Action Trash
The place where Cameron Mitchell’s career went to die, the 80s brought us Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Bruce Willis – but also David Carradine, Frank Stallone, and Christopher Mitchum. These movies will provide some of the most fun you’ll ever have on a couch in front of a TV screen, just as long as you also have beer, popcorn, and tolerant mates.
Where to find these movies? Beats me! Maybe check if your neighbourhood still has an old video store.
Links take you to the IMDd. Circled titles: A Point Blank Films fav!
Action U.S.A. (1989) 6/10
Insane stunts, awful dialogue, and everything but the kitchen sink – including fleeting Cameron Mitchell appearance.
Filmed in Florida by one ‘Martin Dolman’ (the usually reliable Sergio Martino), who here turns in a bad but enjoyable movie that defies all logic, with Donald Pleasence as an evil televangelist. aka American Tiger See also So Bad It’s Good
Deadly Prey (1987) 5/10
A muscley, mullet-wearing mercenary wages a one-man war in cut-off shorts in utterly ridiculous and highly entertaining piece of trash – but Cameron Mitchell still manages to steal the show. See also Namsploitation
Future Force (1989) 4/10
An out of shape David Carradine has a cyborg glove and goes after baddies in a dystopian LA in very bad trash that can be enjoyed with copious amounts of alcohol.
Future Zone (1990) 3/10
David Carradine is back as John Tucker and looks fitter in this Future Force sequel, but the same can’t be said for any other aspect of the production.
Hard Ticket to Hawaii (1987) 5/10
Andy Sidaris channels Russ Meyer in parade of gratuitous nudity, two dimensional characters, poor acting, implausible plot, and bad fight scenes.
Hired to Kill (1990) 5/10
Brian Thompson is a mercenary sent by George Kennedy, with a retinue of models trained in martial arts, while pretending to be gay, to rescue a rebel leader…but not before kissing Oliver Reed.
Kill Squad (1982) 4/10
After he is paralyzed and his wife raped and murdered, a wealthy businessman assembles his former Vietnam squadron to seek revenge; lots of kung fu fighting and silliness ensues. See also Namsploitation
Killing American Style (1988) 3/10
Stupid actioner from the director of Samurai Cop, equally inept but missing that film’s charm; it does feature some of the worst sex scenes ever filmed, if that’s a good thing.
Low Blow (1986) 4/10
Cameron Mitchell is a Jonestown-inspired guru, wearing a black hooded cloak and sunglasses, never standing and apparently drunk, while berserk chopsocky action goes on around him.
Probably the best Andy Sidaris romp – which isn’t saying much – with no plot to speak of, just goofy dialogue, silly action, and endless T&A.
The Order of the Black Eagle (1987) 3/10
James Bond-style antics in a rip-roaring package of low budget, high cheese, poor acting and a melting Hitler puppet.
Terror in Beverly Hills (1989) 5/10
Hilariously inept trash starring action hack Frank Stallone; but the real star here is Cameron Mitchell, who delivers a wonderfully over-the-top performance. See also So Bad It’s Good