in a state of grace with role after role, which one is more iconic (remember that this movie is between Dirty Dancing and Ghost for example).

It has everything an 80's action movie had to have: violence, rock and roll, drama, romance and risque scenes.

It does not shine because of its script but rather the meme lies in the fact that everyone who approached the main character had a bad fate assured.

I really highlight the soundtrack with songs by Bob Seger, which is a personal weakness but with an incredible Jeff Healey and that every lover of a good electric guitar cannot ignore.

It hurts the remake and that damn Hollywood habit of wanting to bring old things to the present with the usual result: it's not the same.

Recommended for all lovers of this type of cinema.