Prize of the Week: Hercules/Hercules II: The Adventures of Hercules. Both of the hysterically funny ’80s Star Wars ‘influenced’ Italian Lou Ferrigno Hercules movies, now on one disc for under $15. Marvel as the mighty Son of Zeus fights the robotic “Hydra, the Three Headed Guardian of Hades!” A must buy. The must less funny Ferrigno Sinbad of the Seven Seas will be out too.
Coming Close Behind: The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, a legendary fiasco starring Anthony Newley and doll-characters that were gross-out parodies of the Cabbage Patch Kids. Stuff like this used to be released in theaters.
Objectively Good Stuff:
Bill & Ted’s Most Excellent Collection: Both of the surprisingly funny Bill & Ted movies, along with a third disc of extras, for under $20. Apparently Keanu didn’t find time to appear in the feature length retrospective documentary, proving again that he’s an ass. Also check out…
Freaked, a sadly unknown but quite funny marvelous comedy from Bill & Ted’s Alex Winter. It’s a two-disc set.
Love at First Bite: Actually funny parody of old Dracula movies, starring George Hamilton as the Count.
Night Moves: Top-notch cynical ’70s private eye affair, starring the typically brilliant Gene Hackman. Few actors ever could communicate so much with a look. Watch his face when he listens to a man admit he slept with a hot piece of jailbait, who ends his confession by noting, “There outta be a law,” and a repelled Hackman replies, “There is.”
Scarecrow: Revered ’70s art house flick (also then it was considered mainstream, which is why the ’70s were a great time for movies) starring Pacino and Hackman in the glory of their youth.
Unfaithfully Yours: Preston Sturges comedy about a conductor who considers bumping off his wife when he believes her unfaithful. Steer clear of the ’80s remake with Dudley Moore.
Schock:
The Adventurers (1970) Typically turgid soaper based on the magic literature of Harold “Lonely Lady” Robbins. Classic kitsch.
Dogora: Media Blasters has impressed lately with a series of non-Godzilla Toho sci-fi discs, and I have no doubt this one will be just as good.
The Magic Sword: Emminently cheesy and fun sword and sorcery pic from Bert I. Gordon (!).
Party Animal: Inexplicable cheap-ass cult gross-out comedy that some find hilarious.
Soggy Bottom USA: Country fried redneck antics with a bizarre b-movie cast: Jack Elam, Ben Johnson, Don Johnson, Chloris Leachman, Lane Smith, P.J. Soles, etc.
Tales from the Crypt, Season One: Not my bag—I think The Hitchhiker is much funnier—but the show certainly has its fans.
Titus Season 1 & 2: Another cult TV favorite.
