The Age of Commercialism

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

LUST IN THE DUST (1985) is a very entertaining campy B-western from the 80s. It is just another reminder of how much fun movies were back then. When a campy movie comes out now, it's either unintentionally so, or even if it's intentional, it's BAD camp that's almost unwatchable because the filmmakers overdid it. With this movie, they really seemed to know what they were doing, so Lust in the Dust is GOOD camp! Director Paul Bartel made a completely confident-in-itself sleazy, gritty Western parody and it is a total winner! This was easily his best directorial effort. The dialog is actually very sharp, tongue-in-cheek, and witty and the film itself is a hoot! The actors really do a great job of playing the winning script to the hilt. I think this movie contains the best role of all of the main actors involved. Tab Hunter perfectly essays the "Clint Eastwood" role of the film, the quiet, tough loner who says very little and conveys a tough-guy reserve. The infamous transvestite Divine is at his deadpan best playing the key role of the voracious and bombastic Rosie. And Lainie Kazan is incredibly sexy and funny as the hot, luscious, and lusty (pun intended!) cantina owner Marguerita. I don't think Kazan was ever this sexy before or since this movie! The supporting cast plays their roles extremely well also: Geoffrey Lewis, Nedra Volz, Gina Gallego, and the iconic Cesar Romero. Also, groundbreaking Western legend Woody Strode gets a cameo! The actors' dedication to their characters is commendable.Lust in the Dust is an extremely FUNNY movie with more laugh-out-loud moments and dialog than many a mainstream A-level comedy. There are 2 absolutely hysterical singing bits done by Divine ("These Lips") and Lainie Kazan ("South of the Border") that are a real treat. A true B-movie in every sense. Highly recommended.

This is NOT the sort of film for everyone. Apparently gay men love it (according to Lainie Kazan) and people who love Divine (like me) will get a kick out of seeing this character play a somewhat normal role--at least compared to all the freaks he/she played for John Waters!! But for the rest of the folks out there, it's very possible you won't like the film...and it's quite possible you'll enjoy it on its own very simple merits. The way to determine this is to ask yourself "am I normal?"--if so, don't watch the film! But for all the quirky folks out there (and I know there are a lotta you), it's worth seeing.The film stars a whole lot of familiar faces, though the only big star (at least once upon a time) in the film is Tab Hunter. In addition, Divine, Lainie Kazan, Caesar Romero, Henry Silva, Woody Strode and Geoffrey Lewis (whose face you are bound to recognize) are there for excellent support. The film was directed by Paul Bartel--a man who is probably most associated with the ultra-strange "Eating Raoul"."Lust in the Dust" is a gentle parody of westerns. Nothing in it is super remarkable except for its strong sexual overtones as well as having Divine play a part that is really pretty normal. There are a reasonable amount of decent laughs, some that fall flat and a few surprises--but it never is dull.My attitude is that lovers of weird films should see this at least once. And, if it doesn't scare you too much, try another one of Divine's films, such as "Hairspray" (the original) or perhaps "Polyester". Save "Pink Flamingos", "Female Trouble", "Mondo Trasho" and the other early John Waters films for AFTER--as they can be too shocking and too weird for the uninitiated!! I warned you!

The is the best 'bad' movie ever. Great cast (who never play for the laughs). Divine and Lainie Kazan are so great together as rivals for Tab Hunter. Geoffrey Lewis is hysterical in all his scenes...especially the bedroom. Ceasar Romero, Woody Stode, Neddra Voltz (as the west's oldest hooker), Henry Silva, Courtney Gains...everyone is perfect. Want to have a great party? Have a Lust in the Dust night with some chili verde, cornbread and 'red-eye' for the buffet then watch Lust in the Dust. Don't invite any squares.

This movie should be the cult kinky western of the 1980s, as Johnny Guitar is the kinky cult western of the 1950s.Too bad Divine and Joan Crawford never did a western together - now THAT would be a sight to behold! Johnny Guitar Lusts in the Dust - with Mommie Dearest as Divine's divine mommie. . . .