Speed Racer rockets into theaters this weekend, although the initial response sounds like Fred Flinstone in the foot-pedaled Jurassic car has a better chance at blowing past the competition than the Wachowski Brothers latest flick. That’s a real shame, because it ends a run that includes their Matrix trilogy and the Wachowski produced V for Vendetta on the awesome scale.
If the movie flops, it isn’t because the concept isn’t a good one. NASCAR fans can testify that racing is an entertaining pastime. Although I have to admit I don’t see the appeal of it as a “sport,” racing can make for good movies, especially if people start to fight dirty, load their cars with fictional gadgetry, and battle it out for first place. You know, just like Speed Racer.
This week’s double feature takes you to the races for two fun-filled escapades, with one of the best supplemental lists we’ve ever had, in case you want to add another lap to your Friday night. And the race is on!
Death Race 2000
Roger Corman is practically the patron saint of Friday Night Double Features, with enough guilty pleasure movies to keep less-picky film buffs busy for weeks. It may not carry the highest production values, but Death Race is one of Corman’s best. Starring David Carridine and Sylvester Stallone (in one of his first mainstream roles), the movie showcases a future race where the participants are competing with each other, but also trying to mow down pedestrians for bonus points. We talk about how violent some of today’s video games are, but I guarantee quite a few of them got their inspiration from this movie. How can you not be entertained by a race that features a bonus round of geriatric round-ups being abandoned on the road? The remake with Jason Statham sounds like it’s changed the premise quite a bit and added quite a bit of polish, but there’s something visceral about the low production values and basic story of the original Death Race that I just don't expect to be duplicated anytime soon.
The Great Race
I’ve been in the mood for something classic this week, and The Great Race more than fits the bill. Tony Curtis makes a great protagonist, even if his pronunciation of “automobile” gets tiresome quickly. The real scene stealers, however, are Jack Lemmon and Peter Falk as antagonists Professor Fate and Max. The last time I saw this movie, I didn’t even realize Fate was played by Lemmon, the actor disappears so thoroughly into the comedic villain, and Falk moves about as far away from Columbo as possible as the bumbling sidekick. This is one of those movies that is an enjoyment to watch, but also causes that small sting that can only come from “they don’t make them like this anymore” fever. I mean, car races, train chases, classic slapstick comedy, and even a pie fight to boot? How can you not love The Great Race.
Additional laps: Vanishing Point, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, The Cannonball Run, Around the World in 80 Days, The Love Bug
Enjoy our Double Feature suggestions? and maybe we’ll use them in a future column.
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