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Charles Bronson DVDs Part One
By an Amazon.com customer
Death WishDeath Wish
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $3.16
His biggest hit is an uneasy combo of intelligent, well-drawn character study & gratuitous, pornographic brutality. Only a sick person could watch the rape & murder scene without cringing in disgust.
Death Wish 2Death Wish 2
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.45
More a dismal remake than a true sequel, this worthless piece of junk has even more horrid misogynistic violence with none of the intelligence or character development. Garbage.
Death Wish 3Death Wish 3
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $5.44
Totally over the top Guilty Pleasure classic of All Time is somewhat marred by yet another gratuitous gang rape scene that is mercifully less graphic than in previous editions.
Death Wish 4: The CrackdownDeath Wish 4: The Crackdown
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $2.93
The 4th in the series wisely avoids using a disgustingly exploitative rape sequence. But even though the filmmaking is more competent than #3, this doesn't rise much above TV-movie fare.
Death Wish V - The Face of DeathDeath Wish V - The Face of Death
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $3.62
Charles Bronson and crew repeat the Death Wish IV formula, with Chuck as an elderly Freddie Kruger, slowly dispatching mobsters in creative ways. Worth a giggle for hard core fans.
Chato's LandChato's Land
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $2.77
Here Bronson is like the shark in "Jaws," dominating the movie with minimal time actually on screen. Intelligent, brutal, and involving, this is Bronson's ultimate revenge flick. And a great western.
The MechanicThe Mechanic
Buy new: $11.49 / Used from: $6.81
An interesting premise, good exploration of themes, and great action sequences are somewhat dulled by a horrible Jan Michael Vincent & European style pretentiousness. Bronson still ultracool, though.
Violent CityViolent City
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $3.42
Spaghetti western as crime film. Alternately action-filled & pretentious. Lina Wertmuller provides hilariously stiff & artsy dialogue. Previously cut scenes in dubbed Italian jarringly re-inserted.
Hard TimesHard Times
Buy new: $11.49 / Used from: $5.56
A solid story well-told, set in the Great Depression. This is a high point for both Bronson and director Walter Hill. Americans don't make em like this anymore. Nice widescreen DVD transfer!
Mr MajestykMr Majestyk
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $4.97
Tough, lean 70's action/drama at it's best! A classic. Elmore Leonard's script and Richard Fleischer's direction provide Bronson with one of his most realistically human action hero characters.
BreakoutBreakout
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $3.34
An atypically gregarious performance by Bronson as a rapscallion cropduster pilot trying to bust Robert Duvall out of a Mexican prison. One of his best movies and best performances. Great fun.
Breakheart PassBreakheart Pass
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $2.88
One of Bronson's most prestigious projects, this rousing western-mystery was state-of-the art adventure for its day. Great widescreen dvd transfer!
The Evil That Men DoThe Evil That Men Do
Buy used from: $12.34
Unfairly maligned ITC-period low-budget Bronson classic is tight, totally unpretentious, and "hard-core." Alternates between in-your-face violence as well as some surprisingly subtle touches.
Family of CopsFamily of Cops
Buy used from: $0.97
First of a series of TV flicks featuring Bronson as patriarch of a clan of law enforcers. Lacks spark of his good films & cheesiness of his "bad" ones. But, still, better than average TV movie.
Charles Bronson: Cabo Blanco/U.S. MarshalCharles Bronson: Cabo Blanco/U.S. Marshal
Buy used from: $4.00
A drunken Jason Robards, goofy fariy tale narration, and a plot twist involving a jukebox with a skipping record push this one into "camp" territory despite a strong lead by Bronson. Cool AND goofy!
Charles Bronson: Chino/Man With a CameraCharles Bronson: Chino/Man With a Camera
Buy used from: $1.51
Old fashioned western with a great buildup followed by an incredibly and inexplicably weak conclusion. Almost as if they just ran out of money and had to stop. Sound & image subpar on this disc.
Lola/WitnessLola/Witness
Buy used from: $2.73
The last gasp in the effort to force Charle into the romantic leading man role. A curiousity for the Bronson fan. DVD picture and sound passable, slightly letterboxed..
Someone Behind the DoorSomeone Behind the Door
Buy new: $14.95 / Used from: $2.72
Like a really good episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." Bronson plays confused and helpless, his violent tendancies below the surface--for a while....
The Indian RunnerThe Indian Runner
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $3.84
The most atypical performance of his career--low key and emotional. Would have been nominated for Best Supporting Actor if the film as a whole had been more well-regarded.
Kinjite - Forbidden SubjectsKinjite - Forbidden Subjects
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $2.42
Bronson's last hard-boiled crime drama is impressive for a low-rent affair. The mix of revulsive luridity and intelligence is reminicent of Death Wish.
Murphy's Law (1986)Murphy's Law (1986)
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $3.93
One of the brighter spots in Bronson's string of low-budget 80's flicks. Bronson is tough, but much more lively and humorous than in most of his late-career efforts. Great performance.
Messenger of DeathMessenger of Death
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.88
An interesting premise is thrown away in a slapdash film that seems to fall apart as you watch it. Seems director J. Lee Thompson started filming before the script was finished. Fun in a goofy way.
Assassination (1987)Assassination (1987)
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $2.99
Sloppy Bronson/Ireland action romp could have easily been played as comedy. But no one involved knew they were in a crapfest, which makes it funnier. Basically a remake of "Love and Bullets."
10 to Midnight10 to Midnight
Buy used from: $8.96
A scary, entertaining attempt to mix the Bronson formula with early 80s slasher flick shocks. Well-written and directed, but marred by some hilariously bad performances from the supporting cast.