With the act of creation, you’re letting yourself be exposed. Sometimes this can lead to para-social relationships, but in some cases, this can lead to tragedy as those who cannot discern between fiction and reality take matters into their own hands. In 1994, Heather herself … Continue reading Hollywood and Elm Part 6 – Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
If the third instalment of a film franchise is difficult to make, the fourth can be exponentially so. All the novel concepts are usually used up, and the remaining ideas seem suspect at best. Yet, sometimes, with your creative back against the wall, you can … Continue reading Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1995)
Warts and all, family is eternal. Sometimes circumstances change, and members enter and leave but the genetics, and in some cases love, remains. Still, sometimes you are left wondering about their faults and what life would be like with a different set of parents, especially … Continue reading North (1994)
Wisecracking and quick-witted Axel Foley rode a wave of 80s synthesised pop hits and subduing bad guys into cultural dominance. But the Beverly Hills Cop franchise could only repeat the same formula for so long, times change, actors and audiences mature, and paradoxically changes may … Continue reading Beverly Hills Cop III (1994)
Jury trials can be mentally intimidating for those involved, asking strangers to condemn or exonerate a person is an emotionally stressful task for 12 people. As such, those who are professionals in preserving, and those breaking the law have certain tactics that help their side … Continue reading Trial by Jury (1994)
The Street Fighter games introduced a mainstream audience to the fighting videogame world, sure they may not be the most aggressive or technically impressive offerings, but they are now recognised the world over, from casual fans to hardcore devotees. From its gameplay to its characters, … Continue reading Street Fighter (1994)
The breakfast cereal is such a staple of life that it is hard to imagine it came from health and well-being fashions in the 20th century. Yes, like many sugar-loaded titans of food, health was the prime motivation for the creation of the delicious staple. … Continue reading The Road to Wellville (1994)
Like a lot of ultra-violent films in the 80s, Robocop struck a chord with a younger audience. A market that gravitated towards the cool looking heroes and the cooler action sequences. This created a cascade of sequels and spin-offs all focusing on the younger-than-the-age-certificate market. … Continue reading Robocop: The Series (1994)
There’s something about robots that makes them perfect for combat with each other. Maybe it’s because they are powerhouses that can ‘think’ but can’t necessarily feel pain. Seeing robots duke it out is prime entertainment, especially if you’re behind the wheel. In 1994, a fighting … Continue reading Rise of the Robots (1994)
There’s something that’s so enjoyable about a good b-movie, maybe it’s because the filmmakers had more passion than other resources, but they weren’t going let that get in the way of their story. It is that enthusiasm that can lead to both loving acclaim and respectful jabbing way down the line. In 1994, veteran Macguyver-esque filmmaker, Stewart Raffill, was given two days, a barn, and a dinosaur and managed to turn them into a colourful b-movie homage, that film was Tammy and the T-Rex.
Young cheerleader Tammy is trying to move on with her life, but her expelled evil ex is causing her and her boyfriend problems. This reaches a deadly end when Tammy’s ex chases her boyfriend into the path of a carnivorous Lion. When a crazed scientist, Gunther, looking for a brain for his animatronic, ultra-powerful, T-Rex sees the new cadaver rushed into hospital he’s quick to act and before long Michael is given a second chance. The now Dino-boyfriend isn’t going to let anybody get in the way of a happy relationship with Tammy, no matter what the town thinks.
Despite the film’s look as a straight horror/sci-fi flick of the B variety. Tammy and the T-rex quickly shows off its comedy feathers display a self-awareness that few of its lower budget contemporaries actively possess. The film has a very on-the-nose theme song and characters that feel larger than life. Tammy can sometimes be a little ditzy, especially in one scene where she has to effectively play charades with her now dinosaured beau. It’s like the film knows the depths of its silliness, and fully embraces it.
The cast is a good selection of stars before their biggest moments, you’ve got a young Paul Walker playing Michael, the handsome football star, turned prehistoric killing machine. Unfortunately, he doesn’t voice the T-Rex, but we couldn’t have everything. The titular Tammy is played by Denise Richards in one her earliest film debuts, she fills the cheerleader role as well as you would expect and seems to be having a blast with the role. It’s not just the two of them. A lot of the comic heavy lifting is done by Theo Forsett playing her gay best friend, Byron. Even the scientists also feel fun, with head scientist, Gunther, himself feeling like a good cross between Peter McNichol and Christopher Lloyd.
Tammy and the T-Rex is a surprisingly competent B-Movie, that makes up for its lower budget with laughs and spectacle. It’s a quirky homage to 50s pulp science fiction, with flourishes from the early 90s. It takes you by surprise just how well it manages to merge sci-fi, horror, with comedy, and while being slightly longer than an hour. With some good early performances by your favourites, Tammy and the T-Rex is a treasure and it doesn’t deserve to be confined to pre-history.
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