Ramos, Rudy

Helter Skelter

Based on the bestselling book by Vincent Bugliosi, the two-part TV movie Helter Skelter is a clinical but often chilling recount of the arrest and trial of Charles Manson and his cult for a pair of horrific murders in 1969. Character actor George DiCenzo is a bit dry as prosecutor Bugliosi, who must patch together a series of far-flung clues to incarcerate Manson for the murder spree, which claimed the life of actress Sharon Tate, among others; he and the rest of the capable cast (which includes Marilyn Burns from the '74 Texas Chainsaw Massacre) are completely overshadowed by Steve Railsback's disturbing performance as Manson. Railsback is the main reason to revisit this feature, which shocked many during its network run in 1976, but now seems methodical in its pacing and direction. Warner Bros.'s DVD is the longer 184-minute version of the film, which should please viewers accustomed to the 119-minute rebroadcast cut; otherwise, the disc is disappointingly supplement-free. --Paul Gaita

The investigation of two horrific mass murders leads to the capture and trial of the psychotic pseudo-hippie Charles Manson and his "family".

Colors

Robert Duvall plays a veteran street cop assigned to a Los Angeles gang unit. He takes a headstrong young cop (Sean Penn) under his wing as a partner and shows him the ropes on Watts's mean streets. Penn soon realizes that his testosterone-fueled ways and hair-trigger temper won't get him very far when dealing with the gang-ridden neighborhoods of L.A. Colors is a landmark movie in several respects: it helped bring director Dennis Hopper back into the spotlight after years of self-induced obscurity. Its success at the box office forced Los Angeles's gang problems into the public consciousness and prefigured the next wave of "hood" movies (Boyz N the Hood, Menace II Society, New Jack City) by several years. Though the late-'80s milieu is a bit dated, Colors is still a vivid, absorbing film. Hopper and screenwriter Michael Schiffer give all the characters a very human dimension and go to great lengths to show gang life from both the cops' and the gangsters' points of view. Wisely, they stir in elements of the cop drama, buddy movie, and action genres, leavened with a bit of humor here and there, while keeping a social conscience. Duvall is excellent as always, as the sympathetic cop, and Penn brings a great deal of depth to what could be an unlikable character. Violent, unsettling, and highly recommended. --Jerry Renshaw

Hunter - The Complete Third Season

Created by Frank Lupo (The A-Team), Hunter was one of producer Stephen J. Cannell's more tough-minded cop shows. Credit the character of LAPD Det. Sgt. Rick Hunter (former NFL player Fred Dryer). Supplying the yin to Hunter's yang was partner Sgt. Dee Dee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer). "Sometimes a soft approach can work," she explains in the season premiere ("Overnight Sensation"). Unfortunately, Capt. Devane (Charles Hallahan) pulls the plug on their partnership in the following episode ("Change Partners and Dance"). "You and Hunter have gotten too close," he tells a disappointed McCall. To add insult to injury, Hunter takes the separation in stride. She thought they were friends. As it turns out, Hunter feels the same way and there's more to the breakup than meets the eye.

Other third season developments revolve around romance. Granted, Ray Wise (Twin Peaks) may be a murder suspect, but the culinary-challenged McCall can't resist a man who knows his way around a kitchen ("Crime of Passion"). A few episodes later, Hunter falls for a fellow detective with a few dirty secrets ("From San Francisco with Love"). Fortunately, there will be happier times ahead (that Hunter does get around). Filling out the quartet is Arnold "Sporty" James (original SNL cast member Garrett Morris), their snappily dressed informant, who provides a welcome jolt of eccentricity. In "Love, Hate, and Sporty James," he takes a rare lead, demonstrating some decent dramatic chops.

Twenty-two episodes were produced for Hunter's third year, including the two-part finale ("Hot Pursuit"). Notable guests include Chaka Khan ("The Cradle Will Rock"), Star Trek: The Next Generation regulars Brent Spiner ("The Contract") and Marina Sirtis ("Down and Under"), and future TV superstars Anthony LaPaglia (the Australian-set "Down and Under") and a pompadour-sporting George Clooney ("Double Exposure"). To quote Hunter, "Works for me!" --Kathleen C. Fennessy

22 Explosive Episodes With Guest Stars George Clooney, Anthony LaPaglia & More! He ruled Saturday nights with a quick gun, an iron fist, a hair-trigger temper and a law all his own. For L.A.P.D. Detective Sgt. Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) and his partner Dee Dee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer), it was an unforgettable season of rape and revenge, kidnapping and prostitution, hotheaded cops and cold- blooded killers, and more of the most car-crashing, perp- smashing, rulebook-bashing action in television history! Charles Hallahan and Garrett Morris co-star in these 22 complete episodes featuring such guest stars as George Clooney, Anthony LaPaglia, Chaka Khan, Brent Spiner, Claudia Christian, Dean Stockwell, Marina Sirtis, Candy Clark, Leif Garrett, Leslie Hope, Larenz Tate, Larry Drake, Lauren Tewes, Shelley Taylor Morgan and much more!

Hunter - The Complete First Season

The Enforcer (Deluxe Edition)

Released in 1976 The Enforcer marks the third installment in the Dirty Harry franchise. The film?s plot has Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) paired with a new partner policewoman Inspector Kate Moore (Tyne Daly) as they hunt for a group of terrorists that are blackmailing the city of San Francisco for two million dollars. Callahan none-too- pleased by being teamed up with a woman must put his job first and the two attempt to shut down the terrorists. Moore however proves herself after she and Callahan pursue the terrorists to their hideout in the prison of Alcatraz. Special Features ? New Commentary by director James Fargo Director Fargo takes an entertaining look at the film that launched his career as a director including the day Clint Eastwood nonchalantly let him know he had the job. ? New Featurette The Business End: Violence in Cinema An unflinching look at the ongoing debate on violence in cinema. ? Featurette Harry Callahan/Clint Eastwood: Something Special in Films ? Trailer GalleryRunning Time: 96 min.System Requirements:Running Time: 96 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE/CRIME Rating: R UPC: 012569818385 Manufacturer No: 81838

Trapped by his image in 1976, Clint Eastwood resurrected his Dirty Harry character for a third go-round (out of a total of five) in this potboiler story in which the San Francisco detective takes on a group of revolutionary kids. Tyne Daly costars as a female cop who partners with the reluctant Harry Callahan, and she does very well by a role created merely to underscore and articulate the hero's various virtues. It's a dull package all around, but inside the wrapping are good performances by the two leads. --Tom Keogh

The Enforcer

Trapped by his image in 1976, Clint Eastwood resurrected his Dirty Harry character for a third go-round (out of a total of five) in this potboiler story in which the San Francisco detective takes on a group of revolutionary kids. Tyne Daly costars as a female cop who partners with the reluctant Harry Callahan, and she does very well by a role created merely to underscore and articulate the hero's various virtues. It's a dull package all around, but inside the wrapping are good performances by the two leads. --Tom Keogh

Harry Callahan grudgingly teams with a female cop during his pursuit of a band of terrorists.

The Driver

A tres cool mix of noirish grit and slam-bang action this caper film from director Walter Hill (48 Hrs, The Warriors) is required viewing for car-chase fanatics and devotees of '70s cinema. Ryan O'Neal and Bruce Dern are terrific as opposite sides of the law: respectively, a supernaturally skilled getaway car driver, and the dogged detective who's pursued him at the expense of all else. For his second feature film, Hill keeps dialogue and character development at bare-bones level (the characters are named after their primary function: O'Neal is the Driver, the stunning Isabelle Adjani is the Connection) and focuses on mood, tone, and, above all, some of the most stunning automotive action captured on film. The DVD offers widescreen and fullscreen versions of the film; unfortunately, a number of scenes cut from the theatrical release, including a prologue featured in The Driver's TV prints, were not included in this long-awaited DVD release. --Paul Gaita

Ryan O'Neal drives the getaway car for his buddies' robberies. Bruce Dern is determined to catch him.

Quicksilver

A hotshot stockbroker bets it all--and loses it all--in one day, effectively ruining all his customers while ending his career. So, naturally, he turns to that old stockbroker standby: he becomes a bicycle messenger. Kevin Bacon may have made this film simply to extend the strands of the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game; it's hard to imagine any other reason. Otherwise, this mid-'80s film stands as yet another example of a movie influenced by MTV without understanding what MTV does. Eventually, Bacon leads the exploited masses of messengers in an uprising against unfair labor practices by the evil bosses. There's an original concept. Notable as yet another film to give a role to the dazzlingly untalented Jami Gertz. --Marshall Fine

The Spy Within

Road Dogz

Once upon a time in the hood… "Boyz N the Hood" meets "Blood In, Blood Out" in this gritty tale of life on the streets of East L.A. Danny (Jacob Vargas), Alfonso (Greg Serano) and Raymo (Clifton Collins, Jr.) are lifelong friends who have spent their days hanging out and playing basketball. But everything is about to change...when one of them gets involved with a dangerous drug dealer, all their lives are at risk and they must make some life and death decisions.