Meet Joe Fisk (Craig Sheffer).. a detention camp teenager.. when he first sees the beautifully angelic Lisa (Virginia Madsen) in the woods during a camp exercise, he completely falls for her. He doesn’t know her name or where she’s from, but with the help of his best friend Myron (JJ Cohen) he soon discovers that she probably attends a nearby Catholic school.
Later that day, Lisa and her best friend go to the movies together and while joking outside ("I'm an elf in a black bra") they notice the reformatory camp bus pulling up. As the boys step off the bus, Lisa can’t believe her eyes: it’s the guy from the woods! Throughout the horror movie playing at the theater, the two can’t take their eyes off each other. It’s only eyes for the time being as Joe is stuck with the reformatory group and can't even sit with Lisa and her friend.
Back at Immaculate Hearts School For Girls.. the class is discussing ideas for their annual ‘help the community’ project. This is when Lisa unleashes an unconventional plan to invite the boys from the reformatory camp over for a dance with the hopes of meetIng this Joe Fisk guy.
From this point on is when the movie turns amazing in my opinion. The dance is fantastic and there is so much to enjoy.
Like what girl wouldn't want to dance with this entertaining bunch?
Virginia Madsen once stated that she had a thing for D.B. Sweeney while making this movie.. I just can't see it especially with the apparent chemistry between Madsen and Sheffer in the movie.
The tunes and the scenes between Lisa and Joe at the dance are incredible. The conversation is hilarious, but when they finally intertwine the intensity of their passion for each other is quite evident.
I do have a few questions though:
1. Is it a good idea to take a group of troubled teens at an Honor Camp to see "Friday The 13th: A New Beginning"?
2. Has anyone really ever seen an Elf in a black bra?
3. Where did the Sisters from the Immaculate Hearts School For Girls acquire so many incredible tunes for the dance?
4. Was the blonde guy with those wicked breakdancing moves an extra in the movie "Footloose" as well?
5. Bit By Bit.. really? Was John Cocktosen at the dance as Robert Redford?
6. Do you think Lisa should have been concerned that the nun receptionist might have still been listen to this phone call..
"JooooooeeeeeFrank"
7. I hope the stunt doubles at end of the movie were paid extra for that feat! Not really a question.. just awesome!
Finally.. you get that I enjoy this flick, but I have to list some of the tunes that along with the enchanting music score by Howard Shore helped make so many scenes from the film memorable.
Soundtrack:
Fire with Fire – Wild Blue Computer Blue – Prince Bit by Bit – Stephanie Mills Heart of Rock and Roll – Huey Lewis and the News Slave to Love – Bryan Ferry If Anybody Had a Heart – John Waite I’m in it For Love – James House From Nags to Witches – Winston Sharples
"Are you studying to be a crook?"
I really want anyone that has a passion for "Fire With Fire" to share their thoughts as well. If you've never seen it.. it is currently available on Netflix instant watch.
[ 19. February 2011, 21:34: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by Tiffany (Member # 9077) on :
You Americans and your better Netflix options! Still can't get anything good in Canada! I think if this movie was available on Netflix here I would sign up just for that movie alone thats how badly I want it LOL. Love the questions Valley. The first one made me laugh the most but maybe thats just because I work in a similar area. I know where I work we sure wouldn't be showing Friday The 13th.
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
I have this available on two different VHS versions instant watch so does that count?
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
Question #8. Do they have a different version of Bit By Bit? It's a little odd to have the theme song of Fletch in the movie? Or do they take out the lyrics "Fletch is working overtime"?
This needs to be evaluated.
We are DEVO
Posted by Logan 5 (Member # 1467) on :
Loved it. This was one of those 'best kept secret' type of movies that has now become well-known (amongst 80's fans, at least). Yet still we have no DVD. I like the 'Passion From the Crypt', but I'm really hoping for the 'Photographing Ophelia' edition.
quote:Question #8. Do they have a different version of Bit By Bit? It's a little odd to have the theme song of Fletch in the movie? Or do they take out the lyrics "Fletch is working overtime"?
It's the standard version. It was a pop hit back in the day, so it makes some sense for them to play it at a dance.
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
This has been on my list for quite some time...I've never seen it. Anyone know where I can get a copy at a reasonable price?
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
terrific post, valley. great movie!
"So.. whata.. studying to be a nun?
haha you know joe was asking, hoping to hear lisa say "no."
oh but she sure got him back, right?
"Are you studying to be a crook?"
this was joe's face --->
aaahhh the music in this movie is awesome.
valley, i used to watch this movie on cable back in the day, with my mother. i remember my mom loving the song 'slave to love.' i don't remember hearing this song anywhere on my local radio stations or in any other films?
remember the movie 50 first dates with adam sandler and drew barrymore? the soundtrack featured reggae cover versions of 80s songs.. one of them was slave to love, by Elan Atias featuring Gwen Stefani, singing the female background vocals including the "na-na na, na" bit. i can't say i love the cover, but it's attempt is sweet and i was glad to see someone chose to cover that wonderful song. Slave To Love feat. Gwen Stefani
the main titled song, fire with fire by wild blue is a great rock tune, played during the dance scene and again at the end of the movie. all the titled songs in the movie are all in that one dance scene, right? the rest of the movie is just score music.
the dance is also my favorite scene because up until that part, joe and lisa only catch small glimpses of one another, but still manage to feel that intense attraction towards each other and when they finally come face to face at the dance, (fire with fire is playing in the background) they solidify their feelings in that 'stare' they share.
quote: Virginia Madsen once stated that she had a thing for D.B. Sweeney while making this movie.. I just can't see it especially with the apparent chemistry between Madsen and Sheffer in the movie.
maybe it's a bad boy thing... antonio sabato jr., hello?? j/k..
here's a blog dedicated to the movie. it has some details on some of the other actors in the movie, including great pics:
This is one of my favorite romance movies of the 80s. The chemistry between Craig Sheffer and Virginia Madsen is so powerfully portrayed on screen that you cannot help but fall in love with them. The accompanying music absolutely doesn't hurt either. It is a great shame that this doesn't exist on DVD or CD format. I was hoping with the resurrgence of Virginia Madsen's career with Sideways that some of her older stuff would now be available. To my dismay, and many others, this is still not a reality.
I keep hoping that one day when I am thumbing through the $5 bin at Wal-Mart I will come across it. If I would I think I would scream outloud with joy and everyone would think that I was crazy. If anyone has not seen this gem then they are totally missing out on something absolutely amazing. I am not a big Craig Sheffer fan but this is most definitely my favorite film of his. He has such a vulnerability that is easy to fall in love with; and Virginia Madsen is just a goddess!
Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
Still one of my all-time faves from the 80's..... enough said!
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
For any "Fire With Fire" fan that hasn't checked out the blog that Ronnie posted .. you totally need to do so.
I remember wondering who the guy was that reported the fake snake in the kitchen to Mr. Washington so that Joe could call Lisa.. well, his name is Ian Tracey and he's be in a ton of stuff over the years. There is a great write-up in the blog.
I enjoy all the tunes during the dance scenes in "Fire With Fire" .. but for some reason .. this one was be on my mind quite a bit lately:
[ 18. March 2011, 10:14: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
Today, Ian Tracey is one of Canada's best loved TV stars. He was mesmerizing in DaVinci's Inquest (best Canadian TV drama ever) and Intelligence. He just has the kind of face to be either a cop or a bad guy. Great, unsung, working actor.
Posted by Bamersy (Member # 8808) on :
Valley told me about this thread when he started it-better late than never! Here's a couple fan pages I started:
You must be a member of and signed in to FaceBook to see this one-otherwise it will just take you to the sign in page:
aTomik-are your versions the same, or does one have scenes the other doesn't?
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Better late than never Bamersy.. I totally knew that you had a page dedicated to it.
I just clicked on "Slave to Love" above and it immediately took me back to the intense feelings that I experienced the last time I watched "Fire With Fire".. just an awesome feeling ya know! Posted by Bamersy (Member # 8808) on :
"In It For Love" is my fave from the movie-"Slave to Love" belongs to 9 1/2 Weeks for me Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
I never cared much for "9 1/2 Weeks" .. so it stays with "Fire With Fire" for me.
But, I will give "Bit By Bit" to "Fletch" if that helps!
Posted by Bernie_Lomax (Member # 8571) on :
I have not seen this one but I want too.
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bamersy:
aTomik-are your versions the same, or does one have scenes the other doesn't?
It´s the same print. Damn i love that Wild Blue end credits tune!
Posted by Bamersy (Member # 8808) on :
I'm convinced there's a missing scene-the one depicted on the cover. I seem to remember it taking place in between them getting to the cabin and going to bed for the night. It may have been in the theater, and I know I watched it on HBO too back in the day. Then again, I may have been dreaming Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
Wild Blue's "Fire with Fire" is one of my favorite 80's soundtrack songs of all time! So powerful....
I cannot get enough of this movie and I've been watching it non stop since its been on Netflix. The qualify on Netflix is very good except for the sound..its not in HD so you need to turn your speakers up. The video is great quality. It is on youtube but I am not sure the quality if that great.
Craig Sheffer was SOOOO hot in this movie. I heard him and Virginia had no chemistry at all in real life and thay she did not particulary care for him. I hope that is not true but what a great movie.
Craig was also good in Babycakes...another fave and it is on youtube in very good quality. It is in 10 parts..just look for Babycakes 01 02 and so forth.
I am not sure what happened with his career. Seems like he has done some real bombs and made for TV stuff. I watched him just recently in Psych or Criminal minds, on netflix. He does not look the same (but then who does 25 years later)but you can tell its him.
Posted by eclipse72 (Member # 9991) on :
I am wondering where was the boys camp filmed? Looks like the school scenes were done at Catholic schools according to credits and imdb...one I recognize from the movie. Seems like the boys prison camp was set up really well..barracks and all. Where was that part filmed?
I love this film sooo much I would not mind going on a tour of the filming spots. I was in Vancouver too about 9 years ago and totally forgot to check out where this was filmed.
Posted by David_J (Member # 37430) on :
A absolutely gem of a movie I thought it was so good I watched this the other day such a great movie. I remember looking for it years ago on DVD but never found a copy of it it's definitely a film I would love to own and definitely worth watching to.
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