A relic certainly, but a fascinating one, Der Golem is perhaps the screen's first great monster movie. Though it was actually the third time director-star Paul Wegener had played the eponymous creation, the earlier efforts (sadly lost) were rough drafts for this elaborate dramatisation of the Jewish legend. When the Emperor decrees that the Jews of mediaeval Prague should be evicted from the ghetto, a mystical rabbi creates a clay giant and summons the demon Astaroth who breathes out in smoky letters the magic word that will animate the golem. Intended as a protector and avenger, the golem is twisted by the machinations of a lovelorn assistant and, like many a monster to come, runs riot, terrorising guilty and innocent alike until a little girl innocently ends his rampage. Wegener's golem is an impressively solid figure, the Frankenstein monster with a slightly comical girly clay-wig. The wonderfully grotesque Prague sets and the alchemical atmosphere remain potent. On the DVD: Der Golem on disc has an imaginative menu involving the rabbi opening a book of spells that leads to alternate versions of the film with German or English inter-titles. The print is cobbled from several sources and tinted to the original specifications, with an especially impressive crimson glow as the ghetto burns. The extras are an audio essay, illustrated with clips, on Der Golem and German Expressionist cinema in general, plus a gallery of stills and other illustrations. --Kim Newman
There's a sense of awe to the special effects work of animation specialists Gerry and Sylvia Anderson (Thunderbirds Are Go)--the slow, lovingly detailed introduction of a massive spaceship creeping out of dock and struggling against its bulk while trapped on the ground, and the almost balletic spectacle of the ship elegantly floating against an impressive star field or dramatically flying against the rugged landscape. These moments are the highlights of this sober science fiction thriller about the discovery of a planet on the far side of the sun in Earth's orbit. A mission is hastily put together, with British astrophysicist Ian Hendry teamed with hotshot American astronaut Roy Thinnes for the three-week trip, but when they suddenly crash-land the strange creatures that surround them are revealed to be human. Against all rational explanations they're back on Earth, but Thinnes suddenly discovers that everything is a mirror image of his existence: Through the Looking Glass by way of The Twilight Zone. Though it begins as a paranoid spy thriller set in the near future (the opening details an ingenious espionage caper featuring a very special eyepiece), it quickly turns into a serious and oddly unsettling space-race drama with a heady twist. Robert Parrish's direction is unusually aloof, but the film is always intriguing and well acted with gorgeous special effects that may rank second only to Stanley Kubrick's 2001 as the most elegant vision of outer space flight on film. --Sean Axmaker
The Blue Max is a raging war time thriller featuring spectacular aerial combat sequences. It is the story of Bruno Stachel a cold ambitious German combat pilot in World War I. As brave as he is ruthless he excels in combat wins the highest medals The Blue Max and becomes a national hero. The Blue Max is among the best aviation films with outstanding photography spectacular dogfights and a dramatic score.
Bad Asses On The Bayou reunites the dynamic duo Frank Vega (Danny Trejo) and Bernie Pope (Danny Glover) as they travel to Louisiana to attend the wedding of their dear friend Carmen Gutierrez (Loni Love). What was pictured as a wedding weekend escape to the south turns violently ugly as madness and mayhem ensue. pressing our senior heroes to once again serve justice.
An evil gang takes over an amusement park only to be foiled by three Ninja-trained brothers and a TV action star in 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain, a smartly-paced, if by-the-numbers, kiddie action flick. Medusa (Loni Anderson) and Lothar (Jim Varney) head up the gang with ransom money and mayhem on their minds. But they don't count on the young trio, taught by their Asian grandfather, and Dave Dragon (Hulk Hogan), making a live appearance at the park. What follows is campy humour, lots of Karate-style action and plenty of Home Alone-type boy vs foolish bad-guy high jinks. And girls aren't left out: the brothers' neighbour, a brainy techno girl, is on hand to hack into the computer and override the gang's murderous plans, while also providing 007-style gadgets for hand-to-hand combat. While there is plenty of gunplay in the 90-minute film, no one is killed or even significantly hurt, making it appropriate for ages five and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs, Amazon.com
3 Ninjas High Noon At Mega Mountain: When dastardly villains Medusa and Lothar Zogg and their evil cohorts invade a family fun park and take its summer visitors hostage it's up to the three ninjas to save the day with a little help from an aging action movie hero who needs to pull off the rescue to regain his street credibility. 3 Ninjas Kickback: Colt Rocky and Tum Tum are back in another action-packed story where they travel with their grandfather to Japan in search of a secret cave of gold closely followed by a band of heavy metal rockers. 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up: Rocky Colt and Tum Tum find themselves in action again as they get drawn into a struggle between an American Indian tribe and a ruthless businessman who is dumping toxic waste on their land.
3 Ninjas High Noon At Mega Mountain: When dastardly villains Medusa and Lothar Zogg and their evil cohorts invade a family fun park and take its summer visitors hostage it's up to the three ninjas to save the day with a little help from an aging action movie hero who needs to pull off the rescue to regain his street credibility. 3 Ninjas Kickback: Colt Rocky and Tum Tum are back in another action-packed story where they travel with their grandfather to Japan in search of a secret cave of gold closely followed by a band of heavy metal rockers. 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up: Rocky Colt and Tum Tum find themselves in action again as they get drawn into a struggle between an American Indian tribe and a ruthless businessman who is dumping toxic waste on their land.
An evil gang takes over an amusement park only to be foiled by three Ninja-trained brothers and a TV action star in 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain, a smartly-paced, if by-the-numbers, kiddie action flick. Medusa (Loni Anderson) and Lothar (Jim Varney) head up the gang with ransom money and mayhem on their minds. But they don't count on the young trio, taught by their Asian grandfather, and Dave Dragon (Hulk Hogan), making a live appearance at the park. What follows is campy humour, lots of Karate-style action and plenty of Home Alone-type boy vs foolish bad-guy high jinks. And girls aren't left out: the brothers' neighbour, a brainy techno girl, is on hand to hack into the computer and override the gang's murderous plans, while also providing 007-style gadgets for hand-to-hand combat. While there is plenty of gunplay in the 90-minute film, no one is killed or even significantly hurt, making it appropriate for ages five and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs, Amazon.com
From the same 'kennel' as An American Tail All Dogs Go To Heaven was a favourite for all children (and adults) when it was first released in 1989 and now it's destined to attract a whole new generation of fans. Burt Reynolds provides the voice for Charlie B. Barkin a loveable canine rogue who's been doing time in the dog-pound for his sins. With the help of his faithful friend Itchy (Dom De Luise) he escapes and discovers that his previous partner-in-crime Carface (Vic Tayback) is now incredibly wealthy. Not only that but Carface has decided that Charlie is now superfluous and wipes him out. At the pearly gates he's refused entry to heaven by the Heavenly Whippet (Melba Moore) as it seems that there is no evidence of Charlie doing any good deeds during his lifetime. Charlie returns to earth where he discovers Carface's secret - a little orphan girl with the remarkable ability to talk to animals who Carface uses to predict racing winners. Charlie kidnaps Ann-Marie hoping to ruin Carface and make a fortune at the races but Ann-Marie believes she has found a good pal. The pair are united in a delightful musical adventure through the animated-animal population of the underworld of New Orleans. All manner of rascally criminals are pursuing Ann-Marie but with the help of reformed German shepherd Charlie she defeats them. This is a classic childrens' fantasy adventure film packed with thrills laughter and puppy love.
Ambitious reporter Liz Bartlett secretly wishes that Jerry Caper her business associate were dead. Yet her hidden desire soon becomes a reality when he is brutally murdered. Investigative reporter Dan Walker is assigned to the murder case and becomes intrigued by the pretty reporter. They begin a passionate affair but Dan can't dispel his suspicion of Liz's guilt. When a second murder is commited Dan probes deeper looking for clues in Liz's past. But just as the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into plac Dan follows a lead bringing him face to face with the killer in a shocking ending filled with suspense.....
All Dogs Go To Heaven
Ambitious reporter Liz Bartlett secretly wishes that Jerry Caper her business associate were dead. Yet her hidden desire soon becomes a reality when he is brutally murdered. Investigative reporter Dan Walker is assigned to the murder case and becomes intrigued by the pretty reporter. They begin a passionate affair but Dan can't dispel his suspicion of Liz's guilt. When a second murder is commited Dan probes deeper looking for clues in Liz's past. But just as the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into plac Dan follows a lead bringing him face to face with the killer in a shocking ending filled with suspense.....
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