Popcorn Pulse 17: Last Death

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Is there anything better than late adaptations of a book to the silver screen? Then Hollywood can botch the whole thing without any input from that pesky author person. Who do they think they are, anyways? Just because they created the world you’re trying to bring to life, what do they know about it?

Speaking of late, adaptations, we did a joint discussion of Death on the Nile (1978). Luckily it’s a rather simple story, from a certain perspective at any rate, and difficult to screw up. For those that read the original story, it follows this adventure of Hercule Poirot as he goes to solve a whodunit on the titular Nile. Surprise surprise, everyone has a motive and you’ll have to watch to find out who isn’t a red herring. Or read the synopsis on Wiki if you’re terribly lazy.

Tim then discusses The Last Dragon (1985) which attempts to eighties so hard that the eighties buried it. That can be the only reason this thing has never gained a cult following or a dearth of signature gifs on 4chan. For example; William H. Macy, in a small role, wearing what appears to the scraps of a parachute factory fashioned into a jacket. Or Sho’nuff, the Shogun of Harlem who wanders about in an ersatz samurai outfit and shutter shades that put Kanye West to shame. The images are more incredible than they sound.

Weltall discusses another seemingly forgotten gem, Top Secret! (1984). It’s both Val Kilmer’s first feature film and a Zucker brother’s film. It’s one more piece of evidence that Val Kilmer once had comedic timing and energy the Zuckers didn’t always blight theaters with Scary Movie sequels.