Category: Drama

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai VHS box cover art. Action crime drama movie starring Forest Whitaker, John Tormey, Henry Silva. Directed by Jim Jarmusch. 1999.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai on VHS. Starring Forest Whitaker, John Tormey, Henry Silva. Directed by Jim Jarmusch. 1999.

From the box:

Live By The Code. Die By The Code.

East meets West in this hip-hop infused samurai-gangster pic in which Forest Whitaker plays a professional killer who goes by the name of Ghost Dog and who lives by the age-old code of the samurai.

When Ghost Dog’s code is dangerously betrayed by the dysfunctional mafia family that occasionally employs him, he must find a way to defend himself without breaking the code of the Samurai.

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Straw Dogs

Straw Dogs VHS cover art. Drama thriller movie starring Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughan, T.P. McKenna. Directed by Sam Peckinpah. 1971.

Straw Dogs on VHS. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughan, T.P. McKenna. Directed by Sam Peckinpah. 1971.

From the box:

Every man dreads the day he might be forced to defend his wife and his home.

Dustin Hoffman stars as a man who avoids confrontation at all costs, in Sam Peckinpah’s powerful study of violence and survival. When mathematician David Sumner (Hoffman) moves to a small English village with his wife, Amy (Susan George), he finds a lot more than the peace and quiet he wants for his work. Their idyllic life turns into an ordeal, and their relationship is severely strained, as Amy becomes the center of attention among several workmen who begin to test David. When they see he will not stand up to them, their taunts become viscous torment that finally forces David to decide how far he’s willing to go to protect his home, his wife and his dignity.

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Oh, They Did A Remake: Straw Dogs (2011)

And This Has Nothing To Do With The Original: Straw Dogs End



House Party 2

House Party 2 VHS box cover art. Comedy drama hip-hop music movie starring Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin as Kid 'N Play. With Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Queen Latifah, Iman. Directed by George Jackson, Doug McHenry. 1991.

House Party 2 on VHS. Starring Christopher Reid, Christopher Martin, Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Queen Latifah, Iman. Directed by George Jackson, Doug McHenry. 1991.

From the box:

The Pajama Jam!

Hip-hop heroes Kid ‘N Play are back in action — with a plan to turn a college campus into the ultimate party zone — in this music-powered, funk-filled comedy free-for-all. Original stars Kid ‘N Play (Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin), Martin Lawrence (The Line Between Love and Hate) and Tisha Campbell (Boomerang) return to break it down, rap it up… and boldly party where no movie has partied before!

Kid’s dreams of higher education go up in smoke when Play “lends” his buddy’s stash of college cash to a gorgeous — and crooked! — music promoter (Iman). On top of that, Kid’s girl Sidney has discovered “Sister’s Lib,” thanks to a consciousness-raising friend — rapmistress Queen Latifah (Sell it Off). And the muscle-headed FULL FORCE brothers are dishing Kid ‘N Play some serious trouble. What’s the solution? Stage the Mother of All Pajama Parties… and unleash the freshest, funniest, non-stop hip-hop bash since the invention of cool.

Full House DVD Upgrade: 4 Film Favorites: House Party Collection (House Party, House Party 2, House Party 3, House Party 4)

Tombstone

Tombstone VHS box cover art. Action drama western movie starring Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer. With Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, Dana Delany, Billy Zane, Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Tenney, Stephen Lang, Michael Rooker, Joanna Pacula, Robert John Burke. Directed by George P. Cosmatos. 1993.

Tombstone on VHS. Starring Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer. With Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, Dana Delany, Billy Zane, Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Tenney, Stephen Lang, Michael Rooker, Joanna Pacula, Robert John Burke. Directed by George P. Cosmatos. 1993.

From the box:

Justice Is Coming!

A sizzling, star-studded cast brings to life the legendary battle to deliver justice to TOMBSTONE! Kurt Russell turns in a gripping performance as U.S. Marshall Wyatt Earp, and Val Kilmer ignites the screen as the outrageous Doc Holliday. Together, they team up to bring law to the lawless in the notorious showdown with ruthless outlaws at the O.K. Corral! The all-star ensemble also includes Sam Elliot, Bill Paxton, Dana Delany, Jason Priestley, Michael Biehn, and longtime Hollywood favorite Charlton Heston. Get ready for an explosive, action-packed adventure the Wild West would never forget!

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Willow

Willow VHS box cover art. Fantasy adventure movie starring Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Billy Barty, Jean Marsh, Patricia Hayes. Story by George Lucas. Screenplay by Bob Dolman. Directed by Ron Howard. 1988

Willow on VHS. Starring Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Billy Barty, Jean Marsh, Patricia Hayes. Story by George Lucas. Screenplay by Bob Dolman. Directed by Ron Howard. 1988.

From the box:

When young Willow Ufgood finds an abandoned baby, he is suddenly thrust into an adventure filled with magic and danger. According to an ancient prophecy, the sacred child is destined to end the reign of evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda. Now, with only a single swordsman at his side, Willow must overcome the forces of darkness that threaten to destroy anyone who stands in the Queen’s way!

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Hamlet

Laurence Olivier Presents William Shakespeare's Hamlet VHS box cover art. Black and white drama movie starring Laurence Olivier, Eileen Herlie, Basil Sydney, Jean Simmons, Felix Aylmer, Peter Cushing. Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Laurence Olivier. 1948.

Laurence Olivier Presents William Shakespeare’s Hamlet on VHS. Starring Laurence Olivier, Eileen Herlie, Basil Sydney, Jean Simmons, Felix Aylmer, Peter Cushing. Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Laurence Olivier. 1948.

From the box:

Laurence Olivier Presents William Shakespeare’s Hamlet A Rank Organisation Film

Laurence Olivier gives an immortal performance in this acclaimed adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Hamlet (Laurence Olivier), Prince of Denmark, returns home when his father is killed. There, he learns that his ambitious uncle has married the widowed Queen and claimed Hamlet’s throne for himself. Haunted by his father’s ghost and his own need for revenge, Hamlet’s torment leads to the most inspired poetry in all of Shakespeare, as well as the unforgettable final duel that seals the fate of Denmark.

A potent brew of swordplay, wordplay and outstanding performances, Hamlet won four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor.

DVD Upgrade: Hamlet (The Criterion Collection)

Free Shakespeare: The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark A Study with the Text of the Folio of 1623

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Throne of Blood

Throne of Blood VHS cover art. Classic Japanese action drama movie starring Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Minoru Chiaki, Takashi Shimura. Directed by Akira Kurosawa. 1957.

Throne of Blood on VHS. Starring Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Minoru Chiaki, Takashi Shimura. Directed by Akira Kurosawa. 1957.

From the box:

Akira Kurosawa’s savage, free-flowing adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth plunges viewers into an eerie, fog-shrouded world of madness and obsession. Set in medieval Japan during a period of feudal conflict, Kurosawa’s masterpiece combines the stylization of the Noh theater with the dynamic energy of the American Western to tell the tragic story of an ambitious warlord. Toshiro Mifune gives one of his finest performances as the proud warrior who is destroyed by his wife’s murderous greed and his own all-consuming desire for power. From its first frenzied battle sequences to the brutal climax, in which the entire forest seems to move against Mifune, [spoiler removed], Kurosawa’s brilliantly staged classic is a cinematic triumph.

DVD Upgrade: Throne of Blood (The Criterion Collection)

Rashomon

Rashomon VHS box cover art. Japanese crime thriller movie starring Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori, Takashi Shimura, Directed by Akira Kurosawa. 1950.

Rashomon on VHS. Starring Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori, Takashi Shimura, Directed by Akira Kurosawa. Based on the novel In the Forest by Ryunosuke Hashimoto. 1950.

From the box:

A cinema classic, Rashomon introduced the Western world to the greatness of Akira Kurosawa and paved the way for fellow masters of the Japanese film industry. Characteristic of Kurosawa’s humanism and innovative narrative style, this eloquent masterpiece illuminates the subjectivity of truth through flashbacks, vigorous editing and luminous photography. Four different narrators describe the same brutal act — a woman’s rape and her husband’s consequent death — yet the facts elude us because each interprets the story to make himself appear in the best light. Through subtle gestures, Machiko Kyo (Ugetsu, Gate of Hell) conveys the woman’s supreme loss at the hands of her attacker, played by Toshiro Mifune (Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood) with a savage heat. This visually rich tale poignantly confronts man’s potential for kindness and corruption.

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Sonatine

Quentin Tarantino's Rolling Thunder Pictures Presents Sonatine VHS cover art. Japanese action crime mob movie starring Beat Takeshi Kitano, Aya Kokumai, Tetsu Watanabe. Written and directed by Beat Takeshi Kitano. 1993.

Quentin Tarantino’s Rolling Thunder Pictures Presents Sonatine on VHS. Starring Beat Takeshi Kitano, Aya Kokumai, Tetsu Watanabe. Written and directed by Beat Takeshi Kitano. 1993.

From the box:

His mob boss double-crossed him. Now, it’s payback time!

This acclaimed, first-rate crime story packs gritty action and humor with an edgy Pulp Fiction attitude! International action star, “Beat” Takeshi Kitano, plays a seasoned mobster who goes to the island of Okinawa on a “peacekeeping” mission, even though he suspects that his boss is secretly trying to eliminate him! Determined to not go down without a fight, he and his gang know exactly what they have to do… and just want to avoid getting killed doing it! If you like action that’s smart, edgy and fresh, don’t miss this hard-hitting mob thriller!

DVD Upgrade: The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi / Sonatine

The Million Dollar Hotel

The Million Dollar Hotel VHS box cover art. Movie starring Jeremy Davies, Milla Jovovich, Mel Gibson, Jimmy Smits. With Peter Stormare, Amanda Plummer, Gloria Stuart, Tom Bower, Donal Logue, Bud Cort, Julian Sands, Conrad Roberts, Harris Yulin, Charlayne Woodard. Directed by Wim Wenders. 2000.

The Million Dollar Hotel on VHS. Starring Jeremy Davies, Milla Jovovich, Mel Gibson, Jimmy Smits. With Peter Stormare, Amanda Plummer, Gloria Stuart, Tom Bower, Donal Logue, Bud Cort, Julian Sands, Conrad Roberts, Harris Yulin, Charlayne Woodard. Directed by Wim Wenders. 2000.

From the box:

Everyone Has Something To Hide.

FBI Agent Skinner has been brought in to solve his most bizarre case yet. In a downtown fleabag hotel, the son of a billionaire media mogul has mysteriously died. Now, Skinner must find the murderer among the hotel’s guests, uncovering a web of deception which runs deeper than he ever thought imaginable… and protects the guilty from justice.

DVD Upgrade: The Million Dollar Hotel

Wim Wenders Photography: Wim Wenders: Places, Strange and Quiet

More Wim: Wim Wenders: Once