Snobbin: Beautiful Trash in the Pop Culture Gutter

A silly premise concerning a police chase on a ghost-infested Mars that often feels like it wants to be a Mad Max or Snake Pliskin sequel is not one of John Carpenter's better offerings. However, if you just want a fun movie with a visually distinctive villain and many laudable action sequences.

Film Fifteen: Original Gangstas (1996). An over-the-top action vehicle that shows that 1970s blaxploitation heroes Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, and Jim Brown still have it. Despite the fairly pedestrian plot, of protecting their Gary, Indiana neighborhood against a street gang called the Rebels, the quick-paced action and great performances from the principle cast make it worth a look. Larry Cohen's direction is straightforward as always but has little of the guerilla filmmaking feel of his best efforts. If you want more of his gonzo style, you should look elsewhere. I suggest Bone or Black Caesar.

The Arena (1974), Steve Carver, New World Pictures Thunderbolt and Lightfoot ( 1974), Michael Cimino, The Malpaso Company Dolemite (1 975), D'Urville Martin, Dimension All the President's Men (1976), Alan J. Pakula, Warner Bros. Murder By Death ( 1976 ), Robert Moore, Rastar The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), John Landis, KFM The Big Sleep (1978), Michael Winner, ITC Entertainment Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979), Hayao Miyazaki, Tokyo Movie Shinsha Raging Bull (1980), Martin Scorsese, United Artists My Bloody Valentine ( 1981) , George Mihalka, Paramount The New York Ripper (1982), Lucio Fulci, Fulvia Film The Scorpion with Two Tails (1982), Sergio Martino, Medusa Smithereens (1982), Susan Seidelman, New Line Cinema Last Night at the Alamo (1983), Eagle Pennell, Cinecom Sudden Impact (1983), Clint Eastwood, Warner Bros. In Heaven There is No Beer? ( 1...