Deadlock

Deadlock aka Dead Lock aka Wedlock on VHS video. Starring Rutger Hauer, Mimi Rogers, Joan Chen. Directed by Lewis Teague. 1991.

Deadlock aka Dead Lock aka Wedlock on VHS video. Starring Rutger Hauer, Mimi Rogers, Joan Chen. Directed by Lewis Teague. 1991.

From the VHS box cover:

In the prison of the future, criminal justice will have a deadly twist. No bars. No walls. No chance of escape…

…Until Now.

After hiding 25 million dollars’ worth of diamonds, jewel thief Frank Warren is double-crossed by both his best friend and his fiancee, and placed in an experimental maximum security prison.

At Camp Holiday, each prisoner is fitted with an explosive-filled “wedlock collar” that’s electronically linked to the collar of another prisoner. If the two wedlock partners are separated by more than 100 yards, both of their collars will explode. Since prisoners are not told the identity of their wedlock partners, escape is seemingly impossible.

When a woman named Ivory claims to be Frank’s wedlock partner, he’s skeptical…until she orchestrates their escape, heads still intact.

In a deadly game of hide and seek the two unwilling partners are relentlessly pursued by the authorities and cruelly hunted by Frank’s murderous associates. It’s a race against time… to get the diamonds, save their lives, and break out of wedlock.

Deadlock is a high-tech futuristic thriller, bristling with suspense and non-stop action.

DVD upgrade: Wedlock



Shakedown

Shakedown on VHS. Starring Peter Weller, Sam Elliott, Patricia Charbonneau, Blanche Baker, Antonio Fargas. Directed by James Glickenhaus. 1988.

Shakedown on VHS. Starring Peter Weller, Sam Elliott, Patricia Charbonneau, Blanche Baker, Antonio Fargas. Directed by James Glickenhaus. 1988.

From the VHS box cover:

An over-worked lawyer. An undercover cop. In a city where everyone is for sale… They’re the best that money can’t buy.

Whatever you do… don’t call the cops.

A burned-out legal aid attorney reluctantly teams up with a renegade police detective to find the truth behind the fatal shooting of an undercover cop by a notorious drug dealer.

Targeted by a syndicate of corrupt cops and drug lords, the duo blast their way through the underbelly on New York in their unrelenting search for the shocking truth behind the crime. Filmed on the streets on Manhattan, Shakedown features some of the most incredible stunt work and chase sequences ever shot, including a death-defying fight scene atop Coney Island’s Cyclone roller coaster. It’s nonstop thrills from start to finish in one of the most entertaining high-speed cop films ever made.

DVD upgrade: Shakedown

Watch now: Shakedown (1988) Amazon Instant Video



The Razor: The Snare

The Razor: The Snare on VHS. Starring Katsu Shintaro (Zatoichi), Sato Kei, Nishimura Akira, Kurosawa Toshio, Ineno Kazuko. Directed by Masamura Yasuzo. 1973.

The Razor: The Snare on VHS. Starring Katsu Shintaro, Sato Kei, Nishimura Akira, Kurosawa Toshio, Ineno Kazuko. Directed by Masamura Yasuzo. 1973.

From the VHS box cover:

Hanzo “Razor” Itami is an unusual cop with unusual skills, not the least of which is his uncanny ability to ferret out criminals using his “unique” interrogation methods on female prisoners.

While investigating the death of a girl during an illegal abortion, Hanzo sniffs out an orgy of wealthy perverts at a convent run by a priestess named Nyokaini. After the priestess is introduced to “THE LONGEST ARM OF THE LAW” she rats out Lord Okubo, the Shogunate Treasurer, who is minting debased coinage (and keeping the “extra” for himself). Okubo is also behind most of the prostitution in Edo. Meanwhile, Hanzo learns of a planned raid on the mint by a gang of cutthroats and sets up “house” with the beautiful widow (Riki) who runs the mint.

In a blazing bloodbath of slaughter, the “Razor” foils the raid and arrests the survivors. Lord Okubo offers a reward and Hanzo names it… [spoilers]

DVD upgrade: Hanzo The Snare

Nightfall

Nightfall on VHS video. Starring Jennifer Burns, Winsome Brown, Joseph Hodge (Haj), David Carradine. Based on the story by Isaac Asimov published in 1941 and subsequently expanded into a full novel by Asimov and Robert Silverberg in 1990. Directed by Gwyneth Gibby. 2000.

Nightfall on VHS video. Starring Jennifer Burns, Winsome Brown, Joseph Hodge (Haj), David Carradine. Based on the story by Isaac Asimov (which was inspired by an Emerson quote) published in 1941 and subsequently expanded into a full novel by Asimov and Robert Silverberg in 1990. Produced by Roger Corman. Directed by Gwyneth Gibby. 2000.

From the VHS box:

“The Greatest Science Fiction Story of All Time.” as voted by The Science Fiction Writers of America

The people of the planet Aeon, blessed with six suns, have never experienced night. When an archeological excavation uncovers evidence of an ancient catastrophe, all signs point towards the impending darkness of the very first Nightfall. Panic erupts as the suns slowly disappear one by one. Science struggles against superstition as the people race to comprehend the approaching Nightfall… the end of the world as they know it.

DVD upgrade (scathing reviews): Nightfall

They say the book is always better than the movie: Nightfall

Go back in time and pretend the movie never existed: Nightfall and Other Stories (Crest Science Fiction, P1969)







Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 on VHS video. Starring Oskar Werner, Julie Christie, Cyril Cusack. From the book by Ray Bradbury. Directed by François Truffaut.

Fahrenheit 451 on VHS video. Starring Oskar Werner, Julie Christie, Cyril Cusack. From the book by Ray Bradbury. Directed by François Truffaut. 1966.

From the VHS box cover:

Ray Bradbury’s best-selling science fiction masterpiece about a future without books takes on a chillingly realistic dimension in this film classic directed by one of the more important screen innovators of all time, the late Francois Truffaut. Julie Christie stars in the challenging dual role of Oskar Werner’s pleasure-seeking conformist wife, Linda, and his rebellious, book-collecting mistress, Clarisse.

Montag (Oskar Werner), a regimented fireman in charge of burning the forbidden volumes, meets a revolutionary school teacher who dares to read. Suddenly he finds himself a hunted fugitive, forced to choose not only between two women, but between personal safety and intellectual freedom. Truffant’s first English language production is an eerie fable where mankind becomes the ultimate evil.

DVD upgrade: Fahrenheit 451

Read the book: Fahrenheit 451: A Novel





Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Jonathan Livingston Seagull on VHS. Starring James Franciscus, Juliet Mills, Philip Ahn, Hal Holbrook. From the book by Richard Bach. Directed by Hall Bartlett. 1973.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull on VHS. Starring James Franciscus, Juliet Mills, Philip Ahn, Hal Holbrook. From the book by Richard Bach. Directed by Hall Bartlett. 1973.

From the VHS box:

“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.” Jonathan Livingston Seagull’s words, from the best-selling novel by Richard Bach, bring into sharp focus the intense and extraordinary determination of Jonathan, who envisions another world — one of love, understanding, achievement, hope and individuality. An evocative musical score by Neil Diamond is paramount to the film’s mood.

DVD upgrade: Jonathan Livingston Seagull on DVD

Read the book: Jonathan Livingston Seagull: The Complete Edition

Spread your wings and fly away (with Neil Diamond): Jonathan Livingston Seagull Original Motion Picture Soundtrack







Living Free

Living Free on VHS. Starring Nigel Davenport, Susan Hampshire, Geoffrey Keen. Based on the book by Joy Adamson. Directed by Jack Couffer. 1972.

Living Free on VHS. Starring Nigel Davenport, Susan Hampshire, Geoffrey Keen. Based on the book by Joy Adamson. Directed by Jack Couffer. 1972.

From the VHS box cover:

The heartwarming story of three lion cubs struggling to survive in one of nature’s most treacherous settings is brought to life in Living Free, the sequel to “Born Free.” Set against the spectacular backdrop of East Africa, this true adventure continues the story of Joy and George Adamson and “Elsa,” the lioness they once raised and set free. Elsa returns to the Adamsons because she is dying. Joy and George are then faced with a painful decision — should they shelter Elsa’s cubs from the dangers of the African wilds, or should they set them free? A touching story of dedication and courage, Living Free confronts the dilemma of letting go or holding on to what you love.

DVD upgrade: Animal Combo Pack: Born Free/Living Free

Read it: Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds





Original Gangstas

Original Gangstas on VHS. Starring Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Pam Grier. With Paul Winfield, Isabel Sanford, Ron O'Neal, Richard Roundtree, Christopher B. Duncan, Dru Down, Shyheim Franklin. Directed by Larry Cohen, Fred Williamson. 1996.

Original Gangstas on VHS. Starring Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Pam Grier. With Paul Winfield, Isabel Sanford, Ron O’Neal, Richard Roundtree, Christopher B. Duncan, Dru Down, Shyheim Franklin. Directed by Larry Cohen, Fred Williamson. 1996.

From the VHS box:

It’s time for some respect.

It’s one reunion you don’t want to miss. The top stars of ’70s Black Action films — Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree and Ron O’Neal — take on the hottest new stars on the ’90s as explosive action rips the mean streets of Gary, Indiana. Thirty years ago five friends formed a street gang, the Rebels. But the Rebels — and the rules — have changed. Instead of rocks and bottles, today the gang uses automatic weapons. Now one drive-by killing too many has reunited the original Rebels. But it’s going to take the support of the entire community and one final showdown to reclaim the streets and show today’s Rebels who the real “Original Gangstas” are.

Co-starring Paul Winfield, Isabel Sanford, Christopher B. Duncan and rappers Dru Down, Shyheim, “Original Gangstas” features the year’s hottest rap/R&B soundtrack with music by Luniz, Ice-T, MC REN, the Geto Boys and more.

DVD upgrade: Original Gangstas



It

Stephen King's It on VHS video. Starring Richard Thomas, Tim Reid, Annette O'Toole, Tim Curry, Richard Masur, John Ritter, Harry Anderson, Dennis Christopher. Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace. 1990.

Stephen King’s It on VHS video. Starring Richard Thomas, Tim Reid, Annette O’Toole, Tim Curry, Richard Masur, John Ritter, Harry Anderson, Dennis Christopher. Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace. 1990.

From the VHS box:

Your every fear — all in one deadly enemy.

It can be anything. A fanged monster that won’t stay on the movie screen. Something ominous lurking in the basement. No matter what your biggest fear is, no one knows It better than Stephen King.

Based on the King Of Horror’s 1986 bestseller, It is a jittery, jolting excursion into personal fear. A malevolent force in a small New England town takes the shape of a clown, but It is not clowning around. Instead, It terrifies youngsters with their innermost fears, bringing some to their untimely doom — until a group of wily neighborhood kids fight back. Thirty years later the evil resurfaces: meaner, angrier, deadlier. And the friends who vividly remember the terrors of their youth reunite to make a desperate stand against It.

DVD upgrade: Stephen King, IT!

It by Stephen King: It

Junior Bonner

Junior Bonner on VHS video. Starring Steve McQueen, Robert Preston, Ida Lupino. Directed by Sam Peckinpah. 1972.

Junior Bonner on VHS video. Starring Steve McQueen, Robert Preston, Ida Lupino. Directed by Sam Peckinpah. 1972.

From the VHS box cover:

Top rate directing by Sam Peckinpah and delightful performances from Steve McQueen, Robert Preston and Ida Lupino spark this enchanting drama about an ex-rodeo star determined to be in the spotlight one more time.

Junior Bonner, a likeable drifter and regular on the riding circuit comes home to find bulldozers clearing his family land. His father, Ace, wants to start a new ranch in Australia but is short on funds. Junior is broke, as usual, but he knows how to change that — by riding a fierce bull named Sunshine in a coming rodeo. Sunshine has already painfully thrown Junior, who’s now determined to take on the beast again, both to make a new life for his father and to prove to himself that he’s still got what it takes.

A rousing story enlivened by McQueen’s rascally charm and roguish appeal, JUNIOR BONNER will make you want to jump up and shout “Ride ’em cowboy!”

DVD upgrade: Junior Bonner