Steinesongo
Too many fans seem to be blown away
Nonureva
Really Surprised!
Comwayon
A Disappointing Continuation
SanEat
A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."
Woodyanders
Cool van-driving stud Steve (handsome John Laughlin in his film debut) gets the hots for Anita (gorgeously buxom and shapely knockout Shelly Horner), who's the new girl in town. However, this doesn't go over well with his bitchy and jealous girlfriend Donna (venomously played to the snarky hilt by the cute Verkina Flower, the daughter of the one and only George "Buck" Flower), who sets Steve up by telling the police that he's a cocaine dealer. Donna covers her tracks by claiming that Anita ratted Steve out to the cops. This incurs the wrath of Steve's fellow van-driving buddies. Writer/director Bethal Buckalew covers all the pleasingly low-rent teensploitation bases: Unruly and undisciplined adolescents smoking pot, swilling beer, and making out, a satisfying smattering of tasty bare distaff skin, hot babes in bikinis, a ferocious catfight between Anita and Donna, laughably terrible acting by a lame no-name cast (only Laughlin went on to have a pretty decent career in the wake of starring in this movie), raunchy humor, several surprisingly mean-spirited moments (there are a couple of truly nasty attempted rapes), a token Asian gal who busts some karate moves, lots of shockingly un-PC sexism and male chauvinism, tin-eared dialogue laced with hopelessly dated 70's slang ("I don't wanna rap -- I wanna talk!"), and a neat variant on the usual chicken race called a "Drag-Out" which consists of two automobiles tied together by ropes playing a deadly game of tug of war over a steep precipice. Moreover, this flick serves as a nifty time capsule of the 70's Californian van and skateboarding scenes. Both Bill Schereck's funky-throbbing score and a handful of groovy songs by The Word hit the right-on happening spot. The competent cinematography by Willie E. Hines provides an attractive sunny look. An absolute cruddy riot.
InvasionofPALs
MAG WHEELS isn't as downbeat and sleazy as the innocent-sounding MALIBU HIGH from 1979, but isn't as airy and cheerful as MALIBU BEACH (1978), either. It falls somewhere in between. There's everything you might expect from this kind of movie: Girls in bikinis, custom vans, pick-up trucks, teen hangouts, skateboarding (at the Boogie Bowl) + lecherous bosses and a singular lack of plot. (Not that anyone watches these kind of movies because they're 'plot-heavy'!). The main female character in the movie, Anita, has a home life from Hell due to her complete jerk of a father. Her school life also takes an ugly turn after a fight in class with another girl and then finally she tries to stop a "drag-out" between rival factions of girls and boys at her school. That's it, you say? YES! And don't forget about the groovy tunes by the garage band "THE WORD", especially the 'Anita' song (which I still can't get out of my head . . . ). Remember, though, if you decide to watch this it isn't as light-hearted as the video box would lead you to believe. There is some definite darkness here and all in all the movie has a real mishmash of tone. But if you like '70's Drive-In Movies (I do!) then check it out. Also worth noting is that of all the movies I've ever watched -- and I've watched a lot of movies -- this has the singularly most screwed up "happy ending" I've ever seen. Released in a BIG box by Active Home Video in 1985 under the re-title "SUMMER SCHOOL".
shark-43
This film is so inept, so awful that it is amazingly entertaining. Hack director Bethel Buckelew who made some money with sleazy drive-in hits like Pigkeeper's Daughter (where one wants to shower immediately after watching it)he decides to move to the beaches of Cal-y-fornia where there a busty babes, vans, pick up trucks, pot smoking, bad acting, endless scenes of frizzy haired teens skateboarding at the teen hang-out The Boogie Bowl and, oh yes, some very unpleasant rape scenes. The acting is hilariously off, flubbed lines, badly shot van chases and a rock score with songs that scream out "Lounge Act"!!! For fans who love trash and cheese, this one is for you.
filmo70
Anybody who use to watch USA Network's show UP ALL NIGHT in the late 1980's has probably seen this movie. I recently had the fortune of getting an original VHS copy.This is a must see for anybody looking for a cheesy movie about teenagers who drive vans and pick-ups, hang out at the beach, skateboard at the Boogie Bowl and party at the lake. The story revolves around a new girl at school and the tension she causes when the local stud falls for her. The characters are completely addicted to using the phrase "shine it" and the best line of the movie comes from a tuff chick who after being put down emphatically says "I'm Jill, Fly Me!".Directed by Southern skin flick legend Bethel Buckalew. Summer School does not appear to be the original title but a new name for the video release. After reading a review for Buckalew's film "Mag Wheels" they are the same movie and this is probably the original title.