tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934787162311039470.post4781073246491736579..comments2024-03-16T12:05:20.781+01:00Comments on A Wasted Life: Combat Shock / American Nightmare (USA, 1986)Abrahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126027036169180235noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934787162311039470.post-33822508255850690862009-07-20T19:30:31.533+02:002009-07-20T19:30:31.533+02:00Oops! I just saw that (according to IMBD), Ricky G...Oops! I just saw that (according to IMBD), Ricky G. was the star of the film, playing Frankie Dunlan... so I was/am right about the music being supplied by the movie's star...<br />BryinAbrahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15126027036169180235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934787162311039470.post-78333995114148384782009-07-20T19:25:07.238+02:002009-07-20T19:25:07.238+02:00Hi Jesse,
Thanks for your feedback. It’s always ni...Hi Jesse,<br />Thanks for your feedback. It’s always nice to find out that people not only actually read this Blog, but pay attention while doing so.<br />You’re right about the music being supplied by Buddy’s brother. Dunno where I got my “facts” way back when I wrote the review way in 2001, but IMDB says you’re right. Nice to know that “Ricky G” has gotten better with age and experience, 'cause what he did for Combat Shock was/is really typically low budget 80s awful. (Talk about a big jump, though: From Combat Shock to Horton Hears a Who!... Still, he doesn’t actually seem to do all that much composing anymore, even if does obviously have a decent career in the industry.<br />In regard to Bruce “Born in the USA” Springsteen, I would say you are technically right but miss the reality of the situation. You are obviously one of the few, the proud, the brave that still know or remember what his song was/is about. Whatever the lyrics as a whole might be, however, the song itself — and its archetypical, defining line and riff — has long been re-appropriated by the masses as THE song expressing American patriotism and aural confirmation of the American Dream. If you go to a rally or event anywhere and hear this song (again, usually in an abbreviated version), you can be sure nobody there is thinking about the wrongs done to the Vietnam Vet. (Just like no US American, when hearing the The Star-Spangled Banner, ever thinks of The Anacreontic Song even if they do think about having a nice cold beer after the fireworks.) <br />It is this new, re-appropriated meaning of the song that I was referring to and thus I not only see my reference to Springsteen as valid, but also see that given song as his biggest artistic failure…<br />Not that I actually like his music in general in the first place, but despite my personal tastes I do see him as a serious musician and, at times, a damned good composer and lyricist.<br />Anyway, time to post some new reviews...<br />Thanx again for the feedback!<br />BryinAbrahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15126027036169180235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934787162311039470.post-68184682180749120212009-07-19T06:36:28.304+02:002009-07-19T06:36:28.304+02:00Also:
"The music, supplied by the film's...Also:<br /><br />"The music, supplied by the film's star, is unbelievably bad in a way only a low budget, 1980’s synth score can be."<br /><br />It was actually his brother Ricky that supplied the music. He's gone on to have quite the career:<br /><br />http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002850/Jessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09651646610491546306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934787162311039470.post-75593474189123963832009-07-19T06:24:57.982+02:002009-07-19T06:24:57.982+02:00"In all likelihood, no one in this movie woul..."In all likelihood, no one in this movie would sing along with a Bruce Springsteen paean to the American way of life."<br /><br />If you're talking about "Born in the USA," you're way off. that song is about the plight of Vietnam veterans. Other than that, good review.<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_in_the_U.S.A._%28song%29Jessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09651646610491546306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934787162311039470.post-34140237162764522452009-05-28T20:18:27.071+02:002009-05-28T20:18:27.071+02:00great review! balanced, thoughtful and entertainin...great review! balanced, thoughtful and entertaining.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com