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Reviews (20)

A movie worth watching
A very good movie, Substitute, brings to the screen the story of a professional mercenary who goes undercover posing as a substitute teacher in an effort to shed light on the kneecapping of his fiancee, a history teacher at a Miami-Dade drug-infested high school, by gang members.What he finds though might be a bit more than he had anticipated...
I give it "TWO THUMBS UP"
Tom Berenger plays Shale a mercenary who left his undercover job in Cuba now he is a undercover high school teacher at Columbus High in Miami wear not the students but other people are running a drug shipment keep the crack even the principal is in on it. Shale even changes his name as he pretends to be a teacher he is now call James Smith.

Dangerous Minds With A Body Count.....And Tom Berenger
I like The Substitute.I like those movies where some tough dude walks into a nasty gang ruled school and kicks some butt.The Principal is another good one.It's one of those rare action movies that's very easily direct-to-video material yet managed to get a theatrical release, kinda like Thomas Ian Griffith's Excessive Force.It's a hard movie not to like(unless you're a film snob) because it's one of those movies you wish would really happen.C'mon, it's fun to watch a badass mercenary throw some gang bangers who think they're hot stuff out a second story library window.Makes you wish teachers really could have the authority to pound up troublemakers.Basically this merc poses as a teacher to get revenge for the beating of his girlfriend.Cool enough.Then it gets a little on the unrealistic side as he uncovers a more sinister plot brewing beneath the school.SPOILER AHEAD:(But do you really care?This is a cliche action flick and I'm sure you'll all see this "twist" coming or haveseen it done before.)A mercenary out for revenge on a gang is somewhat believable, but the principal running a big scale drug operation out of the school is pushing it a little.That and the fact that dead kids(and teachers) are turning up by the metric ton and the cops don't ever seem to notice.But hey, this is an action film, no need to be that critical.I also get a laugh out of these classroom scenes.You know what I'm talking about:Total chaos.Kids blasting boomboxes, throwing stuff around and telling the teacher to "&@$# off".I've never been to Miami or L.A.Do some schools really look like this?Berenger does a decent job as the hard, take-no-B.S. mercenary.Everyone's favorite latin singer Marc Anthony plays a gang leader, and the always likable Ernie Hudson is cool as the corrupt principal.Hudson can do a good bad guy when he wants to.William "Flatop" Forsythe is always fun to watch and here he's no exception.The Substitute is fun.Sure it wasn't received all that well from the critics upon it's release, but critics don't really tend to watch movies for the sake of simply enjoying them.
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Reviews (2)

Hen Pecked Fingers
Opening with an image of the atomic bomb reducing Hiroshima to ashes, Fukasaku Kinji's Battles without Honor and Humanity begins a series of five movies depicting the chaotic life of Hirono Shozo a former soldier who is trying to survive in the chaotic world of the black markets in postwar Japan. A pretty even-tempered man, the viewer first witnesses Hirono lash out in violence when a group of American GIs try to rape a woman. Amidst the chaos of the black market with its prostitutes, underground rice kitchens, and violent bars, one of Hirono's friend's head is slashed by a yakuza. A rival yakuza was going to deal with the man, but in his stead Hoshino seeks revenge for his friend. Faced with a drunken, sword wielding yakuza Hirono empties his pistol into the man, and receives a twelve year sentence. However, while in prison, he meets another yakuza named Wakasugi who plans to slice open his stomach in order to get out of jail on bail. Promising to raise Hirono's bail money if he helps him in his plot, Wakasugi introduces Hirono into the world of the yakuza and the two men become blood brothers.
No honor amongst thieves and killers
There are few films as well-named as Fukasaku Kinji's "Battles Without Honor and Humanity"("Jingi naki tatakai.')With one shot, Fukasaku (director of "Battle Royale") undid and entire genre of film, one that would never be the same again.A lone Yakuza, wielding a Samurai sword stands against a crowd, a brave sneer on his face.He is instantly shot and killed, his katana useless against a gun.
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Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Japanese    2. Foreign Film [Dub Or Subtitle]    3. International    4. Movie    5. Mystery / Suspense   

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Reviews (2)

FUN Nancy Allen film
Low budget cheapie starring Nancy Allen.At 46 Allen still looks good but there's a bit too much collagen in those lips - check it out! PS - forget that ugly DVD cover.Allen gives an OK performance.Best line Indian to Allen:This land filled with evil spirit.Allen to indian:No argument there!Good DVD print and GREAT sound.Opening scene with Allen on the run is the best.A must for all Allen fans

Unbelievably bad......
The incredulity of the plot is only exceeded by the ineptness of the acting.Stay away from this one. Terrible. The only redeeming feature: the daughter's name in the movie is Carrie. (For you Nancy Allen fans outthere.....)The only reason it gets one star is because the review pagedoes not allow anything lower. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

This 1976 adventure story set in World War II concerns a Nazi plot to kidnap Churchill from his retreat--or murder him if need be. The large, great cast and a director, John Sturges, who's been down this road of ensemble action before (Read more

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Reviews (51)

Underrated war movie
I found my copy of this movie in the trash and it sat in my entertainment center for two years.I paid little attention to the (brilliant) cast -- Donald Pleasance, Robert Duvall, Donald Sutherland, Michael Caine, Larry Hagman, Treat Williams, and a very young Jeff Conaway, to name a few -- nor the plot description on the case, assuming it was a lousy low budget war flick.Man, was that a stupid assumption.The Eagle Has Landed is great!It's well-scripted, well-acted, and suspenseful (despite knowing the inevitable outcome.)One of this movie's strengths is that it avoids one of the most annoying things about other WWII movies: bad (or no) accents.It is annoying to watch war movies in which the Nazi villains sound like they were born and raised in London.In Eagle, the actors playing Germans (Caine, Duvall, Pleasance) make at least an attempt to carry off a German accent, giving the movie more credibility than most others like it.As good as this movie was, I'm surprised it's gotten so little attention or recognition in 30 years.
Very nice movie
This is one of the best WW2 movies I have seen. I am a big Jack Higgins fan I have not read the book yet but this movie is a good one. Sutherland was a good choice for Liam Devlin he plays a good Irishman, very believable. It was very nicely done the acting was very good and overall it was well made.

Highly entertaining tale of Intrigue during WWII
I had not seen this movie for years, and recently added it to my Netflix list. I forgot how much I enjoyed this movie the first time I viewed it. Based on a best-selling book, The Eagle has Landed is very entertaining. The cast is strong and the action is pretty non-stop. Michael Caine, Robert Duval, and Larry Hagman all provide excellent performances.
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Editorial Review

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. Read more

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Reviews (21)

Best Way to Get the Man is Put a Woman on the Case
Prime Suspect started what has become the best series of detective specials ever.
Gripping, psychologically intense and gratifying!
This is the first in the series of one of the best police detective stories ever.Helen Mirren is masterful in her performance as Jane Tennyson the brilliant female detective creating who handles sexism and interrogating criminals with ease.She is an intuitive who is adept at psychological warfare as well as handling her team.In addition it is fascinating to see the British system of justice which in turn creates a window to view British culture.

Prime Suspect 1 and 2
This is the very best series I've ever seen.It is addictive in the best possible way. ... Read more

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Reviews (4)

Sharp improvement over part "III"
Like the third film, part "IV" has no story connection to any of the other films in the series and this trend would continue throughout the rest of the films. Even though it has no connection, it actually turnes out to be one of the best in the series. The major difference here is that there is an actual plotto the story with twists, not just no brain action like in the first two films. Don "The Dragon" Wilson this time is a Repo Man that repossesses a car that contains nuclear triggers. Of course this is very bad and the owner in turn kidnapes his daugher. Dumb move on his part. The action is tremendous and Wilson's acting is starting to improve. Again, this is one of if not the best making it a sharp improvement over the cliche prision picture that called itself "Bloodfist III". This gets a 5 star rating on the B-Action chart.

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. C-grade storyScript, A-grade M.A. fighting& Culty villainess
Yes, very much the Martial-arts movie, but fights/fighting is perhaps even above-average, I wouldn't particularly choose Don Wilson or any of his opponents like Daniels or the rest seen here even if I was looking for a fight, based on this, are brutal, dirty, brawlish and relatively believable, except perhaps how much punishment Wilson and Daniels heap on each other before there is a winner. The fight in the restaurant towards the end, between Wilson and the two thugs, was pretty real, you could almost believe that might happen with 3 good street-fighters or something..its no messing around direct sort of fighting compared to some movie martial-arts.
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Editorial Review

Of all the Sherlock Holmes tales written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Read more

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A great plot, a more humane Sherlock Holmes, and Grimpen Mire never looked worse
The tale of The Hound of the Baskervilles has such sturdy bones that it's probably the most filmed of the Great Detective's cases. Let's see...I've watched at one time or another Richard Roxburgh, Peter Cushing, Basil Rathbone, Jeremy Brett, Peter Cook, Matt Frewer and Ian Richardson play Holmes as he pursues the solution to this monstrous plot. One or two I've enjoyed less than the others. One was really grim; an attempt at comedy that had many things but humor, unless you find uproarious a chihuahua with the bladder the size of a bull mastiff's urinating on a person's foot.
This is the Best version
If you like old, nostalgic,black & white movies, then the Basil Rathbone version is for you. If you like a fast paced version, then the energetic Peter Cushing version is for you. However, I like this version best for several reasons. First,the personalities of the characters are better developed. Second, the sets are more lavish than the other versions, and this gives you the feeling of the wealth of the Baskervilles and the atmosphere of the time.Street scenes, the moors, and Grimpin Mire are more elaborate and believable.Finally, the interaction between characters is more believable. Add in a very good video and audio transfer, and this makes good viewing.

warning
I made the mistake of watching this with my kids and family after church one Sunday. I had no idea there would be a rape scene! For kids stick with the Halmark version with Matt Frewer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama    2. Movie    3. Mystery / Suspense    4. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller   

Editorial Review

Between his directorial duties on Read more

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Reviews (65)

John Malkovich is Great.
Movies about presidential assassinations (whether fictional or non-fictional) are usually lame. They follow the same formula and they always end the same. I guess, technically, "In the Line of Fire" is nothing new for this kind of movie but it's got an exciting plot, awesome acting, and well basically...Despite the familar formula, it's a damn good movie. Clint Eastwood plays a Secret Service agent named Frank Horrigan, who is still haunted by the fact that he could've saved Kennedy from being assassinated had he reacted quicker. Since this incident, Frank has been reduced to a drunken under-cover Secret Service agent who longs for something meaninful to happen. It does in the form of Mitch Leary (John Malkovich, in an Oscar nominated performance). After Frank follows up on a tip that Leary may be up to something, he recieves a phone call from Leary who tells him that he is going to assassinate the Presidents. It seems doors are re-opening for Frank. As Frank and Leary begin talking to each other over the phone, while Frank and the rest of the agents descend upon the case it becomes clear that Leary is no ordinary crazy assassin. Rene Russo co-stars as Lilly Raines, a female Secret Service agent and the love interest of Frank. Dylan McDermott also co-stars as Frank's partner Al. Anyway, the plot is good...It has its moments of predictability, but I actually must admit that Leary's decision at the end genuinely surprised me. Anyway, I don't watch many Eastwood movies (I've only seen some movies he's directed, Any Which Way You Can, Escape from Alcatraz, and that's about it); I think, in all, I've seen 5 movies he's acted in. But I can honestly say that this is, probably, one of his strongest performances. Malkovich is what made me want to see this movie, the man is an amazing actor folks. Every film I've seen him in, he fascinates the viewer. Here, the casting doesn't get much better for his role. I can't think of another actor who could play Leary as well as Malkovich. I'm not sure if it was Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive) or Martin Landau (Ed Wood) he lost the Oscar to, but this is a completely Oscar worthy performance here. Russo is good (she has the strong look of a career woman, but can be vulnerable to Franks "charm."), as is the rest of the cast.
Outstanding.One of my favorite Clint Eastwood Titles...
Review Clarification:This review is based on my viewing of this movie in the theater, and on Laser Disc.I have not viewed the DVD (any version).
Destined for the Classics
I'm convinced that if this movie were to hit the theaters this upcoming weekend, it would be a hit - again! It is just so very well done (and would surely be a relief from all the foof that is playing now.)
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Fukasaku's Street Mobster
This presentation of Street Mobster from Home Vision Entertainment is really spectacular. The picture looks great for a Japanese film from 1972, and the subtitles have been translated quite nicely. It stars Bunta Sagawara and Noboru Ando, who is a former real-life yakuza - when he disbanded his gang, he started acting in yakuza movies. This yakuza film is one of Fukasaku's earlier yakuza films - meaning it came before Battles without Honor, Graveyard of Honor, Yakuza Graveyard, and Cops vs. Thugs. However, this one is very similar in style and narrative, though much less confusing than the beautiful chaos of Battles without Honor. Overall, I liked it less than Battles without Honor and Graveyard of Honor, the other films released by HVE, but it really does compare. Definitely see this if you like yakuza films. Also, it includes a trailer gallery for the Fukasaku films released by HVE as well as the Zatoichi series, and has a very interesting interview feature with former yakuza. Highly Recommended.
Yakuza Classic
Kinji Fukasaku's gritty 1972 Yakuza classic is finally on DVD and it was worth the wait.This HVE package is a delight, with a fine widescreen transfer and enthusiastic liner notes from Toyko film buff, Patrick Macias.But in the final analysis, it is the film which matters, and Street Mobster is a winner all the way.With Street Mobster on DVD, can Fukasaku's masterpiece, The Yakuza Papers, be far behind? ... Read more

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Lame, contrived nonsense. Don't waste your time like I did.
Most movies ask for a suspension of disbelief; this trite piece of nonsense demands that you buy into a plot full of two-dimensional cardboard characters whose actions and dialogue are so full of clich�s, magical coincidences, and stereotypes that you can predict everything before it occurs -- when you aren't laughing at how bad it is. After agreeing to assist a crooked D.A. by pretending to be an eyewitness in order to convict a mobster, our heroine finds her life in peril from not only the nasty, evil mobster but also the mean old bad D.A. himself. Her apparently phenomenal talent as a make-up artiste somehow equips her to disguise herself AND to become a great actress who can fool everyone, including detectives and lawyers, AND to hatch an implausible plan to fake her own murder and frame the crooked D.A. for killing her. She tricks a rugged, honest, handsome maverick cop into unknowingly assisting her, but -- darn the luck -- they fall in love. Her "ingenious" scheme depends on various other people improbably doing, saying, and thinking exactly the things that she anticipates, and even placing themselves precisely where she wants them to be at the time she wants them there -- and miraculously, every other human being involved in this ridiculous film does just what she needs them to do. Gosh, it's almost as though it were... oh, I dunno, scripted? I watched this movie on a certain cable movie channel that caters to female viewers, and although I generally do not care for the often-derogatory term "chick flick," this movie is a BAD one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie    4. Mystery    5. Mystery / Suspense    6. Suspense   

Editorial Review

The most readily available version of this early Jackie Chan flick has been distractingly dubbed with English accents and lad slang. ("You twit!" snarls a beefy young kung fu master.) This is a film of some historic interest, however, since Chan was directing himself for the first time, going way too far in his attempt to inject humor into the genre and distance himself from the grim, ferocious example of Bruce Lee. He has only himself to blame, in other words, for the over-the-top slapstick of the martial arts training sequences--like the one that has him standing on his head, balancing a bowl of scalding hot tea in his crotch. The action scenes are all-out gag-fests in which Chan does more mugging than fighting, appearing in drag in one memorable sequence. One hapless thug even gets squashed into the ground, like a steamrollered cartoon character. Read more

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Reviews (24)

A great Kung Fu movie with Jackie's Funny Style
First of all i dont know why so many ppl complain about the quality and extras,please this is a movie from 1979!! Thanx God we have it on DVD of course i would love to have a 3 disc edition but who cares, The movie is great and very funny, in one scene you can see Jackie as a chinese girl fighting a big guy because he got a job as a man who fights every Kung fu teacher that wants to bother his boss.
ORIGINAL IS BETTER
If you want UNCUT ORIGINAL version, ALWAYS look for ORIGINAL LICENSED Production. NOT US Release. Its a foreign film, it should not be US version to begin with~! HELLO!!!?? Why settle for LESS with US Version where they edit and cut so many excellent scenes especially with Jackie's Fighting Scenes. And US Release ruins the speed and sound as well. I have been collecting Jackie Chan's movies both HK and US Release Version for quite some time now. I found HK Version to be MUCH MORE in enjoyable, and HIGHER in Quality. American Market always like to "Americanize" and "Control". Regional Code Regulation thing is one of the example to CONTROL the Market. Why not let everyone enjoy the same HK Original Release move the same way ENTIRE WORLD enjoys it ?? No one makes Hollywood American movies to "French version" or "Chinese Version" ~! This what Americans are doing~! Well, enjoy the cheap "American version" then~! LOL

Top-notch movie with a DVD to match
I don't know what a lot of people are talking about. This DVD from Columbia Tristar is the best there is for this movie. It has the original Cantonese dialouge (along with a separate English dub) with English subs. The picture is fine too. It's good enough for an old movie like this one. It's not like you can't see what's going on in the film. I like it.
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Reviews (3)

THE SEVENTH FLOOR
It's always good to see beautiful Brooke Shields in action and in an excellent thriller too. For Steven Bauer fans only
This is the original Simitar DVD release of "Stranger By Night."The picture and sound quality is excellent, though there are no extra features, just the chapter index, which is nice.I don't have the new "collector's edition" on DVD, hopefully someone will review this and let us know if its worth getting.William Katt gives an excellent performance, but the picture belongs to Steven Bauer, who is always great to watch. Fans will be happy to know there's another steamy Bauer nude scene of his along with Jennifer Rubin.

Great Value! 1 Great Movie! All Bad Quality :-(
Stranger By Night - Awful Movie/Good KATT!STRANGER BY NIGHT is an illogical endeavor by all counts, yet it has a spectacular supporting performance by -- of all people -- actor William Katt (who was the titlecharacter in the TV series THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO). Playing alibidinous, extroverted detective, Katt gives his scenes some feral kick,and he actually gives the illusion that you're watching a real movie. (It'ssort of the effect Mickey Rourke elicited in his brief role in 1981'smonotonous BODY HEAT.) However, this movie should be titles "Movie ofthe week", and be airing weekly on TNT's Dinner and a Movie.Read more

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Reviews (15)

Very impressive
Deadbeat at Dawn has a lot going for it.As a filmmaker myself, it's hard not to notice things like stitled dialogue here and there or extremely low budget production values and editing that could perhaps be tightened up a bit in places; however, Van Bebber's directorial abilities and sheer raw talent manage to overcome all the film's shortcomings.This disc is especially a must for anyone who is tired of the Hollywood factory way of churning out product, and it's always great to see something produced by someone who really loves and understands genre material, such as Van Bebber obviously does.
admiration and respect
Anyone who has ever worked in films knows how costly and difficult and so damn rare it is to end up with a good film after all the toil and sweat --let ALONE accomplish something worthwhile on a meager budget. And this is exactly why my hat is off to Mr. vanBebber. He has pulled off a tremendous feat here. Yes, the acting is far from great--but there is so much here that deserves our respect. It is easy to see how much hard work went into this film and, frankly, am amazed that Jim van Bebber was able to pull it off.
A sledgehammer to the gut
The company that released Jim Van Bebber's low budget cult classic "Deadbeat at Dawn" had an amusing if slightly disturbing experience with this director. Several years ago, right after releasing the disc, you could go to Synapse Film's website and listen to one or two messages Van Bebber left on the company's answering machine. It was quite the experience. You could tell immediately that Van Bebber was less than happy about the DVD release. In a torrent of language best left omitted here, the director accused Synapse of messing up the picture quality during the transfer to disc. There were a few other problems Van Bebber had with the DVD that I don't remember now, but the whole thing allowed a rare glimpse into the sometimes tempestuous behavior of artistic types. And Jim Van Bebber is an artist if "Deadbeat at Dawn" is any indication. Made for under ten thousand dollars in the early 1980s, the movie is a massively entertaining action/crime film about two gangs fighting, robbing, and loving in the gritty back alleys of Dayton, Ohio. While the picture quality of the DVD might not reach Van Bebber's high standards-a claim I happen to disagree with, by the way-the disc is a worthy addition to any B movie fan's library.Read more

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Reviews (6)

Stephen Baldwin to the rescue!
Stephen Baldwin (The Usual Suspects, Bio-Dome) stars as SCAR team member John who gets mixed up with nice hooker Candy played by the beautiful Tia Carrere (Relic Hunter, True Lies) when his SCAR team members invade a place and kill thugs along with two of Carrere's hookers friends. Baldwin helps Carrere escape before she is found and killed. Carerre tells her boss about what happened and her boss tells Baldwin's boss Laine played by Chazz Palminteri (The Usual Suspects, Running Scared) about what Baldwin did. So, he has a couple of SCAR members try to take out Baldwin but Baldwin eventually escapes and grabs Carrere as both him and her are on the run. Carrere is sexy and she has a wonderful singing voice and keeps this movie alive. Baldwin plays this performance in many of his other movies but here and there he has good moments but nothing special. Some of the action is good but it's not that great of an action/thriller. Also starring DB Woodside (Tv's 24, Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Michael Rispoli (Snake Eyes, Angie), Andrew Davoli (Room 6, Knockaround Guys) and Gary Dourdan (CSI, Playing God)

"It does get easier...every time you pull the trigger."
John Trace (Stephen Baldwin) is a cop with a rare "gift": he can kill deadly criminals without feeling remorse. That's just the type of man Lieutenant Laine Devon (Chazz Palminteri) is looking for, a new recruit for his infamous "SCAR" unit (Select Unit Armed Response) which is fully authorized to take out the toughest criminals, with deadly force. In other words, forget search warrants, just bust down the door and machine-gun anyone inside who may look suspicious.
A great surprise
I didn't expect the unsual suspects but what I found was a film with some great great moments. funny and caustic....a beautiful song by Tia.... some fantastic scenes made the occasional 2-D plot come to life with the fresh chemistry between the two stars! ... Read more

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Not bad, in this post-"Alias" era
I've become strangely attracted to this indie actioner out of Canada. A "think-I-can" combination of TV's "Alias" and John Woo gun-opera. great indie action film
Fun, action packed little independant film. Johanna is gorgeous and Billy dee is still as charming as ever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action    2. Action / Adventure    3. Adult Entertainment Rated R    4. Adventure    5. Movie    6. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller   

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Hen Pecked Fingers
Opening with an image of the atomic bomb reducing Hiroshima to ashes, Fukasaku Kinji's Battles without Honor and Humanity begins a series of five movies depicting the chaotic life of Hirono Shozo a former soldier who is trying to survive in the chaotic world of the black markets in postwar Japan. A pretty even-tempered man, the viewer first witnesses Hirono lash out in violence when a group of American GIs try to rape a woman. Amidst the chaos of the black market with its prostitutes, underground rice kitchens, and violent bars, one of Hirono's friend's head is slashed by a yakuza. A rival yakuza was going to deal with the man, but in his stead Hoshino seeks revenge for his friend. Faced with a drunken, sword wielding yakuza Hirono empties his pistol into the man, and receives a twelve year sentence. However, while in prison, he meets another yakuza named Wakasugi who plans to slice open his stomach in order to get out of jail on bail. Promising to raise Hirono's bail money if he helps him in his plot, Wakasugi introduces Hirono into the world of the yakuza and the two men become blood brothers.
No honor amongst thieves and killers
There are few films as well-named as Fukasaku Kinji's "Battles Without Honor and Humanity"("Jingi naki tatakai.')With one shot, Fukasaku (director of "Battle Royale") undid and entire genre of film, one that would never be the same again.A lone Yakuza, wielding a Samurai sword stands against a crowd, a brave sneer on his face.He is instantly shot and killed, his katana useless against a gun.
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Reviews (5)

"You ever a victim, Eddie?"
Is there anything more cinematically gratifying than seeing a pack of rabid, sadistic street punks getting exactly what they deserve on the alter of vigilante street justice?Probably, but I doubt many will argue the viscerally animalistic appeal of seeing some particular heinous thugs getting their heads handed to them vigilante style...which brings me to this film, Vigilante (1983), a relative late comer in the genre (who many believe started off with the very popular 1974 film Death Wish, starring Charles Bronson).Co-produced and directed by William Lustig (Maniac, Maniac Cop), who, incidentally, worked as an apprentice editor on the film Death Wish, Vigilante stars Robert Forster (Alligator, Jackie Brown) and exploitation film veteran Fred `The Hammer' Williamson (Mr. Mean, 1990: The Bronx Warriors).Also appearing is Rutanya Alda (The Deer Hunter), Richard Bright (The Godfather: Part III), Don Blakely (Brubaker), Joe Spinell (Forbidden Zone, Maniac), Carol Lynley (The Poseidon Adventure), Frank Pesce (Midnight Run), Steve James (The Exterminator), and legendary actor Woody Strode (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance), who was pushing 70 at the time this movie was made, and looked about as fit as most men half his age.
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!

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.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Features

• Color
• Dolby
• NTSC

Reviews (2)

Restraining Order with Julia Robert's brother
Ah, Eric Roberts, famous brother of actress 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 defenselawyer for an organized crime boss (Dean Stockwell). His sucess in thecourthouse means trouble for him and his wife (model, Tatjana Patitz).Although the plot is typical, there are several familiar faces in thismovie. As always, Roberts plays the part well and overall, the movie was a pleasant suprise. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama    2. Movie    3. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller   

Features

• Color
• Full Screen
• NTSC

Reviews (1)

not too bad
An enjoyable, not-too-bad crime & action B-movie in a very Italian setting. Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Subtitled
• Widescreen
• NTSC

Reviews (2)

Hen Pecked Fingers
Opening with an image of the atomic bomb reducing Hiroshima to ashes, Fukasaku Kinji's Battles without Honor and Humanity begins a series of five movies depicting the chaotic life of Hirono Shozo a former soldier who is trying to survive in the chaotic world of the black markets in postwar Japan. A pretty even-tempered man, the viewer first witnesses Hirono lash out in violence when a group of American GIs try to rape a woman. Amidst the chaos of the black market with its prostitutes, underground rice kitchens, and violent bars, one of Hirono's friend's head is slashed by a yakuza. A rival yakuza was going to deal with the man, but in his stead Hoshino seeks revenge for his friend. Faced with a drunken, sword wielding yakuza Hirono empties his pistol into the man, and receives a twelve year sentence. However, while in prison, he meets another yakuza named Wakasugi who plans to slice open his stomach in order to get out of jail on bail. Promising to raise Hirono's bail money if he helps him in his plot, Wakasugi introduces Hirono into the world of the yakuza and the two men become blood brothers.
No honor amongst thieves and killers
There are few films as well-named as Fukasaku Kinji's "Battles Without Honor and Humanity"("Jingi naki tatakai.')With one shot, Fukasaku (director of "Battle Royale") undid and entire genre of film, one that would never be the same again.A lone Yakuza, wielding a Samurai sword stands against a crowd, a brave sneer on his face.He is instantly shot and killed, his katana useless against a gun.
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Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Japanese    2. Foreign Film [Dub Or Subtitle]    3. International    4. Movie    5. Mystery / Suspense