As with the little known unsung heroes of Hollywood that the VCA honors every month, we also would like to present a new feature: Hollywood’s Hidden Treasures. These are films that have received little or no attention from conventional film critics. Each of these films might be and should be recognized for daring to be different. Some of these films you may have heard of and some you may not, but it is certain that each of these films was made by filmmakers who were not necessarily interested fame and fortune, but in telling a story.

	Big Money Hustla$ (1999) Dir: John Cafiero Entry by: MattDogg When the Insane Clown Posse set their sights on making a movie,Big Money Hustla$ is what we got. Being a huge fan of the Detroit rap duo, I was looking forward to the release of this film for a very long time. When the time came that I finally saw it, all of my expectations were surpassed. This is a hysterical masterpiece of a motion picture. It has it all from fat chicks, to Harland Williams, to WWF Superstar, Mick Foley (Cactus Sac). I highly recommend this movie to everyone. Even people who don’t like I.C.P., can find something that they can enjoy in this movie. Fans of the phone pranksters The Jerky Boys, would also be happy to know that The Jerky Boys are also featured in Big Money Hustla$. The movie also features Rudy Ray Moore, reprising his famous roll as Dolemite. There is a prequel to this film in the works called Big Money Rustla$, a western featuring the ancestors of the original cast. I can’t wait for that one.
	Gunmen (1994) Dir: Deran Sarafian Entry by: MattDogg This is the movie that made me a Christopher Lambert fan. Gunmen is a great movie with a star studded cast, including Dennis Leary, Mario Van Peebles, and Patrick Stewart. Christopher Lambert plays Dani Servigo, a down on his luck criminal who knows half of a secret that can make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. The only problem is that the other half of the secret is known only to Cole Parker (Peebles), an x-cop turned bounty hunter, who is out to avenge his fathers death by bringing some dangerous drug-lords to justice. Led by Loomis (Stewart). These drug-lords will stop at nothing to get their money back. In addition to its main characters, a plethora of mid-nineties hip-hop stars make cameos in this picture. This is a great film with thrilling action sequences, and witty dialogue. Also of course, it wouldn’t be a good Lambert film if we didn’t get to see him get his dirty on with a hot chick, and there is a good sense in this movie (if you like that sort of thing). Over all this is one of my favorite little-known films, and everyone who hasn’t seen it should “bite the bullet” and go to your local video store and rent it. I promise you that you won’t regret it.
	Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) Dir: Simon Wincer Entry by: Popcorn Avenger Many have probably heard of this film and maybe even seen parts of this film on TBS, but not many have given this film the chance it deserves. The film, on the surface, is a buddies-save-their-favorite-bar-action film, but underneath its surface is much more. This film, through the icons of modern masculinity, examines the roles of heroes in the late 20th century. It would seem that as modern men try and achieve true masculinity by riding a HOG and smoking a Marlboro, these are not what really make the man… so to speak. While Harley and Marlboro are the living embodiment of this need and desire, these heroes are strewn with flaws that make them less than perfect action heroes and less than perfect men. It is through these heroes’ imperfections that we can really understand what it is that makes a man… and what it is that continues to flaw men. Starring Don Johnson (in one of his strongest roles) and Mickey Rourke (in one of his last strong roles) as the title characters, this film conveys its message through a good old-fashioned narrative reminiscent of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.
	Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987) Dir: R.J. Kizer and Donald G. Jackson Entry by: Popcorn Avenger With the release of Planet of the Apes, it is time to reflect on and recognize a little known post-apocalyptic opus called Hell Comes to Frogtown. Former master of the squared circle Rowdy Roddy Piper is Sam Hell. In the years following the third world war, the human race is struggling and Sam Hell is literally their last hope for survival. You see most Men are sterile, except Sam Hell. It is his duty to try and repopulate the species by impregnating as many young women as possible. However a bevy of beauties have been taken hostage by the evil Toadie in Frogtown (Frogtown is populated by… you guessed it … mutated frogs). Enter Sam Hell to rescue these ladies and perform his patriotic duty. This was Piper’s second role and only a former veteran of the WWF could tackle the role with the kind of virtuosity this role calls for. This film demands the talents of a non-quiche eating real man, and this part fits Piper to a tee. This might be a hard film to find, but any video store worth it's salt will carry it (hear me Blockbuster).
	The Last Starfighter (1984) Dir: Nick Castle Entry by: MattDogg In the tradition of great Science Fiction movies, The Last Starfighter is a true masterpiece. Over the years, this film has not been as recognized as many of the other films of the genre that hit the scene around the same time (i.e. The Empire Strikes Back). But, Starfighter was a state-of-the-art movie for its time, and deserves more respect then it gets. It is a story of a young man who finds himself in the middle of an inter-galactic war, and he isn’t sure what choices he should make. On one side he has his family and friends on Earth, and on the other he is the last hope for a dying people millions of light-years away. The Last Starfighter is truly one of the greatest, yet most under-rated Sci-Fi films of all time.
	Murder By Death (1976) Dir: Robert Moore Entry by: Hamilton X This comedy/mystery is one of my favorite comedy. I remember watching this movie when I was a little X and loving every moment of it even thou I didn't really understand all of it. This movie contains a all star cast, which includes Peter Falk and Peter Sellers as Sidney Wang. Even thou this movie is hard to buy; it can still be rented at most video rental places. This movie is difficult to find to buy, which is a shame, since it is a pure masterpiece. This movie does have a small following, but later generations are unaware that this movie even exists. I am afraid that this movie may be forgotten over a short period of time and that would be a sin, so please rent this movie, if they don't have it ask them to order it. Trust me, if you love comedy, you will love this movie. Well, okay, maybe not everyone will like this movie, but I encourage any real movie fan to give it a try.
	The Postman (1997) Dir: Kevin Costner Entry by: Staples Revolution The Staples here again reviewing something that is not in the 4 color print form, but the Staples feels he should share it with all the little staplers out there, a movie review on one of the Staples' Favorites, The Postman. This film stars Kevin Costner as the "Mutha F*ckin Postman and sh*t". It takes place in the year 2013; the Postman is one of the many survivors in the remnants of the once proud United States. Costner’s character is caught up in a tidal wave of events that lead to changes in the future of his world. This all starts on one rainy night while he is holding up in an abandon post truck. Within the Garden of Eden trouble arises by a band of serpents known as the Holeists. Kevin Costner directs this picture with the same passion as in his 1990 Dances with Wolves. He uses the pictorial surroundings to create a masterpiece. The Postman offers great performances by Kevin Costner, Olivia Williams, Will Patton, and musical legend, Tom Petty. So all you little staplers put down your X-Men comics and Playstation games and check this film out! One can never tell what the Postman might deliver. If you can read what The Staples is writing.
	Ready To Rumble (2000) Dir: Brian Robbins Entry by: Popcorn Avenger What if your favorite wrestler dropped his strap in an unexpected turn of events? Even more, what if the resulting loss also meant a lifetime ban from wrestling? This is the premise of a rare gem, Ready To Rumble. It would seam that Sean and Cody’s favorite wrestler, and idol, Jimmy the King has been ousted from wrestling by a certain Machiavellian promoter, Titus Sinclair (who is very reminiscent of certain big league promoters) played by Veteran Character Actor Joe Pantoliano. What is great about this film is that the viewer is given a break from the spectacle of the event and is thrust, for a short time, into a scenario of modern gladiators. The film makes no attempt to hide the fact that Pro Wrestling is a show, but when push comes to shove Jimmy the King and company are forced to deliver the real goods. This film features some of the now defunct WCW’s biggest superstars of the late nineties: Sting, Goldberg, Psycho Sid, Saturn and in a memorable heel turn, Diamond Dallas Page. This film is a must see for any wrestling fan, and a definite must see for those who are obsessed with his or her wrestling icons.
	Superfuzz (1981) Dir: Sergio Corbucci Entry by: Popcorn Avenger In 1981, only a few years after Superman had hit it big on the silver screen, Sergio Corbucci created a hero who could have been the foundation for an entire film franchise…only if people had gone to see this little known treasure. Superfuzz follows the career of officer David Speed (Terence Hill) who is gifted with super abilities after being bombarded with nuclear radiation. Teamed with Academy Award winner Ernest Borgnine, Dave Speed wants to uncover a counterfiet ring in Miami. Like all superheroes, Dave Speed has a weakness… the color red. While the production value is minimal and the acting is at times stiff, this is a film with a sense of humor, a good heart, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. In the vein of any Ed Wood film, this film entertains at a very basic and simple level. Finding this film is a task in itself, but it will be well worth the search if you can find it.
	UHF (1989) Dir: Jay Levay Entry by: Hamilton X This movie has an all star cast, which includes, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Victoria Jackson (who the hell?), Fran Drescher (the nanny), and Michael Richards (that strange guy from Sienfield). This movie is 97 minutes long and rated PG-13. This movie was written by Yankovic and Jay Levy. This movie is a true cult classic. Sure Skinny bones and Fat ass gave it two thumbs down, but what do they know about true art. This movie is one of my favorite comedies, plus I need to mention that it starred Fran Drescher and Ricards before they were famous. This shows "Weird Al" Yankovic has a good eye for talent. This movie is hard to find and all because Ebert, the dumb twit that he is, gave this movie a bad rating (I mean a really bad rating, try one star) Yankovic is afraid to make another movie. Well, my advice to Yankovic is to screw what other people think about you and go ahead and make another one. Sorry, if I seem like a grouch, but this movie just doesn't get the respect that it deserves. A movie about a wacky television station is one of the most original ideas seen in movies, unlike many of the so-called classics today.