Brenda Bakke

Last Resort
$14.99
This cheap rip-off comedy was a popular staple on CInemax or Showtime when it came out. It is filled with some notable comics like Charles Grodin, Gerrit Graham (Used Cars), Jon Lovitz, Phil Hartman, Meagan Mulally (when she was about 20 and slim) and Mario Van Peebles. The talent pool can't balance out the bad writing, a joke or two will hit but as a whole picture, it's void of great laughs.
It's interesting to see how producer Roger Corman hurried this one out. The main location is a tropical island resort and Corman seems to have had built a set consisting of small shacks and canopies somewhere near Malibu instead of actually taking cast and crew to the Caribbean. The scene when the tourists arrive by palne is a riot in it's small potatoes budget- a mix of stock footage and a descent that was done with a tilt of the camera. There is a weak subplot involving revolutionaries trying to take over the island. I wouldn't be surprised if Corman used the guerillas as well as the brief battle scene in another film, a common Corman money-saver.
Zane Busby directed. She also plays head of the resorts daycare. Maybe you'll recognize her acting role from Cheech and Chongs "Up in Smoke" or the abysmal "Americathon".

Twogether [VHS]
$96.99
White-hot erotic drama that is both pro-sexuality and pro-life, and definately pro-love. Starring a personal favorite in Brenda Bakke, who gets to display both her great (and sadly unnoticed much of the time) acting skills and her electrifying beauty. "Twogether", despite its dark moments, celebrates love (and loving!) while subtly scoffing at excessive macho aggression and at the tendency (in movies and in real-life) for couples who know they love each other to risk or let it slip away due to some stupid mistunderstanding or pessimism or wounded ego over some real or imagined slight. Also helped by the development of a sweet relationship between Brenda's character and a homeless man who lives near her boyfriend's apartment (a friendship relationship, not sexual) and the themes of envirornmentalism and hope for the future running throughout (the main characters meet at an envirornmental fundraiser where he's displaying charity artwork and she's working as a volunteer at one of the tables). Both characters overcome mistakes in their past, damaged relationships, and their own stubbornesses over the course of the film as they try to get things right. Listed as R-Rated here, but both the cover shot and the longer running time listed here reveal that this is indeed the Unrated Version, which is obviously the one to get. Whether you're a guy or a girl (or gay or lesbian for that matter) there are plenty of eyefuls for any persuasion. A rare success in combining delightful raciness and deep, difficult drama.

Danielle Steel's Secrets [VHS]
$9.99
Danielle Steel's "Secrets" is perfect popcorn entertainment. It's made-for-TV movie proof that romance novels are best seen but not read. Christopher Plummer stars as Mel Wexler,a soap opera producer impresario. In a refreshing turn,Mel is romancing Sabina Quarles,a woman his own age. Their mature romance is genuine and touching. As usual, Plummer's performance is stellar (compared to the script) There's a young heartthrob dealing with a junkie wife, Jane Adams who has an abusive husband,and Zach who's dealing with trailer park white trash con artists.

"Secrets" has a young Danielle Steel herself giving the introduction. The first half-hour is quite convoluted and confusing. The most you're left knowing is that Mel is doing a soap opera called "Manhattan" and that EVERYONE is on the phone. Three or four plots are introduced;they don't quite coagulate until the end.

"Secrets" is good,sappy fun. Love triumphs; everybody lives happily ever after. It's a movie best enjoyed with rose wine and chocolates.

Under Siege 2: Dark Territory
$2.99
This is one of those "in the mood" flics. You just have to be in the mood for a "no-brainer". The action is typical Segal, and the premise stretches things, many times more than a bit. There are several excellent scenery shots which almost make the Blu-ray format worth it. Other than the satellite gimmick, one can almost believe the rest of the plot. The cast, for the most part, turn in a professional job. Seagal almost smiles enough that you can be almost sure they don't have a mannequin doing the role. Not a bad piece of mental candy, if the price is right.