digitalconquest Blog

Under discussion:

The Instructor  (1983)

Absolutely unique martial arts action movie has no point of reference; there just isn’t any other movie quite like this one. You’ll meet characters like Cookie, Bud, Thumper, Chooch, and a semi-retarded white guy ninja with male pattern balding who proves himself to be homicidally insane. Early fight scenes feature swords and trashcan lids while later exchanges showcase an axe and even a chainsaw! The soundtrack is like the film; you just have to experience it for yourself. The main thrust of the plot concerns an honorable instructor who demonstrates considerable restraint while continually running up against his violent arch-nemesis, a man who raped and killed his wife! When that restraint caves beneath the force of a desire for vengeance all hell’s gonna break loose and God help anybody that stands in his way! The fantastic (and LONG) car chase slash motorcycle chase is impressive, as are the numerous scenes of people getting their asses handed to them, but this is definitely not for everybody. You enjoy Kill And Kill Again and its ilk? The Instructor is the epitome of that kind of film! How this isn’t already a cult classic is beyond us, but we’re hoping to change that right now! American trash cinema (and we mean that most respectfully) of the highest order!

Directed by Mario Bianchi in 1989 (not listed on SPOUT).

Ambitious Italian adventure movie about a man named Mark and his quest to find the ‘City of Emeralds.’ It’s a place he remembers having been before, though not very clearly as something took place there that left him unconscious. Mark was saved thanks to local natives and was then chased from their village by a madman in a helicopter. There are others who want him to remember also and if he doesn’t guide them to the riches they’ll kill him and his female companion. Worse yet, the more Mark is able to remember the more he realizes how wrong things have really gone! There’s a little violence, a little nudity, and plenty of scenic adventure throughout this little known and competently made movie.

Directed by Ferdinando Baldi in 1988 (not listed on SPOUT!)

A group of highly trained mercenaries breaks into a guarded base and steals a literal truckload of unrefined gold that they then give to friendly revolutionaries in exchange for good old-fashioned cash. The man in charge of the operation is moved beyond anger by this act of outright insult and is ready to use an entire army for revenge if necessary! As fate would have it the two men at odds have years of hatred between them already and there is only one possible outcome when they meet; somebody will have to die! Surrounding the story is ferocious non-stop action and pyrotechnics – all leading to a truly impressive body count! Mark Gregory is as cool as always and there is such an abundance of action that you rarely get a chance to catch your breath! Elio Polizzi’s score is so upbeat and lively that it’s nearly a contradiction to the massive amounts of carnage taking place on the screen.