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Movies => Good Movies => Topic started by: claws on March 14, 2023, 07:04:14 PM



Title: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 14, 2023, 07:04:14 PM
Ranked by voting count (IMDb). Some titles like Meatballs, Platoon and An American Werewolf in London were reissued by Vestron.

#1 IMDb Votes: 5400 - 420000

5.0 (Perfect)
 1. Platoon (1986)
 2. Dirty Dancing (1987)
 3. Mad Max (1979)
 4. Metropolis (1927)
 5. Evil Dead II (1987)
 6. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
 7. Re-Animator (1985)
 8. Young Guns (1988)
 9. The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
 10. Hoosiers (1986)
 11. To Be or Not to Be (1942)
 12. The Changeling (1980)
 13. Possession (1981)
 14. To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
 15. Godzilla (1954)
 16. The Monster Squad (1987)
 17. The Bounty (1984)
 18. Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
 19. Salvador (1986)
 20. Foreign Correspondent (1940)
 21. The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)
 22. At Close Range (1986)
 23. The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
 24. The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
 25. El Cid (1961)
 26. The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)
 27. Rolling Thunder (1977)
 28. I Married a Witch (1942)
 29. The Dead (1987)
 30. Under Fire (1983)
 31. The Silent Partner (1978)
 32. Walking Tall (1973)
 33. The Psychic (1977)
 34. Suburbia (1983)
 35. Dillinger (1973)
 36. The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
4.5 (Excellent)
 37. The Running Man (1987)
 38. From Beyond (1986)
 39. Mr. Mom (1983)
 40. Prizzi's Honor (1985)
 41. The Final Countdown (1980)
 42. The Company of Wolves (1984)
 43. Gorky Park (1983)
 44. Dead & Buried (1981)
 45. Class of 1984 (1982)
 46. The Inglorious Bastards (1978)
 47. Ironweed (1987)
 48. Amsterdamned (1988)
 49. Fort Apache the Bronx (1981)
 50. Paperhouse (1988)
 51. The Serpent's Egg (1977)
4.0 (Great)
 52. The Cannonball Run (1981)
 53. The Toxic Avenger (1984)
 54. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
 55. Meatballs (1979)
 56. They Came from Within (1975)
 57. The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
 58. Valley Girl (1983)
 59. Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)
 60. Dolls (1986)
 61. Gleaming the Cube (1989)
 62. Godzilla: King of the Monsters! (1956)
 63. Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972)
 64. Best Seller (1987)
 65. The Flamingo Kid (1984)
3.5 (Very Good)
 66. The Last House on the Left (1972)
 67. Lifeforce (1985)
 68. The Gate (1987)
 69. The Wraith (1986)
 70. The Woman in Red (1984)
 71. The House by the Cemetery (1981)
 72. Alligator (1980)
 73. The Lair of the White Worm (1988)
 74. Waxwork (1988)
 75. Pieces (1982)
 76. Class (1983)
 77. Street Trash (1987)
 78. Boxcar Bertha (1972)
 79. Breathless (1983)
 80. What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966)
 81. The House on Sorority Row (1982)
 82. The Hotel New Hampshire (1984)
 83. Yellowbeard (1983)
 84. Class of 1999 (1990)
 85. Parents (1989)
 86. Trancers (1984)
3.0 (Good)
 87. Chopping Mall (1986)
 88. SpaceCamp (1986)
 89. Blame It on Rio (1984)
 90. Gothic (1986)
 91. Dream a Little Dream (1989)
 92. The Land That Time Forgot (1974)
 93. Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror (1981)
 94. House on the Edge of the Park (1980)
2.5 (Flawed but Worthy)
 95. Caligula (1979)
 96. Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)
 97. Once Bitten (1985)
 98. Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
 99. TerrorVision (1986)
 100. Slaughter High (1986)

#2 IMDb Votes: 1000 - 5400

5.0 (Perfect)
 1. Joe (1970)
 2. Where the Red Fern Grows (1974)
 3. Secret Honor (1984)
 4. Saint Jack (1979)
 5. The Family (1987)
 6. Lianna (1983)
 7. The Earthling (1980)
 8. Hester Street (1975)
 9. Madame Rosa (1977)
 10. Short Eyes (1977)
 11. Out of Order (1984)
 12. Smash Palace (1981)
4.5 (Excellent)
 13. The Premature Burial (1962)
 14. Vigilante (1982)
 15. Three Men and a Cradle (1985)
 16. The Private Eyes (1980)
 17. Smooth Talk (1985)
 18. Go Tell the Spartans (1978)
 19. Dance with a Stranger (1985)
 20. Tales of Ordinary Madness (1981)
 21. McVicar (1980)
 22. Good Morning Babylon (1987)
 23. The Odd Angry Shot (1979)
 24. The Prize of Peril (1983)
4.0 (Great)
 25. Rodan (1956)
 26. Savage Streets (1984)
 27. Hail Mary (1985)
 28. They All Laughed (1981)
 29. Revenge of the Dead (1983)
 30. The Bostonians (1984)
 31. The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975)
 32. China Girl (1987)
 33. Eyes of Fire (1983)
 34. Personal Services (1987)
 35. Salome's Last Dance (1988)
 36. The Rainbow (1989)
 37. The Lady in Red (1979)
 38. Mister Johnson (1990)
3.5 (Very Good)
 39. The Trip (1967)
 40. Benji (1974)
 41. A Blade in the Dark (1983)
 42. Mark of the Devil (1970)
 43. The Coca-Cola Kid (1985)
 44. Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1989)
 45. Shout at the Devil (1976)
 46. Blue Sunshine (1977)
 47. The Born Losers (1967)
 48. The Big Town (1987)
 49. Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1972)
 50. Sole Survivor (1984)
 51. How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980)
 52. Hider in the House (1989)
 53. That's Life! (1986)
 54. Big Man on Campus (1989)
 55. The Destructors (1974)
 56. Walking Tall Part II (1975)
 57. The House by the Lake (1976)
 58. For the Love of Benji (1977)
3.0 (Good)
 59. Curtains (1983)
 60. Bloody Mama (1970)
 61. Irreconcilable Differences (1984)
 62. 2019: After the Fall of New York (1983)
 63. Superstition (1982)
 64. Venom (1981)
 65. Light of Day (1987)
 66. Macabre (1980)
 67. Every Time We Say Goodbye (1986)
 68. Man on Fire (1987)
 69. Harry & Son (1984)
 70. The Kindred (1987)
 71. They Call Me Bruce (1982)
 72. Impulse (1984)
 73. Promised Land (1987)
 74. Blastfighter (1984)
 75. Harper Valley P.T.A. (1978)
 76. Final Chapter: Walking Tall (1977)
 77. Dog Day (1984)
2.5 (Flawed but Worthy)
 78. The Sicilian (1987)
 79. Blood Diner (1987)
 80. Catchfire (1990)
 81. Scream and Scream Again (1970)
 82. Cannibals in the Streets (1980)
 83. Up the Creek (1984)
 84. Crawlspace (1986)
 85. Young Doctors in Love (1982)
 86. Strange Invaders (1983)
 87. The Incubus (1981)
 88. Hands of Steel (1986)
 89. The Children (1980)
 90. Far from Home (1989)
 91. My Chauffeur (1986)
 92. Tender Cousins (1980)
 93. Radioactive Dreams (1984)
 94. Tai-Pan (1986)
 95. Jack the Ripper (1976)
 96. Holocaust 2000 (1977)
 97. The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper (1981)
 98. Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw (1976)
 99. The Evictors (1979)
 100. The Wild Beasts (1984)

#3 IMDb Votes: 0 - 900

5.0 (Perfect)
 1. Alpine Fire (1985)
 2. Passion of Love (1981)
 3. The Pointsman (1986)
 4. Turtle Diary (1985)
 5. The Eyes of the Amaryllis (1982)
 6. Maurie (1973)
 7. Stuckey's Last Stand (1980)
 8. Rebel Love (1985)
4.5 (Excellent)
 9. Between the Lines (1977)
 10. The Black Panther (1977)
 11. Till Marriage Do Us Part (1974)
 12. Burning Secret (1988)
 13. The Double McGuffin (1979)
 14. Tuck Everlasting (1981)
 15. On the Edge (1986)
 16. Wildrose (1984)
4.0 (Great)
 17. Strange Shadows in an Empty Room (1976)
 18. Tribute (1980)
 19. Anna (1987)
 20. The Fruit Machine (1988)
 21. Americana (1981)
 22. The Irishman (1978)
 23. Billy Galvin (1986)
 24. Strike Back (1981)
 25. The Oasis (1984)
 26. Manny's Orphans (1978)
 27. Drying Up the Streets (1978)
 28. Kostas (1979)
 29. Prince Jack (1984)
3.5 (Very Good)
 30. The Last Hunter (1980)
 31. The Craving (1981)
 32. Love Letters (1983)
 33. The Escape Artist (1982)
 34. Walking the Edge (1985)
 35. Lady on the Bus (1978)
 36. Streets of Gold (1986)
 37. St. Helens (1981)
 38. Native Son (1986)
 39. Heartbreakers (1984)
 40. Roseland (1977)
 41. Harry Tracy: The Last of the Wild Bunch (1982)
 42. The Projectionist (1970)
 43. The House of the Yellow Carpet (1983)
 44. Mean Dog Blues (1978)
 45. The Girl in the Picture (1985)
 46. Texas Godfather (1985)
 47. Suzanne (1980)
 48. Just Tell Me You Love Me (1978)
 49. Real Life (1984)
 50. Elmer (1976)
3.0 (Good)
 51. The Loreley's Grasp (1973)
 52. Cinderella (1977)
 53. Streetwalkin' (1985)
 54. California Dreaming (1979)
 55. Naked Vengeance (1985)
 56. Liar's Moon (1981)
 57. Circle of Two (1981)
 58. The Disappearance (1977)
 59. Steel (1979)
 60. A Formula for a murder (1985)
 61. A Small Town in Texas (1976)
 62. Welcome Home (1989)
 63. Lifespan (1975)
 64. Search and Destroy (1979)
 65. Always (1985)
 66. Lily in Love (1984)
 67. Waltz Across Texas (1982)
 68. Running Hot (1984)
 69. The Train Killer (1983)
 70. Scarred (1983)
 71. Options (1989)
 72. I Was a Teenage TV Terrorist (1985)
 73. Hurry Up, or I'll Be 30 (1973)
 74. Invitation to the Wedding (1983)
 75. Treasure: In Search of the Golden Horse (1984)
 76. Amateur Night (1986)
2.5 (Flawed but Worthy)
 77. Drum (1976)
 78. Alley Cat (1984)
 79. Return to Macon County (1975)
 80. Jennifer (1978)
 81. High-Ballin' (1978)
 82. Killer Force (1976)
 83. Silver Dream Racer (1980)
 84. Seven Alone (1974)
 85. Golden Rendezvous (1977)
 86. Over Her Dead Body (1990)
 87. Arnold (1973)
 88. Joyride (1977)
 89. Hawmps! (1976)
 90. Love Hurts (1990)
 91. Prime Risk (1985)
 92. The Killer Is on the Phone (1972)
 93. Terminal Choice (1985)
 94. The Tunnel (1988)
 95. The Last Blood (1983)
 96. The Bell Jar (1979)
 97. Deathcheaters (1976)
 98. C.O.D. (1981)
 99. The Beat (1988)
 100. Jackals (1986)
 101. Klondike Fever (1979)
 102. The Curious Case of the Campus Corpse (1977)
 103. Mr. Patman (1980)
 104. The Courier (1988)
 105. Murder Elite (1985)
 106. Age Isn't Everything (1991)
 107. Hometown U.S.A. (1979)
 108. Ocean Drive Weekend (1985)
 109. Courier of Death (1984)
 110. A Matter of Love (1979)


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: M.10rda on March 15, 2023, 10:51:06 AM
Lol! I wouldn't necessarily call all of those films "good" - but POSSESSION is my third favorite film of all time. In fact the VHS big box is on my shelf right now...  :thumbup: :smile:


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: zombie no.one on March 15, 2023, 11:19:22 AM
Is THE WRAITH considered good?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s great… but it’s bad.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 16, 2023, 04:23:11 AM
Is THE WRAITH considered good?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s great… but it’s bad.

The lowest rating was "flawed but worthy". Its all a matter of opinion I guess. I think The Wraith is good with all its obvious badness. It works, and makes for a fun watch.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 16, 2023, 04:50:56 AM
Lol! I wouldn't necessarily call all of those films "good"

Depends on your tolerance  :wink:

I've added ratings to each title in the first post:

5.0 Perfect
4.5 Excellent
4.0 Great
3.5 Very Good
3.0 Good
2.5 Flawed but Worthy

So maybe this helps a bit




Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: Trevor on March 16, 2023, 06:19:58 AM
Best Seller with James Woods and Brian Dennehy is brilliant.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: Archivist on March 16, 2023, 10:26:07 PM
Much of this list reads like the contents of the local VHS shop we frequented in the 80s. So cool.

How does From Beyond get 4.5 when Lifeforce only gets 3.5?  :teddyr:


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 17, 2023, 03:42:33 AM

How does From Beyond get 4.5 when Lifeforce only gets 3.5?  :teddyr:

Lifeforce's biggest weakness is its uneven and all over the place. From Beyond maintains a steady pace while increasing the slimy madness until the gruesome climax.

That's all debatable of course but I think the "very good" rating for Lifeforce is most fitting and it is still a very good rating after all.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: M.10rda on March 17, 2023, 10:30:41 AM

How does From Beyond get 4.5 when Lifeforce only gets 3.5?  :teddyr:

Lifeforce's biggest weakness is its uneven and all over the place. From Beyond maintains a steady pace while increasing the slimy madness until the gruesome climax.


I agree. Neither is perfect, both are lots of fun. I'm more likely to FF through the slow parts in LIFEFORCE whereas there's seldom too much downtime in FB before things go berserk again.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: M.10rda on March 20, 2023, 09:59:06 AM
Okay, I had a few free minutes to break 'em down. I've seen 43 (if I counted right) but I'm embarrassed about many of the 57 I missed: fistfuls of movies I imagine are great yet I've never made time for...
Ranked sort of preferentially, in three categories of descending approval:

YEAH!:
16. Possession (1981)
61. Street Trash (1987)
39. At Close Range (1986)
8. Re-Animator (1985)
22. From Beyond (1986)
38. The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)
 7. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
4. Metropolis (1927)
30. Meatballs (1979)
5. Evil Dead II (1987)
 24. Lifeforce (1985)
52. The Lair of the White Worm (1988)
 47. Gorky Park (1983)
23. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
 3. Mad Max (1979)
 19. The Monster Squad (1987)
 27. Prizzi's Honor (1985)
 29. Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)
 46. The House by the Cemetery (1981)
65. What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966)
 20. The Toxic Avenger (1984)
 53. Waxwork (1988)
 89. Paperhouse (1988)
10. The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
68. Ironweed (1987)
31. Salvador (1986)
14. The Cannonball Run (1981)

MEH (no strong opinion or I run hot & cold on 'em):
 37. The Company of Wolves (1984)
 32. They Came from Within (1975)
 44. Once Bitten (1985)
35. The Gate (1987)
34. The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
18. Godzilla (1954)
 76. Godzilla: King of the Monsters! (1956)
2. Dirty Dancing (1987)
1. Platoon (1986)
 26. Mr. Mom (1983)
9. Young Guns (1988)
 58. Pieces (1982)
 55. Class of 1984 (1982)
 80. Class of 1999 (1990)
 59. Class (1983)
 92. Best Seller (1987) (sorry, Trevor, great actors but did nothing for me)
6. The Running Man (1987)
 
FEH:
43. Chopping Mall (1986)
41. The Woman in Red (1984)
13. The Last House on the Left (1972)  (I sincerely dislike nearly everything about this one, besides the advertising campaign!)

Not bad metrics, tbh. Sometimes it's nice to remind myself that I tend to like more films than I dislike!


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: RCMerchant on March 20, 2023, 12:06:54 PM
I would give GODZILLA (1954) and the COMPANY OF WOLVES more than a "meh".


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: bob on March 20, 2023, 06:05:55 PM
I’ve seen a few of these

Platoon
Mad Max
The Toxic Avenger
Metropolis
Foreign Correspondent
The Evil Dead 2
The Running Man
Hoosiers
Young Guns
Dead & Buried
The Last House on the Left


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: M.10rda on March 20, 2023, 08:11:49 PM
I would give GODZILLA (1954) and the COMPANY OF WOLVES more than a "meh".

Yeah, I know - what's my deal anyway!

COMPANY OF WOLVES has some lovely moments and an abiding intelligence. It was at the bottom of my "Yeah!" list at first. Its pacing is pretty erratic and honestly I think I penalize it for having those two or three ***** moments surrounded with a lot of languorous padding. I have that issue w/ many of Jordan's films. I've seen it twice (the second time to be more sure) and, yeah, I always wish the whole running time lived up to its poster and its ultra-condensed TV ads! (...Both of which get a hearty "HELL yeah!" from me.)

GODZILLA... same deal? I appreciate that they tried a bleak, allegorical approach the first time out. But if I'm going to spend 85 minutes watching a giant lizard destroy Japan, I guess I want wacky roffles, not a dark restrained tone. Just my $0.02.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: RCMerchant on March 20, 2023, 09:30:40 PM
That's cool, man.  :thumbup:
I just really love those movies.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: M.10rda on March 21, 2023, 12:15:34 PM
That's cool, man.  :thumbup:
I just really love those movies.

That is also cool!
I often get a little testy on this site (and others) when people slag on Ed Wood or (worse) on David Lynch or Tarkovski. But I realize I sometimes criticize work that other folks love. Thank you for having a reasonable conversation about this stuff. :)


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: RCMerchant on March 21, 2023, 12:58:27 PM


 1. Platoon (1986) I liked it.
 3. Mad Max (1979) Great movie!
 4. Metropolis (1927) Classic
 5. Evil Dead II (1987) again- classic
 6. The Running Man (1987) Fun!
 7. An American Werewolf in London (1981) Also fun!
 8. Re-Animator (1985) Modern classic.
 9. Young Guns (1988) Eh- if I'm in the mood.
 13. The Last House on the Left (1972) A classic of it's type. Not a date movie.
 14. The Cannonball Run (1981) I don't care for this type of junk.
 15. The Changeling (1980) OK...
 16. Possession (1981) Magnificent!
 18. Godzilla (1954) BEST!
 22. From Beyond (1986) Love it.
 24. Lifeforce (1985) ehhh...
 32. They Came from Within (1975) LOVE this movie!
 34. The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) I don't like it as much as others seem to.
 35. The Gate (1987) OK.
 36. The Wraith (1986) Stupid as f**k.
 37. The Company of Wolves (1984) Enjoyed it.
 42. The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) One of Vinnie's best.
 43. Chopping Mall (1986) Waste of time.
 46. The House by the Cemetery (1981) If it's Fulci- I'm their.
 48. The Masque of the Red Death (1964) One of the few Price Poe's that seemed very pretentious. I dunno.
 50. Alligator (1980) Great!
 51. Dead & Buried (1981) Spooky!
 53. Waxwork (1988) Nope.
 54. Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) David Carradine- I'm there.
 55. Class of 1984 (1982) Punk rock violence? I'm good with it!
 57. Dolls (1986) Stupid fun.
 58. Pieces (1982) HAHAHA!
 63. Boxcar Bertha (1972) Carradine!
 76. Godzilla: King of the Monsters! (1956) Gimme the original cut anyday.
 77. Gothic (1986) Ok.
 82. TerrorVision (1986) Christ Wept.
 85. Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972) Yessir!
 86. The Land That Time Forgot (1974) Blech!
 88. Walking Tall (1973) Ok film.
 91. Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror (1981) My favorite movie on this list hands down!
 95. Suburbia (1983) - and this one!
 99. Rodan (1956) It's awrite!
 


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 22, 2023, 01:56:51 AM
50 more:

 101. The Sicilian (1987) 2.5
 102. Curtains (1983) 2.5
 103. The Trip (1967) 3.5
 104. Benji (1974) 3.5
 105. The Premature Burial (1962) 4.0
 106. Vigilante (1982) 4.0
 107. Scream and Scream Again (1970) 2.5
 108. Invasion of the Fleshhunters (1980) 2.5
 109. Up the Creek (1984) 2.5
 110. Three Men and a Cradle (1985) 4.5
 111. Joe (1970) 4.5
 112. A Blade in the Dark (1983) 3.0
 113. Where the Red Fern Grows (1974) 4.5
 114. Bloody Mama (1970) 3.0
 115. Hail Mary (1985) 4.0
 116. Mark of the Devil (1970) 3.5
 117. Young Doctors in Love (1982) 2.5
 118. The Coca-Cola Kid (1985) 3.0
 119. The Private Eyes (1980) 4.0
 120. Irreconcilable Differences (1984) 3.0
 121. Secret Honor (1984) 5.0
 122. Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1989) 3.5
 123. 2019: After the Fall of New York (1983) 2.5
 124. Strange Invaders (1983) 2.5
 125. Shout at the Devil (1976) 3.5
 126. Superstition (1982) 3.0
 127. Blue Sunshine (1977) 3.5
 128. Venom (1981) 3.0
 129. Smooth Talk (1985) 4.0
 130. Light of Day (1987) 2.5
 131. Macabre (1980) 3.0
 132. Go Tell the Spartans (1978) 4.5
 133. Dance with a Stranger (1985) 4.5
 134. Tales of Ordinary Madness (1981) 4.5
 135. They All Laughed (1981) 4.0
 136. The Incubus (1981) 2.5
 137. Saint Jack (1979) 5.0
 138. Every Time We Say Goodbye (1986) 3.0
 139. The Born Losers (1967) 3.0
 140. Man on Fire (1987) 3.0
 141. The Children (1980) 2.5
 142. The Big Town (1987) 3.0
 143. The Family (1987) 5.0
 144. Revenge of the Dead (1983) 3.5
 145. Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1972) 3.5
 146. Harry & Son (1984) 3.0
 147. The Kindred (1987) 2.5
 148. Far from Home (1989) 2.5
 149. The Bostonians (1984) 3.5
 150. McVicar (1980) 4.5


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 24, 2023, 03:21:24 AM
50 more. The less IMDb votes, the more obscure:

 151. Sole Survivor (1984) 3.5
 152. The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975) 4.0
 153. China Girl (1987) 3.5
 154. My Chauffeur (1986) 2.5
 155. Tender Cousins (1980) 2.5
 156. How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980) 3.5
 157. Radioactive Dreams (1984) 2.5
 158. Tai-Pan (1986) 2.5
 159. Eyes of Fire (1983) 4.0
 160. Lianna (1983) 5.0
 161. Hider in the House (1989) 3.0
 162. Salome's Last Dance (1988) 4.0
 163. Personal Services (1987) 4.0
 164. They Call Me Bruce (1982) 2.5
 165. The Earthling (1980) 5.0
 166. Good Morning Babylon (1987) 4.5
 167. That's Life! (1986) 3.5
 168. The Rainbow (1989) 3.5
 169. Impulse (1984) 3.0
 170. Hester Street (1975) 5.0
 171. Big Man on Campus (1989) 3.5
 172. The Destructors (1974) 3.0
 173. Madame Rosa (1977) 5.0
 174. Short Eyes (1977) 5.0
 175. Holocaust 2000 (1977) 2.5
 176. Walking Tall Part II (1975) 3.5
 177. Promised Land (1987) 3.5
 178. Blastfighter (1984) 3.0
 179. Out of Order (1984) 4.5
 180. The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper (1981) 2.5
 181. The Odd Angry Shot (1979) 4.5
 182. The House by the Lake (1976) 3.0
 183. The Lady in Red (1979) 4.0
 184. The Evictors (1979) 2.5
 185. The Prize of Peril (1983) 4.5
 186. Harper Valley P.T.A. (1978) 3.0
 187. For the Love of Benji (1977) 3.0
 188. Mister Johnson (1990) 4.0
 189. The Wild Beasts (1984) 2.5
 190. Smash Palace (1981) 5.0
 191. Final Chapter: Walking Tall (1977) 3.0
 192. Dog Day (1984) 2.5
 193. Between the Lines (1977) 4.5
 194. Alpine Fire (1985) 5.0
 195. Drum (1976) 2.5
 196. Passion of Love (1981) 5.0
 197. The Last Hunter (1980) 3.0
 198. The Craving (1981) 3.0
 199. Strange Shadows in an Empty Room (1976) 4.0
 200. The Loreley's Grasp (1973) 3.0


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: M.10rda on March 24, 2023, 02:00:29 PM
Good times, Claws - I thank you for posting these - I find them peculiarly fascinating. I don't want to admit to you how many amazing titles on these last 2 lists I've NOT seen - and yet I own dozens of these unseen gems... just have never made time to watch them. And yet, somehow, I've seen THE LAST HUNTER!  :lookingup:


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 25, 2023, 12:02:53 AM
Glad you are enjoying these. I spent most of my teen years in video rental stores and loved the Vestron and Lightning releases. Here are 50 more:

 201. Love Letters (1983) 3.0
 202. The Pointsman (1986) 5.0
 203. The Escape Artist (1982) 3.5
 204. Cinderella (1977) 2.5
 205. Return to Macon County (1975) 2.5
 206. Streetwalkin' (1985) 3.0
 207. California Dreaming (1979) 3.0
 208. Turtle Diary (1985) 4.5
 209. Walking the Edge (1985) 3.5
 210. Tribute (1980) 3.5
 211. Naked Vengeance (1985) 3.0
 212. Anna (1987) 4.0
 213. Lady on the Bus (1978) 3.5
 214. The Black Panther (1977) 4.5
 215. Jennifer (1978) 2.5
 216. High-Ballin' (1978) 2.5
 217. Liar's Moon (1981) 3.0
 218. Streets of Gold (1986) 3.0
 219. Killer Force (1976) 2.5
 220. Till Marriage Do Us Part (1974) 4.5
 221. Obsession (1981) 3.0
 222. The Disappearance (1977) 3.0
 223. St. Helens (1981) 3.5
 224. Native Son (1986) 3.5
 225. Silver Dream Racer (1980) 2.5
 226. Steel (1979) 3.0
 227. The Fruit Machine (1988) 4.0
 228. Seven Alone (1974) 2.5
 229. Heartbreakers (1984) 3.5
 230. Golden Rendezvous (1977) 2.5
 231. Roseland (1977) 3.0
 232. A Formula for a murder (1985) 3.0
 233. Over Her Dead Body (1990) 2.5
 234. Burning Secret (1988) 4.0
 235. Arnold (1973) 2.5
 236. The Double McGuffin (1979) 4.0
 237. Harry Tracy: The Last of the Wild Bunch (1982) 3.5
 238. A Small Town in Texas (1976) 2.5
 239. The Projectionist (1970) 3.0
 240. Joyride (1977) 2.5
 241. The House of the Yellow Carpet (1983) 3.5
 242. Welcome Home (1989) 3.0
 243. Lifespan (1975) 3.0
 244. Tuck Everlasting (1981) 4.0
 245. Search and Destroy (1979) 3.0
 246. Love Hurts (1990) 2.5
 247. Always (1985) 2.5
 248. The Killer Is on the Phone (1972) 2.5
 249. Terminal Choice (1985) 2.5
 250. Prime Risk (1985) 2.5


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: RCMerchant on March 25, 2023, 03:36:34 AM
^ I regret having to say this,- but I never seen any of these movies. Never even heard of them!  :buggedout:


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 25, 2023, 09:16:29 AM
^ I regret having to say this,- but I never seen any of these movies. Never even heard of them!  :buggedout:


From the last post, these might be of interest:

Cinderella (1977) - early Charles & Albert Band production starring Cheryl "Rainbeaux" Smith. Erotic musical based on the classic Cinderella story.
Streetwalkin' (1985) - sleazy and violent crime thriller about whores and pimps.
Naked Vengeance (1985) - mind blowing rape and revenge action with nasty gore.
Jennifer (1978) - AIP "Carrie" rip-off about a bullied girl who can make snakes appear.
Terminal Choice (1985) - Canadian horror about a computer killing patients in a hospital. Very rare as it never made it to DVD or Blu-ray and isn't streaming anywhere.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: bob on March 25, 2023, 09:42:17 AM
of those last groups I've seen exactly 1....

The Coca-Cola Kid - this was not good


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 25, 2023, 12:04:55 PM
Might as well do the rest:

 251. Americana (1981) 4.0
 252. Mean Dog Blues (1978) 3.5
 253. On the Edge (1986) 4.5
 254. The Bell Jar (1979) 2.5
 255. C.O.D. (1981) 2.5
 256. Lily in Love (1984) 3.0
 257. Waltz Across Texas (1982) 3.0
 258. Running Hot (1984) 3.0
 259. The Girl in the Picture (1985) 3.5
 260. Klondike Fever (1980) 2.5
 261. Campus Corpse (1977) 2.5
 262. Mr. Patman (1980) 2.5
 263. The Train Killer (1983) 3.0
 264. Violated (1984) 2.5
 265. The Irishman (1978) 4.0
 266. Hometown U.S.A. (1979) 2.5
 267. The Eyes of the Amaryllis (1982) 5.0
 268. Billy Galvin (1986) 4.0
 269. Scarred (1983) 3.0
 270. Strike Back (1981) 3.5
 271. A Savage Hunger (1984) 3.5
 272. Options (1989) 3.0
 273. Manny's Orphans (1978) 3.5
 274. Maurie (1973) 5.0
 275. Ocean Drive Weekend (1985) 2.5
 276. Texas Godfather (1985) 3.5
 277. Wild Rose (1984) 4.5
 278. I Was a Teenage TV Terrorist (1985) 2.5
 279. Hurry Up, or I'll Be 30 (1973) 3.0
 280. Suzanne (1980) 3.5
 281. Just Tell Me You Love Me (1978) 3.5
 282. Drying Up the Streets (1978) 4.0
 283. Kostas (1979) 4.0
 284. Prince Jack (1984) 3.5
 285. Invitation to the Wedding (1983) 3.0
 286. Real Life (1984) 3.5
 287. Stuckey's Last Stand (1980) 5.0
 288. Treasure: In Search of the Golden Horse (1984) 3.0
 289. Elmer (1976) 3.0
 290. Rebel Love (1985) 5.0
 291. Amateur Night (1986) 3.0


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: M.10rda on March 25, 2023, 01:19:47 PM
^ I regret having to say this,- but I never seen any of these movies. Never even heard of them!  :buggedout:


Jennifer (1978) - AIP "Carrie" rip-off about a bullied girl who can make snakes appear.
Terminal Choice (1985) - Canadian horror about a computer killing patients in a hospital. Very rare as it never made it to DVD or Blu-ray and isn't streaming anywhere.


As per RC's comment, you are now really getting in the weeds w/ these, Claws! Many many titles on this list that I've never seen and don't own and additionally have never heard of! HOWEVER, I have seen JENNIFER and TERMINAL CHOICE.

I'll also throw a mention to THE DISAPPEARANCE - a great, bleak 70s thriller starring Donald Sutherland and a lot of other famous actors - which I am surprised to see ranked so low... except presumably not many people have seen it and rated it... sharp flick, though.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: M.10rda on March 25, 2023, 01:24:43 PM
Also, pretty sure I've not seen nor heard of any of the films on the final list.

Also also - I realize in retrospect I could've referred to THE DISAPPEARANCE as just a great 70s thriller starring Donald Sutherland rather than redundantly as "a great, bleak 70s thriller starring Donald Sutherland" - 'cause are there any other kind of 70s thrillers starring Donald Sutherland?  :cheers:


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 25, 2023, 01:45:20 PM
Well, as a bonus here are Vestron and Lightning Video's TV and DTV releases ranked by IMDb voting counts:

 1. Elvis (1979 TV Movie)
 2. Ghoulies Go to College (1990 Video)
 3. The Wind (1986 Video)
 4. An American Christmas Carol (1979 TV Movie)
 5. Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978 TV Movie)
 6. Fear (1990 TV Movie)
 7. Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land (1983 TV Movie)
 8. Murder by Natural Causes (1979 TV Movie)
 9. A Child's Christmas in Wales (1987 TV Movie)
 10. The Fourth Wise Man (1985 TV Movie)
 11. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1984 TV Movie)
 12. W.B., Blue and the Bean (1989 Video)
 13. The Guardian (1984 TV Movie)
 14. Arthur the King (1983 TV Movie)
 15. Nightforce (1987 Video)
 16. Between Friends (1983 TV Movie)
 17. Takin' It Off (1985 Video)
 18. Long Day's Journey Into Night (1987 TV Movie)
 19. The Kid from Left Field (1979 TV Movie)
 20. City in Fear (1980 TV Movie)
 21. The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank (1978 TV Movie)
 22. Frankenstein (1984 TV Movie)
 23. Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker (1979 TV Movie)
 24. Wimps (1986 Video)
 25. The Vegas Strip War (1984 TV Movie)
 26. The President's Mistress (1978 TV Movie)
 27. A Christmas to Remember (1978 TV Movie)
 28. Secrets of a Married Man (1984 TV Movie)
 29. R.S.V.P. (1984 TV Movie)
 30. High Ice (1980 TV Movie)
 31. Great Performances - Episode: You Can't Take It with You (1984 Stage Play Live Broadcast)
 32. The Best Legs in Eighth Grade (1984 TV Movie)
 33. Murrow (1986 TV Movie)
 34. Children in the Crossfire (1984 TV Movie)
 35. Scout's Honor (1980 TV Movie)
 36. Coda (1987 TV Movie)
 37. Return Engagement (1978 TV Movie)
 38. Touch and Die (1992 TV Movie)
 39. Portrait of a Stripper (1979 TV Movie)
 40. Father Figure (1980 TV Movie)
 41. Operation Julie (1985 TV Movie)
 42. Queen of the Road (1984 TV Movie)
 43. The Streets of L.A. (1979 TV Movie)
 44. The Birthday Boy (1986 TV Movie)


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: claws on March 25, 2023, 01:50:33 PM
are there any other kind of 70s thrillers starring Donald Sutherland?  :cheers:

wiki lists Don't Look Now (1973) as a thriller though there are strong elements of horror and drama.


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: M.10rda on March 26, 2023, 08:23:20 PM
are there any other kind of 70s thrillers starring Donald Sutherland?  :cheers:

wiki lists Don't Look Now (1973) as a thriller though there are strong elements of horror and drama.

Sure. DLN, THE DIAPPEARANCE, INVASION OTBS '78, KLUTE, DAY OF THE LOCUSTS... I'm sure I'm forgetting a few. EYE OF THE NEEDLE fits the bill but was '81, I think. Sutherland was a really edgy guy notwithstanding the big goofy perm.  :bouncegiggle:


Title: Re: The Good Movies of Vestron and Lightning Video
Post by: RCMerchant on March 26, 2023, 10:28:13 PM


 1. Elvis (1979 TV Movie)
 
 5. Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978 TV Movie)
 
 

These are the only 2 I've seen.