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"A Place Called Today" is a rather bad and obscure but curiously fascinating 70s flick, and the more I contemplate about it, the happier I am to have stumbled upon a decent copy (because it is very rare...). It's not exactly a full-blooded Blaxploitation film, but more like a black political thriller/action movie, modeled after "In the Heat of the Night" and the underrated "...tick...tick...tick...".
First things first, though, the direction is truly terrible! Don Schain takes the worst possible decisions when it comes to camera angles, actors' management, and camera positions. But then again, the persona of writer/director Schain is also one of the main reasons why "A Place Called Today" turns out such a mysterious movie. I never heard of him before, but before and after this film Schain apparently only made sleazy sexploitation movies. Kind of like Russ Meyer or Andy Sidaris, always starring his muse Cheri Caffaro and with titles like "Girls are for Loving" and "Too Hot to Handle". Maybe it's just me, but I find it intriguing how someone like Schain suddenly gets the idea to write and direct a politically engaging and talkative (but admittedly still very sleazy) social drama about racial tensions in a big city.
The plot is worth narrating, for sure. In a nameless city (don't believe it's actually called "Today") the mayor elections are approaching, and the brave black attorney Randy Johnson puts himself forward as candidate. Worried that the rich, old and white mayor will triumph again, he hires a couple of goons to bomb buildings and raise mayhem on the streets at night, so that he can revolve his entire campaign around how's the only man who can end the fear and violence. Media news anchor Ron Carton, who sleeps with beautiful girls supporting both political camps, suspects that Johnson is behind the explosions, but he still suspects he's right man for the job.
The film has quite a lot in common with an actual election battle, in fact. There's a lot of blah blah, empty promises, and endless speeches. Yet, certain sequences are unforgettable and must be seen to be believed. Blond bimbo Caffaro's speech in front of a crowd of construction workers, for example, is probably the most sexist and anti-#MeToo footage in history. Caffaro has several memorable moments and lines, by the way, like: "all the money in the world couldn't give me happiness, but this man's (insert male reproduction organ here) does". For the climax, Schain reveals his true colors, as it's nasty and perverted, with an explicit rape and a couple of bloody executions. Happy election day!
First things first, though, the direction is truly terrible! Don Schain takes the worst possible decisions when it comes to camera angles, actors' management, and camera positions. But then again, the persona of writer/director Schain is also one of the main reasons why "A Place Called Today" turns out such a mysterious movie. I never heard of him before, but before and after this film Schain apparently only made sleazy sexploitation movies. Kind of like Russ Meyer or Andy Sidaris, always starring his muse Cheri Caffaro and with titles like "Girls are for Loving" and "Too Hot to Handle". Maybe it's just me, but I find it intriguing how someone like Schain suddenly gets the idea to write and direct a politically engaging and talkative (but admittedly still very sleazy) social drama about racial tensions in a big city.
The plot is worth narrating, for sure. In a nameless city (don't believe it's actually called "Today") the mayor elections are approaching, and the brave black attorney Randy Johnson puts himself forward as candidate. Worried that the rich, old and white mayor will triumph again, he hires a couple of goons to bomb buildings and raise mayhem on the streets at night, so that he can revolve his entire campaign around how's the only man who can end the fear and violence. Media news anchor Ron Carton, who sleeps with beautiful girls supporting both political camps, suspects that Johnson is behind the explosions, but he still suspects he's right man for the job.
The film has quite a lot in common with an actual election battle, in fact. There's a lot of blah blah, empty promises, and endless speeches. Yet, certain sequences are unforgettable and must be seen to be believed. Blond bimbo Caffaro's speech in front of a crowd of construction workers, for example, is probably the most sexist and anti-#MeToo footage in history. Caffaro has several memorable moments and lines, by the way, like: "all the money in the world couldn't give me happiness, but this man's (insert male reproduction organ here) does". For the climax, Schain reveals his true colors, as it's nasty and perverted, with an explicit rape and a couple of bloody executions. Happy election day!
- Coventry
- 13 de mai. de 2022
- Link permanente
This flick being shot in Newark is all about racial matters about a black lawyer becoming a major. It's almost all talking that you will confront but still even as it isn't that good after all it is still on the wish list of so many film geeks out there.
therefor are a few reasons, Don Schain the director was know for making sleazy flicks just like this one but became a well known producer like for example the High School Musical franchise. On the other hand, Cheri Caffaro, is here to see and does what she does best, going full frontal a few times so that's also a reason why some are searching this flick due this cult actress. And last, Lana Wood is in it, sister from Nathalie Wood. And surprisingly she goes naked too.
As said, sleazy it becomes towards the last 20 minutes due the rape scene. A Place Called Today shows how the US was back then full of racism and not everybody going free of being a racist, black or white. And the corruption going on. It's hard to sit it trough due the talking going on. But on the other hand, such flicks are out of order nowadays. Only available on NTSC VHS and really hard to get.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 1/5 Effects 0/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5
therefor are a few reasons, Don Schain the director was know for making sleazy flicks just like this one but became a well known producer like for example the High School Musical franchise. On the other hand, Cheri Caffaro, is here to see and does what she does best, going full frontal a few times so that's also a reason why some are searching this flick due this cult actress. And last, Lana Wood is in it, sister from Nathalie Wood. And surprisingly she goes naked too.
As said, sleazy it becomes towards the last 20 minutes due the rape scene. A Place Called Today shows how the US was back then full of racism and not everybody going free of being a racist, black or white. And the corruption going on. It's hard to sit it trough due the talking going on. But on the other hand, such flicks are out of order nowadays. Only available on NTSC VHS and really hard to get.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 1/5 Effects 0/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5
- trashgang
- 16 de nov. de 2017
- Link permanente
One of the few Cheri Caffaro movies. Yes, she gets tied up again and abducted nude wrapped up in a sleeping bag. The movie is very heavy-handed in what's supposed to be social comment for the early 70s. Altogether pretty dismal for a movie, except for when Ms. Caffaro is on. Even Lana Wood (Natalie's sister) can't do much. Still, I picked the tape up used for five dollars so I don't feel too badly
- spotter-8
- 2 de set. de 1999
- Link permanente