John Buckley Movies
The second and third novels in author Anne Rice's popular book series The Vampire Chronicles provide the inspiration for this horror sequel starring ill-fated actress and recording artist Aaliyah, who was killed in an airplane crash before the film's release. Stuart Townsend is the vampire Lestat, who has awakened from a century-long slumber and turned his considerable energy to rock music. His vampirism identity mistaken for a gothic hard rock publicity stunt along the lines of Kiss or Marilyn Manson, he quickly becomes a pop music sensation. Lestat's powerful music reaches the ear of the slumbering Akasha (Aaliyah), the millennia-old "queen of the vampires" who was the first immortal bloodsucker. Akasha is soon free and embarking on a quest to seize control of the world with Lestat at her side. In the meantime, Lestat becomes an object of fascination for Jesse Reeves (Marguerite Moreau), member of a secret order studying the supernatural called the Talamasca, and a band of ancient vampires come together in an effort to stop Akasha, even though her destruction could potentially cause their own deaths. Queen of the Damned co-stars Lena Olin and Vincent Perez. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aaliyah, Stuart Townsend, (more)
- 1979
- R
A broken heart sends a teenage temptress on the road to prostitution and murder in this surprisingly gritty exploitation drama. Kim (Jill Lansing) is a high school senior with a bad attitude that just gets worse after her boyfriend Kevin (Stuart Taylor) breaks up with her and starts dating Annette (Tammy Taylor), a snooty rich girl. Kim's grades are poor and her financial situation is precarious, so she decides to start using her body to get what she wants. Kim begins improving her marks when she seduces her history teacher, Mr. Donaldson (John Grant), and then blackmails him into giving her an A, following suit with her other male instructors. Meanwhile, Kim buys a new car after partnering with Tony (Al Mannino), a sleazy low-level pimp and drug dealer who quickly has her turning tricks all over town. After establishing herself as a call girl, Kim breaks ties with Tony and starts working with Lance (Garth Howard), a smooth mafia-connected gangster who promises to introducer to a classier clientele. When a customer gets rough with her, Kim stabs him to death with an ice pick, and Lance realizes Kim has what it takes to be a hired killer. Malibu High was the final directorial credit for veteran director Irvin Berwick. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Also known as Lollipop and E Lollipop, Forever Young, Forever Free is a studied piece of whimsy filmed in South Africa and Harlem. Norman Knox plays a white orphan installed in a South African mission; his best friend is black foundling Muntu Ben Louis Ndebele. When Norman requires emergency surgery, he is flown to New York, where he bemoans the fact that he has been separated from his black chum. Whereupon, Muntu and priest Jose Fesser jet to the big apple themselves--but Muntu gets lost in the airport, and winds up in Harlem under the supervision of social worker Karen Valentine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- José Ferrer, Karen Valentine, (more)
- 1970
- R
Based on a best-selling novel by John Christopher, this combination horror-movie, cautionary tale warns against the dangers of pollution. The tale is set in a futuristic Britain that has been decimated by the sudden onset of a terrible plague caused by environmental damage. Most of the devastation occurs in London. One family flees to the sanctuary of a friend's farm. The journey is treacherous and the clan must fight insane biker gangs and deal with their own personal problems, but eventually, they make it to the farm. Unfortunately, though they were especially invited, the owner's ruthless brother refuses to let them enter and so the desperate head of the family leads a brutal attack. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nigel Davenport, Jean Wallace, (more)
