Give Me Back My Action&Horror Movies

Kill Bill Vol 1 - Action

I'm not sure how to show my love for this film. It did so much for my love of cinematic diversity. Watching kung-fu movies on TBS or USA or whatever was always a treat but I had not idea what was going on or if there was a plot. Kill Bill became a widely loved film of cinephiles who gushed over the camera action and the screenplay. At the time, I had no idea it borrowed so much material from Japanese cinema. Kill Bill, while clearly Americanized, is a revenge movie and cultural soup that gives the American audience a violence they so desire wrapped in a revenge narrative few Hollywood films dare to explore. If you like Kill Bill, please watch Lady Snowblood to witness the inspiration.

Tiger Claws - B/Action

The day has come that we've all been waiting for...well, at least for Mickey! The “Queen of Martial Arts” kicks onto the B-ACTION screen in 1992’s Tiger Claws! A martial arts serial killer tears through the streets using a dark dangerous martial art known as the “Tiger Style”! A badass but underutilized Cynthia Rothrock and Don Johnson wannabe Jalal Merhi crack the case only to end up face to face with a terrifying version of Bob Ross painting “Happy Little Tigers” in the blood of his enemies! Seriously, how is Bolo Yeung even more terrifying in glasses and a sweater?!

 

Don't just watch Action, B-Action!

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon - Horror

Anna's co-hosts over at The Barren's Hideout podcast, Big D and Little D, joined us tonight in an assault on Charlie's person for his contemptuous opinion on Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon. As always, even though Charlie didn't care for the film, he gave it a fair review and his points were spot on, unlike his revulsion for Cutie Honey and Thirst, of which his opinions are wrong and he should be ashamed about himself.

Leslie Vernon is a big thumbs up from everyone who's name isn't Charlie.

Tomb Raider - Action

Get you popcorn and drink of choice, turn off your brain and just have a good time with Anna's Banger Month pick of 2001s Tomb Raider. Long time friend and first time guest, Daniel from The Geeks with Beards podcast, joins us for a rip-roaring conversation. While not as good as the three Indiana Jones movies (yes, there are ONLY three) but clearly better than King Solomon's Mines, this movie is an enormously fun adventure movie with a ton of ridiculous action perfectly suited for the flavor of the classic video game series. Movies don't have to be "good" to be entertaining and this film is the perfect example of that. With all it's flaws, Tomb Raider is absolutely worth your time. Just don't take it so seriously.

Equalizer 2000 - B/Action

The post-nuclear wasteland of Alaska is a dangerous place. You gotta walk tall and carry a big ass gun. He may be a man of few words, but Slade (Richard Norton) is the tallest SOB on the block! The Equalizer 2000 is wall to wall action with big explosions, brutal flamethrowers, and an infinite amount of bullets! Robert Patrick shines in his feature film debut. This unmistakably “B” movie is fun for sure…but is it badass?!

Don't just watch Action, B-Action!!!!

Ready or Not - Horror

Charlie rarely watches movies that never saw a VHS release but thankfully Anna made him sit down for the 2019 Ready or Not. Samara Weaving (woof. yes please) heads up a surprisingly gory "Cat and Mouse" affair that surprised us all how good it was on our first watch. This film is just so damn fun thanks to the original storyline, viciously hilarious kills and a cast that is having a bloody hoot make a horror movie. Anna's Banger Month of Annapril keeps it's momentum with this strong recommendation.

SISU - Action

One look at Sisu should be enough for any reasonable to immediately deduce that in no way shape or for show you screw with this guy on any level. Phrases like "Yes, sir No, sir, May I help, sir, Thank you for not forcibly removing my spleen, sir" are all perfectly acceptable forms of communication with Sisu. Things like, "Imma shoot your dog, blow up your horse, steal your gold and burn down your country," are NOT what one would call a sensible conversation. Sisu is a film that flew under the radar for many action fans for the simple reason that a theatrical release shortly after the worst of the COVID pandemic killed the hopes and dreams of most films that weren't named Godzilla or Maverick.  This film is worthy of being in a "Banger" month so please see the film before you listen.
P.S. I know damn well that the main character's name isn't Sisu. Don't @ me. Sisu is way easier to remember than Aatami.

Guyver: Dark Hero - B/Action

I AM THE GUYVER! AGAIN! Mikey from Monster Zone joins us to gush over 1994’s The Guyver 2: Dark Hero! Sean Baker is back, setting the tone with fighting crime and dishing out cans of whoop ass! As he struggles to coexist with the sentient alien armor within, the Cronos Corporation resurfaces! That means more Zoanoids, more amazing special effects, and more badass fight choreography! This one has its ups and downs, and no Mark Hamill tease, but we do get Steve Wang in the director’s chair who brings us a faithful Guyver adaptation!

Don't just watch Action, B-Action!!! 

Big Trouble in Little China - 200th Episode

200th Episode!!!!

I'm still toweling off after the explosive love fest the cast had while covering Big Trouble in Little China. So so sticky. Anyways, it should come to no surprise that this is a favorite. It's weird, it's got monsters, kung-fu, guns, magic, sword fighting, I mean, what's not to like. This movie is THE BEST comfort food you could cinematically ingest. It's filling and you never get tired of the taste. Everyone seemed genuinely jealous that Pete got to see this in the theater until everyone realized how old he is and then they just felt sad. RIP Pete. It's coming quicker than you think.

The Matrix - Action

Once a generation a film comes around that makes such an international impact on pop culture that one can't comprehend a world without it. The Wizard of Oz, Psycho, Jaws, The Godfather and Star Wars are all examples of films that have or will influence generations of creators and fans of the movie industry. We got two of these kind of films in the 90s. Jurassic Park and the Matrix are such pop culture phenomenon that it's inconceivable that we won't continue to see their fingerprints all over the movie industry for decades to come. Covering The Matrix this week was a special experience for the cast and we have a hell of a conversation. Probably the most interesting fact to pop up was the Anna hadn't seen the film since she was a kid and pretty much saw it for the first time. Final verdict: The Matrix is boss!