First Blood

John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone, Rocky franchise) loves his country. In fact he gave blood, sweat, and tears while fighting in Vietnam. John Rambo; Special Forces, Pilot, Infantry, and totally gnarly soldier package is a special kind of nightmare for anyone trying to keep him down.

Teasle (Brian Dennehy) is a small time sheriff and big time bully. When Rambo enters his kingdom, Teasle is quick to intercept. All Rambo wants is a place to eat. Teasle doesn't want his kind (Vietnam veterans) in his town and shows him the quickest way to the exit. He picks up Rambo and drives him out of town.

Undeterred, Rambo quietly walks back toward town only to be scooped up by Teasle and thrown into jail. In a totally bogus move, the deputies run roughshod over Rambo, inducing Rambo's prisoner of  war flashbacks. He's treated like scum, but instead of commies, his tormentors good old USA small town police. 

Rambo springs into action and single handedly takes them down Green Beret style. 

Now Rambo's on the run with a growing number of law enforcement and National Guardsmen tracking him down. His only friend, COL. Trautman (Richard Crenna) his recruiter and trainer.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge

Jesse Walsh (Mark Patton-Come back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean) moves with his family into the Elm Street House. Almost immediately Freddy Kruger shows up in his nightmares. But this time Freddy Kruger (Robert Englund A Nightmare on Elm Street) haunts more than his dreams. He wants to possess Jesse and take his revenge.

Though obviously in the pre-stages of Freddy possession, everyone, including Jesse's family, just thinks he's weird or on drugs. Gnarly things keep happening such as a bird exploding in the living room, ungodly heat creating glistening shirtless scenes, and kitchen appliances flashing up spontaneously combustion. No, nothing wrong here, it's just Jesse being weird.

Lisa Webber (Kim Meyers) is totally hot for Jesse. But she knows he's slow to pick up on her advances and totally stalks him until he finally acknowledges the love connection. However, she sees that he's not only shy, but he's got some baggage. However, Lisa's not scared, she's on a mission.

Will love win. Will Lisa get inside the heart of man who's body is possessed by a child killer? Find out in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge Rated R

Also starring Robert Rustler (Weird Science), Christie Clark (General Hospital) and many more.

A Nightmare on Elm Street-1984

A Nightmare on Elm Street stars Robert Englund (V TV miniseries and various TV shows) as the awesomely freakish Fred Kruger. Burned alive by vengeful parents, he haunts the dreams of the Elm Street children. 

Nancy (Heather Langenkamp), Tina (Amanda Wyss), Rod (Jsu Garcia) and Glen (Johnny Depp) are those hapless children, haunted ruthlessly by the slashing ghoul. One by one Fred targets them in their dreams and finishing them while they sleep. Only Nancy understands the true threat and bodaciously seeks the slumber slasher on his own ground.

I hear over 500 gallons of fake blood flowed in this gnarly horror flick, and I believe it.

See A Nightmare on Elm Street to find out why Fred Kruger is the man of your dreams.

Terminator-1984

The Terminator stars Arnold Schwarzenegger (Pumping Iron, Conan franchise) as... The Terminator. The Terminator is a cyborg of totally futuristic technology that nobody can possibly understand since it's from 40 years out in like the 2020's. His mission; to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton, Hill Street Blues, Children of the Corn), the mother of the   revolutionary leader, John Conner (not born yet).

Michael Biehn (Lords of Discipline) is Kyle Reese, a revolutionary fighter sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor and her unborn baby. 

The Terminator is a totally awesome plethora of action, bullets, blood, plasma weapons, and heroics. Reese and Sarah are on the run, being pursued by the relentless cyborg. This game of cat and mouse continues throughout Los Angeles with plenty of chase scenes and a high body count.

Keen technology takes on base humanity; But who will win? 

The Terminator is rated R for nude Schwarzenegger, Biehn, and Hamilton scenes and lots of swearing.

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Bloodsport 1988

Jean-Claude Van Damme (Kickboxer) is Frank Dux, a righteous Army officer hell bent on competing in the super secret, Kumate. Though only spoken of in whispers and shadows, this totally secret event takes place in Hong Kong and is by invite only. Thanks goodness Dux was trained by a well respected Japanese martial artist; entry permitted.

To win, Dux must compete in successive battles where death and severe injury is imminent. Along his journey he meets Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb Revenge of the Nerds) and they become fast friends who know they may have to meet head to head in competition. He also has US Federal Agents (Forest Whitaker Platoon, Good Morning, Vietnam) on his trail, trying to bring him back to the Army before he gets hurt or worse.

But don't forget love, a reporter (Leah Ayers of many 70s and 80s TV shows including The Love Boat, Hill Street Blues, The A-Team) connects with Dux as she tries to gain entry into the shadow world.  Since every 80's fighter needs a love interest for that extra tension, this awesome couple doesn't take long to meld. 

But there is a bogus bad dude who skirts the rules and totally over achieves by defeating his opponents and then killing them. He is gunning for Dux, but first, he has to put a hurting on Jackson. 

In the mean time, Ms Reporter is contacting the Feds as she worries for her man, Jackson has been injured, and Dux is having a hard time getting to the event. Will Dux forgive the reporter? Will the Feds prevent the fight of the century? Will Jackson recover?

Find out in Bloodsport.

Platoon Leader-1988

Platoon Leader stars Michael Dudikoff (Tron, American Ninja, American Ninja 2) as LT Jeff Knight fresh out of West Point into the fray of the Vietnam War war. He finds himself joining a platoon of experienced war weary men who don't seem to be impressed by his freshly minted second lieutenant bars.

Who can blame them. They've had enough of fresh face officers hiding out inside the bunker until their tours were over. From their point of view LT was just another person there to get them killed. As the movie poster says, "War is hell, this is worse".

However, they'll soon discover that Knight is different. He not only increases patrols, but he joins them, leading the men by example. Even so, he's quick to take charge, but he's also respectful of his men's experience and listens to them. It's not easy, but little by little he begins to earn their respect.

I watched this movie when it first came out as a young soldier and recently as a retired veteran. Though the uniforms have changed significantly, the soldier experience has not. 

Platoon Leader also features a great caste consisting of Robert F. Lyons, Michael DeLorenzo, Rick Fitts, Jesse Dabson, Brian Libby and many more. 

                                                     


Speaking of the Vietnam War, check out my novel...

Runaway Train-1985

Runaway Train stars Jon Voight as Oscar 'Manny' Manheim. He is a prison legend and hero to all inmates at an Alaskan State Prison. Also starring is 
Eric Roberts (Star 80, Pope of Greenwich Village, Coca cola Kid) as Buck McGeehy, an excitable, lovable, dependable prison boxer. Finally, John P. Ryan (Breathless, The Right Stuff, Simon and Simon), plays Warden Ranken.

Manny is  hardened criminal doing hard time in a prison that is loosely run. For the past few years, the warden has had his cell door welded shut. He is a hero and legend to a population who knows the warden is totally unjust in his treatment of this righteous prison dude. 

McGeehy is a prison boxing champ and "Manny groupie who will do anything he can for his hero. This includes helping him escape.

They head out into the frozen Alaskan interior seeking freedom. They think they've found it on a runaway train. Throughout the journey old 70's stars make appearances  and new 80's stars are born as the story develops and the cast appears.

The actual trailer should run this way. "In a world where Rebecca De Mornay, is a plain Jane, Jon Voight is a buff tough guy, and Eric Roberts can beat up Danny Trejo..." and end it there. This movie is surreal in that respect, beating all these stars' stereo typed roles.

Runaway Train is a must see 80's movie. It's got the music, the prison hype and riots, the comedy relief, and Nintendo and Commodore 64 type computers we've come to know and love. 

It is rated R for gnarly language and tons of it.