Kurt Russell

Escape from New York
$14.98
I really enjoyed this film when it was released in '81 and recently got it on DVD and watched it again this week.

It was also fascinating to listen to John Carpenter and Kurt Russell talk through the film on one of the extra features which I did. It gave me a better understanding of how the film was made and why certain things were the way they were.

What I particularly liked about this story was the premise that crime had forced the authorities in the USA to declare what was tantamount to martial law and turn New York into a prison where all those who violated one of the vast raft of laws was sent. There was no appeal and no return once one was admitted.

Such draconian rules always provokes a backlash and a political activist forces the President's plane to crash into New York and the authorities have to plan a rescue, but their best chance is to use a former war hero turned cynical and bitter to get him out in 24 hours.

Kurt Russell is brilliant as the anti-hero Snake Plisskin, some sort of folk hero who has fallen from grace and is earmarked for prison, but the deal is to pardon him if he manages to get President Donald Pleasence (somewhat miscast in my opinion) out. Plisskin cares little about anything but as his journey is followed you begin to root for him, and the film does unusually for an action film touch on the human side of the character.

There are other strong supporting roles; Lee Van Cleef as the piolice commissioner, a cold-hearted ruthless man who is nothing more than a criminal in uniform; Ernest Borgnine as the naive and simple Cabbie; Harry Dean Stanton as the clever 'Brain', and the late Isaac Hayes as the Duke of New York, the chief bad man who Plisskin has to defeat to get his mission done.

Made on a shoestring budget, its cleverly shot and directed, and there is sufficient action to keep one gripped throughout the film to its conclusion. There is even a nice twist at the end to make you smile.

Breakdown
$12.98

BREAKDOWN

(USA - 1997)

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35)
Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital

After their car breaks down in open country, a married couple (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan) are pitched into mortal danger when Quinlan disappears after accepting help from a sinister trucker (J.T. Walsh).

Well-scripted thriller, in which Russell and Quinlan become entangled in a ghoulish extortion plot after falling prey to some less than savory characters (I'll say no more). Believable plot twists lead to a dynamic climax which should have most viewers rivetted to their seats, and which probably accounted for director Jonathan Mostow being hired to direct TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003). Tense, exciting stuff, worth a look.

The Strongest Man in the World
$14.99
I FIRST SAW THIS MOVIE WHEN I WAS A CHILD IN VENEZUELA, IT BRINGS NICE MEMORIES TO MY MIND WHEN WE WENT TO THE MOVIES AS A KID IN VENEZUELA IT WAS MAGICAL BECAUSE OF THE COLORS,TV BACK THEN IN VENEZUELA WAS BLACK AND WHITE,I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THIS MOVIE BACK THEN,IM PROUD TO OWN IT AND HAVING IT IN MY MOVIE COLLECTION.

Executive Decision
$12.98
This is one of those action thrillers that goes perfect with popcorn or chips or whatever. It's really intense. As a growing fan of political thrillers, this gets even better after repeated viewings. With action, drama, humor, and of course, thrills, this should be watched by those who are into these sorts of movies. And for those who want to see Steven Segal killed off in the film, then this is your first, and probably only, chance.