Directed by: Robert Clouse
Written by: S. Lee Pogostin, Sylvia Schneble
Cast: Joe Don Baker, Elizabeth Ashley, Ann Sothern, Jim Kelly, Burgess Meredith
When one thinks of martial art film stars, the names that come to mind probably won't include Joe Don Baker. While the beefy American actor could carry an action film (as he did in Walking Tall), his stature and fighting style isn't associated with the techniques we expect in a martial arts movie.
But then, despite any expectations, Golden Needles isn't a martial arts film. Sure, a bulk of the action takes place in Hong Kong and we get a few moments of kung fu fighting (courtesy of Jim Kelly and Frances Fong). But the movie is more a mystery than a martial arts showcase and it's best to go into the film not expecting a repeat of director Robert Clouse's two previous films, Enter the Dragon and Black Belt Jones.
Written by: S. Lee Pogostin, Sylvia Schneble
Cast: Joe Don Baker, Elizabeth Ashley, Ann Sothern, Jim Kelly, Burgess Meredith
When one thinks of martial art film stars, the names that come to mind probably won't include Joe Don Baker. While the beefy American actor could carry an action film (as he did in Walking Tall), his stature and fighting style isn't associated with the techniques we expect in a martial arts movie.
But then, despite any expectations, Golden Needles isn't a martial arts film. Sure, a bulk of the action takes place in Hong Kong and we get a few moments of kung fu fighting (courtesy of Jim Kelly and Frances Fong). But the movie is more a mystery than a martial arts showcase and it's best to go into the film not expecting a repeat of director Robert Clouse's two previous films, Enter the Dragon and Black Belt Jones.
- 1/4/2012
- by Chris McMillan
- Planet Fury
DVD Playhouse—December 2011
By Allen Gardner
The Rules Of The Game (Criterion) Jean Renoir’s classic from 1939 was met with a riot at its premiere and was severely cut by its distributor, available only in truncated form for two decades until it was restored to the grandeur for which it is celebrated today. A biting comedy of manners set in the upstairs and downstairs of a French country estate, the film bitterly vivisects the bourgeoisie with a gentle ferocity that will tickle the laughter in your throat. Renoir co-stars as Octave. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Introduction to the film by Renoir; Commentary written by scholar Alexander Sesonske and read by Peter Bogdanovich; Comparison of the film’s two endings; Selected scene analysis by Renoir scholar Chris Faulkner; Featurettes and vintage film clips; Part one of David Thomson’s “Jean Renoir” BBC documentary; Video essay; Interviews with Renoir, crew members,...
By Allen Gardner
The Rules Of The Game (Criterion) Jean Renoir’s classic from 1939 was met with a riot at its premiere and was severely cut by its distributor, available only in truncated form for two decades until it was restored to the grandeur for which it is celebrated today. A biting comedy of manners set in the upstairs and downstairs of a French country estate, the film bitterly vivisects the bourgeoisie with a gentle ferocity that will tickle the laughter in your throat. Renoir co-stars as Octave. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Introduction to the film by Renoir; Commentary written by scholar Alexander Sesonske and read by Peter Bogdanovich; Comparison of the film’s two endings; Selected scene analysis by Renoir scholar Chris Faulkner; Featurettes and vintage film clips; Part one of David Thomson’s “Jean Renoir” BBC documentary; Video essay; Interviews with Renoir, crew members,...
- 12/12/2011
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Joe Don Baker was marketed as a martial arts star in the 1974 actioner Golden Needles, a movie I saw at the Des Peres 4 Cinema back when it was new and haven’t been able to track down since. It had never been released on VHS or DVD so I was psyched to see it’s now out as part of the “MGM Limited Edition” DVD-r series . Before starring in the hit Walking Tall in 1973, Baker had bounced around Hollywood mostly doing TV work . After Kris Kristofferson turned down the role of Buford Pusser, producers offered the role to Baker who had made an impression as Steve McQueen’s younger brother in Sam Peckinpah’s Junior Bonner in 1972.Walking Tall, a true tale about a Tennessee sheriff confronting corruption and gangsters with a large wooden club and a mean attitude, was a surprise success and Baker was soon starring in a...
- 11/29/2011
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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