Customer Reviews

Jack's Back [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This could've simply been one of those formulaic pieces of Eighties fluff spawned by the likes of THE LOST BOYS, where you have the ADD-style MTV editing, lots of slick cinematography and a cool-if-creepy soundtrack, anchored by a good theme song, (which "Red Harvest Comes" really is.) What makes JACK different from all the rest is that it's anchored by a really good performance from...JAMES SPADER???

Until "sex, lies and videotape," I had narrow-mindedly ghettoized Spader into a good looking, priggy jerk, identifying him mostly with the kind of roles he usually played in the John Hughes movies...the snotty, arrogant, broomstick-up-the-bum rich kid who got his kicks by crushing the identities of poorer, less popular mortals. His deeply affecting performance in "sex" completely caught me off guard, but once I saw JACK, I began to understand that as an actor, to say that Spader has been underestimated is hardly even describing the situation.

Playing twins with every bit as much skill as Jeremy Irons did in the overlooked DEAD RINGERS, Spader plays "naughty" and "nice" sides of the same coin. The "nice" side is apparently a saintly doctor who treats the rich and well-to-do by day, of course, but after work devotes his time and energies to a free clinic in Echo Park, where he seems to be at constant loggerheads with the clinic's unctious director, and catching the eye of a more-than-slightly-interested volunteer, (FAME'S Cynthia Gibb.)

Good Twin Spader and Gibb become involved in a murder mystery involving dead hookers. Well, not just dead, but butchered, and not just by any sick puppy. THIS sick puppy is a Jack The Ripper fan, (hence the clumsy title), who is into recreating the quintessential serial murderer's ghastly deeds, one hundred years to the day that the first one is committed.

Through tragic circumstances, Gibb is suddenly and shockingly introduced to "Bad" Twin Spader, and the story continues as they try to figure out who the slasher really is, not really thinking about how much danger is involved, trying to catch someone who is already a step and a half ahead of them...

Destined later to direct a movie long considered a sign of the Apocalypse, ROADHOUSE starring Patrick Swayze, Rowdy Herrington brings a better sense of story and style to JACK'S BACK. But with Spader gift-wrapping a performance that this script probably didn't deserve, it's hard NOT to come up with something that is watchable at the very least.

It's just too bad that the company which produced JACK, was going bankrupt at the time, and dumping its product into the direct-to-video bins as fast as Blockbuster workers could shrink-wrap it. (That includes a movie far more disturbing and original from the same producers: Donald Cammell's WHITE OF THE EYE.)

Another good, solid "programmer" you may catch on HBO or Encore, if you can't find the VHS version.

Despite having one of the worst titles I've ever heard, Jack's Back is actually a nifty little thriller, a true hidden gem if I ever saw one. I happened to come across the film at a used video store (like the title, the cover box is pretty awful, too) (makes you wonder if the trailers and TV promos were also just as [bad]), and being a James Spader fan, decided to give it a look. Nice to see this turned out to be one of the better impulse buys I've made in a while.

The title refers to Jack the Ripper, or more specifically, a copycat who's committing similar murders in Los Angeles on the same days on the hundredth anniversary of when the original killings occurred. Without giving anything away, I'll simply say that James Spader and Cynthia Gibbs are the protagonists who are searching for the killer, even though Spader himself might be the one.

Despite a plot that plays somewhat like a routine thriller, the story is still fairly enjoyable for what it is. There are a few plot twists and turns, some unpredictable, some rather obvious. Fans of whodunnits (and let's face it, I think everyone enjoys a good whodunnit every once in a while) will find just enough intriguing detail to make this at least an average viewing.

But what sets this apart from many thrillers, particularly those of the late 80's, is the emphasis on characters. Writer/director Rowdy Herrington probably spends even more time developing the lead protagonists than he does fueling the main plot (I can actually see how this might somewhat disappoint whodunnit fans hoping for a very convoluted plot, or slasher fans expecting more, well, slashing). Because of this, the suspense is ratcheted up a few notches, and we truly care about the outcome.

Most of the credit for this should go to Spader, who delivers a terrific performance (one of his best, which says a lot), charismatic and extremely likeable. He plays a man who's hardly a saint, but realistic in that he's flawed, and simultaneously more than capable of doing the right thing. Cynthia Gibbs (who's very cute) works well with Spader, she's convincing and also very likeable. The rest of the cast isn't really worth mentioning except for maybe Robert Picardo as a thoughtful police psychologist (who happens to live in a mansion, no less). Everybody else is mostly present to act as suspects or people who are simply in Spader's way.

Herrington's direction is quite good, setting up a creepy atmosphere, nicely accompanied with an equally creepy score. It's Herrington's storytelling that could use more work. While many details are set up well, the finale stumbles due to a rather large leap in logic. To some, the film's conclusion might also seem rather abrupt, without quite enough explanation for all that transpired. If Herrington had tightened up his story, he might have had a great thriller on his hands. As it is, this is merely a good movie that ranks above average. But, really, I shouldn't be complaining. Jack's Back is a pleasant surprise, even moreso for a movie with such an awful title.
*** 1/2 out of *****

Someone is killing prostitutes in a very Jack The Ripper-esque fashion on the 100 year anniversaries of The Ripper's original murders. A med student (Spader) gets caught up in the last murder and winds up meeting a tragic fate. Now his twin brother (also played by Spader) is out to find the man responsible for his death. In turn, he gets caught up in the middle of the murder case in the process. Oh, and he has to clear his own name because he is a suspect in the before mentioned case AND also a suspect in his own brothers murder.

Jack's Back is an odd movie and kind of deceiving. You see, no one in their right mind is gonna market a movie this complicated. So what the box tells you is that Jack's Back is about a murderer mimicking the Jack The Ripper slayings of a century ago. Well, that's only half the movie. Really just 1/3. Jack's Back is a murder mystery turned revenge noir turned suspense thriller that manages to avoid drowning itself in murky plot, pointless subplot, or endless dialogue in an attempt to competently tell the story and wrap everything up in the end. From the title and basic premise of the film one may think it's just your basic slasher type/murder mystery exploitation stuff that was being recycled and rehashed endlessly during the period when this movie was released. If so, you're wrong...

Writer/director Rowdy Herrington gives us a strong, well developed script with great characters and memorable situations. His ability to shift from a murder mystery to revenge flick to thriller deserves major acclaim. Props to Herrington for creating such likeable and complex characters in the process. From a directing standpoint, Herrington gives the movie a moody and uneasy atmosphere, blanketing it in thick fog and laying on a soft, soporific score to boot. Love that song "Red Harvest," too.

James Spader delivers a layered and very strong duel performance that engaged me and kept my eyes glued to the screen. Cynthia Gibb gives a strong performance as well. I dug how the script didn't go into familiar romantic territory even though Spader and Gibb have great chemistry together, the story didn't need it.

It was great to watch a movie with such a dense storyline that never forget what it was supposed to do - entertain. I was intrigued and fascinated with the story, performances, and Herrington's ability to construct such a multi-layered plot and still find a way to pull it all together. Jack's Back isn't conventional in the least, it marches to its own drum, has class, and is well written, acted and directed. Check it out!

This modern day Jack the Ripper movie will keep you on the edge of your seat. James Spader plays a doctor who becomes the primary suspect of Jack the Ripper style murders, which take place 100 years to the day of the original Jack the Ripper murders. Spader did an excellent job in this mystery/suspense role. If you're a James Spader fan, this is a must see movie.

This little viewed film of the 1980's put James Spader on the map. What a performance! Spader, along with the always reliable Robert Picardo and a surprisely effective Cynthia Gibbs navigate this up-to-date version of the Jack the Ripper Tale. A really creepy film. Enjoy!

Modern day Jack the Ripper movie with a twist. Well acted. Not a particularly great movie but somehow strangely compelling. I found this movie extremely engrossing and memorable. A must see.

Despite the fact that this is a completely cheesey movie, it's still really worth watching! It's scarey enough to make you wonder if any one is waiting to get you, but you won't lose any sleep.

Great 80's alternative song and but amazingly, not available anywhere! Is little known about singer Paul Saax or if he has this on an album somewhere? Reminds me of The Fixx.

I guess I'll have to wait to get the DVD and perform a rudimentary dub of the song.

Any help out there will be much appreciated, though :)

As expected, James Spader did a great job. The movie kept you on the edge of your seat til the end. Was well worth the money.

My five-line review:

1. Story: Nicely written, plot-based movie that spends no unnecessary time pointlessly exploring character histories (like soap operas of today, e.g., "Lost", "Heroes", etc.) but instead focusses--properly--on the story, itself.
2. Characters: Surprisingly insightful dialogue from fleshed-out characters that rings true to life while also providing some cheese for entertainment purposes (the scene in the back room of the adult movie theater comes to mind).
3. Acting: The performances are strong as well, all around, with Spader especially (and surprisingly) likeable.
4. Directing: Good balance of focus on character and story with some nicely underlit city scenes.
5. In sum: This is a gem of a movie and it's a shame that it's not legally available on DVD yet.