Category Archives: DVD reviews

Cult favorite “No Holds Barred” finally released on DVD

In 1989, the World Wrestling Federation Champion was Rip, a musclebound competitor whose blonde hair and handlebar mustache were in vivid contrast to his suntanned skin. His all-American ideals made him the hero of the wrestling world, and made the network that aired his matches a lot of money. If Rip sounds like another top wrestling star of that era, that’s because he’s played by Hulk Hogan (pretty much playing himself) in the cult favorite No Holds Barred, being released on DVD by WWE Studios for the first time today.

Following his appearance as Thunderlips in Rocky III a few years earlier, No Holds Barred features Hogan in his first starring role in a movie that is basically his own Rocky, with a touch of Road House. For those who haven’t seen the movie (or who may have forgotten it), it hasn’t gained a cult following because of the great acting or intriguing plot. In fact, it’s so unintentionally comical and clichéd that you can’t help but enjoy every second of it.

No Holds Barred was not only WWE‘s first foray into producing its own films (Vince McMahon and Hogan are both listed as executive producers, and longtime WWE music composer Jim Johnston created the movie’s score), but it was also a way to introduce a new in-ring adversary to Hulk Hogan in Zeus (Tiny Lister), an enormously intimidating black guy with crossed eyes, a weird unibrow thing and a shaved head (aside from the letter Z on each side). In the movie, Zeus is dominant in a bar brawl fight club wrestling league that takes place in a dive bar filled with cartoonish caricatures of the dregs of society (including a tobacco chewing monster played by Stan Hansen and a midget in a cage).

Brell (Kurt Fuller) tries to convince Rip (Hulk Hogan) to join his network in "No Holds Barred" (photo courtesy WWE)

When Rip refuses an offer by a rival network executive (played with comedic simplicity by character actor Kurt Fuller), a competing show called Battle of the Tough Guys begins airing and Zeus quickly becomes its star. And when Rip declines to face Zeus in the ring, the baddies resort to nefarious tactics such as beating up his younger brother (Mark Pellegrino) and kidnapping his love interest (Joan Severance). And as you might expect given the formulaic nature of the story, we eventually see Rip and Zeus face off in a no holds barred match that is in Zeus’ favor from the outset.

Zeus gets the upper hand early on and dominates Rip, who is distracted by trying to save his girlfriend before time runs out. But with his brother in the audience (and in a wheelchair following the assault), Rip finds the will to Hulk up and rally back in much the same way Hogan was known to do in the ring at the time. But even after his battle in the ring ends, he still has some fighting to do before he truly saves the day.

Rip (Hulk Hogan) takes on Zeus (Tiny Lister) in the finale of "No Holds Barred" (photo courtesy WWE)

No Holds Barred basically plays out like a long episode of The A-Team, with an equal mix of action, comedy, drama and suspense. But some of that comedy is clearly unintentional, which is one of the things that has garnered such a following for the film. Thankfully (and surprisingly), WWE seems to be having fun with its promotion of this re-release, focusing on the haphazard hilarity of the film rather than trying to make it out to be an action classic. And wrestling fans will recognize cameos from a lot of old favorites like Hansen, Bill Eadie (aka Ax from Demolition), Jesse “The Body” Ventura, “Mean” Gene Okerlund and Howard Finkel.

Aside from the new digital transfer, there aren’t a lot of bonus features (barring a photo gallery of scenes from the movie). But given the simplistic nature of the movie, one need not expect much more. Now if WWE can get us a DVD set of the Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling animated series from earlier in the ’80s, those of us who appreciate wrestling’s somewhat absurd forays into mainstream pop culture will be that much happier.

No Holds Barred. Directed by Thomas J. Wright. Starring Hulk Hogan, Tiny Lister, Joan Severance and Kurt Fuller. Rated PG-13. www.noholdsbarredmovie.com.

The Blu-ray/DVD release of “On Stranger Tides” includes a few extra treasures

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Captain Jack Sparrow is back in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth installment in the Pirates franchise. And now the swashbuckling adventure that was a hit on the big screen is available in this Blu-ray & DVD combo pack.

This entry in the saga takes Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and his lovable crew of miscreants on a journey to find the long lost Fountain of Youth. Along the way, Sparrow meets up with the dreaded Blackbeard (portayed wonderfully by Ian McShane), and becomes a prisoner of sorts aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge.

Penelope Cruz stars opposite Johnny Depp as Angelica, Jack Sparrow’s long lost love interest. While the chemistry between these two actors is undeniable, there’s still something missing that existed in the previous trilogy between Depp and his former co-star, Keira Knightley.

The rest of the film consists of everything you’d expect out of a Pirates film by this point: people being thrown into the water, people running in the jungle, sword fights in low lit areas, and Keith Richards portaying himself while dressed like a pirate (well, he’s technically playing Captain Teague) .

The standard Blu-ray/DVD release doesn’t really have a treasure chest of extras, but the extras (limited as they are) are still quite entertaining. The DVD features a traditional blooper reel, which does admittedly make one chuckle out loud a few times, while also showcasing just how talented many of these performers really are. There’s also a series of 3-D LEGO animated shorts, likely to promote the LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game that was released earlier this year. But these are some of the funniest animated shorts I’ve ever seen as they portray key points from the film with humor, intelligence and silliness, making for an entertaining addition to this release.

Another thing worth noting about this Blu-Ray is its compatibility with the Disney Second Screen iPad app, which enables you to watch the movie simultaneously on both your television and your iPad (or computer). While this may not seem very interesting, it allows you to interact with the film while watching it by giving you access to behind-the-scenes material in relation to what is playing at certain points in the movie. For example, there’s a gruesome scene where a mermaid is about to attack a hopeless pirate during which you’re able to see that scene without the special effects, and read a bit about what went into making the scene. So far this is one of the few titles for which Disney has added this feature, but it’s a fun feature that will likely be further explored in the future.

While it may not be the best entry in the Pirates series it’s always fun to watch Johnny Depp saunter around as Jack Sparrow. Plus, the action is thrilling, the special effects are engrossing and the story is predictably fun.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Directed by Rob Marshall. Starring Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush and Ian McShane. Rated PG-13. www.disney.go.com/pirates.

Review by Dan Kemp

Go to Wrestling with Pop Culture‘s Facebook page to find out how to enter to win a copy of the On Stranger Tides Blu-ray/DVD.

WWE superstar John Cena flexes his action movie muscles again in “The Reunion”

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When he’s not being WWE‘s proverbial Boy Scout on Raw, John Cena seems to be quite adept at playing cops, soldiers and the like in such WWE Studios releases as 12 Rounds and The Marine. And in the latest production from WWE Studios and Samuel Goldwyn Films, The Reunion, Cena once again plays the convincing role of a take-charge police officer.

Available today on DVD and Blu-ray, the film features a somewhat convoluted plot about estranged siblings being brought together when their deadbeat dad kicks the bucket. The good news for them is that the dad that was never there for them when he was alive has willed each of them a few million dollars. The bad news is, the only way they can get the money is if they go into business together. It doesn’t take long for things to haphazardly fall into place as Sam (Cena), a cop on suspension for his aggressive tactics; Leo (Ethan Embry), a sleazy bail bondsman only out for himself; and Douglas (Boyd Holbrook), a young and charming orphan fresh out of prison, find themselves in Mexico in search of a wealthy businessman (Gregg Henry) who has been kidnapped.

Nina (Amy Smart) and Sam (John Cena) take a moment to bond in "The Reunion." Photo courtesy WWE Studios

If that’s too much to wrap your head around, the movie provides plenty of action and comedy to keep your mind off any potential continuity problems. It seems that each of the four siblings (Amy Smart plays Nina, the sister who has been left in charge of their father’s estate) has adopted at least one of their father’s characteristics despite their best efforts to not be like him. Sam is headstrong and has a short fuse, Leo is selfish and untrustworthy and Douglas (who was orphaned and is meeting his family for the first time) is a bit of a womanizer, though in an apparently more gentlemanly way than his father, who sired each child with a different mother.

Sam (John Cena) on horseback in "The Reunion" recalls Arnold Schwarzenegger in "The Villain." Photo courtesy WWE Studios

Combine that dynamic with the occasional encounter with a Mexican drug lord, a famous local stripper and other untrustworthy natives and you’ve got an action comedy caper with populist appeal (much like WWE itself). Cena once again proves that, should he ever decide to put his multi-championship wrestling career behind him, he’s capable of being an action hero (not quite on the level of his WrestleMania XXVIII opponent and Survivor Series tag team partner Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson just yet, but at least on par with the likes of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal). And seeing the musclebound Cena riding horseback while wearing a cowboy hat is comically reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1979’s The Villain.

Forced to work together in order to survive various perils and obstacles, the Cleary brothers not only make it through the ordeal, but reluctantly create the brotherly bond they’ve never previously had. And despite a bit of a gotcha ending, it appears that these siblings eventually learn to accept each other for who they are and will keep this new family business of private investigating up and running. Sure, it’s a bit hokey and predictable, but as long as you’re not expecting anything more than some WWE-style escapism, The Reunion provides the humor, drama and action you’re likely to expect.

The Reunion. Written and directed by Mike Pavone. Starring John Cena, Ethan Embry and Boyd Holbrook. Rated PG-13. www.thereunion-movie.com.

Review by Jonathan Williams