The VHS Strikes Back

John Hammond has picked some classics in the past, and this week is no exception. And when we say classics, we mean movies that fit into the category of 'so bad they're good'. Originally shot in 1984, New York Ninja was never released after the distribution company went bust. But Vinegar Syndrome picked up the film, which had no audio or script to it, restored it digitally and added some serious B-Movie voice talent! Originally directed, written and starring John Liu, this one was "Re-Directed" by Kurtis M. Spieler and has the voices of Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Michael Berryman, Cynthia Rothrock, Linnea Quigley, Vince Murdocco, Matt Mitler, Leon Isaac Kennedy, and Ginger Lynn Allen.

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Plot Summary:

In the heart of New York City, a shadowy crime syndicate has been wreaking havoc, leaving the citizens paralyzed with fear. Amidst the chaos, an enigmatic figure emerges to protect the innocent and restore justice to the city. He is the New York Ninja.

The story follows John, a mild-mannered janitor at a local community center, who witnesses a brutal attack on a group of innocent bystanders by the ruthless crime syndicate. Feeling compelled to act, John unveils his hidden martial arts skills and takes down the assailants, unknowingly becoming the city's vigilante hero, the New York Ninja.

As John continues his nightly missions, he begins to uncover the dark and intricate web of crime that has plagued New York City. Along the way, he forms an unlikely alliance with Lily, a tough-as-nails investigative journalist, and Sam, a street-smart kid with a heart of gold. Together, they become an unstoppable force against the criminal underworld.

As the New York Ninja gains notoriety, he attracts the attention of the syndicate's sinister leader, the enigmatic Mr. Black. Mr. Black is determined to eliminate the masked vigilante, viewing him as a threat to his empire. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues as the New York Ninja faces increasingly dangerous challenges, pushing him to his physical and emotional limits.

Throughout the thrilling action sequences, heartfelt moments, and unexpected twists, the New York Ninja grapples with his dual identity, torn between his desire to protect the city and the fear of his loved ones getting hurt. As the stakes escalate, the city's fate hangs in the balance.

In a climactic showdown atop a towering skyscraper, the New York Ninja faces off against Mr. Black and his elite henchmen. In this ultimate battle between good and evil, the city's destiny will be decided.

New York Ninja is an adrenaline-pumping action-packed adventure that showcases the power of determination, the resilience of the human spirit, and the strength of unity. It explores the complexities of heroism and the sacrifices one must make to protect the ones they love. As the sun rises over the city, a new legend is born, and New York will never be the same again.

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A classic from the mid-90's this one! It's Quentin Tarantino's second movie, Pulp Fiction from 1994. Written and directed by Quentin himself, with some of the story by Roger Avary, this iconic movie stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, Bruce Willis. Now listen to this episode. Pretty f**kin please, with sugar on top.

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Plot Summary:

Pumpkin (Tim Roth) and Honey Bunny (Amanda Plummer) are two thieves who, while dining at a coffee shop, decide that the best thing to do is to rob it. Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), two hit men working for mob kingpin Marcellus Wallace (Ving Rhames'), are sent to retrieve a very special and very mysterious briefcase for their boss. Vincent later must also show Mrs. Wallace (Uma Thurman) a good time while her husband is out. Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) is an aging prizefighter who is being paid to "take a dive", but instead accidentally kills his opponent, and tries to flee town, but not before getting his dead father's lucky golden watch. These four seemingly unrelated stories are interwoven in a non-linear fashion.

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It's one of Chris' top 5 movies of all time this week, Beverly Hills Cop II. Taking the essence of the first movie and turning everything up to 11. This was directed by Tony Scott, written by Larry Ferguson and Warren Skaaren, and starring Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, Jürgen Prochnow, Ronny Cox, John Ashton, Brigitte Nielsen. And a bit of a tangent reminiscing about the old band days and Dave settles a 15 year debate.

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Plot Summary:

Three years after the events in Beverly Hills Cop (1984), the street-wise Detroit detective, Axel Foley, invades the posh city once more, after the assassination attempt on Captain Andrew Bogomil. Against the backdrop of a seemingly endless string of violent and well-orchestrated smash-and-grab robberies known as the "Alphabet Crimes", Detectives Billy Rosewood and John Taggart struggle to solve the case; nevertheless, in vain. Now, a lethally beautiful hitwoman linked to an international arms trafficking ring is the mysterious and elusive prime suspect. Can the brazen and sassy Axel and his partners solve this thorny case, too?

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This week is the pick of Patreon long-time Patreon supporter Lucky Loo Loo Green, and they've gone for the cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space from 1988. Written by the Chiodo brothers, Charles, Stephen and Edward, with Stephen taking the director chair, this one stars Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson, Royal Dano, and John Vernon.

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Plot Summary:

When a small town is invaded by aliens from outer space who are capturing and killing the townspeople, no one takes them seriously. Why? The aliens all look like circus clowns, use weapons that look clown like, and all have painted on smiles. Only a few of the young people in the town realize the danger and of course no one believes them. Armed with an ice cream truck they try and rescue their friends.

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New supporter Leigh has come straight in with a classic from the 'best worst movies' list with Troll 2. And this one hasn't disappointed on the first watch for both Chris and Dave. Directed by Claudio Fragasso, written by Rossella Drudi and starring Michael Stephenson, George Hardy, Connie McFarland, and Jason Wright.

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Plot Summary:

In this family comedy adventure, the Waits family trade houses for their vacation, to live in a wonderful half-empty town. Soon the Goblins are trying to get them to eat their food with green stuff on it, and the final disco showdown is at hand. Nilbog will never be the same.

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It's time again for some sword and sorcery fantasy adventures, Roger Corman style! It's Dave's pick and Chris' most hated genre of movies, but I think there are some aspects of this that may strike a chord. Directed by Jim Wynorski, screenplay by Neil Ruttenberg (bit of a Frank Dux level stretch that one), and starring John Terlesky, Monique Gabrielle, John LaZar, and Toni Naples.

Promo for Tony Farina's new book Welcome to Mansfield and you can checkout here: https://www.arfarina.com.

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Plot Summary:

Deathstalker helps Reena the Seer out of a few jams, and she solicits his help for a bigger task. She reveals that she is actually Princess Evie, but the evil sorcerer had her abducted and cloned in order to seize control of the kingdom. Together they travel to the evil sorcerer's stronghold to restore the princess to her rightful position, encountering challenges along the way both from the sorcerer's goons and the fierce Amazon women.

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Not too many people seem to have seen this one, Dave included, but Chris' pick this week is Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man. Directed by Simon Wincer, written by Don Michael Paul and starring Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson.

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Plot Summary:

Two lone riders and childhood friends, the rough and silent Harley Davidson and the ragged sun-baked cowboy Marlboro, assemble once more when they learn that their favourite hangout and the place where they grew up, the notorious Rock 'n' Roll Bar and Grill is facing imminent foreclosure. For this reason, against the preposterous demands for a new contract, the two lifelong buddies in unflinching determination to win back the bar, they will decide to hold up the corrupt bank's armoured car, unbeknownst to them that its cargo is not money but a new lethal and highly experimental street drug: the Crystal Dream. Now the bank wants it back and they are unstoppable. Is everything lost for Harley and Marlboro, the two well-meaning but amateurish thieves?

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Patreon supporter Blake has picked another out of the bag with the 1999 Graham Baker movie, Beowulf. And no, that's not the animated one either. This one stars Christopher Lambert, Oliver Cotton, Gotz Otto, Layla Roberts, Patricia Velásquez, and Rhona Mitra.

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Plot Summary:

This post-apocalyptic future story is based on the 8th-century Saxon epic poem about the knight who battled a monster in a medieval castle. In this story, Beowulf is a wanderer who learns about a man-eating creature called Grendel which comes in the night to devour warriors trapped at the Outpost. The Outpost is ruled by Hrothgar. He has a daughter, whose husband may have been murdered by the Outpost's master of arms.

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This week is Patreon supporter Susan's pick and it's a martial arts classic, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin from 1978. Directed by Chia-Liang Liu, written by

Kuang Ni and starring Gordon Liu (Kill Bill) and Lo Lieh.

Check out Susan on Geek Girl Soup: https://geekgirlsoup.com/https://geekgirlsoup.com.

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Plot Summary:

The anti-Ching patriots, under the guidance of Ho Kuang-han, have secretly set up their base in Canton, disguised as school masters. During a brutal Manchu attack, Lui manages to escape and devotes himself to learning the martial arts in order to seek revenge. In a short period of time he masters the deadly use of his fists, feet and palms, along with such weapons as swords, sticks, and lances. With his learning complete, he takes on the Manchus.

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'Greed is good' was a legendary line delivered by the infamous Gordon Gecko in the 1987 Oliver Stone movie, Wall Street. Directed by Stone, and starring Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah, Martin Sheen, Hal Holbrook, and Terence Stamp.

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Plot Summary:

On the Wall Street of the 1980s, Bud Fox is a stockbroker full of ambition, doing whatever he can to make his way to the top. Admiring the power of unsparing corporate raider Gordon Gekko, Fox entices Gekko into mentoring him by providing insider trading. As Fox becomes embroiled in greed and underhanded schemes, his decisions eventually threaten the livelihood of his scrupulous father. Faced with this dilemma, Fox questions his loyalties.

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