Cannon Films... Meet the Criterion Collection

It occurred to me as I read this month's Criterion announcements, that the inclusion of Godfrey Reggio's POWAQQATSI in a new QATSI trilogy box set marks (and correct me if I'm wrong) the first time there's been a Cannon Films/Criterion Collection crossover. I kinda figured a special edition of BARFLY or Cassavetes' LOVE STREAMS would be the first, and I've long given up hope on a Criterion DEATH WISH 3, so... I'll take it!   Now, I've written about the QATSI films before, and they're really something you should all see, but it really...

Read More

Only now does it occur to me... NEW JACK CITY

Only now does it occur to me...  that Golan or Globus must have given Mario van Peebles a good luck charm for his directorial debut!  Allow me to explain.  Mario van Peebles was a Cannon Films star in the 80s: see RAPPIN' and EXTERMINATOR 2 if you don't believe me.  His hilarious but earnest endeavors in acting (in all of their Jheri curled glory) helped shape the way that I perceive the 80s, and Cannon films as a whole.  He is a giant.  Well, following in his father's auteur footsteps, he decided to make...

Read More

Film Review: KINJITE– FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS (1989, J. Lee Thompson)

Stars: 4.5 of 5.Running Time: 97 minutes.Notable Cast or Crew:  Charles Bronson.  Perry Lopez (CHINATOWN, KELLY'S HEROES), Peggy Lipton (TWIN PEAKS, THE MOD SQUAD), Juan Fernández (BULLETPROOF, SALVADOR, CROCODILE DUNDEE II), Sy Richardson (REPO MAN, THEY LIVE, SID & NANCY), James Pax ("Lightning" in BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA), Nicole Eggert (BAYWATCH, CHARLES IN CHARGE), Bill McKinney (DELIVERANCE, FIRST BLOOD), and Danny Trejo (DESPERADO, MACHETE).  Executive Produced by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus.   Music by Greg...

Read More