Hey Bastards.

 

When the weekend comes, some people grab a light domestic and watch a football game, and some grab a shot of rye and turn on grindhouse cinema until the clock reads 2:00 AM. Here are the Top 10 flicks we are digging right now on Netflix Instant. Hopefully you can find something here to punch your eyeballs with.
 

10. THE THING WITH TWO HEADS (1972)

 

 

Mad scientist hijinks, a two headed gorilla, a long car chase full of crashing police cars, an ending that belongs on a Brady Bunch episode and of course the title character himself, played by that daffy duo of Ray Milland and Rosey Grier.

 

9. SUGAR HILL (1974)

 

 

Diana “Sugar” Hill is about to get some zombies to carry out her revenge. This genre mash-up is bug-ass crazy and cool as hell.

 

8. THE G.I. EXECUTIONER (1975)

 

 

This flick was completed in 1971, but went unreleased for nearly four years. Probably should have stayed that way. This thing sucks six ways to Sunday but I could watch it on a loop.

 

7. DEAD END DRIVE-IN (1986)

 

 

Australians and the apocalypse, they go together like Chiba and ass-kicking.

 

6. COMMANDO (1985)

 

 

Tough not to watch this bad-boy without wanting some good ol’fashion dirty maid sex. For my money, this bastard shows up on my screen more than PREDATOR, T2, and CONAN combined. Part of it may be my attempt to perfect my Sully voice, part of it may be Rae Dawn Chong, or part of it could be that I love seeing the fat soldier get killed 7 different times in the last battle.

 

5. THE SEVEN-UPS (1973)

 

 

Car chases aside, the film is a solid thriller with a standout performance from Roy Scheider. Grimy, cold New York City location shooting add to the grit.

 

4. NIGHT MOVES (1975)

 

 

Gritty modern noir with the 70s touch is one of Gene Hackman’s most overlooked films. Hackman plays Harry Moseby, a retired professional football player turned private eye who gets sucked into a wild case set in the Florida Keys. Hackman’s usual intensity earned him a nomination for the BAFTA Award. Wild climax involving a sea plane is a highlight.

 

3. THE GAUNTLET (1977)

 

 

“You see we’ve got a problem, you and me. We don’t like each other much but we have to take a trip together. Now you can come along peacefully or you can be a pain in the ass. But I’m warning you: You mess around and I’ll put the cuffs on you. You talk dirty – I gag you. You run – I’ll shoot ya. My name is Shockley and we’ve got a plane to catch. Let’s go.” Clint Eastwood as Ben Shockley

 

2. ALLIGATOR (1980)

 

 

Okay bastards, the double feature this week is Robert Forster doing what he does best; Being a mean sum’bitch doing a dirty job that nobody else will do. First up, ALLIGATOR. No way should this flick be as good as it is. On paper this sounds like nothing but a JAWS rip-off, but once this sucker was in the can they ended up with a film filled with urban paranoia and good ol’exploitation gold. The smart script comes from John Sayles, the badass is all Forster.

 

1. VIGILANTE (1983)

 

 
Robert Forster and Fred Williamson. Done and Done. Forster does the DEATH WISH thang when he partners up with Williamson who is leading a gang of ex-cops out to right the wrongs of the justice system vigilante style. Directed by DG favorite William Lustig (MANIAC, MANIAC COP 1&2), this film is tough as nails and has one of the best car chases around (not as good as the chase in THE SEVEN-UPS or BULLITT but close). This is my favorite Forster role, he’s awesome in ALLIGATOR, in JACKIE BROWN he just about owns that film, but VIGILANTE is just about pure vengeance and Forster nails that. If the law won’t get them… we will!

 

Here’s to good watching this weekend, SALUTE!

 

SEE YOU ON FORTY DEUCE,

 

G

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