Black Moon Rising`86

( к проекту и тем более к лирике Black Moon Rise никак не относится )

Black Moon Rising (1986) starred Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Hamilton, and Robert Vaughan in a seldom-seen, and far-fetched, thriller. This one, shall we say, "has it's moments". Let's have a look......

The plot surrounds the exploits of the "almost retired" high-tech burglar, Sam Quint (Jones). Quint is forced out of retirement by a nasty-ol' FBI agent, Johnson (huge ex-Baltimore Colt, Bubba Smith), to steal a certain computer tape cassette. The tape contains some incriminating evidence about a suspicious Las Vegas company, The Lucky Dollar Corporation.

But, Sam is caught in the act by security-guard, Ringer, a ruthless ex-colleague of Quint's. So, Quint makes a run for it out of the Lucky Dollar building into the the Nevada desert, and eventually hides the tape under the car-cover of a vehicle that is parked on an open trailer at a neighboring gas station.

We learn "the vehicle" on the trailer is "The Black Moon" show car.

You see, the Black Moon, is a Kevlar aircraft-composite bodied, alternate-fuel powered, prototype supercar, capable of 350mph, that was designed and built by ex-NASA ace inventor, Earl Windom. It seems that Windom, and crew, were doing some secret high speed testing out in the Nevada toolies with the Black Moon, while they were on their way to Los Angeles to attend a big car show where they planned to debut the vehicle to the world. (???) Makes sense, right?

Oddly, the supposedly super-trick "Moon" looks sorta like a squashed and flattened Pontiac Trans-Sport mini-van with a chopped-top, uh, with a sprint car wing hung on the tail. But, don't get too alarmed, it's still kinda kool looking. And, surprise, surprise, the precious "Moon" just happens to be sitting on the back of the unattended open trailer (worth about $500) when Quint saunters-by, on-the-lamb, at the desert gas station where Windom is filling-up the 1967 Lincoln tow-car. Gee, what are the odds?

Anyway,  Quint stashes the tape under the car cover, and gets away from Ringer by hitchhiking. And, Windom continues his tow into L.A. with the Black Moon tagging along.

But, shortly thereafter, at the car show in Los Angeles, the luscious, larcinous, and sticky-fingered, car-thief, Nina (Hamilton), steals the Black Moon for her dastardly car thief boss, Ryland (Vaughan). Gee, how did Nina know how to start-up, and drive, this super-trick kustom-kar? Nevermind. Anyway, Quint just happens to be on the scene at the car show, since he's trying to retrieve that precious computer tape. Remember?

So, when Quint sees the Black Moon being stolen by Nina, he gives chase through the streets of downtown Boss-Angeles in his (presumably rented) red milquetoast Dodge Daytona. It's hard for Quint to keep up with the Black Moon with his little Dodge, especially with Nina behind the wheel of the incredibly fast "Moon". But, he eventually catches a glimse of Black Moon being loaded into a big-rig tractor trailer, and follows it to the underground parking garage of a futuristic looking, cylindrically shaped, glass covered, high-rise skyscraper. Oddly, the Black Moon leaves an oil-trail on the way to its final destination waaaay upstairs to one of Rylands secret stolen-car storage locations.

By the way, check-out all of the groovy cars in Rylands upscale automotive chop-shop, that occupies all floors of the Century City skyscraper! Nice, nice digs.

Anyway, jeez, as if Quint doesn't have enough problems, since he's already has these two ya-hoo's, Ringer "AND" Johnson, after him for that doggone computer tape. And, now, he's gotta go steal the Black Moon from Ryland for his new pal, Windom. And, of course, to get that doggone tape back "AGAIN" so that he can save his own hide! Double-Jeez!

In the meantime, we find out that somebody else also wants the Black Moon too, and the duel is really "ON" now! Whew, what in the world is going-on here, and what's gonna happen?

I urge you to stay with Black Moon Rising all of the way to the bitter end for the best reason to watch this flic. That's when Quint does a high-wire, acrobatic, ninja transfer from the top of the twin-tower skyscraper located next door to Ryland's building onto the top of the building where Ryland has stashed the Black Moon. He then roams the air conditioning ducts of Ryland's building with Nina's help until they find the exact location of the Black Moon. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that in the meantime, Nina has transferred "onto Quint's team" in a big way after a little smooch-fest between the two. Good work, Sam!

Quint then tries to drive Black Moon out of the normal parking garage ramp in the building, until he is foiled by Ryland and his herd of gun-toting henchman, who divert the Black Moon to the top floor of Ryland's skyscraper. So, then, when all else fails, Quint, with Nina by his side in the passenger seat, drives the Black Moon at full-tilt, warp-speed, out of the side of the Ryland's Skyscraper, right over the top of Ryland, and makes a jump back "INTO" the side of the twin tower next door. Remember, they're located about 100 stories-up! YIKES! Ya-hoooooooooo, Sonney Hooper couldn't have done it better himself. Nice landing, Quint! Hurray, the Black Moon flys just like a Boeing 747! WOW!

So, just before the closing credits roll, Windom gets the Black Moon returned virtually unscathed. Quint delivers the evidence-laden computer tape to Agent Johnson just in the nick of time. And, Quint and Nina walk off into the sunset hand-in-hand wishing they had a little, shall we say, "Baby Black Moon" of their own! Wow, what a kool, kool finish to an utterly preposterous movie!

Okay, truth be told, we don't see enough of, or learn enough about, the groovy Black Moon kustom-kar in Black Moon Rising. And, frankly, Black Moon Rising isn't the greatest movie ever made. Not by a long shot. But, it still is kinda kar-krazy fun, and the stunts alone make Black Moon Rising more than worth a look. In fact, I highly recommend this hard-to-find movie!

For some odd reason, this flic reminded me of the classic car collection that is located on the top floor of the Imperial Palace Casino in Las Vegas. I don't know why, it just did. Anyway, I notice videos have been re-released for Black Moon Rising, so have some fun here while you have a chance. I'll bet the big Black Moon jump looks great on wide-screen DVD.