Reviews (48)

Autism and Encryption. Bruce Willis as partially human.
No doubt underdeveloped and that's a shame because this movie had true potential for being an exquisite story. Hollywood might be surprised what a large audience it could hook with more in-depth characters, less violence and deeper development of themes. Nevertheless, I found this movie taking a hopeful prototypical step away from the tidal wave of macho-action-violence sans substance films that we have endured ad nauseum.

The theme of autism was handled superficially, leaving the viewer with too little information, but the highly structured life-style, the eternal sidelong glance and the savant quality of the autistic boy were certainly intriging aspects in the movie. The beginning of a relationship between Bruce Willis and the boy was also a meaningful element which speaks to a potential in autistic individuals rarely recognized.

In addition, a reader of the book, SIMPLE SIMON, upon which this movie is based, writes an enlightening review about encryption and the powers of the U.S. government which may be accessed at the Amazon site for this book.

It would be nice to know if Hollywood is ever listening. Good storytelling can be extremely satisfying for the audience; without total formulaic stereotyping and without losing dollars. Perhaps the makers of MERCURY RISING might take another small step toward good story telling with their next movie by developing the themes and characters equally well as the action and violence.

The mercury steadily rises in Mercury Rising
I can't believe that "Mercury Rising" isn't more popular of a movie. A 9 year old autistic boy cracks the national security code that everybody thought was impossible to break. Art (Bruce Willis) takes it upon himself to protect the kid from some government officials who want the boy dead.

There might be some minor gaps in the storyline of "Mercury Rising," but nothing that does anything to hurt the movie in my opinion. This movie shows how great of an actor Bruce Willis really is and the boy does a great job too. The effects are also well done and the movie has good suspense.

If you like good suspense movies, I recommend getting "Mercury Rising."

IQ Falling
This one could easily serve as Exhibit B in any indictment of knee-jerk Hollywood anti-Americanism. Exhibit A would have to be a better film.

The premise concerns an autistic child who is able to sightread extremely high-order classified ciphers. He's accomplished exactly that with the National Security Agency's latest version, which he's accessed through one of the lamest plot twists imaginable. (They've placed it in a puzzle magazine to beta-test it--no, I'm not making this up.)

So great -- the NSA hires the kid and turns him loose on Chinese, French, and other unfriendly ciphers, right? No they do not. Wake up -- this is Hollywood. They send goons out to kill him, which is where Bruce Willis, playing a conflicted law-enforcement officer of uncertain antecendents, comes to the rescue. From there on it's the standard huggermugger--unnecessary hairbreadth escapes, elite assassins who turn dopey at the most convenient moment, all-but-omniscient villains who can't see the obvious trap at the climax, etc.

The acting was phoned in. Willis can do many things well, but he can't do conflicted. For some peculiar reason, the guy who fed Buscemi into the wood chipper in "Fargo" has his hair dyed black in this one. All traces of quirkiness evident in his performance for the Coens has vanished here.

The sole exception to the overall blandness is provided by the Bloviator himself, Alec Baldwin. Perhaps the film's major offense is the implication that whole scheme is being carried out in support of Iraqi agents working against Saddam. (Kind of getting a jump on Fatboy Moore here.) Baldwin repeats this contention several times during the film, very impressively, too. With conviction, you might say.

All in all, this is a film that makes "Enemy of the State" look good. A clearer recommendation I cannot provide.

A great concept, utterly defanged of any real meaning
There was an article about a script writer's journey in getting his picture made. I sympathize with the guy. He was down on his luck, his rent was three months overdue, and his wife was getting seriously pissed off.

The plot of his script was simple. It was about an autistic boy named Simon who can read the secret codes embedded in crossword puzzles. In other words, he took a common urban myth and wrote a script about it. Not original, but certainly compelling. Add Bruce Willis to the mix and you have a big budget movie.

Then one day, his agent called. He was nervous. A major studio was offering a six figure number for the movie. When other movie studios heard about it, a war of escalation ensued. Soon, they were trying to outbid each other. The price kept climbing and climbing and climbing.

Finally, the agent had enough. The script was sold. Presumably, the scriptwriter got to stay married and pay off his rent. And, I hope, socked the money away into savings. Because this movie sucks.

The movie went through several title changes, a sure sign that there's a problem. It was originally supposed to be Simon Says, but the execs changed it because nobody knew what that meant. So they changed it to Mercury Rising instead. As Dr. Evil would say, "Riiiight."

There's a few problems. One of them is translating onto screen the depiction of code. Apparently, the movie decides code decryption sounds like a high-pitched whining sound. Perhaps it's an accurate parallel, but it's not fun to listen to.

Simon's autism is depicted a little too accurately. His parents are killed early on, so Simon's on his own and fairly incapable of doing much besides wailing his head off when touched. This is very accurate. This does not make for a pleasant movie.

Willis' character is the usual -- haggard, determined, violent. He isn't much more than that. He gets tangled up in the plot (FBI vs. "Government Bad Guys") and calls in favors.

The bad guys show a distinct lack of common sense. It's so blithly nonsensical that it's not even worth the energy to describe the inconsistencies. Suffice it to say, the bad guys show a boogeyman-like ability to pop up anywhere when convenient, and a surprising inability to do it when it might impair the protagonist.

What bugged me most is that ultimately, this movie could have been about ANYBODY who happened to know Something Secret (TM). It wasn't about the boy's ability to crack code, it was about Bruce Willis' character protecting an innocent. Like in Eraser. Like in Enemy of the State. Like in a dozen other movies. Only in Enemy of the State, the main character's skills actually were USEFUL in the plot. Simon never gets to exercise his code-cracking abilities more than once (to meet one of the soon-to-be-dead informants).

Even in portraying an autistic person, Rain Man and Cube still managed to make the character worth liking instead of utterly pathetic.

The other problem is that the villain's execuse is -- *GASP! -- being a patriot to protect undercover agents in Iraq. Well, that dates the movie just a little bit. Not their fault, necessarily, but certainly the movie loses its sting. In addition, the whole concept of "sacrificing one for the good of all" is a little more strict these days. Ask an American if an autistic boy's life should be spared to save thousands of agents attempting to stop terrorism and more than half will doom the boy.

I can understand why the studio execs bid on the idea. It was a great concept but utterly defanged of any real meaning, failing to utilize its characters, its high-minded ideals, or even its action scenes in a way that makes us care about anybody in the movie. Yes, even an autistic little boy.

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
Bruce Willis returns in the role of a loose cannon, demoted by the FBI after a hostage situation goes tragically awry. Willis is great in these kind of roles, eliciting both a strong macho appearance, but with an inner sensitivity that evades other actors. Willis' scenes with Miko Hughes as the autistic Simon are the highlights of the film, as is the supporting performances by Chi McBride as Willis' buddy and Kim Dickens as a young lady who gets involved in the situation. Alec Baldwin is smarmy again as the villainous NSA director. The main problem I found with this picture is director Harold Becker's meandering pacing and inability to maintain a tight level of suspense. The climax is great, but wading through some really slow scenes hurts it overall.
Not a great film, but a good one. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Robert Forester on a "Death Wish"
In the early 80's, there was a sprout of revenge/vigilante films released in America and Italy. I mean we had Death Wish 2, The Exterminator, Rolling Thunder and much much more. Vigilante actually comes out being one of the better of the group. We get the same basic story. A man gets his son murdered and his wife cut up by thugs so he sets out for a "Death Wish" to take them down. Like all the other revenge epics at the time, this is pretty good trashy entertainment. We get extreme violence and some great action, plus a great cheesy performance by Fred Williamson (should we expect anything different?). If you like Death Wish style films, then you must own this piece of low-budget american entertainment. The DVD release of Vigilante is also great. First of all we get the unrated/uncut version of the classic. On top of that we get a superb commentary with the director and almost the entire cast. Also thrown on is every trailer for the film throughout the world, even trailers that portray this film under different titles. Real Awsome! A great DVD package!

An Action Flick that become a Cult Classic.
When a Man (Robert Forster) nearly lost his Wife (Rutanya Alda) by a group of Degenerate Punks but they murder their Only Son. When the law Cannot do nothing about it. He`s forces to Join a Vigilante-Gang Controlled by his friend (Fred Williamson) to Clean Up the Streets of New York City. To Help, the People are Victims or Were Victims by Any Kind, Especially his Revenge for the Death of his Son.

Directed by William Lustig (Maniac, Maniac Cop Trilogy, Relentless) made a Strong Action-Film that is Truly Distasteful for Some Viewers. Lustig`s direction is Surprisingly Good, despite it takes time to the film to get really going. Forster`s Performance is Terrific. Supporting Cast are Good, there`s a Cameo by Cult-Star Legend:Joe Spinell (From the Claustrophobic-Maniac Fame) & Woody Strode as a Prisoner adds life in a Small Role. DVD`s has an good non-anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer & an digitally remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an Commentary Track by Lustig & actors:Forster, Williamson & Frank Pesce. DVD also has Trailers & Production Stills. It`s worth seeing for the Performances of Forster, Williamson is Quite Good also & Especially-Strode`s brief role. Good Music Score by Jay Chattaway (Missing in Action, Silver Bullet, T.V.`s Enterprise). Written by Richard Vetere (The Third Miracle, Which it`s also Based on his Novel). Panavision. Grade:B+.

Exploitation classic heightened by quality performances
Let's get one thing straight. VIGILANTE is not the type of movie that will satisfy those who dislike violent genre films.
It is, however, the kind of picture that will thrill any fan of DEATH WISH, ROLLING THUNDER, THE EXTERMINATOR or any other '70s / early '80s revenge flick that has vigilantism as its main theme.
The acting in VIGILANTE is of a high quality, superb even for an exploitation film. In particular, Robert Forster shines as an everyday working Joe driven to the brink by grief and circumstance. Fred Williamson was never better (and is unlikely to be), while Joe Spinnell steals your attention in his two scenes.
Anchor Bay's DVD release of the film is nothing short of miraculous. The movie has been lovingly restored via George Lucas' THX process and the widescreen presentation looks superb. But the jewel in the crown is the audio commentary. Director William Lustig and the three actors have a whale of a time recounting the film's shoot, and so does the listener.

Where's the climax?
I sat up until 4:30AM watching this movie. The whole movie idea seemed good, and I kept waiting for the climax to come. It never did. This movie had way too many unneccessary parts and it's like they ran out of money or something and just made a hasty ending. I don't get the whole jail part and what purpose it served is beyond me. Even further beyond me is the fact that only about 25% of the movie is acually about the revenge of the husband. Why show and group of guys go around beating up drug dealers and pimps when it serves no real purpose in the storyline? It'd be OK if it had all come together in the end, but it never did. Plus, the acting was not as good as I had hoped. If someone killed my little kid and severely beat my wife I might shed a tear or two. I'd at least be a little more sad. I can't say enough about this movie. Don't waste your time.

Non stop, bad to the bone action!
This is one of those action flicks that punches you right in the stomach. The villians in this movie are so darned nasty, you actually feel physically sick watching them do their dirty deeds. (I did, at least.) This just makes it that much sweeter, though, when Fred Williamson and Robert Forster step to the scene and start whooping tail. Vengence at its finest. If you've got the stomach for serious action and some good old fashioned justice, this flick is for you. Leonard Maltin is a punk. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Big Man, Big Stick!!!
This movie is certainly one of the bloodiest true stories ever filmed. Even though many of the scenes in the film are fictionalized for dramatic effect, there are many scenes in this film that did happen to Buford Pusser in real life and that is what makes so many scenes in the film shocking.

Joe Don Baker gives his best performance as Buford Pusser, a retired wrestler who after being brutally beaten in a local nightclub, exacts revenge on the very same people who did it. Pusser is arrested by the corrupt town sheriff and is taken to court for his actions. Thanks to a sympathetic jury, Pusser is rightly found not guilty and takes up his friend's plan to run for town sheriff against his wife's wishes.

While serving his term as sheriff, he is constantly followed, shot at, lied to, and eventually in one of the bloodiest scenes ever put on film, ambushed while driving with his wife, Pauline (played by Elizabeth Hartman). Pauline is brutally murdered and Buford Pusser is severely wounded when he is shot in the face several times with a machine gun.

Director Phil Karlson managed to make a terrific biographical action film with just one serious flaw. People who love spotting bloopers will find more than their fair share in this film. There are at least seven scenes in this movie where the boom mic comes into the frame or the shadow of the boom mic operator is seen along the wall.

If you can get by that, you will be left with a terrific movie.

Parents: Don't let children younger than 14 watch this film. There are numerous scenes of graphic, extreme violence (eg: Pusser's many beatings and gunfights) and coarse language.

Excitement From Start To Finish!
This was a movie that never had a dull moment. Joe Don Baker gives an outstanding performance as Sheriff Buford Pusser. Pusser
is a retired wrestler who returns home. He is savagely beaten by
local hoodlums. He creates his trademark,a big stick,and returns to the bar and gains revenge by beating the whole group senseless. He is arrested and put on trial where he is found not guilty.He decides to run for Sheriff and is elected.From here on it is nonstop action and violence.His wife is killed and he is badly shot up. He recovers and continues his crusade against the forces of evil. A very gripping film that you will not forget.This movie was a box office smash that literally swept the country. See this movie,it is great.

Good movie; less-than-good sound & pic quality
Whenever I feel the need to catch an action flick that's a change of pace from the usual "lone-wolf-big-city-cop-meting-out-justice-whilst-going-up-against-the-system" kinda movies I watch, the original "Walking Tall" is what I turn to. It's got a nice touch of drama to add to the shootin' and fisticuffs, and the southern rural setting is a refreshing departure from the usual urban fare the other actioners have. I also like that the hero is more of an average Joe kinda guy who isn't portrayed as some kinda unstoppable one-man army... even though he managed to barely survive not one, but two hails of bullets from the baddie minions. And it doesn't hurt that this mo-pic includes one of the most eff'd-up killings I've ever seen in the genre... which I don't wanna divulge to you directly, lest I ruin it for ya. Let's just say this death quite literally drove our pine-staff-wielding sheriff into finishing off the last couple of bad guys once and for all! Well, once and for all until the sequel that is...

All right, time for a little of the downside: although I found "Walking Tall" a more than worthy waste of two hours, Rhino®'s DVD release of the movie is disappointingly subpar. The picture quality isn't that much better than what you'd see on a VHS copy. Of course, this isn't surprising, since (judging from a couple fleeting scan-lines) it's obvious that the source material used for the DVD was not the master film itself, but from a videotape. Then there was the intermittent sound quality: there were some parts that I could hear quite well, and others where I needed to turn the volume up a notch so I could understand what the subject(s) was/(were) saying. This was especially problematic when a subject was speaking in a soft, low tone. Looks like the rumors I've heard about Rhino®'s cheapness have more than a little merit-- especially in this case...

'Late

Vicious, Brutal and Down Right Tough to Watch!
Despite the brutal nature of the film, Joe Don Baker gives an unforgetable performance as Sherrif Pusser. Elizabeth Hartman also gives an outstanding performance as well. It's very violent and tough to endure, but it is entertaining at times. The "R" rating was well deserved. With the new version out featuring "The Rock", the original may wind up being forgotten.

why isn't it in widescreen?
Walking Tall is definately one of my favorite movies of the 70s! The digital remastering of this awesome movie is top notch- but why isn't it in widescreen? And why no extras like a trailer or some bios?

Rhino could have given this classic much better treatment! Otherwise this movie is 5 stars ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nice soft porn
This title is notable, and buyable, for one reason only: its extended lesbian sex sequence. Both Tamara Landry and Jeanine Antoine make this a DVD that must be added to your collection. Ignore the 'plot', the 'acting', etc. etc., just jump to the this scene and you won't have wasted your [money] :)

HOW NOT TO MAKE A DVD
I give it three stars for the actors and the story, but not for the quality of the DVD. The picture quality is about that of a VHS, but there are no, and I mean no, extras on it. No trailers, no cast bio's, not even scene selections. Whoever cranked this out should take some lessons on what is expected of this format.

It's not really porn... is it?
This is the kind of erotica you watch when you need to be able to excuse it to yourself. It's got a nice plot, action and suspense, and some quality acting. A nice variety of girls, and the photoshoots provide lots of different locales and types of clothing (or lack thereof).

outstanding deserving of an oscar
This movie was excellent. Strike a pose has everything you could ever want from a movie. It provides action suspense and drama that is unparalled by many movies. I would recommend it for the whole family. i saw it 4 times already and feel that i could watch it 4 more times. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Awful movie.
Amazing, but the name is the most redeeming quality of this movie. The "chain gang" is comprised of MEN, and only men. Men escape from a chain gang with a little help from two women. Acting is okay to bad, quality is okay to bad, story is okay to bad.

Chains are Good
What can you say. Just a bunch of chains and women. dont expect any story here. just sit back and watch. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In 1978 Italy, anarchy is in the air as the Red Brigades keep the country in a state of terror. Reporter David (Andrew McCarthy) moves blithely among the mayhem; after all, he's an American citizen and untouchable, right? When the manuscript for his political novel, patterned after the Brigades, falls into the wrong hands, it draws the unwelcome attentions of the Brigades, the police, and aggressive American photojournalist Allison (Sharon Stone) and lands David in hot water. Director John Frankenheimer took an overworked plot and made the best of it, though McCarthy is a bit puny as David. As would be expected in a Frankenheimer effort, though, the action segments shine with lithe editing and Frankenheimer's instincts for composition and camera work. The riots and chase segments make use of Rome's cityscape, calling to mind Euro-thrillers of the period. Stone is compelling as the foolhardy photographer, with some torrid sex scenes with McCarthy. Though not on a par with The Manchurian Candidate or Seven Days in May, Year of the Gun is a decent action film that goes a long way toward capturing the political and social chaos that was '70s Italy. --Jerry Renshaw ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Movie is Better than the Book
This is one of those occasions where the film beats the book.

The greatest enemy of this movie has nothing to do with the film. It has to do with the fact that how many viewers will care enough about Italy and its communist 70's problems.

Dialogue is dialogue unless its written by Ed Wood. The twists in the plot are enough to keep you watching. And you may even be surprised.

Polical films require the viewer to accept some amazing coincidences, the kind of coincidences that occurred in "The Day of the Jacket," which is referred to in this film also.

The film didn't and wouldn't win an award, and who cares who the director is. The novel was thin also, but again, there is no international intrigue, just an American caught in a duplicious situation.

Caution!
This DVD does not have english subtitles for the Italian dialogue. Some minor plot points are not clearly expressed because of this (Unless of course you are fluent in Italian). The old VHS versions have the english translations.
The film itself suffers from its flaws. The plot is a bit convoluted but still acceptable. Andrew McCarthy, John Pankow, and Sharon Stone all deliver somewhat lifeless performances. The already bland script is diminished by the poor delivery from the actors, and some questionable editing. The cinematography vacillates between bland and wonderful.
Despite all of its problems, I still manage to like this film. It is a must for any Frankenheimer devotee, also for any admirer of the wonderful Valeria Golino.

To tackle domestic terrorism
It is easy to knock this movie for its already mentioned shortcomings (not all of which are that serious). Yes, this is a real life story of the assasination of Aldo Moro fictionalized, courtesy of John Frankenheimer. But this is Italy in the 1970's, so why worry ?
Is there any contemporary U.S. director ready to tackle a domestic terrorism story ? David Lynch, perhaps ? "Matrix" hacks ? Coen Brothers ? I do not see any impulse in the contemporary Holywood to join the events forming the U.S. global
policy approach, just the customary bunk employing Vim Diesel
and his ilk. What a waste of dramatic potential... What a waste of all these writers hopelessly stuck in their cozy "cold war" track. It is all about a formula, isn't it ? It should be about "worldview", intelligent grasp of contemporary affairs, and, above all, about anti-Grisham revolt.. Once we abolish "Grisham" mentality, we edge closer to reality.Can these hacks retool in time, before the whole thing overtakes them because the "political correctness" ?? But I am afraid, the film-music composers will defend Grisham and his ilk to the death. The Cold War of old was good to the film music mainly, and also to writers who tried to emulate Tolkien, because the reality seemed to.
THEY WERE WRONG !!! All except Solzhenitsyn,for he knew what he was after.
My bet is - Clint Eastwood will likely come up with something that smacks of Globalpolitik and is also exciting. And the style will (and should) be ivolving Neo-Realistic amateur actors plus an inspired director combination, just like in Vittorio De Sicca or Lucchino Visconti times. Who needs Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow, etal., you know what I mean ? I myself could act in a film that means SOMETHING, but then I could not be in a movie where they would make me act phony, right ?
BUT, I watch these phony movies all the time and then I get out of the house and see how true to life they are. Do I dare to ask anyone anything ? They all assume we are on the same wavelength because of the media available to us all. How do I tell them that there is a short-wawe radio service that tells of different opinions, if you speak British English or Australian English or South-African English, not to mention if you speak or understand any other language. You would learn a bit more.

A Small And Forgettable But Decent Frankenheimer Movie
I rented this movie merely because I was in the mood for an action movie. "Year Of The Gun" is one of the more passable films that Frankenheimer has made in recent years.

In 1978, Italy is politically divided over the terrorist group The Red Brigades. An American journalist(Andrew McCarthy) is writing a fictional novel about The Red Brigades and the storyline coincidentally presages the actual terrorist plans of the group. The Brigades steal a manuscript of the novel and consider McCarthy to be a threat. As a result, McCarthy is on the run for his own life.

"Year Of The Gun" is a modest and unmemorable but decent Frankenheimer thriller. The acting is mostly wooden and the story has some logic problems. The film also features a very poorly executed bank robbery-sequence. As a Frankenheimer picture, "YOTG" doesn't come close to matching such great films as "Seven Days In May," "The Manchurian Candidate," and "Black Sunday." Nevertheless, "YOTG" actually manages to be one of the more decent thrillers that Frankenheimer has made in recent years. "YOTG" is only slightly inferior to "Ronin." The movie generates a reasonable amount of suspense. The picture also has none of the blatant ludicrousness that has plagued many of Frankenheimer's post-1960s films.

"YOTG" is a forgettable but decent time killer.

great idea, awful execution
What a shame that such an interesting idea for a story was botched so, so badly. The acting and dialogue are damnable, and certain segments are pretentious in the extreme. Thankfully most of the movie is bad in a very conventional way.

This is one film that I hope gets remade someday with more competence. Frankenheimer is usually reliable, but goodness me, this movie fails with a vengeance. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Helen Mirren's Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison, the only female DCI on an old boy's club London homicide squad, is like a phantom lurking around the edges of the action while the men rush through their latest murder case, joshing and winking in the kind of male camaraderie the cop genre has celebrated for decades. When DCI Shefford dies of a sudden heart attack, Tennison demands to take over. Despite her superintendent's resistance ("Give her this case and she'll start expecting more."), she becomes the squad's first woman to head a murder investigation. Scrutinized at every moment by her superior officers, Tennison is faced with a case that spirals out from a single murder to a serial spree, a second-in-command who undermines her authority and her investigation at every turn, a team resistant to taking orders from a woman, and a private life unraveling due to her professional diligence. Lynda La Plant's script is a compelling thriller riddled with ambiguity that turns dead ends, blind alleys, and the mundane legwork of real-life cops into fascinating details. Mirren commands the role of Tennison with authority, intelligence, and a touch of overachieving desperation. Superb performances, excellent writing, and understated direction make this BBC miniseries one of the most involving mysteries in years. Look for future British stars Ralph Fiennes and Tom Wilkinson in supporting roles. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Shows what television can be
There are very few television programs I would consider buying on DVD, but this is definitly one of them.

Watching Prime Suspect on DVD is a real treat. If you saw it in America on PBS, you don't realize how much continuity and tension are lost by all of the inevitable pledge breaks.

Helen Mirren is nothing short of brilliant as Inspect Jane Tennison, the first woman to hold the post of D.C.I. (Deputy Chief Inspector) on a major homicide investigation. She must not only solve a series of murders, but battle sexism and sabotoge within her department.

Great acting in the supporting roles and a first rate script (written by Linda LaPlante)are enough to carry this story. But what really sets it apart is how it manages to get you rooting for Jane Tennison without being cloying or sentimental. We see this woman as a human being, warts and all. Her obsession with work leads her to neglect her relationships. She is quick to anger. Sometimes her first judgement is not the right one. But through it all you want her to succeed. She gives everything to her job.

If you like mysteries or police stories, this is as fine as piece of television as you'll see.

The video and audio transfer are only so-so (by DVD standards), but this is the happy exception where the DVD is cheaper that VHS. You've got to flip the disk, but a small price to pay for an entire evening of great drama.

Unusual
The Prime Suspect series is unusual in that Jane Tennison as portrayed by Helen Mirren is not very endearing or likeable-and yet the storys work. Seeking to advance her career at every oportunity, even if it mean stabbing her co-workers in the back, Tennison represents unbridled ambition--in series 3, going as far as not pursuing completion of her investigation into a pedophile ring--on the condition that she receive a promotion.
Strange behavior--probably more realistic--but definitely less idealistic. Regardless, like the less than heroic "Cracker" as portrayed by Robbie Coltrane--this series is very interesting and well worth owning.
This particular episode finds Tennison's romantic life crumbling as she pursues a serial killer, though she seems as relentless in promoting herself as she does in capturing the guity party!
At 208 minutes--this episode is a little too much for viewing all at once--but watched a disc at a time--it's very good entertainment!

Great series - poor DVD
This is more of a review for people that loved the series Prime Suspet and are thinking about purchasing the dvd. The series is fantastic, but the dvds available in the US are quite poor quality. There are weird artifacts in the images as a result of poor compression rate, etc. If you want to get good high-quality dvds of this series you're better off ordering them from the UK (amazon.co.uk has them), but make sure your dvd player can play Region 2 dvds!

Helen Mirren is at the top of her form....
As usual the UK has produced and delivered a series that puts to shame anything that American television has to offer. Helen Mirren is ranked one of the world's best actors-and for good reason.
I have all of the DVD's in the Prime Suspect series, having watched them first on public television's ExxonMobil Theatre. If you are one of those who make deliberate choices based on quality, then do not miss this series. It is one of, if not THE best, that television has to offer.

One of the Best Crime Dramas Ever!
If you like great acting, great directing and a great suspense story, look no further. Helen Millen does a superb job of portraying a female detective (DCI Tennison) in London who takes over a homicide investigation into serial murders after her male colleague passes away. Besides trying to come up with concrete evidence to put the prime suspect away, she must battle her own department, run by male colleagues who don't trust her competence simply because she's a woman. Tennison is able to rise to the occasion, rally the department behind her, and solve the murders. Mirren does a fascinating job of portraying Tennison as an intelligent and competent detective, an overchiever who often puts her work ahead of her relationships. Even though Tennison is seen with her flaws and all, the audience believes in her and roots for her all the way. This excellent drama was originaly an HBO miniseries and is followed by several sequels, which are just as outstanding. Highly recommended!

Even though I loved this movie, I was disappointed by the DVD in that it did not have close-captioning. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Restraining Order with Julia Robert's brother
Ah, Eric Roberts, famous brother of actress
Julia Roberts.

Eric Roberts reminds me of alot of Tom Cruise
and Matt Damon or other actors who get
alot of roles based on their looks.
However, unlike Cruise or Damon, Roberts
has failed to take advantage
of this.

He has appeared in a couple of good
films most notably the action film
"Best Of The Best", however, most
work has consisted of low budget and many
times direct to video movies.

However, unlike Julia Roberts, Roberts
does try for the most come across as
sincere and committed in his roles.

"Restraining Order" directed by Lee H. Katzin
, is a film about a Beverly Hills type lawyer,
Robert Woodfield(Roberts)
who makes his money by defending both
good and bad people, mainly bad ones.

One day, he manages to free, a hoodlum
with connection to the mob out, and then
starts the problems for Woodfield, because
it seems that one of Robert's friend
has a debt to pay to this punk.

Woodfield, at first doesn't give this
much thought, but after his friend is killed
Woodfield demands answers from this guy,
but gets none, other than to keep his
nose out of his business.

Woodfield though pursues the situation and
eventually the mob targets him and his
beautiful wife Leight Woodfield
(Tatjana Patitz).

Even though "Restraining Order" is filled
with at times bad action and acting, it has
it's moments.

The plot itself reminds of crooked high priced
lawyers like Johnnie Cochran who defend
such profiled scum as O.J. Simpson, with
the exception that Cochran hasn't been
targeted by mob.

Roberts himself does try to put a little
strength into the character. In the
beginning his character isn't all bad,
(he even stops a robbery in progress),
but in the middle he gets a little
too overhead and then realizes the error
of his ways, but overall Roberts does
an ok job.

There is a pretty good acting job by
Dean Stockwell as Charlie Mason who I
believe is a high profiled D.A. who is
Woodfield's friend, but who may not be
who he says he is.

Like I said "Restraining Order" is filled
at times with bad action and acting, for instance the movie has the lame , laughable,
twists that just has laughing your head
of when you see it.

Like for example there is a point where
Woodfield, has a gun pointed to his head
by one of the mob guns, and just when
you think Woodfield is about to die,
the mob goon's gun is out of bullets!!! LOL

Then a funny fist ensues between the two.

In the end, I'll recommend the movie because
it ain't all bad, and at the very
least "Restraining Order" will give you a
good laugh.

If only Eric Roberts got better roles, maybe
he would become as big as his distant
sister , Julia Roberts.

Oh well.

Eric Roberts is a lawyer?
Eric Roberts has always been multi-talented and this movie showcases that. Crime fighter, boxer and all around good friend, Roberts works as a defense lawyer for an organized crime boss (Dean Stockwell). His sucess in the courthouse means trouble for him and his wife (model, Tatjana Patitz). Although the plot is typical, there are several familiar faces in this movie. As always, Roberts plays the part well and overall, the movie was a pleasant suprise. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

THE SEQUEL'S BETTER
I first rented this when I was about 15 & my mum went apes**t. A movie about a guy who kills people with a blowtorch. COOOOOL! However the blowtorch isn't that big a player in the movie. This is your typical Vietnam vet revenge story ad nauseum. Vet Ginty seeks revenge on the creeps who ripped up his best friend with a clawhammer (Steve James- who briefly adds "life" to the movie). There are some hilariously bad gore scenes, including the decapitation in the opening scene which has to be seen to be believed, and how could I forget the sequence with the meat grinder? I'd advise you not to eat a hamburger while watching this movie. Worst of all though is the godawful country-western song which plays during the opening credits. Yeech!

A Cult Classic
Out of anyone who played in the film I think George did the best job out of anyone; followed by Gintry. Those who've seen the sequel as well will notice what a superior director Glickenhaus was to whoever directing the sequel that he didn't stick around for. Though it is a rather cheaply made film it's still gritty and effective, yet still can't live up to the fame of Bronson's Death Wish, which is the grandaddy of all vigilante flicks bar none.

Not a bad Death Wish knock off!
It has a low budget and a cast of actors that anyone outside of the B Movie fan circles is unfamiliar with but that doesn't stop it from being one of the better revenge movies from the 80's. It's outlined by a simple plotline about a vietnam vet, played by Robert Ginty (the Paperchase guy), whose friend is paralyzed by wild gang members in the New York City wildlands. Fed up with the justice system, he takes matters into his own hands.

The biggest appeal of this movie is the minimalist style of the scenery. It's very gritty and grimy and has all the earmarks of a great grindhouse movie. The violence, which is unfortunately spaced too far apart to be consistent, is unbelievably brutal for an American made movie with an R rating. Also, most of the press from the time pushed the imagery of the flame thrower. While it's an essential element of the sequel, which badly needs a quality DVD release, it only makes an appearance once in this offering.

If you're a fan of cheesy movies and exploitation, don't pass this one up.

we need the sequel on DVD
Exterminator is good entertainment, but Exterminator 2 is more fun. He doesn't just hunt down criminals HE MELTS THEM! He gives vigilante Bronson a run for his money in that one as he leaves charred smokin scum corpses for the cops to find! The idea of a masked vigilante with a flame flower is just too much fun to watch. His nemesis is the evil "X" played be Mario Van Peebles too! Now that Exterminator is on DVD we need Exterminator 2!

we need exterminator 2!!
Exterminator is great, but the sequel was even better! The idea of a vigilante not just killin his victims, but burning them up and leaving their charred smoking corpses behind for the cops was bad *ss! That made him a vigilante that even Paul Kersey would admire. Buy Executioner and then tell Anchor Bay you want the sequel. Hell it's even got Mario Vane Peebles as the Exterminator's nemesis "X"! It's a B-movie vigilante lover's dream! ... Read more

Description

Repeatedly beat to a pulp by gamblers, cops, and gangsters, lone wolf Shoji Yamanaka (Kinya Kitaoji, who went on to star as Rhett Butler in the Tokyo stage version of GONE WITH THE WIND), finally finds a home as a Muraoka family hit man and falls in love with boss Muraoka¹s niece. Meanwhile, the ambitions of mad dog Katsutoshi Otomo (Sonny Chiba, KILL BILL) draws our series¹ hero, Shozo Hirono (Bunta Sugawara), into a new round of bloodshed, culminating with the tragic demise of the young Yamanka. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Thriller
Filmed in Scandinavia, Max Von Sydow, Per Oscarsson, and Liv Ullman are first rate in this psychological thriller.

During this time The Emigrants, Scenes from a Marriage, The New Land and other Nordic pictures took center stage above the Night Visitor. Although the aforementioned 3 occupy the absolute elite of all-time Nordic cinema, The Night Visitor is well worth watching and an interesting departure from stereotypical Scandinavian pictures.

The ending of this movie is great. Watch until the end.

Near perfect thriller
This is an excellent European thriller, with a cast culled from both Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) and England.

Max von Sydow as Salem, the inmate in an asylum for the criminally insane, does a fine job as the lead, (supposedly) unjustly accused and sentenced for a crime he--maybe--didn't commit. Liv Ullmann (who's Norwegian, not Swedish as some people may think) is just as good as his sister, married to a doctor played by Per Oscarsson. The two of them, with the help of a greedy lawyer and a conniving sister, managed to have Salem convicted of the murder of an innocent farmhand. And Trevor Howard plays the investigating inspector who is equally strong--and certain there's more to the case than meets the eye.

Now someone is killing off the people who had Salem committed. Who could it be? Salem himself is locked away in the asylum, surely one of the dingiest and most desolate institutions ever shown on film. But the doctor shows some loopy behavioral tics, so there's a real chance it could be him.

The answer to the mystery is fascinating. This is not a horror film, as an earlier, extremely well-known and highly regarded reviewer for this venue has said (see below), but a thriller whose details are developed quite well. However, there are two logic gaps that are somewhat puzzling:

1) Why doesn't the bird make any noise before the climactic scene?
2) What happens to the rope once it's used? Does it magically reappear under the boat again?

Don't worry, I'm not giving anything away. You have to see this film to appreciate these questions. And it's definitely worth seeing.

A slow moving tale of Gothic horror and murderous revenge
Any horror film starring Max von Sydow, Trevor Howard, Liv Ullmann and Andrew Keir has got to be worth a look and "The Night Visitor" is certainly deserving of a gander. The story is the brooding tale of Salem (von Sydow), a convict who wants revenge on his family, who had the gall to put him in an insane asylum after a brutal ax murder. Each night Salem sneaks out of the asylum to take vengeance on his accusers. Howard is the Inspector trying to catch-up with the murders. Based on Samuel Roeca's story, the script by Guy Elmes is fairly ingenious. This 1971 film was directed by Laszlo Benedek ("The Wild One," yes, the biker flick with Brando), and is certainly a bit slow moving at times, but it does have a couple of chilling moments. However, given the cast and the director, "The Night Visitor" is going to be something of a disappointment simply because you expect better from this bunch.

Details down to the last thread
This is a thinking mans movie. Keeps you on the tips of your brain stem. If you liked the TV series "Mission Impossible", because of the technical details, you'll love this movie. Reason is, the man that created those details for TV, also created the escape scenes in this movie. Everything is thought out and shown in major detail, except one. What is that one mistake? You won't hear a peep out of me! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A pointless sequel
The original "Substitute" starring Tom Berenger and Ernie Hudson was an over-the-top but admittedly clever take on the "tough teacher/tough class" sub-genre started by "Dangerous Minds". Unfortunately, such movies typically spawn mediocre sequels to capitalize on even moderate interest, which leaves us with "Substitute 2: School's Out", starring Treat Williams instead of Berenger.

To say that this movie is unoriginal is an understatement. It more-or-less puts us into the exact same situation as the first film, only done worse than before. When his brother is murdered by a violent street gang called the Brotherhood in a carjacking, mercenary Karl Thomasson (Williams) decides to take on two roles. The first is to take care of his brother's daughter. The second is to become a subtitute teacher for his brother's Brooklyn high school class, which some of the Brotherhood thugs attend. He suspects that the school's auto shop teacher, Warren Drummond, is involved in a car-stripping operation with the Brotherhood and its violent leader, Lil' B. Naturally, it's up to Thomasson to teach the tough class while working to take down Lil' B and Drummond's operation with his mercenary pal Joey 6 and a janitor named Johnny Bartee.

The most dissapointing aspect of this movie is the acting. Before you say, "It's a B movie, so what do you expect?", consider the cast involved in this film. Treat Williams may be a direct-to-video actor for the most part, but considering his number of Emmy nominations and his achievements in "Everwood", you'd expect a little more from him. He simply comes off as too nice a guy to be a hardened merc. Longtime Broadway actor and recent "Law & Order: SVU" cast member B.D. Wong doesn't fare much better as Drummond; he's either over-the-top or very dull. Michael Michelle ("ER") as teacher and love interest Kara Lavelle and Angel David ("The Crow") as Joey 6 are both OK, but wasted for the most part. Daryl Edwards, who plays Johnny Bartee, ends up becoming very annoying in this film. And while rapper Guru (of Gang Starr fame) is one of the most gifted hip-hop lyricists around, he's no actor, and he really embarrasses himself as Lil' B in this movie.

Aside from the weak acting, the movie doesn't really do much with its characters or plot. The relationship between Thomasson and the gang-bangers in his class (one of the better points of the original film) never works at all, especially his attempt to connect to Mase (Eugene Byrd of "8 Mile" fame). At one point, Thomasson throws Mase's stereo out the window because he's playing rap music really loud in class. Mase gets angry and attacks him with a switchblade, but after Thomasson subdues him and leaves him in charge of the class for a moment, Mase later apologizes for what he did. In the space of one class, Mase changes from "I'm-a cut you up real good" to "yeah, I was wrong". Right.

There are other problems, too, including some ridiculously unrealistic action sequences. How does somebody manage to survive an attack by gang-bangers firing automatic weapons at them from BOTH SIDES of a narrow corridor? Beats me, but Thomasson, Joey 6, and Bartee do somehow. Equally bad is the scene where Drummond kills Lavelle by shooting her at point-blank range and then wipes her blood off his hands on a stuffed teddy bear AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME. Oh, yeah, and I'm still very puzzled as to how they got that laser trick to work on the Brotherhood when laser sources are very easy to spot at any range. The hoods in Brooklyn may not be Ivy League material, but I really didn't think they all have the intelligence levels of rodents.

In the end, "Substitute 2" never works as well as its predecessor did, or as well as many such movies in general. The poor acting and weak plot make it hard to like. If you want to see a movie in this genre done right, see the first film or "187" with Samuel L. Jackson. You can definitely do better than this film.

Best of the substitute sequels - worth seeing
As a big fan of The Substitute I was surprised that I hadn't seen the three sequels to the movie - so I watched one each day for three days. All three are worthwhile entertainment, much better than most of the "B" movies out there (I rent so many B movies that turn out to be unwatchable). However, this first sequel is the best. Treat Williams is a good replacement for Tom Berenger. He has that almost-too-old-but-still-can-kick-butt feel like Berenger. The reason this movie works better than the other two sequels is that it actually takes place in a high school and kind of mimics the first movie with the gangs, etc.. I love these movies because in every one the Substitute beats up some kid in the classroom to prove a point. There's good action like the first movie, I love it when the Substitute is going to get shot in a drive-by and actually runs to the car, does a flip, and breaks the guy's arm which is sticking out of the window! There are no suprises, as usual there is always a teacher/administrator that is "in" with the thugs who are terrorizing the school and the substitute. And everyone gets their due in the end.

SUBSTITUTE 2 Review!
As is the case in just about every straight-to-video sequel, the original star is out and a newer somewhat lesser known star is in. Treat Williams does the series justice as a mercenary who fills for his slain brother's history class in a mean Brooklyn high school. It wouldn't be a "Substitute" film if he wasn't kicking and punching his students through the halls with the help of a few unlikely faculty members. Good straight-to-video fare with a decent cast featuring B.D. Wong, Michael Michelle, Eugene Byrd, and a few others but Angel David taking over Raymond Cruz's "Joey Six" role is about easy to believe as Tommy Lee Jones filling in for Billy Dee Williams. Oh wait! Anyways, you get what you pay for.

This movie sucked and just kept on sucking.
Treat Williams is an awesome actor he would have played his role superbly had he had a plot to work with. This movie just plain sucked...no doubt about it. Michael Michelle's and B.D. Wong's talents are a waste in this piece of crap. The first "Substitute" was very entertaining, I say that with tongue in cheek. They call this one an action flick? My goodness, the scenes were so far and so few. This was a very cheap movie, poor action sequences and dialogue as well. The yo-yo scene in the classroom was very interesting though. Haven't seen the the next two in the series, and now I don't know as if I want to.

ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINAL
ANOTHER MERCENARY [TREAT WILLIAMS] BECOMES A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER AT A SCHOOL IN WHICH CRIME IS RAMPANT. NOT TOO MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL, BUT IT'S ALMOST BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL! TREAT WILLIAMS MIGHT NOT BE AS MEAN AS TOM BERENGER WAS, BUT HE'S STILL A PRETTY INTRIGUING ACTOR FOR THE ROLE THAT TOM BERENGER PLAYED. THIS IS DEFINITELY WORTH WATCHING. THE ACTION SCENES ARE PRETTY CLEVER. EVEN FEATURES AN APPEARANCE FROM GURU, WHICH IS THE MC FOR GANG STARR. ... Read more

Description

The force is back! With global safety at stake, Delta Force--the world's most elite combat unit--is called to eliminate a dangerous international

criminal who threatens to unleash nuclear terror unless he receives 25-billion dollars in exchange. This time, the adrenaline pumps twice as

hard as the team turns up the heat with blistering action, thermonuclear

suspense and pulse-pounding excitement! Todd Jensen, Michael McGrady, Dale Dye, Robert Patteri, Gavin Hood, Spencer Rochfort, J. Kenneth Campbell. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

He ain't called "The Dragon" for nothin'
I just sort of stumbled onto the low-budgeted, popular kung-fu action series, BLOODFIST. Mind you, after Bloodfist II, these movies bare no connection to each other, so after Bloodfist II, it really doesn't matter what order you watch them in.
Bloodfist IV:Die Trying was the first one I saw, and let me tell you, it quite literally kicks [rear-end]. Don "The Dragon" Wilson isn't as bad of an actor as his reputation might suggest, and he makes a very impressive action star. Every last fight in all the Bloodfist movies is fantastic, and Die Trying is no exception. The best one here is withou a doubt the one in the room full of tear gas. I own the first four Bloodfist movies, and
Bloodfist VII:Manhunt, and I'm relentlessly hunting down Bloodfist V:Human Target and Bloodfist VI:Ground Zero on the internet, as well as some of Wilson's other flicks, like Blackbelt and The Capitol Conspiracy. Trust me, if you enjoy the high kickin' performances of Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Jean-Claude Van Damme, or if your'e familiar with legends like Bruce Lee, or his son Brandon Lee, Don "The Dragon" Wilson is right up your alley, and the Bloodfist series is a great place to start.

B-Grader with punch...
Okay, Im not really a martial-arts fan, fans of this movie, and I know they exist, will split into 2 camps. Fans of martial arts in particular Don Wilson, and bewitched male fans of female martial arts star Catya Sassoon, now tragically the late Catya Sassoon. The storyline is formulaic, Wilson works as a repo-man tied to a car junk-yard, and uses his martial-arts prowess to deal with occasional difficult clients who dont want their car repossessed. One day, during a car repo, Wilson encounters a tough customer in the category, a guy twice Wilsons size who is also a formidable martial-artist, and a mob-henchman as it turns out. This is certainly a good fight,right here, the second of many in the movie, the fights, to me, are convincing, Wilson and his opponents are all 1st class fighters. Wilson wins this one , after taking many hits, but the BMW he repos contains something of great value to a very nasty ruthless criminal gang with big plans. Wilson returns to his workplace later after dropping off the BMW earlier, to find his workmates and boss dead or dying,the gang he crossed with this particular repo have dropped by, his young daughter is tracked down and kidnapped as collateral for the as-yet unrecovered mob property, and Wilson embarks on a bloody bare-knuckles oddysey to recover her, aided by a GOOD woman, Amanda Wyss.
Now, there is also a BAD woman,deliciously shaking-hands bad, Lisa, played by Catya Sassoon, a martial artist, and star of 'Angel Fist'. In that, she was good, well, in BloodFist4, she finds her calling, is a ruthless tough high-kicking switchblade-slashing killer who steams up the screen and steals the show if you are a good boy who dreams of bad ladies,let me tell you. Wilson clashes with her twice, once when she impersonates an agency baby-sitter, and again right at the end, where they stage the films final martial-arts fight.Shortly prior to this,she disposes of two redundant mob goons by suddenly drawing her switchblade and slashing them as she shows them to the door, smiling evilly as they crumple gasping in front of her.She enjoys her work. In this scene, she is in black costume with thigh-high stilletto-heeled boots, with switch-blade tucked into boot. Did I mention she has a killer body, no pun intended? Anyway, she jumps Wilson running through a doorway and heaps some one-sided punishment on him, lots of high-kicks with those boots, a nice head-kneeing to a staggered Wilson, and at the climax, a ball-busting booted groin-kick with Wilson pinned against the wall, then, drawing her switchblade for the coup-de-grace, the tide tragically? turns........
Catya had cult-figure potential, based on this movie, I would have loved a rewrite remake with A.) more Catya action B.) better lighting, the final fight Ive described takes place in dark-lit gloomy background and with her dark attire,you are robbed of some detail.
To sum up, the story-line is familiar, the acting and script very ordinary though Ive seen worse, the fights are brutal and well-staged/well fought, but evil Lisas scenes may have you wearing out the rewind/slomo of your vcr....and even have you rooting for the baddie-ess. I did.

Great demonstration of a great woman
What can I say? Let's have a look ... Read more

Reviews (55)

"HOLLY COW' AS HARRY CARRY WOULD SAY, VAN DAMN ROCKS!!!!!!!
In the beginning of this movie I thought that I was in for another rock em sock em fight it out to the death karate movie, but wow the fight scenes were almost bloodily accurate. The minute the action starts to lull BANG! POW! ZAM! VAN DAMME! I saw that I wasn't dealing with the usual sort. TONG PO who plays the vile degenerate in a role most suited for vermin, played the deranged oriental crazy man to a T. He really scared me! So as the story goes Van Damme is to avenge the tragic accident that Tong Po inflicts on his brother, and to do this he must find someone to teach him the ancient art of Kickboxing before he surely winds up losing all sorts of control. Before he knows it Ian helps him. He forces Van Damme to do the splits and owe my god Van Damme kicks Tong Po's butt with on swift Kick to the mutton chops. Shiver me Timbers if it ain't climatic. Sure to bring the family many cheers and good times in the future. If your looking for an american underdog movie that the whole family can enjoy, kickboxer has got the goods. HIYA!

*Filmed in THAILAND: The Best Martial Arts Movie EVER! W@W*
Before I watched this movie, I didn't know what Thai-Boxing was, and I thought that "kung-fu Bruce Lee" was the toughest man who ever lived. What a joke that is. Hong Kong's top 5 kung-fu masters once fought Thai-Boxer's in a now legendary event, and were all knocked-out, in less than 6 ½ minutes combined.
Thai Boxing is the national sport of Thailand, is fought in the ring and is the worlds most brutal & spectacular martial art.
In case you're wondering what the differences are between (American) kickboxing and Thai-Boxing (Muay Thai), they are as follows - kickboxing is just feet & fists, whereas Thai-Boxing also includes elbows & knees. Now you start to see why it is so notorious.

This is a movie about an American Kick-Boxing champ who goes to Thailand to fight their Thai-Boxing champ. Not surprisingly, the American gets battered, and paralysed, and through revenge, the victim's brother - Van Damme, learns 'Muay Thai' (Thai-Boxing) and fights the guy who paralysed his brother.

Though this scenario is a bit fictional the movie itself is beautifully realistic and authentic. It is about 99% filmed on location in Thailand and the viewer is treated to priceless scenes of inside the Bangkok Ratchadamneon national Thai-Boxing stadium, real Thai Thai-Boxers training at a camp, and spiritual scenes inside the Buddhist temples of Bangkok, featuring the massive gold-plated Reclining Buddha
(watch the movie and you'll know what I'm talking about).

We see Van Damme being taught Thai-Boxing by a Thai, and we watch him progress from being a sloppy fighter to a razor-sharp one. There are scenes where Van Damme, in training, uses his shins to kicks a palm tree, and where Van Damme and his opponent wrap their fists in cloths with broken glass stuck to the knuckles. You may laugh at this, but a little research will tell you that this is how the 'underground' fights are fought, and if you know how tough these Thais are then kicking trees doesn't seem so unrealistic.

As far as I know, no movie comes close to this one, in terms of authenticity at least. It is both educational and highly entertaining - there are loads of high quality fight scenes, and Van Damme is a good fighter (if only a theatrical one). There is nice cinematography too, and as soon as the movie starts you know it has that 'classic' feel about it.
A movie in a class of its own. Brilliant. Buy it!

The Classic, The Best
This has to be the best Van Damne movie with Bloodsport and Hard Target, get this movie its Van Damne's best, 4.8/5

Best Scene Ever!
This movie is unbelieveable! The reason it is unbelieveable? One scene, and one scene only. The dancing scene in the middle of the movie. It goes like this...Van Damme and his wily master go to a dive bar. His master makes him drink a mystery liquor. Van Damme, being the dork that he is in this movie (he is wearing a body suit/tank top at the bar that has clamps that connect at the shoulder, this keeps the shirt from falling off and makes Van Damme look like a dink), gets hammered. He is then forced to dance... With a shreek "AYYYEE", his master cues the music and movie history is made! Van Damme shakes his hips and does his splits, attracting all the babes...and Tong Po's gang! But who cares about those hooligans, Van Damme is getting his groove back better than Stella ever thought possible! The gang attacks him, and he pummels those lousy goons. "You got Served!" has nothing on Van Damme! He would serve those suckahs like he does Tong Po at the end! Nut-Sue Cow (White Warrior in Thai) to you all! What this movie teaches us is that Van Damme's ballet lessons did not actually teach him to "cut a rug", and that his brother is Latino? Buy this movie for this scene, trust me.

Does it get any better?
"kick the tree"

I rate this as Van Damme's best movie. Out of all the movies he has done, I think only 8 or so are good.

This movie has a decent story, ok acting and a great performance by a young Van Damme.

Cover is nice, no special features though.

Again, Van Damme is terrific in this action flick, on top of his game.

If you like a good action movie, especially a martial arts one, Kickboxer belongs in your collection. ... Read more

Description

The successor to Hiroshima¹s most powerful yakuza family, the Muraokas, is whacked in broad daylight on a busy city street. What unfolds is a yakuza succession crisis, as the weaseley Uchimoto (Takeshi Kato) dithers and the slimy, backstabbing boss Yamamori steps in as the Muraoka's new boss. Bunta Sugawara's would-be independent yakuza, Shozo Hirono, is caught in the middle, having to play powerbroker. But the opposing factions seek support from powerful families in Kobe, making all out war inevitable. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Fady Ghaly's reviews
(. . .)Coming-of-age sagas are frequently burdened with threat, especially because the genre has been so overworked and even pulverized into cliché. Yet young filmmaker, John Fawcett, pulls off a coup with this hip and arresting drama that's full of spit and attitude, and is relentlessly in your face, whether you like it or not. The Genie-nominated, first-time Toronto director, working from Genie-nominated writer, Peter Wellington's edgy, intellectual script, re-invigorates the genre with panache.

He does so by balancing climactic suspenseful elements with authentic human insights. He does it with a first-rate cast, led by Chris Penn as a psychotic cop killer badly affected by a grim childhood who, when he had reached his breaking point, I guess you could say in a sense, had me on the edge of my seat till I was fully assured that he was conquered-such riveting performance was that compelling. A performance so compelling, it earned him a nomination as Best Actor at the 1996 Genie Awards. Here, Penn really delivers his finest since co-starring in Abel Ferrara's elegiac gangster film, The Funeral. (Even the title itself screams of great mourning for that which is irrecoverably past.)

The three youths played by our rising young stars are at loose ends during a teachers' strike that has closed down their small Ontario town's high school. The three friends, who dispute because their social and intel