#Leah Ayres

[weirdlookindog]

The Burning (1981) - Japanese Program

[soupy-sez]

BLOODSPORT (1988) dir. Newt Arnold

[twenty-words-or-less]

Bloodsport

Summary: Follows US Army captain and ninjutsi practicioner Frank Dux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) as he takes part in a martial arts competition named Kumite in Hong Kong.

Physically impressive if ultimately mindless entry in JCVD canon. Also very gay. And more than a touch racist. Apparently typical for Cannon.

Rating: 2.25/5

Photo credit: Maxim

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Burning (1981)

Every film genre is worth exploring but of course, it’s best to prioritize the groundbreaking, innovative and defining examples. If you wish to explore the slasher genre, have already memorized Halloween, have hammered out a definitive ranking for all of the Friday the 13th films and want something less "out there" than A Nightmare on Elm Street, then you're in the right mood for The Burning. With iconic imagery, high levels of suspense, plus everything you want from a movie about a killer in the woods, it’ll leave horror fans pleased.

5 years ago at Camp Blackfoot, a prank gone wrong gave the caretaker suffering horrific burns. Once released from the hospital, Cropsy (Lou David) sets out to punish the campers of Camp Stonewater, whose teenagers are all too similar to those who disfigured him.

If you scoff at the idea of young adults being cut to ribbons as entertainment and think gore only belongs in war movies - and even then, only to make a point about how wrong violence is - you’ve got no business watching The Burning. Even if you embrace the genre, the day-for-night scenes and occasionally dated character interactions (or maybe that's just how things were back then) will still make you cringe. You get over it thanks to the ample visceral thrills. Cropsy’s signature weapon is a pair of garden shears/hedge clippers. While a knife might slip quietly between your ribs and a machete will embed itself into your skull, this tool’s specialty is to sever, which is a whole lot of unsettling. To avoid repetition, the film’s body count showcases multiple ways to slay: impalements, stabbings, slashings, etc. If you want blood and gore, this movie’s got plenty without overindulging. You get enough to be shocked but the objective isn’t to gross out.

Plot-wise, everything follows a believable logic. Cropsy used to work at a camp. He knows how things operate, when campers will become isolated and how to cover up his crimes. His murders go undetected for as long as they do because he's careful. There are a lot of campers in the film and they all have their individual stories going on. Sally (Carrick Glenn) holds a grudge against Alfred (Brian Backer) after he tries to scare her in the shower. He says he was just trying to get back at her boyfriend, Glazer (Larry Joshua) who has been mercilessly bullying him. Karen (Carolyn Houlihan) is being pressured to have sex with Eddy (Ned Eisenberg). They have an argument and meanwhile, Cropsy is watching. You get a feeling the killer is always just outside of view, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. The multitude of possible victims, along with the casual sexism of the late ‘70s/early ‘80s makes it difficult to pinpoint who is “good enough” to survive and who will be “punished” by Cropsy. When something goes wrong, everyone assumes it’s the kids trying to pulll pranks or over engaging in teenage drama. No one could suspect the truth but you know and you’re nervously watching, wondering what’s coming next.

The Burning deviates enough from the formula to keep things interesting but also retains what made the genre so popular in its heyday. The gore, makeup and special effects are impressive. The sight of those shears gleaming in the summer light as Cropsy prepares to sink them into his next victim's flesh is hard to forget. It's not reinventing the wheel, it might be tasteless and occasionally dated but what clenches it as a good movie is the conclusion. We get a terrific, final scare; a thematically appropriate final note that makes you eager to revisit The Burning again. (On Blu-ray, November 13, 2020)

[shinigami-striker]

December 2023 Birthdays | Friday, 12.01.2023

Let's kick start the first day of December with this list of upcoming birthdays for these voice actors/actresses down below, including:

Sunday, 12/3 - Hilary Haag | Michael Gough

Monday, 12/4 - Veronica Taylor

Tuesday, 12/5 - Kyle McCarley

Thursday, 12/7 - Greg Ayres

Sunday, 12/10 - Kayli Mills

Monday, 12/11 - Lisa Ortiz

Tuesday, 12/12 - G.K. Bowes

Wednesday, 12/13 - Dawn M. Bennett

Friday, 12/15 - Greg Abbey

Thursday, 12/21 - Barry Gordon | Spike Spencer

Saturday, 12/23 - Jess Harnell | Joel McDonald

Sunday, 12/24 - Keith Silverstein | Leah Clark

Tuesday, 12/26 - Brad Swaile

Thursday, 12/27 - Saffron Henderson

Sunday, 12/31 - Brianna Knickerbocker

[hallmark-movie-fanatics]

See exclusive photos from 27 Hallmark Christmas movies (Entertainment Weekly) - Part 2, Hallmark Channel

Private Princess Christmas

Premieres: Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Hallmark Channel

Cast: Ali Skovbye, Derek Klena

Official description: "Vi (Skovbye), better known as Princess Violet of Wingravia, adores the privileges of being a royal, if none of the responsibilities. After being disappointed by Vi one time too many, the Queen decides to test her daughter’s mettle once and for all and issues an ultimatum: Vi must pass a vigorous leadership boot camp in Colorado or lose the throne to her uncle. At boot camp, Vi and her fellow cadets are put through a rigorous grind under the uncompromising supervision of Captain Ryan Douglas (Klena)."

Sugarplummed

Premieres: Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Hallmark Channel

Cast: Maggie Lawson, Janel Parrish

Official description: "Emily (Lawson) has always dreamed of creating the perfect Christmas, meticulously planning every detail year after year, only to feel like she’s falling short. Hoping to bring her family closer together, she makes a wish for a holiday as picture-perfect as the ones she sees in a made-for-TV holiday movie. To her shock, Sugarplum (Parrish), the film’s relentlessly optimistic main character, magically steps off the screen to make Emily’s wish come true — whether she’s ready for it or not. As Sugarplum applies her movie-world rules to real life, Emily gets caught up in the possibility of finally achieving the flawless family Christmas. But when Sugarplum's magical fixes start to backfire one by one, Emily begins to question what an ideal holiday really is. With time running out, Emily and Sugarplum find themselves on a heartwarming adventure – one that might just amount to an entirely different kind of Christmastime perfection."

Leah’s Perfect Gift

Premieres: Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Hallmark Channel

Cast: Emily Arlook, Evan Roderic, and Barbara Niven

Official description: "Leah Meyer (Arlook) is a bonafide lover of Christmas – the trees, the ornaments, the eggnog! But she has always admired the holiday from afar because she’s Jewish. Though her family celebrates Hanukkah, Leah has longed to experience a traditional Christmas. When her boyfriend Graham (Roderick) invites her to spend the holidays with his classic Connecticut family, she eagerly accepts. Excited to dive into the quintessential Christmas she’s always dreamed of, Leah quickly discovers that fitting in with Graham’s uptight family and his not-so-welcoming mom (Niven) is easier said than done. As holiday traditions clash and awkward moments pile up, it is not quite the cozy Christmas that she expected."

Hanukkah on the Rocks

Premieres: Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Hallmark Channel

Cast: Stacey Farber, Daren Kagasoff, and Marc Summers

Official description: "One week before Hanukkah, corporate lawyer Tory (Farber) finds herself unexpectedly unemployed and questioning the career she’s dedicated years to. As she helps her Bubby prepare for the holiday, she embarks on a quest across Chicago to find the last box of coveted Hanukkah candles. Her search leads her to Rocky’s, an Old Town bar, where she encounters Jay (Kagasoff), a charming doctor from Florida, his grandfather Sam (Summers) and a cast of quirky regulars who make her rethink everything. Torn between keeping her job loss a secret and embracing a newfound sense of belonging, Tory ends up bartending at Rocky’s, transforming it into the vibrant “Hanukkah on the Rocks” celebration. Through festive food, drinks, and games, she revitalizes the bar, bonds with Jay, and finds the courage to pursue her true calling. As Tory navigates the holiday, she learns that sometimes a detour can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be, lighting the way to a future filled with joy, romance, and self-discovery."

The Santa Class

Premieres: Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Hallmark Channel

Cast: Kimberley Sustad, Benjamin Ayres

Official description: "Kate North (Sustad) finds herself reluctantly taking over her father’s once acclaimed and now struggling Santa School. In the weeks leading up to Christmas and the school’s next session, Kate and her new co-worker Dan (Ayres) discover who they believe to be the real Santa Claus, lost and without his memories after his sled steered off course and crashed near the school. They decide to help him remember who he is by inviting him to participate in the intense Santa training program. There’s a lot at stake this year; Kate’s school needs to best the rival St. Nicholas School or be forced to close their doors, and Nick (Santa Claus) needs to remember who he is, or the fate of Christmas might be at stake."

Following Yonder Star

Premieres: Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Hallmark Channel

Cast: Brooke D’Orsay, John Brotherton

Official description: "Abby Marshall (D’Orsay), once celebrated for her role as an inspirational mother on TV, is finding her real life in shambles after dealing with a scandal. She retreats to a luxury Vermont resort for Christmas only to find herself without a room due to a booking mishap. All the local hotels are booked up due to a rare astronomical event – a beautiful star said to mirror the Star of Bethlehem will appear on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, Abby finds a room at a quaint B&B, owned by Tom Maguire (Brotherton), who is also a high school astronomy teacher. Since his wife’s passing, Tom has taken on a lot of extra responsibilities, including running the inn and directing the local church’s Christmas pageant. Empathizing with Tom, Abby offers to help with the pageant and various activities around the inn and finds herself enjoying both the projects and Tom’s company. Through newfound community, family and love, Abby discovers that hope sometimes comes in the most unexpected ways. A DaySpring movie."

Happy Howlidays

Premieres: Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Hallmark Channel

Cast: Jessica Lowndes opposite the to-be-announced winner of Finding Mr. Christmas

Official description: "Mia (Lowndes), a meticulous webpage editor for the Seattle Tourism Board, finds herself unexpectedly navigating the holidays alone. As the only one working, she's drawn into an unusual encounter when she encounters a stray dog. Unsure how to handle the situation, she crosses paths with Max (Winner of Finding Mr. Christmas), a dog shelter owner. Mia agrees to let Max's ailing dog find solace with her newfound companion, in exchange for Max showing her the hidden gems of Seattle. Through their journey together, they both step out of their comfort zones, discovering new perspectives and forming a meaningful connection."

Note: This is my note here, but she's back. This is the first Hallmark movie Jessica Lowndes has done since she signed an exclusive with Great American Family. Guess her contract is up.

[brokehorrorfan]

The Burning will be released on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on July 11 via Scream Factory. The 1981 slasher features special effects by Tom Savini (Friday the 13th, Dawn of the Dead).

Tony Maylam (Split Second) directs from a script by Peter Lawrence and Bob Weinstein.  Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres, Brian Backer, Larry Joshua, and Lou David star, while Jason Alexander, Fisher Stevens, and Holly Hunter make their film debuts.

Final extras will be confirmed at a later date, but the preliminary list is below.

Special features:

Audio commentary by director Tony Maylam and film critic Alan Jones

Audio commentary by actors Shelley Bruce and Bonnie Deroski

Interview with special effects artist Tom Savini

Interview with actor Lou David

Interview with actress Leah Ayres

Interview with editor Jack Sholder

Behind-the-scenes footage

Theatrical trailer

Make-up effects still gallery

Poster & still gallery

After a cruel joke goes awry, severely burning him and subjecting him to five years of intensive, unsuccessful skin graft treatments, Cropsy (Lou David) is back at camp...and ready to wreak havoc on those who scarred him! With his hedge clippers in hand, he terrorizes the camp and systematically mutilates each victim. Can a few courageous campers save themselves and destroy this demented madman before he kills them all?

Pre-order The Burning.

[nodeathking]

Bloodsport (1988) Dir. Newt Arnold Rotten Tomatoes: 33% IMDb: Follows Frank Dux, an American martial artist serving in the military, who decides to leave the army to compete in a martial arts tournament in Hong Kong where fights to the death can occur. Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Donald Gibb, Leah Ayres

[redrusty66]

Slasher Fest : Day 5 : The Burning (1981)

Discussing the 1981 Slasher Horror Film : The Burning

Starring :  Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres, Brian Backer, Larry Joshua, Jason Alexander, Fisher Stevens, Holly Hunter Director : Tony Maylam Writer : Harvey Weinstein, Tony Maylam, Brad Grey

My Score 10/10

IMDB : https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082118/

Trailer : https://youtu.be/KTvr0SJQ_WM

My IMDB : https://www.imdb.com/user/ur48636572 My Letterboxed : https://letterboxd.com/Redrusty66/ My Poetry : https://allpoetry.com/Redrusty66

#horror #horror movies #movie reviews #films #horror review #scary movies  #slashers #supernatural #Vengeance #cinema  #horror recommendation  #movies  #thriller        

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

Bloodsport (1988) directed by Newt Arnold and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme

[clemsfilmdiary]

Bloodsport (1988, Newt Arnold)

10/20/21

[brody75]

The Burning (1981)

[abduloki]

Bloodsport (1988)

“The kumite was first used by the Kokuryukai, the Black Dragon Society, to measure the fighting skills and spirit of its members. Every five years, the best fighters in its ranks would face each other in full contact with one winner emerging as the superior warrior, the champion.”

U.S. Army Captain Frank Dux (Jean Claude Van Damme) has trained in the ways of ninjutsu under his sensei Senzo Tanaka (Roy Chiao) since young and decided to honor him by competing in a martial arts tournament held by the secret society in Hong Kong where fights to the death can occur.

The film that Johnny Lawrence and Cobra Kai watches! 

[petersonreviews]

[brand-upon-the-brain]

Bloodsport (Newt Arnold, 1988)

[retrorewind-kid]

The Bradys (1990  CBS)