Porky's and Star Trek

Last night I sat down and watched a DVD I got from the public library. I hadn't seen it since it first hit VHS more then 26 years ago. It's about friendship loyalty, antisemitism, racism, and the trouble of finding a bad guy that can make a bunch of horny kids of little distinction seem like heroes. A local brothel in the 1950's, run by the brother of a corrupt Sherrif whose station is next door, is run with little concern for repeat business. Customers may return, but usually to seek revenge. The unlikely system is that Mr. Porky has located his strip club in a free standing structure suspended over water for no apparent reason other than to give Porky a place to dump people. Apparently the regular clientelle don't mind their strippers right beside the police department. The third act of the film is the most entertaining and upbeat, and Porky makes a perfect punching bag as an antagonist so bad and mean that he defies logic or motivation of any kind. Basically he is fat and mean without a bit of business sense. He of course is balanced out by Ms Ballbricker as the minor heavy and her petty tyranny at the school railing against anyone who has sex. It's a formula that obviously worked but on reflection even the turning of the tables with their "good" police officer and the community inexplicably coming together seems a little starry-eyed. It reminds me of perhaps the one good line in the awful "It's Pat," while seeing if they have anything in common Pat's mate Chris says, "You know what I'm against? Senseless evil." Porky is a fat man who seems to have aquired riches by antagonizing potential customers from the nearest town. At least with Ballbricker one look at her explains why she hates youth, pretty girls, and peeping penises.

Star Trek (2009) I saw at the first Toronto matinee I was aware of, only because I was unaware there had been screenings the previous day. D'oh! In a couple of places my eyes glazed over a bit listening to time travel and black holes being explained, but those were brief and the movie itself has momentum to get past it. Knowing the original crew characters will be an advantage, since much of the fun is in the subtle recognition of habits and moves or quips we know. But it is almost more of a homage to Nicholas Meyer's Wrath of Khan and The Undiscovered Country going by what is referenced. Although I am assured that there are more references to the TV series, which sounds reasonable enough. If people haven't seen any Star Trek and want to be up to speed, The Naked Time, and Space Seed episodes from the original series, then the Features The Wrath of Khan, The Search for Spock, The Voyage Home and The Undiscovered Country in that order will be excellent preparation for the new Star Trek. I have no idea whether it plays as well for people who don't know the characters. They might feel on the outside of an inside joke. The main thing is that at least the evil antagonist here has a grudge we can understand, which will be apparent when you see it. Good logical flick.