THE AMG DIRTY DOZEN: 3/22/12 - Ninjas, Rebellious Teens And L.A. Splitting In Two

Here's a dozen reviews from Your Humble Reviewer's work for All Movie Guide during 2003.  Subjects include the least interesting example of all the successful big-budget disaster flicks, an early John Woo movie that shows off his skill for action as well as his pet themes and Mad Magazine's misbegotten attempt to make a Hollywood comedy with the help of Robert Downey Sr.(!).  It's a pretty wily bunch and has something to offer cult movie fans of several kinds.  Top Recommendation - if you've never seen American Me, put it at the top of your list: it's a brilliant, oft-heartbreaking crime epic that never turns away from the ugliest qualities of criminal life to communicate its message.AMERICAN ME: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/american-me-v2010/reviewBREAKIN' 2 - ELECTRIC BOOGALOO: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/breakin-2-electric-boogaloo-v7003/reviewCONTAMINATION: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/alien-contamination-v1505/reviewEARTHQUAKE: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/earthquake-v15140/reviewFUNHOUSE, THE: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-funhouse-v18946/reviewLAST HURRAH FOR CHIVALRY: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/last-hurrah-for-chivalry-v147892/reviewMONDO TEENO: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/mondo-teeno-v198263/reviewPEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS, THE: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-people-under-the-stairs-v37664/reviewREVENGE OF THE NINJA: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/revenge-of-the-ninja-v41176/reviewSURF 2: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/surf-2-v47926/reviewUP THE ACADEMY: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/up-the-academy-v51961/reviewVENGEANCE: http://www.allmovie.com/movie/vengeance-v141794/review