Hercules

There have been a fair few Hercules movies over the years, he's been played by the likes of Steve Reeves and Lou Ferrigno.  Dwayne Johnson now steps up the mark and puts his boot to asses all over ancient Greece.

This 'Son of Zeus' is a mercenary, general bull-shit merchant and muscle for hire.  With his band of fellow mercenaries he does what is needed with no conscience for a good price and his legend gets enhanced by the colourful stories of his nephew who travels with him.  When Lord Cotys asks for his help against invaders, Herc and his pals step up to the mark.

Sword and Sandal epics are few and far between now.  This film embraces the films before it and modernises it with some modern dialogue which works as the lines are delivered either straight or tongue in cheek.  Johnson channels his inner Scorpion King, makes Herc incredibly likeble and is well supported by some fine thespian talent including John Hurt and Ian McShane.  It's got plenty of (comic book) violence, lots of laughs and cracking effects.

Stupendous entertainment and a film I shall look forward to revisiting again.

• Starring Dwayne Johnson  Rufus Sewell  Joseph Fiennes  Rebecca Ferguson
• Director Brett Ratner
• Distributor Paramount / MGM

22 Jump Street

After the success of their investigation in the first movie Schmidt and Jenko are assigned a new case. There is a new designer drug in town and they have to go to college and root out the pushers.  Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) has been given a limitless budget, so they now have all the latest gadgets and weapons as well as a swanky new office.

One of the students had OD'ed on the drug and died so they start going to every possible class to try and get information.  Jenko teams up with the football crowd and Schmidt meets and falls for a beautiful art major.  Packed with low brow humour, action and plenty of colourful language 22 Jump Street is just as entertaining as it's predecessor.

Hill and Tatum once again put on a great double act but the film is stolen by Ice Cube whose outbursts and use of the 'F' word is totally inspired.  He's probably the best curser on screen since Joe Pesci.  Directors Lord and Miller show they can make great live action films and terrific animated ones (The Lego Movie) they are rather talented chaps.  

Pure escapism and like I said a great laugh.  It certainly brightened my day.

• Starring Channing Tatum  Jonah Hill  Peter Stormare  Ice Cube  
• Directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord
• Distributor Sony

Trancers

In the future, Los Angeles was laid to ruin following a massive earthquake and civilisation collapsed.  A new order was established but is threatened by a gentleman named Whistler and his zombie like followers called Trancers.  Whistler was thought killed but is alive and well having travelled back in time to 1980's LA.  He starts to murder the ruling counsel's ancestors, thus them ceasing to exist. Ace Trancer hunter Jack Deth is assigned to the case and goes back in time to get Whistler.

Jack enlists the help of Leena, an LA resident.  There is an instant attraction between the two and together they set out to stop Whistler.  Complicating matters is that one of the council's ancestors is a homeless dude and Whistler knows where he is.  Jack (Tim Thomerson) is a timeless character who kills the bad guys, smokes cigarettes, wears a trench coat, cracks one liners and generally lights up the screen with undeniable charisma.  How can you not like this guy?

Trancers is one film which I have owned on every conceivable format.  I had or have it on Betamax, VHS, several DVD versions and now this HD release from 88 Films.  The DVD releases have certainly been criticised as some were from old laserdiscs complete with a Vestron Video logo.  Those rough copies have always rubbed me up the wrong way, but I am glad the film was always available. The remastering done on this blu-ray release is pretty darn good and in widescreen as well.  I noticed little things I never saw before on other releases such as the future Deth's scar on his face.  Some of the effects look a bit amateurish now, but really who cares when the film looks this good.  What I thought was great was at the beginning of the film when the new Full Moon features logo appears, the old Full Moon music pipes up and merges into the old Empire logo which brings back lots of happy memories.  Trancers is easily the best of the Empire Pictures' releases and a classic in it's own right.  I also like the new Rick Melton cover art, it's very different from the original poster and gives the film a nice fresh look.

The extras include a commentary, a featurette, some archived interviews and trailers for the sequels. Finally the Pulse Pounders sequel is included as well.  This was lost for years and is a nice addition to a terrific blu-ray release.  Basically, if you don't pick this up you're nothing more than a squid possibly with dry hair as well.  

• Starring Tim Thomerson  Helen Hunt  Art LaFleur  Telma Hopkins  Biff Manard
• Director Charles Band
• Distributor 88 Films

Super Mario Bros.

Back in 1993, the film-making duo behind Max Headroom (remember him?) took the reins of the adaption of a certain game from Nintendo.  Unfortunately the film wasn't that successful and took a bit of a hammering from the critics.

Mario and Luigi are a couple of Italian plumbers from New York.  Luigi, the younger brother meets and falls for a girl called Daisy who is subsequently kidnapped and taken to another dimension where dinosaurs were the dominant species and eventually evolved into humans.  Once there the brothers have to save the day and rescue Daisy from the nasty evil old King Koopa played by Dennis Hopper.

I must admit not being much of a fan of the Mario games (I do love Mario Kart though) and I would imagine there are lots of Mario references in the film but were lost on me.  However it's a fun kids film with nice special effects, great production design and quite a hoot.  

It'll keep the ankle biters quiet for an hour or two and honestly it kept me entertained as well.

• Starring Bob Hoskins  Samantha Mathis  John Leguizamo
• Directors Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel
• Distributor Second Sight

Damn Sea Vampires!

AKA BEAST OF THE BERING SEA

The Hunter family are the best dredgers on the coast, whilst out on the water searching for gold one of their crew is killed.  The body is soon discovered by a marine biologist who is tracking a new species feeding on seals.  Hoping to keep the death of the crewman quiet, it goes terribly wrong shortly after when the Father is killed whilst fishing.  The Hunter siblings team up with their new crew-mate and the biologist to 'study' and wipe the creatures off the face of the earth. 

What can you say about this film with that title?  It certainly can't be taken seriously with the logic of some of the character's actions beggars beyond belief.  They get over the death of their Father within minutes and no seems to give a toss about the various disposable characters getting killed in gross ways.  Who really cares when the film is this stupid?  The creatures themselves look like a Ghoulie dressed up as Batman, with the CGI used being the standard of a Playstation 2 game.  

The siblings are played by Jerry Maguire's Jonathan Lipnicki and Cassie Scerbo from Sharknado who 'phone in' their performances as do the rest of the cast as we're not talking Oscar winning material here.  Can I recommend this film?  If Asylum epics and CGI beastie films float your boat (nautical joke intended) give it a go, it won't change the world but it is entertaining rubbish of the highest order.  

• Starring Kevin Dobson  Jonathan Lipnici  Cassie Scerbo
• Director Don E. Fauntleroy
• Distributor Sony

Misfire

Cole is an ass kicking DEA agent based in Mexico.  He is suspended from duty after going against orders and shooting an undercover cop who he was unaware of.  Chilling out in Los Angeles, he is called by his brother (played by Beppe from Eastenders, Michael Greco) to tell him he is in trouble with the police as his wife (and Cole's ex) has gone missing.  

It turns out that she was investigating the local drug cartel and Cole goes to Mexico to help his brother.  Aided by a rather hot photographer, the drug lords and their cronies have now upset the wrong man.  Cue lots of shooting and fighting.

Misfire is a nice vehicle for the talents of one Gary Daniels who has no problem beating people up and generally looking hard as nails.  The script is rather cliched as it's nasty drug lords again, but the film is good old fashioned B movie action thrills.  It is well made and features to my amusement some of the most inept henchmen in ages.  Their aiming whilst firing their guns is appalling and they are easily dispatched which I found rather enjoyable.

Almost 90 minutes of cheesy cliched action, it's like Cannon Films have been resurrected.

• Starring Gary Daniels  Vannessa Vasquez  Michael 'Beppe' Greco
• Director R. Ellis Frazier
• Distributor Image

Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry

You can't beat a good chase movie and the seventies had a few good ones including Smokey and the Bandit and this minor classic from 1974 featured Peter Fonda and our own Susan George.

Larry and Deke want to be big time racing drivers and to do this they successfully get money from a supermarket manager by holding his family hostage.  Coming along for the ride (escape) is one of Larry's conquests (Susan George) and they are actively pursued by a local Sheriff played by Vic Morrow.

The film features action with a cool 70's groove.  It's incredibly dated but then so is Smokey and the Bandit and The Cannonball Run, but that doesn't stop it being rather good entertainment.  Fonda is excellent as always (damn he was a cool dude) and George is once again drop dead gorgeous.  

English director John Hough keeps control of the mayhem well after all he worked for Hammer and would later make Biggles and some Disney movies.  Quite essential for students of 70's drive in 'studio' cinema and fans of chase pictures.

• Starring Susan George  Roddy McDowall  Peter Fonda
• Director John Hough
• Distributor Odyssey

Tokarev aka Rage

Paul Maguire is an ex member of the Irish mob. who was lucky to walk away and start a new life.  He is now a successful and rich property developer with a beautiful wife and teenage daughter.  Life is good until his daughter is kidnapped.  Paul is convinced his past has caught up with him and he recruits his two oldest friends to kick some ass and find his daughter.

Paul believes the Russian mob is behind the kidnap due to a regrettable incident many years before.  He is asked by his old boss to leave well alone and let the police (Danny Glover) do their job.  Paul won't and it all goes pear shaped.

Cage once again plays the everyman (although this time reformed) who has his world turned upside down and has to become a mean son of a bitch again.  He is backed up by his friends, one is a bar owner and the other likes strippers and recreational drugs.  They have no problem throwing the fists and pulling the trigger in the direction of scumbags.

Not particulary original but enjoyable and violent when it has to be.  Cage is as usual very good and it's nice to see his 8MM co-star Peter (Dino Velvet) Stormare turn up as a wheelchair bound mobster.  Great entertainment, it won't win awards and some critics have crucified it.  I thought it was all rather pleasant, it isn't Con Air but it's pretty good.

• Starring Nicolas Cage  Rachel Nichols  Peter Stormare
• Director Paco Cabezas
• Distributor Anchor Bay

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Coming only two years after the reboot, Spidey is back this time battling Electro (and the return the Green Goblin) and eventually Rhino.  Marc Webb returns as director and Andrew Garfield reprises his role as the web spinner.

This time around after an accident at Oscorp (that place is so unsafe) geeky nerd Max Dillon becomes Electro, it also doesn't help he has a bit of an obsession with Spidey as well.  Gwen and Peter split up as Gwen gets a scholarship to Oxford University, Peter declares his love but tragedy strikes...

Andrew Garfield has now totally nailed the role and is a far better Peter Parker/Spider-Man than Tobey Maguire, he does the wisecracks and totally 'lives the role'.  Emma Stone is again great as Gwen and we have Dane DeHaan playing Harry Osborn who becomes the Green Goblin in a rather twisted portrayal which I enjoyed immensely.

Fair play to the film makers as they are not afraid to follow the comics and have a main character experience a spectacular demise. Also, as its a well loved character it all got rather emotional.  I rather like this film as it looks fantastic, the effects are good and it's great escapism.  However I couldn't care much for Jamie Foxx as Electro as I thought he was weak and looked too much like a electrified Arnie/Mr Freeze which is a very bad thing.  That's my only gripe really, terrific entertainment overall though.

• Starring Andrew Garfield  Emma Stone  Sally Field  Paul Giamatti
• Director Marc Webb
• Distributor Sony

The Captive aka Armistice and Warhouse

Every morning Marine AJ Budd is awoken and has to fight for his life against some form of mutant.  He has to kill that said mutant to live for another day.  Weary, AJ cannot comprehend why he has been put here but knows every day is the same - kill or be killed.

Whilst searching the house he stumbles upon a journal of another soldier who was in the same predicament he is in.  He learns more as he reads and decides its time to make that escape.  Even capturing a mutant doesn't help as it all goes back to square one the next day.

The Captive retitled for UK release stars The Vampire Diaries/Immortals' Joseph Morgan as AJ.  He has to carry the film completely by himself and does a damn fine job.  The mutants are suitably nasty and have a Outpost/Shock Waves vibe about them.  Whilst being trapped in a house isn't the most original concept, considering the low budget the film makers have pulled off an interesting and intriguing film.

The ending has one hell of a twist and please watch all the credits, as there is more to come after they have rolled.  Short and snappy, a pleasant change from zombies and slashers.

• Starring Joseph Morgan  Matt Ryan  William Troughton
• Director Luke Massey
• Distributor 101 Films

Killing Season

In terms of talent (and at times box office clout) you aren't going to get much bigger than Robert DeNiro and John Travolta, so it's strange that we have had to wait until now for Travis Bickle and Vincent Vega to make a film together.

Ghost Rider and Daredevil director Mark Steven Johnson pits Travolta's Serbian Soldier against the ex NATO guy of Robert DeNiro. DeNiro's character of Ford has grown weary of the world and has gone to find some peace in a remote cabin.  Travolta (who looks very scary and has an equally scary accent) befriends DeNiro and lures him into a false sense of security and then instigates a deadly game of the old favourite Cat and Mouse.  Personally, I felt the film has a bit of a 'Hard Target' vibe with it's woods setting and use of weaponry.  

It's took a year for Killing Season to find it's way to the UK since the US release where it was somewhat hammered by the critics.  It's no classic but I found it rather engaging and the leads ARE ALWAYS watchable.  It's a great looking film and all in all it's worth a bash. Don't believe everything you read, make your own mind up.  I went in with an open mind and rather enjoyed it.

• Starring Robert DeNiro  John Travolta  Elizabeth Olin
• Director Mark Steven Johnson
• Distributor Lionsgate

The Toxic Avenger

Melvin is the janitor at the local gym, he's also a nerd and a bit of a weakling as well.  All the gym members constantly bully him and as he is such a nice guy he can see no wrong in them.  When a trick played on him gets out of hand, he falls through a window into toxic waste and becomes New Jersey's first superhero.

Melvin now starts to rid the city of bad guys and comes up against and kills various drug dealers and robbers amongst others.  At the same time he also meets a beautiful blind girl and they fall in love.  As the Mayor of Tromaville is corrupt and has his finger in every pie going, he isn't happy and wants Melvin eliminated.

The Toxic Avenger is incredibly violent and full of blood and gore.  It's also brilliantly un-PC and we have camp hairdressers, German police chiefs with Nazi mannerisms, offensive language and huge amounts of T&A.  It's all done in the best possible (bad) taste and constantly hilarious.  The bad guys are stereotypically awesome especially one of them called Cigar Face and you don't get many films where old ladies are put in tumble dryers.

Although the big hair and clothes date the film somewhat (it's 30 years old) the gore is still good and like I said it's bloody funny and immensely entertaining in a sick way.  The blu-ray is packed with extras including a commentary, introductions, trailers and Toxie chatting to you in his luxury home.  The soundtrack is also great featuring classical music and possibly the cheesiest work out song ever.  Trust me you will be singing 'Body Talk' after the film ends.

I haven't seen it in a very long time and then it was probably cut to shreds.  Its simply one of my favourite releases this year and a big thumbs up for the restoration as well, the films looks brilliant.  Rush out and buy it now.

• Starring Mark Torgl  Dan Snow  Mitchell Cohen  Kenneth Kessler
• Directors Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman
• Distributor 88 Films

A Certain Justice aka Puncture Wounds

John Nguyen is a decorated war veteran who was tortured by the Taliban.  Having left the army, he lives in a sleazy hotel whilst trying to make sense of his life.  In the hotel car park one evening some local hoodlums are roughing up a hooker, John steps in and kicks some serious ass.  Unfortunately the scumbags worked for nasty drug dealer Hollis and due to this Hollis orders the execution of John's family.

Grief stricken, John enlists the help of his disabled army pal and he wages war on Hollis' operations and leaves a rather large body count wherever he goes.  After torturing an associate of Hollis played by Vinnie Jones he sets his sight on the drugs lab and Hollis' home fortress.

A Certain Justice provides a nice vehicle for MMA fighter Cung Le to show his fighting and acting chops.  He is no board treading thespian but holds his own in the fight scenes and comes across quite well in the 'acting' bits.  Dolph Lundgren as Hollis is suitably vile and looks like a hillbilly with long hair and porn star 'tache.  Vinnie Jones pops up in an extended cameo to swear and look hard like Vinnie does so well.  

It won't set the world on fire but it is extremely violent and has plenty of fowl language, all very enjoyable I say.  

• Starring Cung Le  Dolph Lundgren  Briana Evigan  Vinnie Jones
• Directors James Coyne and Giorgio Serafini
• Distributor Signature Entertainment

Darkness Descends

There is a secret population of homeless people living under New York City and documentarian Chelsea decides to make a film about it.  She soon makes contact with a chap called Jake who is an ex NYPD cop who has his own axe to grind with Angel, an extremely scary dude who runs his own gang underground.  Angel has a twisted outlook on life and soon he executes a famous investor type.  This means the police want to move in and we are poised for a violent confrontation.

The film is really two parts, one is a fake documentary featuring interviews of the police and homeless people.  The other is an underground violent action thriller.  It takes a while to get going and is saved by the fact it is well made and features some strange unique characters.  Danny Trejo continues his mission to be the hardest working actor in show business.  The amount of films this guy turns up in is extraordinary, he's becoming the new Donald Pleasance.  As you good people know I am a fanatical WWE fan and seeing John (Morrison) Hennigan and Melina Perez is great.  Perez makes nothing more than an extended cameo, but Hennigan (who's also credited as a Co-Producer) shows quite a screen presence and has a couple of fight scenes.  It will be interesting to see what his Hercules Reborn film will be like.

The film isn't brilliant, but it is different and at times quite stylish.  File it under the section, 'Not too bad, but didn't live up to his potential' but it makes a passable 90 minutes or so.

• Starring Kinga Philipps  Danny Trejo  Frank Krueger
• Director Marc Clebanoff
• Distributor 101 Films

Escape From Planet Earth

Scorch Supernova is a big hero, he rescues babies, generally saves the day and is backed up by his brother Gary who runs mission control.  Scorch is sent on a mission to the Dark Planet which is actually Earth and lands near Area 51.  He is captured in the local 7-Eleven and is taken away to be interrogated by an evil General.  Gary realises his brother is in trouble and jumps into a rescue ship and heads into space.  When he lands Gary is captured easily and it all materialises that there is an plot between the General and Gary's boss to take over the universe.

The film is possibly one of the most colourful and beautifully designed animated features I have seen for a while.  Its not quite Dreamworks or Pixar, but there are plenty of terrific characters in it and some of the aliens are awesome.  The 3D works pretty well and there are the 'in your face' moments including the old classic, bat and ball on a string.

Escape From Planet Earth is a great laugh for all the family and with an inspired voice cast including William Shatner and Ricky Gervais, you can't go wrong.  Highly recommended for the sprogs (and animation loving adults).

• Starring Brendan Fraser  Sofia Vergara  Jessica Alba  Rob Corddry
• Director Cal Brunker
• Distributor Entertainment in Video

Remo Williams - The Adventure Begins

Sam Makin is a New York City cop who one evening gets more than he bargained as his car is pushed into the harbour by an unknown assailant.  The world thinks Sam is dead and he wakes up with a new identity and a new'ish face.  How he gets his new name is funny and clever at the same time.  Now christened Remo Williams, he has been recruited for a top secret governement organisation who nobody knows about.

Remo is sent to be trained by an old martial arts master (Joel Grey) and soon enough he is pulled into action to bring down corruption in the military.

The film oozes fun in every pore, we have a great hero, good action set pieces (watch and see how light footed Remo is and New York looks awesome) and a terrific 80's score.  It's all expertly directed by the man who made Goldfinger (Guy Hamilton) and written by the chap who wrote the screenplay for Moonraker, The Spy Who Loved Me and created Timothy Lea from Confessions of a Window Cleaner.

With MGM remastering the film for HD, the picture looks pretty darn good.  There's some nice extras on the discs with interviews with the cast and production team.  The isolated score and effects track is a nice bonus as Craig Safan's score is awesome and a real treat to listen to without those pesky actors talking.  One last thing after the MGM lion, we get the good old Orion Pictures logo which seems to be removed a lot these days and its not that vile purple remake one.

I first saw this a very long time ago when one was a teenager and seeing it again re-inforced my opinion that it is a real under rated gem which must be appreciated and cherished.

• Starring Fred Ward  Wilford Brimley  Joel Grey  J.A Preston  Kate Mulgrew
• Director Guy Hamilton
• Distributor Arrow Video

Grindhouse Trailer Classics 4

Trailer discs are nothing new to the market, but some are poorly constructed with any old crappy previews thrown together to create the 'Grindhouse Experience".  Things are different at Nucleus Films, these guys care what is shown and make sure the trailers are in good condition and in the right aspect ratios where possible.

We kick off with the famous Coming Attractions introduction to the strains of Funky Fanfare by Keith Mansfield.  In fact there are several different versions of this tune available, check them out on the KPM label among others.  The 'No Masturbation' title card is fun and we start with the first trailer which is 'The Little Cigars' which basically is gangster midgets and looks incredibly bad but strangely entertaining as well.

There is some good stuff here such as Sweet Jesus: Preacher Man, Curtains, Bamboo Gods and Iron Men, Deathmaster and Al Adamson's Blood of Dracula's Castle.  There tends to be a leaning this time around to a lot of T&A exploitation with boobs everywhere, no real issues there and there is a couple of films again on the compilation I shall try and get hold of.

All in all, another great value disc from a company that really does care what it puts out and nice Graham Humphreys art on the cover as well.

• Distributor Nucleus Films

The Delta Force

Major Scott McCoy is pulled back into active duty when a group of bonkers terrorists led by Robert Forster hijack a plane.  Along with Colonel Alexander (Lee Marvin) he must rescue the hostages and blow up the bad guys.

On board the plane we have a selection of various character actors including George Kennedy, Shelley Winters and Lainie Kazan. Chuck's boss is Robert Vaughan and Steve (American Ninja) James crops up as a Delta Force member.  The action sequences are all first rate.  The actual hijacking is incredibly well put together and played by the cast.  Forster is awesome as the Middle Eastern bad guy complete with permo tan and is one of the better baddies to come up against Norris.  You could say parts of the film have slightly dodgy politics and is a bit un-PC, but personally I couldn't give a monkey's toss.  It is a Cannon film and a BLOODY good one.

I first saw this film in the 80's on the old Rank video release and watched it countless times over the years.  Cannon Boss Menahem Golan directed and co-wrote the script and did a damn fine job.  A year or so later he would go on to make Over The Top with Stallone (another 80's favourite of mine). The score by Alan Silvestri is terrific and the main theme is one of those tunes you're whistle afterwards.  In fact whilst writing this review, I began to realise that Cannon films were a massive part of my youth.  Some of my favourites of all time came from them.  They include Invasion USA, Lifeforce, American Ninja 2, The Naked Cage, Death Wish 3 & 4 and Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.

Delta Force is up there with the best of the 1980's action flicks, a proper bloke's film to sit proudly along side The Wild Geese.  Quite simply class on a disc.  Nice extras and booklet as well.

• Starring Chuck Norris  Lee Marvin  Robert Forster (and his 'tache)
• Director Menahem Golan
• Distributor Arrow Video

The Forgotten aka Falls The Shadow and Zombie Warz

The world has gone to ruins and mankind is on it's last legs.  There is an infection across the land and the remaining humans travel alone and in packs trying to survive.

We first meet the Reverend, a very sick man indeed who doesn't really like anyone who isn't white.  You know he's an evil twisted SOB as he commands a young black girl to be burnt at the stake.  We then meet Noah, a man wandering the land who meets a young woman named Elena who later on asks him to scrub her back.   As you would imagine Noah doesn't turn her down, nor would I to be fair.  Michael, his Father in Law Frank who has an axe to grind with the Reverend and a young Mother and her son.  

The film for its low budget pulls off a minor miracle as it looks far more expensive then it is.  Its brutal, nasty and pulls no punches. The acting at times is a little amateurish but overall the performances are just fine.  There are obvious influences from various end of the world movies and The Walking Dead TV show, but like I said its pulled off well.

Whilst watching it I got a Italian apocalypse movie vibe, you know like Endgame and the Fred Williamson 'classics' of the early 80's. Not to everyone's taste, but it appears a lot of hard work went into making it so well done to everyone involved.  Worth a look if this is sort of your thing.

• Starring Olivia Bishop  David Eby  Luke Hatmaker
• Director Steven Berryessa
• Distributor 101 Films

Trancers 4: Jack of Swords / Trancers 5: Sudden Deth

Jack Deth is now back in the future and a Trancer trouble shooter working alongside the great android Shark (Trancers 3).  Shark is unfortunately no more and due to a mishap in the time travelling TCL Chamber, Jack finds himself in a mystical land called Orpheus ruled with an iron fist by Lord Calaban and his noble Trancers.

Jack finds allies in the group of rebels called the tunnel rats and they plot to overthrow Caliban and his cronies.  In this world, Jack's handy weapons don't work quite right and he has to use all his skills as the Trancer hunter par excellence to defeat the bad guys.

These were the final Tim Thomerson adventures and were both were shot back to back in Romania in a very familar castle setting (Subspecies series).  We get a cliff hanger ending for Part 4 and Part 5 continues where the previous film ended.  Does this work?  Well yes and no is the answer, there is some padding for the running time but both films are very enjoyable.  Thomerson is always terrific and owns every scene he is in.  Throw in a couple of good looking ladies, a menacing villain and you can't really go wrong.  The director of these two is one David Nutter, who later made many fine episodes of The X Files and now works on Game of Thrones.

The new DVD covers retain the original artwork from the old Paramount releases.  They can be picked up pretty cheap as can all the series including Part 6 which featured Jack's daughter and Thomerson in old footage on a TV which was made on a budget which would probably cover the price of a Happy Meal.

Jack Deth kicks ass and always will.

• Starring Tim Thomerson  Stacie Randall  Clabe Hartley  Stephen Macht
• Director David Nutter
• Distributor Full Moon Features