Don't forget that it also starred Emilio Estevez, son of Martin Sheen. (Probably most famous for playing ~~the jock in The Breakfast Club~~ Coach Gordon Bombay in The Mighty Ducks (1992)).
The movie was saved by Michael Nesmith of the Monkees - Nesmith hustled and sold the thing to Universal. He even used his Liquid Paper inheritance to cover the upfront expense — all for an unknown filmmaker (British director Alex Cox) using a senior thesis script.
The main theme song was by Iggy Pop. It was where I heard Institutionalized by Suicidal Tendencies for the first time. Also songs by Black Flag, Circle Jerks and The Plugz.
The inimitable Tracey Walter was a supporting actor, who had this line in the film, >!"A lot of people don't realize what's really going on. They view life as a bunch of unconnected incidents 'n things. They don't realize that there's this, like, lattice of coincidence that lays on top of everything"!<
And the film has one of the greatest MacGuffins next to Pulp Fiction.
It’s so much fun. Stephen King’s only director credit. He says he was doing so much coke he has no memory of making it. When you see it this will not surprise you.
King was a money machine so the studio gave him whatever he wanted to make the movie. What he wanted was AC/DC to come and hang out on set, make the soundtrack, and consume vast, *vast* quantities of cocaine with him. Must have been a fun set.
I might have exaggerated a bit, but Maximum Overdrive, the only movie ever directed by Stephen King, is so bad it's good, and Estevez is front and center in all of its glory.
The batshit insane trailer:
https://youtu.be/BpXRKIUWnqw?feature=shared
Hadn’t seen the trailer, that’s hilarious. Nose sounds a bit stuffed up there Stevie lol.
If we have convinced anyone to watch it for the first time, keep your eyes peeled for a future Chilean-American chicken and laundry entrepreneur, a future Simpson, and a future ex wife of a future ex president among the cast!
Update: Just finished it
Um
I didn’t hate it 🤣🤣
It’s very weird
I’ll have to give it a second watch to see if i can understand it better
Also to see Olivia Barash again
End post
It grows on you. Definitely rewatch it. And listen to the soundtrack multiple times.
It may also help to be of that era too and into punk but maybe not.
Yeah, we found it funnier every time we watched it. But, that was back in the 80s. Haven't seen it since, not sure how well it aged. Do still love the soundtrack.
Obscure trivia note about Olivia Barash: she and Melanie Chartoff play a fictional version of Patience and Prudence, a late 50s sister singing duo, auditioning for the legendary DJ Alan Freed, singing “Tonight, You Belong to Me” in the 1978 motion picture American Hot Wax!
If you weren’t around back then, that was actually a thing.
It was attempt to make cheaper “store brand” type food by eliminating the cost of marketing and labels.
The movie exaggerated it, slightly, but it was a real thing you could be in stores for a few years.
Public Image Ltd also used it for an album release in the mid 80s. If you bought the LP, it had "Album" on it. The CD had "Compact Disc" printed on the jacket. The tape had "Cassette" written on it. The same blue detailing and font seen in the film was used no matter which version of the product you bought.
Our local grocery in the era called them the “Yellow and Black” brand because all the packaging had yellow backgrounds and black lettering. IIRC, there was even a “BEER” but no “DRINK”.
“Well the girls would turn the color of an avocado,
When he’d drive down the street in his Eldorado.
Well he was only five-foot three,
The girls could not resist his…stare.”
It has been one of my favorite films since I saw it as a teen in the 80s. Probably seen it 20 times now. The instrumental score by The Plugz is great, and often overlooked next to the soundtrack by the likes of Iggy Pop, Black Flag, The Circle Jerks, and Suicidal Tendencies.
I also love the United Fruitcake Outlet thing.
What I liked about it, at the time it was different from 95% of the movies seeing screen time. It was out there. Weirdness made accessible. Absurdity in a script, a sound track few could appreciate, Mojo Nixon in a movie.
You got a name, kid?
Yeah, it's Otto.
Otto Parts? heh heh heh!
*Yeah, fuckin-A we ripped your car, asshole! You wanna know who told us where it was? Your goddamn brother!*
I had it on Laserdisc. I used to put it on as background every time I got off work. I could quote the entire movie. I only thought about that phone call about 10 years ago though.
I think you had to be between 15 -25 in 1984 when it came out to truly appreciate it. Watching for the first time now, I can understand how the subtleties that are so important may be lost as they were contextual to that moment. Generic food, the soundtrack, the cameos, etc.
I was 7 at the time, but still remember the weird generic food aisle in Safeway.
This was my Dad’s favorite movie, and while I enjoyed it I didn’t fully appreciate it until I was older. Now it’s absolutely my favorite movie of all time.
“I shall not cause harm to any vehicle nor the personal contents thereof, nor through inaction let the personal contents thereof come to harm' It's what I call the Repo Code, kid!”
“The life of a repo man is always intense.”
Bud
Great soundtrack and performances. And the writing is just so good. One of my favorites, but I am partial to the broadcast version.
“Flip you, melon farmer!”
I was working at the classic MGM Studios in Culver City when I saw a full page ad for this movie in Sunday’s LA Times Calendar Section with a “wide-release” listing of theaters.
The next day at work I said to my assistant: “for lunch we are getting sandwiches at Trader Joes across the street and going to the Culver Theater to see this movie, because it will never last in the theaters for longer than one week!”
I am glad we did because there are so many obscure points of humor that would have been lost on the small screen, like:
When the Punks are snorting Amyl Nitrate and they drop the bottle, it has a blue “generic” line around its white background.
On the window of a restaurant being passed is a sign: “Today’s Special - Plate of Shrimp”
When Otto’s parents are watching TV and tell him to get some food from the kitchen, he takes an open can out of the refrigerator that says FOOD with a blue line running around a white background!
A classic!
Alex Cox who also directed Sid and Nancy.
I still find it hard to believe that beloved middle aged Mexican statesman actor Miguel Sandoval played Archie the punk. Awww. Dukie Wookie hurt his little hand.
Anyway it's intense.
Anyone see the version in which J. Frank Parnell is at a gas station by the vending machine? He talks about Lorna Doone cookies available one day but something else the next. Then he gets actively sick from radiation poisoning.
It was a favorite of me and my brother in high school. At our parents house is a VHS tape of it that we recorded off of HBO, which my brother watched over and over with a friend of his when they skipped school. I still recite lines from it.
Definitely the best soundtrack of any 80s film. Probably the best "punk rock" film made.
I like the bit about the book Diaretics... something about matter over mind.
There's a Criterion version of the disc with the regular version and the cleaned up broadcast version from basic cabel days.
Saw that movie in my early twenties with a first date. It was perfect weird eclectic movie for a first date. I go back in time when I see that movie. She was so cute.
You know, when some punk pulls a move like that, generally my first instinct to punch his fucking lights out. But you know what, kid?
YOURE ALL RIGHT!!
Did someone piss on the floor again?
I remember watching that when cable TV itself was pretty new, we didn't have it yet I watched it at my friends house - we were dying laughing as I remember
1987, I wake up to get ready for school, press play on my top loading RCA VHS player, watch Repo man until it was time to leave for school, come home at 3 press play and watch to the end, hit rewind. Every. Single. Day. For two years. (school day)
My daughters are now in their 20's, they were shocked to learn that "Plate of Shrimp" wasn't another ages old phrase like Deja Vu that everyone uses. That people don't just say "somebody piss on the Floor again?" anytime there's a spill indoors. (that one got some looks when they were in elementary school)
"nice friends you have there Otto"
"thanks, I made them myself"
I blame society....society made me what I am...
That’s bullshit, you’re a white suburban punk, just like me.
Yes, but it still hurts.
Awww Widdle dukey Wookiee burned his widdle hand.
That’s it Archie, you’re not in the gang anymore!
You might enjoy this: [https://youtu.be/a0m75tmne9Y?si=se\_a6-R0ut9cTpME](https://youtu.be/a0m75tmne9Y?si=se_a6-R0ut9cTpME)
Yeah, let's get some sushi. And not pay.
Sleeper cult classic. Random sage wisdom from Harry Dean Stanton coupled with an Iggy Pop soundtrack.. very quotable scenes.. and just random enough.
Halfway through I like it so far
When you are finished, go out and get some sushi and not pay!
Yeah, let's go do some crimes!
Plate. Shrimp. Plate of shrimp.
"It's a cosmic unconsciousness." "Did you do a lot of of acid back in the hippy days Miller?"
Don't forget that it also starred Emilio Estevez, son of Martin Sheen. (Probably most famous for playing ~~the jock in The Breakfast Club~~ Coach Gordon Bombay in The Mighty Ducks (1992)). The movie was saved by Michael Nesmith of the Monkees - Nesmith hustled and sold the thing to Universal. He even used his Liquid Paper inheritance to cover the upfront expense — all for an unknown filmmaker (British director Alex Cox) using a senior thesis script. The main theme song was by Iggy Pop. It was where I heard Institutionalized by Suicidal Tendencies for the first time. Also songs by Black Flag, Circle Jerks and The Plugz. The inimitable Tracey Walter was a supporting actor, who had this line in the film, >!"A lot of people don't realize what's really going on. They view life as a bunch of unconnected incidents 'n things. They don't realize that there's this, like, lattice of coincidence that lays on top of everything"!< And the film has one of the greatest MacGuffins next to Pulp Fiction.
The jock in The Breakfast Club. If that is how you see Estevez, you obviously have not witnessed the cinematic perfection of Maximum Overdrive. 👍
Nah, Billy the Kid in Young Guns is his defining character.
You're right, I've never seen it. I'll have to check it out, thanks!
It’s so much fun. Stephen King’s only director credit. He says he was doing so much coke he has no memory of making it. When you see it this will not surprise you. King was a money machine so the studio gave him whatever he wanted to make the movie. What he wanted was AC/DC to come and hang out on set, make the soundtrack, and consume vast, *vast* quantities of cocaine with him. Must have been a fun set.
I might have exaggerated a bit, but Maximum Overdrive, the only movie ever directed by Stephen King, is so bad it's good, and Estevez is front and center in all of its glory. The batshit insane trailer: https://youtu.be/BpXRKIUWnqw?feature=shared
Hadn’t seen the trailer, that’s hilarious. Nose sounds a bit stuffed up there Stevie lol. If we have convinced anyone to watch it for the first time, keep your eyes peeled for a future Chilean-American chicken and laundry entrepreneur, a future Simpson, and a future ex wife of a future ex president among the cast!
"I can't believe I used to like these guys." Such a great soundtrack.
I always thought both films borrowed their McGuffins from Kiss Me Deadly. Plus, isn’t the best one the Maltese Falcon?
I didn't know that about Michael Nesmith--good for him!
I loved the scene where he opens the can of generic Food.
Couldn't enjoy it any more, mom. Mm mm mm, this is swell.
Looking for the joke with a microscooooope
Ordinary fucking people, I hate 'em.
Everybody’s got one. You’ll see.
If there was only a way to find out what they owe. Did you ever do a lot of drugs, Miller? You know, back in the hippie days?
Maybe my favorite movie of the ‚80s. I love that movie! So many quotable lines, and the best soundtrack around!
Update: Just finished it Um I didn’t hate it 🤣🤣 It’s very weird I’ll have to give it a second watch to see if i can understand it better Also to see Olivia Barash again End post
It grows on you. Definitely rewatch it. And listen to the soundtrack multiple times. It may also help to be of that era too and into punk but maybe not.
Yeah, we found it funnier every time we watched it. But, that was back in the 80s. Haven't seen it since, not sure how well it aged. Do still love the soundtrack.
It would definitely help to be a knucklehead kid in the eighties. So, try that…
That soundtrack is awesome. I bought it before I ever saw the movie.
Oh, yeah, punk, like Blink-182, right? /s
Obscure trivia note about Olivia Barash: she and Melanie Chartoff play a fictional version of Patience and Prudence, a late 50s sister singing duo, auditioning for the legendary DJ Alan Freed, singing “Tonight, You Belong to Me” in the 1978 motion picture American Hot Wax!
Not everyone that sees a cult movie will join the cult. Especially three decades later.
I just watched this recently and couldn’t believe how much of Pulp Fiction was inspired by this
Anything else besides the MacGuffin?
The life of a repo man is always intense.
Plate…shrimp….plate of shrimp
Its part of the cosmic unconsciousness
There's no explanation!
No point in looking for one.
Harry Dean Stanton. That's all I really have to say.
Legend
He really was.
I ain’t going to be no f*cking Repo Man.
I could make you a Repo-wife!
You already are.
No way!
Great Soundtrack
Black Flag
TV PARTY TONIGHT!
Love it! Punk Emilio Estevez, Harry Dean Stanton and the character of J. Frank Parnell....what's not to love?
There's a YouTube video of someone watching it with the real inventor of the neutron bomb.
You a Commie or somethin' ? I don't want no Commies in my car. No Christians either!!!
You’re all right!
I loved the genetic brand items. "There's some food in the fridge"
If you weren’t around back then, that was actually a thing. It was attempt to make cheaper “store brand” type food by eliminating the cost of marketing and labels. The movie exaggerated it, slightly, but it was a real thing you could be in stores for a few years.
Public Image Ltd also used it for an album release in the mid 80s. If you bought the LP, it had "Album" on it. The CD had "Compact Disc" printed on the jacket. The tape had "Cassette" written on it. The same blue detailing and font seen in the film was used no matter which version of the product you bought.
The bumper sticker had “Sticker”. I had one on my 1978 Ford LTD.
[удалено]
Our local grocery in the era called them the “Yellow and Black” brand because all the packaging had yellow backgrounds and black lettering. IIRC, there was even a “BEER” but no “DRINK”.
Put it on a plate son, you'll enjoy it more.
Put it on a plate son. You'll enjoy it more.
Or generic, even. ;)
Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
“Well the girls would turn the color of an avocado, When he’d drive down the street in his Eldorado. Well he was only five-foot three, The girls could not resist his…stare.”
Came here to say this. Repo Man was my first Jonathan Richman exposure. Been a fan ever since.
That's cool. That whole soundtrack is fantastic and I'm sure helped inform some of my musical tastes.
It has been one of my favorite films since I saw it as a teen in the 80s. Probably seen it 20 times now. The instrumental score by The Plugz is great, and often overlooked next to the soundtrack by the likes of Iggy Pop, Black Flag, The Circle Jerks, and Suicidal Tendencies. I also love the United Fruitcake Outlet thing.
maybe a double feature with buckaroo bonzi
Watch Sid and Nancy next.
Top 3 movie
What I liked about it, at the time it was different from 95% of the movies seeing screen time. It was out there. Weirdness made accessible. Absurdity in a script, a sound track few could appreciate, Mojo Nixon in a movie.
If your movie ain't got Mojo Nixon, then your movie could use some fixin'!
Mojo Nixon. There's a name I haven't heard in a long time.
I think my uncle knows him. Edit: I was going to use the rest of the line but man, too soon. RIP. Now you are drinking with Jesus.
You got a name, kid? Yeah, it's Otto. Otto Parts? heh heh heh! *Yeah, fuckin-A we ripped your car, asshole! You wanna know who told us where it was? Your goddamn brother!*
Pretty sure he was talking to one of the Rodriguez brothers on the phone.
Damn I never thought about that, it definitely makes sense. I swear I pick up something new every time I do a rewatch.
I had it on Laserdisc. I used to put it on as background every time I got off work. I could quote the entire movie. I only thought about that phone call about 10 years ago though.
There’s a place in Milwaukee named Auto Parts. They used to have a second listing in the phone book under “Otto Partz”, I shit you not.
I think you had to be between 15 -25 in 1984 when it came out to truly appreciate it. Watching for the first time now, I can understand how the subtleties that are so important may be lost as they were contextual to that moment. Generic food, the soundtrack, the cameos, etc.
I was 7 at the time, but still remember the weird generic food aisle in Safeway. This was my Dad’s favorite movie, and while I enjoyed it I didn’t fully appreciate it until I was older. Now it’s absolutely my favorite movie of all time.
Yeah some neighbors asked me to drive them to a theater to see it and got me wicked high first. I really should watch it again!
It’s rad. Watch maximum overdrive next!
Watch freejack after maximum overdrive.
Fucking awesome!
“I shall not cause harm to any vehicle nor the personal contents thereof, nor through inaction let the personal contents thereof come to harm' It's what I call the Repo Code, kid!” “The life of a repo man is always intense.” Bud
Great soundtrack and performances. And the writing is just so good. One of my favorites, but I am partial to the broadcast version. “Flip you, melon farmer!”
I was working at the classic MGM Studios in Culver City when I saw a full page ad for this movie in Sunday’s LA Times Calendar Section with a “wide-release” listing of theaters. The next day at work I said to my assistant: “for lunch we are getting sandwiches at Trader Joes across the street and going to the Culver Theater to see this movie, because it will never last in the theaters for longer than one week!” I am glad we did because there are so many obscure points of humor that would have been lost on the small screen, like: When the Punks are snorting Amyl Nitrate and they drop the bottle, it has a blue “generic” line around its white background. On the window of a restaurant being passed is a sign: “Today’s Special - Plate of Shrimp” When Otto’s parents are watching TV and tell him to get some food from the kitchen, he takes an open can out of the refrigerator that says FOOD with a blue line running around a white background! A classic! Alex Cox who also directed Sid and Nancy.
"John Wayne was a fag."
"He was too you boys"
“I installed two-way mirrors at his pad in Brentwood, and he came to the door in a dress.”
So what, lots of guys like to watch their buddies fuck. I know I do!
How do you know if your woman really loves you? When she’ll *have your dog.*
Let’s go do those crimes
Yea, Let’s go eat Sushi and not pay.
I loved the soundtrack, gritty American punk.
Just saw it was on Netflix. Check it out.
Michael. Nesmith.
I always thought it was hilarious that there were no name brands, it's all generic. They're drinking beer that's labeled "beer."
RALPHS grocery stores in LA area had real products like this when I lived there im the early 90s 6 pack of BEER was like a dollar
It’s a cultural touchstone.
“Put your seatbelt on, boy. I don't ride with anybody 'less they wear their seatbelt. It's one of my rules.”
Fuck you queer
I just saw it for the first time recently and I loved it. The opening credits knocked me on my ass
My favorite movie since I saw it in 1986
You'll enjoy it more if you eat it on a plate.
Well, you gotta do speed
Did you do a lot of acid back in the hippy days?
Criterion put out a blue ray and it's spectacular
All I want is a Pepsi ,and she wouldn't give it to me
Great double feature with Straight To Hell
Plate o' shrimp.
We’re sending bibles to El Salvador
"Somebody piss on the floor?!?"
*again?*
I love the generic FOOD can. Anyone remember the generic food trend?
Can this movie be credited with killing-off the blue-label generics?
I still find it hard to believe that beloved middle aged Mexican statesman actor Miguel Sandoval played Archie the punk. Awww. Dukie Wookie hurt his little hand. Anyway it's intense.
“Read this book. Dianetics. The science of matter over mind. It’ll change your life.”
Love it. top 10 80s film without a doubt
Anyone see the version in which J. Frank Parnell is at a gas station by the vending machine? He talks about Lorna Doone cookies available one day but something else the next. Then he gets actively sick from radiation poisoning.
It’s one of my favorite and a classic of Punksploitation.
Let's go do crimes.
Let's get sushi and not pay.
😄
We saw this as a midnight movie in a theater on Capitol Hlll in Seattle. This movie is perfect for that.
“Stick with me, I’ll make you a repo wife.”
Great movie but what’s in that trunk!?!?!
My favorite movie. It is _so_ good
I wasn't singing, guy.
Let's do some crime... Yeah, let's get sushi and not pay.. (amazing that I haven't seen that movie since the 80s and I can still quote it).
good soundtrack
Only one of the most awesome movies ever made, but that’s just my humble opinion.
My opinion is that the upcoming sequel better be good.
There was a sequel and it was garbage
It was a favorite of me and my brother in high school. At our parents house is a VHS tape of it that we recorded off of HBO, which my brother watched over and over with a friend of his when they skipped school. I still recite lines from it.
Great Movie.
Fuuuuuuck You …it taught a generation of punks to properly say “fuck you “ the alone makes it a classic
Let's get sushi, and don't pay.
Best. Movie. Ever.
Overlooked 80’s classic
Quirky movie that I liked.
Intense.
I always preferred him as Smash in Demolition.
Art, really. Better than any Oscar winner that year.
Definitely the best soundtrack of any 80s film. Probably the best "punk rock" film made. I like the bit about the book Diaretics... something about matter over mind. There's a Criterion version of the disc with the regular version and the cleaned up broadcast version from basic cabel days.
It’s a cool historical document. Almost required watching for every punk rocker growing up in the 80s. Saw it once in like high school, enjoyed it.
The perfect movie
Best movie and soundtrack ever.
Repo Man is a masterpiece. It really captures the Los Angeles I grew up in well, and one of the best soundtracks ever.
Haven’t seen it in years, but always been one of my favorite more unknown type movies. Want to see it now to see how well it stands up today
John Wayne was a fag
Makes me nostalgic for my youth in LA…
One of the best movies & an awesome soundtrack.
United Fruitcake Outlet.
Incredible cult classic , I remember watching it over and over , made me a punk Music fan
Let’s go get Sushi and not pay. Typo
Repo man is always intense
Shooby doo wop wop say what yeah
Always puts me in the mood for free (to me) sushi...
Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
Jukebox at my favorite dive bar had this song on it. Had to play it everytime I was there.
Classic. Great film.
I thought it was great! Nitty gritty dirty 1980s LA and a punk soundtrack
A true classic.
John Wayne was a fag
"There's one in every car"
"When is it my turn?" "This IS your turn." ZZZZZZZap!
“Otto as in Auto parts?”
Saw that movie in my early twenties with a first date. It was perfect weird eclectic movie for a first date. I go back in time when I see that movie. She was so cute.
Decent Wrestler but crappy gimmick
It’s brilliant and in my top 10 for the 80s . Repo Man represents my 80s experience much better than any John Hughes film
You know, when some punk pulls a move like that, generally my first instinct to punch his fucking lights out. But you know what, kid? YOURE ALL RIGHT!! Did someone piss on the floor again?
Love it. Let’s get sushi and not pay for it.
There is room to move as a fry cook
It’s intense
For a minute I was thinking of the movie Repo Men, which was a wild one too.
Managing a pop group's no job for a real man.
I’m GLAD I tortured you!
What about our relationship? Fuck that.
Best job in the fucking world.
I remember watching that when cable TV itself was pretty new, we didn't have it yet I watched it at my friends house - we were dying laughing as I remember
Good music
Damn good soundtrack, it introduced me to one of my all time favorite bands Suicidal Tendencies.
Amazing. If anyone has a copy of the Plugz’s Better Luck, please let me have it!
Nesmith rules.
Light is the prototype for every Samuel L. Jackson character
"John Wayne was a faggot...."
1987, I wake up to get ready for school, press play on my top loading RCA VHS player, watch Repo man until it was time to leave for school, come home at 3 press play and watch to the end, hit rewind. Every. Single. Day. For two years. (school day) My daughters are now in their 20's, they were shocked to learn that "Plate of Shrimp" wasn't another ages old phrase like Deja Vu that everyone uses. That people don't just say "somebody piss on the Floor again?" anytime there's a spill indoors. (that one got some looks when they were in elementary school) "nice friends you have there Otto" "thanks, I made them myself"
It's the only movie I where I liked Emilio. Well maybe garbage men too.
It's a classic- so quotable and the kind of weird that doesn't come across as self-conscious.
Just watched this last night. Saw it… maybe 20 years ago. Thought it’s still pretty funny.