Angel Of Destruction (1994)

1994 - Angel Of Destruction (Concorde-New Horizons/The Pacific Trust)

[Also released as "Furious Angel"]

Director/Screenplay Charles Philip Moore Story Paul Maslak Producer Cirio H. Santiago Executive Producers Mike Elliott, [uncredited] Roger Corman Associate Producers Rob Kerchner, Christopher R. Santiago Cinematography Joe Batac Jr Music Michael M. Elliott, Elliot Anders Editors Brian Katkin, Terry Kelley Production Manager Honorato R. Perez Jr Line Producer Dulce V. del Pilar Production Designer J.B. de Jesus Music Supervisor Paul Di Franco Stunt Coordinator Ronald Asinas Stunt Players Lito Jacomina, George Vinarao, James Torres, Ike Asuncion First Assistant Director Totoy Torres Second Assistant Director Cani Celis 2nd Second Assistant Director Totoy Vinarao First Assistant Camera Jimmy Delostrico Second Assistant Camera Rene Pacheco Camera Lifter Dencio Friles Clappers Ramon Lazaro, Narding Sta. Maria Script Supervisor Gay B. Bustamante Script Supervisor Assistant Cecile Brobio Production Coordinator Ramon Mendoza Casting Director Enrique Reyes Casting Assistant Caloy Luna USA Casting Mark Sikes Sound Mixer Do Bolutano Boom Operator Dalmacio Dumigpi Gaffer Proceso Lazaro Best Boy Electrician Felix Pascual Electricians Ronnie Nadura, Pat Bice, Josh Dorsey, Victor Olguin Utility Head Eddie Fernandez Utility Assistants Lando Lopez, Pablo Lastimoso, Ogie Lopez Key Grip Ruel Dona Best Boy Grip Chris Lastimoso Grips Bong de Guzman, Cinco Nervato, Jeff Weitzel, Tony Gomez Post-Production Supervisor Jan Kikumoto Post-Production Coordinator Michael Kuge Post-Production Assistant James A. Williams First Assistant Editors Nick Edgar, Brett Hedlund, [uncredited, listed on IMDB] Travis Dultz Second Assistant Editor Allison Dean Apprentice Editors Will Leicy, Mark Sikes Art Director Ben Delina Set Director James Price Prop Master Al Abendano Prop Assistants Ferdie Suarez, Restie Peralta Set Dressers Ernesto Delina, Rene Delina Painters Tony La Torre, Baby Vivero Leadman Steven Path Swing Teresa Kelly, Ken Hawthorne Construction Coordinator Troy Bostwick Lead Carpenter Steve Sothan Carpenters Bill Lowe, Chad Baker, Harry Starr, Tim Jouet, Lisa Jouet Key Scenic Shari Minchow Costume Designer Jennifer Larson Wardrobe Supervisor Norma Cruz Wardrobe Assistants Gloria Garcia, Joey Tajanlangit, Michael Magadia Key Makeup Teresa Mercader Assistant Makeup Remy Desamparo, Nita Luna Stand-In Nene Varca Special Effects Juan Marbella Jr Production Accountant Armando S. Lacsamana Production Secretary Cynthia V. Cruz Production Nurse Vicky Banzuela Location Manager Danny Mercado Transportation Coordinator Geronimo Holandez Drivers Antolin Samson, Jim Pasewater, Tony Reynoldson Generator Driver Jose Badilla Generator Operator Jose de Leon Still Photographer Nilo Odiaman Stage Manager Tom Dolezol Catering Services Reynith Lapid Production Assistants Jef Afanador, Daniel Beck, Brian Harper, John Perkins, D.C. Dorino Interns Matt Edson, David M. Miller, Clint McCune, Joe Grube, John Dellinger, Heather Sutton, Adam Kuppersmith, Michael Singer Re-Recording Supervisor Michael Clark Re-Recording Mixer Ken Regan Dialogue Editor Butch Johnson Sound Effects Editors Ken Regan, Paul D. Carloson Foley Supervisor Georgina Spellvin Foley Recordist/Editor George Spellvin Foley Artists John Smith, Joan Smith ADR Recordist Michael Clark Sound Transfer Engineer Earl Rankin Color Timer Chuck Winston Ultra-Stereo Consultant Dan Victor Steadicam Operator [uncredited, listed on IMDB] Larry Cain

SECOND UNIT Cinematography Ricardo Remias First Assistant Cameraman Sheri Altman Sound Mixer Enteno Dona Boom Operator Lance Hedlund Script Supervisor Linda Taylor Production Assistant Tosca Philips

Cast Maria Ford (Jo Alwood), Charlie Spradling (Brit Alwood), Jessica Mark (Delilah), Antonio Bacci (Aaron Sayles), Chanda (Reena Jacobs), Jimmy Broome (Robert Kell), Bob McFarland (Sonny Luso), Chuck Moore (Chet Wailner), “Tim”/Timothy D. Baker (Tony), James [Gregory] Paolleli (Danny Marcus), Jim Moss (Sergeant Rooney), Steve Nicholson (Dino), Mark Duffy (Rodman), Henry Strzalkowski (Louis), Zenaida Amador (Mrs Kona), Paul Holmes (Coroner), John Kater (Carl Wells) Mercenaries Ronald Asinas, Manny Samson, David Smith, Nick Nicholson, Santi Laurrari [uncredited] Mike Cassey (Reporter #1), Larry Cain (Reporter #2)

Review from the Bad Movie Knights website:

Since the inception of this cathedral of bad cinema, we have sat through some really awful shit for you. Movies so bad, that Ralph Macchio himself would turn down scripts for them (actually thats bullshit, he would mow my lawn at this point in his career....which would be a nice compliment to Lorraine Gary who does my laundry currently). Today we have a Bad Movie Knight first. I have failed you. I have met my match in the form of Angel of Destruction.

To date, I have been able to view without interruption some sensational road side disasters.....but Angel of Destruction lasted all of 13 minutes before I rapidly excised it from my video player. I have not seen such awfulness since I watched the Bronx Executioner (which for the record I manage to view in total, however in fairness, I did so to get the name of the director so I could hunt him and his family down for taking those 2 hours of my life).

Angel of Destruction does of course contain some incredibly bad acting, and bad story, which are the cornerstone of bad movies, but it contains one giant fuck you to us, the viewers. The title is Angel of Destruction, which implies, yes this movie is most likely going to suck dead llama ass, but at least there will be some hot chicks and sex right? Nope. The 'Angel' is anything but. Actually she is butt. She looks like my ass. Come on. You couldn't find one attractive woman for this part? When I saw the cover, which boasted the tag line 'So hot she'll knock you out cold'.....I was immediately skeptical. She fails the hot part, and aside from passing out from sheer disgust at seeing her unclothed, there is no way this methodone clinic reject could knock anyone out.....unless her secret weapon is her breath which contains liberal helpings of whiskey mixed with the rotting smell of teeth, decaying from the over indulgence of cocaine.

Nudity. Sure there is plenty of it. And yes I only watched one quarter of an hour of this film. The nudity however, is provided by women, that should be wrapped up like mummies and buried in underground crypts for eternity. The breasts in this movie defied logic. Spanning the spectrum of natural breasts that looked like fried eggs, sunny side up style, that have fallen behind the grill onto the tile floor at some nasty greasy spoon, to medically altered franken-tits, that I could have done a better job creating with a power drill and a tube of bathroom caulk. Ladies, boobs aren't supposed to look like bottle nose dolphin heads.....unless you are trying to bang Aquaman you should obtain a refund. Back to Angel....ugh. The only way to keep from seeing her naked was to pull the tape out. I've gotten more aroused watching Faces of Death, and honestly less disgusted.

Heed this warning. This movie is bad, in a very, very, bad way. I would recommend something from our Costner collection before travelling down this highway of visual doom. Angel of Destruction. Fuck You.

Primary Target (1988)

1988 - Primary Target (Concorde-New Horizons)

Director/Writer Clark Henderson Producer Isabel Sumayao Executive Producer Roger Corman Associate Producer Frederick Bailey Cinematography Austin McKinney Music Jeff Mar Editors Marc Tarnate, Joseph Zucchero, [uncredited] Clark Henderson Art Director Ricky Yu Costumes Lino Dalay, Ronni Martinez Sound Editor Jed M. Dodge

Cast John Calvin (Cromwell), Miki Kim (Pao), Joey Aresco (Frank Rosi), “Chip”/Charles Lucia (Jack Sturges), John Ericson (Phil Karlson), Colleen Casey (Mrs Karlson), Henry “Strzkowski”/Strzalkowski (Joe Lewis), Fred Bailey (Nyby), Leo Martinez (General Swai), Annabelle Roa (Mrs. Swai), Joonee Gamboa (Head Opium Smuggler), Pen Medina (Camp Director), Bernard Canaberal (Pirate Leader), Manny Roxas (Hmong Lieutenant)

Fred Adelman’s review from the Critical Condition website:

March 1977, Chiang Mei, Thailand: When the wife of rich industrialist Phil Karlson (John Ericson; FINAL MISSION - 1984) is kidnapped by rival Jack Sturges (Chip Lucia; SYNGENOR - 1990), he hires three ex-CIA operatives, Cromwell (John Calvin; TV's TALES OF THE GOLD MONKEY - 1982), Frank Rosi (Joey Aresco; CIRCLE OF FEAR - 1989) and Joe Lewis (Henry Strzalkowski; EQUALIZER 2000 - 1986) to save his wife and bring Sturges down. With a promise of $250,000 each, the trio (who are old friends and served in the same Army unit together) readily agree to take the job, especially when they find out Sturges is involved. Sturges also was a member of their old Army unit until he went bad and now smuggles heroin out of Laos. Knowing full well that Phil Karlson is a bagman for the CIA and that their mission smells a little fishy (Sturges may be a drug smuggler, but kidnapping a woman is out of character), the trio, along with a female guide named Pao (Miki Kim), begins their trek down river into Laos to free Mrs. Karlson (Colleen Casey). Along the way, Pao picks up an infant and everyone encounters enemy soldiers. They stop at a village, only to find that nearly all the villagers, including women and children, were viciously gunned-down in the center of town. Pao gives the baby to a young mother who just witnessed her baby being killed by heartless drug smugglers (It's a reasonable solution to a sticky situation). Frank is captured by the drug smugglers, tied to a cross and is tortured by being submerged in a lake while hanging upside down. Cromwell, Joe and Pao rush in and save Frank's ass, killing all the drug smugglers in a hail of automatic gunfire. They make it to Sturges' jungle compound, but it looks as if Pao (after just making love to Cromwell) has turned traitor and joined Sturges' side. To make matters worse, Sturges and Mrs. Karlson are actually lovers (the kidnapping was all a set-up to extort money from her husband), but our trio do manage to snatch her back and intend to complete their mission. Joe is seriously wounded during the "rescue" and dies, leaving Cromwell, Frank and Mrs. Karlson to hoof it by foot to their pick-up point. The finale finds Cromwell and Frank taking the side of Sturges and Mrs. Karlson when it is revealed that Phil Karlson is actually the drug smuggler and Sturges is only trying to help the locals, with the help of his lover, Mrs. Karlson. It's a crazy world we live in, isn't it?

This minor actioner, directed and written by Clark Henderson (WARLORDS FROM HELL - 1985; SAIGON COMMANDOS - 1987), tries too hard to be socially relevant (The plight of the poor locals, who have to deal with the drug smugglers, who use them as slave labor, as well as the brutal government who couldn't give a rat's ass about their well-being. Boo-frickin'-hoo!), but the film comes across rather flat and pedantic. Though some of the action scenes are very bloody (people are shot in the head; women and children are killed on-camera), this Philippines-lensed film seems overly familiar and stale. Even the twist ending is telegraphed early on and the death scenes have an over-reliance on using slow-motion (Henderson is no Peckinpah, that's for sure!). The only plus here is the easy chemistry between John Calvin (who would appear in the far-superior SIEGE OF FIREBASE GLORIA the next year), Joey Aresco and Henry Strzalkowski (a regular in the films of director Cirio H. Santiago). They seem quite comfortable in each other's company and their dialogue seems natural and unforced. That's little compensation for what amounts to be a miniscule footnote in Filipino action film history, though. A small ripple in an ocean of killer waves. Also starring Leo Martinez, Frederick Bailey, Annabelle Roa and Joonee Gamboa. Originally released on VHS by MGM/UA Home Video and not yet available on DVD.

Saigon Commandos (1987)

1987 - Saigon Commandos (Concorde Pictures)

Director Clark Henderson Writer Thomas McKelvey Cleaver Producers John Schouweiler, Isabel Sumayao Executive Producer [uncredited] Roger Corman Music Samuel Ascunion Cinematography Jun Pereira Editor “I.C. MacKendrick”/Clark Henderson Production Design Mariles Gonzáles

Cast Richard Young (Sgt. Mark Stryker), P.J. Soles (Jean Lassiter), John Allen Nelson (Timothy Bryant), “Jimi B. Jr”/Jimmy Bridges (Pfc. Will Thomas), Spanky Manikan (Jon Toi), Joonee Gamboa (Nguyen Huu Tri), Willie Williams (Gary Richards), Crispen Medina (Quy), Leo Martinez (Prosecuter). “J.M.”/Jose Mari Avellana (Col. Tranh), Steve Rogers (Eddie Roy Hibbert), Ronnie Patterson (Andy Winters), David Light (Jack Alberts), Jack S. Daniels (Jackson), Earl Palma (Cobra Ring), Lupo Gosengfiao (Accomplice), David Giberson (Deserter), Richard King (Hitman #1), Kris Aguilar (Hitman #2), Susan Africa (Lang), Nick Nicholson (Airborne Sgt), Don Wilson (Airborne Corp), Doug Lincoln (Airborne Sp / 4), Larry Limjoco (Arvin #1), Patrick Lucero (Arvin #2), Manolet Parcon (Dao), Randy Hrobar (Corporal), John Michael (Kid MP #1), Daniel Dietrich (Kid MP #2), Louis del Castillo (G.I. #1), Jim Moss (G.I. #2), Kristine Erlandson (Pretty Nurse), Mia Gutierrez (Toi's Wife), Bernard [Factor] Canaberal (Viet Emcee), Ricky Spencer (Newbie #1), “Rafael Soques”/Raffael Soquez (Newbie #2), Nandy Zialcita (Newbie #3), Theresa Dumpit ( Bar Girl), Marita de Guzman (My Chanh), Inaqui del Rosario (Street Urchin), Grace Mengillen (Prostitute), Bettina Gonzales (Madam), Fred Bailey (Captain)

Fred Adelman’s review from the Critcon Online website:

This film spends little time addressing the Vietnam War, even though it takes place in Saigon during the year 1970. This film spends most it's time dealing with the exploits of a group of MPs, led by Sgt. Mark Stryker (Richard Young; FINAL MISSION - 1984), as they deal with a city that's so corrupt, it's nearly impossible to get anything done. Sgt. Stryker and his men not only contend with a serial killer dubbed the "Hollowpoint Killer" by the press (due to the type of bullet the killer uses), they also have to constantly keep the peace between the American occupation and the locals who resent their presence. Tensions are so bad, some locals slit the throat of Sgt. Tim Bryant's (John Allen Nelson; KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE - 1988) Vietnamese girlfriend while he watches. The appearance of Associated Press reporter Jean Lassiter (P.J. Soles; HALLOWEEN - 1978), who is assigned to ride along with Sgt. Stryker, only makes his job more difficult. When the Hollowpoint Killer, who has murdered ten Vietnamese locals, kills his first American victim, the pressure is put on Sgt. Stryker to find him and find him fast. Complicating matters is when Tim, who is grieving the loss of his girlfriend, turns rogue and begins murdering locals in retribution. Not anonymous locals, mind you, but prominent, influential locals. Sgt. Stryker, who had an opportunity to bring Tim in, but let his personal friendship with him get in the way, is framed by Col. Tranh (Joe Mari Avellana) for the death of Stryker's commanding officer (Frederick Bailey). When a lynch mob of locals try to grab Stryker as he is taken into custody, he escapes with the help of Jean and some of his MP buddies. He then sets out to clear his name, stop both Tim and the Hollowpoint Killer and bring Col Tranh and his men down. To do that, Stryker gathers all his Special Forces buddies together (he first has to rescue them in the jungle while they are under heavy enemy fire) and they then begin to lay waste to Saigon. When a nun and some orphans are killed by a sniper, the locals blame Tim, but Stryker knows better. The sniper is actually working for Col. Tranh, who is also responsible for the Hollowpoint Killer. Col. Tranh hopes to get the locals so riled up that they force all Americans out of Saigon. The sniper then kills a bunch of Buddhists and tensions reach the boiling point. When Jean is kidnapped, Stryker and his men swing into action and save her. The finale takes place at an anti-American rally, where Tim has the rally's leader, Nguyen HuuTri (Joonie Gamboa), in his sights. Stryker must settle with Tim, the Hollowpoint Killer and a corrupt political system all at the same time before the film concludes. This is a halfway decent actioner that also attempts to address the difficulties the American occupation had to endure while living amongst people quite different than us during a time of war.

While far from perfect (there's evidence of post-production tampering by adding narration by Richard Young to walk us through some scenes, which were probably never finished or didn't contain enough footage to survive without an added explanation), director Clark Henderson (who also gave us the god-awful WARLORDS FROM HELL [1985] and the so-so PRIMARY TARGET [1988]) at least tries to deliver something different, mixing action, mystery, political intrigue, corruption and racial tensions into a heady little brew. You've got to admire a film that opens with a Vietnamese rock band (actually Filipino group "The Eurasia Band") grooving to "House Of The Rising Sun" and "Midnight Special" while a group of American GIs (led by Nick Nicholson) and Vietnamese locals face-off in a bar. The script, by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver (THE SISTERHOOD - 1987; THE TERROR WITHIN - 1988), is much more political than most films in this genre and the backdrop of cultural differences does manage to generate some genuine suspense. This film also tries to play fair with both sides of the political coin. Scripter Cleaver portrays the occupying American forces and the native Vietnamese as flawed human beings with passions that turn out tragically for both sides. Sure, there are villians here, but most of them pay for their sins with their lives. Tim's death is probably the film's most dramatic, kind of what law enforcement calls "death by cop", where Tim leaves his buddies no choice but to kill him, even though his sniper rifle is out of ammunition. To Tim, this is a hero's death. He would rather his friends kill him then spend the rest of his life in prison. Director Henderson fills the film with plenty of bloody bullet squibs (including scenes of children getting killed), explosions, chases and nudity, so action fans will not be disappointed, but this film has loftier ambitions than a straight-ahead action flick. Give it a try. If I didn't know better, I would say that Filipino director/producer Cirio H. Santiago had a hand in this (it's full of his people, both in front and behind the camera), but his name is nowhere to be found in the credits.

Field Of Fire (1990)

1990 - Field Of Fire (Pacific Trust/Concorde Pictures)

Director Cirio H. Santiago Screenplay Thomas McKelvey Cleaver [IMDB also lists David A. Thomas] Producer Christopher R. Santiago Executive Producer [uncredited] Roger Corman Musical Director Nonong Buencamino [IMDB also lists Bill Clifford III] Cinematography Joe Batac Editor Edgardo Vinarao Comptroller Dulce V. del Pilar Production Manager Honorato R. Perez Jr Associate Director Bobby Santiago Assistant Director Jose Torres Assistant Production Manager Ricky Tolentino Casting Director Enrique Reyes [IMDB also lists Kevin Reidy] Assistant Casting Director Eric Hahn Talent Coordinator Caloy Luna Production Designer “Joe”/Jose Mari Avellana Art Director Ronnie Cruz Script Coach “Joe”/Joseph Zucchero Script Supervisor Chining Sagarbarria Production Assistant Renie Suiza Production Accountant Armando Lacsamana Field Cashier Al Gomez Office Coordinator Ramon Mendoza Cameraman Rey Lapid Gaffer Proceso Lazaro Assistant Cameramen Rene Pachero, Butchoy Dumigpi Sound Supervision Vic Macamay Sound Effects Rudy Cabrales, Jun Cabrales Assistant Editors Totoy Vinarao, Hernani Diamante Soundmen Do Bulotano, Vicente Dona Boom Man Macy Dumigpi Special Effects Juan Marbella Jr Wardrobe Head Ron Neri Tan Wardrobe Assistants Gloria Garcia, Conching Tajanglangit, Inday del Rosario, Ferdie Cabigting Makeup Artist Teresa Mercader Makeup Assistants Remy Desamparo, Nita Luna Stills Nilo Odiaman Setmen Ben Delina, Ferdie Suarez, Erning Delina, Mitch Garcia, Johnny Marate, Julio Tapaz Set Artist Jun Peregrino Head Carpenter Ricardo Garcia Set Carpenter Francisco Ginoo Propsmen Max Paglinawan, Resty Peralta Utility Head Eddie Fernandez Utility Assistant Lino Oposa, Lando Lopez, Pablo Lastimoso, Ferdie Tajanglangit Production Nurse Lita Sangalang Meal Checker Julio Manguni Best Boy Felix Pascual Set Property Master Al Abendano Transportation Captain Geronimo Holandez Stunt Coordinators Fred Esplana, Ronald Asinas Stand-In Nene Varca Grip Jimmy Luisito, Monching Yongco, Ruel Dona, Roque Blanco Grip/Dolly Eddie Boy Badiola, Paquito Pascual, Dencio Frilles Clapper Ramon Lazaro, Baby Garcia Electricians/Mechanics Joe de Leon, Peping Badilla, Ronnie Nadura Unit Truck Driver Antolin Samson Optical Operator Boy Quilatan

Cast David Carradine (General Corman), Eb Lottimer (Sergeant Duncan), David Anthony Smith (Lieutenant Reynolds), Scott Utley (Senator), Don Barnes (Jimmy-T), Henry Strzalkowski (Hawk), Jim Moss (Wilson), Tonichi Fructuoso (Jeff), “Joe”/Jose Mari Avellana (Captain Phat), Ruben Ramos (Major Ho), “Joe”/Joseph Zucchero (Major Terry), Archie Ramirez (Captain Thuy), “Joe Towers”/José Torres (Sergeant Tho), Ken Metcalfe (Charles Gray), Robert Ginnivan, Steve Rogers, James Paolelli, Aaron Wellborn, [uncredited] Eddie Gaerlan (Sergeant)