Author: King of the Island

Throne of Blood

Throne of Blood VHS cover art. Classic Japanese action drama movie starring Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Minoru Chiaki, Takashi Shimura. Directed by Akira Kurosawa. 1957.

Throne of Blood on VHS. Starring Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Minoru Chiaki, Takashi Shimura. Directed by Akira Kurosawa. 1957.

From the box:

Akira Kurosawa’s savage, free-flowing adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth plunges viewers into an eerie, fog-shrouded world of madness and obsession. Set in medieval Japan during a period of feudal conflict, Kurosawa’s masterpiece combines the stylization of the Noh theater with the dynamic energy of the American Western to tell the tragic story of an ambitious warlord. Toshiro Mifune gives one of his finest performances as the proud warrior who is destroyed by his wife’s murderous greed and his own all-consuming desire for power. From its first frenzied battle sequences to the brutal climax, in which the entire forest seems to move against Mifune, [spoiler removed], Kurosawa’s brilliantly staged classic is a cinematic triumph.

DVD Upgrade: Throne of Blood (The Criterion Collection)

Rashomon

Rashomon VHS box cover art. Japanese crime thriller movie starring Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori, Takashi Shimura, Directed by Akira Kurosawa. 1950.

Rashomon on VHS. Starring Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori, Takashi Shimura, Directed by Akira Kurosawa. Based on the novel In the Forest by Ryunosuke Hashimoto. 1950.

From the box:

A cinema classic, Rashomon introduced the Western world to the greatness of Akira Kurosawa and paved the way for fellow masters of the Japanese film industry. Characteristic of Kurosawa’s humanism and innovative narrative style, this eloquent masterpiece illuminates the subjectivity of truth through flashbacks, vigorous editing and luminous photography. Four different narrators describe the same brutal act — a woman’s rape and her husband’s consequent death — yet the facts elude us because each interprets the story to make himself appear in the best light. Through subtle gestures, Machiko Kyo (Ugetsu, Gate of Hell) conveys the woman’s supreme loss at the hands of her attacker, played by Toshiro Mifune (Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood) with a savage heat. This visually rich tale poignantly confronts man’s potential for kindness and corruption.

DVD Upgrade: Rashomon

Watch Now: Rashomon

Sonatine

Quentin Tarantino's Rolling Thunder Pictures Presents Sonatine VHS cover art. Japanese action crime mob movie starring Beat Takeshi Kitano, Aya Kokumai, Tetsu Watanabe. Written and directed by Beat Takeshi Kitano. 1993.

Quentin Tarantino’s Rolling Thunder Pictures Presents Sonatine on VHS. Starring Beat Takeshi Kitano, Aya Kokumai, Tetsu Watanabe. Written and directed by Beat Takeshi Kitano. 1993.

From the box:

His mob boss double-crossed him. Now, it’s payback time!

This acclaimed, first-rate crime story packs gritty action and humor with an edgy Pulp Fiction attitude! International action star, “Beat” Takeshi Kitano, plays a seasoned mobster who goes to the island of Okinawa on a “peacekeeping” mission, even though he suspects that his boss is secretly trying to eliminate him! Determined to not go down without a fight, he and his gang know exactly what they have to do… and just want to avoid getting killed doing it! If you like action that’s smart, edgy and fresh, don’t miss this hard-hitting mob thriller!

DVD Upgrade: The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi / Sonatine

Kill Bill Volume 1

Kill Bill Volume 1 VHS box cover art. Action crime thriller movie starring Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, David Carradine, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah. Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. 2003.

Kill Bill Volume 1 on VHS. Starring Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, David Carradine, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah. Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. 2003.

From the box:

The acclaimed fourth film from groundbreaking writer and director Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown), Kill Bill Volume 1 stars Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction), Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels, Chicago) and Vivica A. Fox (Two Can Play That Game) in an astonishing action-packed thriller about brutal betrayal and an epic vendetta! Four years after taking a bullet in the head at her own wedding, The Bride (Thurman) emerges from a coma and decides it’s time for payback… with a vengeance! Having been gunned down by her former boss (David Carradine) and his deadly squad of international assassins, it’s a kill-or-be-killed fight she didn’t start but is determined to finish! Loaded with explosive action and outrageous humor, it’s a must-see motion picture event that has critics everywhere raving!

DVD Upgrade: Kill Bill: Volume One / Volume Two (Double Feature)

Kung Fu Hustle

Kung Fu Hustle on VHS. Comedy action movie starring Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Leung Siu Lung, Dong Zhi Hua. Directed by Stephen Chow. 2004.

Kung Fu Hustle on VHS. Starring Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Leung Siu Lung, Dong Zhi Hua. Directed by Stephen Chow. 2004.

From the box:

From Walking Disaster To Kung Fu Master

In a town ruled by the Axe Gang, Sing desperately wants to become a member. He stumbles into a slum ruled by eccentric landlords who turn out to be kung fu masters in disguise.

Sing’s actions eventually cause the Axe Gang and the slumlords to engage in an explosive kung fu battle. Only one side will win and only one hero will emerge as the greatest kung fu master of all.

DVD Upgrade: Kung Fu Hustle (Axe-Kickin’ Edition)

Three O’Clock High

Three O'Clock High VHS box cover art. Teenage comedy movie starring Casey Siemaszko, Annie Ryan, Richard Tyson, Jeffrey Tambor, Philip Baker Hall, John P. Ryan, Mitch Pileggi. Directed by Phil Joanou. 1987.

Three O’Clock High on VHS. Starring Casey Siemaszko, Annie Ryan, Richard Tyson, Jeffrey Tambor, Philip Baker Hall, John P. Ryan, Mitch Pileggi. Directed by Phil Joanou. 1987.

From the box:

Jerry Mitchell just bumped into Buddy Revell. Now Jerry isn’t thinking about math or English. Because at three o’clock, he’s history.

Jerry Mitchell is having one of those days.
He’s late for high school, his car has a flat tire and he’s been sent to the dean’s office. But worst of all, he’s incurred the wrath of the feared new student, Buddy Revell, the biggest, meanest, downright nastiest guy in class who forces him into a fight at 3 P.M. in the school parking lot.
Poor Jerry has just seven hours, a good supply of wit, a few friends, a savvy kid sister and the worst luck of any kid alive, to find a way out of his tough problem.
As the clock ticks away and the suspense mounts, Jerry realizes there’s no way he can avoid facing the muscle-bound bully in a fight that will probably be his last. It’s brain against brawn in one of today’s best contemporary teenage comedies.

DVD Upgrade: Three O’Clock High

Time For School (Watch Instantly): Three O’Clock High

Rock ‘N’ Roll High School Forever

Rock 'N' Roll High School Forever VHS box cover art. Comedy music movie starring Corey Feldman, Larry Linville, Mary Woronov, Evan Richards, Liane Curtis, Sarah Buxton, Mojo Nixon. Directed by Deborah Brock. 1991.

Roger Corman presents Corey Feldman in Rock ‘N’ Roll High School Forever on VHS. Starring Corey Feldman, Larry Linville, Mary Woronov, Evan Richards, Liane Curtis, Sarah Buxton, Mojo Nixon. Directed by Deborah Brock. 1991.

From the box:

The High School Comedy About The 3 R’s — Rock — Rock — and Rock!

High-schooler Jesse Davis (Corey Feldman of “The Lost Boys” and “License to Drive”) and his band, the Eradicators, know bad news when they see it. And the ba-a-a-dest news of all is the school’s new V.P. of Discipline, who rules with an iron fist — literally.

Can the Eradicators eradicate the V.P.? Does rock ‘n’ roll rule?

It doesn’t just rule… it totally dominates the entire student body in this outrageous, prank-filled comedy, based on characters created by Joe Dante (“Gremlins”) and Allan Arkush (“Caddyshack II”).

Mojo Nixon joins the fun as the Spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll. And a red-hot lineup of classics and rad new tunes keeps rockin’ from beginning to end. What an awesome way to save school from the uncool!

DVD Upgrade: Red Carpet Double Feature: South Beach Academy/Rock ‘n’ Roll High School Forever

National Lampoon’s Last Resort

National Lampoon's Last Resort VHS box cover art. Comedy movie starring Corey Feldman, Corey Haim. With Maureen Flannigan, Robert Mandan, Geoffrey Lewis. Directed by Rafal Zielinski. 1994.

National Lampoon’s Last Resort on VHS. Starring Corey Feldman, Corey Haim. With Maureen Flannigan, Robert Mandan, Geoffrey Lewis. Directed by Rafal Zielinski. 1994.

From the box:

Fasten Your Snorkels. It’s Gonna Be A Bumpy Dive.

Sam (Corey Feldman) and Dave (Corey Haim) are just your average guys leading quiet lives until Sam’s crazy old Uncle Rex summons them to his bizarre resort island in the Caribbean.

Uncle Rex needs help saving “Treasure Island” from his old nemesis Hemlock. Going undercover as CIA agents/scuba instructors, the guys team up with a hilarious bunch of coconut heads including a bubble-headed mermaid a Rastafarian flasher and a couple of way bodacious babes.

In a wild ending, Sam and Dave must pass the “Three Tests of Valor” to save crazy Uncle Rex’s island. “Last Resort” is the most outrageous National Lampoon film yet and is sure to become your best getaway ever!

DVD Upgrade: National Lampoon’s Last Resort

The Million Dollar Hotel

The Million Dollar Hotel VHS box cover art. Movie starring Jeremy Davies, Milla Jovovich, Mel Gibson, Jimmy Smits. With Peter Stormare, Amanda Plummer, Gloria Stuart, Tom Bower, Donal Logue, Bud Cort, Julian Sands, Conrad Roberts, Harris Yulin, Charlayne Woodard. Directed by Wim Wenders. 2000.

The Million Dollar Hotel on VHS. Starring Jeremy Davies, Milla Jovovich, Mel Gibson, Jimmy Smits. With Peter Stormare, Amanda Plummer, Gloria Stuart, Tom Bower, Donal Logue, Bud Cort, Julian Sands, Conrad Roberts, Harris Yulin, Charlayne Woodard. Directed by Wim Wenders. 2000.

From the box:

Everyone Has Something To Hide.

FBI Agent Skinner has been brought in to solve his most bizarre case yet. In a downtown fleabag hotel, the son of a billionaire media mogul has mysteriously died. Now, Skinner must find the murderer among the hotel’s guests, uncovering a web of deception which runs deeper than he ever thought imaginable… and protects the guilty from justice.

DVD Upgrade: The Million Dollar Hotel

Wim Wenders Photography: Wim Wenders: Places, Strange and Quiet

More Wim: Wim Wenders: Once

Dollar

Dollar VHS box cover art. Music video starring M.C. Breed, Shannon Greer, Al Breed, Bruce Bruce, Ryan Cameron, Henry Jaderlund. 2000.

Dollar on VHS. Starring M.C. Breed, Shannon Greer, Al Breed, Bruce Bruce, Ryan Cameron, Henry Jaderlund. 2000.

From the box:

What Good Is It For A Hustler To Gain The Whole World If He Forfeits His Soul?

MC Breed stars as Dollar, a young man out of jail and back to the streets. His hustle takes him back to his old hood in Flint, and when things get too hot, he’s on to a fresh start in Atlanta.

Dollar is steady chasin’ paper in his new town, with one exception, Iris. Everything that’s done in the dark eventually comes to light, and Dollar’s right back in the line of fire just when his career and life were going right.

DVD Upgrade: Dollar