The Allnighter

I've just finished watching this movie after watching "Pound of Flesh" a few days ago. There's something about the movies of Ms Tamar Simon Hoffs that suggests she understands sexuality very, very well and that she presents stories that require an above-average amount of mental processing so as to appreciate them. This movie is no exception -- and that's a significant compliment.I was a girl of the same general age and living in the same general time-frame as the movie portrays ... made in the mid-1980s when the actress who plays the central character was in her mid-20s at the time, and presumably playing a character who's in her early 20s, so perhaps the movie is based on the early 80s or so. I was also raised in a nice neighborhood, I also lived in LA near the beach at the time, and I also graduated from college. So, I relate perhaps more than most, but the points the movie makes are nevertheless universal.The skills and style of the central actress have some parallels with Micheal J Fox, who in various movies and shows played a character younger than the age of the actual actor. The few extra years of life insight enables more credible and endearing a performance than had an actor of that literal age been chosen. Similarly does Susanna Hoffs deliver a credible and endearing performance while having (and probably because of having) a few extra years of life insight relative to the character she portrays.In so many movies nowadays, courage and character are interwoven with story lines punctuated by pyrotechnics, explosives, gunfire and special effects. If a character is portrayed as making a good yet difficult decision, it's typically the fate of civilization that hangs in the balance. One nuclear explosion is certainly not enough to keep the audience engaged, and machine-gun fire and single shots must fill the gaps in the silence. By contrast to that sort of thing, this movie enables us to consider the courage and character behind decisions and actions made by young adults, as we all once were (unless you're a very young reader of this review) with all the hesitation, uncertainty and insecurity that comes with being a young adult. And, as a bonus, the scenarios are real-life and realistic. To recap:- Character A realizes she's a sexual being who has neglected her sexuality, and she takes action to pursue a sexual experience with someone whom she respects for what he's achieved, and who is nice to her- Character A chooses that person over Character D who is (at the time) mean to her even though she has a crush on Character D- Even though Character A has a crush on Character D, after he's mean to her, she makes a stand and has an eloquent showdown without saying a word, right when Character D is trying to make a good impression on two other girls- Character A is supposed to write a graduation speech as class valedictorian but instead she allocates the time better, to a night filled with rich life experiences- Character A later ends up giving her graduation speech impromptu instead of having written a speech, with the central point being that experience is the best way to learn- Character B speaks up in support of her friend, Character C, when the latter is having a showdown with her horrible fiance and needs that support- Character C defends her friend, Character B, in a jail cell against a physically intimidating adversary who is about to get violent- Character C stands up to a horrible fiance even though he superficially has appealing features- Character A helps her friends, Characters B and C, when they're in trouble and she intelligently and methodically pursues every resource she can find, yet without violating her integrity- Character A shows how using a collaborative girl-girl appeal to openness and reason works a lot better at getting problems resolved, in contrast with the approach of someone who tries to help but ends up using pressure tactics that make things worse- Character A embraces her sexuality, while being well aware that she doesn't have the typical busty figure that girls her age have. The story line is frankly earnest about it, including a scene on the beach where the character admits her concerns as to her physique not being as curvy as that of other girls her age. Even so, by the time she's done trying to look enticing, she very much does. As a bonus, the movie also shows her in the process of getting ready, during which her basic sexual radiance shows, and bodes well for her likelihood to experience what she's seeking. After being up all night, doing things that take courage, she ends up in a romantic and sexual scene with Character D on whom she has had a crush all along, and who realizes the value of Character A in his life, and who ends up helping her and being nice to her at a time when she needed it most. The seduction scene seems low- key unless you're paying attention. Without that sexy scene, or with just that sexy scene as the main theme, the entire point of the movie would have been very different, for the worse.- The best scene is almost at the very end, where perhaps within the hour of having a happy and meaningful sexual experience to add to the intense events of that night and subsequent morning, Character A walks to the podium and gives a short and perfect graduation speech while she radiates a well-earned confidence.Buildings, aliens, planets and cities destroyed: zero. Explosives detonated and bullets fired: zero.Even though at a superficial glance this movie might seem superficial to some, it doesn't take much analysis to add up a list of commendable decisions and actions by characters who exude more realism yet heroism (in a real-life way, in real-life scenarios) than most characters I've seen on-screen.That's an impressively long list of good life lessons, packaged in so fun and non-preachy a way that the lessons to be learned are perfectly integrated, which is how humans learn best. Lecture them and you've lost them; entertain and tell stories, and they learn without realizing they're learning. It's like getting a balanced and healthy meal even though it tastes and looks like delicious junk food.The mother-daughter dynamic between the two Hoffs ladies (Tamar Simon Hoffs and Susanna Hoffs) is, of course, totally unknown to me but I suspect that it could make for an intriguing anthropology book, what with the former lady's likely mentoring of the latter as to the role of sexuality in show business. Equally intriguing is how well that has succeeded -- perhaps beyond the ability of anyone to manage and contain; almost like trying to light a camp-fire and then ending up with a nicely roaring camp-fire plus then burning down much of the forest too, as a consequence of runaway success.It is, of course, not appropriate to speculate on the private sexuality of Susanna Hoffs, so I must emphasize that this comment is focused on her skill at working the role of sexuality in show business. With that in mind, what she's learned and done could probably fill yet another book.Were they ever written, I'd hope that both books would be "required reading" in any class that teaches aspiring performers.The general consensus about this movie seems to be that it's not all that great a movie. I disagree.

I added this to my DVD collection because it is a little known production.The movie itself is barely a "B".

(2 stars for the film, 5 stars for blu-ray)"The Allnighter" is a 1987 PG-13 college comedy that is only remembered for being the lone feature film acting appearance of Susanna Hoffs who was at the height of her popularity as a vocalist & guitarist in The Bangles. The film was co-written and directed by her mother Tamar Simon Hoffs. Co-starring was Dedee Pfeiffer, Joan Cusack and Pam Grier. Overall it is pretty forgettable that is hamstrung by its PG-13 rating. The main reason the film is remembered by anyone is the famous scene where Susanna Hoffs is standing in front of a mirror in her underwear looking stunning and incredibly sexy as always while she is getting ready for a girls' night out. While I do not think the film is quite as awful as a lot of other people do, it is still pretty bad and only worthy of passing interest for fans of Susanna Hoffs.Kino Lorber gives "The Allnighter" its blu-ray debut as part of its KL Studio Classics imprint.The film is presented on a dual layer disc in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 utilizing the AVC codec at a maxed out bit rate that mostly stays in the upper 30's occasionally getting a bit past 40 so absolutely no compression artifacts are visible. Nothing on the back of the case mentions anything about this being a new scan so Kino Lorber were more than likely provided an HD master by Universal Studios. Overall the film looks quite good with nice detail, excellent colors, even contrast and accurate flesh tones. While it would be interesting to see what a new 2K scan of the original camera negative could have yielded, for an existing master "The Allnighter" looks quite nice. Fans should be pleased.Audio is presented in English DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio sounding clear and punchy. English subtitles are included for the hearing impaired.Some cool extra features are included as follows:- Audio Commentary by Star Susanna Hoffs and Co-Writer/Director Tamar Simon Hoffs- Audio Commentary by Film Historian Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Academic/Film Critic Josh Nelson- Price-Sulton “No T.V. No Phone” Music Video- Theatrical TrailerBoth of the commentary tracks are well done, informative and packed full of information. When I heard that "The Allnighter" was finally getting a blu-ray release, I was fully expecting it to be a bare bones. So kudos to Kino Lorber for going the extra mile including the two excellent commentary tracks especially in addition to the music video.Fans of "The Allnighter" and/or Susanna Hoffs should pick up KL Studio Classics' blu-ray release immediately. The movie looks and sounds great in addition to featuring some surprisingly nice extras in what is overall a cool package for a mostly reviled film. The film might be a forgettable mess, but it still has its fans. Highly recommended!

This wasn't any special movie. The only value it has is Susanna Hoffs is in it, so fans of her and the Bangles could see her. The movie is suppose to be a comedy, but it wasn't that funny. Overall, it is rather stupid movie, but I'm a Bangles fan so that's only reason I picked up this movie. There's no Bangles music and she doesn't sing, and when does the love scene, I don't know if it's a body double or what, but there's no nudity anyways.

When I was growing up my baby-sitter would watch this. My Mom caught my sister & I watching it later on and she told us we couldn't. Anyway, it's just one of those "80s Cult Classics" that is off the hook. Not recognized as much like The BreakFast Club or The Goonie's but nonetheless a true classic!Funny enough this DVD was being released a month after I bought it and I think even cheaper. Yes, I will admit I did pay like $55 for this but it's or when I bought it this was an "out of print classic" and I just dove in and got it.The product was just as described and the quality was amazing! I'm very happy with this movie and the person who sold it.DJ Jason Canaan (Pasadena, Maryland)

This movie isn't a terrible movie. It also isn't a great one. It's just an okay movie for those that want to see Susanna Hoffs (from The Bangles) again. Her mother actually directs it. It's just another 80s teen comedy to pass the time if you don't have something like The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, or Weird Science handy. The other actresses do a good job in the movie, especially Joan Cusack. Dedee Pfeiffer (little sister of Michelle) is also ok. Again an ok movie that is a good time-waster.

I gave this movie 5 stars, cause it is fun and enjoyable...Its a b movie for sure, maybe even a c movie but its not without its merrits. The girls are all bad actors except for Joan Cusak...The heart of the movie apparently lies with the two lead male Actors, John Terlesky ( hunk, muscular, very handsome) and James Anthony Shanta ( a blonde demi god if there ever was one, he plays Killer.) Both of these lads are funny, but as I said the heart of the film comes through in the final scene with the two guys as one goes off to surf the world, and the other to law school...the conversation is touching and shows real friendship with the two guys...The film itself contains some nice surfing sequences ( like on water, not internet). The cinematography is stunning and there are some close ups of John, that shows how handsome this dude is. But in these days, if you like surfing and beach movies, you will enjoy this...but dont look for anything substancial...except a crush on John Terlesky!

Fue un excelente regalo de Navidad para un gran fan de Susanna Hoffs.

Nice film great condition

Love The Bangles and Suzanna Hoff, and her appearance in the Austen Powers movies. She was adorable.

I ordered this on blu ray thinking that all blu ray discs are playable anywhere. They are not and this is region specific to the USA so I can’t play it on my uk player.