HOME VIDEO FINDS

The first selection from my home video discoveries:

3:15 - The moment of truth

Distributor: Media Home Video

Release Date: 1985

Cast: Adam Baldwin, Deborah Foreman, Mario Van Peebles and Ed Lauter.

If you're a fan of the "Teenagers from Hell" subgenre, than this flick is for you. Adam Baldwin (the unsung Baldwin bro) plays Jeff, an ex-gang member of the Cobras - a ruthless gang determined to rule the school! Jeff leaves the group in a attempt to go straight, and as the film begins, is successful. But trouble erupts when he turns down the gang's offer to hide drugs in his locker. Before you know it our hero is targeted for termination the following school day. And not even Mario Van Peebles and his gand called the M-16s are willing to help the poor guy out.

Jeff is approached by the cops to turn evidence on the Cobra gang leader Cinco, but he refuses (wanting to live, but not snitch.) The last half of the film follows Jeff's attempt to find allies and keep his relationship with his girl solid.

The film may remind you of 1987's "Three O'Clock High", but "3:15" handles the material better. It manages to blend high school with "High Noon" in an entertaining manner. The script by Sam Benard & Michael Jacobs never falls into the mistake of being campy, instead telling the simple story of one man against the odds. Baldwin & Foreman show wonderful chemistry as the star-crossed lovers throughout. In fact, it's too bad we don't see these two on the big screen more often. And finally, B-movie fans will be happy to see the likes of Wings Hauser and Ed Lauter in supporting parts. Hauser as Foreman's concerned father. Lauter as a tough L.A. cop out to stop the Cobras. Four stars all the way.

(More reviews to come)