[EvanCampbell]

what Death Wish is it again where he uses a remote control soccer ball?

Oh I have to see this! 😃

[Mateo Sanboval]

I think one of the first things I worked on when I got to LA was the tv show Hercules that went on for years...also Darkman 2 & 3 and a little bit on a show called [Mantisall produced by Rob and Sam.

I believe you mean M.A.N.T.I.S., sir. "Little show"? "Mantis"? By God. The nerve.

[EvanCampbell]

Forgive me brother Mateo...I know not what I do!
Again never watched it....hit over the head with a 🔨

[Mateo Sanboval]

@Hatter313 I always keep 10 to Midnight handy for quick pick me up.

Don’t know that I’d describe it quite like that haha! But yeah I did that the other day when it came up on here from @mateo so now I’m on a kick.

I did a double feature of breakheart pass and red sun at the very beginning of the pandemic.

I've been on a Bronson jag ever since. So far I've watched:
10 To Midnight
The Evil That Men Do
Murphy's Law
Assassination
Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects
Messenger Of Death

Tonight I'll be watching Violent City with that sweet, sweet Morricone score. When it Comes to the Death Wishes, the original is a true slow burn standout and while I agree that there is a steep drop off from 3 to 4 & 5, I believe it is no greater than the gap between 1 & 2. It's a great film.

[Mateo Sanboval]

Forgive me brother Mateo...I know not what I do!
Again never watched it....hit over the head with a 🔨

Eh, it's all good, Ev. I never saw it either.

[Hatter313]

@Hatter313 I always keep 10 to Midnight handy for quick pick me up.

Don’t know that I’d describe it quite like that haha! But yeah I did that the other day when it came up on here from @mateo so now I’m on a kick.

I did a double feature of breakheart pass and red sun at the very beginning of the pandemic.

I've been on a Bronson jag ever since. So far I've watched:
10 To Midnight
The Evil That Men Do
Murphy's Law
Assassination
Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects
Messenger Of Death

Tonight I'll be watching Violent City with that sweet, sweet Morricone score. When it Comes to the Death Wishes, the original is a true slow burn standout and while I agree that there is a steep drop off from 3 to 4 & 5, I believe it is no greater than the gap between 1 & 2. It's a great film.

100% in agreement here. 1 is a standout film and an important moment in "action" cinema, 2 and 3 are schlocky fun (ESPECIALLY 3) and 4 and 5 are forgettable and I never feel the urge to watch them.

oh my god i just realized as I was typing this that I could say the exact same thing about First Blood et al.


also M.A.N.T.I.S was a childhood favorite for sure.

[Mateo Sanboval]

Don’t know that I’d describe it quite like that haha! But yeah I did that the other day when it came up on here from @mateo so now I’m on a kick.

I did a double feature of breakheart pass and red sun at the very beginning of the pandemic.

I've been on a Bronson jag ever since. So far I've watched:
10 To Midnight
The Evil That Men Do
Murphy's Law
Assassination
Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects
Messenger Of Death

Tonight I'll be watching Violent City with that sweet, sweet Morricone score. When it Comes to the Death Wishes, the original is a true slow burn standout and while I agree that there is a steep drop off from 3 to 4 & 5, I believe it is no greater than the gap between 1 & 2. It's a great film.

100% in agreement here. 1 is a standout film and an important moment in "action" cinema, 2 and 3 are schlocky fun (ESPECIALLY 3) and 4 and 5 are forgettable and I never feel the urge to watch them.

oh my god i just realized as I was typing this that I could say the exact same thing about First Blood et al.


also M.A.N.T.I.S was a childhood favorite for sure.

Hmm. I kind of agree with you on First Blood 2 & 3 and, full disclosure, I haven't seen Rambo 5 yet, but my order for the first four is as follows:

Rambo 1
big gap
Rambo 4
gap
Rambo 2
Rambo 3

Also, I truly haven't seen M.A.N.T.I.S. though I do remember it. I just love giving Evan the business. Can't help myself.

[Hatter313]

Oh interesting ranking on Rambo 4, I was barely interested in it and thought it was almost too much, whereas the pulpy silliness of 2 and 3 really check off a box for me. But yeah the gap between the first one and the rest is honestly probably even bigger than the DW series gaps, I’d even say the First Blood is a truly IMPORTANT film beyond genre, not just a great one.

In fact

I will say it.

Plus much like DW giving you an early glimpse at Jeff goldblum’s rapid intonation, First blood provides the larval stage of “David Caruso needs his sunglasses to emote”

[CrossedPete]

I just gotta say the First Blood novel by David Morrell is amazing I own two copies (1 to lend out) and have probably read the book at least 6 times. If anyone hasn’t read the book do your self a favour. Also if you have read the book read it again.

[Mateo Sanboval]

I wouldn't argue with any of this, Hatter.

[ScoJo]

I rewatched drecky no-budge California-camping alien horror WITHOUT WARNING the other day (also known as 'Predator v1.0') - very early sighting of fresh faced Caruso straight outta Stella Adler.

Incidentally - somebody going to man up and sort out releasing Dan 'AOP13' Wyman's mega-minimal synth score?

[Mateo Sanboval]

Incidentally - somebody going to man up and sort out releasing Dan 'AOP13' Wyman's mega-minimal synth score?

This query has a rhetorical ring to it.

[ScoJo]

I dig your Rambo Rankings @mateo. Think I'm pretty much on board.

Funnily enough though, in thinking about R3 I now realise my memory of the film is fuzzy and glitchy with bad sound - because I do believe I have only ever seen it once as a teen, and that was a 3rd gen vhs bootleg. Part of me now feels like I should watch it properly, finally... but my instinct is screaming that my scrungy recall of it is perfectly suited to the movie.

By the way- ever notice how 2 and 3 never seem to be shown on tv/turn up on streaming services? Has their rampant jingoistic bloodlust really dated them out of existence?

[Mateo Sanboval]

By the way- ever notice how 2 and 3 never seem to be shown on tv/turn up on streaming services? Has their rampant jingoistic bloodlust really dated them out of existence?

Yes and yes. R4 only barely squeeks by because people in general are still ignorant about Myanmar. It's honestly just as bad. Maybe worse, because of the Christian missionary angle. Although they do all die for the most part. Except for the hot one. And white Rambo Christ saves her along with the local godless heathens. Nope, yep, it's still terrible and I love it. There're more kills in that film than anything that isn't a war movie. When the credits rolled, my bestie and I rose to our feet slow clapping (much to our betters' chagrine) and roughly half the theater joined us. It was ridiculous and magnificent. I'd be ashamed but I'm not that self aware.

[ScoJo]

By the way- ever notice how 2 and 3 never seem to be shown on tv/turn up on streaming services? Has their rampant jingoistic bloodlust really dated them out of existence?

Yes and yes. R4 only barely squeeks by because people in general are still ignorant about Myanmar. It's honestly just as bad. Maybe worse, because of the Christian missionary angle. Although they do all die for the most part. Except for the hot one. And white Rambo Christ saves her along with the local godless heathens. Nope, yep, it's still terrible and I love it. There're more kills in that film than anything that isn't a war movie. When the credits rolled, my bestie and I rose to our feet slow clapping (much to our betters' chagrine) and roughly half the theater joined us. It was ridiculous and magnificent. I'd be ashamed but I'm not that self aware.

Myanmar could do with Rambo Christ right now :(

[Bezulsqy]

Reading all of this makes me want to stop with JCVD and start with Bronson and Rambo...
I remember really liking Rambo 3. Or I remember remembering it a lot. First Blood is a real standout.
And I also enjoyed Rambo 4 a lot. It was utter madness.
I hope to get a new A/V receiver and finally a decent subwoofer next month. I am saving up a lot of recent action/scifi flicks to watch when I get that set. Rambo 4 would make a good re-watch at that point.

[Bezulsqy]

8. Double Impact (1991)




1. Bloodsport
2. Cyborg

3. Lionheart
4. Kickboxer
5. No Retreat, No Surrender
6. Death Warrant

7. Black Eagle
8. Double Impact (too cheesy and long)

[Hatter313]

I rewatched drecky no-budge California-camping alien horror WITHOUT WARNING the other day (also known as 'Predator v1.0') - very early sighting of fresh faced Caruso straight outta Stella Adler.

Incidentally - somebody going to man up and sort out releasing Dan 'AOP13' Wyman's mega-minimal synth score?

this movie has an awesome vibe to it. also for what it is, those are some heavy hitters in Palance and Landau haha.

[ScoJo]

I rewatched drecky no-budge California-camping alien horror WITHOUT WARNING the other day (also known as 'Predator v1.0') - very early sighting of fresh faced Caruso straight outta Stella Adler.

Incidentally - somebody going to man up and sort out releasing Dan 'AOP13' Wyman's mega-minimal synth score?

this movie has an awesome vibe to it. also for what it is, those are some heavy hitters in Palance and Landau haha.

One hundo percent! And considering how budge it is, some of the effects are surprisingly effective and gnarly! The following one, for instance, genuinely impressed me with it's relative complexity! Had me scratching my head a little...

[inksb]

1. Bloodsport
2. Cyborg

3. Lionheart
4. Kickboxer
5. No Retreat, No Surrender
6. Death Warrant

7. Black Eagle
8. Double Impact (too cheesy and long)

We have our first surprising placement!!!

I actually love the cheese in this one, so many bad lines but I agree it's a bit too long.


As per Rambo topic. I....do.....not......really.......like......Rambo......

Hot take! I grew up watching 1-3 but when I was younger I had a weird hatred for Stallone outside of Rocky films. That has dissipated over the years as I've come to love many many films he's in but for some reason it really colored my love and appreciation for the Rambo series. I've contemplated buying the UHD versions of 1-3 to give them a rewatch. I saw 4 in theaters and had a blast with the action scenes but the rest of the film left a lot to be desired.

@bez don't stop watching Van Damme, I'm really enjoying this. Rambo and Bronson can wait. Maybe if you are obtaining digital versions of Bronson films I'll join you (if you dont mind sharing) as he's a major hole in my film knowledge. I've seen parts of Death Wish films, no clue which ones but outside of that I'm pretty blind to his body of work. I h

[skeletonbutt]

bronson.jpg

i'll join in for a rewatch

[Mateo Sanboval]

Skel, you sexy.

[Mateo Sanboval]

Bez, I am also mildly surprised by your ranking of Double Impact as the cheese is worth the spread in this film for me. That said, I, too, am getting a big kick out of this watch through.

[Bezulsqy]

Bez, I am also mildly surprised by your ranking of Double Impact as the cheese is worth the spread in this film for me. That said, I, too, am getting a big kick out of this watch through.

I have to say that I was loving for the first half. Then it started to get tedious.
And after your comment about Black Eagle I wanted to give that movie a bit more credit because in hindsight I felt like a more friendly movie. But thinking of it now I might change the order somewhat. Because I would recommend Double Impact more than Black Eagle to someone that hasn’t seen either and wants to enjoy JCVD. Black Eagle is the lesser JCVD flick.

@insk: a couple more months I hope and then we will start with the Bronson!

[Hatter313]

Bez, I am also mildly surprised by your ranking of Double Impact as the cheese is worth the spread in this film for me. That said, I, too, am getting a big kick out of this watch through.

the cheese is worth the spread...

the cheese...

is worth...

the spread.

You know, one of my few talents is a pretty robust mental concordance of phrases like this, but I have to admit this is a new one for me and I am ALL about it. You've done me a fine service today sir.

I had a boss who used to say the juice is worth the squeeze and let me tell you it was just awful to hear in a meeting.