2 comments about Cellar Dweller (Amazon.com Exclusive).

1. Not your typical horror movie.Should have been 1988 horror picture of the year! Must see movie! I rate this movie (NTBWA) not to be watched alone!Never heard of it!Well now u have ? Someone needs to make this picture on DVD,please? All over you chills.Two thumbs up!



2. At first glance, Cellar Dweller looks like a rather nondescript, neglected B-horror movie, but this film has several things that most of its cinematic peers do not: a cameo by cult icon Jeffrey Combs alongside the casting of Dynasty veteran Pamela Bellwood and Yvonne De Carlo (TV's Lily Munster). This was 1987, of course, so De Carlo had aged and put on some weight, but she definitely adds class and character to the film. Cellar Dweller also features a decent story that distinguishes itself from the crowd and takes a nice little twist at the end that plays wonderfully.
   
   Cellar Dweller was the name of the gruesome horror comic brought to life by Colin Childress (Jeffrey Combs), who died thirty years earlier after reportedly going mad and murdering an innocent young woman. He still has his fans three decades later, including one Whitney Taylor (Debrah Farentino), who has come to the place Colin worked and died (which is now an arts institute) to create a new Cellar Dweller comic of her own. Mrs. Briggs (Yvonne De Carlo), the head of the institute, oversees an interest group of artists: an abstract painter played rather annoyingly by Brian Robbins, a horrible female dancer, an ex-P.I. turned writer, and Amanda (Pamela Bellwood), a video artist who just happens to be Whitney's long-time nemesis. Finally conniving her way into the cellar room that Colin Childress called his own, Whitney finds the dark tome that inspired her idol and sets out to bring the Cellar Dweller back to life. Boy, does she bring him back to life. That's bad news indeed for all of our characters.
   
   The biggest complaint I have with this film is the fact that we witness several murders through the panels of a comic strip rather than up close and personally. At least we are usually party to the Cellar Dweller's post-killing snacks. About that Cellar Dweller, though - he's not the most terrifying monster you'll ever see. Still, after seeing one of his eyes yo-yo up and down out of his mask during one scene (which I suspect is just a happy accident), I couldn't help but love the ugly guy. And no one can say he doesn't do good work.
   
   As I mentioned, there's something of a twist at the end that earns the film extra kudos in my book. I'm really not sure why this film has been allowed to languish over the years, especially considering the way Jeffrey Combs fans flock to anything he's associated with. Cellar Dweller is much harder to find that it should be, but it is definitely worth tracking down.

5 comments about No Escape (1994).

1. No Escape liberally borrows a number of different plot elements from 1981's Escape from New York. An Island prison set in the near future where none can escape from and the prisoners have fallen under the leadership of powerful, tribal-like warlords. Escape from New York did it better and Manhattan Island makes for a much more interesting prison than a delsolate jungle island. But that's not to say "No Escape" isn't good. It is, it's just not totally original.
   
   Ray Liotta plays Robbins, a soldier who shoots his commanding officer after a botched attack kills hundreds of innocent villagers. Robbins is sent to the Island prison called Absolom, where no one has ever escaped from. The Island is comprised of two warring factions: The Outsiders who are a savage, tribal group led by a ruthless warlord named Marek (Stuart Wilson), and the Insiders, a more peaceful, communal group led by the zen-like "Father" (Lance Henricksen).
   
   Robbins is captured by the Outsiders and is tested by Marek in a death match with another member. Robbins dispatches him quickly, impressing Marek who offers Robbins a "position on his staff". Robbins wants no part and escapes, eventually being taken in by the insiders. The insiders have built a community where they farm, raise livestock, and have built simple machines like windmills, looms, and stills. They constantly have to fight off raids from The Outsiders and can use a man like Robbins.
   
   There are several battle scenes as the Outsiders raid the Insiders wooden fortress, meanwhile the warden of the prison played by Michael Lerner keeps a close eye on things, especially Robbins through satellites, and other hi-tech means.
   
   No Escape is a solid if unoriginal action/sci-fi flick. The characters are pretty two-dimensional. Lerner is the ruthless Warden, Ernie Hudson is Hawkins, the head of security for the Insiders, Kevin Dillon is Casey, the young prisoner who gets attached to Robbins, and Kevin J. O'Connor is the conniving supply man Stephano. The movie is derivitive of so many others but is well made and fun. Good escapist action.



2. "No Escape" is an amazing SCI-FI action movie starring Ray Liotta, who is my favourite actor along with Robert Patrick (T1000). Ray Liotta is in my opinion THE KING of ACTION MOVIES!!!!
   He is an actor full of energy, who succeeds everytime in transmiting to the viewer exactly the feeling that he wants to transmit in that moment, a quality which only the great actors have it.
   I can easily see on his face the joy of acting!!!
   Keep it up, Ray!!!



3. What is it with guys like Ray Liotta and Lance Henriksen? They are great character actors, but once they take the lead, their films seem to be forgotten or ridiculed. "No Escape" is a particularly interesting flick considering that both Liotta and Henriksen appear in it. Not to mention Ernie Hudson and Stuart Wilson, who are two other top-notch actors who seem to be stuck in ruts.
   
   This film didn't get much recognition in its day. I caught it at the movies years ago and loved it. Sure, it borrows from flicks like "Escape From New York" and I even see a little "Island of Dr. Moreau" in there, but it is an excellent film on its own merit. It has a stock story of a man who has committed a crime in order to right a wrong. He is banished to an island prison where no one escapes. On this island there are two factions: Insiders and Outsiders. One group is peaceful and lives in a semi-Utopian society whereas the other lives primarily under the rule of one man, Wilson. Henriksen plays the "Father," who quietly leads the Insiders. When Robbins, played by Liotta, falls into the game, he is sought out by Wilson's Marek, but ends up with the Insiders.
   
   Naturally, Liotta decides he has to escape the island to prove his case and to seek out freedom. What follows is raid after raid and the eventual final battle, full of deception and action. But don't let this simplistic and borrowed tale deceive you. This is a fun film to watch and the primary characters are solidly developed.
   
   Ernie Hudson heads up a strong supporting cast that features Kevin Dillon as a hard-luck innocent and Michael Lerner takes a nasty turn as the Warden. You'll recognize Hudson from "Ghostbusters I & II." He played Winston. Dillon was in the remake of "The Blob" and Lerner played the mayor of NYC in "Godzilla" with Matthew Broderick. There are other recognizable faces in the crowd as well.
   
   If you're looking for a solid film with good production and a wonderful plot(though not very original), you're sure to enjoy "No Escape." Check it out and add it to your Ray Liotta library. He's an oft-overlooked actor who deserves better accolades.



4. From the producers of "The Terminator" and "Aliens" and it shows. Practically nonstop mayhem. And very much like the last two Mad Max movies, particularly in the costumes, makeup, and the town, which somewhat resembled Barter Town. Liotta, however, is no Mel Gibson; there didn't seem to be that hardness at his core that Gibson can project. However, I did thoroughly enjoy it in spite of the constant violence. Was filmed in Australia, with some gorgeous scenery shots. But far too much violence and very graphic. Although its message was good. I would think some scenes here could cause nightmares among the young and the more susceptible. There's really nothing wrong with the movie's plot; it's just that we're now too good in the technical department, and can make violence so real these days. Maybe we need to downgrade here, and not be so graphic.



5. I had rented this years ago but I couldn't pass up the price here so I bought a copy and it was well worth it. I had forgot how good it is at keeping your attention. Ray Liotta, Lance Henrikson, and the rest the cast do a fine job. Fans of movies like "Escape from New York" and "The Soldier" should enjoy it the most. When a soldier is convicted of killing his superior officer we are in the dark as to why at first and the Island prison he is dropped off on is more like "Lord of the Flies" or inhabitants escaped from "The Road Warrior" than normal people. His only concern is getting off this rock and if it means fighting a whole army of these dregs he will do it. Good quality DVD with ample replayability.

5 comments about Ring of Fire 2: Blood and Steel.

1. Wow! "Ring of Fire 2" takes an entirely different route than the original. The first installment was a Romeo and Juliet type of romance set against a backdrop of a cross-culture martial arts fued. Don "The Dragon" Wilson was the romantic lead and left most of the fight scenes to his capable co-stars.
   The sequel, on the other hand, is a non-stop action film. Don, reprising his role of Johnny, and his buddies go underground(literally!) in search of the gang leader who kidnapped his fiance(Maria Ford, reprising her role- but with a different hair color!).
   The plot is totally contrived, but this is just such a likable knucklehead of a movie that it's hard not to like it. Don the Dragon gets plenty of fight scenes this time around. Wise move.
   "Ring of Fire 2" is solid action entertainment. Just remember to leave your I.Q. at the door and you'll love it.



2. RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL is without question Don "The Dragon" Wilson's best film ever. Those disappointed by the fact that he only had one major fight in RING OF FIRE will find that he more than makes up for it here.
   
   In fact, so does everyone else. While I was disappointed that Gary Daniels was not in BLOOD AND STEEL, most of the rest of the kickboxing cast from RING OF FIRE are back, and it is evident that everyone was determined to make a kung fu maovie so action-packed that it would be almost impossible to dislike.
   
   And as far as I'm concerned, they have. Don particularly shines in the film. Never has he been faster, tougher, or more determined to kick ass. And everyone one of his martial art compadres (Eric Lee, Ron Yuan, Vince Murdocco, Dale Jacoby) get their oppurtunity in the spotlight as well, and they do not disappoint.
   
   And to top it off, the film's head villian, Kalin, is played by non other than everyone's favorite kickboxing tough guy, Ian Jacklin. He and Don have a fantastic climactic duel that will blow you away.
   
   If you hated every single other movie that Don "The Dragon" Wilson has been in, RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL is the one to see. If you loved all of his other movies, RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL puts them all to shame.



3. Too bad Don wasn't a real doctor like the one he plays in this "movie" 'cause then he could have pulled the cord on this braindead vegetable.
   
   Basically a rip-off of "The Warriors" with the Don 'the dragon' running through 'underground' L.A. fighting various losers who apparently have nothing better to do than lay hiding in piles of trash, in homemade outfits, waiting to jump the first person who walks by.
   
   Much like "TC 2000" no one likes put on cozy pajamas and watch "Alf" reruns while eating macaroni, while instead opting to fight all day. Too bad 'cause that Melmacian sock puppet delivered lines more believably than "the dragon" and his backup gang of NKOTB rejects. Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh...after all we are talking about a movie where a carphone is actually a housephone sitting oh so obviously in the driver's lap.
   
   Kudos to the attempt at political commentary with the 'Nam vet Ernest confessing his loss of direction in life only to return near the climax to mercilessly blow away 3/4 of the un-armed (unless you count leather wrist guards and collars a la Mad Max) bad guys.
   
   "I didn't learn much from the army but what I did learn I learnt well" says the misguided Ernest. Too bad I didn't take basic training, then I wouldn't have known to duck and cover from this bomb.



4. Well... what can I say? It's fun... if you let it be fun. It's filled to the brim with well-choreographed fight scenes that are executed to perfection by professional martial artists... That seems to be the most true and innate value of this romp. The story seems to have been put in place primarily as a vehicle to get from one fight scene to another. Some moments of decent acting by the supporting cast will sneak up on you... as will some comedic moments provided by the comic relief. (The comic relief - physically - the smallest martial artist in the movie and naturally... portrayed in the film as the MOST girl-hungry!)
   
   The score is fine but the film has a very fun soundtrack that winds up being featured on an underground radio station within the parameters of the story.. If you like this genre of movies you'll like this one as much as you would any other...
   
   Too bad they didn't sell the soundtrack!



5. Ring of Fire 2 goes in a completely different direction than the first Ring of Fire, concentrating more on fight action than story. The best thing about ROF2 is many of the retruning cast members from the first movie, and this time, all fighting on the same side instead of against each other.
   
   Here is an example of some of the martial arts cast list in this movie, enough of a reason to own ROF2:
   
   Don Wilson (Bloodfist series)
   Dale Jacoby (No Retreat No Surrender, Bloodmatch)
   Vince Murdocco (Kickboxer 2, To Be The Best)
   Ron Yuan (To Be The Best, White Tiger)
   Eric Lee (Talons of the Eagle, Fists of Iron)
   Ian Jacklin (Death Match, Kickboxer 3)
   Evan Lurie (Tiger Claws 2, American Kickboxer 2)
   
   The story is so simple, that the action pretty much is the story. Bad guy gang (led by the Ian Jacklin and Evan Lurie charcaters) take Johnny's girl (Maria Ford) to the underground, and the good doc and his 4 buddies from the first Ring of Fire movie, go in to find her. From there on out its one action scene after another, battling their way through. The only positive element of the story I found was the Sy Richardson character, ex army man, who explains his views and opinions of the world above while trying to survive in the world below.
   
   Most of this movie is cheesy as heck, with underground garbage gangs and shadow warriors dressed in costumes from the carnival. The only entertaining fights are those in the Ring of Steel (yes Steel, no Fire in this movie) put on by the villains. Don Wilson gets to fight Evan Lurie in the ring, and then finally a several minute final showdown against Ian Jacklin above ground that is basically an average fight.
   
   Lots of action is the theme of this movie and a good cast, but no story and the fights are just average. Unfortunately, the skills of some of these guys - Ron Yuan and Vince Murdocco for ex. - are not used to their fullest.

No comments about Hollywood Safari.

5 comments about Shakiest Gun in the West.

1. Re-makes are not always good, this one is great! First Bob Hope did this in Paleface, now Don Knotts takes over the roll with his own slant on the character.

   Unless you own the Laserdisc or saw it at the theaters, this will be your first experience of the full impact of this WIDESCREEN movie. Pans and cuts seen on television, or the previous VHS tape, will be replaced with single shots that include everything from side to side.

   THE GHOST AND MR.CHICKEN was Don's only other WIDESCREEN movie for Universal.




2. If you liked Don Knotts in The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964), The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), The Reluctant Astronaut (1967), you might like him in this silly western-comedy. A Philadelphia man graduates from denistry and tries to head out to California. He ends up in the wild west, in Big Spring.
   The idea in this town is how are the Indians getting the guns. barbara Rhodes (NBC past serial, Generations) is just a scamp who tries to make the goodies on Don Knotts. He's on his way west and she intends to go along with him to get there as well. Even if it means forcing the man to marry her.
   Not the best of Don Knotts films, but might be better than taking a sleeping pill.
   Also in the cast: Ruth McDevitt, Pat Morita and William Christopher.



3. The Shakiest Gun in the West is yet another classic Don Knotts comedy from the late 1960s. This time around, Knotts plays a newly certified dentist who decides to spread oral hygiene throughout the wild, wild West; after all, Philadelphia is already covered up with dentists - there are at least seven already plying their trade there. Jesse Heywood is a little wiry guy, of course, and his courage is just as shaky as his gun-wielding hands, but he manages to make a great big splash out on the frontier. Right after being bamboozled by a merchant and his Chinese assistant (played by Pat Morita, although I didn't realize it was him until I saw the credits), a fiery little redheaded filly comes to him with a toothache, and before he knows what is happening he's a married man. He doesn't know that Penelope "Bad Penny" Cushings (played by the vivacious Barbara Rhoades) is only marrying him because it's her only way to hitch a ride on the wagon train leaving town, nor does he know that his new beloved is a wanted cattle rustler and thief who agreed to help the government find out who is smuggling guns to the Indians in exchange for a pardon. Events play out in such a way that Jesse becomes BMOF (that's Big Man on the Frontier), famous for his shooting and Indian-killing skills. That whole wedding night thing doesn't really work out the way he planned, though.
   
   Naturally, our supposed hero has to rise to the challenge and prove himself in the end, and then we learn how the West was really won - dentistry, of course. I should note the fact that Don Knotts is forced to don women's clothing at one point, and you know that is bound to be funny. There's also a great scene featuring Heywood drunkenly lamenting his long list of failures in life. Knotts is joined by some other familiar faces: along with Pat Morita, look for William Christopher (M*A*S*H's Father Mulcahy) in a small role, while Uncle Festus himself (Jackie Coogan) stars as one of the gun-smuggling desperadoes.
   
   The Shakiest Gun in the West isn't my favorite Don Knotts movie, but there is a lot of Barney Fife in this shaky gunfighter, and the film is consistently funny from start to finish. It is also, needless to say, true family entertainment which can be safely enjoyed by the young as well as the old. Don Knotts is truly a national treasure.



4. It's easy to overlook the societal importance of "Shakiest". Most academics consider it a vapid re-make of a "superior" Bob Hope film. However my consensus is that Hope's movie simply Overemphasized the comedic aspects of the story and downplayed the sociological importance and mythical underpinnings of it. I don't fault Hope since his comedic talents are such that only his fully grasping of the genre and paradigm in its epistomological sense would allow him the proper frame/reference to "dim" his comedic talents enough to let the nuances of the story's deeper meanings emerge. Not so with Don Knotts. His performance is neo-subtle in the sense that he draws attention to the pre-Scorsesian templates of story entwined with yet seperated from, meaning, by overexagerating Hope's performance to a Vonnegutian level. Example; his performance as Painless Jesse in the film's opening sequences underscore the relationship of Man the Creator with Man the Destroyer and Man the Dentist. In Barb Rhoades we see an equal but lesser voice representing tenets of Post-modern imperialism as well as Proto-Schwarzeneggerian grandiosity. Yet, it is Knotts, initially passive who redeems himself in the end, triumphing over Rhoades and all she symbolizes as well as echoing the pan-universal theme of the hero transformed by "plumbing" his own depths. This is shown particularily in the mine scene, where we read "mine" as "Subconscious Id". Simply put, not sense "The Incredible Mr. Limpett" has Knotts blended Transformational Mythology with Wellesian Cinematography and Jerrylewisian slapstick. BRAVO!
   EDIT; This review is just for fun,guys. No need to take it seriously.



5. Since I am not a fan of the political parody that was `Blazing Saddles' I must admit, I was a little skeptical about another western comedy, but after my wife twisted my arm I sat down to witness, what I expected to be a travesty, `The Shakiest Gun in the West'.
   
   What I got was far from the mess I expected.
   
   `The Shakiest Gun in the West' is actually quite hilarious, and while it is not a smart comedy in the fact that it is not a satire and does not carry any distinct political message (at least not a blatantly as some other comedies) but it is a smart comedy in that it really makes the effort to consistently deliver jokes that actually land, no matter what year your watching it (one of my main irritations with `Blazing Saddles' is that the film hasn't aged well since its political and racial jabs are not really relevant in today's society).
   
   The film follows Jesse W. Heywood; Dr. Jesse W. Heywood; as he commits to traveling out west to help fight the war against oral ignorance. Yes, Heywood is a dentist. His plans are somewhat garbled when he meets Penelope Cushings, an outlaw who was captured by the law and given a chance at a pardon; if she can find the people responsible for supplying the Indians with guns. When the man who was supposed to pose as her husband gets shot she needs an easily manipulated sap to marry her so she can do her job. That sap turns out to be Heywood. Oblivious to the obvious, Heywood marries Penelope and they begin the journey out west.
   
   Don Knotts made a string of successful comedies and was known for his comedic talent. He doesn't disappoint here either. His portrayal of the nervous and socially retarded Jesse W. Heywood is a joy to watch. His every awkward move adds more and more laughs to the pot. Barbara Rhoades is equally as important to the outcome of the film, for she serves as the offset to Knotts, delivering a more serious (yet ultimately comical) performance that is less outlandish, more subtle. Supporting performances by Donald Barry and Jackie Coogan add to the hilarity (if not the stereotypes).
   
   The film takes a turn for the hilarious as a slew of events make Heywood look like a town hero (when of course Penelope is the real hero) and his head becomes bigger than his britches.
   
   So, while the film is not as good as other comedies, and it surely does not have the following that some lesser worthy comedies have (`Blazing Saddles', `Caddy Shack' ~ don't hate me MKIA) `The Shakiest Gun in the West' is a lot of fun and a load of laughs. It deserves a following, so consider me the fan club president, and you can all be members. Just click `helpful' (hehehe) and leave me a comment!

1 comments about I Don't Know Jack.

1. Who knows Jack Nance? This documentary is an in-depth account of the little known, well loved character-actor's life and career. With an array of interviewees including David Lynch, Dennis Hopper, and other primary sources, you will get the full story of Nance's life. If you don't own Eraserhead, buy it because the documentary assumes you are already aware of Jack's magnificance in Lynch's first feature. Heavily relying on current and ex-Hollywood actors and directors, the documentary can get bogged down at times, but the makers of the film are clearly trying to give you the whole story. I would compare Jack Nance to Townes Van Zandt in many ways, and the documentary has a "Be Here to Love Me" feel. More people should know Jack Nance, and this is an important part of that.

No comments about Jekyll Island.

1 comments about Getting Gertie's Garter.

1. Marie McDonald is criticized. True I haven't seen her performance in Living in a Big Way which most people call horrid. But in this she's pretty good. Dennis O'Keefe plays a man whose been summoned to court to bring forth a garter he bought back a couple of years ago. Only he gave it to old girlfriend Marie McDonald and they spend the whole movie trying to hide this secret from others. The joke died down by the last twenty minutes. Another problem with the movie is that there is no chemistry between the wife played by Sheila Ryan and Dennis O'Keefe. But there is between Dennis and Marie. Marie wears some outfits that say why she was called "the body." She also hums a tune that makes you understand why she was once a Tommy Dorsey singer. There is a good surreal scene in a courtroom as well.

2 comments about Laugh Out Loud Collection (Dr. Dolittle/Dr. Dolittle 2/Big Momma's House).

1. I am very happy with the item. It was in perfect condition. I would order from them again.



2. I love all three of these movies.
   
   They are all classic family movies that I'm happy to have purchased in one set.

4 comments about Virtual Combat.

1. When a lab experiement goes wrong and the villain from a virtual reality police training game is cloned into reality, border cop David Quarry (Don "The Dragon" Wilson) must track him down before he can clone ALL of the VR villains... even though Quarry has never won against the villain in VR. Quarry's only clue - A sexy woman with a secret... she's a cloned VR character, too! Similar plot to "Virtuosity", but not as dumb as the Denzel Washington film. Michael Dorn from TNG is the VR villain's voice.



2. Okay, I love science fiction, in fact it's a religion for me! However, the plot of this movie was weak and it seems that it was made with only two things in mind: lots of good martial arts action and Athena Massey's sexy bod being shown off. They could've done so much more with this idea, but failed. The only real reason to see this movie, sad as it sounds, is the hot nudity.



3. Lots of fast action and great fight scenes form don the dragon. I think it was really creative the way that the big baddy talks without moving his lips at all. Creative plot, better acting than you would expect and a few sex scenes for the chronically bored



4. It is perhaps not ironic that VIRTUAL COMBAT, one of Don "The Dragon" Wilson's best movies (a close second to RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL), is also one of the most abscure of all direct to video Sci-Fi martial arts movies (which I call "Sci-Fu".) It can be found on www.hkflix.com as GRID RUNNERS.
   
   The story of course centers on Dante (Michael Bernardo) escaping from his virtual reality kickboxing game and trying to release all his virtual buddies so they can rule the world. And of course only David Quarry (Don "The Dragon" Wilson) and virtual karate babe Lianna (Athena Massey) can stop him.
   
   Speaking of Lianna, it is worth mentioning that Athena Massey is going to draw alot of attention if you see her in this movie. Not only is she one of the sexiest women ever, she also has her own martial arts training in techniques such as Krav Maga, and devilers some nice moves of her own.
   
   Don "The Dragon" does the most martial arts fighting though. Aside form Dante, his main opponent in the film is played by Loren Avedon, who holds blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do. And Don's nunchuck battle is one of his best ever. So, Sci-Fu aficianados, feel free to check out VIRTUAL COMBAT today.