The First Power (1990)
First up is a demonic action thriller that feels straight out of the 80s in all the ways you would hope for. Satan has created the perfect killer, one who cannot be stopped in The First Power from 1990 starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Traci Griffith and Jeff Kober. Written and directed by Robert Resnikoff.
The First Power is a fun supernatural thriller that blends horror, crime, action, and the occult into a nostalgic ride through the grim streets of Los Angeles. Director Robert Resnikoff infuses the film with a gritty, at times noirish feel, complete with shadowy alleys, ominous rituals, and a continual sense of dread that works so well in the favor of the film’s entertainment value. Phillips delivers a solid performance, convincingly portraying a man who is pushed to his limits by an enemy he can barely comprehend, let alone defeat. Then there’s Kober whose portrayal of the resurrected killer is chilling. He’s clearly enjoying this role; his manic energy adds a layer of unpredictability to the film’s suspense. And The First Power’s blend of crime thriller, horror, and action offers something different from the typical slasher and action fare of the era, making it an underrated entry in the genre. Despite some comical overacting by Tracy Griffith.
Career Opportunities (1991)
Next up is a maximum comedy, at minimum wage when the town storyteller takes the job no one wanted and ended up with the girl everyone did in 1991s Career Opportunities starring Frank Whaley, Jennifer Connelly and Dermot Mulroney from the mind of John Hughes, directed by Bryan Gordon.
Now Career Opportunities is far from John Hughes’ best work. In fact, he let it be known he wanted his name removed from this movie upon its release. However, despite its limitations it’s still a charming little comedy with a jovial energy that can lure you in. I remember seeing this movie so many times as a kid with dreams of working nights at Target. It made overnights at the department store look fun because there’s natural charisma from the performance for Whaley that you can’t help but love. Sure, he’s a little too much Ferris Bueller in spots but Whaley makes the character his own, his delivery of his tall tales is amusing, and you never know what the guy will say next. Then you get Connelly who also has her moments. Admittedly her character is underwritten and after the montages, and collection of jokes, the story doesn’t know what to do with itself but regardless this is a lovable comedic gem from the early 90s.
Mo’ Money (1992)
This comedy follows a con man who can resist anything but love and money. Something he must end up choosing between in Peter MacDonald’s Mo’ Money from 1992 written by and starring Daman Wayans, along with his little brother Marlon Wayans, as well as Stacey Dash and John Deihl.
Mo Money is an energized movie that delivers a blend of full throttle comedy, with high energy action and a perfect 90s soundtrack. Admittedly this one plays like an extended music video, but I think it helps give the film an engaging atmosphere that makes all the excess of style, action, laughs, and melodrama a fun-loving adventure with a swift pace. Damon Wayans blends his relentless humor with a capable action persona. He does feel a little too cool under pressure which doesn’t help the already artificial feel of the plot but it’s not a dealbreaker. He and his brother Marlon are hilarious. They effortlessly sell the fast-talking street hustler personas and as they get in over their head in this CC scheme it is surface level but plenty engaging. Stacy Dash is stunning, so it’s easy to understand forging CCs to impress her. I watched this movie so many times in the second run theater, then at home on cable. It’s stylish, it’s sexy, and it still entertains today.
Aspen Extreme (1993)
This action drama follows a couple of small-town friends looking to discover the spirit of skiing. End up finding wealth and seduction teaching them that in Aspen skiing is the easy part in 1993’s Aspen Extreme starring Paul Gross, Peter Berg, and Teri Polo. Written and directed by Patrick Hasburgh.
I think Aspen Extreme is a heavily undermentioned film when it comes to sports dramas. Sure, it delivers an excess of melodrama but that isn’t to say this story, its plot beats, and character arcs are not written with heartfelt sincerity and authenticity. This movie captures a journey of friendship and cuts it with the determination of striving for a better life, as well as showing how taking a chance can go wrong. The movie does have contrasting tones. There are some dark, and intentionally heavy-handed moments, then there are some blatantly superficial ones, and it may not work for everyone. This movie plays on your elementary level emotions but that’s also why it’s so easy to get lost in. Gross and Berg are both natural for their roles, their chemistry captures the bond between them. Polo really cements the cast with a grounded performance, much like Berg who has a tough go in this movie. Plus, the skiing action is excellently shot resulting in a movie that delivers a bit of it all for the genre.
Reality Bites (1994)
Next up is a coming-of-age comedy about love in the 90s when a filmmaker and her Gen X friends navigate post college life in Reality Bites from 1994 starring Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, and Ben Stiller who also directed.
When this movie was released, Stiller steered away from the Gen X label in hopes of appealing to a wider audience. But there’s no denying Reality Bites is a young adult Gen X story and a damn good one as it explores the lives of post college friends and the next steps of their lives. This movie resonated with me so much. I remember seeing this one when I was a junior in high school, and it really connected with me as a kid who didn’t really know what his place in the world was supposed to be. There is a little something in each of these characters to connect with, so you can invest in this group and with smart writing that doesn’t try to embellish for the sake of melodrama you can immerse yourself in the real-life vibe of these plot layers. The performances overall are fantastic, not perfect, which actually is perfect for these grounded characters. Stiller’s direction is intimate and inviting and the music is the energizer of it all to result in a film that has gone on to become a certified cult classic for good reason.
Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
Now this is a feature-length film based on the HBO anthology series and centers on a group of people trapped in a rundown church on the night a powerful presence shows itself in 1995s Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight starring Jada Pinkett before she was Smith’ed, William Sadler, Dick Miller, and Billy Zane from director Ernest R. Dickerson.
It’s hard to pull off horror and comedy in one movie, many try, many fail but Demon Knight to me is one that succeeds with a bold vibrant lived in story that can easily lure you in. This movie also thrives with its ominous atmosphere. The dark, rainy settings and singular location are perfect for a fast-moving story that can keep you on edge. The ensemble cast is great for the needs of this plot, and everyone gets their moments to shine. Sure, you can assume who the easily expendable characters are but there are still plenty of surprises as the intensity ramps up and the body count increases. But really where I think this movie shines is with its over the top zeal. Demon Knight knows what it is, and it goes all in. The quieter moments are driven by the cast and just enough character plotting and it’s cut with intense surges of violence and spectacle. The carnage is delightfully sadistic, the humor is as well, and this movie still rocks.
The Trigger Effect (1996)
This moody dramatic thriller is set in the aftermath of a massive blackout as people reconsider what it necessary, what is questionable and what is legal to survive in David Koepp’s The Trigger Effect from 1996 starring Elisabeth Shue, Kyle MacLachlan, Dermot Mulroney, Richard Jones, and Michael Rooker.
This is a movie that will not be to everyone’s taste. It was given a limited release back in 96 and while it does explore the concept of humans being unable to cohabit without technology. Some may view this exploration as one that delivers a great potential idea, only to follow through on it with a surface level lens. I will admit the focal characters are underwritten and the finale doesn’t go as hard as it should have. However, despite the sanitized closing I do think The Trigger Effect provides an engrossing 90% of a movie. There’s a surreal uneasiness about this movie that works in its favor, as you constantly feel like something bad is going to happen. I remember seeing this back in the theater with a girl I liked. We didn’t know what it was about but gave it a shot and while it didn’t grab me then, as I’ve gotten older, I do think it’s a great film when you’re in the mood for an extremely grounded story that sort of plays like real life without the studio spectacle.
Money Talks (1997)
This comedy showcases a charming cast when a street hustler on the run from cops and criminals strikes a deal with a TV newsman whose career has started to flounder in exchange for protection in 1997s Money Talks starring Charlie Sheen, Chris Tucker, Heather Locklear, and Paul Sorvino.
This was a movie that was not so well received by critics when it was released, and I will admit this movie with this plot and theme of comedy came out maybe a decade too late. But Money Talks is still a delightfully silly comedy that delivers plenty of mindless laughs. Tucker is certainly driving the comedic tone, but Sheen showcases his comedic timing as well. They aren’t the best duo overall, and I do think their best moments are individual, but they still infuse this silly comedy with the needed humor. Paul Sorvino lands a few laughs. Heather Locklear makes the most of a basic character and overall, the fast pace of this movie works in its favor. It isn’t a laugh out loud comedy, but it does lay the groundwork for a free-spirited and lighthearted action comedy that lands more laughs than it whiffs on. And sure, this movie is by the numbers and relatively predictable but it’s an easily consumable comedy that you can have fun with for a tight 96 minutes.
Very Bad Things (1998)
This next dark comedy follows a group of friends who head to Vegas for the bachelor party of their lives. But when a prostitute is accidentally killed, they all turn on each other in Very Bad Things from 1998 written and directed by Peter Berg, starring Christian Slater, Daniel Stern, Cameron Diaz, and Jon Favreau.
This movie was a financial and critical flop, and many would say it’s deservedly so. However, I contend if you look at Very Bad Things as a horror comedy and not simply a dark comedy then the mean-spirited humor does land in a more defiantly jovial way. This one is way over the top. It’s super violent and unsettling and it will turn many off. But on the other side of the coin this movie has a sharp sadistic sense of humor, the performances go all in, and its unrelenting lack of morality is something you can easily laugh at while still not really liking any of the characters. To me though that’s the point. Very Bad Things is set in a hyper-realistic setting that spirals out of control in even more hyper realistic ways, just getting worse and worse. I remember bringing this movie to a girl’s house that I was really into at the time. She was a tad reserved but it had Slater and Diaz in it, so I figured what the hell. Needless to say, this movie can still entertain all these years later in an absurd way, but I never heard from that girl again.
Go (1999)
This next movie delivers a bit of it all after a botched drug deal is explored from three different points of view in Doug Liman’s crime comedy Go from 1999 starring a great ensemble featuring Sarah Polley, Jay Mohr, Scott Wolf, Katie Holmes, Taye Diggs, Timothy Olyphant and many others.
Movies built of separate stories, or points of view all running at the same time can often run into issues. Most notably being continuity. Doug Liman’s Go on the contrary is a masterclass in telling multiple angles of the same event that are able to connect with precision when the time comes. First, Go has a fantastic ensemble cast. There are so many familiar faces in this film and with such a broad variety of personalities there’s someone for everyone to connect with. But what makes this movie great is the smart writing, the clever humor and the tight pacing. This movie shoots out of the gate and from there it throws many story layers at you, each with their own mood, and all filled with their own interesting characters. This all set to high energy music from the era makes Go a roller coaster ride of screw-up, close calls, bad choices, with a variety of comedic tones that still make it a movie unlike few others after all these years.
Anthony J. Digioia II © 2025 SilverScreen Analysis & Movies Never Say Die
