Stephen Rees has raised my ire once again. To use a Reesian turn of phrase , he has really Michael’d my Dudikoff.
On a recent episode of his podcast and YouTube show The Rees Company. A show that I am a big fan of, this insufferable ass downplayed the cultural significance of the straight to video films of the 80’ and 90’s. Rees questioned his co-host Chris Morganti as to why anyone would rent a straight to video film as opposed to a theatrical release that has made its way to video.
I assume that Rees’ ignorance, arrogance and refusal to recognize fine art is one of the many reasons his wife uses an alias.
I for one would use the Olympics that are airing right now for an example as to why I preferred the straight to video films. When the Olympics roll around every four years, I’m excited to see unusual sports that I don’t usually see or have never seen before. I have seen basketball. I wanna see table tennis or handball. Often these unusual spectacles are unique and more exciting than the sports we are familiar with. Case in point women’s rugby. This has been the break out star of the 2024 Paris Olympics for many Americans. I’d go so far as to say that women’s rugby is the Puppet Master of its time.
As for STV Films being knock offs of theatrical releases, explain to me the 1993 Sam Firstenberg directed Cyborg Cop starring David Bradley. What studio released film can you think of that combines robots and cops? You cant can you? Another case in point Fred Olen Ray’s Alienator which combines aliens and robot shit? I don’t know.
This is the official substack of the This Week in Charles Bronson Podcast, and although Bronson’s Cannon Films did get theatrical releases for all intents and purposes everything after 1987 or so might has well have been STV. The films got such limited theatrical releases and those releases were mostly just to keep Cannon’s deal with their home video distributors satisfied.
How many of us would have missed Charles Bronson threatening a John with a dildo in Kinjite: The Forbidden Subjects had we not had the video market?
For many of us Gen Xers the STV films were far more appealing and diverse, especially in the realm of Horror or Action Film.
Rees uses the Anna Nicole Smith vehicle Skyscraper about a big busted helicopter pilot to make his point. I use the Anna Nicole Smith vehicle Skyscraper about a big busted helicopter pilot to make my point.
Hollywood, you had me at big busted helicopter pilot.
Be kind, Rewind.
Like any other genre, there's good and bad in Direct to Vids. Not sure if I have a fave but a big deal was made back in the day about Ray Liotta's excellent PHOENIX.
This post really John P'd my Ryan.