action – Anomalous Cinema

Night of the Juggler (1980)

December 12, 2025December 10, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Kanopy (and available on all the main rental platforms) | imdb | trailer

NOTE: This is an update of a recommendation from January, 2024.

An ex-cop’s daughter is kidnapped by a psycho in dirty old New York City. This is loosely adapted from a novel of the same name. I was lucky enough to see a 35mm screening of Quentin Tarantino’s print of this obscure action movie a few years ago. Up until the recent 4k restoration this was only ever officially released on VHS. James Brolin is great, and his nemesis, Cliff Gorman, is a recognizable bad guy in many ‘70s movies and TV series. When I saw this at Portland’s Hollywood Theatre, the programmer extraordinaire, Dan Halsted, wisely said that the real star of the film is New York City at its gritty peak. Times Square porno shops, dive bars, and grindhouse theaters feature prominently. Do not miss Night of the Juggler. It is a blast from start to finish.

Available on 4k UHD / Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.

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Dobermann (1997)

October 3, 2025October 3, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Amazon Prime | imdb | trailer

To be honest right out of the gate, this is a ridiculous French action comedy. Dobermann must have been inspired by the early Tarantino films, but is much more comical and over the top. Warning: there’s a fair amount of CG in this one, and it did not age well. However, if I haven’t scared you off yet, this is a truly fun and hyper-paced shoot ‘em up. Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci are great together too. Try to turn your brain off and enjoy the insanity, otherwise don’t bother. The version I watched defaulted to an English dub, but I strongly recommend you watch it in French with subtitles.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

Rolling Thunder (1977)

July 25, 2025November 5, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Just in case you missed this among the slew of ‘70s and ‘80s action flicks, let me tell you about Rolling Thunder. A prisoner of war finally gets home from Vietnam and what happens? Some assholes attack his family, steal his money, and leave him disfigured. Does he decide to take this as a lesson in life and become a minister? Fuck no he doesn’t. He gets some sweet, sweet revenge. This movie is a damned good example of a “revenge-o-matic” as Quentin Tarantino calls them (in fact he named his film distribution company after it). It’s fast paced, features very good performances from William DeVane and a young Tommy Lee Jones, and has a kick ass ending. The screenplay was by none other than Paul Schrader, but unfortunately his work was lightened up a bit for the final version. Mr. Tarantino says the original script is fantastic, but I have yet to read it myself (it is on my list though). Even a tamed down Rolling Thunder is a great action film, and I rank it among the very best of the ‘70s.

Available on 4k UHD from Shout Factory.

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

June 20, 2025October 1, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

A police precinct is in the process of closing when it is brutally attacked by a street gang. This seems like a really obvious recommendation choice, but it falls into the category of movies that younger people may have overlooked. Assault… is John Carpenter’s first proper film after the very short, and very silly, Dark Star. It is also one of only two works in his filmography I give a 10/10. The other is The Thing. I was lucky enough to see a 35mm double feature of both films about 20 years ago. Anyhow, here’s some fun facts for you: The first time I saw this I was on LSD. For a minute I was convinced that the street gang were actually aliens or possessed by a supernatural force. Well, that’s partially because one of the major influences on this film was The Night of the Living Dead. Carpenter directed the gang members to speak very little and act inhuman. Also, fans of Eraserhead may recognize lead actor Darwin Joston, who played a whacky pencil-factory clerk. One final “fact” is that the 2005 remake of this movie is shockingly good. See, I don’t hate on all “reimaginings”, just ones that suck.

Available on Blu-ray from Shout Factory (this would be the best way to see it for image quality).

Truck Turner (1974)

March 7, 2025June 8, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Honestly this whole recommendation should simply be “Isaac Hayes is the star of a Black Action film.” I’m not that lazy, so our hero Truck and his partner are hunting for a pimp, and Turner finds out he’s got a contract out on his life. This is a solid ‘70s cult shoot ‘em up. It’s not quite up to the level of Coffy or Shaft, but it is entertaining for sure. You also get to see Nichelle Nichols play the polar opposite of her character Uhura from Star Trek TOS. There’s also Yaphet Kotto, Scatman Crothers, and Dick Miller along with several other familiar faces. This is a cheesy fun ride. When someone asks what you watched last night, you can quote the man himself: “…tell ’em you been hit by a truck: Mac ‘Truck’ Turner!”

P.S. – Make sure to check out the previously recommended I’m Gonna Git You Sucka too, if you haven’t already had the pleasure.

The domestic Blu-ray is currently out of print.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Foxy Brown (1974)

January 3, 2025April 4, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (maybe skip this as it is full of spoilers)

Jack Hill directed this Pam Grier follow up to Coffy (it was going to be a sequel titled Burn Coffy Burn), and while is isn’t quite as good, it is a hell of a lot of fun. There is so much ridiculous ’70s cheese packed into 92 minutes you won’t believe it. The opening credits alone are jaw dropping. All there is to know is that Foxy is getting revenge by posing as a hooker to infiltrate the gang that killed her boyfriend. That means you get to see all the naughty stuff, and much ass kicking, while being treated to tons of quotable dialogue like this: “You pink-ass corrupt honky judge, take your little wet noodle outta here and if you see a man anywhere send him in because I do need a MAN!” Just turn off your higher brain functions and get ready to be entertained, sucka.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

Rebel Ridge (2024)

October 25, 2024October 22, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Director Jeremy Saulnier does it again. Much like his film Blue Ruin, this is not an action movie, but it does have some awesome fight sequences. This is about an ex-Marine who gets harassed, First Blood style, by a corrupt small town sheriff (played very effectively by Don Johnson). If you just keep in mind this is a thriller, slower paced than most action films, but not as slow as Hold the Dark, you just might enjoy it as much as me. I salute Netflix for continuing to give Saulnier financing for his work.

Not available on Blu-ray.

The Stabilizer (1986)

September 13, 2024December 6, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Indonesia had a moment there in the ‘80s. Mystics in Bali, Lady Terminator, and this epic slab of cheese. The action starts immediately and does not let up. It’s schlocky as can be, but charming. Some people feel this way about Troll 2, but that ain’t got endless gun fights, kung fu, and car chases my friend. Oh and The Stabilizer has a Javanese Mr. T. It’s as if the filmmakers watching every action movie and TV show available at the time and made their own awful version. Thankfully for humanity that equals a very entertaining movie experience.

Not available on Blu-ray.

Keanu (2016)

August 2, 2024November 6, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I only liked bits and pieces of the Key & Peele series (2012-2015), but I seriously love this movie. Keanu is one of the few comedies released around 2016 that made me laugh out loud multiple times. It’s also got some decent action. Plus you get to enjoy an early appearance by Tiffany Haddish and the always amusing Method Man. However if you don’t like cats, or George Michael, don’t bother.

Available on Blu-ray from Warner Brothers.

Cross of Iron (1977)

July 19, 2024October 22, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is Sam Peckinpah’s tale of a good rebellious nazi against a bad medal-hungry nazi. Yes, our protagonist, played by James Coburn, is no Oscar Schindler or John Rabe, but he despises Hitler’s war. Clearly this is NOT Saving Private Ryan. There are plenty of flaws, yet this is still one of Peckipah’s best films. Is it day? Is it evening? Continuity is for whimps! Was that shot out of focus? Them’s fightin’ words. Cross of Iron features impressive looking locations in some scenes, particularly the industrial complex at around the 1:15 mark. I find it amazing that this long, violent, weird movie was a success in it’s day. I say it is absolutely worth watching in our modern age as well. Please watch all of the closing credits.

Available on Blu-ray from Henstooth.