Czechs Love Chuck!

Here in the U.S., we get Brit-babe Catherine Zeta Jones and Luke Wilson hawking cell phone services. In the Czech Replublic, Chuck Norris is the pitchman for T-Mobile! Who would have thought that the Republican karate man would have a following over there? According to this Huffington Post article...complete with videos...Chuck's 1980s movies were smuggled into the country. Since then, he's remained an institution.

"Get Crazy" on New Year's Eve!

Well, it's that time of the year again. You can either go out to some bar, party or gala...or, crack open a cold one and watch TV. If you decide on the latter, THIS is hosting the ultimate New Year's Eve party tonight with a presentation of "Get Crazy."

This 1983 cult classic is a great party movie. The plot focuses on rock promoter Max Wolfe (Allen Garfield) -- kind of a Bill Graham-type figure -- who is hosting a blowout NYE concert at his Saturn Theater. Threatening the festivties is corporate mogul Colin Beverly (Ed Begley Jr.). In spite of any challenges, the show must go on. Almost all genres are represented: punk from the crazed Piggy (Lee Ving from Fear), blues from King Blues, rock from Reggie Wanker (Malcolm McDowell) and flower power from Captain Cloud (the Turtles' Howard Kaylan). Other musicians rounding out the cast are Lou Reed, Fabian, Bobby Sherman and Doors drummer John Densmore. Who would have ever thought these guys would appear in a movie together???

There is a very good chance that some classic scenes will be cut from this broadcast version of the movie including the robot pusher and a walking-talking joint.

It's directed by Allan Arkush, the genius behind "Rock n' Roll High School." Enjoy!

Trucker Chuck Kicks Ass on IFC!!!

Okay, I am back from a holiday hiatus. If you're still on Xmas break or need to DVR/TiVo some viewing material for New Year's weekend, look to IFC.

Tonight, everyone's favorite Republican martial artist Chuck Norris goes gonzo in "Breaker! Breaker!" The film airs today at 4:45 p.m. (CST).

This one of the countless 1970s movies that capitalized on the era's C.B. craze. This might be the only one that integrates karate into trucker culture. It's also one of the many southern-themed films with a plot that focuses on crooked cops taking advantage of the innocent.

David Lynch fans take note. One of the director's regular casting choices, Jack "Eraserhead" Nance, stars alongside the Chuckster.

Hail 'Black Caesar'!

"Black Caesar" is the film that sparked the incredible film career of former football star Fred "The Hammer" Williamson. It's also up there with "Shaft" and "Superfly" as one of blaxploitation's most iconic films.

Stay up late tonight and check it out on RetroPlex or set the DVR and watch it Xmas morning. Either way, this is classic 70s cinema that shouldn't be missed.

The plot follows Tommy Gibbs (Williamson), a small-time hood who becomes a mob king. His rise to power isn't a smooth trip, and Gibbs soon loses sight of where he came from. It's an old story and one that's been told zillions of times, but this tale is told with a pulstating James Brown soundtrack!

Directed by B-movie master Larry Cohen, "Black Caesar" spawned an even better sequel..."Hell Up in Harlem."

The action begins at 10:45 p.m. (CST) on Retroplex.

Boris Karloff's Creepiest Movie

Targets (Theatrical Trailer)
Uploaded by NakedBrotha2007. - Classic TV and last night's shows, online.


Peter Bogdanovich's "Targets" marked one of the the final screen appearances of screen legend Boris Karloff. In this feature, Karloff plays aging horror star Byron Orlock who comes to face-to-face with a modern day monster -- a crazed sniper. This late 1960s classic is available courtesty of Flix at 9:30 a.m., tomorrow, Dec. 23.

This movie was released following Charles Whitman's rampage at the University of Texas, so it offered audiences a different (and very realistic) type of horror film. It may very well strike a chord with contemporary viewers as well considering recent tragedies such as those at Fort Hood and Columbine High School.

Street Fighter Marathon on HBO!!

Set the DVRs to HBO Zone! A marathon of "Street Fighter" movies kicks off a 12:10 a.m. (CST) Record these classics and save them for X-mas viewing this weekend.

Included in this chop-socky buffet are Sonny Chiba classics "The Street Fighter," "Return of the Street Fighter," "Sister Street Fighter" and (not part of the series and not starring Chiba...but still worth watching) "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Lee."

Monday Night Jiggle Fest

Have Flix? Then, set your DVR for a genuine jiggle fest featuring three beach movies: Lifeguard, Hot Resort and The Bikini Shop.

Lifeguard (9:05 p.m., CST) is the most serious of the three B-bikini flicks. Sam Elliot stars as Rick, a thirtysomething with no ambitions other than being a lifeguard. After attending his high school reunion and reuniting with an old flame (the hot Anne Archer), he begins to reevaluate his life.

Hot Resort (10:45 p.m., CST) has been sitting in my DVR for about a week already. It sounds like the typical 1980s comedy. The plot focuses on some guys who take jobs at a Caribbean resort then find themselves at odds with a gang of snobs. Of course, what better way to settle differences than with a rowing contest?? Sounds like any 80s ski/river/surfing/skating film, BUT it stars Frank "Riddler" Gorshin! So, it has to be cool.

The Bikini Shop (12:30 p.m., CST) is the story of two brothers who inherit a swimsuit shop on a California beach. One of the bros (played by now serious actor Bruce Greenwood) is a party animal while the other has just graduated from business school. They come up with crazy ways to keep the store alive and pick up babes in the process.

Sunday Drive-In Double Feature

Once again, the Weekend Drive-In applauds cable movie channel THIS.

THIS is a great source for B-movies and forgotten TV shows, and today, it offers back-to-back classics. So, chill some beer and select your favorite frozen pizza for "Frogs" at 2 p.m. (CST) and "Dr. Phibes Rises Again" at 4 p.m. (CST).

"Frogs" is one of the many eco-message horror flicks of the 1970s. I've never understood why it's called "Frogs" because nearly every reptile and animal in the movie goes berserk. Ray Milland stars as an asshole plantation owner with no regard for nature. The guy lives on a bayou but hates lizards, snakes and frogs. So, he orders someone to spray poison around his property to kill every reptile and amphibian.

His family is gathering on his estate for an annual Fourth of July bash, but they soon get slimy fireworks when every swamp creature in the area runs amok. Look for a pre-moustache Sam Elliot as the studly hero and pre- botox Joan Van Ark as the screaming damsel in distress.

Next up is drive-in legend Vincent Price in "Dr. Phibes Rises Again," the sequel to "The Abominable Dr. Phibes." Phibes is a disfigured, twisted genius bent on resurrecting his deceases wife. Anyone who gets in his way is likely to meet a bizarre death. In the first film, he used the Old Testament as a guide for destroying his foes. Find out what Phibes has in store for his enemires today.

Superman On Demand

Superman fans (who have Comcast) can enjoy a Man of Steel marathon. Encore On Demand is offering superfans the first four "Superman" films.

For some reason, the Weekend Drive-In has an appreciation for "Superman III." Fanboys might scoff, but this odd entry in the super series has its moments. Sure, Richard Pryor was an odd casting choice for this sequel, and Rober Vaughn is not Gene Hackman. Still, I prefer the film's slapstick comic tone to the romantic feel of the first two. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Missing from the super movies is 2006's depressing and overly long "Superman Returns."

Of course, fans has to wait 20 years for that super dud. For a while, however, there were rumblings in the late 1990s about a Tim Buron/Kevin Smith collaboration titled "Superman Lives." The production's backstory is pretty interesting considering that the film would have featured a cameo by Michael Keaton as Batman and that Supes (played by Nic Cage) would NOT have worn his traditional costume. Instead, he would have worn a "hip" new uniform.

Well, video footage recently emerged showing a prototype of that Tron-like suit. What do you think? Super cool? Or super WTF????

Arnold the Barbarian Double Feature

Fans of the Governator (and author Robert E. Howard) need to tune into Retroplex tonight for a sword and sandal double feature.

First up is "Conan the Barbarian" at 7 p.m. (CST). This is the movie that helped make Arnold Schwarzenegger an action movie icon. It still holds up very well nearly 30 years after its release. Arnold was a natural for this role, and James Earl Jones is nothing short of brilliant as villain Thulsa Doom (Now, you will learn why you're afraid of the dark!).

Conan is among the fantasy characters created by pulp author Robert E. Howard. Another sword wielding warrior who emerged from Howard's imagination was Red Sonja.

Unfortunately, the film "Red Sonja" -- at 9:10 p.m. (CST) --  isn't very good. It's worth a peek to see Brigitte Nielsen before she became a reality show casualty. Arnold also stars in this dud as well as his Conan co-star Sandahl Bergman.

Both films were produced by the late, great Dino De Laurentis.

A Legend Goes Down in Flames

First I find out that I missed the Green Hornet's Black Beauty sedan when it was here in Houston. Now, I learn that the awesome chopper from classic drive-in film "Easy Rider" has been destroyed!! Not a good week for the Weekend Drive-In in terms of cinema vehicles.

In all seriousness, a moment of silence for this classic film cycle.

Alice Cooper Headed to Hall of Fame

Alice Cooper is one of the original drive-in rockers. His concerts were pretty much like horror movies. Check out the classic "Good to See You Again, Alice Cooper" if you don't believe me. Plus, Alice has starred in numerous drive-in features ("Price of Darkness" among others). And I can't omit his sountrack contributions ("We Are The Future" from "Class of 1984").

Well, Alice and the origial AC Band are headed to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. I think the hall is pretty lame considering Abba before made it in Alice did. Still, the Weekend Drive-In congratulates the great Alice Cooper!

Holy Hub!

Hooray for the Hub!

This is pretty much a kid's channel, but it's the only channel around that airs the original "Batman" series (at 10:30 p.m. and 2 a.m....not exactly primetime, so set the DVR).

Now, this is old school Batman...not exactly "The Dark Knight." No complaints from the Weekend Drive-In! I actually prefer Adam West's stoic delivery to Christian Bale's raspy rants. The same goes for the villains. Frank Gorshin rules as the Riddler and Victor Buono's King Tut is a vastly underrated Bat-foe.

Speaking of West, the 82-year old former super hero is now a painter. He recently unveiled a collection of Batman paintings at a Beverly Hills gallery.