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Savage Dawn (1985)
Not the best movie, but I did enjoy Savage Dawn
Savage Dawn is a B grade action flick from the 80' that I have not seen until today. With a a cast of Lance Henrikson( in a rare heroic role) is ex.soldier returning home to visit a old army buddy ( George Kennedy) finds himself in the middle of small town getting run down the outlaw biker gang The Savages. Besides the leader William Forsythe, the rest of the biker gang are clowns. If this was a movie from the 60's or 70"s, Savage Dawn would be a western, as it has a lot of similar themes. The overall quality of the movie is not very good, but this is a rare chance for Lance Henrikson to play a action hero. He dispatches his adversaries quite easily and rarely has to use firearms. There are a whole lot of action flicks with a similar plot and in Savage Dawn the cheese level is quite high. However, Lance Henrikson is good here in this different role and has a early appearance from William Forsythe (both which would reunite on Stone Cold) as baddie leader is more than worth the price of admission. Stone Cold didn't win any awards, but is a better made movie than Savage Dawn. Stone Cold has better action sequences and a lot more of it.
The Hard Corps (2005)
"The hardest of the hardcore"!
The Hard Corps is a direct to video action flick starring JCVD that exceeds the expectations of a direct to video action movie. I really think the storyline and characters were set up well and JCVD, by this point was much better at the acting then when his movies got a theatrical run. Van Damme and his team of bodyguards must protect a famous boxer from straight up gangsters that are employed by his rapper nemesis. Everything here was done really well and JCVD is still in great shape, there also is no shortage on the action. This is easily better than some of his bigger movies.with larger budgets. The Hard Corps is not on par with classics like Hard Target or Bloodsport, but I found this movie to be enjoyable. If you are a fan of JCVD 's films or action in general, The Hard Corps checks a lot of boxes and is a good watch.
The Park Is Mine (1985)
Good, lesser known post Vietnam action movie
I guess this came out as a cable movie( HBD or Cinemax) in the mid 80's. The Park Is Mine has a lot in common with First Blood, but in a urban setting and a a much smaller budget. This has the feel.and look of a lot of the post Vietnam/post Death Wish films, but is not quite as bleak and Tommy Lee Jones is much more likeable and sympathetic. As a statement of raising social awareness on how poorly vets are treated, as well as the underprivileged Tommy Lee Jones takes over the park until after Veteran's Day..He tries to get his message across without using violence and is embraced by the media and the local Everyman. The mayor represents the establishment and is constantly trying to do him dirty and even tries to kill him. Yaphett Kotto plays a sympathetic cop that is at odds with the corrupt mayor.. Tommy Lee Jones gives a convincing performance and unlike a lot of movies before this period, puts Vietnam Veterans in a more positive light. Overall, I thought The Park Is Mine is a interesting little action flick. It may not be the best of the genre, but certainly is worth watching and Tommy Lee Jones is excellent here.
3:10 to Yuma (2007)
Excellent
Oh how time flies.... it seems like just a few years ago I saw this at the theater. That was almost 20 years ago. Anyways 310 To Yuma is a remake, I have not seen the original,so I can't compare the two films. However, I really did enjoy 2007's 310 To Yuma. It is a sharp looking, nicely scored and shot, tightly directed and action packed western. The pace is pretty brisk, but still has enough time to pay attention to the storyline and character development. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe are seriously talented actors and their chemistry is very strong in this film, bringing to mind John Woo's The Killer. Overall I like this a lot and holds up extremely well from the time I originally saw this. 310 To Yuma is a very good western.
The Hunting Party (1971)
Sadistic, violent western
The Hunting Party is a nasty, violent and misogynistic revisionist western with Gene Hackman and Oliver Reed in opposition to one another. Olivia Reed is the leader of a gang of outlaws and scoops up the hottest school teacher in town so he can learn how to read. Her husband is on a hunting trip and once he hears of his wife(Candace Bergen) gets kidnapped , he plans on hunting humans instead and aims to pick off the gang from a distance and one by one. The film itself is very bloody and unapologetically nihilistic. It also was really rough on women. Gene Hackman and Oliver Reed are both at the top of their game and truly bring these violent men to life. Whether or not if The Hunting Party is for you or not, is really well done. If you like Sam Pechipah's body of work, you should give The Hunting Party a shot.
The Scalphunters (1968)
Solid, entertaining western
I quite enjoyed The Scalphunters as it moved along quickly and was nicely shot. Burt Lancaster was up for the task as a tough trapper that tries to retrieve his pelts from a gang of miscreants (led by Telly Savalas) after they took them from some Indians that they massacred.for their scalps. Ossie Davis is a escaped slave that wants to head towards Mexico. Overall, I thought this was really well made . Burt Lancaster.was one of the best leading men of his time and is not too surprising he would shine in this material. This was really good random watch and is definitely recommended for fans of classic, old school westerns..
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Wagons East! (1994)
John Candy's last film, I will have to forget that this exists
Growing up in the 1980's, John Candy was a constant in comedies. It didn't matter if he had a lead or supporting role, but his performance was always memorable. Unfortunately, Wagon's East is a mess. John Candy's performance is the best thing about this movie. However, this is not exactly his best performance I may be reaching here, but it's very possible Wagon's East was so bad it killed John Candy. Basically this is a really unfunny satire of The American Western. This script stunk to high heaven and is possibly made worse with John Candy's unfortunate death on the set of the film. It's sad that he passed and for years I didn't know that this existed. The film he made before this Canadian Bacon I thought was great and he made a lot of great movies ( The Blues Brothers, Brewster's Millions, Planes, Trains And Automobiles, Uncle Buck, etc). If possible avoid Wagon's East. You have a lot more John Candy movies to choose from.
Jane Got a Gun (2015)
Pretty decent western
Jane's Got A Gun is a pretty nicely shot and acted western. This also cast Natalie Portman in the lead and is one of the most beautiful women working in Hollywood. She also is a talented actress in her own right and is quite good in this action driven role. Jane's Got A Gun does not do anything you have not seen before and is fairly standard for the western genre. Having said that, I was reasonably entertained with Jane's Got A Gun. There is some good gunplay (and as stated previously) Natalie Portman is very easy on the eyes. She was convincing as the ill fated lead that did what she had to do in the circumstances, but still shows lots of vulnerability in this role.
The Shootist (1976)
John Wayne 's last film is one of his best
The Shootist is the swan song for American/Western movie icon John Wayne. This is not a typical shoot em' up western that audiences were used to, but more of a character driven drama with tremendous acting performances. This is directed by Don Siegel (who is a frequent collaborater with Clint Eastwood) and is ahead of it's time. John Wayne 's a notorious gunfighter that is dying of cancer and trying to find peace in his final days. John Wayne delivers arguably his best performance. He is joined by Ron Howard, Lauren McCall and Richard Boone. As a veteran to the genre and making over 200 films John Wayne really understood this character. The Shootist is masterfully done by Don Siegel and it's unfortunate that they only did this one film together, but The Shootist is hard to beat and I love this film.
The Wiz (1978)
Wow! To put it mildly...this is wild!
I remember hearing about this, but finally thanks to Netflix, I now experienced The Wiz. This actually was a gigantic production and is a black urban 1970's take on The Wizard Of Oz. The result is a interesting and out and out insane experience. The combination of social commentary, fantasy and theater might not always land as what was probably intended, but it does make for a unique and interesting experience. I normally hate musicals, but this is a Motown production so I really enjoyed that aspect of the film. Michael Jackson and Diana Ross also appear here and have memorable, iconic performances. The rest of the cast is filled with classically trained theater actors . The music and dance choreography was first rate. The sets and costuming were really impressive and while the film was aiming for a highbrow approach, the film plays out in a really campy way. It's understandable that this movie initially bombed at the box office, but also that it got appreciated later and is a cult classic. There really is not anything like The Wiz.
Clerks (1994)
Kevin Smith 's indie comedy classic
Say what you want about Kevin Smith now and all the weird movies he made. This is classic Kevin Smith in a really honest, funny look into American pop culture and those who work service jobs. Clerks is really fresh and well written. It spawned 2 sequels( Clerks 2, which is hilarious and Clerks 3, which is horrible). This was cutting edge filmmaking in the 90's and introduced some of our favorite degenerates ( Dante, Randall, as well as Jay and Silent Bob). This is Kevin Smith when he was funny.and before he made movies like Yoga Hosers and Tusk..Clerks 2 is also really wild and a good time and I would recommend avoiding Clerks 3 at all costs unless you want to feel bad about your life and end it with a gun in your mouth.
Major League II (1994)
Pretty decent sequel
I thought Major League was a pretty good sports comedy. This sequel has most.of the cast returning with the exception of Wesley Snipes( who is replaced by Omar Epps as Willie Mays Hayes). It lacks the depth of the original film, but for the most part is enjoyable and similar to the original film. The Cleveland Indians were underdogs in the OG movie and here they rest on their laurels until they have to fight their way back to the top. Charlie Sheen and Tom Berenger are still great in this , while this is not a Academy Award winning movie, you can certainly pick something worst to watch on a Saturday afternoon if you are looking for some time to kill.
Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
About as bad as I remember it
I am a huge fan of Burt Reynolds and I like all of the other car racing comedies directed by stuntman Hal Needham. This sequel got casting right with everyone from the principal cast returning, but lacking the heart of the first movie and a half way decent plot and execution. It's not that the first film was made for intellectuals, but this is dumb on a level that's...off the charts. The Bandit was quoted in the film by saying that he wasn't enjoying himself. Well, neither was I. The original Bandit movie and everything from Hooper to Stroker Ace are fun movies to watch. The comedy, the romance and the action all fail to generate excitement. Smokey And The Bandit 2 is a painfully lingering and stinky turd that wears out its welcome quickly and gets worse as the film progresses. Smokey 2 was not fun, not funny, just lame and another paycheck for Burt Reynolds. (Who seems really bored on this horrendous production).
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)
Great comeback!
I am glad to say I had high hopes for this sequel and I was not disappointed. Eddie Murphy has been killing it in the last couple of films.( especially the film about Dolemite! ) So, I was really happy with Beverly Hills Cop 4. The last installment (Beverly Hills Cop 3) was not well received, but upon recent viewing is not THAT bad, a huge drop in quality from the first and second films. Pt 4 is more of a modern take on the franchise with lots of action, but still funny. Eddie definitely still has got it and much of the original cast returns. The pace is quick, Eddie is funny and clever as ever and if you are looking for action, Beverly Hills Cop has tons. The film looks great and the gunplay, characters and story are all on point. This is modern and does not feel like a tired retread of the 80's. Overall, this was masterfully done and I really enjoyed Beverly Hills Cop 4.
The Descent (2005)
Excellent
In the times of crappy horror remakes and weak, watered down movies comes The Descent. The Descent is a original, claustrophobic, dark and disturbing horror flick that also has solid acting, great locations and some brutal gore. A group of adventurous (and attractive) women go on a cave exploring expedition. This ill fated vacation goes awry when they realize they are in the home of bat like creatures that don't take too kindly to their presence. Writer/director Neil Marshall proves to be a master of terror that gives its nods to Alien, Deliverance and The Thing. Like The Thing, having it being a ensemble piece with one gender leave no room for any love interests, but focus on the characters, the group and their tension among them, as well as their need to survive the ordeal. The all female cast did great and was not afraid to get physical or get dirty. The Descent holds up very well and Neil Marshall is a director that I would like to work on major theatrical movies more often.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
Definitely the best sequel
A Nightmare On Elm Street is a horror classic, the third installment in the series is( in my mind) the true sequel to the first film. It completely ignores the dreadfully bad second film and between this and the original, a lot of stuff is tied together. John Saxon and Heather Langenkamp return. Also, we get a good supporting performance from Lawrence Fishburne. The film was shot and scored nicely and keeps a nice pace and tone. This is the beginning of a little humor with Freddy.giving some one liners. This gets to be overdone in the next few movies, but works well here. Wes Craven returns to the director chair and makes the absolute best sequel, that's on par with the first film and a great continuation of the story. The atmosphere and tone are all right on this movie and it holds up well throughout the years. I just wish SOD did the soundtrack instead of Dokien.
Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)
Pretty bad sequel
I wasn't really expecting much with this sequel, so I am not really let down. However, this is pretty bad. I wouldn't say it's unwatchable, but it definitely is a big drop in quality from the original film. The acting is middle of the road at very best and bad at it's worst. It borrows heavily from the first film, but has little about it that makes it exciting or memorable.. Children Of The Corn is a classic with great characters, good storytelling, suspense and many memorable scenes and quotable dialogue. You will find none of that here. Children Of The Corn 2- The Final Sacrifice is one of many cookie cutter cash in sequels. There really is nothing special about this and I am sure I will forget about this movie quickly.
Where the Devil Roams (2023)
Gives The Devil his due...
I definitely liked this odd, but very creepy and effective horror movie. Set in the depression era in the US, a family of freaks hits the road for a side show. Shot in black and white, the movie has a great look and ambiance overall that is very, well... satanic.. The movie sometimes is hard to follow, but makes up for it by being flat out weird and it revealing it's oddness and obscurity. Where The Devil Roams is truly a film that beats it's own drum. It's violent, disturbing, gory and has sprinkles of black humor contained within. It has its own style, but is both diabolical and brilliant. I have a feeling that hallucinogens would greatly enhance the viewing experience.
Yan yuk cha siu bau II: Tin jue dei mit (1998)
Mixed bag sequel
The Untold Story 2 is a sequel only in name and a cheap cash in of the popularity of the original film. The Eight Immortals Restaurant is the setting and Anthony Wong returns (this time as a cop , Officer Lazybones). For those familiar with Category 3 movies, it fits the bill with enough sleazy content and amoral tone. This time around a mainlander comes to visit her cousin and seduced her husband and killed her wife in the process, getting rid of the evidence with BBQ pork buns, oh yummy. While this can not come anywhere near matching The Untold Story, it's far from all bad and does have some black comedy and some good gore. Anthony Wong makes the most of his role as dufus cop.
Yang gui (1982)
So so HK supernatural movie
Ghost Nursing is a somewhat lackluster (but still watchable) supernatural/, ghost movie out of HK. Starring Norman Chu, Billy Chan and a bunch of others you will recognize from 70's and early 80's kung fu movies. It's set in Thailand and involves a woman, who dabbles in black magic to change her luck. She adopts a baby ghost and her luck does change until it gets out of hand.. If you have seen a few of these movies before, all the cliches in the genre will seem very familiar. Ghosts, puked up bugs, black magic, Thailand sex workers,etc. Of course, you can do much better for the genre, but this will pass the time. Just don't expect much more out of it.
Bin yuen yan (1981)
Gritty and realistic HK cop drama
Man On The Brink is a very gritty and bleak cop drama. This has a similar plot to Infernal Affairs, where a police officer goes deep undercover in the underworld to infiltrate the triads. This is a pretty raw look at some of the more impoverished,crime ridden areas of Hong Kong. The film is very much downbeat and hopeless in tone. This is very real and hits hard like a blow to the solar plexus . The film is low on action compared to the crime movies that came a little later. However, Man On The Brink is never boring with some pretty solid acting performances. It's good that films like this are re released and are ripe for discovery for new audiences. I'm glad to have the opportunity to see this.
Hak mau II: Chi saat Yip Lai Hing (1992)
They dropped the ball with this lame sequel
I really enjoyed Black Cat, it was a pretty straightforward, bleak ultra violent action film with a interesting feminist subtext buried in outstanding action sequences. Here, they went in a different direction and is more like a typical spy/action flick and brings to mind the bottom of the barrel cheesy American low budget action flicks. While not being completely unwatchable, the film didn't do much to grab my attention and had my dosing off to most of the film. I don't really have much information about the film, the version that I bought had no audio commentary or special features for the sequel. That alone tells me the sequel was dead on arrival and was only included for those fans interested in the sequel based on the fandom of the classic first film.
Hak mau (1991)
La Femme Nikita.,.. Hong Kong style!
Jade Leung is Black Cat, a abused woman who took ouf her revenge on her male attackers. After being officially dead, she has a chip placed in her brain by the CIA and is given a second chance at life as a highly trained professional assassin. This is based off Luc Besson's La Femme Nikita. However, in my opinion I prefer this to the original film. The storyline is tighter, there is much better action, it's violence is more fierce (and there's a lot more of it). It brings to mind"girls with guns" movies, as well as femme fatale fare like Naked Killer. Simon Yam appears in both films, giving a solid performance and great screen presence. Overall, Black Cat is a nice looking , fast paced, well acted and all.around entertaining action flick.
Mo fei cui (1986)
Entertaining
Magic Crystal is a Wong Jing production, which means is going to be goofy. While the movie is relatively clumsy, goofy and makes shameless nods to movies like ET and Indiana Jones, it has a tremendous cast with Andy Lau, Max Monk, Cynthia Rothrock and Richard Norton as Russian bad guy. Producer/director Wong Jing hams it up for some unwanted comic relief. As a film, Magic Crystal is just below average but made up for it with the amazing Hong Kong fight and stunt choreography that is second to none. There also is a lot of it..Magic Crystal.would be a cheesy movie in any decade, but we are talking the 80's here and that's next level cheese. Also, the film was shot in multiple locations across Europe and Hong Kong, which is nice. But, did I mention the action scenes in this movie ? That alone is more than worth the price of admission.
Suk saan: San suk saan gim hap (1983)
Wuxia classic by Tsui Hark
Tsui Hark is one of the most important figures in Hong Kong cinema. He is best known as a producer and has been involved with some of the biggest hits and most important franchises in Hong Kong.( A Better Tomorrow trilogy, The Killer, A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy, Once Upon A Time In China series,etc). He also is a excellent director and this film Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain is a very entertaining and groundbreaking film. Zu Warriors... takes wuxia to different heights with clever storytelling, great camera work, insane action choreography and groundbreaking special F/x that were on par with what was coming out of Hollywood at the time. He even hired the same visual f/x team that worked on Star Wars! With all theses elements in place Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain is brought to life by a all star cast including Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung,
.Adam Cheng, Moon Lee and a early performance from the iconic and beautiful Bridgett Linn Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain is a very colorful, unique and absolutely insane swordplay fantasy classic not to be missed. A must see film for sure and highly recommended.