Motorama |  | Director: Barry Shils
Actors: Jordan Christopher Michael, Martha Quinn, Michael Naegel, Susan Tyrrell, Harper Flaherty
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.95
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Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 49627
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), Cantonese (Subtitled), Chinese (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Korean (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 99
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D06531D
ISBN: 0767868188
UPC: 043396065314
EAN: 9780767868181
ASIN: B00005RDRK
Theatrical Release Date: January 13, 1993
Release Date: December 18, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
No Description Available.
Genre: Feature Film-Comedy
Rating: R
Release Date: 31-AUG-2004
Media Type: DVD
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 30
 A Road Movie Stuck in Neutral December 13, 2009
Bryan Byrd (Daveport, Iowa)
The key to enjoying a movie like 'Motorama' is, I believe, not knowing much about it before watching. In fact, the less said about it the better - the potential viewer is apt to appreciate it more if they catch it fifteen minutes into the story on late night cable. Even in that case, there will still only be a small favorable audience for 'Motorama'. I doubt it was ever intended for a larger crowd - it's too idiosyncratic for that. What's left are those who enjoy the offbeat, the quirky, the bizarre filmmaking touches that generally catapult a film into 'cult classic' territory - and even that subset of movie buffs (to which I belong) are going to be further divided on the merits of 'Motorama'. Personally, I think it's mostly weirdness for weirdness sake, though I wouldn't dispute someone who saw something deeper, or felt that the film resonated with them.
Plot synopses for movies like this generally do not convey the reasons behind their popularity (or lack thereof). This is mostly because cult movies depend less on the story as they do small details and bizarre characters. 'Motorama' isn't any different. A ten year old boy, Gus, leaves an abusive household, steals a cherry red Mustang, and strikes out one the road. Seeing a sign advertising the Motorama contest, sponsored by Chimera Gas Company, he dedicates himself to collecting the game cards at the participating stations - to win, he must find cards that spell 'Motorama'. Each advance in the contest accompanies a corollary sacrifice or hardship for the boy, and as he travels from state to state, he peals away layer after layer of civilization until he is immersed in a gritty, ugly world.
There's more than one way to look at 'Motorama' - and I do think there was a interesting premise behind the film. I just felt that it didn't translate well onto the screen. I do know the marketing for the film is misleading - probably purposefully so. Looking at the DVD cover, one would think that Drew Barrymore plays a significant role, but her screen time is limited to only a few minutes. Other cameos include Meat Loaf and Garrett Morris, but it's Gus' show - everyone else is either a support or an obstacle to his quest. A quest that, ultimately, never seems to get out of the neutral gear, and despite the inspired idea, leaves me indifferent and unruffled.
Grossly misunderstood and mis-marketed allegory October 7, 2009
Wayne A. (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
This is a modern, sharp, and extraordinarily imaginative update on the eternal stories of making that life journey that ends in enlightenment, the Grail, wisdom... etc. In ways it's a retelling of works like Siddhartha and The Inferno. Unfortunately, some knowledge of myths and legends is required to fully understand a lot of the details and references. Since its release it's been sent to inappropriate audiences to unsuccessfully fend for itself. People seem to hate it or like it for what I sense are all the wrong reasons.
The information on the packaging is COMPLETELY misleading. Re-marketed and set in front of the right viewers I think this would be judged a minor classic. It's a lost movie that needs some help. A Criterion release of this film might place it in the right hands, as incredible as that may sound to detractors.
Four stars because it's not perfect, but it's still in my top 50.
PS: I'm finding this movie in $3 bargain bins. I'm worried it's about to go out of print.
An odd film, but entertaining. April 29, 2008
MommaMia (NY)
The idea is bizarre, a child driving around the countryside trying to win a game by collecting cards with letters on them while filling his gastank. (If they gave cards out for every dollar you spent these days, we'd all be winners in a week!) Needless to say, he went through some odd moments to get all of his cards gathered...it's a quirky film, but holds your attention, because of it's oddities.
 My take on this hard to understand film... December 19, 2007
Tommy V (Los Angeles, CA USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
First of all, this is not a children's film. Just because you see a kid on the cover doesn't make it a children's film. The cover has nothing to do with the film. Now on to the review...
The best way to view this film is not linear; when you do that you are just watching the journey without understanding it. Yes, 10-year-old Gus (Jordan Christopher Michael) is on a journey. He makes an adult decision to escape the abusive situation at home and from that point the director allows Gus to continue to make adult decisions (although he looks like a kid)... and like real life where we do not always make the best decisions for ourselves, neither does Gus. He steals a car (Mustang convertible) and rides off into a surreal America playing "Motorama," a game sponsored by Chimera Gas Company. But he doesn't go far and he finds a lonely gas station attendant in a small filling station in the middle of no-where who needs some help. This is a pivotal point in the story. Gus is about to make either the right, or the wrong, decision and he makes the wrong one, driving off to pursue his selfish game, his fortune, without any idea of the cost to himself or others. The consequence is a hard troubled journey that cost him not only his eye, but also his youth. In the end when he eventually reaches the Chimera Gas Company with the winning ticket he finds they are not playing by the rules of the game. And neither is life... It's a hard lesson for a young boy to learn. But Gus gets another chance and miraculously he finds himself back at the small filling station in the middle of no-where. The attendant still needs help, and this time Gus makes the right decision and stays. A fascinating film that can be viewed on many levels. I highly recommend it!
Chaos dimension! June 6, 2007
Uanderson L. G. Silva (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Totally crazy!
The tematic is completly new, reaching all aspects of fantasy!
The best is that movie is not a silly film, but have a adult tematic and a particular world that we fall inside it. Extremly and intense...
Claps for Jordan C Michael...His performance is great!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 30
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