Bonus: A Merry Mark L Lester Christmas with Class...of 1984/1999

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Bonus: A Merry Mark L Lester Christmas with Class...of 1984/1999

CatBusRuss⁠ might need to do some research because this may be the last ⁠Merry Mark L. Lester Christmas⁠. Last year, he covered what maybe perhaps his most memorable films, "⁠Showdown in Little Tokyo⁠" and "⁠Commando⁠". Our host is prepping for a 1986 panel to tour the comic cons, so maybe he will get around to watch "⁠Armed and Dangerous⁠" to compare and contrast with "⁠Police Academy 3: Back in Training⁠", but reviewing "⁠Class of 1984⁠" and the "⁠Class of 1999⁠" franchise may address the pinnacle of his filmography.

He did not direct "⁠Class of 1999 II: The Subsitute⁠", but when you compare it to his attempts to become the next ⁠Roger Corman⁠, like "⁠Groupie⁠", there is a lot of potential left on the table. It should be accepted as fact, a little more or just some ⁠Eric Roberts⁠ could elevate them both to B-Movie classics.

Lester is a man who knew his limitations, and these class of movies show that he was a wise director because of it.

• 10 Cent Pistol (2014): Jena Malone
• 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown (2015)
• 1969 (1988): Winona Ryder
• 2001 Maniacs (2005) - Robert Englund
• 2020 Texas Gladiators (1983): Italian "Road Warrior"
• 4Got10 (2015): Dolph Lundgren
• A Boy and His Dog (1975): Don Johnson
• A History of Violence (2005): Viggo Mortensen
• A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984): Wes Craven
• A Time Slip of 10000 Years: Prime Rose (1983)
• Abandon (2002): Katie Holmes
• Absolon (2003): C. Lambert
• Aeon Flux (2005): Charlize Theron
• Against the Dark (2009)
• Albino Farm (2009): Chris Jericho
• Altered States (1980): William Hurt
• American Ninja (1985): Michael Dudikoff
• Angel of Death (2009): Zoe Bell
• Another Earth (2011): Brit Marling
• Antibirth (2016): Natasha Lyonne
• Antisocial (2013): Internet Horror
• Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters (2007)
• Arcade (1993): Full Moon Features
• Arena (1989): Charles Band
• Arena (2011): Samuel L. Jackson
• Arena Wars (2024): Michael Madsen
• Armed Response (2017)
• Armitage III: Polymatrix (1996)
• Arnold (1973): Roddy McDowall
• Assassination of High School President (2008)
• Bad Taste (1987): Peter Jackson
• Ballerina: From the World of John Wick (2025) - Ana de Armas
• Batman: Death in the Family (2020)
• Batman: The Long Halloween (2021)
• Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996): Mike Judge
• Bedtime Stories (2008): Adam Sandler
• Before I Go to Sleep (2014): Nicole Kidman
• Beneath Still Waters (2005): B. Zuzna
• Better Off Dead (1985): John Cusack
• Beverly Hills Cop (1984): Eddie Murphy
• Big Daddy (1999): Adam Sandler
• Big Trouble in Little China (1986): Kurt Russell
• Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020): Keanu Reeves
• Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991): Alex Winters
• Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989): George Carlin
• Billy Madison (1995): Adam Sandler
• Biohazard (1985): "Alien" Knockoff
• Bit (2019): Teenage Vampire Girls
• Bitten (2008): Jason Mewes
• Black Friday (2021): Bruce Campbell
• Blind Fury (1989): Rutger Hauer
• Blitz (2011): Jason Statham
• Blood Sucking Bastards (2015): Pedro Pascal
• BloodRayne (2005): Uwe Boll
• Bloodsport (1988): Jean-Claude Van Damme
• Boone: The Bounty Hunter (2017)
• Botched (a.k.a. Thirteen)(2007)
• Bottle Rocket (1996): Wilson Bros.
• Boy Eats Girl (2005)
• Bride Wars (2009): Anne Hathaway
• Brigsby Bear (2017): Mark Hamill
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992): Kristy Swanson
• Bulletproof (1996): Damon Wayans
• C.H.U.D. (1984): John Heard
• Caddyshack (1980): Harold Ramis
• Carjacked (2011): Maria Bello
• Castle Freak (1995): Stuart Gordon
• Castle Freak (2020): Shudder Exclusive
• Caveman (1981): Ringo Starr
• Cherry 2000 (1987): Melanie Griffith*****
• Child's Play (1988): Brad Dourif
• Choke (2008): Clark Gregg
• Civil War (2024): Alex Garland*****
• Class Action Park (2020): Documentary
• Class of 1984 (1982): Mark L. Lester
• Class of 1999 (1990): Mark L. Lester
• Class of 1999 II: The Substitute (1994): Sasha Mitchell
• Clerks (1994): Kevin Smith's Debut
• Clerks III (2022): Kevin Smith
• Cloverfield (2008): Matt Reeves
• Cobra (1986): Sylvester Stallone
• College Girl Murders (1967): German Giallo*****
• Columbus Circle (2012): Selma Blair
• Commando (1985): Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Companion (2025): Jack Quaid*****
• Contamination (1980): Italian "Alien"
• Coraline (2009): Henry Selick****
• Countdown (2016): Dolph Ziggler
• Crash (1996): David Cronenberg
• Cravings (a.k.a. Daddy's Girl)(2006)
• Creature (1985): Klaus Kinski
• Crime Zone (1988): David Carradine*****
• Crimes of the Future (2022): David Cronenberg
• Cyber Vengeance (1995): Vinegar Syndrome
• Cyberjack (aka Virtual Assassin)(1995): Brion James